David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
Battle for Mariupol back on after civilian convoy finally allowed out
Russian forces renewed their assault on the key Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Sunday just hours after a convoy of civilian refugees was finally allowed to leave, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greeted a U.S. congressional delegation headed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and accused the Kremlin of pursuing a "war of extermination." Published May 1, 2022
Civilian evacuation from besieged Ukrainian port of Mariupol underway, officials say
Civilians trapped in the grim battle for control of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol have been allowed to start leaving the city by besieging Russian forces, the United Nations and the Ukrainian government said Sunday. Published May 1, 2022
German push to cut Russian energy dependence shows results
Germany has made significant headway already in cutting its dependence on Russian fossil fuels since the start of the Ukrainian invasion in February, officials said Sunday. Published May 1, 2022
Leading Chinese drone maker DJI cuts off Russia, Ukraine
DJI Technology Co., the Chinese manufacturer who claims a massive share of the global market for commercial drones, said Wednesday it is suspending sales to Russia and Ukraine as the Kremlin's invasion of its neighbor enters its third month. Published April 27, 2022
U.S., allied military leaders defy Kremlin with new Ukraine aid plans
Russia's top diplomat and America's top defense official traded charges of saber-rattling Tuesday, as military leaders from the U.S. and more than three dozen allies met in Germany to discuss how to speed up arms flows to Ukraine as it seeks to halt a coming offensive by invading Russian troops in the east and south. Published April 26, 2022
American Cup represents a chess stress test
There is plenty of stress in classical chess, where the slightest misstep can lead to catastrophic loss and a single move can ruin seven hours of hard work. Published April 26, 2022
Joint Sweden, Finland bid for NATO expected within weeks
A joint application from Sweden and Finland to end their longstanding policy of neutrality and apply for NATO membership could be coming in a matter of weeks, according to press reports Monday from both countries. Published April 25, 2022
Russian general hints at broadening war aims
A senior Russian commander for the first time Friday openly suggested the Kremlin's territorial appetite extends beyond Ukraine as the invasion drags on into its third month. Published April 22, 2022
The (chess) kids are all right, judging from these games
Today's games give one fresh hope for the future of chess, with some marvelously creative and daring ideas from two young players who we hope will be giving us such pleasure for years to come. We wrote here last week of Maryland master Bijan Tahmassebi's fine performance finishing in a seven-way tie for first at the recent U.S. National High School Championships in Memphis. Published April 19, 2022
Missing-in-action Russian defense minister surfaces
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who has been most notable for his absence from the public eye for nearly all of the troubled eight-week invasion of Ukraine, surfaced Monday to defend the operation and insist Russian forces are on track to "liberate" two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. Published April 19, 2022
Iranian military shows off new drones, hardware in Tehran parade
Iran's military forces showcased a line of new weaponry in a major Tehran parade Monday, even as talks with the U.S. and other powers over Iran's nuclear programs hang in the balance. Published April 18, 2022
Pentagon backs Ukrainian claim that missile sunk Russian Black Sea flagship
U.S. officials said Friday they are increasingly convinced that a Ukrainian missile sank Russia's leading warship in the Black Sea this week, as Ukrainian officials announced that the Russian captain of the massive cruiser Moskva was among those killed in the strike. Published April 15, 2022
Sinking of storied flagship latest blow to Russian war push
An invasion of Ukraine that has not gone according to Russia's plans took another high-profile hit Thursday as the flagship of the Kremlin's Black Sea fleet sank and President Biden hinted he may visit Ukraine in the coming days to bolster the government of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Published April 14, 2022
Boris Johnson fined for breaking COVID rules in Britain’s ‘Partygate’
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and a top Cabinet aide are being fined for a series of social events that violated the Johnson government's own protocols at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, in a scandal that has come to be known as "Partygate." Published April 12, 2022
St. Louis University aces the test at college chess Final Four
We wrote recently about a welcome surge in quality chess programs at colleges around the country, but -- as with college football and hoops -- it's the blue bloods who are still claiming the big prizes for now. Published April 12, 2022
Russian reporter who protested war on the air has new job with German news company
The Russian television reporter who famously held up a poster during a live prime-time news broadcast protesting the war in Ukraine has a new job -- with a major German media company. Published April 11, 2022
Blinken ‘not overly optimistic’ as Iran deal talks drag on
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said Wednesday he was not "overly optimistic" that the U.S. and Iran can reach a deal to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, after weeks of speculation that a breakthrough in talks in Vienna was imminent. Published April 6, 2022
A Long March in April for Ding Liren, China’s No. 1 chess star
What was supposed to be a marathon has become a sprint for one of the world's best chess players as he hopes for a shot at the world title. Published April 5, 2022
Putin’s approval rate at home soars one month into Ukraine invasion
Western critics say his war is going badly, his economy is staggering and his advisers are misleading him. But Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval numbers at home are shooting up just over one month into his invasion of Ukraine, according to a new poll. Published March 31, 2022
Nakamura nabs slot in tourney to pick next chess title challenger
U.S. GM Hikaru Nakamura, after a long absence from over-the-board competition, has stormed back to snare one of the last two coveted slots on offer in the upcoming Candidates Tournament, the eight-grandmaster chess round-robin that will produce the next challenger to world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway. Published March 29, 2022
