Russia in ukraine

Russian missile attacks on residential areas killed at least 21 people early on Friday near the Ukrainian port of Odesa, authorities reported, a day after the withdrawal of Moscow’s forces from an island in the Black Sea seemed to ease the threat to the city. Video of the attack before daybreak showed the charred ruins of buildings in the small town of Serhiivka, about 50 kilometers from Odesa. The Ukrainian President’s office said three Kh-22 missiles fired by warplanes struck an apartment building and a campsite. Data | India’s imports from Russia soar amid sanctions Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. The conversation that came days after PM Modi participated in the G7 summit in Germany, included the Ukraine crisis and the latest developments in the global commodities market. "The two leaders reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during President Putin's visit to India in December 2021. … [Read more...] about Russia-Ukraine crisis updates | Blasts rock Mykolaiv after Russian missiles kill 21 near Odesa

WASHINGTON — In the early phase of the war in Ukraine, shortages of soldiers and problems with equipment forced Russia to narrow its mission, abandon its assault on Kyiv and focus its offensive on the east. Now, as the fighting enters its sixth month, critical manpower and equipment problems could again slow Russian operations and give Ukraine’s counteroffensive a better chance to succeed, U.S. and European officials said. The signs of Russia’s challenges abound: artillery shells missing their targets, intercepts of Russian soldiers complaining they have been given old tanks and a sharply rising death and injury toll in its military ranks. But unlike earlier in the war, it could become harder for Russia to reset its strategy and recover, at least in the short term. U.S. and European officials say few powers have conquered a country and destroyed an opposing army with a mostly volunteer force, as President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is attempting to do. But Mr. … [Read more...] about Russia’s Shortfalls Create an Opportunity for Ukraine, Western Officials Say

Aleksey Zhuravlyov, a member of the Russian Duma and an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin , recently threatened to kill a German reporter who has been covering the Russia-Ukraine war. Ever since Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the Kremlin has cracked down on free press and free speech in Russia, with those voicing opposition to the war facing persecution . Meanwhile, Kremlin-backed television has become a key distributor of pro-war propaganda , often featuring threats against the West . During an appearance on the Russian news show 60 Minutes , Zhuravlyov—the leader of the pro-Putin Rodina party—made a threat against Björn Stritzel, a reporter for German news outlet Bild, who has covered the war from Ukraine. A video of his remarks was posted to Twitter by journalist Julia Davis on Saturday, who monitors Russian propaganda. "I don't give a damn, I want to tell this Nazi: B****, all of us will come and kill all of you," he said in the … [Read more...] about Putin ally threatens to kill German journalist reporting from Ukraine

The Russian military has reportedly suffered a major casualty in the form of a decorated senior military officer. Lieutenant Colonel Nikolay Gorban, 36, head of the 4th Department of the Special Operations Department of Russia's Federal Security Service, was reportedly killed "somewhere in Ukraine on August 2," InformNapalm reporter Anton Pavlushko said in a Sunday Facebook post . The circumstances surrounding the death of Gorban, who reportedly fought in Syria and possessed two Medals of Courage, were not mentioned. Gorban was reportedly among Russian President Vladimir Putin 's highest-ranking officials, according to Pavlushko. Pavlushko also posted a photo of a plaque featuring Gorban's picture, with flowers placed underneath. The message, written in Russian, reads that Gorban "participated in the conduct of combat activities and special operations both in Russia and abroad." "In the course of carrying out combat missions, he proved himself to be a courageous and … [Read more...] about Senior commander of Putin’s elite special forces killed in Ukraine: Report

As the war in Ukraine continues with no end in sight , concerns are mounting in Washington—in both Democratic and Republican circles—that the Biden administration is holding back from supplying Ukraine with certain weapons that could give the invaded country a clear edge against Russia. The dispute centers around a mobile rocket launcher known in military circles as “HIMARS” (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). It’s essentially a lightly armored military truck capable of firing multiple rockets. And the controversy on Capitol Hill is whether the United States should be supplying Ukraine with longer-range missiles—ones capable of traveling deep into Russia. Most lawmakers are grateful the United States has already supplied Ukraine with these HIMARS. Just this week, the Biden administration announced a new aid package that includes more munitions for the HIMARS. But many lawmakers also said they were concerned the Biden administration was holding back on longer-range munitions, … [Read more...] about Lawmakers Want Better Weapons for Ukraine. Biden Isn’t So Sure.

AFP Kyiv, Ukraine   ● Wed, August 10, 2022 2022-08-10 10:50 0 fbd44abf30fca00c6a042b692b107256 2 Europe Russia,Ukraine-war,crimea,power-plant,Volodymir-Zelensky,Vladimir-Putin Free Russian forces occupying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southeast Ukraine are preparing to connect to Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, and are damaging it by reorienting its electricity production, Ukrainian operator Energoatom warned Tuesday. It is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and was occupied by Russia early in its invasion. Kyiv and Moscow blamed each other for attacks on the plant last week. "The Russian military present at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are implementing the program of (Russian operator) Rosatom aimed at connecting the plant to the Crimean electricity grid," Energoatom president Petro Kotin told Ukrainian television. "To do this, you must first damage the power lines of the plant connected to the Ukrainian energy system. From … [Read more...] about Russia planning to connect nuclear plant to Crimea: Ukraine

Russia has not managed to destroy any of the U.S.-supplied HIMARS in Ukraine in spite of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu saying otherwise, according to a Pentagon official. Acting Pentagon spokesman Todd Breasseale directly refuted Shoigu, who said this week that Russia had destroyed six of the HIMARS in total, Reuters reported on Wednesday. "We are aware of these latest claims by Minister Shoigu and they are again patently false," Reuters quoted Breasseale as saying. "What is happening, however, is that the Ukrainians are employing with devastating accuracy and effectiveness, each of the fully accounted for precision missile systems the U.S., our Allies, and partners have provided them to defend against Russia's brutal, criminal invasion." Breasseale's comments did not appear to be publicly available on the Department of Defense's website as of Wednesday morning. Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon for access to the full statement from Breasseale. The United … [Read more...] about U.S. denies any HIMARS systems in Ukraine destroyed by Russia

Long before he rose to power in Russia, Vladimir Putin had a "fixation" on Ukraine, according to the author of a comprehensive new biography on the longtime Russian leader. Philip Short, who penned the aptly named Putin , noted in a piece published by Time on Wednesday that Ukraine was able to gain independence when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 . Putin, who was appointed acting president in 1999 and has since maintained his grip on power in Russia via the presidential and prime minister offices, said mere days before he invaded Ukraine on February 24 that Russia's western neighbor "actually never had stable traditions of real statehood." When Putin announced Russia's offensive in Ukraine in late February, he did not describe it as a war but as a " special military operation " aiming for the "demilitarization and denazification" of a country that he accused of bullying and genocide. But Ukraine has said that Russia was looking for a false pretext to attempt to … [Read more...] about Putin Ukraine “fixation” began years before he rose to power: Biographer

Ukraine is seeking an opportunity to speak “directly” with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to help end its war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, the South China Morning Post reported on Thursday. In an interview with SCMP, the Ukrainian leader urged China to use its outsize political and economic influence over Russia to bring an end to the fighting. “It’s a very powerful state. It’s a powerful economy … So (it) can politically, economically influence Russia. And China is [also a] permanent member of the UN Security Council,” the report quoted Zelenskiy as saying. Meanwhile, Zelensky told Australian university students that China must not help Russia in its war against his homeland and remain at least neutral. Zelenskyy addressed 21 Australian universities Wednesday in an online discussion hosted by the Australian National University in Canberra. Questioned by a student about Chinas stance, Zelenskyy said he would prefer Beijing join countries including the United … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a Very Powerful State’: Zelensky Seeks Direct Talks With China’s Xi to Help ‘End War With Russia’

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will complete six months and the situation only seems to get worse with the passing day. The invasion has now led to discussions and debates on the possibility of World War III. Scary, right? However, we live in Black Mirror times when even scary things can become amusing through memes. As discussions around World War III have intensified, people on Twitter have started sharing memes on the same. While a few people have deemed it as insensitive humour, most people are finding it extremely hilarious. Twitterati can be seen also sharing memes around Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan. No more to tolerate any inequality. #Taiwan and #China #TaiwanChinaWar . #XiJinping and #NancyPelosi face to face. #WWIII #PLA #USA pic.twitter.com/Td9zFhAUNb — Kumari Dimple % Follow Back. (@KumariDimple5) August 3, 2022 Scenes: #WWIII #Taiwan #WW3 pic.twitter.com/vCGjnXsAKW — Saad (@Fallen_x_King) August 1, 2022 America … [Read more...] about World War III Memes Go Viral Amid Nancy Pelosi’s Visit to Taiwan, Turmoil in Ukraine