Ukrainian billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky, onetime governor of Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region and former owner of one of the country’s largest banks, is being held on about $13 million in bail by Ukrainian authorities on charges of fraud and money laundering. United Nations imposed restrictions against him for “engaging in significant corruption” while serving as governor in 2021.
Here’s the latest on war and its ripple effects around the world.
Russia carried out a drone strike in the Odesa region on Sunday. Two people injured and infrastructure damaged, Officials said. Air Force of Ukraine said In Telegram, air defenses shot down 22 of 25 Iranian-made Shahed drones that were flying towards the port city. Odessa has come under increasing fire from Moscow since the Kremlin pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which in July enabled Kiev to channel exports through Russian-blocked Ukrainian ports. The initiative was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.
Kolomoisky was charged with fraud and embezzlement of criminally obtained property, according to the State Security Service of Ukraine, known as the SBU. Company Published Photos appeared to show officials surrounding the oligarch, who owns Ukraine’s Private Bank and served as governor of Dnipropetrovsk from 2014 to 2015. When U.S. sanctions were imposed against Kolomoisky in 2021, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed his “concern about current and ongoing efforts. Democratic Processes and Institutions of Ukraine.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristerson praised the Nobel Foundation’s decision It should cancel its calls to Russia and Belarus. “The many and strong reactions show that all of Sweden stands unequivocally on the side of Ukraine against Russia’s horrific war of aggression,” his office said in a statement. Social media post.
At least two people were killed and two others injured during the strike on a residential building in Wuhledar town. Regional Prosecutor’s Office in the southeastern Donetsk region of Ukraine said on Facebook late Saturday. The attack killed a couple in their 40s, and injured the couple’s 19-year-old daughter and a 53-year-old resident, the prosecutor’s office said.
Russian strike on houses in Kherson An undisclosed number of civilians were killed and at least four others injured, Regional Governor Oleksandr Prokhudin said Saturday. Another attack wounded four people in the Dnipropetrovsk region, local military administrator Serhiy Lysak said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country’s forces were continuing to advance in their counteroffensive. An impasse followed several weeks. “Despite everything, no matter what anyone says, we’re moving forward, that’s the most important thing. We’re moving,” he said on Saturday. Social media. White House spokesman John Kirby said this week that Ukraine had made “significant progress” in the southern region of Zaporizhia.
Russia has been trying in recent months to recruit citizens of neighboring countries to fight in Ukraine, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said on Sunday. Online ads found in Armenia and Kazakhstan offered 495,000 rubles ($5,140) in initial payments, the ministry said. along with “Exploiting foreign nationals allows the Kremlin to recruit additional personnel for its war effort while facing mounting casualties.”
Two more ships successfully passed through the temporary Black Sea Grain Corridor. Zelensky said Saturday brought the total number of ships that did so to four, according to Reuters. Concerns about grain transport and global food security have intensified since Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
The war in Ukraine halted adoptions. Now some orphans are caught: Wendy and Leo Van Aston first met “M and M” — a brother and sister from eastern Ukraine — in late 2018, when the children stayed at the couple’s home near Madison, Wis., for four weeks as part of a reunification program. Ukrainian orphans and foster children with American families. The bond with the kids was immediate, they said.
The couple immediately began the adoption process, maintaining contact with M and M — who are called by their first initials out of affection and to protect their identities. But nearly five years later, it’s unclear whether the couple’s wish will ever come true, David L. Stern reports.
Ukrainian authorities have suspended international adoptions until the end of the war. And many Western officials and analysts say the fighting could continue for years — filling families like the Van Astens with despair.
