Laura Loomer apologizes for minimizing impact of war in Ukraine

(NewsNation) — Just two days after Russia’s deadly attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, one investigative journalist is apologizing for her previous comments about the country’s status in the four-plus-year war.

Laura Loomer, a conservative activist, posted on social media that her thoughts on the conflict shifted after experiencing an air raid and sirens blaring during a visit to Ukraine.

“This is everyday for every Ukrainian,” she wrote in part on X. I feel like such an a—— for minimizing the struggle of Ukrainians for the last 5 years. I often said I don’t care. Looking back, that wasn’t very nice of me to say.”

Russia has in recent weeks stepped up its use of ballistic missiles as it seeks to choke off Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities deep inside Russia that have caused critical fuel shortages affecting both the military and the civilian population.

“There are people in Ukraine who have to run to a bomb shelter every day, and some of us had the audacity to say Russia wasn’t wrong because we believed the lie that Ukraine is a country full of Nazi sympathizers,” Loomer added. “We have been so propagandized by Russia, and we don’t even realize it.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office appreciated Loomer’s remarks, noting how critical it is that she and others get a first-hand perspective on the impact of the war.

“There is no better way to get informed opinion than through personal experience which allows to deal with Russian propaganda,” Zelenskyy’s office said on X.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is prepared to grant Ukraine licenses to produce Patriots, the most effective means of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles, potentially bolstering Kyiv’s defenses.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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