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OC Media
14-07-2025
- Politics
- OC Media
Former US diplomat and civic sector consultant denied entry to Georgia as cases mount
Sign in or or Become a member to unlock the audio version of this article Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence. For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out. Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today Become a member Editor's note: This article has been updated to include comments from Maggie Osdoby Katz. A former US diplomat and civic sector consultant, Maggie Osdoby Katz, was denied entry to Georgia on Saturday in what appears to be the latest in a series of refusals to foreign nationals with specific professional profiles. Katz wrote on Facebook that she was turned away at the border with 'no questions asked' and no real explanation given. '27 years of living, visiting and supporting my beloved [...] home. My heart is [broken]', she wrote. Ukrainian news outlet the Kyiv Post reported that her phone was confiscated 'during several hours in a holding area before she was placed on an outbound flight'. Katz has reportedly lived on and off in Georgia for prolonged periods of time, working for the US Embassy, election monitoring missions, consulting civil society organisations and social entrepreneurs, and working on peace building and democracy initiatives. In February, Katz promoted OC Media's fundraising campaign, responding to the crackdown on independent media in the country. Advertisement Later that month, she launched her own campaign, seeking 'urgent support for Georgia's democratic future' amid the US foreign assistance freeze, which raised over $10,000. In response to a request for comment from OC Media, the US Embassy said that it was 'aware of the report', but could not comment due to privacy concerns. Katz described her experience in a written comment to OC Media. 'Yes, my phone was confiscated, after they gave me the decision [to not be allowed to enter] and escorted me to the holding area. It was returned when I boarded the plane under escort'. Katz added that she was not questioned before she was refused entry. 'I plan to appeal and pursue any and all channels available to me', she told OC Media. 'Georgia is a home for me, it is part of who I am, it has a piece of my soul whose absence I feel when away. I will do everything I can to be with my god kids, my friends, and the mountains I love'. A growing list of border denials Border officials appear to have been regularly using the justification 'other cases envisaged by Georgian legislation' to bar entry to foreign nationals, including Western journalists critical of the governments in Tbilisi and Moscow. This trend started after the start of popular protests in November, following the Georgian government's decision to halt EU accession efforts 'until 2028'. Recent cases on entry denials include Romanian stand up comedian Victor Patrascan, prominent French photographer Marylise Vigneau, Lithuanian women's rights advocate Regina Jegorova-Askerova, among countless others. Jegorova-Askerova reportedly had a family in Georgia, including two children, and also held permanent residency. On 21 May, Simon Vandenbroucke, an Enlargement Programme Officer working for the EU Delegation to Georgia, was denied entry to Georgia without explanation. After the delegation addressed the Georgian Foreign Ministry regarding the matter, however, the Georgian authorities 'presented oral apologies for the regrettable incident and confirmed that the staff member is welcome to come back to his place of posting'. Later the same month, the French and Polish Embassies in Georgia issued travel advisories, warning their citizens they could be denied entry into Georgia or face heavy fines for participating in or sharing information on social media related to the ongoing anti-government protests. Georgia-US diplomatic tensions Until Katz, there appear not to have been any public cases of an American citizen being denied entry. Georgia-US, as well as Georgia-EU diplomatic relations, have been at what many describe as their historic low, with Georgian officials using hostile language towards Western officials and touting 'deep state' conspiracy theories. Earlier this year, the US imposed sanctions on Georgian authorities, including the ruling Georgian Dream's billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. This followed the parliamentary elections of 2024, widely seen as rigged, after which the Georgian Dream announced a freeze on EU accession. This triggered mass protests across the country, with law enforcement and affiliated groups cracking down on protesters, journalists, and activists. Last week, US Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan said in an interview with RFE/RL that Georgian Dream sent a private letter to President Donald Trump that was 'threatening, insulting, [and] unserious'. Dunnigan added that the letter was 'received extremely poorly in Washington'. Later in the interview, the ambassador also said she had requested to meet with Ivanishvili, but he had refused.
Metro
01-07-2025
- Metro
British volunteer killed 'fighting bravely' for Ukraine given final farewell
A final farewell has been paid to a highly regarded British drone pilot who joined Ukraine's fight 'because he truly believed in freedom.' Ben 'Budgie' Burgess, 33, from Portsmouth, is said to have died in combat with Vladimir Putin's forces after serving on the frontline for three years. The volunteer's funeral was held at the capital's main crematorium on Monday, with 40 family and friends in attendance, according to the Kyiv Post. British and Ukrainian flags were draped over his coffin. The British Army veteran — full name Benjamin Leo Burgess, call sign Budgie — was 'eliminated' on June 20, Russian sources claim. A fellow British volunteer soldier – identified only by his call sign Azrael – said: 'A lot of people come to Ukraine for different reasons, but Budgie definitely came for the belief that Ukraine deserves to be free. 'And he was willing to fight for that. And he did. 'He fought well, fought bravely, and ultimately was killed doing that.' The Post reported: 'Family, friends, and fellow soldiers stood together, some hugging his coffin as sunflowers and roses were laid gently on top. 'The Ukrainian national anthem played as a final tribute.' The pilot was killed in Andreevka, in the Sumy region, according to reports. The Post said he was born in southern England in 1992 before joining Ukraine's fight against Russia's all-out attack in 2022. Azrael, from Ukraine's 78th Airborne Assault Regiment, said his comrade first served in Zaporizhzhia with the artillery, before transitioning to 'medevacs' in Donetsk. He then fought as an FPV [first person view] drone pilot, which 'became his obsession and expertise'. 'He was among the best pilots we had,' said his comrade. 'He came to Ukraine because he truly believed in its freedom. 'And he died fighting for that.' In a reference to his British roots, a Ukrainian flag on Ben's coffin carried the words 'Royal Mail special delivery' alongside a picture of a quadcopter. Azrael added: 'We were the last two foreign fighters in our regiment. 'He was my family here. More Trending 'I've lost many friends in this war – he's my biggest loss.' The British volunteer had a girlfriend in Odesa and a 'legacy of friendship and commitment', Azrael said. Messages left in Maidan Square read 'thank you for protecting' and 'love you brother, until we meet again.' Others read 'Ben was a true Cossack' and 'forever in my mind, heart, and soul.' Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Brits remembered in the 'Heart of Ukraine' after frontline deaths in the fight against Russia MORE: British medic in Ukraine evacuates wounded soldier from 'zero line' under Russian fire MORE: Drone operator named Shrek says 'this is for my parents' in strike on Putin base
NHK
26-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Russian military to train Chinese troops, Ukrainian media outlet says
A Ukrainian media outlet has reported the Russian military is expected to train about 600 Chinese troops at armed forces bases and military centers in Russia as early as this year. Kyiv Post quoted sources in Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate on Tuesday. A source told the media, "The Kremlin has decided to allow Chinese military personnel to study and adopt the combat experience Russia has gained in its war against Ukraine." The training is reportedly aimed at preparing tank operators, artillerymen, air defense specialists and others in the Chinese military to counter Western weaponry. The source said, "Such decisions by Moscow and Beijing clearly illustrate the Russian regime's intention to align with China in a course of global confrontation with the West." The Ukrainian side said Chinese citizens have been involved in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Chinese firms have participated in the production of military materials in Russia. It is urging the Chinese side to halt any support for Russia. Meanwhile, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson was asked by reporters whether China could confirm the Ukrainian media report. He said the ministry has no information about the matter.
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Russia Plans to Teach China How to Beat US and NATO Weapons: Ukraine Intel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russia plans to train hundreds of Chinese military personnel this year on lessons learned from its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the Kyiv Post reported. Instructors will cover methods for countering weapons systems used by Ukrainian forces that were produced by the United States and its NATO allies, a source in Ukraine's top intelligence agency told the outlet. Newsweek reached out to the Russian and Chinese foreign ministries via email for comment outside of office hours. Why It Matters This training would further strengthen security ties between Russia and its "no limits" ally China, which in recent years has stepped up joint military exercises. Battlefield insights into U.S. weaponry could offer an advantage as China seeks to surpass the U.S. as the leading military power in the Indo-Pacific. Security analysts say China has closely studied the war—and the world's response—and could apply these lessons in an invasion of Taiwan, the island democracy Beijing has vowed to unify with, through force if necessary. An advertisement with a picture of a Russian Senior Sergeant Sergey Magarychev, who is fighting in Ukraine, is displayed at a bus stop in Moscow on June 16, 2025. An advertisement with a picture of a Russian Senior Sergeant Sergey Magarychev, who is fighting in Ukraine, is displayed at a bus stop in Moscow on June 16, 2025. Getty Images What To Know "The Kremlin has decided to allow Chinese military personnel to study and adopt the combat experience Russia has gained in its war against Ukraine," a source from Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate told the Kyiv Post. Of the 600 People's Liberation Army personnel set to train at Russian military centers and bases, special focus will be given to air defense specialists, engineers, and artillery and tank operators, the report said. Though Beijing presents itself as neutral, NATO leaders have called China a "decisive enabler" of Moscow, citing the flow of Chinese exports and economic support that have sustained the 40-month war. The European Union has sanctioned several Chinese companies for supplying key components to Russian drone manufacturers. Beijing denies providing weapons to either side and insists it tightly controls exports of goods with military applications. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war and Ukraine's agreement to a full, unconditional ceasefire over 100 days ago, Russia has continued heavy attacks, including airstrikes on Kyiv on Monday. What People Are Saying Alina Hrytsenko, an international relations specialist who worked at Ukraine's defense ministry, and Andras Racs, a senior research fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations, wrote for the Center for European Policy Analysis: "China still needs Russia as a source of advanced military technology in specific sectors, particularly for missiles, submarines, and electronic warfare, even though China will soon develop beyond Russia in these fields. "Military exercises at various command levels are also highly likely to continue, as the People's Liberation Army is eager to learn from Russia's combat experience gained in Ukraine and other recent battlefields." What Happens Next Moscow has ruled out a pause unless its conditions are met. "We have a strategic advantage now. Why should we lose it? We're not going to lose it. We're moving forward," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Sky News. Trump has so far resisted European calls for additional sanctions on Russia, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio telling Politico on Wednesday that the administration fears committing to sanctions would limit its negotiating leverage.
News18
21-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Russian Soldier Ate Comrade's Body For Two Weeks To Survive, Then Died Amid War: Report
Last Updated: An intercepted phone call by Ukraine between two Russian soldiers reportedly revealed the incident. A Russian soldier died after killing a comrade and eating his corpse in an attempt to survive during the wartime crisis, reported the Kyiv Post. The incident came to light after a phone call between two Russian soldiers discussing the cannibalism was allegedly tapped by Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence. According to the New York Post, one of them was heard saying, 'Brelok f***ing ate him, f*** me… nobody went anywhere. Brelok took him out and then ate him for f\*\*\*ing two weeks." 'No f***ing way… Holy shit… F*** my bald skull. Was Brelok really found as a 200?" the second soldier replied. 'Found as a 200" is slang from the Soviet era, meaning a soldier killed in action. 'Yeah, they say he was a 200. He ate his comrade. So yeah… something to think about. I was shocked myself," the caller concluded, according to the outlet. Meanwhile, with the tension between Russia and Ukraine continuing, Russian troops on Saturday captured the small settlement of Zaporizhzhya in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, Russian state news agency TASS reported. The small village of Zaporizhzhya, once home to around 200 residents before the war, lies close to the strategic city of Pokrovsk- a vital transport hub in eastern Ukraine that has witnessed some of the most intense fighting in recent months. On Friday, Russian drones slammed into two Ukrainian cities, killing at least one person in nighttime attacks. Moscow targeted the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa and the northeastern city of Kharkiv in the overnight assault. The barrage of more than 20 drones injured almost two dozen civilians, including girls aged 17 and 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. 'Russia continues its tactics of targeted terror against our people," Zelenskyy said on messaging app Telegram, urging the United States and the European Union to crank up economic pressure on Russia. About the Author News Desk First Published:
