Ukraine

Secret Hideaway in Odessa, Ukraine
As many as 150,000 tourists visit Odessa each year, many of whom gravitate towards the nearby Odessa coastline during the Mediterranean summers. Just 10 minutes from the city proper is Arcadia Beach which, probably due to its close proximity to the city, is a particularly busy and popular beach during the summer months. Not everyone enjoys the crowds when they want to relax and unwind and many prefer to go further afield.

Ukrainian Cuisine
Ukrainians in their cooking use black and red pepper, salt, bay leaf, parsley and dill (usually in spring and summer), garlic and onion. Staples include potatoes, cabbage, fish, pork, beef and sausage.

MV FAINA Crisis - Minister Rejects the Evildoings of Michele Lynn (Golden) Ballarin
The Foreign Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Ohryzko expressed the hope that the Somali pirates and their representatives will soon realize who is hidden behind the supposedly benevolent businesswoman, Michele Lynn (Golden) Ballarin.

An Art and Cultural Path in Odessa Ukraine
To those who come to Odessa to spend time on the beach or visit couple of amazing night clubs, I would like to recommend take a little break and check the other side of Odessa at least for a day.

Your Guide to Marriage Agencies in Odessa Ukraine
Every year hundreds of foreigners come to Ukraine to find the girl of their dreams. Not all of them are successful. Many complain about scam, write about how expensive was this adventure, post negative comments in the blogs, and then in spite of all these things, come again.

Visiting Ukraine: Odessa Nightlife Guide
If you are planning to go to Ukraine, you are probably know that Odessa is one of the places you should not be missing. Check out our little guide on Odessa most fashionable night clubs.

Ukrainian President Yushchenko Orders Early Election
President dissolves parliament following acrimonious collapse of coalition with bloc led by Tymoshenko

New Ukraine Poll Looms As Coalition Collapses
Sixth election in four years now likely after months of quarreling between government leaders

Wary Eu Balks at Pledge of Integration for Ukraine
European leaders today balked at making any firm pledges to Ukraine on eventually joining the EU, wary of antagonizing a belligerent Russia in the midst of the Georgia crisis

Russia: Wary Eu Balks at Pledge of Integration for Ukraine
Europe wary of making EU-Ukraine agreement in the midst of the Georgia crisis

Yushchenko Says Ukraine Government in State of Collapse
President accuses Yulia Tymoshenko and opposition parties of attempting constitutional coup

Ukrainian Coalition Collapses Amid Tensions Over Moscow
Viktor Yushchenko threatens to dissolve parliament and call early elections

Kiev
Ukraine is a really great travel destination - ancient European cities, nice nature. Ukraine is famous for its women. Beautiful, caring and loving. If you think about marrying a Ukrainian woman, it is the right decision. Ukrainian women are becoming great wives and mothers and can make you truly happy.

Regal in Talks Over Ukraine Gas Fields Sale
Exploration and development company says it has received preliminary approaches from Russia's Lukoil

EU Concerned As Russia Cuts Gas to Ukraine
Germany and central Europe brace themselves for cuts in supplies as Medvedev steps up dispute

Putin Issues Nuclear Threat to Ukraine Over Plan to Host Us Shield
Putin threatens to point nuclear weapons at Ukraine in bid to halt defense project

EU Gas Supplies at Risk If Ukraine Does Not Settle Bill With Russia
Gas supplies to the EU could be at risk again next week after a warning from Russia that it would reduce the supply to Ukraine on Monday unless Kiev settled its debts

Tymoshenko Returns As Ukraine Prime Minister
The charismatic orange revolution leader Yulia Tymoshenko yesterday became Ukraine's prime minister for the second time, after scraping through a parliamentary vote that appears to end months of political deadlock

Ukraine Mine Blast Toll Rises to 69
At least 69 people killed in one of Ukraine's deadliest mining disasters, with little hope of reaching a further 31 trapped miners

More Than 50 Killed in Ukraine Coal Mine Blast
At least another 40 miners missing feared dead · Rapid rise in temperature blocked view to exit

Hot Ukrainian Property: He Who Hesitates is Lost!!!
A Ukraine property is a wise investment because prices are currently relatively low, but set to rise massively. The quality of property there is extremely high, a similar property in the U.K could cost you twice as much.

Russia Issues Gas Ultimatum to Ukraine
Russia threatened yesterday to cut gas supplies to Ukraine again in a move that appears to reflect its displeasure at the prospect of a new orange government in Kiev.

Vote-rigging Fears Hit Ukraine
Ukraine's pro-western president Viktor Yushchenko yesterday ordered an investigation into possible vote-rigging after his arch-rival, prime minister Viktor Yanukovich, drew ahead in Sunday's parliamentary elections.

Orange Party on Verge of Victory in Ukraine
Sacked prime minister predicted to return· Ruling party refuses to concede tight election race

Ukraine Rivals Set for Tense Election Result
· PM's party predicted to take biggest share of vote · Pro-western president makes up with former ally

Countdown to Election As Pensioners Prepare for the Counter-revolution
Rocky road to democracy in the Ukraine after years of recriminations between main parties.

Chernobyl to Get $505m Metal Cover to Stop Radiation
Ukraine is to cover the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor with a vast metal shelter in a long overdue operation designed to prevent the further leak of deadly radiation.

Pipeline Workers Find Mass Grave of Jews Killed By Nazis
A mass grave holding the remains of thousands of Jews executed by the Nazis during the second world war has been discovered in southern Ukraine by workers digging pipelines.

Election Deal Ends Ukrainian Political Crisis
Ukraine's rival president and prime minister stepped back from the threat of violent confrontation yesterday by agreeing to hold parliamentary elections later this year, a compromise that seemingly ended months of political crisis.

Troops Pour Into Kiev As Tensions Worsen
Thousands of troops were pouring into Kiev yesterday, exacerbating the tensions that have been building in Ukraine between President Viktor Yushchenko and the Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych.

Tensions Rise After Ukraine's President Makes Power Grab
Yushchenko tries to take control of national guard - Observers fear worst political crisis since 2004

Talks Fail to Break Ukraine Deadlock
Attempt by president and prime minister to end biggest political crisis since 2004 Orange Revolution ends in stalemate.

Court Threat As Ukraine Power Struggle Grows
Ukraine's leadership crisis deepened yesterday as President Viktor Yushchenko threatened government officials with prosecution if they did not hold early elections.

Yushchenko: I Won't Back Down
President Viktor Yushchenko today accused his opponents of "political corruption" and of bringing Ukraine to the brink of violent confrontation after they refused to fulfil his order to dissolve parliament.

Anti-democrats Pushing Ukraine to Brink of Armed Violence, Says Yushchenko
President brands rivals corrupt as crisis deepens - Thousands in Kiev as MPs refuse to dissolve the Rada

Constitutional Face Off in Ukraine
The latest constitutional face off in Ukraine has seen ethnic and language barriers spring up again, says Luke Harding.

Ukraine: Chronology of a Crisis
Ukraine is heading toward further political uncertainty after its president, Viktor Yushchenko, dissolved parliament, setting the stage for fresh elections next month. Here are the key events since the so-called orange revolution that brought Mr Yushchenko to power.

Ukraine's Pm Rejects President's Decree Calling Early Election
Yushchenko accused of staging illegitimate coup - Yanukovich supporters protest in central Kiev

Ukraine Crisis Deepens As Parliament Dissolved
Ukraine lurched further into political crisis today as its president, Viktor Yushchenko, dissolved parliament and called for new elections.

Killing of Mad Max Signals the Return of Ukraine's Gang Wars
A rise in contract murders leads to accusations that the Prime Minister has lost control of the fight against organised crime, reports Tom Parfitt in Kiev.

Yushchenko Stripped of Power By Parliament
'Lame duck' Ukraine president plans to appeal - Former orange revolution ally votes with opposition

Bronze Age Pyramid Found in Ukraine
Archaeologists in Ukraine have unearthed the remains of an ancient pyramidal structure that pre-dates those in Egypt by at least 300 years.

Russian Jet Crashes With 170 on Board
Up to 170 people are feared to have been killed when a Russian passenger jet crashed in Ukraine today.

Yanukovich Set to Become Ukrainian Pm
The Ukrainian parliament was today expected to confirm the pro-Moscow politician Viktor Yanukovich as prime minister, ending months of political stalemate.

President Installs Arch Foe As Ukrainian Pm
· Yushchenko concession ends four-month impasse · Deal forces rivals of orange revolution to co-habit

Crisis Talks Fail to End Turmoil in Ukraine
· President delays decision over appointing rival · Dissolution of parliament is the only alternative

Ukraine Mps Vow to Defy President After Talks Fail
Ukraine's beleaguered president, Viktor Yushchenko, yesterday faced a constitutional crisis when MPs said they would refuse to obey any order from him after tangled coalition talks collapsed, giving him the legal right to dissolve parliament.

Knocking on a Closed Door
Ukraine is keen to join the EU, but existing members are less than excited at the prospect, writes Nicholas Watt.

Former Orange Allies Agree to Create Coalition
Ukraine's president, Viktor Yushchenko, appeared to have secured an agreement with his former allies in the Orange revolution to form a coalition government yesterday in an attempt to draw a line under 18 months of instability.

Yushchenko 'reaches Deal' With Ex-orange Allies
Ukraine's president, Viktor Yushchenko, appeared today to have secured an agreement from his former allies in the Orange revolution to form a coalition government, in an attempt to draw a line under 18 months of political instability.

Russia Tells Ukraine to Stay Out of Nato
· Parliament warns of 'negative consequences' · Protests force US troops in Crimea to stay in barracks.

Orange is Not the Only Colour
Russian speakers in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula have helped vote out Viktor Yushchenko, writes Tom Parfitt.

Rivals Weigh Up Options After Ukrainian Poll
President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine was forced between a rock and a hard place last night as his two chief detractors closed in on the country's premiership.

Ukraine's Orange Revolution Turns Blue
· Comeback for Yanukovich after his opponents split · Nato membership at risk if MPs turn back to Moscow

Return of the Old Guard Feared As Orange Revolutionaries Fall Out
With the vote split in the Ukraine election, Yushchenko supporters see hopes of a new dawn crushed.

Frantsuzsky Boulevard and Odessa dachas
The Frantsuzsky Boulevard in Odessa was always a fashionable place to live and to have a rest on dachas (villas and country houses). Zhan Reno and Alexander Pushkin, Grigoriy Marazli and Petr Nilus and many other famous people liked that virgin spot of the Old Odessa. Why? – The answer is in our history…

Moscow Under Pressure to Ratify Energy Supply Charter After Ukraine Scare
· Russian minister describes 'tense' weekend meeting · Agreement could open up country to foreign oil firms

Cold Snap Claims 181 Lives and Hospitalises 3,000
Ukraine's health ministry yesterday said 181 people had died from the severe cold snap in the past five days that has revived the county's energy dispute with neighbouring Russia.

Russia Reopens Gas Row By Accusing Ukraine of Syphoning Eu Supply
· Yushchenko and Putin discuss energy dispute · Beleaguered Kiev leader tries to regain popularity

Ukraine Mps Vote to Sack Cabinet Over Gas Deal With Russia
Opposition MPs in Ukraine issued a rebuke to President Viktor Yushchenko yesterday by voting to sack his cabinet over last week's deal to end the "gas war" with Russia.

Ukraine Mps Vote to Sack Cabinet Over 'gas War' Deal
Opposition MPs in Ukraine issued a stinging rebuke to President Viktor Yushchenko yesterday by voting to sack his cabinet over last week's deal to end the 'gas war' with Russia.

Murder Trial Tests Yushchenko's Ukraine
· 'Killers' are scapegoats, claims journalist's wife · Secret tapes point to top government officials

Ex-PM to Challenge Gas Price Deal With Russia
Former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Timoshenko yesterday said she would challenge in court the deal which this week ended Ukraine's gas price dispute with Russia.

Russia and Ukraine Hail Gas Deal
Russia and Ukraine ended their dispute over gas prices with a face-saving deal yesterday amid fears it might be only a temporary solution.

Russia and Ukraine Agree Gas Deal
Russia today agreed to resume gas shipments to Ukraine following a night of talks between officials from the two countries.

Russia Ups the Ante As Gas Talks Resume
· Minister suggests further price rise for Ukraine · EU supply restored amid Kiev's denials of theft

Q&A: the Gas Crisis - Update
Why was Russia's supply of gas to the EU disrupted? - The disruption arose directly from a decision made by Gazprom, the state-owned energy giant, to shut down supplies to Ukraine ...

Russia Steps Back From Brink With Ukraine and Restores Gas Supplies to Europe
Russia's image as a reliable international energy supplier became increasingly tarnished yesterday as a stand-off with Ukraine over gas prices disrupted supplies to Europe.

Price of Failure in the Post-soviet Consensus
The history shared by Russia and Ukraine runs deeper than any of the historical links that bind Britain.

Russia Turns Off Supplies to Ukraine in Payment Row, and Eu Feels the Chill
· Germany and Hungary feel first knock-on effects · Kremlin says Kiev must pay fuel's market price

Fear of Gas Shortage After Ukraine Rejects Huge Price Rise
· Russia threatens to cut supply after talks fail · Energy ministers from EU meet to discuss crisis

US Judge Orders Nazi Death Camp Guard to Be Deported to Native Ukraine
Three decades of attempts to deliver justice to a man accused of being a guard in Nazi concentration camps took a new twist yesterday when a US judge ordered the deportation of John Demjanjuk, an 85-year-old retired car factory worker. The judge, Michael Creppy, ordered Mr Demjanjuk sent...

Ukraine and Russia Go to Brink Over Huge Gas Price Rise
· Kiev faces quadrupling of cost as subsidy withdrawn · Threats from both sides ahead of January deadline

Russia Threatens to Cut Off Ukraine's Gas Supply
Russia drastically raised the price for vital winter fuel supplies to neighbouring Ukraine yesterday, hours after threatening to cut off the country's gas if a deal was not reached by January 1.

Odessa - the most specific city of Ukraine
Don't you know this fantastic town of Odessa in Ukraine? You will be surprised a lot when you just have a glance at our streets, our sights, our Black Sea, and furthermore, when you meet our people - Odessites! Welcome - our great hotels and cozy private apartments, first rate restaurants and clubs, and, certainly, magnificent sunny beaches await you in Odessa!

The Long and Winding Road West
Ukraine may have turned its face away from Russia but there are still many obstacles between it and a seat at Europe's top table, writes Nicholas Watt.

High Hopes for Ukraine
The high hopes for Ukraine after Yushchenko took power are being dashed as rival elites squabble over spoils.

Speaker Denies Link to Killing of Journalist
Ukraine's parliamentary speaker yesterday denied claims made by a commission of MPs that he set in motion the killing of a high-profile investigative journalist.

MPs Reject Yushchenko's Choice of Prime Minister
Ukraine's political crisis deepened yesterday when MPs refused to approve the prime minister nominated by the president, Viktor Yushchenko.

Ukraine Faces Crisis As Orange Leaders Split
Ukraine's "orange revolution" was dramatically unravelling last night when one of its principal icons, Yulia Timoshenko, responded to her dismissal as prime minister by vowing to take her supporters into opposition against her former ally, president Viktor Yushchenko.

Ukraine's President Sacks Squabbling Government
Yushchenko accuses orange revolution allies of infighting.

Yushchenko Dismisses Ukraine Cabinet
The Ukrainian president, Viktor Yushchenko, today dismissed his cabinet amid allegations of corruption. Mr Yushchenko said members of the fragile coalition formed after the Orange Revolution last year had turned on one another. The president made the abrupt move after Petro...

Son Cashes in on Orange Revolution
The symbols of Ukraine's orange revolution last year have been registered as profitable trademarks in the name of the eldest son of the revolution's leader, Viktor Yushchenko.

Ukraine Sacks All Traffic Police
In the most sweeping anti-corruption gesture of his six-month presidency, Viktor Yushchenko has sacked all of its 23,000 traffic police, saying they have "discredited themselves".

Settlers rally at Sa Nur in last stand against Sharon's disengagement plan
The last time Julia Segal was forced from her home it was by Adolf Hitler. As Jews, her parents had particular reason to fear the Nazi assault that drove the family from Ukraine in 1941. Ms Segal settled in Moscow and in time made her name as a sculptor of mournful but non-political works.

Ukraine's Iron Lady Provokes Rift
Six months on from the euphoric scenes in Kiev's Independence Square, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's status as a national heroine still rivals that of Yushchenko in the former Soviet state.

Ukraine Pipeline Trouble Hits Regal
Oil group's $1m project stands idle for 18 months.

Ukraine Pm Cancels Visit to Russia
The prime minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko, cancelled her first official trip to Moscow yesterday after Russian prosecutors said she was "still on the wanted list" in connection with bribery charges.

Voters 'prefer' Ukraine to Turkey
Ukraine's campaign to join the EU today receives a boost from an opinion poll which shows greater support in Europe for Ukrainian membership than for Turkey.

Ukraine Seeks Nato Relationship
The Ukrainian president, Viktor Yushchenko, confirmed today at a Nato summit attended by George Bush that the former Soviet country wants to become a member of Nato.

Yushchenko Targets Privatisation 'theft'
Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine's new president, yesterday announced sweeping reforms targeting his predecessor's controversial privatisation of state assets and generous retirement package.

Yushchenko Hails Victory Over Tyranny
New president promises fresh start for Ukraine.

Yushchenko Orders Removal of Tent Camp
Viktor Yushchenko, the eventual winner of Ukraine's presidential race, today revealed that he had ordered his supporters to take down their tent camp in Kiev.

Ukraine Must Reform Fast, Un Team Says
Experts ready to help Yushchenko steer out of post-Soviet mess.

Yanukovich Steps Aside to Conclude Ukraine Crisis
The Ukrainian prime minister, Viktor Yanukovich, resigned from his post last night, bringing to an apparent end a bruising two-month crisis in which the former presidential candidate sparked weeks of protests when he claimed victory in a fraudulent run-off vote.

Not a Good Way to Start a Democracy
Jonathan Steele: Serious questions must be asked about US influence in Ukraine. The core of democracy is tolerance of other people's views. Whether it is Rosa Luxemburg's call for respecting the "freedom of people who think differently" or Winston Churchill's...

Ukraine Cabinet Abandons Meeting
The Ukrainian opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, today moved a step closer to becoming the country's president when his supporters forced his rival, the prime minister, Viktor Yanukovich, to abandon a cabinet meeting.

Yushchenko Courts Moscow
Viktor Yushchenko, who has an unassailable lead in Ukraine's presidential election, said today that his first task would be to travel to Moscow to try and set straight his country's "deformed" ties with Russia.

Ukraine Pm Refuses to Accept Election Defeat
Ukraine's bitter presidential election took a new twist last night when the vanquished government candidate, Viktor Yanukovich, refused to accept defeat and vowed to challenge the victory of opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko.

Yushchenko Wins Ukraine's Presidency
Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko today won Ukraine's presidency but his opponent has vowed to appeal against the results

'Now, Today, the Ukrainian People Have Won'
Ukraine's opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko celebrated his apparent triumph in the country's presidential contest today but called on his supporters to be ready to take to the streets to defend his victory.

Yushchenko Claims Victory in Poll Re-run
Ukraine's opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, was poised for a commanding victory last night in a re-run of disputed presidential elections.

Ukraine Opposition in Big Exit Poll Lead
Ukraine's opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, was poised for a commanding victory last night in a re-run of disputed presidential elections.

Ukrainians Vote for New President
Ukrainians are voting for a president today in an unprecedented third-round ballot after widespread allegations of fraud caused the cancellation of last month's result.

Ukraine Stands on Brink of Unknown
Threats of violence shadow today's presidential election re-run

Polls Predict Yushchenko Victory
Ukraine's opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko is on course for a clear victory in a Boxing Day repeat of the run-off vote for the country's presidency, according to an opinion poll released yesterday.

Putin Says He Will Bow to Poll in Ukraine
Russia's president gives strongest hint so far that he will accept Ukraine's pro-western presidential candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, if he wins the country's repeated run-off election.

The Kremlin's Dr Jekyll
Nick Paton Walsh: Ukraine is a chance for Putin to relax his grip. It was never meant to be that way, not in our back yard, the Kremlin must have sighed.

Ukrainian Candidates in Tv Clash
Last night Ukraine's presidential contest got personal when the two candidates went face to face in a bitter TV debate.

New Finding in Ukraine Poisoning
Dutch experts who have been examining blood samples from Viktor Yushchenko, the Ukrainian opposition leader, disclosed yesterday that the politician has staggeringly high levels of dioxin in his blood, the second highest ever recorded.

Doctors Prove Yuschenko Was Victim of Poisoning
For weeks his face appeared on TV screens and newspaper front pages across the world as he led Ukraine's pro-democracy movement in its extraordinary campaign for fair elections.

Can Ukraine Survive the 'orange Revolution'?
Ukraine's presidential elections have split the nation in two, the west supporting Yushchenko and the east Yanukovych. Can the state survive? As the 'Orange Revolution' reached full pitch, James Meek travelled across the country in search of answers.

Ukraine Parliament Approves Vote Reforms
Ukraine's 16-day political crisis neared resolution when parliament passed a reform package designed to smooth the way to a repeat presidential vote on Boxing Day that the opposition is poised to win.

Deadlock in Ukraine As Kuchma Accused of Sabotaging Vote
Talks aimed at trying to prevent electoral fraud in Ukraine's repeated presidential run-off on Boxing Day were deadlocked last night with the opposition accusing the outgoing president, Leonid Kuchma, of trying to sabotage the vote.

Kuchma Warns Pm Against Standing
Ukraine's outgoing president, Leonid Kuchma, yesterday appeared to withdraw support from his anointed successor, advising him not to stand in the repeat of the run-off vote.

Monitors Vow to Aid New Vote in Ukraine
Yushchenko seeks international assistance, not meddling.

We Need to Accept That Ukraine is Multi-ethnic
Those driving the western-backed upheaval in Ukraine will not bring real democracy unless they accept it is a multi-ethnic state.

Kuchma Offered Get-out Clause
Ukraine President to get immunity - if he pushes through vote reform.

Court Orders Repeat Ukraine Poll
Ukraine's supreme court last night delivered what appeared to be a resounding victory for the country's opposition, by annulling the results of the disputed presidential election and ordering a rerun of the poll.

Ukraine Court Rules Poll Invalid
Ukraine's supreme court today ruled that the result of the second round runoff vote in the presidential elections was invalid, upholding an appeal from the opposition that the poll was rigged.

Putin Backs New Ukraine Poll
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, threw his weight behind holding totally new elections in Ukraine yesterday, rejecting the idea favoured by the EU of a quick repeat of the fraud-ridden runoff vote that has pitched the country into crisis.

No Decision on Ukraine Election
Ukraine's supreme court tonight adjourned without reaching a decision on the opposition's appeal that the country's recent presidential election was rigged.

Opposition Protesters in Ukraine Bolstered By Rock Music
Amid freezing temperatures, worsening hygiene in the protesters' sprawling tent city, and impenetrable political wrangling, opposition crowds are being bolstered by a radical diet of rock music.

Signs of Compromise in Ukraine, But Supreme Court Holds the Key
The two sides in the 11-day crisis in Ukraine showed the first signs of compromise last night when they released a joint statement promising an end to opposition blockades of government buildings and to respect the decision of the supreme court which has yet to rule on the validity of the disputed presidential elections.

Ukraine Opposition Renews Blockade and Quits Talks
The Ukrainian opposition last night broke off negotiations with the government and demanded that a late-night parliamentary session pass a motion of no confidence in the prime minister and his cabinet, as international pressure grew for fresh elections.

Rights Groups Condemn Ukraine Media Attacks
1.45pm: Human rights organisations have called for an end to media intimidation in Ukraine after a journalist was allegedly beaten by thugs. By John Plunkett.

Ukraine's Leaders in Poll Climbdown
President admits new election may be needed as US signals concern.

Yanukovich 'would Support Ukraine Revote'
Viktor Yanukovich, Ukraine's Moscow-backed presidential candidate, today said he would support a rerun of the disputed presidential election if allegations of fraud were proven.

Ukraine Court Attempts to End Poll Crisis
Ukraine's supreme court today began a sitting that will attempt to resolve the election crisis threatening to split the country in two.

Ukraine Protest No Longer About Us or Russian Candidate
The Ukrainian protest is no longer about the US or Russian candidate. It is about ending 12 years of misrule.

Threat to Split Ukraine in Two As Crisis Grows
Ukraine's electoral crisis threatened to split the country in two last night when leaders in the east voted to hold a referendum on regional autonomy, as the government ruled out the use of force to solve the week-long standoff.

Ukraine crisis grows as MPs vote to cancel election result
The crisis over Ukraine's disputed presidential election deepened yesterday as the country's parliament voted to annul the results of last week's poll and declared their lack of confidence in officials.

Clashes Feared As Ukraine Talks Break Up
Opposition protesters take control of centre of Kiev.

Clashes Fear As Ukraine Talks Begin
Opposition protesters take control of centre of Kiev as pro-government miners arrive in the city.

Ukraine Vote on Hold After Court Ruling
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, yesterday accused the US and the European Union of encouraging 'mayhem' on the streets of Ukraine, and warned them against interfering further in the current election crisis.

Ukraine's Postmodern Coup D'etat
Yushchenko got the US nod, and money flooded in to his supporters. Oranges can often be bitter, and the mass street protests now going on in Ukraine may not be quite as sweet as their supporters claim.

Court Ruling Boosts Opposition Hopes
Ukraine's supreme court ruled today that the country's disputed presidential election results would not be published as official until it considers an appeal filed by the opposition, which has claimed the vote was rigged.

Legal Bid to End Ukraine Crisis
The Ukrainian opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, filed an appeal with Ukraine's supreme court today in a bid to have the disputed presidential election results declared invalid.

Simon Tisdall: World Briefing
The Ukraine crisis has sent a shiver of apprehension through Russia's immediate neighbours and east European countries with fresh memories of the bad old days of Soviet domination.

Bold But Bloodless, a Nation Defies History
Ukraine's struggle for identity since split with Soviet Union.

US Rejects Ukraine Poll As Protesters Dig in
Opposition leader calls for strike and new vote.

Ukraine Election Result Announced
Ukraine's central election commission declared the pro-Moscow prime minister, Viktor Yanukovich, the winner today of a presidential election that has been marred by reports of widespread electoral fraud.

Protests Continue As Ukraine Prepares for Official Result
Ukraine's electoral commission today said it would announce the official results of the country's disputed presidential election this afternoon.

Ukraine Crisis Threatens Rift Between Us and Russia
Ukraine's political crisis deepened last night after three days of street protests and political drama threatened to cause a diplomatic rift between Russia and the US.

Ukrainian Opposition Leader Claims Victory
Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko claimed a "convincing" victory today in the country's tense presidential elections, as some 200,000 of his supporters protested in Kiev against election fraud.

Thousands Protest in Ukraine
An estimated 100,000 supporters of Ukraine's pro-western opposition presidential candidate, Viktor Yuschenko, were today on the streets the capital, Kiev, as protests over alleged voter intimidation and electoral fraud continued.

Ukraine in Turmoil After Vote
Thousands on the streets in protest at new president.

Ukraine: The Two Viktors
Once again, America fails to answer the cry of democracy betrayed.

Old Habits and Fears Die Hard in Ukraine
For many voters, Ukraine's presidential election was about bread-and-butter issues such as living standards and wages.

Observers Denounce Ukraine Election
Foreign observers said today that Ukraine's presidential elections, which have been marred by allegations of intimidation and voter fraud, did not meet international standards.

Ukrainian Opposition Claims Poll Fraud
Ukraine's opposition claimed victory last night in a presidential run-off vote, but accused the authorities of falsifying the results after the polls had closed.

Ukraine Tense Amid Rival Poll Claims
Ukrainians voted yesterday in a presidential runoff poll marred by reported violations, protests and the murder of a policeman, after bitter campaigning that turned the election for many into a choice between a lurch east and a lurch west.

Run-off in Ukraine Elections
The two leading candidates in Ukraine's presidential elections agreed yesterday to hold a second round vote, despite both claiming they had won the most votes in Sunday's first round. The decision was made as observers from the EU and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in...

Exit Polls Point to Ukrainian Run-off
The Ukrainian opposition claimed victory last night in the country's fourth presidential elections, despite exit polls which showed that no candidate had received the 50% needed to avoid a run-off. While the polls showed widely varying results, most showed that the opposition candidate,...

US Threat Increases Tension in Ukraine Poll
The United States made its boldest foray into tomorrow's tense presidential election in Ukraine by threatening to take "measures" if the voting was unfair. The US mission to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which is monitoring the election, said that if it failed...

Where the Cold War Never Died
Ukraine's elections are attracting a high level of American interest. Cries of election fraud, furious crowds in the street, nervous police pondering mutiny as a beleaguered government wonders whether to...

A Testing Time for Democracy
Protests and political accusations before a presidential election are not just restricted to the US as Ukraine goes to the polls, writes Nick Paton Walsh.

Putin's Kiev Visit 'timed to Influence Ukraine Poll'
President's remarks helpful to pro-Moscow candidate, but aides deny any attempt to help ally.

Challenger for Ukraine Presidency Cries Foul Over Mystery Illness
'I want to get back the face that 40 million recognise,' says pockmarked candidate.

Europe Ukraine Candidate 'poisoned'
Ukraine has launched a criminal investigation into allegations made by an opposition candidate for next month's presidential elections that he was poisoned 16 days ago in an attempt to kill him. Viktor Yushchenko is the leading opponent to the prime minister, Viktor Yanukovich, the...

Ukraine Candidate 'poisoned'
Ukraine has launched a criminal investigation into allegations made by an opposition candidate for next month's presidential elections that he was poisoned 16 days ago in attempt to kill him. Viktor Yushchenko is the leading opponent to the prime minister, Viktor Yanukovich, the anointed...

Edgy Attitudes Towards Ukraine
The readers' editor, on some political implications of the definite article. Ukrainian independence day is almost upon us - August 24 to be precise. But is the country Ukraine or "the" Ukraine?

Lion Cub Stolen from Zoo
A lion cub was recently stolen from the Kharkov Zoo in Ukraine. Veta, a female, was discovered missing by two night watchmen who found that the lock on the cage she was in had been sawed off.

Russia's Younger Brother
Appearances aside, ubiquitous corruption, tottering banks, clannish institutions, compromised leadership, illicit deals and barely contained xenophobia are entrenched in Ukraine's criminalized economy. As the 2004 presidential elections near, the oligarchs are augmenting their war chests abroad. Kuchma may try to postpone the elections to 2006 or 2007. The opposition vows to aggressively oppose such chicanery. Ukraine may be in for a bumpy ride ahead.

Marchers want Ukraine's leader out
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets across Ukraine yesterday to demand the resignation of President Leonid Kuchma, whose regime has been tarred by scandals ranging from the murder of an opposition journalist to selling arms to Iraq.

Chernobyl to be sealed in steel vault
The contaminated site of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine - the scene more than 16 years ago of the worst nuclear disaster in history - will be capped by a huge vault designed to "seal" the plant's remains for decades.

Ukraine mourns airshow victims
Recriminations as angry relatives come to terms with scale of the catastrophe. Fifteen hundred Ukrainians gathered yesterday at the site of Saturday's air crash to commemorate the 83 people who died when a military jet dived into a crowd of spectators at an air show.

Tragedy as jet fighter kills 78
At least 78 people died yesterday afternoon when a Ukrainian jet fighter crashed into hundreds of spectators at an air show in Lviv, western Ukraine, leaving 138 injured. Seven of the dead and many of those hurt were children.

'Cannibals' arrested in Ukraine
The Ukrainian police have arrested three men and a woman suspected of murdering and possibly eating six people in black magic rituals.

International news in brief
34 miners die in Ukranian blaze Rescue workers found the bodies of 34 miners killed by an early-morning coalmine blaze in the Donetsk region of Ukraine yesterday, a government official said.

Ukrainian voters put future of their hardline leader in doubt
Reformers and allies of the Ukrainian president, Leonid Kuchma, were scrambling for partners yesterday after voters failed to elect a clear winner in a weekend parliamentary election that cast doubt over the veteran leader's future.