BBC WS journalist, interested in all things Ukrainian (+ Russia, Poland, Europe), avid tango dancer.
London
Joined October 2011
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Irena Taranyuk retweeted
A very consequential fallout of the students' victory in Serbia is that Russian intelligence will have to find a new home for its hundreds of spies parked at, or using support from the security apparatus of, or even using passports issued by, Serbia.
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
After a week of horror in #Belfast at the stabbing attack turned to violent riots, Northern Ireland’s other voice is being raised. Anti-racism protest underway in the city centre
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
#Ukraine sky by night. #russia launched yet another massive combined attack with drones and ballistic missiles. Not a single military target hit. The aim: destroy what is left of energy infrastructure. Result: people freezing in #Kyiv with no heat or power and -20C (-4F) outside
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
Great example of Ukrainian resilience.
teapawt.org/astraiaintel/status/20…
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
The Russian Orthodox Church is (and has always been) an indispensable part of the Russian war machine
GRU-affiliated spy “nuns” who raised funds for Putin’s war effort discovered in Sweden
The Russian Orthodox Church has sought access to Church of Sweden premises located in the vicinity of military facilities and airports.
theins.press/en/news/288591
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
🌲 New Year's Eve reading: Defining Ukraine's Victory
How should Ukraine's success be defined amid ongoing peace talks and Russia's unwillingness to bring the war to an end?
pism.pl/publications/definin…
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
This has never been done before by anyone.
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
If Witkoff and Kushner left Moscow with an understanding that Putin’s main focus is not on lucrative deals with the US, or pleasing Trump, or ending the war asap, the trip was not in vain. So far US policy has demonstrated they simply don’t understand that.
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
The agreement on rare minerals between Ukraine and the USA has been signed. It is an agreement of net benefit to Ukraine compared to all previous iterations:
- Ukraine will have full ownership of the resources;
- The agreement only covers future exploration, exploitation and refining projects, not existing ones already in Ukraine's operation;
- Ukraine will decide what these will be;
- A fund (called the Ukrainian Reconstruction Investment Fund for Reconstruction of Ukraine) will be set up in which Ukraine and the US have 50-50 participation without US veto power from the initial agreement projects;
- All Ukrainian companies that are responsible for energy resources remain 100% Ukrainian state-owned (Ukrnafta or Energoatom);
- It was agreed that Ukraine owes no financial debt for wartime economic aid to the US;
- The agreement is within the limits of Ukrainian law and in no way infringes on Ukraine's economic sovereignty, indeed Bessent stated that the US strongly supports Ukraine's accession to the European Union;
- It was agreed that the US will provide not only technological transfer for the development of the new projects, but also financial support on the basis of 50% of their value, but (ATTENTION!!!) also their protection, through anti-aircraft defense systems;
- Ukraine will also invest 50% from the state budget;
- ALL funds will be in the first years invested only in the reconstruction of Ukraine (over a period of 10 years);
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I was skeptical that this would happen, but an extremely professional and incredibly well-sourced and connected lady told me two months ago thus: "Radu, trust me when I tell you, it will be good for Ukraine". It was hard for me to believe her. Madam, thank you for giving me hope.
Officially, if this agreement will be implemented, which I expect it will, it turns Ukraine into a strategic partner of the US. I can't help but think in these moments as I read this extraordinary news of that meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump in St. Peter's Basilica.
Pope Francis, wherever you are, thank you.
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
Can’t begin to explain how surreal it is to be sitting on the floor in the ~safest place of my apartment hearing an extremely loud Russian missile+drone attack — after having spent entire day discussing and editing coverage of the U.S. effectively demanding Ukraine’s surrender.
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
Jul 28, 2018, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: "Today, the Trump administration is releasing what we’re calling the Crimea Declaration. ... I want to assure this committee that the U.S. does not and will not recognize the Kremlin’s purported annexation of Crimea."
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
⚡💪 A powerful speech from Poland’s Foreign Minister — who reminded Russians whose Vladivostok it really is
“You will never rule here again. Not in Kyiv, not in Riga, not in Tallinn, not in Chisinau,” said Radosław Sikorski, urging Russians to drop their sick fantasies about conquering Warsaw.
“Better ask yourselves if you can even hold on to Haishenwai,” he added — using the Chinese name for Vladivostok on purpose.
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
Well this week has been quite an experience, detained by Turkish police while covering the anti-government protests and deported. Here’s my full story. Do take a read if you can - and thank you to everyone for kind messages and support: bbc.com/news/articles/c0jgj4…
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
I asked Alexander Lukashenko: “How can you call this a democratic election when your main rivals are in prison or in exile?” Our report from Minsk. Producer @LizaShuvalova Camera @AntonChicherov
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
Massive missile attack on Ukrainian cities right now. While Ukrainian strikes aim to cripple Russia’s war machine, the Kremlin keeps terrorizing civilians, emboldened by the lack of a decisive global response.
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
Forget the division of Left and Right. We are entering the age of the New Obscurantism: politics fused with magical solutions, superstition, an aura of spirituality and the cultivation of fear
theatlantic.com/magazine/arc…
Executing POWs is a war crime #RussiaUkraineWar As evidence mounts this violation of the rules of war and Geneva convention has become widespread and systemic, these stories rarely get the coverage they merit.
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
I miss Valentina & her kiosk. I miss her positivity & warm-heartedness. Valentina has been undergoing cancer treatment. To cheer her up I turned the Valentina’s Kiosk theme into a song & the legendary @BBCSingers have recorded it for her. Here is Valentina’s Song. @BBCRadio3
Irena Taranyuk retweeted
Putin’s answer to @Bundeskanzler’s telephone call…
A massive combined attack targeted all regions of Ukraine. Overnight and this morning, Russian terrorists used various types of drones, including Shaheds, as well as cruise, ballistic, and aeroballistic missiles—Zircons, Iskanders, and Kinzhals. In total, approximately 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched. Our air defense forces destroyed over 140 aerial targets.
The enemy’s target was our energy infrastructure across Ukraine. Unfortunately, some facilities sustained damage from direct hits and falling debris. In Mykolaiv, a drone attack killed two people and injured six others, including two children. My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. As of now, some areas remain without power, but all necessary forces are working to mitigate the consequences and restore the infrastructure.
We am grateful to all our air defense units that participated in repelling this attack: anti-aircraft missile forces, our aviation — pilots of F16s, Su aircraft, and MiGs, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare units—all worked together in an organized and coordinated manner. I thank them for their reliable protection.