Nadia Pishko's childhood was about survival. Growing up in Lviv, Ukraine she experienced mass starvation in the 1930's. And during World War II, she and her family fled the country as the Germans and Russians closed in.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — European Union officials warned Ukraine on Thursday that it must keep cracking down on graft in the wake of a major corruption scandal that could hurt the country’s ability to attract financial help. But they also offered assurances that aid will continue to flow as Kyiv strains to hold back Russia’s invasion.

Ukraine’s membership in the European Union would have strategic significance, but the unresolved problem of corruption may slow the country’s progress toward European integration. — Ukrinform.

Ukraine faces a major draft-evasion problem, but no place is quite like Vylkove, a Danube River town where men of draft age have all but vanished, many of them trying to avoid military service.

The strikes, which were the latest in Russia’s almost daily attacks on the Ukrainian power grid as bitter winter temperatures approach, killed at least six people, including a 7-year-old girl, according to authorities. Children between 2 and 16 years of age were among the 18 injured.

The International Monetary Fund will soon begin a staff mission to Ukraine to discuss its financing needs and a potential new lending program, spokesperson Julie Kozack said on Thursday, underscoring the need for continued anti-corruption efforts in the war-torn country.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will participate Wednesday in a G7 session on Ukraine and defense cooperation.