Our live coverage of Russia's war in Ukraine has moved here.
Exclusive: Paul Whelan voices confidence in the US effort toward securing his release by Russia
From CNN's Jennifer Hansler
Paul Whelan, an American who the United States says iswrongfully detained in Russia, told CNN on Sunday that he feels confident his case is a priority for the US government but wishes it could be resolved faster.
“I remain positive and confident on a daily basis that the wheels are turning. I just wish they would turn a little bit more quickly,” said Whelan, who called CNN exclusively from his prison camp in remote Mordovia.
Whelan said he does harbor concerns that he could be left behind again – particularly after the Russians detained American journalistEvan Gershkovich, a move the US has also said was unjustified.
“That’s an extreme worry for me and my family,” he said. The US was unable to secure Whelan’s release in prisoner swaps that brought home two other detained Americans last year: Trevor Reed in April andBrittney Grinerin December.
The detentions have raised fears that Moscow could use detainees as pawns in the geopolitics surrounding the war in Ukraine.
Whelan said Sunday he has more confidence in the US efforts to get him home than he did when he spoke to CNN in December following Griner’s release.
“I have been told that I won’t be left behind, and I have been told that although Evan’s case is a priority, mine is also a priority, and people are cognizant of the fact that this is having an extremely negative impact on me and my family. And I’m told that the government is working tirelessly to get me out of here and to get me home so they can then focus effort on Evan and his case,” Whelan said.
Read more here.
Wagner forces will leave the front lines in coming days, private military chief says
From CNN's Mariya Knight
The chief of the Wagner private military group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said Sunday that his forces will leave the front line in eastern Ukraine on May 25 after "capturing all the territories they promised to capture, to the last square centimeter."
Prigozhin said he is handing over his positions to the Russian Ministry of Defense after Wagner forces leave.
There has been no immediate public response from the defense ministry.
"We, as I said yesterday, are handing over our positions to the (Russian) Ministry of Defense and on the 25th we are leaving the combat zone,"the Wagner head said in an audio message on his Press Service Telegram page. "Therefore, all the tasks that will continue to be carried out are carried out by the brave units of the Ministry of Defense, and we go out to the field camps."
"From June 1, not a single Wagner PMC fighter will be at the forefront until we go through reorganization and equipment and training," Prigozhin added.
He also dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's insistence that the city of Bakhmut is not fully occupied by Russia as of Sunday.
"There is not a single Ukrainian soldier in Bakhmut," Wagner's chief claimed. "And this is why we stopped taking any more POWs."
Keep in mind: Prigozhin has previously made brash or misleading statements about the war and his mercenaries' role in it —and occasionally backtracked on them. He is also known to speak sarcastically.
More on Bakhmut: Prigozhin's announcement comes one day after Russia declared victory in the long-contested eastern city. The mercenary group says it has seized complete control of the city after many months of fighting led by Prigozhin's forces.
Ukraine, meanwhile, claims it is holding on to a small area in the western part of the city —and that its progress in areas surrounding the city has left it in a strong position.
Read more on the claims and counterclaims in Bakhmut here.
Ukrainian women break gender norms, taking on dangerous jobs during the fight against Russia
From CNN'sNic Robertson,AnneClaire Stapleton, andDavid Von Blohn
As their country fights to repel Russia’s forces,Ukrainianwomen are taking on roles and responsibilities previously unavailable to them, often in challenging and dangerouscircumstances.
Thousands of Ukrainian men left their jobs to join the military and defend the country afterRussia invaded almost 16 months ago. In their absence, Ukrainian women are stepping up.
Ukrainian law previously forbade women from holding jobs deemed too dangerous: underground mining, forging hot metals and operating heavy machinery, for example.
But when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law after Russia invaded, thereby suspending the country’s existing laws, Ukrainian women went to work.
Women have historically played a crucial role in the workforce during wartime, taking on jobs and responsibilities traditionally held by men – as happened during both World Wars.
Breaking gender norms is challenging, but these women are paving the way for greater equality and, they hope, empowering themselves and future generations.
Read their stories in detail here.
Ukrainian army commander visits troops on front line near Bakhmut
From CNN's Svitlana Vlasova
Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, visited troops on the front line near the embattled eastern city of Bakhmut.
Syrskyi "thanked and honored" the fighters in half a dozen brigades "who are destroying the enemy every day,”he said in a Telegram post Sunday. He did not specify exactly when he made the trip.
The commander said Ukraine remains on the defensive in the city of Bakhmut, but said his troops are making progress on the city's flanks.
“Despite the fact that we now control the outskirts of the city, the importance of its defense remains. In the future, this will provide us with opportunities to enter the city when the operational situation at the front changes,” he added.
Remember: While Russia and the Wagner private military company have declared victory in Bakhmut, Ukraine claims it is holding on to a small area in the western part of the city —and that its progress in areas surrounding the city has left it in a strong position.
Read more on the claims and counterclaims in Bakhmut here.
Here's what we know about the situation in Bakhmut
Since Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed Saturday that his forces had completely seized the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, there have been claims and counterclaims from both sides.
While CNN cannot independently verify battlefield accounts, here's what the wartime officials are saying:
- Zelensky's denial: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his soldiers are still in Bakhmut, despite what Prigozhin says. "Bakhmut is not occupied by Russian Federation as of today. There are no two or three interpretations of those words," he said while attending the G7 in Japan on Sunday.
- A small foothold: The commander of Ukraine's army acknowledged the area his fighters still claim within city limits is "insignificant." The territory is located on the city's westernmost edge, according to the country's deputy defense minister.
- Advances on the outskirts: However, the same two officials said Ukraine has made significant progress in the Bakhmut suburbs and other areas immediately outside the city. The commander, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said his troops have advanced along the city’s flanks and are now approaching the “tactical encirclement” of Bakhmut.
- Putin's congratulations: Russian President VladimirPutin, meanwhile, hailed Wagner for the "completion of the operation to liberate" Bakhmut. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow echoed the president's praise, declaring victory in the city.
- Bakhmut's significance: Bakhmut is located in the northeastern portion of Ukraine's Donetsk region, about 13 miles from the Luhansk region, and has long been a target for Russian forces. If confirmed, Russia's capture of Bakhmut would mark the country’s first major gain in months, but experts say the city’s symbolism always outweighed its strategic importance.
Zelensky tells Japan's prime minister that "now is a crucial moment for the fate of peace in Ukraine"
From CNN's Sarah Dean
Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelensky told Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that now is a critical moment to secure peace for his country, during a meeting Sunday at the G7 summit.
“Now is a crucial moment for the fate of peace in Ukraine and for the future of the rules-based world order. It is extremely important that the world has the opportunity to hear Ukraine's voice in Hiroshima,” Zelensky said, according to a readout of the meeting.
Zelensky also praised Kishida's leadership in rallying international support for Ukraine and thanked him for the financial assistance the country has provided.
The Ukrainian president also met with US President Joe Biden during the summit in Hiroshima. Biden announced a new aid package for the country Sunday.
Ukraine no longer holds a significant portion of Bakhmut, top general says, but fighters surround the city
From CNN's Maria Kostenko and Allegra Goodwin
Ukraine's military does not control much of the eastern city of Bakhmut, Ukraine's army commander said Sunday, but its units are holding on to positions surrounding the city.
“Despite the fact that we now control an insignificant part of Bakhmut, the importance of its defense remains. It gives us the opportunity to enter the city in case the situation changes, and this will certainly happen,” Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, said in a statement shared by Ukraine's military media center.
Syrskyi said his troops have been advancing along the city’s flanks and are now approaching the “tactical encirclement” of Bakhmut. “This will allow us to control all high-rise buildings occupied by the enemy and gradually destroy them,” he said.
“We are continuing our defense. The situation is difficult but under control,” Syrskyi continued.
Some background: The chief of the Russian private military company Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed Saturday that his forces had taken complete control of the city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other Kyiv officials have insisted Russia does not entirely occupy Bakhmut, saying Ukraine's military is holding on to a small area on the city's westernmost edge.
CNN cannot independently verify battlefield developments.
In reports from the front leading up to Wagner's claim Saturday, Ukraine's military had focused on progress made in areas immediately surrounding the city, while Wagner forces had said they were consolidating territory closer to the city center.
Zelensky says he would like Japan and South Korea to send lethal weapons
From CNN's Maria Kostenko and Allegra Goodwin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saidhe would like Japan and South Korea to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine but he understands "there are legislative and constitutional difficulties."
He said regarding diplomatic pressure on Russia and certain formats of diplomatic resolution of the war in Ukraine “the key is respect for the UN Charter and international law."
“Russia has no chance for any diplomatic paths as long as its troops are on our territory in violation of our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he told a news conference at the G7 summit in Japan.
“We all understand that no one will have anything to do with Russia as long as its troops are on the territory of Ukraine.”
Zelensky made the comments as part of a series of in-person appealsto fellow leaders gathered in Japan to remain united against Russian aggression.
FAQs
Does Russia control Bakhmut? ›
Russia takes control of Bakhmut, Ukraine.
Why is Ukraine so important to Russia? ›What are Russia's broad interests in Ukraine? Russia has deep cultural, economic, and political bonds with Ukraine, and in many ways Ukraine is central to Russia's identity and vision for itself in the world. Family ties. Russia and Ukraine have strong familial bonds that go back centuries.
What is UK doing about Russia and Ukraine? ›The UK and our international partners are united in support for Ukraine. The UK government is providing a range of economic, humanitarian and defensive military assistance to Ukraine, and is imposing additional sanctions on Russia and Belarus. Find out more about how the UK government is responding.
When did Ukraine get its name? ›The name Ukraine (Ukrainian: Україна, romanized: Ukraina [ʊkrɐˈjinɐ] ( listen), Вкраїна, romanized: Vkraina [u̯krɐˈjinɐ]) was first used in reference to a part of the territory of Kievan Rus' in the 12th century.
What countries are still under Russian control? ›As of October 2022, Russia occupies parts of Donetsk Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast, Kherson Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, Mykolaiv Oblast, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and all of the Crimean peninsula with its armed forces, its mercenary groups like Wagner, Chechen Kadyrovites, and Russian-led separatists of the DPR and LPR.
What states does Russia control? ›| Name | Capital | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) | Yakutsk Russian: Якутск (Yakutsk) Yakut: Дьокуускай (Cokuuskay) | 3,083,523 km2 (1,190,555 sq mi) |
| Republic of Tatarstan | Kazan Russian: Казань Tatar: Казан (Qazan) | 67,847 km2 (26,196 sq mi) |
| Republic of Tuva | Kyzyl Russian: Кызыл |
In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden made clear that backing Ukraine matters “because it keeps the peace and prevents open season for would-be aggressors to threaten our security and prosperity.” Without NATO's support for Ukraine, which has created the quagmire that Russia now faces, the United ...
Why does Russia not want Ukraine to join NATO? ›Currently, the organization has a total of 30 countries. In this way, Russia feels a threat from NATO's expansion to the east and, above all, fears that Ukraine, a country in which it can exert influence, will end up joining NATO, something that has not yet happened.
What does Putin want? ›First, he wants to subjugate Ukraine, tearing down its statehood. Secondly, he hopes, by strangling Ukraine, to force the West to accept his ultimatum — rebuilding in Europe a Yalta-esque order with spheres of influence and securing a Western pledge to not interfere in Russia's geopolitical backyard.
Is the UK an ally to Russia? ›The UK is on Russia's "Unfriendly Countries List" (red). Countries and territories on the list have imposed or joined sanctions against Russia.
Does the UK rely on Russia? ›
How much does the UK rely on energy from Russia? In 2021 imports from Russia made up 4% of gas used in the UK, 9% of oil and 27% of coal. In 2021, imports of gas, oil and coal from Russian to the UK were worth a combined £4.5 billion. This fell to £2.2 billion in 2022 and £1.3 billion in the year to January 2023.
What wars is the UK in right now? ›Recent conflicts
The UK's involvement in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria is also ongoing, although unlike the Iraq War that took place between 2003 and 2011, where the UK suffered 178 operational deaths, the conflict is fought primarily by the air force.
According to the 2001 census, 67% of the population speak Ukrainian and 30% speak Russian as their first language. Ukrainian, the official language, belongs with Russian and Belarusian to the East Slavic branch of the Slavic language family.
Which language is older Russian or Ukrainian? ›Many historic documents prove that the Ukrainian language, and Ukrainian state, appeared earlier than the Russian ones. Russian comes from the Old Slavonic language, which was introduced by Kyivan colonizers to Muscovites, who were essentially Finno-Ugric.
What is the full name of Russia? ›The Russian Federation (Russia) is physically the largest country in the world, covering 6.6 million square miles and 11 time zones over its 6,000-mile length.
How much land has Russia captured? ›A new Guardian analysis of Institute for the Study of War data shows that, after once having seized as much as 51,000 sq miles (132,000 sq km) of Ukrainian land, Russia has since lost a fifth of this. It now controls 40,000 sq miles of Ukrainian land, entirely in the south and east.
How many countries are there in the world? ›Countries in the World:
There are 195 countries in the world today. This total comprises 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations and 2 countries that are non-member observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
Russia officially recognized the United States in 1803, and the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1809. From 1776 to 1917 the US and Russia maintained cordial relations, with occasional cultural and commercial exchanges. Russia was neutral during the American Civil War, but tended to favor the North.
Why is Russia not in NATO? ›In October 2021, following an incident in which NATO expelled eight Russian officials from its Brussels headquarters, Russia suspended its mission to NATO and ordered the closure of the NATO office in Moscow.
Which religion belongs to Russia? ›Today Russian Orthodoxy is the country's largest religious denomination, representing more than half of all adherents.
What would happen if Russia and the US went to war? ›
It would exceed the largest anomaly ever recorded since the beginning of Food and Agricultural Organization observational records in 1961. And under the largest war scenario – a war between the U.S. and Russia – more than 75% of the planet would be starving within two years.
How do Ukrainians feel about the United States? ›Ukrainians have generally viewed the U.S. positively, with 80% expressing a favorable view in 2002, and 60% in 2011. According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, 33% of Ukrainians approve of U.S. leadership, with 26% disapproving and 41% uncertain.
What countries support Ukraine against Russia? ›Countries which have supplied Ukraine with weapons and military equipment include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, ...
Did Putin want to join NATO? ›George Robertson, a former Labour defence secretary who led Nato between 1999 and 2003, said Putin made it clear at their first meeting that he wanted Russia to be part of western Europe. “They wanted to be part of that secure, stable prosperous west that Russia was out of at the time,” he said.
What would happen if Ukraine joined NATO? ›If Ukraine were to join NATO, the collective defence principle would mean the whole of the alliance was at war with Russia. The West has been toeing a precarious line when it comes to direct conflict with Moscow, and trying its best to avoid becoming an active participant in the current Ukraine war.
Who are the 29 countries in NATO? ›- Albania. 2009. Belgium. 1949. Bulgaria. 2004. Canada. 1949. Croatia. ...
- Denmark. 1949. Estonia. 2004. Finland. 2023. France. 1949. ...
- Hungary. 1999. Iceland. 1949. Italy. 1949. Latvia. 2004. ...
- Montenegro. 2017. Netherlands. 1949. North Macedonia. 2020. Norway. 1949. ...
- Romania. 2004. Slovakia. 2004. Slovenia. 2004. Spain. 1982.
The Dnipro-Donetsk basin is a major oil and gas producing region accounting for 90 percent of all current Ukrainian production. The structure of hydrocarbons production in Ukraine is as follows: natural gas 89 percent, oil 7.9 percent, and gas condensate 3.1 percent.
Can Ukraine join NATO during war? ›Nato membership, carrying with it a commitment from all member countries to protect each other if attacked, has long been a demand from Kyiv. Although Nato agreed in principle in 2008 that Ukraine could be allowed to join, the country has never been given a formal pathway to membership.
What resources does Ukraine have? ›Ukraine has extremely rich and complementary mineral resources in high concentrations and close proximity to each other. The country has abundant reserves of coal, iron ore, natural gas, manganese, salt, oil, graphite, sulfur, kaolin, titanium, nickel, magnesium, timber, and mercury.
Who is Britain's oldest ally? ›The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance is the world's oldest alliance in known history, established by the Treaty of Windsor in 1386. The Portuguese and English alliance was signed on May 19, 1386, between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Portugal.
Are the UK and China friends? ›
However, despite this, the countries maintain close economic relations, with China being UK's third-largest trading partner as of 2022.
Why did Russia ally with Germany? ›The establishment of the Dual Alliance led Russia to take a more conciliatory stance, and in 1887, the so-called Reinsurance Treaty was signed between Germany and Russia: in it, the two powers agreed on mutual military support in the case that France attacked Germany, or in case of an Austrian attack on Russia.
Who is still buying Russian gas? ›As one might expect, China has been the top buyer of Russian fossil fuels since the start of the invasion. Russia's neighbor and informal ally has primarily imported crude oil, which has made up more than 80% of its imports totaling more than $55 billion since the start of the invasion.
Can Europe survive without Russian gas? ›"In 2023, Europe will likely, for the first time, need to survive a full calendar year with only minimal volumes of Russian pipeline gas," S&P Global analysts Michael Stoppard and Alun Davies said in a recent report.
Who is buying Russian oil? ›Behind China and India, Turkey and Bulgaria are the biggest buyers of Russian crude. Even before Vladimir Putin launched his war on Ukraine, China was already a top buyer of Russian crude, importing 25% of its crude from the country in 2021. That's since climbed to 36%, Kpler data shows.
How many wars has the USA lost? ›America fought five major wars after 1945 including Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan in addition to some minor wars in Somalia, Yemen, and Libya. Except for the Gulf War in 1991, America lost all other wars.
How many US troops are in the UK? ›There are currently 10,000 US military personnel, civilian staff and family members posted in the UK, mostly stationed in major military bases.
How many wars has America been in? ›The United States has officially declared war 11 times during five separate military conflicts. According to the Constitution (Article I, Section 8), Congress has the exclusive power to declare war. The last time America declared war was during World War II.
What is hello in Ukraine? ›The first and most crucial greeting to say hello or hi in Ukrainian is Добрий день! (dobryi den”). You will often use this formal word when meeting new Ukrainian people. If you are talking with close friends, however, and would like to speak informally, you can say Привіт!
What do Ukrainians eat? ›The most famous traditional Ukrainian dishes are borshch, varenyky, holubtsi, Chicken Kyiv, banosh, and syrnyky, and it surely is not an exhaustive list. Borshch (sometimes written as borsch, borsht, bortsch, or borshch) is a sour soup with distinctive red colour.
What is the oldest language in the world? ›
What is the first language? Sumerian can be considered the first language in the world, according to Mondly. The oldest proof of written Sumerian was found on the Kish tablet in today's Iraq, dating back to approximately 3500 BC.
Do people in Ukraine speak English? ›English language in Ukraine
The younger generation in Ukraine tends to speak a decent level of English due to a knowledge of English being associated with leading to better prospects, within Ukraine and the wider English speaking countries and educational institutions.
One is "русские" (russkie), which in modern Russia most often means "ethnic Russians". Another is "россияне" (rossiyane), which denotes "Russian citizens", regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation.
What was Russia originally called? ›While the oldest endonyms were Rus' (Russian: Русь) and the Rus' land or Russian land (Russian: Русская земля), a new form of its name, Rusia or Russia, appeared in the 15th century, and became common thereafter.
Is Africa bigger than Russia? ›Drag and drop it near the equator, and you see how truly huge Africa is: at 11.73 million sq. mi (30.37 million km2), it is almost twice the size of Russia.
Does Russia have animal control? ›Under the law, owners must keep their pets in proper conditions and homeless animals must be taken-up, vaccinated, sterilized, and then released by local agencies. One of the primary purposes of the laws is to ban petting zoos at malls and the practice of bars and restaurants hosting animals.
What Russian groups are anti Putin? ›Major political parties considered to be part of the non-systemic opposition include Yabloko and the People's Freedom Party (PARNAS), along with the unregistered party Russia of the Future and Libertarian Party of Russia (LPR).
What natural resource does Russia control? ›Russia is the world's second-largest producer of natural gas, behind the United States, and has the world's largest gas reserves. Russia is the world's largest gas exporter.
Does Russia have mobs? ›Although Russian authorities have currently identified over 5,000 criminal groups in that country, Russian officials believe that only approximately 300 of those have some identifiable structure. 11 organized crime groups in Russia are not nearly as structured as those in the US, such as the LCN.
Which country protects animals the most? ›Austria. Austria is one of the strictest countries when it comes to animal welfare laws. In fact, the Austrian Animal Welfare Act 2004 suggests that animal protection should be held to a value that is equal to humankind. That means all visitors must respect and acknowledge animals as fellow creatures.
How many homeless dogs are in Russia? ›
According to Andrei Poyarkov of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, a biologist and wolf expert who has studied Moscow's dogs for over 30 years, the quantity of food available to them keeps the total population of homeless dogs steady at between 35,000 and 50,000.
Are dogs allowed in Russia? ›Your pet must have proof of current vaccination against rabies no sooner than 21 days and no more than 12 months prior to entering Russia. Dogs should also be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Viral Enteritis, Parvovirus, Adenovirus infections and Leptospiros. Cats should also be vaccinated against panleukemia.
What Russian group was against NATO? ›The Warsaw Pact was a collective defence treaty established by the Soviet Union and seven other Soviet satellite states in Central and Eastern Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania (Albania withdrew in 1968).
What group took control of Russia? ›The October Revolution, officially known as the Great October Socialist Revolution in the former Soviet Union, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was a revolution in Russia led by the Bolshevik Party of Vladimir Lenin that was a key moment in the larger Russian Revolution of 1917–1923.
What group did Russia belong to? ›The country is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council; a member state of the G20, the SCO, BRICS, the APEC, the OSCE, and the WTO; and is the leading member state of post-Soviet organizations such as the CIS, the CSTO, and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Who buys Russian oil and gas? ›As one might expect, China has been the top buyer of Russian fossil fuels since the start of the invasion. Russia's neighbor and informal ally has primarily imported crude oil, which has made up more than 80% of its imports totaling more than $55 billion since the start of the invasion.
Where is Ukraine getting oil from? ›Three Ukrainian regions contain hydrocarbons resources: the Dnipro-Donetsk basin, the Carpathian region in western Ukraine, and the Black Sea and Crimea region in the south. The Dnipro-Donetsk basin is a major oil and gas producing region accounting for 90 percent of all current Ukrainian production.
Is US rich in natural resources? ›North America is home to vast deposits of oil and natural gas, which are drilled for energy and fuel. Oil and gas extraction are key elements of North Americas economy. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are among the worlds top oil producers.
Does Russia have more crime than America? ›International comparison. Homicide/murder rate in Russia has fallen dramatically in the last two decades. The homicide rate in Russia more than tripled between 1988 and 1994 and was among the highest in the world. However, by 2017, the murder rate in Russia was only slightly higher than in the US (6 versus 5.6).
What mobs are in the US? ›There are five main New York City Mafia families, known as the Five Families: the Gambino, Lucchese, Genovese, Bonanno, and Colombo families. The Italian American Mafia has long dominated organized crime in the United States.
Are there mobs in the US? ›
While the Mafia - also known as La Cosa Nostra - may no longer possess the robust national presence and influence it once had, it remains a significant threat in the New York metropolitan area, New England, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Detroit.