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Tag: Russian invasion of Ukraine

  • Russia Launches One of Biggest Attacks on Kyiv as Death Toll Rises After Massive Drone and Missile Strikes

    Russia Launches One of Biggest Attacks on Kyiv as Death Toll Rises After Massive Drone and Missile Strikes

    Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has suffered one of the deadliest Russian aerial assaults in recent months after Moscow unleashed a massive overnight barrage of drones and missiles across the country, killing at least seven people, including a 12-year-old girl, and injuring dozens more.

    Emergency responders continued pulling bodies from the rubble of a heavily damaged apartment building in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district on Thursday as fears grew that more than 20 people could still be trapped beneath the debris. Ukrainian officials said the large-scale attack targeted residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure, leaving widespread destruction across the capital and other regions.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Russia launched more than 670 drones and 56 missiles during the overnight assault, making it one of the largest aerial attacks since the war began in 2022. According to Zelensky, over 180 sites across Ukraine were hit, including more than 50 residential buildings.

    Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that at least 21 people were hospitalized following the strikes, while rescue teams worked around the clock searching for survivors. Ukrainian authorities said more than 1,500 rescuers and police officers were deployed nationwide, with nearly 600 personnel focused on rescue operations in Kyiv alone.

    Several victims were recovered from a collapsed section of a nine-storey apartment block. Police identified two male victims aged 21 and 30, while another woman has yet to be identified. Authorities also confirmed the death of a man who was injured during an attack on a petrol station.

    Residents described terrifying scenes as explosions shook the city overnight. Witnesses said apartment blocks trembled violently while air raid sirens echoed across Kyiv. Some survivors gathered in temporary shelters wrapped in blankets as emergency crews cleared debris and searched for missing residents.

    The attacks also damaged schools, veterinary clinics, water supply systems and other civilian infrastructure. In addition to Kyiv, injuries were reported in the Kyiv region, Kharkiv and Odesa as Russian drones and missiles crossed large parts of Ukrainian airspace.

    The renewed bombardment comes just days after a three-day ceasefire brokered by the United States expired earlier this week. Ukraine says Russia resumed heavy attacks immediately after the truce ended, despite earlier suggestions from Russian President Vladimir Putin that the conflict could be nearing an end.

    Zelensky condemned the latest assault and urged Ukraine’s allies to strengthen the country’s air defense systems while maintaining sanctions on Moscow. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha also called on U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to pressure Russia into ending the war during their ongoing summit discussions.

    Meanwhile, Ukraine was also rocked by political controversy after a Kyiv court ordered the pretrial detention of Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s former chief of staff, over allegations linked to a multimillion-dollar money laundering scheme involving a luxury construction project near Kyiv. Yermak has denied all accusations and vowed to appeal the ruling.

  • Freeland Condemns Use of Canadian Public Funds for Controversial ‘Russians at War’ Documentary at TIFF

    Freeland Condemns Use of Canadian Public Funds for Controversial ‘Russians at War’ Documentary at TIFF

    Liberal MPs, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, have expressed strong disapproval of the use of Canadian public funds to support the screening of the controversial documentary Russians at War at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film, which portrays Russian soldiers in Ukraine and has been labeled “Russian propaganda,” premiered in North America at TIFF on Tuesday.

    The documentary, directed by Russian-Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova, was funded partly through Canadian public broadcasters and government grants. It has drawn criticism for allegedly sympathizing with Russian soldiers, a stance that has led to protests organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress outside the screening venue.

    Freeland, a vocal critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, voiced her concerns during the Liberal caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C. She emphasized that Canadian public funds should not be used to support such productions, stating, “It’s not right for Canadian public money to be supporting the screening and production of a film like this.”

    Freeland underscored the importance of moral clarity in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia’s actions constitute a war of aggression and a violation of international law. “There can be no moral equivalency in our understanding of this conflict,” she added.

    Calls for Accountability and Further Investigation

    The Ukrainian Canadian Congress welcomed Freeland’s remarks and called for a government investigation into how the film received funding. Liberal MP Yvan Baker also condemned the film, accusing it of whitewashing Russia’s military actions and demanded that TIFF cancel all screenings of Russians at War. Baker criticized TVO, Ontario’s public broadcaster, for using Canada Media Fund allocations to support the film and called for an investigation into the funding decisions.

    In response, Trofimova defended her work, claiming that the film is anti-war and intended to humanize soldiers caught in conflict, rather than promote propaganda. She stated that her project was conducted without the Russian government’s approval and that she faced personal risks while filming.

    Despite the filmmaker’s defense, the backlash highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the portrayal of Russian actions in Ukraine, especially when funded by Canadian resources. The Canada Media Fund, which provides financial support from both the federal government and Canadian broadcasters, has been urged to review its guidelines and funding decisions to prevent similar controversies in the future.

    The situation continues to spark debate over the responsibilities of public broadcasters and the ethical implications of supporting content that could be perceived as aligning with the interests of adversarial foreign powers.

    Global News has reached out to Canadian Heritage and other involved parties for further comment.

    Source: Global News