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First Post
a day ago
- Politics
- First Post
Russia has lost 240,000 soldiers this year in Ukraine war, says UK Defence Minister
Even as Russia has ramped up attacks on Ukraine in recent months, it has lost up to 240,000 soldiers so far this year, according to a British assessment. read more Servicemen of the 24th Mechanized brigade, named after King Danylo, of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fire a BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket system toward Russian troops, on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 15, 2025. (Photo: Reuters) Even as Vladimir Putin has ramped up attacks on Ukraine and made gains on the ground, the costs have been huge, according to the latest Western assessment. British Defence Minister John Healey has said that Russia suffered up to 240,000 casualties in the first seven months of this year. 'The number of Russian soldiers killed or wounded since the start of the full-scale invasion has surpassed 1,000,000. Since the beginning of this year alone—240,000 casualties,' said Healey at a meeting of Ukraine Defense Contact Group, as per military-focussed Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The British assessment is in line with US and Ukrainian assessments about the high toll of the war on Russia. ALSO READ: With Russia's terms to Ukraine, Putin seeks surrender — not a peace deal Since the beginning of the war in 2022, Russia has relied on a 'meat-grinder strategy' in which Russia has pushed waves after waves of soldiers to overwhelm Ukrainian defences with sheer numbers — instead of fighting tactical battles and trying to avoid losses. Even though the strategy has resulted in successes, the losses have been high for Russia and commentators have said that the approach may eventually fail if Western assistance to Ukraine continues. Russia has lost over 1 million soldiers since 2022 The British assessment is in line with previously reported assessment of the United States, Ukraine, and independent researchers. Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that at least 100,000 Russian soldiers have been killed this year. Rubio said that 'since the beginning of 2025, roughly 100,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine—dead, not wounded'. Similarly, Ukraine this month said that the Russian toll —injured and killed— this year has been 252,360. Such figures are in line with the independent assessment of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that concluded that Russia had suffered around 1 million casualties. The assessment was published in June. Out of around 1 million casualties, around 250,000 soldiers were killed and the rest were wounded, according to the CSIS study. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
First Post
2 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Amid growing Russian threat, Poland eyes stake in satellite firm that helped Ukraine fight back
Amid growing threat to Europe from Russia, Poland is planning to acquire a stake in satellite imagery company that has been providing applications to Ukraine that have helped it plan the defences against the Russian invasion. read more Servicemen of the 24th Mechanized brigade, named after King Danylo, of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fire a BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket system toward Russian troops, on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 15, 2025. (Photo: Reuters) Amid fears that Vladimir Putin wants to expand his aggression on Europe, Poland has planned to acquire a stake in a satellite company that has helped Ukraine in the war with Russia. The satellite company Iceye, founded by CEO Rafał Modrzewski and his partner Pekka Laurila, has tracked Russian troop deployment. Ahead of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Iceye supplied Ukraine with images of Russian troop movements that helped plan the defences better. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Financial Times has reported that Poland is in the final stages to acquire a stake in Iceye. The size of the stake has not been disclosed. In recent years, particularly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, satellite imagery and satellite internet have emerged highly strategic assets for nations. As most of these organisations are based in the United States, and European nations are no longer assured that President Donald Trump will allow European nations to maintain access to these companies. Notably, after the spat at the White House, the Trump administration blocked Ukraine from accessing Maxar. From Arctic shipping to Ukraine war Iceye was founded in 2014 to provide radar imagery of moving ice blocks to Arctic shipping companies. However, as tensions raged in Europe as Russia prepared to invade Ukraine, Iceye pivoted to providing satellite imagery related to the war in Ukraine. It has now become a provider of military applications and is one of the many firms trying to capitalise on Trump dictating US firms' dealings with European nations, such as Maxar or Starlink. Modrzewski told the FT they set up Iceye with backing from Aalto University's Center for Entrepreneurship when they were students and now want to expand its production capacity at least fourfold to meet surging demand for its satellites. They currently manufacture up to 25 satellites and raise it to 100-150 a year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Poland will invest in the company via the country's nation's development bank and follows the defence ministry's $230 million purchase in May of six satellites. In recent years, as European nations have found their access to US-based tech giants' blocked or disrupted by politics, they have sought to develop alternatives. At times, access to Elon Musk-owned Starlink has also been compromised because of politics. As a result, European nations have explored alternative satellite internet services providers.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Ukraine's top commander says troops standing firm outside key city
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian service members of the 25th Sicheslav Airborne Brigade fire a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launch system towards Russian troops near the frontline town of Pokrovsk, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine April 19, 2025. REUTERS/Anatolii Stepanov/File Photo (Reuters) -Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on Friday his forces were standing firm in defending a key city on the eastern front of the three-year war. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised Ukraine's forces in their defence of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub in eastern Donetsk region that has weathered months of Russian attempts to capture it in their troops' slow advance westward. Syrskyi said he had presented a report to the president describing the challenges facing Ukrainian troops along the 1,000-km (620-mile) front. "Most attention was focused on the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka sectors, where our soldiers are courageously containing intense pressure and destroying the Russian aggressor," Syrskyi wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "The enemy is continuing to deploy its tactic of small infantry groups, but has proved powerless on its attempts to seize Pokrovsk. Today, they tried to break through with sabotage groups but were exposed and destroyed by Ukrainian defenders." Zelenskiy, in his account of the commander's report, singled out for praise those defending Pokrovsk, particularly from sabotage groups "trying to advance and enter Ukrainian cities and villages. No such Russian group will have a chance of survival." Syrskyi issued his report at the end of a week of upheaval in the government, now focused on boosting domestic arms production. Zelenskiy appointed a new Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, and put her predecessor, Denys Shmyhal, at the head of the Defence Ministry. The outgoing Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, was named chairman of the National Security and Defence Council and told to "intensify" peace talks with Russia. Russia's military has been advancing through Donetsk region, with the Russian Defence Ministry announcing almost daily the capture of villages on the approaches to Pokrovsk. The capture of one such village, Popiv Yar, was announced on Thursday. Ukraine has reported some successes in pushing back Russian troops from the area in recent months. Pokrovsk is a road and rail hub used to supply other frontline towns. Most of Pokrovsk's pre-war population of 60,000 has been evacuated. Ukraine's only mine that produces coking coal - used in its once vast steel industry -- lies idle outside the city. In Kyiv, Ukrainian air defence units repelled Russian drones on Friday evening. Fragments from one intercepted drone fell on a dwelling in an eastern suburb, but no injuries were reported. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksander KozhukharEditing by Rod Nickel)
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ukraine's top commander says troops standing firm outside key city
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian service members of the 25th Sicheslav Airborne Brigade fire a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launch system towards Russian troops near the frontline town of Pokrovsk, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine April 19, 2025. REUTERS/Anatolii Stepanov/File Photo Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on Friday his forces were standing firm in defending a key city on the eastern front of the three-year war. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised Ukraine's forces in their defence of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub in eastern Donetsk region that has weathered months of Russian attempts to capture it in their troops' slow advance westward. Syrskyi said he had presented a report to the president describing the challenges facing Ukrainian troops along the 1,000-km (620-mile) front. "Most attention was focused on the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka sectors, where our soldiers are courageously containing intense pressure and destroying the Russian aggressor," Syrskyi wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "The enemy is continuing to deploy its tactic of small infantry groups, but has proved powerless on its attempts to seize Pokrovsk. Today, they tried to break through with sabotage groups but were exposed and destroyed by Ukrainian defenders." Zelenskiy, in his account of the commander's report, singled out for praise those defending Pokrovsk, particularly from sabotage groups "trying to advance and enter Ukrainian cities and villages. No such Russian group will have a chance of survival." Syrskyi issued his report at the end of a week of upheaval in the government, now focused on boosting domestic arms production. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore What is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Asia Indonesia court jails former trade minister for 4½ years in sugar graft case Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 7-year-old girl, cabby taken to hospital after vehicle pile-up in City Hall area Singapore Former NUH male nurse charged after he allegedly molested man at hospital Zelenskiy appointed a new Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, and put her predecessor, Denys Shmyhal, at the head of the Defence Ministry. The outgoing Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, was named chairman of the National Security and Defence Council and told to "intensify" peace talks with Russia. Russia's military has been advancing through Donetsk region, with the Russian Defence Ministry announcing almost daily the capture of villages on the approaches to Pokrovsk. The capture of one such village, Popiv Yar, was announced on Thursday. Ukraine has reported some successes in pushing back Russian troops from the area in recent months. Pokrovsk is a road and rail hub used to supply other frontline towns. Most of Pokrovsk's pre-war population of 60,000 has been evacuated. Ukraine's only mine that produces coking coal - used in its once vast steel industry -- lies idle outside the city. In Kyiv, Ukrainian air defence units repelled Russian drones on Friday evening. Fragments from one intercepted drone fell on a dwelling in an eastern suburb, but no injuries were reported. REUTERS
First Post
16-07-2025
- Business
- First Post
EU plans to make Russia pay for weapons Ukraine will use against it
After US President Donald Trump approved an arms package to the tune of $10 billion for Ukraine, the European Union (EU) is working on a plan to make Russia foot the bill — and not the EU or the United States. Read to know EU's plan in the works. read more Servicemen of the 24th Mechanized brigade, named after King Danylo, of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fire a BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket system toward Russian troops, on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 15, 2025. (Photo: Reuters) The European Union (EU) is working on a plan to make sure that Russia will fund the latest arms package for Ukraine. US President Donald Trump on Monday announced that Ukraine will get air-defence systems, missiles, and artillery shells, among potentially other equipment, to the tune of $10 billion. He said the EU will buy the equipment on Ukraine's behalf. The Daily Telegraph has reported that the EU has drawn a plan to use profits generated from frozen Russian assets to pay for the arms package. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ: Is Trump giving Putin reasons to believe he's 'weak'? Russia expert explains Ukraine U-turns After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the EU froze Russian assets worth around €210 billion ($243 billion). Even as these assets remain frozen, they remain invested in interest-bearing instruments like government bonds. It is these profits from these assets —and not the assets' principal value of around €210 billion— that the EU plans to use to fund the arms package for Ukraine. Estimates have said that profits from frozen Russian assets could provide around €2.5–3 billion ($2.9–3.4 billion) a year for Ukraine's assistance. Nato to control EU-provided cash pot to arm Ukraine Under plans in the works, the Nato's Ukraine assistance mission —Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (Nsatu)— will take the lead in using profits from Russian frozen assets provided by the EU to purchase equipment and transfer it to Ukraine, according to The Telegraph. 'It is widely considered that Nato's support mission for Ukraine —Nsatu— will play the lead role in coordinating purchases of American weapons and their eventual delivery to Kyiv,' a Nato official told the newspaper. Under what the newspaper called the most likely plan, this is how the EU will provide weapons to Ukraine: Firstly, the Nato will be given the control of the cash pot containing profits from Russian frozen assets and additional funds provided by the EU and Canada. Then, the Nato will purchase military equipment from a 'shopping list' of military equipment provided by Ukraine. ALSO READ: With Russia's terms to Ukraine, Putin seeks surrender — not a peace deal Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski reportedly pushed the idea of the EU using profits from frozen Russian assets to arm Ukraine. Nato chief Mark Rutte has already said that the bloc will buy equipment from the United States and transfer to Ukraine. He further said at least eight Nato members had already signed up for such a plan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Details of the plans are yet to be worked out and the White House is yet to finalise what military equipment will be provided to Ukraine as part of the scheme.
