• I’m an American who visited Portugal for the first time. The affordability and walkability of Lisbon blew me away.

    colorful lisbon buildings
    Lisbon is filled with colorful buildings and historical structures.

    • I traveled to Lisbon for the first time and was surprised by many things. 
    • The capital city felt smaller and more affordable than the other European destinations I've visited.
    • I wish I had spent four days rather than a week in Lisbon and explored more of Portugal.

    As someone who's spent their entire life in the tristate area, I'm always interested in comparing other metropolitan areas to New York City. 

    My mom and I have had the Portuguese capital on our travel bucket lists for a while and wanted to see everything it had to offer. We flew seven hours from New York to Madrid before hopping on a short hour-and-a-half flight to Lisbon. 

    We explored different neighborhoods, like Bairro Alto and Chiado, and visited sites such as the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. 

    These were some of the biggest surprises during my first trip to Lisbon.

    Editor's Note: The writer took this trip in February 2022. 

    The first thing I noticed was how much smaller Lisbon felt compared to the other European cities I've visited.
    The Bélem tower in lisbon
    The Bélem Tower is one of the most popular sites in Lisbon.

    When I visited other European cities, it sometimes took me a while to find my bearings and figure out how to get around. However, Lisbon felt much smaller and easier to navigate.

    For reference, Lisbon is around 33 square miles, which is smaller than Paris (around 41 square miles), Rome (around 500 square miles), and London (around 600 square miles). 

    Even though Lisbon is almost as big as Paris, it felt smaller since everything was so close together.

    Almost all of the destinations on our itinerary were within walking distance from where we stayed or just a short ride away from our hotel. The furthest spot we visited in Lisbon was a 25-minute drive away.

    Each neighborhood had a distinct feel, and I couldn't believe how easy it was to tell them apart.
    colorful lisbon buildings
    We took time to admire the city's pastel-colored buildings.

    Lisbon is divided into several different neighborhoods, and I had no trouble telling each one apart. 

    Baixa is a central neighborhood that's home to popular attractions like Restauradores Square, Praça do Comércio, and Rossio; Bairro Alto has some of the city's best nightlife spots; and Chiado is the go-to area for great shopping and beautiful public squares. All of them were worth a visit. 

    In addition to the above neighborhoods, my other favorites were Alfama and Belém. Tourists should visit each area to take in its unique beauty and ambiance. I found it super interesting to compare their similarities and differences.

    Overall, Lisbon didn't feel like New York in the slightest, especially without all the honking and other noises. But I adored the European city's colorful buildings and the way its neighborhoods all intertwined.

    I could walk almost everywhere I wanted to go in the city — but it was very hilly.
    The view from the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz in lisbon
    The view from my balcony at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz.

    Before you decide where to stay in Lisbon, it's important to research the city's different neighborhoods, especially if you plan on walking everywhere. 

    I chose the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz in the Marquês de Pombal neighborhood because it was within walking distance of Baixa and Chiado. Plus, my room had a gorgeous view of the city.

    Places were even closer than they seemed on the map. On our first day in Lisbon, the hotel concierge told us to take a taxi to Chiado and Rossio. However, we decided to walk and ended up arriving in less than 30 minutes. 

    As someone who's always on their feet in New York, this journey was a breeze compared to the daily walks I take with my dog. However, the city is hilly, and walking for too long can be brutal. There's no shame in taking a car back. 

    Also, Lisbon has a prominent nightlife scene. So if you don't plan on going out or don't want to hear music blasting all night long, you might want to stay in a quieter area.

    I'm so glad I visited during the off-season. The temperature was mild, and there were fewer crowds.
    Rachel Dube posing in Lisbon, Portugal
    When I visited Lisbon in the winter, I was comfortable walking outside with a light jacket.

    We visited in February, which is considered Lisbon's winter and offseason. It was the perfect time to go.

    The city was less crowded than it would've been during the summer season, but the weather was still warm enough on several days of our trip that we could wear light jackets or short-sleeve shirts.

     

    The food, transportation, and souvenirs were more affordable in Lisbon than I expected.
    rossio square in lisbon portugal
    The Rossio Square is located in Baixa.

    My trip to Lisbon was more affordable than my vacations in other European cities — including London, Paris, Rome, and Milan. 

    To be fair, prices may have dipped since I visited during the offseason, but I budgeted a lot more for the trip than I ended up spending. 

    When my mom and I went out to dinner, I spent between $25 and $35 on both meals, which included appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Our most expensive meal in Lisbon was around $45, and we ordered a lot of food. 

    Prices vary depending on the restaurant. I didn't go to any Michelin-starred eateries during my trip, but I did go to upscale restaurants. 

    Additionally, the priciest Uber I took in Lisbon was $15, and it went all the way to the other side of the city. 

    In some other European cities, I spent a lot more money on transportation and dining (many restaurants charged over $50 for an appetizer, two main courses, and a dessert), so the prices in Lisbon were a pleasant surprise.

    The famous Pastéis de Bélem were worth all of the hype.
    Pastel de Bélem on plate
    I tried a Pastel de Bélem in Lisbon and talked about the delicious pastry for the rest of my trip.

    Lisbon is famous for its Pastéis de Bélem, a sweet pastry with custard filling, and they were worth the hype.

    Pastéis de Bélem originated at a shop in Bélem with the same name. The rest of the country calls the sweets "Pastéis de Nata," but Pastéis de Bélem come from this specific shop in Lisbon, which has used the same secret recipe to make them since 1837.

    When I tried my first Pastel de Bélem, it was heavenly. I completely understood why people raved about them. Not only was the treat delicious, but it was affordable too. Each one cost around $1.34.

    Our tour guide said Pastéis de Bélem has crazy lines during Lisbon's busy summer season from June to August, and the shop sells thousands of its pastries each day.

    Thankfully, I visited during off-hours in the winter, so I only had to wait a few minutes. But I talked about the pastry for the rest of our trip.

    I felt like I only needed a few days to explore the city and regretted not seeing more of Portugal.
    boats in harbor in lisbon Portugal
    We walked by the water in Lisbon, which was very relaxing.

    The biggest mistake I made when planning this trip was budgeting an entire week for Lisbon. I didn't expect the city to be as small as it was.

    I saw the bulk of the city in four days and then spent the rest of the time relaxing. It was nice, but I wouldn't follow the same itinerary if I visit again.

    Portugal is a beautiful country, and I would've liked to see more of it. I wish I'd spent three or four days in Lisbon before exploring another area, like Porto. 

     

     

    Pictures didn't do Lisbon justice, so I recommend seeing the city with your own eyes.
    view from lisbon Miradouros
    The miradouros were the best places to get great views of the city.

    After arriving in Lisbon, I was surprised by the city's beauty. Though I wouldn't put the Portuguese capital in the same category as Paris or Rome, I was still very impressed by its pastel-colored buildings, ornate tilework, and picturesque scenery.

    I'd seen plenty of photos before I visited, but it was still surreal to see Lisbon in real life. 

    The miradouros, or viewpoints, were the best places to see the city. I visited as many as possible and was amazed by the incredible view at each one of them.

    Overall, I'd recommend a visit to Lisbon. From its beauty to its charming neighborhoods, the city is like a real-life watercolor painting.

    This story was originally published on August 31, 2022, and most recently updated on June 24, 2024.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • How Korea’s gamtae seaweed won over Michelin-starred chefs around the world

    Gamtae is one of South Korea's rarest seaweeds. For centuries, this earthy, sweet seaweed was mainly harvested and eaten raw by locals in the Seosan region. Today, thanks to the efforts of Ju-hyeon Song and her family business, Badasoop, it's become a hit among Michelin-starred chefs in South Korea and abroad. But because of gamtae's unpredictable harvests and rising prices, turning this small industry into a thriving business presented a challenge. So how did Ju-Hyeon take gamtae from a local delicacy to a worldwide sensation? And why is it so expensive?

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • I left Google to start a recruiting service. I’ve learned there are 4 things you should always do in a tech interview, and 1 you shouldn’t.

    Rihab Lajmi portrait
    I left my job at Google to start a recruiting platform called FAANG.

    • Rihab Lajmi left her role at Google and launched FAANG, an AI hiring platform.
    • Lajmi has gone through dozens of interviews herself and interviewed 35 recruiters to learn what they're looking for.
    • These are the five interview tips she recommends to job seekers.

    This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rihab Lajmi, a 26-year-old living in Germany. Her employment history has been verified by BI. It's been edited for length and clarity.

    You may have heard of FAANG being used as an acronym for Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google — and that's exactly what inspired the name of my company.

    FAANG jobs are highly coveted and represent success in tech. So about six months ago, I quit my job as a Cloud space architect at Google to create an AI recruiting platform to help people land their dream jobs.

    Our conversational AI recruiter "Buddy" conducts custom simulated video interviews for job applicants based on the company's preferences, culture, and technical needs. Our vision is to scale "Buddy" to become every job seeker's companion to prepare for job interviews.

    By adopting this name, we aim to empower individuals to achieve their career aspirations, whether at FAANG or elsewhere. So far, we've interviewed over 35 recruiters to learn more about what they're looking for.

    Before Google, I worked at Microsoft and went through dozens of interviews at other companies like Amazon. Through my own experience and from speaking with recruiters directly, these are my biggest takeaways on how to excel in an interview.

    1. Request a champion call with the hiring manager

    In many interview processes, the hiring manager won't show up until the final round of interviews. That person often has the final say so it's good practice to increase your visibility early on.

    If you don't have a call scheduled with the hiring manager prior to the first interview, request it. This breaks the ice and helps them remember you later.

    The call should be casual and you should start by introducing yourself. Then, you can ask about them and what they're looking for. This will also help you get more information as you go through the interview process.

    2. Begin the interview with small talk

    Starting with small talk may help the interviewer remember you later on. You can start by asking the interviewer questions about the company or you can try a less formal approach if they seem open.

    A lot of the people I've worked with have been international so I often start with questions about where they're from and then mention my favorite dish from that region.

    Make sure you read the room and don't let the small talk go on for too long. Some interviewers like to chat more than others so make sure to pay attention to verbal cues.

    3. Be concise

    People often look at interviews like an exam — don't go into it with that approach. While you should do your homework and prepare for the interview, it's important that you don't get bogged down by the details.

    The person who is interviewing you will lose their focus if you talk too much. They also are assessing your ability to communicate so being concise can help you score higher or make a better impression.

    4. Weave in your personality when answering questions

    The company wants to get to know you as a person. So when it comes to behavioral questions, do your best to weave in stories and examples that highlight parts of your personality.

    For example, if someone asks about a time you had to work through a conflict, don't put an emphasis on the problem or the solution. Instead, make sure you focus on how you went about solving the problem and how you communicated.

    5. Don't follow up right after the interview

    Don't follow up with a recruiter right after the interview and don't contact them more than twice. It could take a while to make the decision, especially if it's a competitive role, and if you appear overly eager you could lose leverage power with salary negotiation.

    Do you work at Google? We want to hear from you. Email the reporter from a non-work email at aaltchek@insider.com.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • How to nominate a top trader, investor, or dealmaker for Business Insider’s 2024 Wall Street rising stars

    portraits of Insider's 2023 rising stars of Wall Street
    Business Insider's 2023 rising stars of Wall Street.

    • Business Insider is putting together a power list of the young talent on Wall Street.
    • We want to spotlight the standouts in investment banking, investing as well as sales and trading. 
    • Please submit your ideas here by August 7th. 

    We're seeking nominations for Business Insider's list of rising stars on Wall Street, and we want to hear from you. 

    Submit your suggestions below or via this form.

    We're looking for the leaders of tomorrow, those making notable contributions or accomplishments and setting themselves apart from their class in investment banking, investing, and sales and trading. 

    In the past, we've had people with a variety of roles and experiences from companies including Blackstone, Citadel, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs.

    Take a look at our 2023 list here.

    Criteria and methodology

    Our selection criteria: We ask that nominees be 35 or under as of September 30, 2024, based in the US, work front-office roles, and stand out from their peers. Editors make the final decisions.

    Please make your submission below or through this form by August 7th to have your selection considered for the list. Please be as specific as possible in your submission.

    Please email Michelle Abrego at mabrego@businessinsider. com with any questions or issues submitting your nominations.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Ukraine aims to deploy squads of up to 20 sea drones to do the job of a warship, commander says

    A Sea Baby drone.
    A Sea Baby drone.

    • Without a conventional navy, Ukraine has looked to innovative ways to counter Russia's sea power. 
    • Ukraine's sea drones will soon work as squads to mimic a warship's capabilities, a commander said.
    • Sea drones have taken out a chunk of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, and damaged the Kerch Bridge. 

    Ukraine's sea drones are being marshaled into squads that can replicate the abilities of a single warship, a Ukrainian commander said.

    Brig Gen Ivan Lukashevych, the mastermind behind Ukraine's fleet of naval drones, described the move in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

    He said the squads, each with about 10-20 drones, will work in concert to combine multiple separate functions.

    "We do have a fleet, but it's divided into smaller elements," Lukashevych told the outlet.

    Lukashevych, who was appointed to lead a special unit for Ukraine's security service, said that previously naval drones were used primarily for surveillance or logistics.

    "We are doing many things that no one in the world has done" with the technology, he said.

    Ukraine was left without a conventional navy in 2014, after Russia's annexation of Crimea.

    The move stripped Ukraine of the bulk of its ships and any control of the port of Sevastopol, the headquarters of Russia's much-feared Black Sea Fleet.

    In response, and under Lukashevych's direction, Ukraine has developed several types of naval drones.

    These include the Sea Baby, credited with damaging the crucial Kerch Bridge last fall, and the Magura V5, six of which hunted down the corvette Ivanovets in February.

    Ukraine has also mounted a Grad multiple-launch rocket system on the back of a home-developed Sea Baby drone to hit land targets, as the Financial Times' Christopher Miller reported in May, citing an unnamed official.

    https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

    The idea of a drone squad replicating the tasks of a full warship is just the latest iteration in Ukraine's rapid development of sea drone capabilities.

    Under Lukashevych's direction, Ukraine has notched up a series of successful attacks using naval drones, and along with long-range anti-ship missiles they've destroyed or damaged a large portion of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

    In February, the UK said that 25% of Russia's vessels in the Black Sea had been sunk, damaged, or destroyed. Ukraine puts that number even higher.

    As a result of the regular strikes, Russia's fleet has been forced to limit operations out of Sevastopol and moved many of its warships to more distant ports, such as Novorossiysk last fall.

    Novorossiysk has notably poorer facilities than Sevastapol, and though the ships are still within cruise-missile striking distance of Ukraine, the time lag allows Ukraine's air defenses crucial time to react, as the Journal reported.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Princess Anne is in the hospital after suffering a head injury, Buckingham Palace says

    Princess Anne at Royal Ascot on June 20.
    Princess Anne at Royal Ascot on June 20.

    • Princess Anne is being treated for a head injury at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, UK. 
    • She sustained a concussion from an incident at Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.
    • King Charles has been closely informed about his sister's condition and recovery.

    Princess Anne is receiving hospital treatment for a head injury, according to Buckingham Palace.

    The king's sister, 73, "sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident" at her home in Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, England, the palace said.

    "Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery," the statement added.

    The spokesperson said King Charles, had been "closely informed" about the incident.

    This is a developing story. More to follow…

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un are getting closer — and China has reason to be worried

    Putin, Kim
    Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 19, 2024.

    • Russia entered into a new security pact with rogue state North Korea. 
    • It's an alliance likely being viewed with caution in Beijing, say analysts. 
    • China is anxious to avoid a flare-up on the Korean peninsula, they say. 

    Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently signed a defense pact to defend against what they characterized as the malign forces of US imperialism.

    But it's not just the US' allies in East Asia who appear alarmed by the new alliance between the authoritarian leaders.

    Anxiety appears to be growing in a state that's emerged as both Russia and North Korea's most important international ally: China.

    A muted response

    China's response to the pact, which saw Putin and Kim pledge to defend each other's countries if attacked, was revealingly muted.

    "The cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is a matter between two sovereign states. We do not have information on the relevant matter," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said.

    Analysts say that the alliance is likely being viewed warily by China's leader Xi Jinping, who fears his power will be eroded in the Korean peninsula.

    China had emerged as the "biggest loser" from the security pact, Danny Russel, who was the top US diplomat for Asia in the Obama administration, told The Associated Press.

    "Apart from irritation over Putin's intrusion into what most Chinese consider their sphere of influence, the real cost to China is that Russia's embrace gives North Korea greater impunity and room to maneuver without consideration to Beijing's interests," he said.

    An important ally

    China has long been North Korea's most important international ally, providing trade, diplomatic support, and military aid to Kim Jong Un.

    It's the only country in the world with which China has a joint defense pact.

    But in recent years, the relationship has become strained. North Korea has defied attempts by the international community to compel it to dismantle the nuclear weapons it menaced its neighbors with.

    Meanwhile, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has destabilized relations between Beijing and Pyongyang further.

    Kim and Xi
    Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un watch a large group callisthenics and art performance at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, DPRK, June 20, 2019.

    Russia is leaning on North Korea for supplies of badly-needed artillery for its forces in Ukraine, and in exchange, Russia appears to have shared with North Korea the satellite technology Kim has long coveted.

    It's a dynamic that's upset the delicate balance of power in the Korean peninsula.

    An emboldened Kim Jong Un

    Russia's extra military power could embolden Kim to act more erratically and aggressively. While China is willing to prop up North Korea, it's also keen to restrain Kim.

    With China's economy experiencing a rare downturn, Xi is anxious to avoid a flare-up in the Korean Peninsula and the Kremlin's new partnership with North Korea has reduced China's leverage.

    "The dilution of Chinese leverage means Kim Jong Un can disregard Beijing's calls for restraint," Russell told the AP, "and that is much more likely to create chaos at a time when (Chinese leader) Xi Jinping desperately wants stability."

    However, it's not just the impoverished North Korean regime that's reliant on its partnership with China. Russia has grown increasingly dependent on its own relationship with China since it invaded Ukraine.

    Amid sanctions and international isolation, China has continued to provide Russia with vital diplomatic support and, according to the US, dual-use goods for Russia's armaments industry.

    Like Russia and North Korea, China wants to damage US global power, and though it's stopped short of providing Russia with weapons, its support remains crucial.

    This means that China has enough influence over both Russia and North Korea to exert control over their new alliance.

    Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Washington-based Stimson Center think tank, told CNN that Beijing appeared unable to control the pace of Russia's new alliance with North Korea.

    However, "they do know that China plays an irreplaceable role for both Russia and North Korea," she said.

    China has considerable influence over both countries. It may have to use that influence sooner rather than later.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • A timeline of things going sour between Dave Grohl and Taylor Swift, as she appears to hit back at his suggestion she doesn’t play live

    Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl at London Stadium, and Taylor Swift performing at Wembley Stadium in the UK.
    Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl at London Stadium, and Taylor Swift performing at Wembley Stadium over the weekend.

    • Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl joked that Taylor Swift doesn't perform live. 
    • Swift appeared to respond by saying her band plays live for three and a half hours at each show.
    • The comments came after Swift fans harassed Grohl's teenage daughter earlier this year.

    Taylor Swift appeared to respond to Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl's accusation that she doesn't play live over the weekend, as relations between the two appear to have soured.

    On Sunday, Swift wrapped up the UK leg of her "Eras Tour," which is the highest-grossing tour of all time and proof of her immense star power. Before it kicked off, Barclays Bank estimated that it would inject £997 million ($1.26 billion) into the UK economy.

    However, her intense fan base is fiercely defensive of her and often harasses those who criticize her.

    Some fans speculated Grohl's comments were in response to Swift fans harassing his teenage daughter, Violet Grohl, over tweets she sent about the singer earlier this year.

    Here's a timeline of what's been said.

    May 2015: Grohl says he's 'obsessed' with Taylor Swift
    Dave Grohl at the 2015 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
    Dave Grohl at the 2015 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

    In 2015, the Foo Fighters and Swift both performed at BBC Radio One's "Big Weekend" in Norwich, UK.

    Grohl showed his support for her during his performance and joked that he was "obsessed" with her, BBC News reported.

    He told the crowd: "I'm officially obsessed. She might want to get a restraining order because I'm all about Swift. To my opening band, Taylor Swift. Taylor and the Swifts."

    January 2024: Violet Grohl deletes social media after criticizing Swift's carbon footprint
    Dave Grohl and Violet Grohl performing at Glastonbury 2023.
    Dave Grohl and Violet Grohl performing at Glastonbury 2023.

    Violet Grohl deleted her social media profiles in January after she criticized Swift for using a private jet to fly to "Eras Tour" performances. Swifts responded by trolling her and reportedly sending her death threats.

    In a since-deleted tweet, she wrote: "Why can't Taylor Swift just drive like everyone else."

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    A day later, she made separate comments about sexually explicit AI-generated images of Swift that were shared online, which led to more harassment.

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    June 2024: Grohl suggests Swift doesn't perform live
    Dave Grohl and Pat Smear at the Foo Fighters gig at London Stadium.
    Dave Grohl and Pat Smear at the Foo Fighters gig at London Stadium.

    At a Foo Fighters show in London on Saturday, Dave Grohl told the audience: "We were joking about the Taylor Swift tour earlier. I know that she's on her 'Eras' tour. I'm telling you, man, you don't want to suffer the wrath of Taylor Swift.

    "So we like to call our tour the 'Errors Tour. We've had more than a few eras, and more than a few fucking errors as well. Just a couple.

    "That's because we actually play live. What? Just saying. You guys like raw, live rock 'n' roll music, right? You came to the right fucking place."

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    June 2024: Swift appears to respond to Grohl
    Taylor Swift onstage at Wembley Stadium in London.
    Taylor Swift onstage at Wembley Stadium in London.

    Swift hasn't directly addressed Grohl's comments, but she appeared to respond while performing in London on Sunday.

    "Every one of my band members, every single one of our crew, my band who's gonna be playing live for you for 3.5 hours tonight, they deserve this so much.

    "And so does every one of my fellow performers. And you just gave that to us so generously, we will never forget it," she said.

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    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Russia appears to be placing military facilities near civilian areas in Crimea to deter Ukrainian strikes, experts say

    A still from a video shared by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces of ATACMS in use at night time
    A still from a video shared by the Ukrainian military of ATACMS in use.

    • Russia accused Ukraine of injuring civilians in an ATACMS attack on Crimea on Sunday.
    • Russia is likely placing military facilities near civilians to deter Ukrainian strikes, experts say.
    • Sevastopol's governor said four people were killed and 82 hospitalized as a result of the attack.

    Russia is likely placing military facilities near civilian areas in Crimea to try to deter further Ukrainian strikes, military analysts said.

    The influential Institute for the Study of War reached the conclusion in an assessment on Sunday, citing a reported strike against Sevastopol, where Russia has its Black Sea Fleet headquarters.

    On Sunday, Russia's Ministry of Defence accused Ukraine of launching five American-made MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, also known as ATACMS, with cluster warheads on civilian infrastructure in Sevastopol.

    Four ATACMS were shot down, it said, but the impact from a Russian air-defense interceptor caused one to deviate from its trajectory and its warhead to explode midair over the city.

    Fragments of cluster munitions injured more than 20 civilians, including children, it said, adding that the US was partly to blame.

    In a Telegram post on Sunday, Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol, said four people were killed, 151 sought medical help, and 82 were hospitalized as of 9 p.m. local time.

    Russian and Ukrainian sources appeared to confirm the missile strike, with some claiming cluster munitions landed near civilians.

    Ukrainian state broadcaster Suspilne said its sources heard explosions in the city of Yevpatoria.

    Crimean Wind, a pro-Ukrainian group that monitors information in Crimea, posted footage that it said showed explosions in Yevpatoria and near Vytine.

    Meanwhile, one Russian source claimed the attack hit the village of Lyubimovka, only kilometers away from beaches popular with vacationers and locals.

    Placing potential military targets near civilian infrastructure is a strategy Russia has leveraged in the past, with the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and schools in occupied Ukraine used to shield Russian military equipment, the ISW reported.

    However, in doing so, Russia is likely breaking its own International Humanitarian Law, which says that military command must refrain from placing military targets close to or in highly populated areas.

    Neither the ISW nor Business Insider could independently verify if Ukrainian forces used missiles armed with cluster munitions.

    The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Earlier this month, the ISW said that Ukraine's sustained attacks against Russian air defenses in Crimea could make the peninsula untenable as a military staging ground.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Ukraine destroyed columns of waiting Russian troops as soon as it was allowed to strike across the border, commander says

    A HIMARS rocket launching.
    A M142 HIMARS rocket in Ukraine.

    • Ukraine has destroyed columns of waiting Russian soldiers with HIMARS, a Ukrainian commander said.
    • He said they were targeted as soon as Ukraine got permission to use allied weapons across the border.
    • Experts say Ukraine's ability to use Western-supplied weapons on Russian soil is aiding its fightback.

    Ukraine has been able to destroy columns of Russian soldiers after it got permission from its allies to use their weapons to strike military targets across the border into Russia, a Ukrainian commander said.

    The artillery commander, with the call sign Hefastus, told the Associated Press that Ukrainian HIMARS started firing in the northern Kharkiv region as soon as Ukraine got permission.

    "The HIMARS were not silent for the whole day," he said, referring to the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

    Ukraine got permission from its allies last month to strike military targets in Russia with weapons they'd supplied, reversing a long-held restriction.

    "From the first days, Ukrainian forces managed to destroy whole columns of troops along the border waiting for the order to enter Ukraine," Hefastus said, according to the AP.

    He said Ukraine could not have achieved this without its new permissions, as regular ammunition cannot reach that far.

    Hefastus added that Ukraine was now able to destroy Russian command centers.

    His claims have not been independently verified.

    Even so, Ukraine appears to have used HIMARS to strike targets in Russia since the restrictions were lifted.

    Russia has also been stationing troops close to the border with Ukraine, ready to be called in to fight.

    Ukraine's deputy defense minister, Ivan Havryliuk, told the AP that at least 90,000 Russian troops deep in Russian territory were readying for a new assault when the restrictions were lifted.

    It's not clear if any of these were the troops allegedly hit by the HIMARS attacks.

    In the past, analysts described Ukraine as being forced to fight with one hand behind its back, with Russia using its own territory to resupply its forces and launch drone, missile, and aircraft attacks.

    This changed in May, when many of Ukraine's allies said that it could now use weapons they'd supplied to go after military targets on Russian soil.

    The US, which announced its policy change on May 30, did not go as far as some, but still said that Ukraine could use weapons it provided to hit into regions across the border from Kharkiv.

    This has allowed Ukraine to fight back more forcefully against a new Russian offensive that started in Kharkiv on May 10.

    Experts say this new reality has had a big impact there, particularly given the Russian border is so close to the fighting. Russia was able to resupply its forces with troops, ammunition, and equipment and Ukraine could do little to interfere.

    George Barros, a Russian military expert at the US-based Institute for the Study of War, told BI that within the first days there was a "positive difference."

    "They've actually helped blunt the Russian offensive at the heart," he said, with Ukraine able to launch "small tactical counterattacks."

    Some Russian attacks have been reduced, two Ukrainian officials told The Washington Post, but they added that air bases where it is launching attacks from are out of range of what the US permission allows Ukraine to hit.

    According to the AP, Ukraine's new strike abilities have "greatly slowed Russia's momentum," with local reports saying they have also allowed Ukrainian troops to push forward and reclaim some territory, although they are still under great pressure.

    Read the original article on Business Insider