Kyiv hits Russian airbase after Moscow pounds Ukraine with hundreds of drones
Ukraine's military General Staff said Ukrainian forces had struck the Borisoglebsk airbase in Russia's Voronezh region, describing it as the 'home base' of Russia's Su-34, Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter jets.
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Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Russia and Ukraine launch barrage of strikes as Kyiv signs deal to increase drone production
Russia and Ukraine struck each other with hundreds of drones yesterday, throwing Russian air travel into disarray, shortly after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky announced deals with Western partners that would allow Kyiv to scale up drone production.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
John Whelan: As Ireland's oil imports continue to grow, falling prices ease the pain
The calm after the storm of US airstrikes on Iran, has taken many by surprise, in particular the oil market producers. But, there is the continued worry that this may only be a lull, in which Tehran considers their options for retaliation. The most powerful of their options is to blockade the Straits of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil flows, which based on prior middle east conflicts could double the price of a barrel. There are other options, including getting Russian backing for a joint military move on Israel and US assets in the region and creating a full scale middle east war. Despite the many unanswered questions, oil prices continued their downward trend, assisted by the continuation of the flooding of markets by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries led by Saudi Arabia, who control the bulk of oil produced and traded globally. CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB The European Commission's Spring Economic Report forecasts crude oil prices to continue to fall throughout the current year and into next year with Brent crude oil prices averaging $59 (€50.10) per barrel. After the April Trump tariff announcement, Brent prices dropped 16% in less than a week. The oil prices in euro terms were lower, as the US dollar has fallen in value since Trump's inauguration. This is all good news for businesses and consumers in Ireland, who are totally dependent on foreign oil supplies, as Ireland does not produce any of its own. Remarkably, despite all the push to produce energy from wind farms and solar panels, as well as the emergence of electric vehicles, Ireland imported substantially more oil in 2024 than in 2014. The 54% growth in oil imports over the 10 years was driven primarily by increased energy demand arising from Ireland's population and economic growth, and the decline in domestic oil and gas production. Demands for energy have also changed, in particular through the development of the digital economy and the associated data centres and their significant electricity usage. This increased demand has been met by greater reliance on imported oil and gas, as domestic production from fields like Kinsale has decreased, and the Corrib field's output is running down and expected to be depleted by 2026. As a consequence, gas imports have increased by 72% over the 10 years to the end of last year. Ireland has made some progress in transforming the electricity system through the deployment of wind farms, with renewable energy currently providing more than 40% of electricity used. However, electricity represents only one-fifth of Ireland's energy use, and our transport and heating systems remain heavily reliant on fossil fuel systems. Local supply of biomethane to replace fossil fuels Gas Networks Ireland's director of customer and business David Kelly maintains that they have made great strides in the last few years, in enabling the move away from fossil fuels and replacing these with the local supply of bio-methane. He points to Gas Networks Ireland's new Central Grid Injection (CGI) facility in Mitchelstown as a key step in supporting Ireland's transition to renewable energy. This €32m investment will enable the injection of biomethane into the national gas network, providing an essential connection point for biomethane producers. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to reduce Ireland's CO2 emissions by approximately 130,000 tonnes annually. Biomethane injected through the Mitchelstown CGI will contribute around 12% of the Government's 2030 target. Commissioning of the first phase is expected in early 2026. As part of Ireland's commitment to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030, the Government's Climate Action Plan sets a target for biomethane to be generated from an estimated 200 plus agri-based anaerobic digestion biogas plants to be constructed and commissioned over the next five years. As part of the adoption of the EU's Recast Gas Directive and Regulation, the plan is laying the groundwork for an energy system increasingly defined by decarbonised gases and pure hydrogen. However, existing gas networks, in Ireland and across the EU, will face massive challenges transitioning to accommodate the more low-carbon gases, and some will inevitably need to be decommissioned.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish thug fighting for Russia awarded bravery medal for 'wiping out' Ukrainians
An Irish thug who is fighting for Russia in Ukraine has bragged about being awarded a bravery medal by Moscow for 'wiping out' Ukrainians. Aiden Minnis, 38, left the UK to fight alongside Kremlin forces when Russia invaded the country in 2022. He is one of two traitors, both former drug addicts and criminals, exposed in a Mirror investigation last year. They face jail for terror offences if they return home. Minnis, who spent time in jail in the UK for a violent racist attack, initially worked as a sapper, laying mines and explosives in Luhansk, Ukraine. He now claims he has joined the Russian motorised rifle regiment in the Kharkiv region, storming Ukrainian trenches and positions. Earlier this month Minnis, who was granted a Russian passport last year, was awarded the Suvorov medal by the Russian Federation for courage 'in defence of the Fatherland'. He told us he won it for 'wiping out numerous khokhols [a derogatory term for Ukrainians]. I hope I get many more for killing the fascists and eliminating the Nazi scourge'. Minnis, from Chippenham, Wilts, who is of Irish descent, claimed he has had 'many near-miss experiences'. He said: 'Last year I was wounded by shrapnel. A kamikaze drone hit the dugout, I was left with a fractured leg and multiple deep shrapnel wounds. I was in hospital for a few months.' But he insisted: 'Although it's very hard, it must be done.' Minnis, who has married a Russian, has declared he hates the UK and called Britain a 'fascist state'. He has also said he would die for Putin, 'the greatest politician on earth'. He has been disowned by his family, who say they want 'nothing to do with him'. In an interview last month with Russian website RT, Minnis described his life at the Russian front line of Putin's invasion. 'My tasks can vary. You can spend several months in the trenches or participate in an evacuation or assault. There are many variables here depending on what is happening operationally. 'I get very nervous sometimes. Where we are is a very dangerous and active zone. It's impossible to relax or switch off. Every day there are drones, mortars and tank shells.' Minnis said many fellow soldiers had been killed. He said: 'That's the hardest part. When you get to know them on the deepest level, and then sadly they make the ultimate sacrifice. It's happened many times here.' He admitted his decision to fight for Russia meant family and friends cut him off. He said: 'My parents disowned me. We've always had a difficult relationship, and unfortunately they believe what they see on TV and in the media. 'Many of my friends turned away from me for the same reason. But at least it made me realise they were never my friends. It was painful but to be expected.' He added: 'However, I am dedicated to my work and have nothing but love for Russia. No matter how difficult it is, and how hard the fighting is, I'm indebted to Russia. It took care of me. Here, I found freedom, got citizenship, got married, bought a house. All this would never have happened in my homeland.' Before leaving the UK, Minnis had a long record of arrests for violence. In December 2008 he was jailed for four years for an unprovoked racist attack on a man in Swindon, smashing him over the head with a bottle of port. Two months after the assault Minnis robbed a man of his wallet and attempted to rob another, punching him in the face. The thug was also arrested months later for assaulting a homeless man. Another man exposed by the Mirror, Ben Stimson, 49, of Oldham, Greater Manchester, is also believed to still be fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Last year, he posted a video showing him walking past dead bodies of Ukrainians in muddy fields, and digging up a grenade. Ex-Army commander Colonel Richard Kemp branded the men 'traitors'. He said: 'These two are an absolute disgrace and are traitors who upon their return to the UK should be arrested and jailed.' He added: 'They clearly don't know who the enemy is.'
