Latest news, headlines and top stories you need to know RIGHT NOW about Russia, the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
On Saturday, a Kyiv court ordered that Metropolitan Pavel, a Ukrainian Orthodox bishop and head monk at the historic Pechersk Lavra Monastery, be put on house arrest. The bishop is suspected of justifying the Russian invasion, which has been made a criminal offense in Ukraine. Pavel has denied the accusations stating that he has “never been on the side of aggression.”
Former Arizona Senator and RINO Republican Jeff Flake who earned an appointment by Joe Biden as Ambassador to Turkey for his service to the Democrat Party began his tenure by interfering in the internal affairs of Turkey. His actions provoked a rebuke by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who said he will not receive Biden’s appointee.
In the early hours of Monday morning, Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group claimed at least partial victory over Bakhmut by raising both the Russian and Wagner group flags over government administration buildings in the city.
Austria has joined several Western countries that appear to be becoming weary of sacrificing their money, tax dollars, military equipment, and weapons stockpiles for Ukraine as its war against Russia enters its second year. Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged this week that “Ukraine fatigue” is setting in and noted that support for the war is waning.