Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of breaching Easter truce
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Saudi Gazette
4 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia offers condolences to Russia over fatal plane crash in Amur region
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has expressed its condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin following the tragic crash of a passenger plane in Russia's Far Eastern Amur region that claimed the lives of more than 40 people. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman sent a cable of condolence to President Putin, stating: 'We were deeply saddened by the news of the crash of a Russian passenger plane in the Amur region, and the resulting fatalities.' 'We share your grief in this tragedy and extend to you, the families of the deceased, and the friendly Russian people our sincerest condolences and sympathy. May you be spared from all harm.' Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman also offered his condolences in a separate message, saying: 'I was deeply saddened to learn of the crash of a Russian passenger plane in the Amur region, and the loss of lives.' 'I extend to Your Excellency, the families of the victims, and the Russian people my heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy. May you never face harm.'Russian emergency services earlier confirmed that all passengers aboard the ill-fated aircraft perished in the plane, an Antonov An-24, had disappeared from radar on Thursday in Russia's Far East before being located by rescue teams.
Al Arabiya
5 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Russian parliament approves a bill punishing online searches for information deemed 'extremist'
The Russian Parliament's upper house on Friday quickly approved a bill that punishes online searches for information officially branded extremist–the latest in a series of moves by authorities to tighten control of the internet. The legislation makes what it describes as deliberately searching for and accessing extremist materials online punishable by a fine of up to the equivalent of $64. The bill, which was endorsed by the lower house earlier this week, is now set to be signed into law by President Vladimir Putin. The official definition of extremist activity is extremely broad and includes opposition groups like the Anti-Corruption Foundation created by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the international LGBT movement. It's not clear how authorities will track down violators. Officials and lawmakers said ordinary internet users won't be affected and only those who methodically seek outlawed content will be targeted. They didn't explain how authorities would differentiate between them. Russians widely use VPN services for access to banned content, but authorities have sought to tighten restrictions and close the loopholes. The state communications watchdog has increasingly used technology to analyze traffic and block specific VPN protocols. Russian authorities have ramped up their multipronged crackdown on dissent after sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, online censorship and prosecutions for social media posts and comments have soared. Multiple independent news outlets and rights groups have been shut down, labeled as foreign agents, or outlawed as undesirable. Hundreds of activists and critics of the Kremlin have faced criminal charges.
Al Arabiya
6 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Ukraine's Zelenskyy says defenses are holding firm against Russia's summer push
Ukrainian forces are holding back Russia's concerted summer push to break through defenses along parts of the front line, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. 'They are not advancing. It's very tough for our guys out there. And it's tough everywhere,' Zelenskyy told reporters on Thursday in comments embargoed till Friday. 'It's also very hard for the Russians–and that's good for us,' he said. With the war now in its fourth year after Russia's February 2022 invasion of its neighbor, the effort is draining resources on both sides, although Russia has more resources and people to sustain its fight. Ukraine is seeking further support from Western partners. Russia has claimed the capture of some villages and hamlets, but no defensively stronger urban areas have fallen to its troops. Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have repeatedly attempted to stage minor incursions near the eastern Donetsk city of Pokrovsk to film symbolic footage such as raising a Russian flag, but Ukrainian forces have repelled those efforts, Zelenskyy said. 'It happened five to seven times recently, sometimes with only two or six people. Once they tried to hold a position with 12 people–and all of them were eliminated by our defenders,' Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy described the situation in the northeastern Sumy border region as much better than in recent months, noting progress by Ukrainian forces over the past six weeks. Russia has also intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian cities, and Zelenskyy said Ukraine is working with international partners to secure 10 US-made Patriot air defense systems, with three already confirmed from Germany and Norway. The Trump administration will sell the systems, he said, but Ukraine's task is to find funding for all 10. Each system costs more than 1 billion. Ukraine is also seeking to obtain a license to manufacture the Patriot systems itself. The Ukrainian leader expressed little hope for progress in direct talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine, though he said the Kremlin envoys have begun discussing the possibility of a leaders' summit with Ukraine. 'We need an end to the war, which probably begins with a meeting of leaders. It won't work any other way with (the Russians),' Zelenskyy said. In domestic politics, Zelenskyy said public protests against changes earlier this week to Ukraine's anti-corruption law were legitimate. The changes threatened the independence of anti-graft watchdogs and also drew rebukes from European Union officials and international rights groups, prompting Zelenskyy to propose new legislation to restore the independence of the anti-graft agencies. 'It's very important that society speaks. I respect the opinion of society,' Zelenskyy said. People asked for changes. We responded. Demonstrators gathered for the third day on Thursday evening but drew a smaller crowd. He said those agencies must be truly independent, adding that the most important thing in this war is 'the unity of our state. It is critical not to lose unity.' However, the risk now remains that the Verkhovna Rada–Ukraine's Parliament–will fail to approve the new bill, which could bring even larger crowds to the streets. Zelenskyy expressed confidence that it would pass. 'The most important thing right now is that the bill exists. It has been registered. I believe it will receive enough votes. I want that to happen,' he said.
