Russia Extends Troop Drills Near Ukraine as Violence Spikes

Associated PressPublished: February 20, 2022

KYIV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Former president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko embraces a woman who gifted him a Ukrainian flag during a Maidan Revolution commemoration ceremony on February 20, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. In February 2014, the months-long Euromaidan protests culminated in violent clashes between protesters and riot police, leading to the deaths of over 100 people and the ousting of president Viktor Yanukovych, who had sparked the protests by rejecting a pact with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia. Eight years later, the country again finds itself at center stage in the geopolitical tussle between Russia and the West. (Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images)

By LORI HINNANT and JIM HEINTZ, Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia is extending military drills near Ukraine's northern borders after two days of sustained shelling along the contact line between Ukrainian soldiers and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The exercises in Belarus, which borders Ukraine to the north, originally were set to end on Sunday.

The joint drills brought a sizable contingent of Russian forces to Belarus, and their presence raised concern that they could be sent down to Ukraine's capital in the event of a Russian invasion.

A top European Union official said, "The big question remains: does the Kremlin want dialogue?"

Wow! Look At This! "A Star is Born" 29 Celebs Who Were Born in Upstate New York

There is a whole lot of star power on display in this gallery. We feature 29 celebrities who were born in Upstate New York. Many of the names are instantly familiar, such as Lucille Ball and Kirk Douglas, but it is the lesser known stars that are the most fun.

You will recognize most of these people by their faces rather than by their names. Still, no matter how small the role they played in a film or TV show, these actors left an indelible mark wherever and when ever they appeared on screen.

I mean, seriously, who can ever forget Buffalo-born actor Sorrell Booke? Name ring a bell? No? How about his character "Boss Hogg" on the hit TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard?" Now I am sure you remember him!

This list totals 29 celebrities, but we have a feeling that we are missing some. So, if you know a TV or movie star that was born in New York outside of New York City, please let us know over on our Facebook page! We really do want to hear from you!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

Wynn Hospital at MVHS Construction Tour in Utica, NY

MVHS's Bob Schoefield ushered a tour of the current state of construction at the new Wynn Hospital in downtown Utica on Friday, February 11, 2022. The project is on-schedule and is expected to be completed and open in Fall of 2023.Bill

Gallery Credit: Bill Keeler

Own a Part of Your Childhood, The Catskill Game Farm is For Sale!

If you grew up in the Hudson Valley or tri-state area, the likelihood is you visited the Catskill Game Farm. If you're looking to relive those sweet childhood memories why not buy The Old Catskill Game Farm?

Gallery Credit: Zillow

Nostalgia Alert! 11 Awesome Vintage Upstate General Stores and Five and Dime Stores

We all have memories of those great little five-and-dime stores and general stores of our youth. They were the heartbeat of our communities. They sold just about everything, you could get a pretty good meal in most of them, and of course, the showstopper was always the rows of penny candies. Upstate still has plenty of these stores around (some of them 100, 150, 170 years old!). Here is a list to start you on your trip back to the general stores of your youth. They are all great!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

Filed Under: russia, Ukraine

Categories: Associated Press, National News, World News