Ukraine War

Trump announces three-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

US President announces a three-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and a 2,000-person prisoner exchange.

Zelenskyy threatens Israel

Zelenskyy accuses Israel of allowing “stolen" Ukrainian grain shipments, warns of sanctions as Kyiv protests arrival of vessel in Haifa.

'Child hurt by shattered glass'

Drone strikes near home of Chabad emissary in Dnipro

Drone strikes near the residence of Rabbi Zelig Brez, head of the local community in Dnipro. One of his children sustains minor injuries from glass fragments and treated at the scene.

'The mezuzot protected'

Russian UAV hits Jewish center in Ukraine

An intercepted Russian drone struck the Chesed Michael in Zaporizhzhia. Rabbi says the building's mezuzot prevented casualties.

Passover in Ukraine - from prisons to the presidential office

Despite the war, thousands of Jews celebrated the Passover Seder in the Ukrainian capital. Soldiers returned from the front, President Zelensky sent greetings, and matzah was delivered to prisoners.

Ukraine:

Schoolchildren send matzah to Jewish soldiers on the front

As Russia intensifies its offensive in eastern Ukraine, Jewish communities press ahead with Passover preparations, delivering aid to tens of thousands.

New details on Caspian Sea strike

A new report claims that the strike at Bandar Anzali port targeted infrastructure used to transfer Shahed drones and ammunition between Russia and Iran.

Report:

US rejected Russian offer linking Iran intel, Ukraine data

Russia proposed halting intelligence sharing with Iran if the US stopped giving Ukraine intel, according to a Politico report. Washington rejected the offer.

Suicide drone strikes Odessa synagogue

Israel's Foreign Ministry says 'Iranian drones are attacking civilians in Europe and in the Middle East' after a drone damaged a synagogue in Odessa.

Israel to deliver 117 mobile generators to Jews in Ukraine

Israel to deliver 117 mobile generators to the Kyiv region, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told Rabbi Meir Stambler in a call marking four years since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.

After 4 years of war

Ukraine’s Jews adapt to life of sirens, shortages and uncertainty

As Russia’s war enters its fourth year, Ukraine’s Jewish community faces trauma, displacement, and hardship; yet continues to sustain schools, synagogues, and hope.

Four years of war:

Around 40 Jewish sites damaged in Ukraine

Jewish community of Ukraine notes that many sites are inaccessible for inspection, and in some areas, there are concerns about unexploded landmines.

In Zelenskyy's birthplace

Chabad emissary's home hit in Russian strike

The home of the rabbi of the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih hit by a Russian drone. No injuries reported.

Putin to meet Kushner and Witkoff on Ukraine, Trump’s Peace Board

Putin will meet US envoys Witkoff and Kushner to discuss frozen Russian assets, Ukraine recovery, and Trump’s proposed Peace Board.

Holocaust survivor killed by Russian missile in Ukraine

Yevgeny Alexandrovich Bondar, 80, dies of injuries after being struck by Russian missile in Kherson, Ukraine.

Trump after talks with Zelenskyy:

'Ukraine-Russia closer than ever to peace deal'

Trump says Ukraine and Russia are “closer than ever” to peace after talks with Zelenskyy and Putin, though complex issues like Donbas and security guarantees continue to challenge negotiations.

Watch: Missile strikes near Uman matzah bakery

Russian ballistic missile lands near Tiferet Hamatzot matzah bakery in Uman, Ukraine, causing damage.

'My Hanukkah miracle'

US filmmaker finds Hanukkah light in Kyiv amid Ukraine war

While filming a documentary in wartime Ukraine, American filmmaker Andrew Cohen encountered a Chabad rabbi in Kyiv, enabling a moving Hanukkah candle lighting amid the shadows of war.

Putin's condition for ending the war

The Russian president rejected claims that he is planning a war with Europe and added 'There will be no more wars if you treat us with respect.'

Ukrainian ambassador to Israel summoned for reprimand

Ukrainian ambassador to Israel summoned for a reprimand at the Foreign Ministry after criticizing the Prime Minister’s remarks regarding his talks with Russia’s president.

ICJ allows Russian counterclaim that Ukraine committed genocide

Russia charges 41 Ukrainian officials with "genocide" as the International Court of Justice allows Russia to present its accusations to the court.

Two-faced Ukraine

Ukraine compares itself to Israel, then votes against it at UN

Global solidarity? Kyiv cannot seek global compassion for its own suffering while consistently aligning with forces that undermine Israel’s right to defend itself. Opinion.

Ukraine:

Russian missile hits Jewish cemetery, damaging headstones

Jewish cemetery in Saltivka district of Kharkiv, Ukraine, sustained direct hit from Russian missile, local community says.

Ukraine’s Chief of Staff resigns amid sweeping corruption probe

Ukraine’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak resigns following a search of his home as part of a corruption probe.

'Actual traitor'

The storm surrounding Steve Witkoff

A leaked recording revealed how Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy, coached a senior Russian official on how to seize territories in Ukraine as part of Trump's peace plan.

End of war near?

Britain reaffirms readiness to deploy forces to Ukraine

Prime Minister Keir Starmer tells Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Britain’s commitment to deploy troops after a ceasefire “remains,” despite Russian objections.

US and Ukraine report progress in talks on ending war

US and Ukrainian officials report progress in Geneva talks on an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, though details remain scarce.

Trump's peace for Israel is like his peace for Ukraine

By his recent agreements with Qatar and Turkey and his expanding financial relations with Saudi Arabia, Trump makes it clear that maintaining Israel’s “qualitative edge” will no longer be Washington’s top regional priority. Opinion.

Chain of miracles for Kherson Rabbi

Rabbi Yosef Yitzhak Wolf, the Chabad emissary in Kherson, Ukraine, speaks to Aruzt Sheva about his surreal wartime routine and the chain of miracles he has experienced.

Summit on Air Force One:

Trump meets Qatari leaders, hails 'real peace' in Middle East

During a stop at Al-Udeid Air Base, US President Donald Trump welcomes Qatar’s Emir and Prime Minister aboard Air Force One, praising their role in Middle East peace efforts and expressing confidence in the current ceasefire with Hamas.

Trump hits Russia’s oil giants with sanctions, demands ceasefire

Trump imposes major sanctions on Russia’s top oil firms, urging a Ukraine ceasefire. Treasury warns of further action and calls on allies to join the effort to pressure Putin’s war machine.

Fiery White House meeting

Report: Trump pressed Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms

The Financial Times reports that Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms in a heated White House meeting last week, warning of Ukraine’s destruction.

Zelenskyy:

'Trump’s Gaza peace deal offers hope for Ukraine'

Ukrainian President praises Trump’s Gaza ceasefire and urges similar pressure on Putin.

Amid drone strikes

Hundreds of Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah in Kyiv with ambassadors

Despite the tense security situation, the head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence joined the holiday meal.

Despite war damage:

Kyiv Jewish school opens its doors

Despite the physical damage and emotional trauma from a nearby drone strike, the Perlina-Or Avner school administration decided to continue its educational activities.

The Ukraine War will be ended on the battlefield

The Russians, as Trump realizes, want Ukraine as a demilitarized, deradicalized neutral state with no connection to NATO. They can only get that on the battlefield and they will continue until they do. Opinion.

Attack in Ukraine:

Russian missile hits Jewish cemetery

Russian missile hits Jewish cemetery in Pervomaisk in southeastern Ukraine, where well-known rabbis are buried, causing severe damage to the tombstones.

New hope for Ukraine:

Trump arranging Putin-Zelenskyy summit

President Trump announces he is arranging a direct meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy to negotiate an end to the nearly four-year-long war in Ukraine. The announcement follows a day of high-level meetings at the White House.

Families Plead With Trump:

Legacy could be ending Gaza, Ukraine wars

Families of Israelis held in Gaza urged President Trump to seize the moment and achieve a 'deal of all deals' to end both the Gaza and Ukraine wars and secure the hostages’ release.

Alaska summit

Putin and Trump meet for critical talks on Ukraine

Russian President Putin and US President Trump arrive in Alaska for a summit focusing on the Ukraine war. The meeting will include key advisers from both sides.

Ukraine:

Historic synagogue significantly damaged by Russian drone strike

Historic Nachlas Eliezer Synagogue in Odessa severely damaged by a Russian drone strike, which sparked a large fire; local rabbi condemns the attack.

Israel condemns Russian strikes against Kyiv

Foreign Minister Sa'ar condemns Russian attacks on residential neighborhoods that left nearly 30 people dead in Ukraine's capital.

Missile strikes home of Chabad rabbi

In the early hours of Saturday morning, a Russian missile struck the home of Chabad Rabbi Moshe Weber in Dnipro, Ukraine.

Miracle in Dnipro:

Missile hits Chabad home, family unharmed

Russian missiles hit a residential building in Dnipro over Shabbat, killing two and injuring dozens. The home of Chabad emissaries Rabbi Moshe and Shoshi Weber damaged, but the family escapes unharmed.

Kherson rabbi's miracle

Vehicle hit by drone, family emerges unscathed

Vehicle of Kherson’s rabbi struck by Russian drone during drive. Despite heavy damage to the car, the family escapes unharmed.

Report:

Trump spoke with Zelensky about possibility of attacking Moscow

In a conversation held on July 4, Trump reportedly asked Zelensky if Ukraine could strike Moscow and St. Petersburg if it received long-range weapons. Zelensky responded affirmatively.

Sa'ar:

Israel to provide drinking water systems to Ukraine

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar informed Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, that Israel will provide drinking water systems to serve hundreds of thousands of people in areas affected by Russian bombings.

'We Went Through This Too':

Kyiv students support school damaged by Iranian missile

Students from the Perlyna-Chabad Jewish School in Kyiv, which was damaged by a Russian drone, sent a touching letter of encouragement to the students of Gsharim School, which was hit by an Iranian missile.

Odessa:

Jewish orphanage bombed, dozens of children survive

A Jewish children’s home in Odessa, Ukraine, sustains heavy damage after a Russian missile with a heavy warhead exploded near the building.

'Papa, I'm OK':

Last words of Ukrainian girl killed by Iranian missile

Ukrainian paratrooper Artem Buryk is reeling after an Iranian missile strike killed his wife, daughter, and three other relatives in Bat Yam, Israel, but says that 'If I stop now, I don't know if I can ever start again.'

Missile strike in Bat Yam:

Family who came to Israel for medical care killed by missile

Family of 7-year-old Nastya, who had leukemia, immigrated to Israel for medical treatment, but were killed by the Iranian missile strike on Bat Yam.

Ukraine War:

Jewish chef in elite unit killed in action

Tzvi-Hirsh Zurgazda, 32, married and a father of two, was killed in action on the front in Kherson. He is the third Jewish soldier to be killed in the Ukrainian army within about two weeks.

Zelenskyy hails 'brilliant' drone strike on Russian airfields

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lauds a "brilliant" and "most long-range operation" as drones struck Russian strategic bombers at military airfields.

Operation Spiderweb:

Ukraine executes largest drone swarm attack to date

The drones were allegedly smuggled into Russian territory ahead of time and launched from seemingly ordinary cargo trucks. More than 40 Russian heavy bombers were reported damaged.

Between Sirens and Drones:

Kyiv Jewish community prepares for Shavuot

Despite ongoing attacks, Kyiv’s Jewish community marks Shavuot with Torah readings, support for soldiers and prisoners, and widespread aid distribution.

With hope and resolve:

Amid Russian threat, Ukrainian Jews prepare for Shavuot

As 50,000 Russian troops mass near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s Jewish community distributes tens of thousands of Shavuot aid packages and plans nationwide Torah readings.

Zelenskyy to Putin:

'Meet me in Turkey—but only if you halt the fighting'

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says he will meet Putin in Turkey on Thursday if Russia agrees to a 30-day ceasefire. Russia has proposed talks without preconditions but ignored the ceasefire demand.

Threatens sanctions

Trump calls for 30-day Ukraine ceasefire

US President calls for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, warning of tougher sanctions if it's not observed. While Ukraine agrees to the proposal, Russia offers only a three-day pause.

US Patriot battery to be taken from Israel to Ukraine

Israel officially decommissioned its Patriot air defense systems a year ago.

Putin:

'I hope we won't have to use nuclear weapons'

Russian president makes threat regarding Russia's nuclear arsenal, says Russia can bring his war in Ukraine to a "logical conclusion."