Ukrainian refugee women face ‘high rates’ of violence in EU, rights agency says
Women who have fled the Ukraine war are experiencing “high rates” of physical, sexual and psychological violence in the European Union, the bloc’s rights agency said Tuesday, calling for better protection.
Some 2.5 million women and girls have left Ukraine since Russia invaded four years ago and been granted temporary protection in member states, but many face hurdles, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) said in a report.
One in four women from Ukraine have experienced physical or sexual violence since the start of the war, meaning they face a greater risk than the general population, according to FRA data.
Of them, some 54 percent have experienced an attack or a negative reaction after they spoke Ukrainian in public – with cases especially in Czech Republic and Poland.
Nearly one in four women from Ukraine have also encountered “potentially exploitative offers of transport, housing or work,” while many among those working reported not having a contract covering their hours, FRA found.
The FRA report was based on a 2024 survey of more than 1,200 Ukrainian women who fled the war and were living in Czech Republic, Germany and Poland, as well as interviews with 30 women in those countries who had experienced violence.
EU chief von der Leyen arrives in Kyiv
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in Kyiv to mark the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s invasion, vowing Europe would stand “unwaveringly” with Ukraine financially and militarily and support the country through the harsh winter.
Von der Leyen, visiting the Ukrainian capital for the 10th time since Russia’s invasion, said on X she was there to “underscore our enduring commitment to Ukraine’s just fight”.
“And to send a clear message to the Ukrainian people and to the aggressor alike: we will not relent until peace is restored. Peace on Ukraine’s terms,” she added.
Russia investigates Telegram founder over alleged facilitation of terrorist activities
Russia is investigating Telegram founder Pavel Durov as part of a criminal case on the “facilitation of terrorist activities”, state-run newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported.
Durov could not be immediately reached for comment on the report.
Russian drone strikes wound five in Zaporizhzhia as Ukraine marks invasion anniversary
Overnight Russian drone strikes on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia wounded five people, including a child, authorities said on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian State Emergency Service (DSNS) said the attacks, which occurred late on Monday, targeted multiple sites across the regional centre.
“Five people, including one child, were injured as a result of the attacks,” the DSNS said.
At one location, a drone slammed into a factory building next to a nine-storey residential block, sparking a fire that spread over 200 square metres.
Nearby homes were also damaged, the DSNS added.
Von der Leyen and Costa expected to commemorate anniversary
Tuesday’s anniversary is expected to see the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, in Kyiv to mark the occasion.
Both said they would take part in a “commemoration ceremony” and visit the site of a Ukrainian energy facility damaged by Russian strikes before attending a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
They are also due to take part in a videoconference meeting with Kyiv’s allies – the so-called “Coalition of the Willing”, which includes Britain, France and Germany.
Ukraine marks fourth anniversary of Russian invasion
Ukraine was on Tuesday marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with a show of solidarity from its staunchest allies and no immediate end in sight to Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.
Tens of thousands of lives have been lost since the Kremlin ordered troops into Ukraine on 24 February 2022, confident of a quick victory but not expecting the fierce resistance that followed.
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