Global affairs correspondent for @guardian in Washington DC. Ex-Moscow via London. Здесь нам не тут. Write me: Andrew.Roth@theguardian.com Signal: andrewroth.38

Washington DC
I dug in to Musk's dismantling of USAid because it shows his playbook for capturing the whole federal government. What surprised me was his direct involvement in the operation. For example, he demanded suspension of 57 career officers by phone last Monday. theguardian.com/us-news/2025…
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We interviewed survivors who escaped Russian-occupied #Oleshky in the last few weeks. They survived on 1 spoon or cup of food a day. Some ate grass & plants for sustenance. Many described horrific scenes which I found difficult to write about. washingtonpost.com/world/202…
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The potential goals of the Russian campaign, according to the document seen by the Guardian, go from “degrading [Ukrainians’] quality of life” to fully shutting off water supply, causing the “deterioration of sanitary conditions and the forced outflow of residents from cities.”
"This year, however, Russia appears to be putting those plans into practice. On Tuesday night, Russian strikes hit three major power plants in the Kyiv region – Combined Heat and Power Plants 4 and 5, and the Trypillya Thermal Power Plant in the Kyiv region – as well as a major electrical substation that transfers electricity from two of the country’s main nuclear power plants to the capital. Those, along with other substations that make up the “Kyiv energy ring” that helps bring electricity from across the country to the capital, have all been targets of a Russian barrage that, if it succeeds, could threaten a humanitarian catastrophe in a city of 3 million people... Economic Pravda, a leading Ukrainian news site that covers business, reported on Thursday that the three major power plants in Kyiv no longer have the ability to generate electricity, leaving the city more reliant on electricity brought from elsewhere in the country (the government generally does not confirm specific damage to critical infrastructure). The outlets’ experts predicted that, given a moderate winter and quick repairs of damaged substations, Kyiv residents could face up to eight hours of blackouts a day. Its worst case scenario of frigid temperatures and frequent attacks would leave Kyiv in the dark for up to 20 hours a day." @Andrew__Roth epravda.com.ua/energetika/en… theguardian.com/world/2026/o…
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"This year, however, Russia appears to be putting those plans into practice. On Tuesday night, Russian strikes hit three major power plants in the Kyiv region – Combined Heat and Power Plants 4 and 5, and the Trypillya Thermal Power Plant in the Kyiv region – as well as a major electrical substation that transfers electricity from two of the country’s main nuclear power plants to the capital. Those, along with other substations that make up the “Kyiv energy ring” that helps bring electricity from across the country to the capital, have all been targets of a Russian barrage that, if it succeeds, could threaten a humanitarian catastrophe in a city of 3 million people... Economic Pravda, a leading Ukrainian news site that covers business, reported on Thursday that the three major power plants in Kyiv no longer have the ability to generate electricity, leaving the city more reliant on electricity brought from elsewhere in the country (the government generally does not confirm specific damage to critical infrastructure). The outlets’ experts predicted that, given a moderate winter and quick repairs of damaged substations, Kyiv residents could face up to eight hours of blackouts a day. Its worst case scenario of frigid temperatures and frequent attacks would leave Kyiv in the dark for up to 20 hours a day." @Andrew__Roth epravda.com.ua/energetika/en… theguardian.com/world/2026/o…
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"There’s a very high chance that Russia tries to break us this winter.” Wrote about the intercepted Russian planning documents to knock out power, water, and other utilities in Ukraine's cities this winter, and how that plan now looks like the reality. theguardian.com/world/2026/o…
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To be clear: Some facts are neither in dispute nor unclear. Our photographer was clearly marked as Press. She was clearly beaten. These are not partisan or risible statements, but indisputable. We urge a thorough investigation and accountability.
The Prime Minister’s Office: The facts surrounding the confrontation near Abu Falah, during which Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was allegedly assaulted, remain unclear and are under investigation. Israel unequivocally condemns violence against anyone—Jews, Arabs, Christians or journalists. Those responsible will be held accountable. But serious questions remain. Reports indicate some 200 Arabs and far-left activists confronted approximately 40 Israeli youths. Footage shows masked individuals on both sides hurling objects, amid reports of fireworks fired at Jewish youths. Other footage appears to show Levine knocked down and immediately helped to her feet by the same unidentified individual. The investigation must establish the facts, including who initiated the violence. We will not allow disputed incidents to be exploited to demonize the hundreds of thousands of law-abiding Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria. The facts must determine the conclusions. Not the headlines.
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The Trump admin pressured multiple countries to withdraw their sponsorship of a leading European conference on disinformation, with Canada, Lithuania and the EU’s diplomatic service subsequently agreeing to do so, the Guardian has learned W/ @AishaKDown theguardian.com/us-news/2026…
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Ukraine’s @FedorovMykhailo tells me the country needs its own “new Manhattan Project” and that Ukraine can’t afford to restrict/slow down AI on its battlefields. “Our biggest concern is that our enemy, Russia, will move faster toward AI robots” washingtonpost.com/world/202…
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Andrew Roth retweeted
Russian drones hit a major bridge and a school in Kyiv this morning alone. The mood here has darkened markedly in recent weeks, as Moscow appears intent on making the city unlivable by winter
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Central Kyiv choked w smoke today after strikes on Academy of Sciences & a medical center. Outside Dobrobut center, stunned medical staff were sent running for cover after air alarm began & a 3rd explosion crashed into the city Kyiv is without a doubt becoming a frontline city.
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the idea that the Department of Defense could own more than a third of a Venezuelan oil company, or any oil company, would have been unthinkable in any previous US administration. theguardian.com/us-news/2026…
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Andrew Roth retweeted
An American interviewer asked Count Binface where he stands on the British political spectrum. 👇
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After another, quieter, week of layoffs impacting local staff, the Washington Post has now laid off all of its reporters who have covered Gaza full time since 2023. This is a choice about what coverage and whose voices matter.
Been laid off. Grateful for the experience, proud of my contributions giving voice to people from this part of the world, and forever cherishing the friendships I made and will never lose. Please connect with me if you think you have a suitable work opportunity for me.
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Spent the day with Armenian oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan, whose estate is packed with tigers, lions and alligators. He's building the world's largest Jesus and hopes to attract Trump. For now, it sits in pieces outside Yerevan theguardian.com/world/2026/j…
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Senior admin official on Iran deal: "We are prepared to release frozen funds and... prepared to [lift] sanctions and we'll do some small gestures of that in the beginning if they make some small gestures to us that show that they're willing to meet their commitments as well."
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NEW YORK CITY, YOU LISTEN TO ME. IF YOU'RE NEAR A CONVENIENCE STORE RIGHT NOW, ANY TYPE OF 24-HOUR STORE, GO INTO THE STORE RIGHT NOW AND PUT YOUR HAND IN THE CASH REGISTER FOR NO REASON.
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NEW: A Guardian review of thousands of DOJ-released Epstein records found that Ben Black— now the Senate-confirmed head of the $205bn @DFCgov — once invested in the same company as Epstein and maintained social ties with him for years afterward. theguardian.com/us-news/2026…
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Viktor Orbán heads to the US in June, where family members already live, while loyalists seek MAGA think-tank jobs and visas after the election defeat. Meanwhile, oligarchs & cronies are shifting wealth abroad, largely to the Middle East. @floragaramvolgy theguardian.com/world/2026/a…
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