
Mariia Nazarenko's first days in France after fleeing Ukraine: 'In Kyiv, I was a university professor. Today, I am a refugee searching for toothpaste'
Everything then became surreal; I wandered like a zombie through the Spanish capital, checking the news on my phone every three minutes, bursting into tears whenever I saw a Ukrainian flag, desperately trying to convince my loved ones to leave Kyiv. But the bombs were falling, and everything was so dangerous.

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Euronews
14 hours ago
- Euronews
Ukraine strikes five Russian fighter jets at annexed Crimea airfield
Five Russian fighter jets have been hit in an overnight drone attack by Ukraine's security service at an airfield in Saky in Russia-annexed Crimea. SBU stated that its Special Operations Centre "A" mission's drones destroyed one SU-30SM aircraft, damaged another and hit three Su-24s while also striking the aviation weapons depot. "The successful special operation carried out by the SBU in Saky marks another step toward weakening the enemy's capacity to wage its war of aggression against Ukraine," security service said. Su-30SM is a twin-engine, two-seat multirole fighter aircraft developed by Russia, with production beginning in the early 2010s. This fighter jet is priced between €30 and €43 million. The Su-24 is a strike bomber developed by the Soviet Union, with production starting in the early 1970s. The Saky airbase plays a critical role in Russia's military operations in the Black Sea and its regular attacks on Ukraine, as well as patrolling, radar surveillance, target guidance and escorting long-range aircraft. Kyiv has heavily degraded the Russian Black Sea Fleet and Moscow's military capabilities in the area. Ukrainian drones destroyed several Russian vessels, including the Caesar Kunikov landing ship, the Sergei Kotov patrol ship and the Ivanovets missile corvette, forcing Moscow to relocate its ships away from Crimea. Ukraine has also recently intensified its efforts in targeting Russian airfields and warplanes used to regularly bomb Ukraine. On 1 June Ukraine carried out an unprecedented Operation Spiderweb. In a mass drone attack, Kyiv targeted four Russian air bases in the deep rear of Russia. During the attack, Ukrainian forces reportedly damaged 41 aircraft, using drones concealed in trucks at multiple locations across Russia.


Euronews
15 hours ago
- Euronews
Diplomatic downfall: When ambassadors cross the line
The shock resignation of Austria's Ambassador to the EU, Thomas Oberreiter, made jaws drop in Brussels just as officials and diplomats were preparing for their much-anticipated summer break. While his case may be the latest to hit headlines, it's far from the only time an ambassador's behaviour that has cut a diplomatic career short. From internal harassment complaints to political sackings and even public naps, here are some of the lesser-known stories of diplomats who were quietly, or dramatically, sidelined. Thomas Oberreiter, the erotic blogger Austrian Ambassador to the European Union (2023-2025) Thomas Oberreiter, Austria's Ambassador to the European Union, resigned last week amid allegations that he anonymously authored a sexually explicit blog featuring misogynistic content and described sexual assault under a female monicker. Despite Oberreiter's denying writing the sadomasochism blog, media investigations linked the blog's posts to Austrian Foreign Ministry IP addresses and devices. The blog, active for several years and containing sadomasochistic fantasies written from a woman's perspective, reportedly originated during office hours and within an official building. After being a diplomat for over 30 years in Europe and Mexico, Oberreiter resigned as the polemic swirled in Brussels. He has not responded to requests for comment. Marta Kos, a comeback under scrutiny Ambassador of Slovenia to Switzerland (2017-2020) Marta Kos, Slovenia's Commissioner for Enlargement since 2024, left her diplomatic post in Bern under a cloud back in 2020, when she resigned as ambassador to Switzerland following accusations of workplace harassment. She cited 'differences in views' on foreign policy and embassy leadership as the cause. An internal audit, triggered by staff complaints, painted a picture of a toxic work environment under her watch. Though she managed a political comeback four years later, Kos's nomination to the European Commission wasn't without turbulence. Her appointment sparked criticism in Slovenia and Brussels, with opponents questioning both her leadership style and suitability for a top EU role. Some even resurfaced long-standing rumours about past links to Yugoslavia's former secret police, claims Kos has firmly denied. Spanish controversial sackings Alberto Antón, Spain's Ambassador to Belgium (2022-2025) & Juan González‑Barba Spain's ambassador to Croatia (2022-2025) Alberto Antón, Spain's ambassador to Belgium, was dismissed in June 2025, five months after being filmed nodding off during a major diplomatic event in Madrid. The incident, caught on camera at the annual ambassadors' conference, showed Antón yawning and slipping into a light doze while Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares delivered a lengthy keynote. The clip quickly became viral on social media and, according to several Spanish media outlets, caused his dismissal. Meanwhile, Antón insisted he was unwell and was simply under the effect of antihistamines at the time. In an open letter, Antón accused Albares of turning a harmless 'siesta' into a pretext for a purge. Critics of the minister say Antón's dismissal fitted a broader pattern of politically motivated sackings. Just months earlier, Juan González-Barba, the ambassador to Croatia and a former secretary of state for EU affairs, was also removed from his post, reportedly for publishing an opinion piece defending Spain's parliamentary monarchy and praising King Felipe VI. Misconduct in Finland's diplomatic corps Jarmo Viinanen, Ambassador of Finland to Sweden (2014-2016) & Jari Vilén, Ambassador of Finland to Canada (2023-2024) Finland's ambassador to Sweden, Jarmo Viinanen, was recalled in 2016 following internal investigations and media reports of alleged sexual harassment involving embassy staff and guests. Viinanen denied publicly criticised the Foreign Ministry's handling of the process, calling it unfair and poorly managed. He claimed he was never given a clear explanation of what he had done wrong and described the months-long ordeal as a personal injustice. Jari Vilén, Finland's ambassador to Canada since September 2023, stepped down a year after, when allegations of inappropriate conduct, including unwanted physical contact. Although not formally dismissed, Vilén returned to Helsinki to work within the Ministry of foreign affairs following an internal investigation that reportedly concluded his behaviour amounted to sexual harassment. He denied any wrongdoings.


Euronews
16 hours ago
- Euronews
Trump sends Witkoff to Moscow days before US sanctions hit Russia
US president's special envoy Steve Witkoff is travelling to Russia this week, just days before a deadline for Moscow to reach a deal with Ukraine or face major tariffs. Donald Trump said Witkoff may be going to Moscow 'Wednesday or Thursday'. 'They would like to see him. They've asked that he meet, so we'll see what happens,' he added. The Kremlin-controlled media later reported that Witkoff is expected in Moscow on Wednesday, 6 August. US president also reiterated that sanctions would take effect by Friday if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire by that date. "There'll be sanctions, but they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions," Trump said. "They're wily characters, and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions, so we'll see what happens." Trump announced earlier that the measures would include significant secondary tariffs on countries that continue to import Russian oil, gas and other goods — a move that would significantly affect major trading partners such as China and India. Is Moscow ready for a ceasefire? Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Moscow is "always happy" to hold talks with Witkoff. "We consider these contacts to be important, meaningful and very useful." Peskov also said that the Kremlin has not ruled out the possibility of a meeting between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in Moscow. US special envoy met with the Russian president in April, drawing criticism not only for repeating Moscow's narratives about Russia's all-out war against Ukraine, but also for using the Kremlin-provided translators for these talks. In a stark demonstration of Moscow's ceasefire intentions, Russia has intensified its daily attacks against Ukraine, targeting civilians and residential infrastructure with barrages of missiles and drones across the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated the calls to the US to sanction Russia, saying, "The world has enough power to stop this and protect people." "Ukraine looks forward to the implementation of every agreement on strengthening defence that has been reached with its partners. Every day of delay results in the loss of our people," he added. Is a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin possible? Zelenskyy also reiterated his willingness to meet with Putin. "We understand who calls the shots in Russia, and thus Ukraine is once again offering to move beyond technical talks—not to exchange statements, but to actually meet at the level of leaders," the Ukrainian president said. Zelenskyy has been repeatedly calling for a meeting with his Russian counterpart. When the direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow were renewed in March this year, Zelenskyy personally went to Turkey, calling on Putin to come to Istanbul for direct negotiations between the presidents. Putin was a no-show and has been rejecting the possibility of meeting Zelenskyy since then. On Monday, Peskov once again said that a face-to-face meeting between the presidents is not on the agenda, claiming that "all the preparatory work has not been completed yet." Putin's spokesperson did not provide details and more information on what precisely this preparatory work involves and what Moscow's expectations are regarding the possible meeting between the two.