Since March 2023, a government-run shelter in the Ukrainian city of Sumy has accommodated 21,000 Ukrainians living in Russian-occupied territories. The Kolotilovka-Pokrovka checkpoint in northeastern Ukraine is currently the only passage for Ukrainian citizens returning to their homeland.

Sumy Oblast

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukrainians escaping from Russian-occupied regions, such as Luhansk and Kakhiv, face a difficult and lengthy journey to reach safety in government-controlled areas. Many cross through the last remaining border crossing at Kolotlivka, carrying all their belongings and often requiring assistance from volunteers, especially for elderly and vulnerable individuals.

Upon arrival in Sumy, new arrivals are processed by law enforcement and social services, who help with registration and paperwork. The Pluriton volunteer centre, established in 2023, has supported over 21,000 people returning from occupation, offering reassurance and practical help. Despite ongoing conflict and shelling in the region, the centre continues to operate, welcoming around 40 arrivals each day.

Ukrainians take arduous route from Russian-occupied regions

Viktor had to send his wife ahead for help, as they made their way to the Ukrainian border after leaving the occupied Luhansk region. I'm here for good. I would not leave unless that was the case, because it is so hard to leave. This is the so-called grey zone, a two-kilometre road between the Russian border crossing at Kolotlivka and the Ukrainian village of Pokrovka. A volunteer helps him complete his journey. Once across, arrivals are driven to a humanitarian centre in Sumy, a city in north-eastern Ukraine. Everyone crossed, but I was a little slower. I had no other way but through Kolotlivka. I could have gone through Europe, but it was too expensive and too long for me personally. Those who pass through the last remaining border crossing from Russia have usually carried all their worldly possessions with them, hence the need for volunteers. They come with everything they own, the last things they have left. They bring many suitcases with them. It's difficult for them to carry so much for two kilometres. Many of them are elderly people and women. That's why we go out and assist them. Once at the centre in Sumy, they're interviewed by law enforcement agencies. Social services register them and help with paperwork. Mikhailo left his occupied village in the Kakhiv region. Fighting there is ongoing. His house was hit by shrapnel, but he dared not leave for a long time because his wife was ill. After she died, he embarked on a three-day journey to the border crossing. Now he hopes to be reunited with his daughter, who he's not seen for two years. When I left my village, my soul weakened a little bit. I shed a tear and sang, Glory to Ukraine, as I departed and came here. In March 2023, Katerina set up Pluriton, this volunteer centre in Sumy for people returning to Ukraine from the occupation. Since then, 21,000 people have passed through it. The most important message that we want to convey to all people who come to us is that they are not met here by some random volunteer organisation, but by the state of Ukraine. And they are welcome and will be helped. This is contrary to the propaganda they have been hearing all these years. Some have been living in the occupied territory for years. The centre continues to operate despite shelling in the Sumy region, with around 40 arrivals per day. For many people living in occupied territories, it offers the only way to feel at home again.

Hamas on Monday informed mediators that it had accepted a ceasefire deal proposal submitted to it the day before, according to international and Israeli outlets.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Reports: Hamas accepts latest Gaza ceasefire proposal

Hurricane Erin will bring dangerously rough surf to parts of the U.S. East Coast. Over the weekend, Erin's outer bands lashed Puerto Rico with up to 7 inches of rain and flooding parts of the island.

East Coast of the United States

Erin expected to bring dangerous conditions to U.S. East Coast

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will be joined by several European leaders at a White House meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday (August 18) aimed at brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Washington

Zelenskiy bringing European leaders to Trump meeting

Ahead of his Monday meeting with President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymry Zelenksyy says his country will not give up any territory to Russia, even as the White House insists potential land swaps will be necessary. Willie James Inman reports.

Kyiv

Ahead of Trump meeting, Zelenskyy says won't give territory to Russia

Thousands of Israeli protesters demanded a deal to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas in one of the biggest demonstrations since the war in Gaza began. Debora Patta reports.

Thousands of Israelis protest in Gaza, call for end to fighting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flies to Washington on Monday under heavy U.S. pressure to agree to a swift end to Russia's war in his country, but determined to defend Kyiv's interests — without sparking a second Oval Office dust-up with Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy, European allies to meet with Trump to discuss peace

European leaders voiced strong support for Ukraine ahead of a Washington summit with U.S President Donald Trump. They emphasized unity, territorial integrity and security guarantees as essential to any peace deal.

Paris

European leaders stress unity with Ukraine ahead of peace talks

International condemnation and pressure from allies have done nothing to stop Israel's plan to displace the people of northern Gaza. Israel on Saturday (August 16) said it is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza.

Israeli military prepares to move Palestinians to southern Gaza

Thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday in a nationwide strike amid fears further fighting could endanger the 50 hostages believed to still be in Gaza.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Dozens of Israelis arrested in protest to demand end to Gaza war

Russia continues to target Ukrainian cities firing hundreds of missiles and projectiles daily despite ongoing peace efforts, led by the United States. Ukrainian officials say their unwillingness to dial back their offensive reflects their lack of sincere interest in peace.

Five killed as Russia continues to pummel Ukrainian cities

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Ukraine should make a deal to end the war with Russia because "Russia is a very big power, and they're not," after a summit where Vladimir Putin was reported to have demanded more Ukrainian land.

Anchorage

Trump told Zelenskiy that Putin wants more of Ukraine, source says

Efforts by Texas Republicans to redraw the state's congressional maps got new pushback from protesters at rallies across the country Saturday. Nearly 280 events took place in 34 states, according to organizers.

"Fight the Trump Takeover" protests held across U.S.

West Virginia's governor says he will send up to 400 National Guard troops to the nation's capital at President Trump's request. They'll join other National Guard troops and federal agents already deployed with local police on the streets of Washington, D.C.

More troops arrive in D.C. at Trump's request

President Trump reversed course Saturday, saying he is no longer seeking an urgent ceasefire in Ukraine, but now agrees with Russian President Vladimir Putin that pursuing a peace deal is the best way to end the war.

Trump sides with Putin, preferring peace over ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin described his meeting with President Trump as "frank, substantive and bringing us closer to making the necessary decisions." But the Alaska summit couldn't have been more far removed from the battlefields of Ukraine.

War-weary Ukrainians desperate for a ceasefire

In Ukraine, many do not believe Russia's president Vladimir Putin actually wants a ceasefire deal. They say Trump should stop making concessions to the Kremlin and for U.S President Donald Trump to demand an end to Russia aggression.

Ukrainians sceptical of Vladimir Putin’s intention

Being a Category 1 hurricane, Erin underwent a 'rapid intensification' which helped the storm to grow and strengthen to a powerful Category 5. Hurricane Erin won't make a direct hit on the U.S., but it will produce dangerous surf conditions for the entire East Coast.

San Juan

Hurricane Erin 'rapidly intensifies' to a Category 5

The Washington, D.C., police chief will remain in command of the local force following a settlement with the Trump administration over the federal takeover, but they are required to cooperate with the White House's immigration policy.

D.C. police retain some control after deal with Justice Department

The Atlantic Ocean's first hurricane of the season, Erin, has continued to gain strength and currently sits off the coast of Anguilla.

Hurricane Erin strengthens in the Atlantic

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Friday in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine. The leaders did not announce a peace deal, but Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday.

Trump, Putin meeting in Alaska ends without a ceasefire deal

Talks between the U.S. President and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded without an agreement on ending the war in Ukraine, despite being widely anticipated as a possible turning point.

Zelenskyy set to meet U.S. president Monday after no ceasefire deal

For the first time in a decade, Vladimir Putin was on U.S. soil for a much-anticipated meeting with Donald Trump. The U.S. and Russian presidents were supposed to discuss a deal to put an end to Moscow’s war against Ukraine, but they did not mention a ceasefire after the talks.

Trump, Putin wrap up talks with no mention of ceasefire

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska for a high-stakes summit over ending the war in Ukraine. Nancy Cordes and Margaret Brennan have coverage and analysis.

What we know about the high-stakes summit between Trump and Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin have arrived in Alaska ahead of their high stakes talks on Ukraine. The expected one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin has expanded to include U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio and other Russian officials.

Trump, Putin arrive in Alaska for historic summit

Israel's far-right finance minister approved the construction of a controversial new settlement in the West Bank, saying it "finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state." But it's unclear if this move will actually go through. Rights groups swiftly condemned the plan.

Israeli finance minister approves new West Bank settlement

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated in an interview that he hoped to push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward a second meeting but acknowledged there was a chance Friday’s meeting would not succeed.

Trump shifts tone, confident on deal to end Ukraine war

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalei Smotrich said a plan to add more than 3,000 homes to a controversial settlement in the West Bank would bury ‘the idea of a Palestinian state.’

Israel furthers plan for settlement that divides the West Bank

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. This comes one day before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.

London

Zelenskyy, Starmer meet ahead of Trump, Putin summit in Alaska

Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump sounded optimistic about his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Ukrainians take arduous route from Russian-occupied regions

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Ukraine Invasion