Eastern-Central Europe
Celebrations Continue Amidst Liberation of Kherson
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Nov.11 that “Kherson is [Ukrainian]” after Russia effectively withdrew from the southern city– the only provincial capital to be captured by Moscow since the invasion began.
EU Audit Reveals Deficiencies in Climate Change Transition Fund
Nov. 9, 2022, the European Court of Auditors released its report on the effectiveness of the European Union’s support for phasing out coal production.
Looting of Kherson by Russian Troops Results in Cultural Losses
Russian troops are actively looting Kherson, in the south of Ukraine, amidst continued fighting over the city.
Oligarch Renounces Russian Citizenship
Oleg Tinkov, the founder of Moscow-based Tinkoff Bank, renounced his Russian citizenship.
Ukrainian Authorities Announce Longer Power Cuts After Continued Air Strikes
Ukrainian authorities warned Kyiv residents on Saturday, Oct. 29, of longer anticipated power cuts – lasting more than four hours – due to prolonged Russian air attacks on energy infrastructure.
Tensions Escalate on the Border between Russia and Poland in Kaliningrad
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, the general secretary of the ruling Law and Justice Party in Poland said that they were considering building a structure along its border with Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave along the Baltic Sea.
Russian Court Orders Arrest of Dissident Journalist Marina Ovsyannikova
A Russian court ordered the official arrest of former Channel One television journalist Marina Ovsyannikova on Thursday, long after she held up a sign during the March 14 broadcast of the news channel to protest Putin’s war, according to Interfax news agency.
Romania Strengthens its Energy Production With Joint Black Sea Project
On Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, the Romanian national gas producer Romgaz signed an agreement with the Azerbaijani state gas firm SOCAR to build multiple liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in the Black Sea.
EU’s Aid to Poland Jeopardized
Political tensions between Warsaw and Brussels increased this week as financial aid funds for Poland became threatened.
Two Russians From the Chukotka Region Seek Asylum in Alaska
Two Russian citizens from Egvekinot, a city in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, arrived in Gambell, Alaska by boat last Thursday – fleeing Putin’s latest military conscription effort – Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office said.
Ukrainian Troops Close To Liberating Kherson in Southern Offensive
In the first week of October, Ukrainian troops made significant advancements in their counteroffensive in the Kherson Oblast. Beginning in late August, alongside the operation in the Kharkiv Oblast, the southern counteroffensive’s initial goal has focused on securing the two crossings across the Dnipro River and liberating the city of Kherson.
EU Considers Renewed Nuclear Threats from Putin
In a speech Friday, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions after a series of controversial referendums last week. He referred to the West, a pillar of support for Ukraine’s defense, as the primary antagonist to peace and freedom in the region, calling European and American leaders Kyiv’s “real masters.”
Russia Halts Gas Exports to Poland and Bulgaria
Poland and Bulgaria were cut off from Russian gas exports by energy giant Gazprom on Wednesday, April 27, just over two months since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Explosions hit Moldovan Government Building in Pro-Russian Separatist Region Transnistria
On April 25, the Ministry of State Security building in Tiraspol, the proclaimed capital of the Moldovan breakaway region Transnistria, was rocked by several blasts that are believed to be from rocket-propelled grenades.
Serbia Accuses Ukraine of Airline Bomb Threats, Refuses to Join Sanctions on Russia
On Monday, April 18, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić accused Ukraine and one other unnamed EU country as the orchestrators of a series of bomb threats on AirSerbia planes.
Moldova and Lithuania Ban "Symbols of Russian Aggression"
On April 19, Lithuania and Moldova enacted laws that banned the usage and display of “Symbols of Russian Aggression,” which include the letter 'Z' painted on many Russian military vehicles invading Ukraine, the black and orange ribbon of St.
Serbia Receives Shipment of Chinese Military Supplies
It was announced on Monday, April 11, that China completed what it termed a delivery of “regular military supplies” to Serbia over the weekend.
Alleged War Crimes Committed by Russian Forces in Ukraine
In the beginning of this week, Bucha, a small Ukrainian city near Kyiv, became the most talked about battlefield in the current Russo-Ukrainian War.
Pro-Russian Strongmen Win Re-Election in Hungary, Serbia
The 2022 Hungarian and Serbian national elections resulted in victory for the incumbent leaders up for re-election: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
European Commission Begins Disciplining Hungary for Breaching the Law
On April 5, the European Union's highest ranking body, the European Commission, initiated a new procedure that would strip Hungary of billions of dollars in funds to discipline Hungary for violating the rule of law and democratic backsliding.