The European Union has expressed major worries over Russian troop movements around Ukraine, with its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pledging the bloc's support for the latter.

"Following with severe concern the Russian military activity surrounding Ukraine," Borrell tweeted after a phone call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Sunday. "Unwavering EU support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Borrell said he would hold further talks on the issue with Ukraine's top diplomat and foreign ministers from the EU's 27 nations at a meeting later this month.&nbsp;

Ukraine this week accused Russia of massing thousands of military personnel on its northern and eastern borders as well as on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.&nbsp;

The Kremlin did not deny the recent troop movements, but insisted that Moscow was "not threatening anyone".&nbsp;

The long-simmering conflict has claimed more than 13,000 lives since 2014, according to the United Nations. Western leaders -- including new US President Joe Biden -- have said they are standing by Ukraine.&nbsp;

The European Union has expressed major worries over Russian troop movements around Ukraine, with its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pledging the bloc's support for the latter.

The European Union has expressed major worries over Russian troop movements around Ukraine, with its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pledging the bloc's support for the latter. "Following with severe concern the Russian military activity surrounding Ukraine," Borrell tweeted after a phone call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Sunday. "Unwavering EU support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Borrell said he would hold further talks on the issue with Ukraine's top diplomat and foreign ministers from the EU's 27 nations at a meeting later this month. Ukraine this week accused Russia of massing thousands of military personnel on its northern and eastern borders as well as on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014. The Kremlin did not deny the recent troop movements, but insisted that Moscow was "not threatening anyone". The long-simmering conflict has claimed more than 13,000 lives since 2014, according to the United Nations. Western leaders -- including new US President Joe Biden -- have said they are standing by Ukraine.

EU expresses concern over Russian activity near Ukraine

Russia is "aggravating" Donbass situation, Ukraine recently claimed. A NATO official has also accused Russia of undermining peace efforts. Meanwhile, the US has promised support to Ukraine.

NATO and Russia clash over troop build up

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the country's relations with the United States and its allies have “hit the bottom” and no date has been set for sending the Russian ambassador back to Washington.

US warns Russia against intimidating Ukraine

Galyna Lekunova, a veterinarian in the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, was left fuming by a new law in January mandating the use of Ukrainian in the service industry.

In protest against the regulations that she said amounted to "discrimination," the 47-year-old began offering 50-per cent discounts to her Russian-speaking clients.

This is what she believes spurred the perpetrators of a graffiti attack on her clinic, which was defaced in late January with scrawls of black coffins and a warning of "Death to the enemies".

One month later, the paint was still visible on a poster of a puppy advertising her services in Russian in the industrial port city on the Sea of Azov.

"If I work, pay my employees' salaries and my taxes, it's none of your damn business which language I do it in," Lekunova, wearing a floral-patterned apron, told AFP.

The incident in Mariupol, some 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the front line of Ukraine's war with separatists backed by Moscow, reflects a deeply-felt language divide in the ex-Soviet country of 40 million people.

Lawmakers in 2019 passed legislation to cement Ukrainian as the country's primary language, ordering middle schools that taught in Russian and other minority languages to make the switch and mandating Ukrainian versions of online stores.

An article of the laws that entered into force in January goes further, obliging shops, restaurants and the service industry to engage customers in Ukrainian unless clients specifically ask to switch.

Anyone caught violating the new legislation twice within one year could be fined 200 euros ($235), almost half of the average salary in the country. No one has been penalised so far.

Officials in Kiev say the initiative aims to revitalise a national language that was subjugated first during the Russian Empire and then in Soviet times.

- 'Resentment and fear' -

Moscow, which routinely accuses Kiev of perpetuating "Russophobia" and stalling peace efforts in the east, condemned the language laws in January.

The foreign ministry said Kiev was instilling an "atmosphere of resentment and fear" and destroying the country's "unique multicultural space".

But for Kiev, the new laws are part of a broader push to shore up its own national identity that started after the Soviet collapse.

It was an initiative that gained momentum after 2014, when Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula and backed separatists in the east, justifying its intervention by citing the need to protect Russian speakers.

The legislation has found favour with some 62 percent of Ukrainians -- most of whom are bilingual -- according to a recent poll, with 34 percent against.

"This law will encourage a more active use of Ukrainian language and that is what we need," said Sergiy Gusovsky, the owner of four prominent restaurants in Ukraine's capital.

"It's a natural process after 2014. Kiev was very 'Russified', so there's an element of overcoming a historical obstacle," he told AFP.

But Gusovsky said the shift should be "gentle".

"Any approach that isn't careful will spark a backlash."

- Government differences -

Between checkups with household pets, Lekunova, in Mariupol, said, however, that if fines were imposed she would consider moving to Russia.

The new laws are also exposing divisions within government.

Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko in February suggested postponing fines and rolling out a Ukrainian language learning programme instead.

But Ukraine's Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Taras Kremin, countered that "the service sector already had a year and a half to prepare" before laws entered into force.

But he also noted that there had not yet been repeat complaints and that issues reported so far had been resolved without conflict.

For Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, the solution is prioritising another language.

"Our youth's proficiency in English is a guarantee of our country's independence," he said at a recent conference.

Galyna Lekunova, a veterinarian in the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, was left fuming by a new law in January mandating the use of Ukrainian in the service industry.

Galyna Lekunova, a veterinarian in the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, was left fuming by a new law in January mandating the use of Ukrainian in the service industry. In protest against the regulations that she said amounted to "discrimination," the 47-year-old began offering 50-per cent discounts to her Russian-speaking clients. This is what she believes spurred the perpetrators of a graffiti attack on her clinic, which was defaced in late January with scrawls of black coffins and a warning of "Death to the enemies". One month later, the paint was still visible on a poster of a puppy advertising her services in Russian in the industrial port city on the Sea of Azov. "If I work, pay my employees' salaries and my taxes, it's none of your damn business which language I do it in," Lekunova, wearing a floral-patterned apron, told AFP. The incident in Mariupol, some 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the front line of Ukraine's war with separatists backed by Moscow, reflects a deeply-felt language divide in the ex-Soviet country of 40 million people. Lawmakers in 2019 passed legislation to cement Ukrainian as the country's primary language, ordering middle schools that taught in Russian and other minority languages to make the switch and mandating Ukrainian versions of online stores. An article of the laws that entered into force in January goes further, obliging shops, restaurants and the service industry to engage customers in Ukrainian unless clients specifically ask to switch. Anyone caught violating the new legislation twice within one year could be fined 200 euros ($235), almost half of the average salary in the country. No one has been penalised so far. Officials in Kiev say the initiative aims to revitalise a national language that was subjugated first during the Russian Empire and then in Soviet times. - 'Resentment and fear' - Moscow, which routinely accuses Kiev of perpetuating "Russophobia" and stalling peace efforts in the east, condemned the language laws in January. The foreign ministry said Kiev was instilling an "atmosphere of resentment and fear" and destroying the country's "unique multicultural space". But for Kiev, the new laws are part of a broader push to shore up its own national identity that started after the Soviet collapse. It was an initiative that gained momentum after 2014, when Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula and backed separatists in the east, justifying its intervention by citing the need to protect Russian speakers. The legislation has found favour with some 62 percent of Ukrainians -- most of whom are bilingual -- according to a recent poll, with 34 percent against. "This law will encourage a more active use of Ukrainian language and that is what we need," said Sergiy Gusovsky, the owner of four prominent restaurants in Ukraine's capital. "It's a natural process after 2014. Kiev was very 'Russified', so there's an element of overcoming a historical obstacle," he told AFP. But Gusovsky said the shift should be "gentle". "Any approach that isn't careful will spark a backlash." - Government differences - Between checkups with household pets, Lekunova, in Mariupol, said, however, that if fines were imposed she would consider moving to Russia. The new laws are also exposing divisions within government. Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko in February suggested postponing fines and rolling out a Ukrainian language learning programme instead. But Ukraine's Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Taras Kremin, countered that "the service sector already had a year and a half to prepare" before laws entered into force. But he also noted that there had not yet been repeat complaints and that issues reported so far had been resolved without conflict. For Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, the solution is prioritising another language. "Our youth's proficiency in English is a guarantee of our country's independence," he said at a recent conference.

New law stokes Ukraine language tensions

A Ukrainian brand is touting hemp faux fur as an alternative to traditional animal products. The environmental friendly fur made a splash on the catwalk at a Ukrainian fashion week last week.

Hemp faux fur touted as alternative to animal fur

Iran's Civil Aviation body has released its final report on the shooting of a Ukrainian passenger plane in January 2020. The Iranian report blamed an error by an air defence operator for the crash.

Iran releases report on Ukrainian passenger plane crash probe

Iran's civil aviation body, in a final report, has blamed an error by an air defence operator for the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane in January 2020 that killed all 176 people aboard, the agency said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Ukraine's foreign minister criticised the report, calling it a cynical attempt by the Islamic Republic authorities to cover up the true reasons for the crash.&nbsp;

The Iranian report said, "The plane was identified as a hostile target due to a mistake by the air defence operator...near Tehran and two missiles were fired at it," according to the agency's website.&nbsp;

"The flight's operation did not have a role in creating the error by the air defence battery," the report added.&nbsp;

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards shot down the Ukraine International Airlines flight on January 8, 2020 shortly after it took off from Tehran Airport.&nbsp;

The Iranian government later declared that the shooting down was a 'disastrous mistake' by forces, who were on high alert during a regional confrontation with the United States.&nbsp;

Iran was on edge about possible attacks after it fired missiles at Iraqi bases housing US forces in retaliation for the killing days before of its most powerful military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in a US missile strike at Baghdad airport.&nbsp;

As in a preliminary report issued last June, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization said the error arose from a misalignment of a battery's radar and a lack of communication between the air defence operator and his commanders.&nbsp;

"Following a tactical relocation, the relevant ADU (air defence unit) failed to adjust the system direction due to human error, causing the operator to observe the target flying west from IKA (airport) as a target approaching Tehran from the southwest at a relatively low altitude," the final report said.&nbsp;

"Without receiving a go-ahead or response from the command centre, he (operator) came to identify the target as a hostile one and fired missile(s) at the aircraft against the procedure planned," it said.&nbsp;

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba lambasted the report in a post on Facebook. "What we saw in the published report today is nothing more than a cynical attempt to hide the true reasons for the downing of our plane," he said.&nbsp;

"We will not allow Iran to hide the truth, we will not allow it to avoid responsibility for this crime."&nbsp;

The Tehran government has allocated $150,000 for damages to be paid to families of the crash victims said several people have been put on trial over the disaster.&nbsp;

Ukraine has said the compensation should be set through talks, taking into account international practice, once the causes of the tragedy are established and those responsible are brought to justice.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Iran's civil aviation body, in a final report, has blamed an error by an air defence operator for the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane in January 2020 that killed all 176 people aboard, the agency said on Wednesday.

Iran's civil aviation body, in a final report, has blamed an error by an air defence operator for the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane in January 2020 that killed all 176 people aboard, the agency said on Wednesday. Ukraine's foreign minister criticised the report, calling it a cynical attempt by the Islamic Republic authorities to cover up the true reasons for the crash. The Iranian report said, "The plane was identified as a hostile target due to a mistake by the air defence operator...near Tehran and two missiles were fired at it," according to the agency's website. "The flight's operation did not have a role in creating the error by the air defence battery," the report added. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards shot down the Ukraine International Airlines flight on January 8, 2020 shortly after it took off from Tehran Airport. The Iranian government later declared that the shooting down was a 'disastrous mistake' by forces, who were on high alert during a regional confrontation with the United States. Iran was on edge about possible attacks after it fired missiles at Iraqi bases housing US forces in retaliation for the killing days before of its most powerful military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in a US missile strike at Baghdad airport. As in a preliminary report issued last June, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization said the error arose from a misalignment of a battery's radar and a lack of communication between the air defence operator and his commanders. "Following a tactical relocation, the relevant ADU (air defence unit) failed to adjust the system direction due to human error, causing the operator to observe the target flying west from IKA (airport) as a target approaching Tehran from the southwest at a relatively low altitude," the final report said. "Without receiving a go-ahead or response from the command centre, he (operator) came to identify the target as a hostile one and fired missile(s) at the aircraft against the procedure planned," it said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba lambasted the report in a post on Facebook. "What we saw in the published report today is nothing more than a cynical attempt to hide the true reasons for the downing of our plane," he said. "We will not allow Iran to hide the truth, we will not allow it to avoid responsibility for this crime." The Tehran government has allocated $150,000 for damages to be paid to families of the crash victims said several people have been put on trial over the disaster. Ukraine has said the compensation should be set through talks, taking into account international practice, once the causes of the tragedy are established and those responsible are brought to justice. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran's final report blames air defence operator error for Ukraine plane crash 

A Ukrainian couple who grew tired of arguing are trying to mend their on-off relationship by handcuffing themselves together for three months and documenting their experiences on social media.

Ukrainian couple handcuff themselves together

After receiving its first shipment of coronavirus vaccine, Ukraine found itself in a new struggle against the pandemic.

Citizens in Ukraine doubt the quality of vaccine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr&nbsp;Zelensky&nbsp;on Tuesday received a coronavirus vaccine injection in the war-torn east, saying there was nothing to fear and urging others to follow his example.

The 43-year-old Ukrainian leader released a topless picture of himself receiving his jab, with a health worker disinfecting his shoulder.

"There is nothing to be afraid of. I am setting a personal example,"&nbsp;Zelensky&nbsp;said in a post on Instagram, ahead of talks with visiting European Council chief Charles Michel.

"Did this on the frontline with our soldiers," he added on Twitter.&nbsp;

Zelensky&nbsp;received the jab in Severodonetsk, a government-controlled town located roughly 70 kilometres (44 miles) northwest of the separatist stronghold Lugansk in eastern Ukraine, his spokeswoman Yulia Mendel said.

Last week the ex-Soviet nation of 40 million people launched a nationwide vaccination campaign, following delays that sparked anger against the government in one of Europe's poorest countries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/ukraine-disposes-unused-coronavirus-shots-as-medical-workers-skip-vaccinations-367327" hreflang="en">Ukraine disposes unused coronavirus shots as medical workers skip vaccinations</a>

Ukraine has banned the use of one of the most popular vaccines in former Soviet republics, the Russian-developed Sputnik V jab, and instead has sought to source vaccine doses elsewhere.

It last week received 500,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, marketed under the name Covishield and produced in India.

Zelensky&nbsp;said he had received an AstraZeneca dose, in an apparent attempt to overcome scepticism towards the jab from the British-Swedish firm.&nbsp;

"I believe it's a quality vaccine, one of the best in the world," he said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/ukrainian-president-zelensky-rejects-trumps-claim-that-ukraine-is-corrupt-280875" hreflang="en">Ukrainian President Zelensky rejects Trump's claim that Ukraine is corrupt</a>

In November last year,&nbsp;Zelensky&nbsp;tested positive for the coronavirus and spent two weeks in self-isolation, first at home and then in a clinic. He said Tuesday that his antibody levels were "very low."

Ukraine's health ministry said that nearly 5,000 people had been vaccinated in the first six days of the vaccination campaign.&nbsp;

More than 1.3 million infections have been recorded in Ukraine and more than 26,000 people have died of the virus.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday received a coronavirus vaccine injection in the war-torn east, saying there was nothing to fear and urging others to follow his example.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday received a coronavirus vaccine injection in the war-torn east, saying there was nothing to fear and urging others to follow his example. The 43-year-old Ukrainian leader released a topless picture of himself receiving his jab, with a health worker disinfecting his shoulder. "There is nothing to be afraid of. I am setting a personal example," Zelensky said in a post on Instagram, ahead of talks with visiting European Council chief Charles Michel. "Did this on the frontline with our soldiers," he added on Twitter. Zelensky received the jab in Severodonetsk, a government-controlled town located roughly 70 kilometres (44 miles) northwest of the separatist stronghold Lugansk in eastern Ukraine, his spokeswoman Yulia Mendel said. Last week the ex-Soviet nation of 40 million people launched a nationwide vaccination campaign, following delays that sparked anger against the government in one of Europe's poorest countries. Also read: Ukraine disposes unused coronavirus shots as medical workers skip vaccinations Ukraine has banned the use of one of the most popular vaccines in former Soviet republics, the Russian-developed Sputnik V jab, and instead has sought to source vaccine doses elsewhere. It last week received 500,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, marketed under the name Covishield and produced in India. Zelensky said he had received an AstraZeneca dose, in an apparent attempt to overcome scepticism towards the jab from the British-Swedish firm. "I believe it's a quality vaccine, one of the best in the world," he said in a statement. Also read: Ukrainian President Zelensky rejects Trump's claim that Ukraine is corrupt In November last year, Zelensky tested positive for the coronavirus and spent two weeks in self-isolation, first at home and then in a clinic. He said Tuesday that his antibody levels were "very low." Ukraine's health ministry said that nearly 5,000 people had been vaccinated in the first six days of the vaccination campaign. More than 1.3 million infections have been recorded in Ukraine and more than 26,000 people have died of the virus.

Ukraine's Zelensky receives coronavirus vaccine in war-torn east, urges others to follow suit

Medical facilities in Ukraine have reportedly thrown out some unused coronavirus vaccines after doctors didn't show up for their inoculation appointments. Ukraine is in the process of inoculating its 41 million citizens against COVID-19.

Last week, the country received AstraZeneca shots made in India. The first batch had 500,000 doses of the vaccine. But simply sourcing the vaccines isn't enough for Ukraine, which has remained sceptical of vaccines, and was this way even before the pandemic began. Ukraine's government has prioritised the inoculation of frontline workers. Even then, statistics show that 47 per cent of Ukrainians are wary of getting vaccinated.

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"It is important for us to understand how all the processes are set up, why doctors refuse to be vaccinated," Oleksandr Korniyenko, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party, said during a televised meeting.

"This is very bad, but there is no other option... if a person does not come, it (vaccine bottle) can be kept open for 2-3 hours, after which it must be disposed of," said Mykhailo Radutskyi, the head of parliament's health committee.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/ukraine-takes-russia-to-europe-court-over-targeted-assassinations-365701" hreflang="en">Ukraine takes Russia to Europe court over 'targeted assassinations'</a>

On February 28, the country administered 3,141 shots of the vaccine. In the last 24 hours, only 90 shots have been administered as per data released by the country's health ministry. Maksym Stepanov, the country's Health Minister said that the government is attempting to ensure no vaccines are thrown out. Stepanov added that vaccines have been thrown out in countries across the world.

Stepanov received the jab on television on Monday and said that Zelenskiy is set to receive the shot soon. "I proved by my own example that the vaccine we are vaccinated with is an absolutely safe vaccine, it is an effective vaccine," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/ukraine-bans-covid-19-vaccines-from-aggressor-russia-362959" hreflang="en">Ukraine bans Covid-19 vaccines from 'aggressor' Russia</a>

A majority of Ukrainians are wary of vaccines, a common occurrence among post-Soviet nations. Many believe that poor quality drugs would cause side effects. It was owing to this scepticism that a measles outbreak became an epidemic in 2019. 
 
Coronavirus cases have gone up recently, especially in Kyiv and western Ukraine, where mobile hospitals have been set up to counter the growing cases. So far, Ukraine has registered 1.3 million cases of COVID-19, with 26,050 deaths as of March 1. In the northern city of Chernihiv, only 87 out of 280 doctors agreed to be vaccinated.&nbsp;

Medical facilities in Ukraine have reportedly thrown out some unused coronavirus vaccines after doctors didn't show up for their inoculation appointments. Ukraine is in the process of inoculating its 41 million citizens against COVID-19.

Medical facilities in Ukraine have reportedly thrown out some unused coronavirus vaccines after doctors didn't show up for their inoculation appointments. Ukraine is in the process of inoculating its 41 million citizens against COVID-19. Last week, the country received AstraZeneca shots made in India. The first batch had 500,000 doses of the vaccine. But simply sourcing the vaccines isn't enough for Ukraine, which has remained sceptical of vaccines, and was this way even before the pandemic began. Ukraine's government has prioritised the inoculation of frontline workers. Even then, statistics show that 47 per cent of Ukrainians are wary of getting vaccinated. "It is important for us to understand how all the processes are set up, why doctors refuse to be vaccinated," Oleksandr Korniyenko, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party, said during a televised meeting. "This is very bad, but there is no other option... if a person does not come, it (vaccine bottle) can be kept open for 2-3 hours, after which it must be disposed of," said Mykhailo Radutskyi, the head of parliament's health committee. Also read: Ukraine takes Russia to Europe court over 'targeted assassinations' On February 28, the country administered 3,141 shots of the vaccine. In the last 24 hours, only 90 shots have been administered as per data released by the country's health ministry. Maksym Stepanov, the country's Health Minister said that the government is attempting to ensure no vaccines are thrown out. Stepanov added that vaccines have been thrown out in countries across the world. Stepanov received the jab on television on Monday and said that Zelenskiy is set to receive the shot soon. "I proved by my own example that the vaccine we are vaccinated with is an absolutely safe vaccine, it is an effective vaccine," he said. Also read: Ukraine bans Covid-19 vaccines from 'aggressor' Russia A majority of Ukrainians are wary of vaccines, a common occurrence among post-Soviet nations. Many believe that poor quality drugs would cause side effects. It was owing to this scepticism that a measles outbreak became an epidemic in 2019. Coronavirus cases have gone up recently, especially in Kyiv and western Ukraine, where mobile hospitals have been set up to counter the growing cases. So far, Ukraine has registered 1.3 million cases of COVID-19, with 26,050 deaths as of March 1. In the northern city of Chernihiv, only 87 out of 280 doctors agreed to be vaccinated.

Doctors in Ukraine skipped vaccination appointments forcing officials to throw away vaccines

Ukraine has accused Russia of targeted assassinations of 'perceived opponents' in a case lodged at the European Court of Human Rights, the latest salvo by Kiev in a barrage of legal complaints against Moscow.&nbsp;

The case, which was filed last week, accuses Russia of carrying out 'state-authorised' assassinations "in Russia and on the territory of other states... outside a situation of armed conflict", the court said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Europeiska Pravda, a Ukrainian news outlet specialising in European affairs, said the complaint included the case of leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned last year with the Novichok nerve agent in an attack blamed on Moscow.&nbsp;

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This could not immediately be confirmed by the Strasbourg court, which provided no details of any of the alleged assassinations in its statement.&nbsp;

It is the ninth case taken by Ukraine against Russia at the ECHR, which hears complaints over alleged breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights. &nbsp;

"We have finally done this," said Ivan Lishchyna, Ukraine's deputy justice minister and a commissioner for the rights court.&nbsp;

"We tried to cover all cases for which there is solid evidence of Russian involvement," he said on Facebook.&nbsp;

Ukraine also accuses Russia of failing to investigate the assassinations "and of deliberately mounting cover-up operations aimed at frustrating efforts to find the persons responsible", the court said.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-to-sanction-four-russian-officials-for-crackdown-on-kremlin-critic-navalny-365490">EU to sanction four Russian officials for crackdown on Kremlin critic Navalny</a>

Ukraine argues that they constitute an infringement of the right to life, which is protected by the Convention on Human Rights, to which Russia is a signatory.&nbsp;

Other cases taken by Ukraine relate to the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, human rights violations in the Crimea peninsula which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian navy vessels in the Kerch Strait in 2018.&nbsp;

Ukraine's government has been at war with separatists in eastern Ukraine since pro-Russian militias launched a bid for independence in the wake of Moscow's annexation of Crimea.&nbsp;

Nearly 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which deepened Russia's estrangement from the West.&nbsp;

Ukraine has accused Russia of targeted assassinations of 'perceived opponents' in a case lodged at the European Court of Human Rights, the latest salvo by Kiev in a barrage of legal complaints against Moscow.

Ukraine has accused Russia of targeted assassinations of 'perceived opponents' in a case lodged at the European Court of Human Rights, the latest salvo by Kiev in a barrage of legal complaints against Moscow. The case, which was filed last week, accuses Russia of carrying out 'state-authorised' assassinations "in Russia and on the territory of other states... outside a situation of armed conflict", the court said on Tuesday. Europeiska Pravda, a Ukrainian news outlet specialising in European affairs, said the complaint included the case of leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned last year with the Novichok nerve agent in an attack blamed on Moscow. × This could not immediately be confirmed by the Strasbourg court, which provided no details of any of the alleged assassinations in its statement. It is the ninth case taken by Ukraine against Russia at the ECHR, which hears complaints over alleged breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights. "We have finally done this," said Ivan Lishchyna, Ukraine's deputy justice minister and a commissioner for the rights court. "We tried to cover all cases for which there is solid evidence of Russian involvement," he said on Facebook. Ukraine also accuses Russia of failing to investigate the assassinations "and of deliberately mounting cover-up operations aimed at frustrating efforts to find the persons responsible", the court said. Also Read: EU to sanction four Russian officials for crackdown on Kremlin critic Navalny Ukraine argues that they constitute an infringement of the right to life, which is protected by the Convention on Human Rights, to which Russia is a signatory. Other cases taken by Ukraine relate to the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, human rights violations in the Crimea peninsula which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian navy vessels in the Kerch Strait in 2018. Ukraine's government has been at war with separatists in eastern Ukraine since pro-Russian militias launched a bid for independence in the wake of Moscow's annexation of Crimea. Nearly 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which deepened Russia's estrangement from the West.

Ukraine takes Russia to Europe court over 'targeted assassinations'

Russia has expanded a list of firms that it targets with penalties, and has imposed economic sanctions against nine Ukrainian companies.

The companies targetted by "special economic measures" under the new Russian decree, which was published late on Friday, include Ukrainian vessel maker Craneship, towage firm Donmar, cargo operator Transship and metal producer Maxima Metal.

Ukraine had earlier banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign.&nbsp;

A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015.&nbsp;

Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in its Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.&nbsp;

The two countries have been at loggerheads since 2014 when Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and backed pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia denies Kiev's charges that its military was involved in the conflict.

Western countries have imposed a range of sanctions since then on Russia, which has retaliated with its own measures.

In a sign of further strains in Russia's relations with the West, Moscow said on Friday it was ready to sever ties with the European Union if the bloc hit it with painful economic sanctions, a statement that Germany described as disconcerting and incomprehensible.

Russia has expanded a list of firms that it targets with penalties, and has imposed economic sanctions against nine Ukrainian companies. The companies targetted by "special economic measures" under the new Russian decree, which was published late on Friday, include Ukrainian vessel maker Craneship, towage firm Donmar, cargo operator Transship and metal producer Maxima Metal.

Russia has expanded a list of firms that it targets with penalties, and has imposed economic sanctions against nine Ukrainian companies. The companies targetted by "special economic measures" under the new Russian decree, which was published late on Friday, include Ukrainian vessel maker Craneship, towage firm Donmar, cargo operator Transship and metal producer Maxima Metal. Ukraine had earlier banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign. A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015. Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in its Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The two countries have been at loggerheads since 2014 when Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and backed pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia denies Kiev's charges that its military was involved in the conflict. Western countries have imposed a range of sanctions since then on Russia, which has retaliated with its own measures. In a sign of further strains in Russia's relations with the West, Moscow said on Friday it was ready to sever ties with the European Union if the bloc hit it with painful economic sanctions, a statement that Germany described as disconcerting and incomprehensible.

Russia imposes sanctions on nine Ukrainian companies

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign.&nbsp;

A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015.&nbsp;

Ukraine's pro-Western leadership has repeatedly rejected calls from pro-Moscow politicians to approve Russia's Sputnik V jab, denouncing the vaccine as a geopolitical tool.&nbsp;

Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in its Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.&nbsp;

The ban on Russian vaccines came despite criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky for failing to source Western-made jabs. Not a single dose of any vaccine has yet arrived in the ex-Soviet country.&nbsp;

Zelensky said this week that Ukraine, one of the poorest countries in Europe, would begin the first phase of the vaccination campaign later this month.&nbsp;

The country of some 40 million is awaiting delivery of eight million doses promised under the United Nations' Covax programme and up to five million doses of the Chinese CoronaVac jab.&nbsp;

It has also secured 12 million doses of vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax, but that is still not enough to meet the country's needs.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Ukraine said it launched an investigation into the country's purchasing of coronavirus vaccines, highlighting the country's struggle to end systemic graft.&nbsp;

Sputnik V has, meanwhile, been rolled out in the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists.&nbsp;

Ukraine has recorded more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 24,000 deaths.&nbsp;

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign. A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015.

Ukraine has banned coronavirus vaccines produced by rival Russia despite struggles to launch its vaccination campaign. A resolution passed by the government on February 8 and posted on its website on Wednesday banned the registration of vaccines from 'aggressor states', a designation Ukraine has applied to Russia since 2015. Ukraine's pro-Western leadership has repeatedly rejected calls from pro-Moscow politicians to approve Russia's Sputnik V jab, denouncing the vaccine as a geopolitical tool. Ukraine has been fighting separatists backed by Russia in its Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The ban on Russian vaccines came despite criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky for failing to source Western-made jabs. Not a single dose of any vaccine has yet arrived in the ex-Soviet country. Zelensky said this week that Ukraine, one of the poorest countries in Europe, would begin the first phase of the vaccination campaign later this month. The country of some 40 million is awaiting delivery of eight million doses promised under the United Nations' Covax programme and up to five million doses of the Chinese CoronaVac jab. It has also secured 12 million doses of vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax, but that is still not enough to meet the country's needs. On Wednesday, Ukraine said it launched an investigation into the country's purchasing of coronavirus vaccines, highlighting the country's struggle to end systemic graft. Sputnik V has, meanwhile, been rolled out in the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists. Ukraine has recorded more than 1.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 24,000 deaths.

Ukraine bans Covid-19 vaccines from 'aggressor' Russia

Russia has begun supplying its Sputnik V Covid vaccine to the rebel-controlled region of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine despite a ban by Kyiv.

Ukraine's government is planning to receive shipments of Western-made vaccines from February and has prohibited the use of Russia's Sputnik V.

Kyiv, however, has little control over Donetsk on its border with Russia, where conflict between Ukrainian troops and Moscow-backed separatist rebels has killed more than 13,000 people since 2014.

Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic, was quoted by the region's news agency DAN as saying vaccinations would soon begin thanks to Russian supplies. He said health workers and teachers were among those being vaccinated first and free of charge.

It was not clear which institution supplied the doses. On Saturday, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which markets the Sputnik vaccine abroad, said it did not supply the Donetsk or Luhansk breakaway regions.

Russia has begun supplying its Sputnik V Covid vaccine to the rebel-controlled region of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine despite a ban by Kyiv. Ukraine's government is planning to receive shipments of Western-made vaccines from February and has prohibited the use of Russia's Sputnik V.

Russia has begun supplying its Sputnik V Covid vaccine to the rebel-controlled region of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine despite a ban by Kyiv. Ukraine's government is planning to receive shipments of Western-made vaccines from February and has prohibited the use of Russia's Sputnik V. Kyiv, however, has little control over Donetsk on its border with Russia, where conflict between Ukrainian troops and Moscow-backed separatist rebels has killed more than 13,000 people since 2014. Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic, was quoted by the region's news agency DAN as saying vaccinations would soon begin thanks to Russian supplies. He said health workers and teachers were among those being vaccinated first and free of charge. It was not clear which institution supplied the doses. On Saturday, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which markets the Sputnik vaccine abroad, said it did not supply the Donetsk or Luhansk breakaway regions.

Russia begins supplying Sputnik V doses to rebel-held area despite Ukraine ban

Rural areas of Ukraine has no ICU or ventilators or any critical care specialist, but a single doctor, Victoria Mahnych is travelling across villages, caring for her patients. WION brings you a report.

COVID-19 challenge for Ukraine's village doctor

Riding an old-fashioned horse-driven cart, Dr Viktoria Mahnych trots country roads to attend to her patients in several villages nestled in the Carpathian Mountains in western Ukraine. Mahnych, 30, now fears that the long holidays, during which Ukrainians frequented restaurants and other entertainment venues, as well as festive parties and crowded church services, will trigger a surge in new coronavirus infections and make her job even more difficult. The country of 42 million has recorded more than 1.1 million confirmed COVID-19 infections and nearly 20,000 deaths. #COVID19 #Ukraine #Doctor

A village doctor's struggle to keep up with rising COVID-19 cases in Ukraine

The impact of climate change is extremely complex and studying it in its entirety is pretty hard. However, researchers are now looking to try & understand as to have prehistoric beech forests may explain to us the concept of coping with climate change.

Scientists conducting study on Climate change trying to understand forest's regeneration

A little over a thousand far-right activists marched through Kyiv on Friday to honour Stepan Bandera, a controversial Ukrainian independence leader.

The march was held in the Ukrainian capital on Bandera's 112 birth anniversary. He died in 1959.

He was a leader of Ukraine's nationalist movement in the 1930s and 1940s, which included an insurgent army that fought alongside Nazi soldiers during part of the Second World War.

Even though he is glorified by many in western Ukraine as a freedom fighter, Bandera is dismissed by millions in eastern and south-eastern parts of the country as a traitor to the Soviet Union's struggle against the occupying German army.

The Ukrainian parliament has declared January 1 as a national day of commemoration for Stepan Bandera, who briefly joined forces with the Nazi occupation of Ukraine.&nbsp;

A nationalist, Bandera hoped the Germans would allow his country sovereignty from the Soviet Union, though the Nazis later arrested him.

Stepan Bandera was murdered by the KBG while living in exile in Munich, and his widow moved to Canada, where there is a large Ukrainian diaspora community.

A little over a thousand far-right activists marched through Kyiv on Friday to honour Stepan Bandera, a controversial Ukrainian independence leader. The march was held in the Ukrainian capital on Bandera's 112 birth anniversary.

A little over a thousand far-right activists marched through Kyiv on Friday to honour Stepan Bandera, a controversial Ukrainian independence leader. The march was held in the Ukrainian capital on Bandera's 112 birth anniversary. He died in 1959. He was a leader of Ukraine's nationalist movement in the 1930s and 1940s, which included an insurgent army that fought alongside Nazi soldiers during part of the Second World War. Even though he is glorified by many in western Ukraine as a freedom fighter, Bandera is dismissed by millions in eastern and south-eastern parts of the country as a traitor to the Soviet Union's struggle against the occupying German army. The Ukrainian parliament has declared January 1 as a national day of commemoration for Stepan Bandera, who briefly joined forces with the Nazi occupation of Ukraine. A nationalist, Bandera hoped the Germans would allow his country sovereignty from the Soviet Union, though the Nazis later arrested him. Stepan Bandera was murdered by the KBG while living in exile in Munich, and his widow moved to Canada, where there is a large Ukrainian diaspora community.

Activists march through Kyiv to honour controversial Ukrainian independence leader

Scientists are trying to understand Ukraine's Primeval Beech Forest's regeneration. Watch this video to know more.

Scientists trying to understand Ukraine's Primeval Beech Forest's regeneration

Ukraine said on Wednesday that it had agreed to purchase about 2 million doses of Chinese developed CoronaVac vaccine. This is Ukraine's first commercial vaccine contract. It will receive its first batch of 700,000 doses within one month after the vaccine is registered in China or elsewhere, said a statement from the presidency. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement that authorities would soon roll out "a large-scale" vaccination program.

Sinovac Biotech, one of China's leading vaccine producers, developed CoronaVac which underwent trials in Brazil, China, Turkey and Indonesia.

Ukraine's deal with Sinovac provides for 1,913,316 doses at 504 hryvnia ($18) per dose, which the presidency said would be given free of charge starting with healthcare workers and the most vulnerable.

It added that the authorities were continuing negotiations with other vaccine producers without naming them.

The health ministry said earlier this month it had agreed a delivery of 8 million vaccine doses via Covax, a World Health Organisation mechanism for global vaccine distribution. 
The WHO and partners expect to begin Covax delivers in 2021.

Some pro-Moscow politicians in ex-Soviet Ukraine have lobbied for the introduction of the Russian-developed Sputnik V jab.

But health officials in Kiev have so far refused noting that the Sputnik V was registered before completing large-scale trials.

With the population of 42 million, Ukraine has officially recorded just over one million virus infections and 18,324 Covid-19 deaths.

(With AFP inputs)

Ukraine said on Wednesday that it had agreed to purchase about 2 million doses of Chinese developed CoronaVac vaccine. This is Ukraine's first commercial vaccine contract.

Ukraine said on Wednesday that it had agreed to purchase about 2 million doses of Chinese developed CoronaVac vaccine. This is Ukraine's first commercial vaccine contract. It will receive its first batch of 700,000 doses within one month after the vaccine is registered in China or elsewhere, said a statement from the presidency. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement that authorities would soon roll out "a large-scale" vaccination program. Sinovac Biotech, one of China's leading vaccine producers, developed CoronaVac which underwent trials in Brazil, China, Turkey and Indonesia. Ukraine's deal with Sinovac provides for 1,913,316 doses at 504 hryvnia ($18) per dose, which the presidency said would be given free of charge starting with healthcare workers and the most vulnerable. It added that the authorities were continuing negotiations with other vaccine producers without naming them. The health ministry said earlier this month it had agreed a delivery of 8 million vaccine doses via Covax, a World Health Organisation mechanism for global vaccine distribution. The WHO and partners expect to begin Covax delivers in 2021. Some pro-Moscow politicians in ex-Soviet Ukraine have lobbied for the introduction of the Russian-developed Sputnik V jab. But health officials in Kiev have so far refused noting that the Sputnik V was registered before completing large-scale trials. With the population of 42 million, Ukraine has officially recorded just over one million virus infections and 18,324 Covid-19 deaths. (With AFP inputs)

Ukraine to buy 2 million doses of China's CoronaVac vaccine

Iranian presidency said on Wednesday that the country will pay USD 150,000 to each family of the 176 victims in a passenger plane Iran shot down earlier this year. The Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 was shot down by Iranian forces on January 8. The incident took place shortly after the plane had taken off from airport in Tehran. It was bound for Kiev in Ukraine.

Iran had admitted that its forces accidentally shot down the Boeing 737-800 aircraft but the incident heightened tension between US and Iran nonetheless.

"The cabinet approved the provision of $150,000, or the equivalent in euros... for the families and survivors of each of the victims of the Ukrainian plane crash as soon as possible," Iran's presidency said on Wednesday, according to the official IRNA news agency.

"This compensation does not prevent the prosecution of the criminal element of the case before the competent judicial authority," the statement added.

On Wednesday, Mohammad Eslami, Iran's transport minister, said the final crash report would be "soon" made public, including a version in English.

"The owner of the plane, Ukraine, and Boeing were present for the investigation," Eslami said, according to IRNA.

Many of those killed in the incident were Iranians and Canadians, with 85 Canadian citizens or permanent residents, some dual nationals.

Iran's civil aviation authority has said earlier that misalignment of an air defence unit's radar system was the key "human error" that led to the plane's downing.

Tehran's air defences had been on high alert at the time in case the US retaliated against Iranian strikes hours earlier on American troops stationed in Iraq, which in turn had been in response to the US assassination of Iran's top commander, General Qasem Soleimani.

Ukraine's foreign minister said in July that he hoped to obtain as much financial compensation as possible in order to alleviate "the pain and mourning" of the relatives of the victims.

A Ukrainian delegation visited Tehran in October for talks on possible financial compensation.

(With AFP inputs)

Iranian presidency said on Wednesday that the country will pay USD 150,000 to each family of the 176 victims in a passenger plane Iran shot down earlier this year.

Iranian presidency said on Wednesday that the country will pay USD 150,000 to each family of the 176 victims in a passenger plane Iran shot down earlier this year. The Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 was shot down by Iranian forces on January 8. The incident took place shortly after the plane had taken off from airport in Tehran. It was bound for Kiev in Ukraine. Iran had admitted that its forces accidentally shot down the Boeing 737-800 aircraft but the incident heightened tension between US and Iran nonetheless. "The cabinet approved the provision of $150,000, or the equivalent in euros... for the families and survivors of each of the victims of the Ukrainian plane crash as soon as possible," Iran's presidency said on Wednesday, according to the official IRNA news agency. "This compensation does not prevent the prosecution of the criminal element of the case before the competent judicial authority," the statement added. On Wednesday, Mohammad Eslami, Iran's transport minister, said the final crash report would be "soon" made public, including a version in English. "The owner of the plane, Ukraine, and Boeing were present for the investigation," Eslami said, according to IRNA. Many of those killed in the incident were Iranians and Canadians, with 85 Canadian citizens or permanent residents, some dual nationals. Iran's civil aviation authority has said earlier that misalignment of an air defence unit's radar system was the key "human error" that led to the plane's downing. Tehran's air defences had been on high alert at the time in case the US retaliated against Iranian strikes hours earlier on American troops stationed in Iraq, which in turn had been in response to the US assassination of Iran's top commander, General Qasem Soleimani. Ukraine's foreign minister said in July that he hoped to obtain as much financial compensation as possible in order to alleviate "the pain and mourning" of the relatives of the victims. A Ukrainian delegation visited Tehran in October for talks on possible financial compensation. (With AFP inputs)

Iran to pay USD 150,000 to each family of victims in the passenger plane it shot down

More than three decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster forced thousands to evacuate, there is an influx of visitors to the area. This has spurred officials to seek an official world heritage status from UNESCO.

These visitors are, however, more often that not equipped with a Geiger counter as they wander through this ghostly Ukrainian town of Pripyat, frozen in time since the world's worst nuclear accident in 1986.

Officials hope the recognition from the UN's culture agency will boost the site as a tourist attraction and in turn bolster efforts to preserve ageing buildings nearby.

The government, to this end, has now taken an initiative to have the area included on the UNESCO heritage list alongside landmarks like India's Taj Mahal or Stonehenge in England.

<img alt="Chernobyl zone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0b473f0f-c636-427b-b88b-b11bf24fad88" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Chernonyl%20zone2.jpg" />

It is hopend the upgraded status would encourage officials to act more "responsibly" to preserve the crumbling Soviet-era infrastructure surrounding the plant.

It is a sentiment echoed by Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko, who described the recent influx of tourists from home and abroad as evidence of Chernobyl's importance "not only to Ukrainians, but of all mankind."

The government is set to propose specific objects in the zone as a heritage site before March but a final decision could come as late as 2023.

The explosion in the fourth reactor at the nuclear power plant in April 1986 left swathes of Ukraine and neighbouring Belarus badly contaminated and led to the creation of the exclusion zone roughly the size of Luxembourg.

Ukrainian authorities say it may not be safe for humans to live in the exclusion zone for another 24,000 years. Meanwhile, it has become a haven for wildlife with elk and deer roaming nearby forests.

<img alt="Chernobyl zone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44ae22db-2438-44ce-a4c3-68dbc67c87d3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Chernonyl%20zone3.jpg" />

Dozens of villages and towns populated by hundreds of thousands of people were abandoned after the disaster, yet more than 100 elderly people live in the area despite the radiation threat.

In Pripyat, a ghost town kilometres away from the Chernobyl plant, rooms in eerie residential blocks are piled up with belongings of former residents.

After the explosion in 1986, the three other reactors at Chernobyl continued to generate electricity until the station finally closed in 2000. Ukraine will mark the 20th anniversary of the closure on December 15.

A record number of 124,000 tourists visited last year, including 100,000 foreigners following the release of the hugely popular Chernobyl television series in 2019.

(with inputs)

More than three decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster forced thousands to evacuate, there is an influx of visitors to the area. This has spurred officials to seek an official world heritage status from UNESCO.

More than three decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster forced thousands to evacuate, there is an influx of visitors to the area. This has spurred officials to seek an official world heritage status from UNESCO. These visitors are, however, more often that not equipped with a Geiger counter as they wander through this ghostly Ukrainian town of Pripyat, frozen in time since the world's worst nuclear accident in 1986. Officials hope the recognition from the UN's culture agency will boost the site as a tourist attraction and in turn bolster efforts to preserve ageing buildings nearby. The government, to this end, has now taken an initiative to have the area included on the UNESCO heritage list alongside landmarks like India's Taj Mahal or Stonehenge in England. It is hopend the upgraded status would encourage officials to act more "responsibly" to preserve the crumbling Soviet-era infrastructure surrounding the plant. It is a sentiment echoed by Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko, who described the recent influx of tourists from home and abroad as evidence of Chernobyl's importance "not only to Ukrainians, but of all mankind." The government is set to propose specific objects in the zone as a heritage site before March but a final decision could come as late as 2023. The explosion in the fourth reactor at the nuclear power plant in April 1986 left swathes of Ukraine and neighbouring Belarus badly contaminated and led to the creation of the exclusion zone roughly the size of Luxembourg. Ukrainian authorities say it may not be safe for humans to live in the exclusion zone for another 24,000 years. Meanwhile, it has become a haven for wildlife with elk and deer roaming nearby forests. Dozens of villages and towns populated by hundreds of thousands of people were abandoned after the disaster, yet more than 100 elderly people live in the area despite the radiation threat. In Pripyat, a ghost town kilometres away from the Chernobyl plant, rooms in eerie residential blocks are piled up with belongings of former residents. After the explosion in 1986, the three other reactors at Chernobyl continued to generate electricity until the station finally closed in 2000. Ukraine will mark the 20th anniversary of the closure on December 15. A record number of 124,000 tourists visited last year, including 100,000 foreigners following the release of the hugely popular Chernobyl television series in 2019. (with inputs)

Ukraine seeks world heritage status for Chernobyl zone

River Borzhava was once a stunning site but now the river is filled with hundreds of plastic bottles & other waste items. Authorities blame locals for the pollution despite warnings. WION brings you a report.

Ukraine: Borzhava river turns into garbage dumps

The Tisza, one of the main rivers in eastern Europe, starts in Ukraine and flows across Hungary to join the Danube in Serbia.

Hungary asks Ukraine to clean shared river

A Ukrainian social entrepreneur has turned a waste recycling vending machine into an animal-friendly initiative where plastic bottles serve as currency to buy food for stray cats and dogs.

Machine with a heart: Recycle plastic and feed stray animals in one go

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the nation in two videos on Thursday. This was his first apperance since he was hospitalised after testing positive for coronavirus this week.

Zelenskiy said that he felt good and the government was working as normal.

"As you know, COVID-19 has not avoided me, but I feel good," Zelenskiy said.

In his address, Zelenskiy expressed displeasure against Constitutional Court that struck down anti-corruption legislation that is crucial for Ukraine to receive loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

A former comedian and actor, Zelenskiy compared the court to protagonists in the 2001 Hollywood heist movie Ocean's Eleven.

"This is not Ocean's Eleven, this is a remake made with the support of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine," he said.

"But seriously, they could cancel major reforms and deprive us of very important financial support for us, and we, as a society and country, do not need such plot twists. Spoiler alert: they won't succeed."

Last month, Zelenskiy had asked parliament to dissolve the court.

Along with Zelenskiy, three other top officials, including the finance minister, the defence minister and Zelenskiy's top aide were also reported to be infected with coronavirus

Ukraine registered a total of 500,865 coronavirus cases as of Thursday, with 9,145 deaths.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the nation in two videos on Thursday, his first appearance since being hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19 this week.

Sitting in a chair in front of a Ukrainian flag, Zelenskiy said he felt good and the government was working as normal. He also spoke about his administration's standoff with the Constitutional Court over anti-corruption reforms.

The president, 42, was moved to hospital to self-isolate and not put others at risk, his office said.

Three other top officials, including the finance minister, the defence minister and Zelenskiy's top aide were also reported to be infected.

"As you know, COVID-19 has not avoided me, but I feel good," Zelenskiy said.

He then turned his fire on the Constitutional Court, which in October struck down anti-corruption legislation that is crucial for Ukraine to receive loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

A former comedian and actor, Zelenskiy compared the court to protagonists in the 2001 Hollywood heist movie Ocean's Eleven.

"This is not Ocean's Eleven, this is a remake made with the support of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine," he said.

"But seriously, they could cancel major reforms and deprive us of very important financial support for us, and we, as a society and country, do not need such plot twists. Spoiler alert: they won't succeed."

Zelenskiy last month asked parliament to dissolve the court, which the court's head denounced as a "constitutional coup".

Ukrainian new coronavirus infections began spiking in late September and have remained consistently high in October and November, prompting the government to extend some restrictions until the end of the year.

On Wednesday, Zelenskiy's Cabinet voted to impose a national lockdown at weekends to strengthen steps to curb the rapid spread of infection.

Ukraine registered a total of 500,865 coronavirus cases as of Thursday, with 9,145 deaths.

(With Reuters input)

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the nation in two videos on Thursday. This was his first apperance since he was hospitalised after testing positive for coronavirus this week.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the nation in two videos on Thursday. This was his first apperance since he was hospitalised after testing positive for coronavirus this week. Zelenskiy said that he felt good and the government was working as normal. "As you know, COVID-19 has not avoided me, but I feel good," Zelenskiy said. In his address, Zelenskiy expressed displeasure against Constitutional Court that struck down anti-corruption legislation that is crucial for Ukraine to receive loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). A former comedian and actor, Zelenskiy compared the court to protagonists in the 2001 Hollywood heist movie Ocean's Eleven. "This is not Ocean's Eleven, this is a remake made with the support of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine," he said. "But seriously, they could cancel major reforms and deprive us of very important financial support for us, and we, as a society and country, do not need such plot twists. Spoiler alert: they won't succeed." Last month, Zelenskiy had asked parliament to dissolve the court. Along with Zelenskiy, three other top officials, including the finance minister, the defence minister and Zelenskiy's top aide were also reported to be infected with coronavirus Ukraine registered a total of 500,865 coronavirus cases as of Thursday, with 9,145 deaths. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the nation in two videos on Thursday, his first appearance since being hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19 this week. Sitting in a chair in front of a Ukrainian flag, Zelenskiy said he felt good and the government was working as normal. He also spoke about his administration's standoff with the Constitutional Court over anti-corruption reforms. The president, 42, was moved to hospital to self-isolate and not put others at risk, his office said. Three other top officials, including the finance minister, the defence minister and Zelenskiy's top aide were also reported to be infected. "As you know, COVID-19 has not avoided me, but I feel good," Zelenskiy said. He then turned his fire on the Constitutional Court, which in October struck down anti-corruption legislation that is crucial for Ukraine to receive loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). A former comedian and actor, Zelenskiy compared the court to protagonists in the 2001 Hollywood heist movie Ocean's Eleven. "This is not Ocean's Eleven, this is a remake made with the support of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine," he said. "But seriously, they could cancel major reforms and deprive us of very important financial support for us, and we, as a society and country, do not need such plot twists. Spoiler alert: they won't succeed." Zelenskiy last month asked parliament to dissolve the court, which the court's head denounced as a "constitutional coup". Ukrainian new coronavirus infections began spiking in late September and have remained consistently high in October and November, prompting the government to extend some restrictions until the end of the year. On Wednesday, Zelenskiy's Cabinet voted to impose a national lockdown at weekends to strengthen steps to curb the rapid spread of infection. Ukraine registered a total of 500,865 coronavirus cases as of Thursday, with 9,145 deaths. (With Reuters input)

Ukraine president addresses nation after being taken to hospital with coronavirus

A man armed with a knife killed two people were killed and injured another eight, including an eight-year-old boy, in central Ukraine on Saturday, police said, in an incident the country's president described as "barbaric".&nbsp;

National police said in a statement that the attack happened in the industrial city of Kryvyi Rig.

The attacker was detained and identified as a 37-year-old local resident, police said.&nbsp;

Also read<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-to-double-security-forces-on-borders-in-wake-of-nice-attack-340870">|&nbsp;France to double security forces on borders in wake of Nice attack</a>

No further details were released and no indication of a possible motive.&nbsp;

President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is a native of the city, described the attack as "a manifestation of absolute terrorism... it was terrorism, a barbaric way to intimidate people."&nbsp;

In May, seven people were shot and killed during an alcohol-fuelled fishing trip in central Ukraine, a rare mass shooting in the ex-Soviet country.

A man armed with a knife killed two people were killed and injured another eight, including an eight-year-old boy, in central Ukraine on Saturday, police said, in an incident the country's president described as "barbaric".

A man armed with a knife killed two people were killed and injured another eight, including an eight-year-old boy, in central Ukraine on Saturday, police said, in an incident the country's president described as "barbaric". National police said in a statement that the attack happened in the industrial city of Kryvyi Rig. The attacker was detained and identified as a 37-year-old local resident, police said. Also read| France to double security forces on borders in wake of Nice attack No further details were released and no indication of a possible motive. President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is a native of the city, described the attack as "a manifestation of absolute terrorism... it was terrorism, a barbaric way to intimidate people." In May, seven people were shot and killed during an alcohol-fuelled fishing trip in central Ukraine, a rare mass shooting in the ex-Soviet country.

Two dead, eight injured in knife rampage in Ukraine

A member of radical feminist group Femen staged a naked&nbsp;protest outside the Polish embassy in Kiev on Monday against a near-total ban on abortion in the EU country.

The English words "My body is my choice" were scrawled on her torso. She held coat hangers in her mouth, a protest symbol representing illegal abortions.

"Sisters to arms!" the woman chanted in Polish before being quickly arrested by police.

Later in the day several dozen activists gathered near the embassy for another demonstration in support of Polish women.

One of the women held a placard saying: "When the government decides to ban safe abortions women may decide to abort the government."

Last week Poland's constitutional court ruled that an existing law allowing the abortion of malformed foetuses was "incompatible" with the constitution.

The ruling has sparked protests against a near-total ban on abortion in a country that already has some of the EU's most stringent restrictions.

According to media reports, Ukraine's much more liberal policies make it one of the destinations for Polish women seeking abortions.

From now on, abortions in Poland will only be allowed in instances of rape or incest, or if there is a threat to the mother's life.

A member of radical feminist group Femen staged a naked protest outside the Polish embassy in Kiev on Monday against a near-total ban on abortion in the EU country.

A member of radical feminist group Femen staged a naked protest outside the Polish embassy in Kiev on Monday against a near-total ban on abortion in the EU country. The English words "My body is my choice" were scrawled on her torso. She held coat hangers in her mouth, a protest symbol representing illegal abortions. "Sisters to arms!" the woman chanted in Polish before being quickly arrested by police. Later in the day several dozen activists gathered near the embassy for another demonstration in support of Polish women. One of the women held a placard saying: "When the government decides to ban safe abortions women may decide to abort the government." Last week Poland's constitutional court ruled that an existing law allowing the abortion of malformed foetuses was "incompatible" with the constitution. The ruling has sparked protests against a near-total ban on abortion in a country that already has some of the EU's most stringent restrictions. According to media reports, Ukraine's much more liberal policies make it one of the destinations for Polish women seeking abortions. From now on, abortions in Poland will only be allowed in instances of rape or incest, or if there is a threat to the mother's life.

Ukraine activist in nude protest against Polish abortion ban

After the simmering dispute between Russia and Ukraine over the origins of borscht, the reddish soup has recently emerged as the latest battleground in Ukraine’s struggle to assert an independent national identity and shake off centuries of Russian domination.

According to the encyclopedia, Borscht also spelled borsch, borsht, or bortsch, beet soup of the Slavic countries, is a humble, reddish beet soup, often served with a generous dollop of sour cream on top. Although borscht is important in Russian and Polish cuisines, Ukraine is frequently cited as its place of origin.

Ukraine claims borscht as its own it has added the soup to a list of intangible elements of Ukrainian culture.&nbsp;

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The goal is to declare Ukraine as the home of borscht for this, it will have to be listed as a UNESCO heritage item.&nbsp;

The origin of this campaign is quite interesting, it was led by Yevhen Klopotenko, a celebrity chef based in Kiev.

At one expert council meeting -- he arrived with 5 litres of borscht placed the bowl on the table and said -- we need to recognise this today but standing in Ukraine’s way is Russia.

Moscow claims the borscht as part of Russia’s national cuisine, it's unlikely to surrender its claim without a fight. Beneath this face-off for a soup is a clash of national identities. Ukraine has long opposed Russia’s dominant historical narratives.&nbsp;

Moscow often seeks to belittle Ukrainian culture and language so much so that President Putin once told George Bush that Ukraine is not a country. The cultural faultiness between Ukraine and Russia are not well-defined, both countries were part of the same regime through much of history.

(With inputs from agencies)

After the simmering dispute between Russia and Ukraine over the origins of borscht, the reddish soup has recently emerged as the latest battleground in Ukraine’s struggle to assert an independent national identity and shake off centuries of Russian domination.

After the simmering dispute between Russia and Ukraine over the origins of borscht, the reddish soup has recently emerged as the latest battleground in Ukraine’s struggle to assert an independent national identity and shake off centuries of Russian domination. According to the encyclopedia, Borscht also spelled borsch, borsht, or bortsch, beet soup of the Slavic countries, is a humble, reddish beet soup, often served with a generous dollop of sour cream on top. Although borscht is important in Russian and Polish cuisines, Ukraine is frequently cited as its place of origin. Ukraine claims borscht as its own it has added the soup to a list of intangible elements of Ukrainian culture. × The goal is to declare Ukraine as the home of borscht for this, it will have to be listed as a UNESCO heritage item. The origin of this campaign is quite interesting, it was led by Yevhen Klopotenko, a celebrity chef based in Kiev. At one expert council meeting -- he arrived with 5 litres of borscht placed the bowl on the table and said -- we need to recognise this today but standing in Ukraine’s way is Russia. Moscow claims the borscht as part of Russia’s national cuisine, it's unlikely to surrender its claim without a fight. Beneath this face-off for a soup is a clash of national identities. Ukraine has long opposed Russia’s dominant historical narratives. Moscow often seeks to belittle Ukrainian culture and language so much so that President Putin once told George Bush that Ukraine is not a country. The cultural faultiness between Ukraine and Russia are not well-defined, both countries were part of the same regime through much of history. (With inputs from agencies)

In culinary spat with Russia, Ukraine seeks UN status for 'borscht'

Both Russia & Ukraine have laid claim to Borscht soup - a popular delicacy in Eurasia. What appears to be a battle for food, is actually a struggle for national identity. WION's Palki Sharma brings you instances from the past, where countries have faced off over cuisine.

Gravitas: Soup war between Russia and Ukraine

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