Francesca Ebel
@francescaebel.bsky.social
I write about Russia and Ukraine for The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/francesca-ebel/
Ex Tunis correspondent. I like kickboxing, cool birds, good hats
Ex Tunis correspondent. I like kickboxing, cool birds, good hats
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
Statement from Post Guild Leadership: The Washington Post Guild condemns the unjust firing of columnist Karen Attiah
September 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Statement from Post Guild Leadership: The Washington Post Guild condemns the unjust firing of columnist Karen Attiah
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
Israel, which does not allow foreign journalists into Gaza…has killed 237 journalists since the war started, according to Gaza’s government media office.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 186 journalists have been killed in the Gaza conflict.
apple.news/At7CSM72NQWe...
The Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 186 journalists have been killed in the Gaza conflict.
apple.news/At7CSM72NQWe...
Anas al-Sharif, prominent Al Jazeera correspondent, among five journalists killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza — The Guardian
Israel admits deliberate attack on the journalist, known for frontline coverage, in a strike on a tent outside al-Shifa hospital
apple.news
August 11, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Israel, which does not allow foreign journalists into Gaza…has killed 237 journalists since the war started, according to Gaza’s government media office.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 186 journalists have been killed in the Gaza conflict.
apple.news/At7CSM72NQWe...
The Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 186 journalists have been killed in the Gaza conflict.
apple.news/At7CSM72NQWe...
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
Putin gets his first U.S. visit since the Bush administration, offers nothing in return Catherine Belton and @francescaebel.bsky.social report
He's wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and continues to attack Ukraine
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
He's wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and continues to attack Ukraine
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Russians cheer Putin’s Alaska invitation, envision no concessions on Ukraine
Ukrainian and European officials met with Vice President JD Vance to coordinate a response to Russia’s proposal.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Putin gets his first U.S. visit since the Bush administration, offers nothing in return Catherine Belton and @francescaebel.bsky.social report
He's wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and continues to attack Ukraine
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
He's wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and continues to attack Ukraine
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Derk Sauer, a Dutch journalist, publisher & entrepreneur who became an independent force in Russian media, founding the English-language Moscow Times and owning the Russian editions of major magazines including Cosmopolitan, Esquire & Playboy, died July 31
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
Derk Sauer, an independent force in Russian media, dies at 72
The Amsterdam native became a media magnate in Russia, where he founded the English-language Moscow Times and was later harassed by the authorities.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 1, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Derk Sauer, a Dutch journalist, publisher & entrepreneur who became an independent force in Russian media, founding the English-language Moscow Times and owning the Russian editions of major magazines including Cosmopolitan, Esquire & Playboy, died July 31
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
On a purely transactional level, the lesson from Armenia, Syria and now Iran is surely that being a Russian ally is a really bad thing to be.
June 18, 2025 at 9:48 AM
On a purely transactional level, the lesson from Armenia, Syria and now Iran is surely that being a Russian ally is a really bad thing to be.
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
Our beloved colleague Hajar Harb has been the beating heart of our Gaza coverage. Devastatingly, she has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We are raising money to help her family with medical bills for a truly special person. All money goes to them directly. www.justgiving.com/team/hajarharb
Fundraising for Hajar
Help Reem Akkad raise money to support My Child My Friend
www.justgiving.com
May 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Our beloved colleague Hajar Harb has been the beating heart of our Gaza coverage. Devastatingly, she has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We are raising money to help her family with medical bills for a truly special person. All money goes to them directly. www.justgiving.com/team/hajarharb
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
In Russian schools, the war on Ukraine is a noble mission inherited from WWII to rescue historically Russian lands from fascist invaders.
Francesca Ebel visits the children Putin is training to fly drones, launch RPGs and storm enemy positions to restore the nation to its Soviet-era greatness
Francesca Ebel visits the children Putin is training to fly drones, launch RPGs and storm enemy positions to restore the nation to its Soviet-era greatness
May 12, 2025 at 10:06 PM
In Russian schools, the war on Ukraine is a noble mission inherited from WWII to rescue historically Russian lands from fascist invaders.
Francesca Ebel visits the children Putin is training to fly drones, launch RPGs and storm enemy positions to restore the nation to its Soviet-era greatness
Francesca Ebel visits the children Putin is training to fly drones, launch RPGs and storm enemy positions to restore the nation to its Soviet-era greatness
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
Today marks three years since an Israeli soldier shot and killed US citizen and journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while she was wearing her press vest and covering the news.
The IDF has continued to target journalists with impunity. No one has been held accountable for Shireen's killing.
The IDF has continued to target journalists with impunity. No one has been held accountable for Shireen's killing.
May 11, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Today marks three years since an Israeli soldier shot and killed US citizen and journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while she was wearing her press vest and covering the news.
The IDF has continued to target journalists with impunity. No one has been held accountable for Shireen's killing.
The IDF has continued to target journalists with impunity. No one has been held accountable for Shireen's killing.
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
Our courageous and beloved Gaza colleague Hajar Harb is fighting stage four cancer. Our excellent colleague @reemakkad.bsky.social has organized this fundraiser to help Hajar and her family with expenses.
Please read and consider. Just sharing helps.
www.justgiving.com/page/hajarharb
Please read and consider. Just sharing helps.
www.justgiving.com/page/hajarharb
Support for Hajar Harb and Her Family
Help Reem Akkad raise money to support My Child My Friend
www.justgiving.com
May 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Our courageous and beloved Gaza colleague Hajar Harb is fighting stage four cancer. Our excellent colleague @reemakkad.bsky.social has organized this fundraiser to help Hajar and her family with expenses.
Please read and consider. Just sharing helps.
www.justgiving.com/page/hajarharb
Please read and consider. Just sharing helps.
www.justgiving.com/page/hajarharb
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
Set out to report this story & truly didn’t expect Kremlin’s militarization of education to be as intense as reported. But it was quite shocking to see it first-hand
My latest fr @washingtonpost.com on how classrooms & libraries are becoming training grounds
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
My latest fr @washingtonpost.com on how classrooms & libraries are becoming training grounds
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
In wartime Russia, schools prepare the next generation of fighters
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian education system has cranked the patriotic themes into overdrive, seeking to mold the soldiers of tomorrow.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Set out to report this story & truly didn’t expect Kremlin’s militarization of education to be as intense as reported. But it was quite shocking to see it first-hand
My latest fr @washingtonpost.com on how classrooms & libraries are becoming training grounds
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
My latest fr @washingtonpost.com on how classrooms & libraries are becoming training grounds
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Set out to report this story & truly didn’t expect Kremlin’s militarization of education to be as intense as reported. But it was quite shocking to see it first-hand
My latest fr @washingtonpost.com on how classrooms & libraries are becoming training grounds
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
My latest fr @washingtonpost.com on how classrooms & libraries are becoming training grounds
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
In wartime Russia, schools prepare the next generation of fighters
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian education system has cranked the patriotic themes into overdrive, seeking to mold the soldiers of tomorrow.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Set out to report this story & truly didn’t expect Kremlin’s militarization of education to be as intense as reported. But it was quite shocking to see it first-hand
My latest fr @washingtonpost.com on how classrooms & libraries are becoming training grounds
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
My latest fr @washingtonpost.com on how classrooms & libraries are becoming training grounds
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
⚡⚡ At least nine people have been killed and dozens wounded in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv, one of the deadliest attacks on the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its invasion more than three years ago.
Read more: www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/24/r...
Read more: www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/24/r...
April 24, 2025 at 6:14 AM
⚡⚡ At least nine people have been killed and dozens wounded in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv, one of the deadliest attacks on the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its invasion more than three years ago.
Read more: www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/24/r...
Read more: www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/24/r...
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
Big feature from Politico on how Russia is using chess to further its occupation of Ukraine
“FIDE has turned a blind eye,” @phchess.bsky.social
added. “This is not about children playing chess; it’s about Russia institutionalizing occupation through sport.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
“FIDE has turned a blind eye,” @phchess.bsky.social
added. “This is not about children playing chess; it’s about Russia institutionalizing occupation through sport.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
The czar’s gambit: How Putin uses chess
Troubling links exist between Moscow’s war machine and the leadership of the iconic strategy game.
www.politico.eu
April 23, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Big feature from Politico on how Russia is using chess to further its occupation of Ukraine
“FIDE has turned a blind eye,” @phchess.bsky.social
added. “This is not about children playing chess; it’s about Russia institutionalizing occupation through sport.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
“FIDE has turned a blind eye,” @phchess.bsky.social
added. “This is not about children playing chess; it’s about Russia institutionalizing occupation through sport.”
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
An American citizen jailed in Russia, Ksenia Karelina, is returning home to the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian prison colony for treason after she donated about $50 to a U.S.-based Ukrainian charity.
Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian prison colony for treason after she donated about $50 to a U.S.-based Ukrainian charity.
Russia frees American Ksenia Karelina as diplomatic talks begin
Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was sentenced to 12 years in a prison colony for treason. Her lawyer said she was freed as part of a prison exchange.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 10, 2025 at 11:01 AM
An American citizen jailed in Russia, Ksenia Karelina, is returning home to the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian prison colony for treason after she donated about $50 to a U.S.-based Ukrainian charity.
Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian prison colony for treason after she donated about $50 to a U.S.-based Ukrainian charity.
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
Ahead of my book on the history of Russia's Illegals programme coming out next week, here's a taste in Guardian Longread form.
‘I am not who you think I am’: how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ap...
‘I am not who you think I am’: how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ap...
‘I am not who you think I am’: how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son
The long read: For the first time, the man the KGB codenamed ‘the Inheritor’ tells his story
www.theguardian.com
April 10, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Ahead of my book on the history of Russia's Illegals programme coming out next week, here's a taste in Guardian Longread form.
‘I am not who you think I am’: how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ap...
‘I am not who you think I am’: how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ap...
“When the middle brother fights with his older brother, as younger brothers, we naturally do everything possible to ensure that the family is in order and that there is no discord”
Dispatch from a recent rare assignment to Belarus —
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Dispatch from a recent rare assignment to Belarus —
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
March 17, 2025 at 2:44 PM
“When the middle brother fights with his older brother, as younger brothers, we naturally do everything possible to ensure that the family is in order and that there is no discord”
Dispatch from a recent rare assignment to Belarus —
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Dispatch from a recent rare assignment to Belarus —
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
A senior Kremlin official admitted that there will “definitely be those who are unhappy” with Russia’s normalization of a bilateral dialogue with the US. “This is a very, very convinced part of the society.”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
If peace comes, Putin could face the ire of his most hard-line backers
Vladimir Putin convinced many in Russia that there was an existential battle against the U.S. Now they have to deal with a thaw in U.S.-Russian relations.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 14, 2025 at 10:22 AM
A senior Kremlin official admitted that there will “definitely be those who are unhappy” with Russia’s normalization of a bilateral dialogue with the US. “This is a very, very convinced part of the society.”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
A U.S. greencard holder of Palestinian origin, active in Columbia's student encampment, was arrested by ICE yesterday from his home, separated from his 8-month pregnant wife, told his greencard would be revoked, and taken into custody.
America today. apnews.com/article/colu...
America today. apnews.com/article/colu...
ICE arrests Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests, his lawyer says
A prominent Palestinian activist who helped lead last spring's protests at Columbia University has been arrested by federal immigration agents.
apnews.com
March 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
A U.S. greencard holder of Palestinian origin, active in Columbia's student encampment, was arrested by ICE yesterday from his home, separated from his 8-month pregnant wife, told his greencard would be revoked, and taken into custody.
America today. apnews.com/article/colu...
America today. apnews.com/article/colu...
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
Spoke with @theguardian.com Today in Focus about Trump's embrace of Russia and the cutoff in aid to Ukraine. “Trump is such a singular political force right now that he’s managing to repaint many aspects of the argument over Ukraine in American political life." www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
How far will Trump’s embrace of Russia go? – podcast
The US has suspended all military aid to Ukraine. What does this mean for European security? Andrew Roth reports
www.theguardian.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Spoke with @theguardian.com Today in Focus about Trump's embrace of Russia and the cutoff in aid to Ukraine. “Trump is such a singular political force right now that he’s managing to repaint many aspects of the argument over Ukraine in American political life." www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
I’ve been back & forth to Russia a fair bit the last few months, and I could never have imagined some of the convos I’ve had this week in Moscow. Even a month or two ago this rhetoric would have seemed totally far-fetched and fanciful. Things shifting fast here.
wapo.st/3QGplPj
wapo.st/3QGplPj
Washington now ‘largely aligns’ with Moscow’s vision, Kremlin says
Tension between the United States and Ukraine, laid bare in the Oval Office meeting of Trump and Zelensky, is seen in Moscow as a “gift.”
wapo.st
March 2, 2025 at 11:40 PM
I’ve been back & forth to Russia a fair bit the last few months, and I could never have imagined some of the convos I’ve had this week in Moscow. Even a month or two ago this rhetoric would have seemed totally far-fetched and fanciful. Things shifting fast here.
wapo.st/3QGplPj
wapo.st/3QGplPj
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
KREMLIN SAYS WASHINGTON NOW LARGELY ALIGNS WITH RUSSIA Sees tension between the United States and Ukraine, laid bare in Trump-Zelensky meeting, as an unexpected, potentially transformative "gift" @francescaebel.bsky.social reports from Moscow
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Washington now ‘largely aligns’ with Moscow’s vision, Kremlin says
Tension between the United States and Ukraine, laid bare in the Oval Office meeting of Trump and Zelensky, is seen in Moscow as a “gift.”
www.washingtonpost.com
March 2, 2025 at 11:05 PM
KREMLIN SAYS WASHINGTON NOW LARGELY ALIGNS WITH RUSSIA Sees tension between the United States and Ukraine, laid bare in Trump-Zelensky meeting, as an unexpected, potentially transformative "gift" @francescaebel.bsky.social reports from Moscow
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
‘We’re witnessing the self-sabotage of the United States. “America First” always meant America alone, a predatory America whose role in the world is no longer based on democratic belief.’ www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
At Least Now We Know the Truth
It’s ugly, but necessary to face.
www.theatlantic.com
March 1, 2025 at 2:34 AM
‘We’re witnessing the self-sabotage of the United States. “America First” always meant America alone, a predatory America whose role in the world is no longer based on democratic belief.’ www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
'A senior Kremlin official told me yesterday that even Moscow is surprised by President Donald Trump; that they had expected change, but not “such tremendous change.”' www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Live updates: Trump cancels news conference with Zelensky after contentious Oval Office meeting
The latest news on President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the new Congress.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 28, 2025 at 7:21 PM
'A senior Kremlin official told me yesterday that even Moscow is surprised by President Donald Trump; that they had expected change, but not “such tremendous change.”' www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Francesca Ebel
It’s not always clear to readers that the news and opinions sections are walled off. Hard news remains hard news, and in my 10 years at The Post, I’ve not seen any evidence of Bezos interfering with our hard news coverage. Believe me, if it happens, I will tell you about it. 1/
SCOOP: WaPo Opinion editor David Shipley is out. Jeff Bezos emails staff about a change to Post Opinions: "We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets."
February 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
It’s not always clear to readers that the news and opinions sections are walled off. Hard news remains hard news, and in my 10 years at The Post, I’ve not seen any evidence of Bezos interfering with our hard news coverage. Believe me, if it happens, I will tell you about it. 1/