Ukrainian Orthodox Christians are observing Christmas on December 25 for the first time to mark a significant departure from their traditional celebration date. In Ukraine, the Julian calendar has long been observed, aligning with Russia’s practice, resulting in Christmas being celebrated on January 7, BBC reports. It is now celebrating Christmas in accordance with the Western, or Gregorian, calendar, which …

The United States on Friday announced a further $205 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine to help the country with shortages of food, drinking water and other needs as its fights against Russia’s invasion. Top US diplomat Antony Blinken said that the aid will be distributed via partner NGOs in the region, and was also aimed at helping victims of …

Russian missile strikes targeted several Ukrainian cities overnight including the capital Kyiv, officials said on Friday. At least two people were killed in the city of Dnipro. While Russia regularly bombed Ukrainian cities and infrastructure last winter, massive strikes had tailed off in recent months. Kyiv had not been targeted by missiles in more than 50 days. Most of the …

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has joined other world leaders in extending warm felicitations to Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his election victory. In a congratulatory letter he personally signed, the Ukrainian leader expressed his gladness at the peaceful conduct of Nigeria’s just-concluded general elections and particularly praised Tinubu’s emergence as the next President of Nigeria, adding that his …

Pope Francis has invoked prayers for the war-torn Ukraine to regain peace as he led Easter Sunday mass to big crowds in Vatican Square. In an Easter message highlighting hope, Pope Francis on Sunday invoked prayers for both the Ukrainian and Russian people. He also praised nations which welcome refugees and called on Israelis and Palestinians tormented with guilt by …

Russians on the front lines are mutinying, fighting among themselves, and getting lost in the chaos of a faltering offensive, videos and messages from inside Vladimir Putin’s army show. Recently mobilized soldiers are refusing orders to face “certain death” by joining “human wave” attacks that they say are destroying entire units at a time. Some are appealing directly to Putin …

The United States announced a new $400 million security aid package for Ukraine on Friday that features various types of ammunition for Kyiv’s forces. “This military assistance package includes more ammunition for US-provided HIMARS and howitzers, which Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself,” the US State Department said in a statement, referring to precision rocket systems and artillery …

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday vowed a decisive response to any country threatening Russia and lashed out against Germany for promising tanks for Kyiv. His threats came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the Kremlin was consolidating its forces for a fresh offensive. Zelensky was speaking in Kyiv beside EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, who said the bloc …

Two months after Russia invaded Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that his main spy agency foiled a Western plot to kill a prominent Russian journalist. Putin told reporters on Monday: “This morning, the Federal Security Service stopped the activities of a terrorist group that planned to attack and kill one famous Russian TV journalist. “They have moved to …

The UN General Assembly has voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council in response to Russian forces’ alleged killings of civilians in Ukraine. Nigeria and 57 other member-states however abstained. The resolution received a two-thirds majority in the 193-member Assembly, with 93 nations voting in favour and 24 against. Fifty-eight abstained from the process. Thursday’s historical vote on …