The funeral of Alex Ryzhuk, a 20-year-old Irish man who lost his life while volunteering alongside Ukrainian military forces, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday in the village of Kryliv, western Ukraine. Born in Dublin to Ukrainian parents, Ryzhuk had traveled to Ukraine shortly after turning 18 to assist in the ongoing conflict. He went missing in August 2024 and was presumed dead until last week, when DNA tests commissioned by his family confirmed that remains recovered from the frontlines were his. This confirmation was reported by Irish broadcaster RTÉ. A memorial mass will also be held on 23 November at Donnycarney Church in Dublin. Ryzhuk is the fourth Irish man to have died in the war in Ukraine, which has claimed the lives of several individuals from the island of Ireland since its inception in February 2022.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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France honors victims 10 years after attacks at Bataclan concert hall, cafes and national stadium
A decade has passed since the harrowing Paris attacks of November 13, 2015, yet the scars remain deeply etched in the lives of survivors. As France prepares to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, which claimed over 130 lives and left more than 400 injured, survivors continue to wrestle with the enduring trauma. Arthur Denouveaux, a 39-year-old survivor and president of the victims’ association Life for Paris, reflects on the emotional toll of the anniversary. ‘The 10th anniversary is here, and emotions and tension are everywhere for us survivors,’ he shared. ‘It shields us from the world in a way, because we’re so focused on the grief and on remembering those who lost their lives.’ The coordinated attacks, carried out by nine Islamic State gunmen and suicide bombers, targeted multiple locations across Paris, including the Stade de France, cafes, and the Bataclan concert hall, marking the deadliest violence in France since World War II. Denouveaux, who was at the Bataclan during the Eagles of Death Metal concert, vividly recalls the chaos and horror of that night. ‘I remember crawling on top of bodies,’ he recounted. ‘I believe most of the people were pretending to be dead, but still, I remember a few faces or at least a few facial expressions of people who were necessarily dead.’ The aftermath of the attacks left survivors grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Denouveaux, a father of three, spent a year in intensive therapy and medication to overcome the most critical phases of PTSD. ‘But since 2017, I’ve had no panic attacks,’ he said. ‘Yet, I’m very cautious because I’m not sure you heal from PTSD.’ To honor the victims, France will hold a solemn ceremony at a newly created memorial garden near Paris City Hall, attended by President Emmanuel Macron, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, survivors, and families of the victims. The garden, designed with input from survivors and relatives, features steles engraved with the names of the victims. ‘The project aims to create a place that remembers the dead but also a place of life, a place that is beautiful and serene,’ Denouveaux explained. The French soccer federation will also pay tribute to the victims during a World Cup qualifier match between France and Ukraine at the Parc des Princes, preceded by a minute of silence. The attacks not only traumatized individuals but also shook the nation’s sense of security. Survivors like Denouveaux have had to navigate a new path in life, mourning not only the lives lost but also the person they once were. ‘When you survive a terrorist attack, you become disconnected from the rest of the world,’ he said. ‘There are three mourning phases: the mourning for those who died, the mourning for the person you were, and the mourning of the image people have of you.’ The 2021-2022 trial of Salah Abdeslam, the lone surviving attacker, and 19 other accomplices brought some closure, with Abdeslam sentenced to life without parole. Yet, for survivors, the journey toward healing remains ongoing. ‘Ten years later, when I tell someone who doesn’t know: ‘Well, I was at the Bataclan,’ the person’s perception of me changes immediately,’ Denouveaux noted. ‘There’s the emotion they felt that day, but also the fear of wondering, ‘Is he OK? Can I talk to him about it? How do we do that?’ And that, of course, puts you out of phase.’
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How Europe’s private drone industry eyes opportunity as NATO strengthens defense
In a remote warehouse in northern Denmark, workers are meticulously assembling anti-drone devices, some destined for Ukraine to counter Russian technology, while others will bolster Europe’s defenses against mysterious drone incursions. This surge in demand has transformed two Danish companies, Weibel Scientific and MyDefence, into key players in the global counter-drone industry. Their technologies, ranging from radar detection to handheld jamming devices, are now in high demand across Europe, particularly after a series of drone flyovers disrupted NATO airspace and critical infrastructure. The Russia-Ukraine war has been a turning point, driving innovation and investment in counter-drone systems. MyDefence, for instance, has seen its earnings double to $18.7 million, while Weibel Scientific secured a record $76 million deal. European leaders are now pushing for a ‘drone wall’ along NATO borders, with Denmark, Poland, and Romania deploying advanced systems like the American Merops, which uses AI to neutralize drones. As drone warfare evolves, Europe is racing to develop robust detection and interception capabilities to safeguard its skies.
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All 20 personnel on a Turkish military cargo plane that crashed in Georgia died
In a devastating incident, all 20 military personnel aboard a Turkish C-130 cargo plane lost their lives when the aircraft crashed in Georgia on November 11, 2025. The plane, which had departed from Azerbaijan, was en route to Turkey when the tragedy occurred near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border in the Sighnaghi municipality. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler confirmed the fatalities in a heartfelt message posted on X, accompanied by photographs of the fallen soldiers. Minister Guler referred to the deceased as ‘heroic comrades-in-arms’ who were ‘martyred’ in the line of duty. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, which has sent shockwaves through the military community and beyond. The incident underscores the inherent risks faced by military personnel during operational missions.
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Serbia’s energy reliance on Russia comes unstuck facing US oil sanctions
Serbia finds itself in a precarious position as US sanctions on its national oil company, NIS, exacerbate tensions with its traditional ally, Russia. Russian state-owned energy giants Gazprom and Gazprom Neft control over 50% of NIS, placing the company in a bind following the sanctions imposed last month due to its ties to Russia’s energy sector. Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic revealed that NIS’s Russian shareholders have sought a US waiver, signaling their willingness to transfer control to a third party. However, time is running out, with Serbia’s oil refineries expected to exhaust their crude supply by the end of November. The sanctions have already disrupted NIS’s operations, forcing its petrol stations to stop accepting Visa and Mastercard payments, while Croatia has halted oil deliveries via the Janaf pipeline. Serbia is not alone in facing such challenges; neighboring Bulgaria has moved to nationalize its sole oil refinery ahead of impending sanctions. Meanwhile, Hungary secured a one-year waiver from US sanctions, highlighting the region’s divergent responses. The crisis has strained Serbia’s historically close ties with Russia, particularly over energy and arms trade. While Serbia relies on Russian gas at favorable rates, Moscow appears reluctant to renew the supply deal, leaving President Aleksandar Vucic ‘very disappointed.’ Additionally, Serbia’s arms exports to third countries, which indirectly support Ukraine, have further soured relations. Despite these challenges, Vucic remains committed to Serbia’s EU integration, a stance that may be reinforced by the current crisis. The outcome of the US waiver request remains uncertain, but the episode underscores the broader geopolitical shifts reshaping the Balkans.
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Turkish military cargo plane crashes with at least 20 on board
A Turkish military cargo plane carrying at least 20 individuals has crashed near the Azerbaijan-Georgia border, according to Turkey’s defence ministry. The C-130 aircraft, en route from Azerbaijan to Turkey, disappeared from radar without issuing a distress signal, as reported by Georgia’s aviation authority. The crash occurred near Sighnaghi, approximately 5 kilometers from Azerbaijan. Search and rescue operations are currently underway, with emergency services on site and wreckage visible in images from the scene. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences to ‘our martyrs,’ though the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack also extended their sympathies to the victims’ families and the Turkish people. The C-130, a widely used US-made transport plane, is a staple in air forces globally.
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Russian court extends jailing of teenage singer over street performance of anti-war songs
In a move that has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights advocates, a Russian court in St. Petersburg has extended the detention of Diana Loginova, an 18-year-old street singer, for an additional 13 days. Loginova, who performs under the stage name Naoko with the band Stoptime, faces charges of violating public order during an October performance where she sang anti-war songs. This marks her third consecutive sentencing since her initial arrest on October 15, with the court also imposing fines for allegedly “discrediting the Russian armed forces.”
Alexander Orlov, another member of Stoptime, has similarly faced repeated detentions alongside Loginova. Both have denied any wrongdoing. Amnesty International has criticized these actions as “carousel arrests,” designed to keep them in custody without formal criminal charges.
Human rights activists argue that Loginova and her bandmates have been targeted for performing songs by artists who opposed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequently left the country. Videos of their performances, which feature crowds singing lyrics critical of the Kremlin and the war, have gone viral online, prompting calls from pro-Kremlin activists for police intervention.
Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s deputy director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, condemned the arrests, stating that Loginova and Orlov are being punished for their public performances, which he described as “a breath of fresh air in a country gasping under repression and self-censorship.” He called for their immediate and unconditional release, emphasizing that their only “crime” is exercising their right to freedom of expression.
The case has sparked solidarity performances in several Russian cities, leading to further arrests and fines. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russian authorities have intensified their crackdown on dissent, targeting rights groups, independent media, civil society organizations, LGBTQ+ activists, and religious groups. Hundreds have been jailed, and thousands have fled the country.
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Fog helps Russian forces push deeper into key Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk
In a strategic maneuver facilitated by dense fog, Russian forces have intensified their advance into the key Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, located in the eastern Donetsk region. The adverse weather conditions have significantly reduced visibility, hampering Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance efforts and allowing Russian troops to move more freely. According to Ukraine’s 7th Airborne Assault Corps, the fog has enabled Moscow to deploy additional forces into the city, aiming to encircle Ukrainian defenders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the challenging situation, noting that the weather has favored Russian military operations. A viral video on social media shows Russian soldiers driving through the foggy outskirts of Pokrovsk on civilian vehicles, a tactic made possible by the lack of Ukrainian drone surveillance. The BBC verified the location of the footage as the southern outskirts of the city. A Ukrainian drone pilot, known by the call-sign ‘Goose,’ revealed that the fog has severely limited their ability to monitor and intercept Russian movements. Despite repelling some attacks, Ukrainian forces face significant challenges in maintaining control over the city, which is now largely a contested ‘grey zone.’ Russian troops are reportedly attempting to encircle Pokrovsk and neighboring Myrnohrad, cutting off logistical routes and targeting Ukrainian supply lines with drones and ground infiltrations. Ukrainian military analyst Kostyantyn Mashovets highlighted the effectiveness of Russian infiltration tactics, which include disguising soldiers as locals or Ukrainian troops to sow chaos. Meanwhile, Russian forces are also pushing on other fronts, including Kupyansk in the northeast and Zaporizhzhya in the south, although Ukrainian officials deny claims of encirclement in these areas. The situation remains fluid, with both sides engaged in intense combat as the conflict continues to escalate.
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Trump’s $1B lawsuit threat casts shadow over the BBC, but it could also be a bluff
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to file a billion-dollar lawsuit against the BBC has ignited a heated debate over the broadcaster’s journalistic integrity and the legal merits of Trump’s claims. The controversy stems from a BBC documentary titled “Trump: A Second Chance?” which aired ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The documentary allegedly misrepresented Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech by editing quotes to suggest he incited violence, omitting his call for peaceful protest. BBC Chairman Samir Shah apologized for the misleading edit, while senior executives resigned amid accusations of bias. Trump’s lawyer, Alejandro Brito, demanded a $1 billion settlement, citing defamation under Florida law. However, legal experts argue that Trump faces significant hurdles, including the fact that the documentary was not broadcast in the U.S. and his already tarnished reputation post-January 6. While Trump has a history of suing media outlets, many view this threat as a tactic to intimidate rather than a credible legal challenge. The BBC, funded by U.K. television fees, remains steadfast, with experts advising it to stand its ground.
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‘Mellon Blue’ diamond sells for $26.6 million at Swiss auction
A stunning 9.51-carat blue diamond, known as the ‘Mellon Blue,’ was sold for 20.5 million Swiss francs ($26.6 million) at a Christie’s auction in Geneva, Switzerland. The gem, named after the late American arts patron Rachel ‘Bunny’ Mellon, had been anticipated to fetch between $20 million and $30 million. The final price included the buyer’s premium and additional fees. Previously, the diamond was sold in 2014 for $32.6 million, marking one of the highest prices ever paid for a colored diamond at auction. The ‘Mellon Blue’ had been a prized possession in Mellon’s private collection for decades. Max Fawcett, Christie’s global head of jewelry, highlighted the diamond’s exceptional quality, describing it as a ‘gem of gems’ due to its Fancy Vivid Blue color and Internally Flawless grade, as certified by the Gemological Institute of America. The auction marked the beginning of a two-day jewelry event in Geneva, with Sotheby’s set to auction the ‘Glowing Rose’ pink diamond, expected to attract bids around $20 million.