To see the border up close, we go deeper into the woods to a small military outpost. If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles) from Belarus to Kiev, It takes 0.45 hours to arrive. Attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure by Russian forces have triggered blackouts in major cities, including Kyiv, Lviv, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv. Bayevskys comments today undermine claims made yesterday by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner private military group, that the city had been taken by Russian forces. With tens of billions of dollars of weaponry flowing into Ukraine from the U.S. and its allies, there are growing concerns about those weapons falling into the wrong hands as they have in so many previous conflicts around the world. Kiev is located in Ukraine with (50.4547,30.5238) coordinates and Moscow is located in Russia with (55.7522,37.6156) coordinates. And the travails of Russia's mobilized reservists seemingly continue, with this video apparently showing one such troop being harshly disciplined. Belarus's president, Alexander Lukashenko - an autocrat who holds on to power thanks to Moscow's support - recently declared that his country "won't stand aside if war breaks out". And it also came a day after Sky News reported that Iran sent drones to Russia in exchange for money and captured weapons. Tatiana Moskalkova, Russias human rights ombudsperson, and her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Lubinets in Ankara, Turkey. While relations between Minsk and Kyiv have soured in recent . The Asthma and COPD Medical Research Specialist. Assuming you do not need a visa. Until then, for 2m, foreign nationals could be granted a visa, with more benefits the higher the investment and a steady path to achieving much-prized UK citizenship. Footage released by Ukraine on Wednesday shows service personnel carrying out a medical evacuation from Soledar. KAKISSIS: This is a howitzer, something between a mortar and a cannon. KAKISSIS: Anton leads us downstairs into the bunker. Loose mines on the Black Sea are a notorious issue since shortly after Russia's invasion began. Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, but its forces withdrew from around the capital Kyiv and surrounding regions to Belarus and western Russia in early April. Ten Russian businessmen who were sanctioned after the invasion of Ukraine had also used the visa scheme, she added. Developed by the Ukrainian company Ukrspetssistem, SHARK is resistant to electronic warfare attacks, according to the official Ukrainian STRATCOM Telegram channel, but no specific details were provided. The direct drive from Kiev, Ukraine to Warsaw, Poland is 485 miles or 781 km, and should have a drive time of 11 hours in normal traffic. Russia meanwhile continues to struggle with its large-scale mobilization of hundreds of thousands of draftees called up to fight in Ukraine. It has become so iconic that one Virginia motorist took the time and money to slap the acronym on a vanity plate. Despite repeated lobbying from Kyiv and official requests for air defense systems, Iran's arch-enemy Israel is not providing more assistance to Ukraine because it doesn't have the production capacity, outgoing Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday the spokesperson said Rishi Sunak had asked his defence secretary, Ben Wallace, to work with partners and to provide further support to Ukraine including the provision of tanks. Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox. .css-cumn2r{height:1em;width:1.5em;margin-right:3px;vertical-align:baseline;fill:#C70000;}Our guys continue to push the enemy in these places. On second try, SpaceX launches multinational crew on mission to International Space Station, Uncertainty remains at Naples mobile home park after rent rise, damage wrought by Hurricane Ian, Bill before Florida Legislature would ban nonpartisan municipal races, Florida Republicans are taking on the media. Re: Kiev to Belarus border 3 years ago Save Train to Gomel' is about 10 bucks US - 6 hrs from Kyiv. A Russian-installed official in Ukraines Donetsk region has said pockets of resistance remain in the eastern city of Soledar. The disproportionate financial burden of Russian force generation efforts continues to fall primarily on Russian regional governments budgets, prompting public backlash. The reports have yet to be verified, Downing Street has said. All rights reserved. I saw them with my own eyes. Section of the State Border of Ukraine that borders Russia (pre-war) Exclusive economic zones in the Black Sea The Russia-Ukraine border is the international state border between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. A sabotage and recon group of Russian FSB forces was reportedly "neutralized" while attempting to kill commanders of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces. We have already grown our grouping in the north direction, said Brig. And despite repeated threats to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine and claiming without evidence that the country is working to create a dirty bomb, Putin said a Russian nuclear strike "would make no political, military sense," state news agency RIA Novosti reported on its Telegram channel. The geographic midpoint between Ukraine and Minsk is in 194.45 mi (312.94 km) distance between both points in a bearing of 330.61. KAKISSIS: We drive away from the border to another military outpost. This border has been quiet for months, but Ukraine's military is hard at work there, preparing . ET, February 27, 2022 Ukrainian delegation agrees to meet with Russians at Belarus border, according to President Zelensky's office She said she and Lubinets had exchanged lists of wounded soldiers in preparation for a possible future swap, adding: .css-cumn2r{height:1em;width:1.5em;margin-right:3px;vertical-align:baseline;fill:#C70000;}Such exchanges happen all the time. Copyright 2023 NPR. There are 5 ways to get from Belarus to Kyiv by train, bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Salyukovs visit came as Russia and Belarus have expanded their joint military training exercises in Belarus, amid growing concern that Moscow is pressuring its closest ally to join the war in Ukraine. A good deal of Belarus' military equipment, meanwhile, has been shipped to Russia to make up for losses in Ukraine. Stanislav, a 34-year-old computer scientist, is the tech support here. prayer to st john of god for heart patients . A Russian A-50 surveillance plane (file photo) Border guards in Belarus have increased their checks of people leaving the country after anti-government activists claimed to have launched a drone . They raise their mugs of coffee to those who have left for the eastern front line, those who may not return. It says, Biden, thank you for the weapons. Most are likely east of this location, where the terrain isn't as muddy and swampy. Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of the Donetsk regional military administration, said special equipment was used to search for the foreign volunteers. .css-cumn2r{height:1em;width:1.5em;margin-right:3px;vertical-align:baseline;fill:#C70000;}As we celebrate Taylors safe return, we remain very concerned for Paul Whelan and committed to continue to work on his safe return, as we have been for the last four years, as well as other Americans. Kyiv said two Su-25 bombers crossed into its border from Belarus this afternoon, carried out attacks on Ukrainian soil, then bombed Belarus itself. The UK governments golden visa scheme, which was meant to lure super-rich investors, has been targeted by people with suspected criminal links as well as 10 Russian oligarchs to gain a foothold in the UK, a review has disclosed. Active fire damage for the occupiers will begin from the moment they cross the state border with Ukraine, our defenders assure., Highways, forests and settlements will become a trap for the enemy," Ukraine's MOD said. A Russian soldier has been sentenced to five years in prison for refusing to fight in Ukraine, according to officials. Russia appears to be advancing in its invasion of Ukraine with satellite . KAKISSIS: Anton leads us downstairs into the bunker. Facebook Twitter Belarus KAKISSIS: After the training, the soldiers gather around a fire and fry potatoes and ham for lunch. In a televised statement today, Yurii Ihnat said it was from Belarusian territory that most of the ballistic missiles were launched at the beginning of Russias invasion of Ukraine. It says, Biden, thank you for the weapons. . Salyukov was yesterday named as one of the deputy commanders of Russias military operation in Ukraine in the latest of a series of reshuffles, which included the appointment of Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, as its overall commander for the war in Ukraine. Hours before the Russian military announced its pending evacuation from Kherson City, Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Russian-occupied Kherson region who frequently chided Ukraine and provided updates on his Telegram page, died in an automotive accident, Russian and Ukrainian media reported. A variety of criminal and non-state actors may attempt to acquire weapons from sources in Ukraine during or following the conflict, as occurred after the Balkans Wars in the 1990s. Institute for the Study of Wars latest assessment. We are checking every day what can be done and how we can expand our aid, but we must not forget that NATO stands behind Ukraine.. The Guardian has a series of striking images from inside the eastern Ukrainian town. Support WUSF now by giving monthly, or make a one-time donation online. Ukrainian forces are holding on as fierce fighting continues in Soledar, Ukraines deputy defence minister, Hanna Maliar, said on Thursday, adding that the number of Russian military units has risen to 280 from 250 a week earlier. Sincerely, Joseph, contact us by email, if you have any proposals. Sweden has been seeking Turkeys approval of its Nato membership bid, which it applied for after Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox. The Russian foreign ministry has imposed sanctions against 36 British citizens, including members of the UK government, members of security and law enforcement agencies and journalists. how far is kyiv from belarus bordermarc d'amelio house address. Ankara has said Stockholm needs to clamp down on Kurdish groups it views as terrorists. The Middle East Eyes Ragip Soylu has shared the video: Erdogans mannequin has been executed in Swedens Stockholm, which drew strong criticism from the Turkish leadership The Swedish FM in response says Portraying a popularly elected president as being executed outside City Hall is abhorrent. pic.twitter.com/F5UB74ywd6. Measures are purposefully carried out by Russia, Gromov said, pointing to the territory of the Chornobyl zone, as well as from the Chernihiv region. Pavlo Kyrylenko, the governor of Donetsk, told Ukrainian state TV that 559 civilians remained in Soledar, including 15 children, and could not be evacuated. It is obvious that such inconsistency demonstrates that the Kremlin is dissatisfied with the conduct of the war but the decision to put Gen Valery Gerasimov, the head of the armed forces, in charge of the invasion is eye-catching for other reasons too. NPR's Kyiv correspondent Joanna Kakissis reports from the northwestern region of Volyn. Drone footage shows Ukrainian medical evacuation from Soledar video, expanded their joint military training exercises, removed the weapon from just beneath the heart, Footage shared by pro-government Turkish media. We need more. Safeguard and account for arms and munitions in Ukraine and neighboring countries when they are transferred, stored, and deployed, Enhance regional border management and security, Build capacity of security forces, law enforcement, and border control agencies in the region to deter, detect, and interdict illicit arms trafficking. Polesian lowland The Belarusian-Ukrainian border is the state border between Belarus and Ukraine with a length of about 1,084 km (674 mi). Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. distance between kiev and belarus border . In a televised statement today, Yurii Ihnat said recent missile attacks on Ukraine had mainly been carried out from Russia or from occupied territories. Ukrainians also apparently hit the nearby rail yard as well. 12:58 PM (GMT) Talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials have began on the Belarusian border as diplomatic isolation and economic sanctions on Russia deepen four days after . ANTON: (Through interpreter) This isn't a frontline, not yet at least. This border has been quiet for months, but Ukraine's military is hard at work there, preparing for what it believes could be a years-long defense. More than 121,000 people had entered since the start of have passed through here (. Pavlo Kyrylenko, the governor of Donetsk, told Ukrainian state TV that 559 civilians remained in Soledar, including 15 children, and could not be evacuated. On 2 March 2023, the Russian authorities reported an attack on the villages of Lyubechane and Sushany, bordering Ukraine, in the Bryansk Oblast.Not long after, the Russian Volunteer Corps, an armed group made up of far-right anti-government Russian nationalists fighting for Ukraine, took responsibility for the attack.Russia is investigating the event as a terrorist attack. We still don't know for 100 percent sure if a Belarussian opposition group managed to damage a valuable Russian A-50 Mainstay aircraft using explosive-laden commercial drones to blasts its fuselage and huge pancake-shaped radar antennas. To see the border up close, we go deeper into the woods to a small military outpost. Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature. During a press briefing to talk about the NDS, Austin said he saw no indication that either Russia or Ukraine are planning on using a dirty bomb, and said he did not believe that Russia's annual Grom nuclear weapons exercise was serving as a "cover activity" for a nuclear attack on Ukraine. Germany should not stand in the way of other countries military support for Ukraine, the vice-chancellor, Robert Habeck, has said. KAKISSIS: We have to trudge through swampy, half-frozen earth to reach it. The Footage Is Incredible. But that does not mean saboteurs and infantry cannot cross here on foot. Swedens foreign minister, Tobias Billstrm, said Stockholm condemned the incident but did not refer directly to any country. UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: (Shouting in non-English language). In general, the operation has been going well, and already the western outskirts of Soledar are completely under our control. I have been visiting your site for almost 2 years. KAKISSIS: In the first days of the war, Russian troops entered Ukraine from Belarus before retreating. Staffan Herrstrm, Swedens ambassador to Turkey, was summoned to the foreign ministry today, Reuters has cited a Turkish diplomatic source as saying. Andrei Bayevsky, a military figure and Russian-installed local politician, said: .css-cumn2r{height:1em;width:1.5em;margin-right:3px;vertical-align:baseline;fill:#C70000;}At the moment, there are still some small pockets of resistance in Soledar. how far is kiev from belarus border. Ukraines parliament has already passed all the legislation sought by the EU before the start of accession talks, the speaker of the assembly said last month. The latest news and how to stay informed. Russian forces continued offensive operations around Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and in western Donetsk Oblast. Elsewhere in Ukraine, there has not been a tremendous amount of movement across the front lines over the past 24 hours. More immediately, however, Ukraine has to worry about its power infrastructure, with constant Russian attacks ahead of what is typically a long and frigid winter. Ukraine shares a. He did outline several reasons behind the troop increase along the border with Belarus. . .css-cumn2r{height:1em;width:1.5em;margin-right:3px;vertical-align:baseline;fill:#C70000;}It is significant that despite the current environment between our two countries, the Russian authorities did the right thing by releasing Taylor today. Footage shared by pro-government Turkish media showed what they said were supporters of the Kurdish militant group PKK hanging an effigy of the Turkish leader at a demonstration outside the Stockholm city hall. But it should be noted that prior to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia had troops in Belarus as part of massive training exercises. "In addition, due to the shelling of the Russians, the number of fires at industrial enterprises and agricultural lands increased this year," Horunzhy said, adding that all told, 1,162 people have died, and 1,287 people have been injured in fires in Ukraine so far this year. VADYM: Now we here, but we waiting. Facebook Twitter. Oleksiy Kurka, the head of the press service of the British embassy in Ukraine, did not answer the question about the death or murder of a British citizen in his comments to Susiplne. The soldiers here are learning to use heavy weapons. Russian occupation authorities in Kherson Oblast may be trying to force residents out of the western part of the oblast by cutting communications on the west bank of the Dnipro River. On Thursday in a post on Telegram, Wagner did not mention the name of the deceased man but claimed documents belonging to both Britons had been found with the body of one of the men. While initially thought that there were close to 10,000 Russian troops sent to Belarus, Ukrainian Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of that nations Defense Intelligence directorate (GUR), told The War Zone on Oct. 28 that the real number was less than half of that. Ankara has said Stockholm needs to clamp down on Kurdish groups it views as terrorists. Reports that one of the two British men missing in Ukraine has been found dead have yet to be verified, Downing Street has said. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia is ready to negotiate with Ukraine. On the battlefield, a Russian attempt at an advance was interrupted when the lead vehicle, a UR-77 "Meteorit" mine clearer, was apparently hit by Ukrainian artillery. How far is it between Kiev and Minsk. A Russian 2S4 Tyulpan 240 mm self-propelled heavy mortar appears to have been destroyed by an M982 Excalibur 155 mm high-precision projectile. Kyiv is just 56 miles from the Belarusian border. In reaction to Russian forces entering Ukraine along the 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) Ukrainian-Belarusian border situated north of Kyiv, which President Lukashenko had sanctioned, the US and its . In keeping with the Ukrainian militarys position of maintaining strict operational security, Gromov did not offer any details on how many troops, exactly where they are, or how they are equipped. That's it for now. The distance from Kyiv to Moscow is around 500 miles, farther than Ukraine's Tochka missiles can reach - although one was used to hit a Russian airbase over the border in February. kiev to belarus border distanceAppearance > Menus (619) Patriot (728-7468) broadway ticket refund policy; OPR No: 12689 | Trapper ID No: 64965. spark dataframe left join; cbc news nl here and now. ANTON: (Through interpreter) This isn't a frontline, not yet at least. "We have never refused to have them. Reporters and bloggers, alike, How this year's Selma Bridge Crossing could mark a community renaissance, Russia's foreign minister gets laughed at over Ukraine remarks at a global conference, Students learn lessons on climate change, pollution through raising salmon. In the wake of repeated Ukrainian attacks, including a massive boat and aerial drone attack on Sevastopol, an Israeli military analyst said that 70% of Russia's Black Fleet is incapacitated. But we will continue to monitor this border as long as Russian troops are in Belarus. Ukraine said on Thursday its troops were holding on as fighting continued in Soledar, dismissing claims made by the Russian mercenary group Wagner that its forces had taken control of the town. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, in northwestern Ukraine. Russian troops have already arrayed in the west and northwest regions of Belarus on the border with Poland and Lithuania. Ukraines military, he said, is increasing the fortification equipment of the defense lines, taking into account the ways of the enemy's advance at the beginning of the invasion.. Joanna Kakissis is a foreign correspondent based in Kyiv, Ukraine, where she reports poignant stories of a conflict that has upended millions of lives, affected global energy and food supplies and pitted NATO against Russia. The Russians, who've suffered tremendous losses since Feb. 24, "don't have enough combat power to launch an offensive [from Belarus], and there are no vital Ukrainian points nearby," Mark Cancian, a military analyst at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, told RFE/RL. Russian President Vladimir Putin today delivered a speech at a foreign policy conference in Moscow, hitting on several familiar themes like blaming the U.S. and its allies for the war in Ukraine, for provoking tensions in China, and even for creating the global food crisis. Dudley was backpacking in Europe when he crossed the Polish-Russian border, Jonathan Franks, a lawyer who represents families of Americans detained overseas, said in an email to reporters. Hundreds of civilians remain trapped in Soledar, Ukraine has said, as bloody fighting continues over control of the largely destroyed salt mining town in eastern Ukraine. Relief Germany should not stand in the way of other countries military support for Ukraine, vice-chancellor Robert Habeck has said. Reacting to those concerns, the U.S. State Department on Thursday unveiled a new plan to monitor the use of those arms to prevent that from happening. The transfer would require permission from Germany. Meanwhile, officials in Kyiv are also making preparations against any future attack. The Uk July 3, 2022July 3, 2022. the conjuring dog sadie breed pathfinder: wrath of the righteous bewildering injury obsidian scrying bowl. A state department spokesperson indicated that he had been deported from Russia, the Washington Post reported, suggesting his release was not equivalent to earlier swaps and may have little bearing on Whelan. The reports have yet to be verified, Downing Street has said. This camp is walking distance to Belarus, and the troops stationed here watch the border for any suspicious activity. If you want to go by car, the driving distance between Kiev and Moscow is 851. . Ukraines military claimed its forces killed more than 100 Russian soldiers in a single strike in Soledar, while President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mocked Russias claims and said fighting is ongoing. Foreigners are also helping Ukrainian troops learn the basics of warfare, like clearing trenches. (Pavliuk Telegram channel), drone attacks have been launched against Ukrainian, brutality inflicted on the residents of Bucha. Anton Bychkovsky, a spokesman for the Belarus state border. VADYM: It's our job. Nearly a third of Moscow officials in the mayor's office have reportedly fled, part of a mass exodus of those wanting nothing to do with being mobilized. More recently, drone attacks have been launched against Ukrainian cities from Belarus. Before we head into more of the latest news from Ukraine,The War Zonereaders can get caught up with our previous rolling coverage of the war here. Suella Braverman, the home secretary, said a minority of more than 6,000 individuals who used the tier 1 (investor) visa route were potentially at high risk of having obtained wealth through corruption, illegality or organised crime and that many were still under investigation by the police. The calculated flying distance from Kiev to Minsk is equal to 269 miles which is equal to 433 km.. BELARUS BORDER, Ukraine (AP) The reconnaissance drones fly several times a day from Ukrainian positions deep inside the thick forest that marches across the border into Belarus, a close. A spokesperson for Dudleys family thanked the Richardson Center for its work, adding: .css-cumn2r{height:1em;width:1.5em;margin-right:3px;vertical-align:baseline;fill:#C70000;}The past nine months have been difficult ones for the family and they ask the media to respect their privacy and give them the space to welcome Taylor home. The US state department sanctioned him the day after the invasion of Ukraine, saying he was one of three senior Russians alongside Putin who were directly responsible for the war. How far is the distance between Warsaw and Kiev? An apartment building in Kyiv that was famously hit by a Russian missile on the third day of the war is now being renovated by residents. But that does not mean saboteurs and infantry cannot cross here on foot. Complicating matters, however, is the fact that much of the armor needed for defending Kyiv has gone to the front lines. STURMAN: (Through interpreter) I saw a man in military clothes digging trenches and fortifications on the Belarus side of the border. In addition to attacking from the north at the end of February in an attempt to seize Kyiv, Russian forces also launched an air assault on the Hostomel airfield, about 17 miles to the northwest. US Navy veteran released from Russian custody, Ukraine warns of threat of missile attacks from Belarus, Hundreds of civilians trapped in Soledar amid fierce fighting, Ukraine says, Donetsk police reportedly unable to confirm mercenaries' claim about missing Briton, Ukraine holding on to Soledar as Russia builds up forces, says minister, One of two missing Britons found dead, Russian mercenaries claim, Russia could raise conscription age to 30, former minister says, Surgeons remove unexploded grenade lodged in Ukrainian soldiers chest, Poland to transfer German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine, Satellite images show destruction of Soledar, Zelenskiy urges his forces to be 'ready at the border' of Belarus, Ukraine denies Russian forces have captured Soledar, Putins military reshuffle is more about politics than a change of strategy, Ten oligarchs who used golden visa route to UK are on sanctions list, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. How the Belarus crisis has strained ties between Minsk and Kyiv. And Russia continues to use Belarus to mount drone attacks on Ukraine. A spokesperson for Ukraines air force command has warned of the possibility of missile attacks from Belarus. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Tuesday suggested that Russia may be bluffing to keep Ukrainian troops distracted. A main boulevard was practically deserted as a strict curfew kept. The Belarusian border is less than 56 miles from Ukraine's capital of Kyiv. Taylor Dudley, 35, of Michigan, was taken into custody by Russian border police last April after crossing the border from Poland into Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania. .css-cumn2r{height:1em;width:1.5em;margin-right:3px;vertical-align:baseline;fill:#C70000;}Our expectation that the perpetrators of the incident need to be identified, the necessary processes be carried out and Sweden uphold its promises was emphasised. "Iran welcomes and supports any initiative that leads to a ceasefire and peace between Russia and Ukraine based on dialogue and is ready to play a role in ending the war," Shamkhani said, according to Iran's Nour News agency. A Russian-installed official in Ukraines Donetsk region, Andrei Bayevsky, said pockets of resistance from Ukrainian troops remain in Soledar. Those who are building this construction site have gone to great pains to keep as many trees as possible because they're building an underground bunker here, and the trees are cover. outgoing Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday, Zakharova said during a press conference Wednesday. Gerasimov played key roles in Russias seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and in Russias game-changing military support for President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian Civil War. Surgeons removed the weapon from just beneath the heart of the injured serviceman, while two sappers ensured the operation was conducted safely, said Hanna Maliar, Ukraines deputy minister of defence, who uploaded an image apparently showing an X-ray of the ordnance inside the soldiers body. Russian officers are taking part in the assessment of the readiness of the military units of [the] Grodnetsk, Brest, and Gomel regions of Belarus, said Gromov. Ukraines military has denied that Russian forces have encircled and captured Soledar. The statement was posted alongside a photo that appeared to show passports bearing the names of Andrew Bagshaw and Christopher Parry, the two missing workers. In a statement published on his Telegram channel late on Wednesday, Prigozhin did not mention the name of the dead man but said documents belonging to both Britons had been found on his body. Report inappropriate content The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. The soldiers here are learning to use heavy weapons. KAKISSIS: In the first days of the war, Russian troops entered Ukraine from Belarus before retreating. With an area of 600,000 km, it is the second-largest country in Europe after . Ukraines public broadcaster reported that Donetsk police could not confirm the claims. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. Before diving into the most recent details of the war, catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.