Russia Dares Trump In Mideast: Putin's Navy Teams Up With Iran For 3-day War Games In Caspian Sea
/ Jul 22, 2025, 12:01PM IST
Iran and Russia have launched a three-day joint military drill in the Caspian Sea, codenamed CASAREX 2025, aimed at enhancing maritime safety and strengthening regional coordination. This comes amid deepening defense ties between the two nations. In May, Iran's parliament approved a 20-year strategic partnership with Russia, originally signed by Presidents Putin and Pezeshkian in January and ratified by Russia's Duma in April. While the deal stops short of a mutual defense clause, it commits to robust military-technical cooperation. As the drills began, Iran's Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh met his Russian counterpart in Moscow, signaling a continued push for expanded strategic alignment.#CASAREX2025 #IranRussiaDrills #IranMilitary #RussiaDefense #CaspianSea #IranRussiaAlliance #StrategicPartnership #MiddleEastSecurity #NavalExercise #DefenseDiplomacy #Geopolitics
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NDTV
9 minutes ago
- NDTV
How Former Prisoners In Russia Are Rebuilding Lives in Ukraine
Kyiv: Since his release from a Russian prison in April, Stanislav Tarnavskyi has been in a hurry to build the life in Ukraine he dreamed about during three years of captivity. The 25-year-old has proposed to his girlfriend, bought an apartment and adopted a golden retriever. And that was just what he accomplished one week in July. But as busy as he is rekindling old relationships and creating new ones, Tarnavskyi cannot shake the trauma he and thousands of other Ukrainian soldiers experienced as prisoners of war. The UN says many endured beatings, starvation and humiliation at the hands of their captors - experiences that will leave lifelong scars. Tarnavskyi, who was captured during the battle for Mariupol in April of 2022, regularly has nightmares about the prisons where he was held. "I see the officers who watched over us. I dream they want to harm me, catch me," he said. When he wakes up, his heart pounds, anxiety surges - until he realizes he is in the outskirts of Kyiv, where he was forced to move because Russia occupied his hometown of Berdiansk. As the three-year war drags on, Tarnavskyi is one of more than 5,000 former POWs back in Ukraine rehabilitating with the help of regular counseling. Regardless of any physical injuries that may require attention, psychologists say it is vital to monitor former POWs for years after their release; the cost of war, they say, echoes for generations. In a photography studio high above Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, sunlight floods the white walls. After a shoot that lasted several hours Tarnavskyi said the brightness was hurting his eyes, which are still sensitive from years spent in a dark cell. But his mood couldn't be dimmed. The girlfriend who waited for his return had just consented to his surprise proposal. "I love you very much, I am very glad that you waited for me," Tarnavskyi said, holding a thick bouquet of pink roses and a ring. "You have always been my support, and I hope you will remain so for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?" Tarnavskyi said it was the thought of Tetiana Baieva - whom he met in 2021 - that helped stop him from committing suicide three times during captivity. Still, he finds it hard to talk with Baieva about his time in prison. He doesn't want to be pitied. Soon after he returned home, he was paranoid, feeling watched - a reaction to constant surveillance in prison. "If you stepped out of line, they'd (Russians) come and beat you. I still get flashbacks when I see (surveillance) cameras. If I see one, I get nervous," he said. But with each passing week, he is feeling better, progress Tarnavskyi credits to the work he is doing with a psychologist. Any small stimulus - a smell, a breeze, a color - can trigger traumatic memories for POWs, says Kseniia Voznitsyna, the director of Ukraine's Lisova Polyana mental health center for veterans on the outskirts of Kyiv. Yet contrary to stereotypes, ex-POWs aren't more aggressive. "They tend to isolate themselves, avoid large gatherings, and struggle with trust," said Voznitsyna. "They say time heals - five or ten years, maybe - but it doesn't," she added. "It just feels less intense." A 2014 study in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that Israeli ex-POWs and combat veterans tracked over 35 years had higher mortality rates, chronic illnesses and worse self-rated health - conditions partly tied to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The authors of the study said that is why it is crucial to monitor ex-POWs and give them specialized medical and psychological care as they age. That logic rings true to Denys Zalizko, a 21-year-old former POW who has been back in Ukraine for less than three months but is already sure his recovery will take a long time. "You can't fool yourself. Even if you really want to, you will never forget. It will always haunt you," he said. Zalizko survived torture, suicide attempts and relentless beatings during roughly 15 months in Russian captivity. The first time his mother, Maria Zalizko, saw him after his release, she barely recognized him. He was thin and appeared "broken", she said, with torment in his eyes. Zalizko's physical appearance is now almost completely different. His skin looks healthy, his muscles are taut and he has lots of energy. But still there is sadness in his eyes. Two things keep him moving forward and help clear his mind: music and exercise. "Pauses and stillness bring anxiety," says Zalizko. Like Tarnavskyi, he is receiving mandatory counseling at the Lisova Polyana mental health center. And like many former POWs, he still battles hypervigilance - listening for threats, scanning his surroundings. At night, sleep comes in fragments, and that was true even before a recent uptick in nightly drone attacks by the Russian army. For the families of POWs, the reintegration process is also a struggle. A psychologist advised Maria Zalizko to give her son space, to avoid calling him too often. But it is Denys who often calls her, sometimes singing over the phone - a skill she taught him as a child. "I love music. Music unites," he said, touching the tattoo of a treble clef behind his ear - inked after his return. Even in captivity, he sang quietly to himself, composing songs in his mind about love, home and war. Now he dreams of turning that passion into a career as an artist. "I've become stronger now," Zalizko said. "I'm not afraid of death, not afraid of losing an arm or a leg, not afraid of dying instantly. I fear nothing anymore." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Switch off our economy?' High commissioner to UK schools Western journalist on Russian oil; Doraiswami says Europe buys from same source it denies India
Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami NEW DELHI: Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami schooled the Western journalist over criticising India's oil imports from Russia and said that the New Delhi is the third largest consumer of energy in the world and imports over 80% of its products. "What would you have us do? Switch off our economy?" he asked. Speaking to British radio station, Times Radio, last week, pointed out the irony and said that many of the European countries are continuing to buy rare earth and other energy products, not oil, perhaps, but from the same countries that they're refusing to let India buy from. Asked about India's "closeness" with Russia and President Vladimir Putin, Indian high commissioner said, "We have a relationship that is based on a number of metrics. One of these is our long standing security relationship that goes back to an era in which some of our Western partners wouldn't sell us weapons, but would sell it to countries in our neighborhood that use them only to attack us. Second, we have an energy relationship today which is a result of everybody else buying energy from sources that we used to earlier buy from. So we've been displaced out of the energy market largely and the cost have gone up. These are we are the third largest consumer of energy in the world and we import over 80% of our product. What would you have us do? Switch off our economy?" "Third, we have, we also see around us relationships that other countries maintain for their own convenience with countries that are a source of difficulty for us. Do we ask you to come up with a little test of loyalty? " he added. Replying to question whether EU sanctions' on Russian oil impacted Indian refinery, Doraiswami pointed out that the India has the fourth largest refiner of energy in the world, and a number of countries in Europe buy refined oil from the nation. The European Union imposed ban on Russian crude-derived fuels, which will take effect from January 21 next year. The EU unveiled its newest sanctions against Russia in July, incorporating limitations on fuel imports processed from Russian crude oil.
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First Post
35 minutes ago
- First Post
India resets Libya priority: Security forces return to embassy, eyes on oil and strategic depth
With oil prices volatile and supply chains under strain, India eyes Libya as a critical addition to its long-term energy security strategy read more India's decision to deploy security forces at its embassy in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, appears as a calculated strategic move, far beyond a simple signal amid a still chaotic situation in the North African nation. The embassy was reopened in July 2024, five years after India closed its mission there in April 2019 amid growing security concerns, prompting a full evacuation of both civilian and security personnel. Now, with shifting geopolitical dynamics and looming energy uncertainties, India's return to Tripoli carries critical economic and diplomatic significance. On Sunday, CRPF director general GP Singh said that the paramilitary force will soon send its personnel to Libya to secure the embassy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Libya's decade of instability Libya has remained deeply unstable since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. Rival factions have continued to control separate territories in the east and west, hindering national unification efforts. In 2014, India repatriated approximately 3,800 of its nationals from Libya, including six who had been abducted by the Islamic State. Persistent insecurity over the years kept India and other nations at bay, but current developments suggest a potential turning point in Libya's political and economic environment. An opportune return amid oil import turbulence India's diplomatic reengagement with Libya comes at a time of mounting uncertainty in its oil supply chain. With potential secondary sanctions from the United States and the European Union threatening India's heavy reliance on Russian crude, securing alternative energy partners has become urgent. For a country that imports nearly 85 per cent of its energy needs, diversification is not just a policy option—it is an economic necessity. The timing of the embassy reopening is strategic, allowing India to explore new trade avenues in Libya's underutilised oil sector. Recently, India's Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also allayed fears of likely impact on India if Russian oil supply is choked through secondary tariffs at a recent Firstpost event. Why Libya's energy resources is a natural fit for India Libya is well-positioned to help fill India's supply gap. In 2023, Libya exported $31.3 billion worth of crude petroleum, making it the 14th largest exporter of crude globally. Crude oil remains its most valuable export. Italy, Germany, Spain, France and China are Libya's largest buyers, with exports to Germany and France experiencing notable year-on-year growth. Given India's status as the world's third-largest oil importer, both countries stand to benefit — Libya gains a massive buyer and India secures a fresh energy source amid global supply constraints. India in Libya's energy sector India's ties with Libya's energy sector are not new. According to a report in the Libya Tribune, ONGC Videsh and Oil India Limited have expressed renewed interest in operating in Libya, responding to Tripoli's calls to rebuild the nation's vital oil and gas infrastructure. These companies exited Libya in 2011 due to civil unrest, but prior to that, ONGC Videsh and Oil India, along with Indian Oil Corporation, had been involved in exploration projects in Libya's Ghadames and Sirte basins. This previous involvement may provide Indian firms with a head start as Libya opens its energy sector once again to foreign participation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reopening Libya's oil and gas sector Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) is preparing to launch its first oil and gas licensing round in 17 years. The move is seen as a strong signal of the country's intent to revitalise its hydrocarbons industry. Speaking in Tripoli earlier this year, Libya's Oil and Gas Minister Mohamed Oun emphasised that the country welcomes international companies, but expects them to focus on exploration rather than merely tapping into already discovered fields. He also noted that about 30 per cent of Libya's oil-rich territory remains unexplored, hinting at significant untapped potential. If successful, these reforms could help Libya regain its footing as a major energy exporter and offer India new energy opportunities. Economic partnership beyond oil India and Libya have shared long-standing diplomatic and economic relations. India established its diplomatic mission in Tripoli in 1969. In 1978, both countries signed a framework agreement titled the 'Protocol on Industrial, Economic and Scientific Cooperation,' which laid the groundwork for the Indo-Libyan Joint Commission. Ten sessions of the Joint Commission have been held since then, covering the full spectrum of bilateral economic activities. Over the years, Indian public sector undertakings such as BHEL, NBCC, IOC and Oil India, as well as private firms like Punj Lloyd, Shapoorji Pallonji, Unitech, and NIIT, have undertaken projects in infrastructure, power, IT and healthcare sectors across Libya, the Embassy of India website in Tripoli mentioned. While many of these ventures were suspended due to conflict, they are likely to resume once conditions stabilise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Renewed interest in Libyan oil India's crude oil imports from Libya were modest in 2024, amounting to $84.8 million, according to the UN COMTRADE database. This is expected to change if India deepens its engagement with Libya's oil sector. With established diplomatic channels and historic commercial involvement, Indian firms are well-positioned to scale up trade quickly, provided Libya maintains a favourable investment climate. Pressure mounts on Russian crude India's heavy reliance on Russian oil, which surged after the Ukraine war, is now facing serious headwinds. The European Union has introduced new sanctions that will require proof of crude origin for any refined oil products imported into the bloc starting January 21, 2026. The enforcement mechanism adds complexity for Indian refiners who process Russian crude but export finished products globally. Adding to the pressure, US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 per cent secondary tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Russia if no peace deal is reached in Ukraine soon. In 2019, India halted oil imports from Iran under similar threats. Though China continued buying Iranian crude without repercussions, India chose compliance, demonstrating its vulnerability to external geopolitical pressures. Russia's share in India's energy mix Russia emerged as India's top crude oil supplier following the Ukraine invasion in 2022. The share of Russian oil in India's total imports rose dramatically — from just 2.1 per cent in FY22 to 35.1 per cent in FY24–25. In June 2025 alone, India imported 2.08 million barrels per day of Russian crude, the highest in nearly a year. While overall crude imports fell 6 per cent that month, Russian shipments grew by 8 per cent, highlighting India's ongoing dependence. However, narrowing discounts and geopolitical risk may soon force a course correction. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Initially, Russian oil was significantly cheaper than global benchmarks, with the Urals grade priced about $12 per barrel below Brent. But by late 2024, that gap had narrowed, making Russian crude only $4 cheaper than oil from Iraq. Meanwhile, secondary tariffs from the US and new EU rules could make Russian oil imports financially unattractive for Indian refiners. There are worries that supply disruptions could reach 500,000 barrels per day if sanctions fully materialise. Diversifying energy sources In response, India is aggressively diversifying its crude suppliers. According to The Economic Times, Crude oil imports from the United States increased by more than 50 per cent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Imports from Brazil also saw an 80 per cent jump. These shifts reflect Indian refiners' preference for stable, non-OPEC sources amid rising market volatility. The government has also sought guarantees from key West Asian partners to ensure secure supply lines, especially after tensions escalated in the Strait of Hormuz during the recent Israel-Iran conflict. According to the US Energy Information Administration, India is expected to add 330,000 barrels per day in new demand this year, driven largely by transportation and household fuel needs. India's oil consumption is poised to surpass China's growth rate in 2025, accounting for roughly 25 per cent of the global increase in oil demand. In 2023, India consumed about 5.3 million barrels per day and demand has only grown since. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vulnerability to price shocks India's economy is particularly sensitive to global crude price fluctuations. A 2023 study by researchers at Vellore Institute of Technology and Pondicherry University found that fuel prices in India respond rapidly to international oil spikes. The Reserve Bank of India estimates that a $10 increase in crude oil prices could raise India's headline inflation by 0.4 per cent. With this level of sensitivity, securing diversified and cost-effective oil imports is essential for economic stability. Hence, India's decision to reopen its Tripoli embassy is not merely symbolic. It is a timely and strategic move to tap into Libya's energy potential, reduce dependence on risky suppliers and reinvigorate bilateral relations. As global energy markets realign, India is betting on a more secure, diversified future and Libya could be an important piece of that puzzle.
