Ukraine

Violinist Vera Lytovchenko is opening up about her astoundingly brave performance in a Ukrainian bomb shelter, and despite deadly attacks in her hometown ... says she won't back down to the Russians.

Vera, a member of the Kharkiv City Opera Orchestra, joined us Thursday from Kharkiv, where 21 civilians had been killed earlier in the day. While Vera and most of her neighbors are sheltering, she's tugged at heartstrings around the world with a performance that's gone viral.

She told us on "TMZ Live" she got the idea to play music in her local bomb shelter from one of her violin students ... who did the same thing in a train station. Vera says she thought, "This young girl, 18 years old, is so brave. I can do something like this."

She hoped it could make a difference and keep people's minds off of the horrors of the Russian invasion ... and after posting some clips she found her comment section flooded with powerful messages.

Vera says she's been told her music is helping fellow Ukrainians who feel alone in these uncertain times.

The war literally hit too close to home for Vera recently when a bomb went off near her apartment. She's used social media to show the destruction.

Even in the face of that danger, she explained why she'll never leave Kharkiv. Saying her grandmother's grave is a few blocks away.

Vera is working with a friend to raise money for local musicians who've been affected by the war ... and says the money raised will help rebuild the music college, the conservatory and even go to struggling music students.

Jack Dorsey is making another big donation ... and this time he's sending money to organizations helping with the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

The former Twitter CEO and founder just donated $7 million to benefit Ukrainians impacted by Vladimir Putin's war, and he's spreading the dough around evenly to 7 different initiatives.

The money is flowing through Jack's fund Start Small, LLC ... and it's the same fund he's used before to donate $3 million to Colin Kaepernick's legal defense initiative and $1 billion to COVID-19 relief.

Jack's $1 million donations are going to the following organizations:

- Nova Ukraine ... a humanitarian aid workgroup on the ground in Ukraine since 2014, run by a group of Silicon Valley-based Ukrainians who work in the tech industry

- CARE ... a crisis fund providing food, water, hygiene kits and more to 4 million Ukrainians, with an emphasis on women, families and the elderly

- World Central Kitchen ... a collection of chefs and others serving thousands of fresh meals to Ukrainians

- Sunflower of Peace ... a group distributing first-aid kits, medicine and medical instruments to paramedics and doctors in war-torn areas of Ukraine

- Razom ... crisis relief workers providing life-saving medical supplies and humanitarian aid and helping Ukraine rebuild

- Mery Corps ... a global team of humanitarians providing emergency cash assistance and connecting people on the move with information, like where to access basic services and find safe routes in Ukraine, Romania and Poland

-GlobalGiving ... a crisis relief fund supporting humanitarian assistance in impacted communities in Ukraine and surrounding regions where refugees are fleeing

All that remains on the surface is smoldering wreckage, but underneath this theater, in Ukraine, more than 1,000 civilians are sheltered trying to survive another wave of Russian shelling.

Russian bomber planes demolished the theater Wednesday in the southern city of Mariupol, and images of the aftermath are devastating when you realize somewhere between 1,000 and 1,200 peaceful Ukrainians were inside hiding for their lives.

The number of casualties is unclear, although Parliament of Ukraine member Dmytro Gurin told BBC, "It looks like most of them have survived," noting the basement where many are taking cover remains standing.

The Mariupol mayor's office says emergency workers are still struggling to get to the building due to constant shelling.

This latest airstrike on defenseless civilians comes after Russia's previous attacks on a church, apartment buildings and a maternity hospital.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia targeted the theater deliberately, and added, "Our hearts are broken by what Russia is doing to our people. To our Mariupol."

Satellite photos taken on Monday -- 2 days before the attack -- showed the Russian word for "children" written on the ground, warning Russian jets to avoid the building.

Local authorities say at least 2,400 people have been killed in Mariupol since the war began.

An estimated 300,000 residents are trapped in the city, while gas, electricity and water have been cut off.

Here's the most unlikely reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- a "rapper" spitting bars in a TX city council meeting about killing Putin and riding hard for Zelenskyy.

Alex Stein, best known as internet comedian Primetimestein, heated up Tuesday's meeting in Plano, Texas by dropping some seriously anti-Putin lyrics to the council members -- and you can tell from their faces ... this wasn't the meeting they expected.

Armed with a Bluetooth speaker, Alex rapped ... "Gas prices are way too high, Putin’s got to die, put a bullet in Putin’s head."

The council members weren't exactly feeling it -- not a single head was bobbing, but Alex persisted for more than 2 minutes.

Alex wrapped up by thanking the council, and shouting out Sen. Lindsey Graham for calling on the Russian people to assassinate Putin.

As Graham put it earlier this month, "The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. You would be doing your country and the world a great service."

Congressman Mike Quigley is applauding President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for standing up to Vladimir Putin, and says the Russians -- and maybe the world -- seriously underestimated Ukraine's leader.

The U.S. Rep from Illinois joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live" after he'd witnessed Zelensky state his case to Congress for more military assistance to defend his country from Putin's invasion ... and came away impressed.

Rep. Quigley says Zelensky's courage has managed to unite NATO in only a few weeks, despite the fact Ukraine is not even a member nation, and he's proving Putin made a huge miscalculation by taking him lightly.

As we reported ... Zelensky made an impassioned speech to Quigley and hundreds of his fellow colleagues in Congress, pleading for the U.S. and NATO to help to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine in hopes of stopping the Russians from bombing civilians.

Rep. Quigley's Chicago constituents include a neighborhood known as Ukrainian Village, and he's had conversations with Zelensky prior to today's speech.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his case to the United States Congress Wednesday for more aid in defending his homeland, and he zeroed in on the closest American equivalencies -- Pearl Harbor and 9/11.

Zelensky spoke by zoom to members who were not in the House Chamber -- where they usually have joint sessions of Congress -- they were all in the Capitol Visitors Center Congressional Auditorium. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced Zelensky with the same words she uses to intro our own Prez -- "It is my high privilege and distinct honor to present to you President Volodymyr Zelensky. She ended her introduction with "Glory to Ukraine." She tried to get members to chant the phrase, but they didn't.

Members were riveted as members heard Zelenksy's plea for aid. He presented a heartbreaking video of the toll the war has taken ... buildings bombed, civilians killed, buildings destroyed. It was difficult to watch, but it powerfully made his point.

Zelensky also invoked the name of Martin Luther King Jr., by quoting from the "I Have a Dream" speech.

Just a side note ... Zelensky's background in the entertainment industry can't be ignored. Presenting a highly-produced, emotional video with a solemn music bed.

Zelensky, who initially spoke in his native language, switched it up and spoke English, as he explained his country was fighting not just for its own freedom but for the freedom of Europe. He made the point freedom is not always internal ... it depends on what goes on around you.

He made it clear ... his people will not give up.

Here's a new low for Vladimir Putin's monstrous minions -- drone footage shows Russian soldiers opening fire on an unarmed civilian as he was attempting to surrender.

The video, obtained by a German TV station, shows the Ukrainian man driving down a road when he spots Russian soldiers in a tank. The man pulled over and put his hands in the air but it didn't stop the Russians from executing him.

According to the German station ZDF ... this terrifying scene went down March 7 on a highway west of Kyiv. What's particularly chilling about the video is the fact the man seemed to be giving himself up. His hands were already up when he stepped out of his car.

The invaders couldn't care less, and mercilessly decided to shoot to kill.

The Russians showed zero remorse and tossed the man's lifeless body into a ditch on the roadside. A woman and child reportedly witnessed the entire scene, but it's not clear from the video where they were during the shooting.

Netflix is giving viewers what they want -- and that would apparently be another taste of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's TV show that launched him into stardom ... and then the presidency.

The streaming giant announced Wednesday that 'Servant of the People' has been reintroduced to its library, saying ... "You asked and it’s back!"

It followed with a description of the show ... a teacher unexpectedly becomes President of Ukraine after a video of him complaining about corruption goes viral. Of course ... life ended up imitating art for Zelensky soon thereafter.

Netflix is running 2 seasons and change. This isn't the first go-round for "SOTP" on Netflix ... it was on its menu from 2017 to 2021.

There's intense interest in Zelensky, both with his ascendency to power and his evolution as a leader who now shows shades of Winston Churchill.

BTW ... the show is subtitled ... although there are moments when the cast breaks into English...

Joanna Krupa has skin in the game over Ukraine seeing how she has roots in neighboring Poland ... which is where her husband has gone to help, and where she'll join as well.

We talked to the model/ex-'Housewives' star Tuesday in Malibu about her send-off message to hubby, Douglas Nunes, who recently flew to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees flee the country as Russia continues to invade.

It sounds like Douglas felt compelled to get over there and lend a hand ... and based on what his wife says  ... it seems like his assistance will go a long way, especially for orphaned kids in need of transport and animals in desperate straits.

You can tell this hits home for Joanna, who says she's incredibly proud of her people for stepping up ... by opening their doors to Ukrainians looking for safe haven.

There's also this ... sounds like JK will trade places with her husband soon. She'll wait for Douglas to come back so he can take care of their young daughter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not just a war hero in his own country, he's now recognized as such around the world, and it's more than evident by the incredible ovation he received from the Canadian Parliament.

Zelensky appeared via zoom before the governmental body, appealing for aid. when he was done, everyone, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, rose to their feet with thunderous applause that lasted not one, not 2 but 3 full minutes.

Zelensky's speech was rousing. He pointed out 97 children have died in Ukraine in the last 20 days. He asked how Canadians would feel if Russian forces decided to take over Vancouver or attack the popular CN Tower in Toronto.

He even echoed his previous call for a no-fly zone over Ukraine ... hoping to put an end to airstrikes from Russian attackers.

Russia's bombings have caused devastation across the country ... including the bombing of a maternity hospital that killed 3 ...  including a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

Veteran Fox News photographer, Pierre Zakrzewski, is dead after his vehicle took fire while covering the war in Ukraine.

The tragic incident happened Monday in Horenka, a town outside Kyiv, where Zakrzewski had been traveling with Fox correspondent, Benjamin Hall, and Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra Kurshynova, just before their vehicle was hit by incoming fire.

Pierre and Oleksandra were both killed during the attack, while Benjamin lost part of his leg and remains hospitalized.

Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott announced the devastating news Tuesday, writing in a memo to staff ... "Pierre was a war zone photographer who covered nearly every international story for Fox News from Iraq to Afghanistan to Syria during his long tenure with us. His passion and talent as a journalist were unmatched."

Pierre had been working on the ground in Ukraine, since February.

This comes on the heels of the death of filmmaker and journalist Brent Renaud. He was on a assignment for Time magazine when he was killed Sunday during a Russian assault on Irpin, Ukraine.

Pierre was 55.

For Ukrainian refugee Anastasiia Chuba, the constant gunfire and bombings back home in Kyiv aren't the scariest things happening ... it's murder and rape that have haunted her.

Anastasiia managed to escape the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, landing Monday at LAX with her daughter, Sasha ... and she tells our photog a harrowing account of what's going on in their hometown.

It's pretty grim ... Anastasiia says she was confined to a basement for the last 10 days, which is no place to raise a child, with the sounds of bombs exploding and guns firing ringing out day and night.

Even worse, Anastasiia says the advancing Russian forces are raping young girls in Kyiv ... and she says the invaders are also murdering Ukrainians.

You can see the emotion building up in Anastasiia as she gives a first-hand account of what life is like for her Ukrainian brothers and sisters stuck in a war zone ... and the dangers they face.

She's keeping it together and is clearly a strong woman ... but the rapes and murders are what tug at her emotion ... and she tears up telling us what she's seen as she holds her daughter.

Like most refugees, Anastasiia has no plan for what she'll do in America ... she hasn't had time to think about it ... but she wants to find a way to help those struggling to stay alive back home.

She says her husband is protecting the family home, where her parents are still sequestered, and she hopes he's still alive when she goes back to Ukraine.

Anastasiia isn't sure what the average American can do to stop the war, but she has a message for the Russians ... telling them to rise up against Vladimir Putin and overthrow the government, like the Ukrainians did in 2014 when they didn't like their leadership.

The revolt paved the way for Volodymyr Zelenskyy's presidency a few years later ... and Anastasiia says he's united the country like never before, and hopes the Russians do the same.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is showing once again why he's being hailed as an exceptional leader at an impossible time for his country ... offering condolences to the family of a U.S. journalist killed during the conflict.

On Sunday, it was announced Brent Renaud, an acclaimed filmmaker and former NY Times journalist, was shot and killed in Ukraine after Russian forces allegedly opened fire on his vehicle. It's been reported he was gathering information for a report on refugees.

A letter, sent from Zelensky to Renaud's family reads, "A talented and brave journalist, Brent lost his life while documenting human tragedy, devastation and suffering of the millions of Ukrainians. With all his courage and determination, he traveled to the most dangerous war zones to film the unprecedented ruthlessness and evil, also inflicted upon our nation by the aggressor state."

Zelensky continues, "The people of Ukraine, who are fighting against the Russian regime to defend their Homeland and democracy in the world, are mourning with you."

As for some of his other accomplishments -- Renaud's "Last Chance High" on HBO was a series that profiled at-risk youth on Chicago's West Side ... the series went on to win a Peabody Award.

Tech entrepreneur Andrey Liscovich is fighting for his birthplace of Ukraine by giving up his life in Silicon Valley and getting civilian soldiers the supplies they need ... and it's so dangerous he's just written his will.

Andrey joined us Monday on "TMZ Live" and tells us he and his colleagues put together the Ukraine Defense Fund, taking anything they can to help support the troops.

The organization has already raised $65k ... using the money to place supply orders worldwide, getting items shipped to Poland. They're also accepting supplies as a donation ... including medical supplies, body armor and clothes.

With over 100,000 volunteers joining the Ukrainian armed forces since the war began, the army doesn't have enough necessities to go around. He says, "You can imagine a guy ... coming in a sweater, getting an AK-47, and perhaps a few spare magazines and not get much besides that."

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is personal for Andrey ... growing up in Ukraine, he knew he couldn't sit on the sidelines while destruction plagues his people.

Andrey says he's even drafted a will on his laptop while the attacks rage on ... knowing these uncertain times are a matter of life or death.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is winning hearts with his bravery -- but he may be winning in fashion too ... because another national leader seems to be taking some dress cues from him.

Here's French President Emmanuel Macron taking care of business in the Golden Room of the Élysée Palace ... where he's hard at work in his office, taking international calls and dealing with the Ukraine crisis -- all while looking super gruff and incredibly dressed-down.

Compared to how Macron normally gets done up --suited, booted and clean-shaven -- this is kind of the exact opposite appearance ... the guy's in a hoodie and jeans for crying out loud!

No shade on Macron (these threads actually work for him) ... but some think Zelensky may have something to do with his attire choice here, because as you know -- VZ has been all about the casual, man-of-the-people getup throughout all this.

Zelensky has constantly been seen rockin' green T-shirts and hoodies and the like ... all while letting a little stubble grow on his mug. Here, too, Macron is growing out his beard and sporting a similar appearance.

Like we said ... this may be perceived as Macron ripping off Zelensky's style -- perhaps even for some brownie points with the international community -- but even if that's the case ... you could consider it the ultimate compliment and the utmost flattery, which ain't terrible.

Fact is ... the dude is a total badass, and the world seems to have caught on to that. So, if some presidents wanna pay homage with a little mirror imaging ... so be it! The more the merrier.

A pregnant woman and her baby were killed when Russian forces bombed a maternity ward in Ukraine last week -- and the images of the destruction are shocking.

The expecting mother -- who has gone unidentified -- lost her life last Wednesday shortly after her child was delivered via emergency C-section following an airstrike that rained down on a hospital in Mariupol, which treated some soon-to-be moms.

Unfortunately, shortly after the newborn was delivered, it was declared dead. While everything was going on, the expectant mother realized she might lose her baby and reportedly cried out ... "Kill me now!"

After the baby died, medics attempted to save the woman, but after 30 minutes she succumbed to her injuries.

It's just a snapshot of the horror being inflicted in Ukraine right now -- highlighting that the most vulnerable of people are being targeted and killed in this ongoing war.

BTW, the moment this woman was being rushed out of the destroyed hospital on a stretcher was captured on video by AP reporters ... and it's incredibly difficult to watch.

The woman appears pale as volunteers run to try to get her to safety. She's bleeding from the waist down and seems completely out of it as she stares off into space. Unclear how many months along she was, but she appeared to be in at least the 2nd trimester.

As far as what Russia is saying about this ... they're claiming they bombed this hospital because it was being used as a hideout for Ukrainian extremists -- also insisting that no patients or medics were left inside. Clearly, that's BS.