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Japan Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Russia insists on achieving Ukraine goals despite Trump's ultimatum
FILE - In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Thursday, July 17, 2025, a Russian self-propelled multiple rocket launcher fires towards a Ukrainian position in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, file) Russia is open to peace with Ukraine but achieving its goals remains a priority, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday, days after U.S. President Donald Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face tougher sanctions. Peskov and other Russian officials have repeatedly rejected accusations from Kyiv and its Western partners of stalling peace talks. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to intensify its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, launching more drones in a single night than it did during some entire months in 2024, and analysts say the barrages are likely to escalate. 'President (Vladimir) Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible. This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy,' Peskov told state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin. 'The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear,' he added. The Kremlin has insisted that any peace deal should see Ukraine withdraw from the four regions that Russia illegally annexed in September 2022, but never fully captured. It also wants Ukraine to renounce its bid to join NATO and accept strict limits on its armed forces — demands Kyiv and its Western allies have rejected. In his nightly address Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his officials have proposed a new round of peace talks this week. Russian state media on Sunday reported that no date has yet been set for the negotiations, but said Istanbul would likely remain the host city. Trump threatened Russia on July 14 with steep tariffs and announced a rejuvenated pipeline for American weapons to reach Ukraine, hardening his stance toward Moscow after months of frustration following unsuccessful negotiations aimed at ending the war. The direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul resulted in several rounds of prisoner exchanges but little else. Trump said he would implement 'severe tariffs' unless a peace deal is reached within 50 days. He provided few details on how they would be implemented, but suggested they would target Russia's trading partners in an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy. In addition, Trump said European allies would buy 'billions and billions' of dollars of U.S. military equipment to be transferred to Ukraine, replenishing the besieged country's supplies of weapons. Included in the plan are Patriot air defense systems, a top priority for Ukraine as it fends off Russian drones and missiles. Doubts were recently raised about Trump's commitment to supply Ukraine when the Pentagon paused shipments over concerns that U.S. stockpiles were running low. Elsewhere, Ukraine's air force said it shot down 18 of 57 Shahed-type and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight into Sunday, with 7 more disappearing from radar. Two women were injured in Zaporizhzhia, a southern Ukrainian region partly occupied by Russia, when a drone struck their house, according to the regional military administration. Two more civilians were injured in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv province, after a drone slammed into a residential building, local Ukrainian officials said. Later Sunday, drones struck a leafy square in the center of Sumy, wounding a woman and her 7-year-old son, officials said. The strike also damaged a power line, leaving some 100 households without electricity, according to Serhii Krivosheienko of the municipal military administration. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces overnight shot down 93 Ukrainian drones targeting Russian territory, including at least 15 that appeared to head for Moscow. Ten more drones were downed on the approach to the capital Sunday, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. He said that one drone struck a residential building in Zelenograd, on the outskirts of Moscow, damaging an apartment but causing no casualties. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Japan Today
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
At least 15 injured in Russian attack targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine
In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, a Russian soldier fires a 152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-B towards Ukrainian position in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) By ILLIA NOVIKOV Russia pounded four Ukrainian cities overnight into Wednesday, injuring at least 15 people in an attack that mostly targeted energy infrastructure, officials said. The latest bombardment in Russia's escalating aerial campaign against civilian areas came ahead of a Sept. 2 deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal in the three-year war, under the threat of possible severe Washington sanctions if it doesn't. No date has yet been publicly set for a possible third round of direct peace talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine. Two previous rounds delivered no progress apart from prisoner swaps. Russia launched 400 Shahed and decoy drones, as well as one ballistic missile, during the night, the Ukrainian air force said. The strikes targeted northeastern Kharkiv, which is Ukraine's second-largest city, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, Vinnytsia in the west and Odesa in the south. 'Russia does not change its strategy,' Zelenskyy said. 'To effectively counter this terror, we need a systemic strengthening of defense: more air defense, more interceptors, and more resolve so that Russia feels our response.' Trump on Monday pledged to deliver more weapons to Ukraine, including vital Patriot air defense systems, and threatened to slap additional sanctions on Russia. It was Trump's toughest stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin since he returned to the White House nearly six months ago. But some U.S. lawmakers and European government officials expressed misgivings that the 50-day deadline handed Putin the opportunity to capture more Ukrainian territory before any settlement to end the fighting. Other U.S. ultimatums to Putin in recent months have failed to persuade the Russian leader to stop his invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed in the war, many of them along the more than 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, and Russian barrages of cities have killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, the United Nations says. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said Tuesday that 'Putin holds a theory of victory that posits that Russia can achieve its war aims by continuing to make creeping gains on the battlefield indefinitely and outlasting Western support for Ukraine and Ukraine's ability to defend itself.' Trump said the U.S. is providing additional weapons for Ukraine but European countries are paying for them. While Ukraine and European officials were relieved at the U.S. commitment after months of hesitation, some hoped Washington might shoulder some of the cost. 'We welcome President Trump's announcement to send more weapons to Ukraine, although we would like to see the U.S share the burden,' European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday. 'If we pay for these weapons, it's our support.' In Brussels on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that the European Union set aside 100 billion euros ($116 billion) in aid for Ukraine as part of the bloc's long-term budget. The proposed sum, which requires approval by the 27 EU member nations and the European Parliament, is to help Ukraine's war-battered economy as the country strives for EU membership. The money won't be spent on military support. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Glasgow Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Russia launches another record drone attack on Ukraine, say Ukrainian officials
The development represents the latest offensive escalation amid mounting Russian aerial and ground attacks in the more than three-year war. The city of Lutsk, which lies in the north-west of Ukraine, along the border with Poland and Belarus, was the hardest hit, although 10 other regions were also struck, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said. Firefighters tackle a blaze following a Russian attack in Volyn region (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Lutsk is home to airfields used by the Ukrainian army. Cargo planes and fighter jets routinely fly over the city. No casualties were immediately reported, as emergency crews continued to assess the damage. Western regions of Ukraine are a crucial logistical backbone in the war, as airfields and depots there receive vital foreign military aid before forwarding it to other parts of the country. Russian long-range attacks have increasingly sought to disrupt those supply corridors. Russia has recently sought to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences by launching massive aerial assaults, including adding more decoy drones to its attacks. Russia launched its previous largest aerial assault late in the night of July 4 into the following day, with the biggest prior to that occurring less than a week earlier. Russia has recently sought to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences by launching massive aerial assaults (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Russia's bigger army has also launched a new drive to punch through parts of the 620-mile (1,000km) front line, where short-handed Ukrainian forces are under heavy strain. US president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was 'not happy' with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has not budged from his ceasefire and peace demands since Mr Trump took office in January and began to push for a settlement. Mr Trump said on Monday that the US would have to send more weapons to Ukraine, just days after Washington paused critical weapons deliveries to Kyiv amid uncertainty over the American administration's commitment to Ukraine's defence. Mr Zelensky said that the Kremlin was 'making a point' with the attack, as US-led peace efforts flounder. He urged Ukraine's partners to impose stricter sanctions on Russian oil and those who help finance the Kremlin's war by buying it. 'Everyone who wants peace must act,' Mr Zelensky said. The Ukrainian leader was due to meet Pope Leo on Wednesday during a visit to Italy. Russian soldiers fire from a D-30 howitzer towards Ukrainian positions in Ukraine (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Two people were wounded in the Kyiv region during the overnight barrage, officials said, as emergency crews continued to assess the damage. Poland scrambled its fighter jets and put its armed forces on the highest level of alert in response to Russia's attack, the Polish armed forces operational command wrote in a post on X. Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Tuesday that Russia could pose a credible security threat to the European Union by the end of the decade. She called for defence industries in Europe and Ukraine to be ramped up within five years. Ukraine's air defences shot down 296 drones and seven missiles overnight, while 415 more drones were lost from radars or jammed, an air force statement said. Ukrainian interceptor drones, developed to counter Russia's Shahed drones, are increasingly effective, Mr Zelensky said, noting that most targets were intercepted and that domestic production of anti-aircraft drones was being scaled up. Western military analysts say Russia is boosting its drone manufacturing and could soon be capable of launching 1,000 drones a night at Ukraine.
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Russia launches another record drone attack on Ukraine, say Ukrainian officials
Russia fired a record 728 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, as well as 13 missiles, the Ukrainian air force has said. The development represents the latest offensive escalation amid mounting Russian aerial and ground attacks in the more than three-year war. The city of Lutsk, which lies in the north-west of Ukraine, along the border with Poland and Belarus, was the hardest hit, although 10 other regions were also struck, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said. Firefighters tackle a blaze following a Russian attack in Volyn region (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Lutsk is home to airfields used by the Ukrainian army. Cargo planes and fighter jets routinely fly over the city. No casualties were immediately reported, as emergency crews continued to assess the damage. Western regions of Ukraine are a crucial logistical backbone in the war, as airfields and depots there receive vital foreign military aid before forwarding it to other parts of the country. Russian long-range attacks have increasingly sought to disrupt those supply corridors. Russia has recently sought to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences by launching massive aerial assaults, including adding more decoy drones to its attacks. Russia launched its previous largest aerial assault late in the night of July 4 into the following day, with the biggest prior to that occurring less than a week earlier. Russia has recently sought to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences by launching massive aerial assaults (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Russia's bigger army has also launched a new drive to punch through parts of the 620-mile (1,000km) front line, where short-handed Ukrainian forces are under heavy strain. US president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was 'not happy' with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has not budged from his ceasefire and peace demands since Mr Trump took office in January and began to push for a settlement. Mr Trump said on Monday that the US would have to send more weapons to Ukraine, just days after Washington paused critical weapons deliveries to Kyiv amid uncertainty over the American administration's commitment to Ukraine's defence. Mr Zelensky said that the Kremlin was 'making a point' with the attack, as US-led peace efforts flounder. He urged Ukraine's partners to impose stricter sanctions on Russian oil and those who help finance the Kremlin's war by buying it. 'Everyone who wants peace must act,' Mr Zelensky said. The Ukrainian leader was due to meet Pope Leo on Wednesday during a visit to Italy. Russian soldiers fire from a D-30 howitzer towards Ukrainian positions in Ukraine (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Two people were wounded in the Kyiv region during the overnight barrage, officials said, as emergency crews continued to assess the damage. Poland scrambled its fighter jets and put its armed forces on the highest level of alert in response to Russia's attack, the Polish armed forces operational command wrote in a post on X. Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Tuesday that Russia could pose a credible security threat to the European Union by the end of the decade. She called for defence industries in Europe and Ukraine to be ramped up within five years. Ukraine's air defences shot down 296 drones and seven missiles overnight, while 415 more drones were lost from radars or jammed, an air force statement said. Ukrainian interceptor drones, developed to counter Russia's Shahed drones, are increasingly effective, Mr Zelensky said, noting that most targets were intercepted and that domestic production of anti-aircraft drones was being scaled up. Western military analysts say Russia is boosting its drone manufacturing and could soon be capable of launching 1,000 drones a night at Ukraine.
Western Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Russia launches another record drone attack on Ukraine, say Ukrainian officials
The development represents the latest offensive escalation amid mounting Russian aerial and ground attacks in the more than three-year war. The city of Lutsk, which lies in the north-west of Ukraine, along the border with Poland and Belarus, was the hardest hit, although 10 other regions were also struck, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said. Firefighters tackle a blaze following a Russian attack in Volyn region (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Lutsk is home to airfields used by the Ukrainian army. Cargo planes and fighter jets routinely fly over the city. No casualties were immediately reported, as emergency crews continued to assess the damage. Western regions of Ukraine are a crucial logistical backbone in the war, as airfields and depots there receive vital foreign military aid before forwarding it to other parts of the country. Russian long-range attacks have increasingly sought to disrupt those supply corridors. Russia has recently sought to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences by launching massive aerial assaults, including adding more decoy drones to its attacks. Russia launched its previous largest aerial assault late in the night of July 4 into the following day, with the biggest prior to that occurring less than a week earlier. Russia has recently sought to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences by launching massive aerial assaults (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Russia's bigger army has also launched a new drive to punch through parts of the 620-mile (1,000km) front line, where short-handed Ukrainian forces are under heavy strain. US president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was 'not happy' with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has not budged from his ceasefire and peace demands since Mr Trump took office in January and began to push for a settlement. Mr Trump said on Monday that the US would have to send more weapons to Ukraine, just days after Washington paused critical weapons deliveries to Kyiv amid uncertainty over the American administration's commitment to Ukraine's defence. Mr Zelensky said that the Kremlin was 'making a point' with the attack, as US-led peace efforts flounder. He urged Ukraine's partners to impose stricter sanctions on Russian oil and those who help finance the Kremlin's war by buying it. 'Everyone who wants peace must act,' Mr Zelensky said. The Ukrainian leader was due to meet Pope Leo on Wednesday during a visit to Italy. Russian soldiers fire from a D-30 howitzer towards Ukrainian positions in Ukraine (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Two people were wounded in the Kyiv region during the overnight barrage, officials said, as emergency crews continued to assess the damage. Poland scrambled its fighter jets and put its armed forces on the highest level of alert in response to Russia's attack, the Polish armed forces operational command wrote in a post on X. Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Tuesday that Russia could pose a credible security threat to the European Union by the end of the decade. She called for defence industries in Europe and Ukraine to be ramped up within five years. Ukraine's air defences shot down 296 drones and seven missiles overnight, while 415 more drones were lost from radars or jammed, an air force statement said. Ukrainian interceptor drones, developed to counter Russia's Shahed drones, are increasingly effective, Mr Zelensky said, noting that most targets were intercepted and that domestic production of anti-aircraft drones was being scaled up. Western military analysts say Russia is boosting its drone manufacturing and could soon be capable of launching 1,000 drones a night at Ukraine.
