KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s allies committed to supplying the country with advanced air defense systems as Russian forces attacked the Kyiv region with kamikaze drones and fired missiles at civilian targets elsewhere Thursday as payback for the bombing of a strategic bridge linking Russia with annexed Crimea. Missile strikes killed...
Russia Unleashes Biggest Attacks in Ukraine in Months
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia retaliated Monday for a weekend Ukrainian attack on a critical bridge by unleashing its biggest and most widespread attacks against Ukraine in months. The lethal barrage against multiple cities smashed civilian targets, knocking out power and water, shattering buildings and killing at least 14 people....
These Ukrainians are Now Safe in Clovis. They’re Thankful, but Missing Family
Albina Kavun sounds almost matter-of-fact when she talks about how she and her daughter fled their homeland of Ukraine, the growing amount of time their family members have been separated, and her certainty that Ukraine will one day prevail over Russia. But it's when she talks about her gratitude...
Fleeing War in Their Homeland, Ukrainians Find Refuge with Help from Fresno Volunteers
Mykhailo Kozariuk was working as a seasonal mushroom picker in England when war broke out in Ukraine, his homeland. His mother, sister, and two nieces were still in southern Ukraine near Odesa but were preparing to flee across the border into Romania. Half a world away, Boris Nebyshinets and...
Fresno Photographer Captures Images of Ukrainians Fleeing to Safety
A few months ago, 21-year-old John Kasaian was working at a coffee shop in Fresno and freelancing as a photographer. Then he felt a calling to capture the images of the Russia-Ukraine war. After a few conversations with his mom and support from his parents, Kasaian made the 15-hour...
Elderly, Poor, and Disabled Cling to Life in Ukraine: Mercy Corps
A leading humanitarian group, Mercy Corps, said Thursday that its biggest challenge in Ukraine is helping the elderly, poor, and disabled. The organization has aid workers in Ukraine, and in neighboring countries Romania and Poland. More than 2.3 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded the country. “We...
Ukraine Flag Flies in Fresno. Dyer Says War Refugees Welcome Here.
Tears flowed as city and county elected officials raised the flags of Ukraine and the United States in Fresno. A group of Ukrainians attending the event at downtown's Eaton Plaza sang their country's national anthem. Mayor Jerry Dyer condemned Russia's invasion of the eastern European nation at the Tuesday morning...
Local Ukrainian Pastor: US ‘Betrayed’ Country by Allowing Russian Invasion
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has left local Ukrainians feeling angry, hurt, and with a sense of betrayal that the U.S. failed to uphold a nearly 30-year-old security agreement to protect the nation, the Rev. Dr. Gregory Zubacz told GV Wire on Thursday. Under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine agreed...
Russia Orders Troop Pullback, but Keeps Weapons Near Ukraine
MOSCOW — Russia's defense minister on Thursday ordered troops back to their permanent bases following massive drills amid tensions with Ukraine, but said that they should leave their weapons behind in western Russia for another exercise later this year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the Russian pullback. Troops to Return...
EU Estimates 150,000 Russian Troops Near Ukraine’s Borders
BRUSSELS — The European Union is estimating that 150,000 Russian troops have already amassed for the biggest military buildup ever near Ukraine's borders and that it will only take “a spark” to set off a confrontation. At the same time, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday that the...