Kyiv in the dark; SBU embroiled in a corruption scandal ◼ Day-long power outages brought Kyiv residents to the streets. People in several districts of the capital staged demonstrations and blocked roads. There was no reliable power supply for almost five days, with power coming back only for short periods of time. Kiev's combined heat and power (CHP) plants have been unable to restore production, and continued attacks by the Russian armed forces on energy infrastructure are complicating repair efforts. We discuss how life without electricity provokes open dissatisfaction among the capital's residents. ◼ A new corruption scandal has hit the leadership of the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine). The NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine) and the SAPO (Specialized Anti-Corruption Office) released materials from "Operation Carthage. "The investigation involves General Sergey Duka, Alexander Kovalchuk and Anton Kravchuk. According to investigators, these security officials took bribes to provide cover for fraudulent call centers, drug trafficking, and the production of counterfeit cigarettes and counterfeit currency. At least 12 people were involved in the crime. The members of the group are also suspected of committing assaults, kidnappings and beatings. ◼ Torture chambers in Ukraine and the role of the security services. Human rights advocates began documenting the secret detention and torture of people by Ukrainian security forces as early as a decade ago. In this chapter, we revisit the issue and discuss the responsibilities of the leadership of the security services and senior officials. Could such facilities exist for years without the knowledge and protection of those in power? Why did reports of torture fail to lead to thorough investigations or the punishment of those responsible? ◼ Trump loses the Republican majority in Congress.

Kyiv in the dark; SBU embroiled in a corruption scandal ◼ Day-long power outages brought Kyiv residents to the streets. People in several districts of the capital staged demonstrations and blocked roads. There was no reliable power supply for almost five days, with power coming back only for short periods of time. Kiev's combined heat and power (CHP) plants have been unable to restore production, and continued attacks by the Russian armed forces on energy infrastructure are complicating repair efforts. We discuss how life without electricity provokes open dissatisfaction among the capital's residents. ◼ A new corruption scandal has hit the leadership of the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine). The NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine) and the SAPO (Specialized Anti-Corruption Office) released materials from "Operation Carthage. "The investigation involves General Sergey Duka, Alexander Kovalchuk and Anton Kravchuk. According to investigators, these security officials took bribes to provide cover for fraudulent call centers, drug trafficking, and the production of counterfeit cigarettes and counterfeit currency. At least 12 people were involved in the crime. The members of the group are also suspected of committing assaults, kidnappings and beatings. ◼ Torture chambers in Ukraine and the role of the security services. Human rights advocates began documenting the secret detention and torture of people by Ukrainian security forces as early as a decade ago. In this chapter, we revisit the issue and discuss the responsibilities of the leadership of the security services and senior officials. Could such facilities exist for years without the knowledge and protection of those in power? Why did reports of torture fail to lead to thorough investigations or the punishment of those responsible? ◼ Trump loses the Republican majority in Congress.