Latest news with #Western-supplied
Saba Yemen
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Dyliivka in Donetsk
Moscow – Saba: The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday the liberation of the town of Dyliivka in the Donetsk Republic, inflicting significant enemy casualties and destroying dozens of Western-supplied weapons, tanks, and armored vehicles of Kyiv's forces within 24 hours. In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that "Northern" forces reinforced their positions in the Sumy region of northeastern Ukraine, killing 235 enemy soldiers in the Kharkiv region and destroying two armored vehicles, six military vehicles, seven artillery pieces, and two ammunition depots, according to the Russia Today website. The ministry added that "Western" forces strengthened their positions in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine and the Donetsk Republic, killing 220 enemy troops and destroying one armored vehicle, 11 military vehicles, one artillery piece, three electronic warfare stations, and three ammunition depots. Meanwhile, "Southern" forces liberated the town of Dyliivka in the Donetsk Republic, killing 190 enemy soldiers and destroying one armored vehicle, four military vehicles, and one electronic warfare station. "Central" forces continued their advance in the Donetsk Republic, killing 230 enemy troops and destroying six armored vehicles, eight military vehicles, and three artillery pieces. The Russian Defense Ministry noted that "Eastern" forces also advanced in Donetsk, killing 190 enemy soldiers and destroying one tank, two armored vehicles, two military vehicles, three artillery pieces, and one electronic warfare station. Additionally, "Dnepr" forces pushed forward in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, killing 60 enemy troops and destroying 10 military vehicles, five electronic warfare stations, and two ammunition depots. The ministry confirmed that Russian forces carried out strikes targeting Ukrainian port infrastructure, as well as drone assembly workshops and storage facilities. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Metro
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Map shows safest countries to be in if global conflict breaks out
As the US joins Israel in its strikes on Iran and its nuclear facilities and Iran retaliates with attacks on Israel, fears have grown over 'World War 3' breaking out. Overnight 20 Israeli jets targeted military infrastructure in Kermansh in western Iran and vowed to continue hitting the country, while they also continue to pummel Gaza and its people. Iran meanwhile appears to have fired just the one drone towards Israel overnight, which Israeli officials say was shot down. It's not clear if their limited response is down to a depleted missile capacity or if the Iranian leadership is just considering its next move. But United Nations ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told an emergency meeting of the US Security Council on Sunday he feared the conflict would escalate significantly, saying 'no one knows what new catastrophes and suffering it [the Israeli attacks on Iran] will bring.' He said Russia offered to mediate an agreeable solution to Iran's nuclear programme, but the US – especially its leaders – are 'clearly not interested in diplomacy today.' Nebenzia warned: 'Unless we stop the escalation, the Middle East will find itself on the verge of a large scale conflict with unpredictable consequences for the entire international security system, plus the entire world might end up on the verge of a nuclear disaster.' There are also ongoing fears war between the west and Russia could break out after an escalation in nuclear threats from Putin. Vladimir Putin previously said he he had lowered the bar for carrying out a nuclear strike. Russia's official nuclear doctrine, which previously said the country could only use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack, last year said the country can use such weapons in response to conventional strikes. Analysts said the move was an open threat to the US and UK, who allowed Ukraine to fire longer-range Western-supplied missiles into Russia. Open conflict between the powers would likely drag in allies from across the globe. If 'World War III' did break out, however, some parts of the world are likely to avoid the brunt. Here we take a closer look at where might be a sensible place to hide out. The continent sits at the most southerly point of the planet making it one of the safest places to survive a nuclear war. There is an enormous geographic distance between Antarctica and countries with nuclear warheads. With more than 14 million square kilometres, there is plenty of room for people to take refuge. But some may find the icy and freezing climate unforgiving. Iceland has earned a reputation as one of the most peaceful countries in the world. The country has consistently topped the Global Peace Index, having never taken part in a full-scale war or invasion. Iceland's government has signed bilateral agreements with Ukraine, although its support is limited to financing and a small amount of transportation. A relatively remote island geographically, it would avoid the effects of conventional war in Europe – although the fallout of widespread nuclear strikes on the mainland would likely reach its shores in small amounts. New Zealand ranks second in the Global Peace Index and has taken a neutral stance on most conflicts. The country also has a mountainous terrain making it easier for citizens to be protected. The Kiwi government has provided financial support to Ukraine's military and assisted in action against Russia in the International Court of Justice. However it is extremely unlikely to face any attacks in the event of a Western conflict with Russia. This country is the most readily associated with political neutrality, even during World War Two. It is well protected by its terrain, landlocked geography and various nuclear shelters. Switzerland is one of the few European countries not to have provided assistance to Ukraine, and has even been accused of favouring Russia through its neutrality – so Putin is unlikely to see it as an enemy. The Swiss government has blocked the delivery of Swiss-made weapons and ammo bought from other European countries who blocked them. Greenland is the world's largest island and it belongs to Denmark. It is geographically remote, and politically neutral. The island's current population of 56,000 people means it is unlikely to be targeted by any superpower. Indonesia has often taken a neutral stance on political issues, with the country's first president, Achmed Sukarno, describing their foreign policy as 'free and active'. They act independently within international affairs, and say they are most concerned with world peace. Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Hawaii and Australia. Only 11,000 people live on the island and it has weak infrastructure. It also has a limited number of natural resources, meaning it would make an undesirable target to any aggressors. Although Argentina has engaged in conflict, most notably during the Falklands War in 1982, the country is one of the most likely places to survive famine. The country has an abundance of crop, including wheat, which means if nuclear dust were to block the sun, Argentinians will already have crops in supply. In 1971 Bhutan declared itself neutral in regards to any conflict after joining the United Nations. It is also landlocked and surrounded by mountainous regions, making it easier to defend the country. The country's 4,000 mile long coastline spans the distance between Moscow and Madrid. Chile is also home to a variety of different crops and natural resources, making survival easier. Its infrastructure and development is also considered the most advanced in South America. The island nation is 2,700 miles away from its closest country Australia. Along with a lack of clear military strategy and an army consisting of just 6,000 soldiers, Fiji ranks highly on the Global Peace Index. More Trending Much of the island is also made up of dense forests, minerals and fishing spots. South Africa is home to multiple sources of food, fertile land and fresh water, making survival easy. The country's modern infrastructure could also increase chances of survival as these resources are managed. This is an updated version of a previous article published November 22, 2024. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Iran threatens to return '50,000 US soldiers in coffins' after Trump's strikes MORE: Meet Britain's Doomsday preppers stockpiling for World War Three MORE: Four places which could be safe if World War Three erupts – including one in UK
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian MiG-29 strikes Russian drone hub, ammo depot in Zaporizhzhia direction, releases video
Key developments on June 13: Ukrainian MiG-29 strikes Russian drone hub, ammo depot in Zaporizhzhia direction, releases video Ukrainian military denies NYT claims about Russian presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Russia preparing strategic reserves for conflicts beyond Ukraine, Ukraine warns Ukraine repatriates bodies of 1,200 citizens, soldiers under Istanbul deal with Russia Russian military equipment reportedly hit in Ukrainian drone attack against Crimea A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet carried out a precision strike on Russian positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, targeting a command post for drone operators and a combined ammunition and fuel depot, Ukraine's Air Force reported on June 13. The Air Force did not disclose the exact location of the strike but thanked international partners for providing the guided munitions used in the attack. "We thank our partners for their highly accurate and effective 'arguments'," the service wrote. 0:00 / 1× The MiG-29, a Soviet-designed multirole fighter jet, remains a front-line platform in Ukraine's air force and has been adapted to carry Western-supplied precision-guided weapons. Zaporizhzhia Oblast, located in southeastern Ukraine, remains one of the war's most contested areas. While the city of Zaporizhzhia is under Ukrainian control, southern parts of the region remain occupied by Russian forces. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 31 that Russia has intensified offensive operations across several key areas, including Zaporizhzhia, as part of a broader summer push. Ukrainian forces have continued to conduct airstrikes and sabotage missions to degrade Russian supply lines and disrupt offensive preparations. Read also: Israel-Iran war could provide economic boost Russia needs to continue fight against Ukraine There is no confirmed information that Russian troops have entered Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, spokesperson Victor Tregubov of the Khortytsia group of forces told Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne on June 13, refuting earlier claims published by the New York Times (NYT). The NYT cited Ukrainian military sources claiming that Russian troops crossed the administrative boundary into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for the first time since the war began. The reporting also referenced a map by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicating that Russian forces advancing in the region had allegedly secured a foothold. Tregubov said the situation remains unchanged as of June 13. He indicated that no information suggests Russian forces have crossed the administrative border, but he noted that updated intelligence may be available later in the day. Andrii Zadubiny, press officer of the Khortytsia forces, also rejected the claims. "No enemy incursion into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has been recorded. We refute this information," he told Suspilne. He suggested that ISW might be relying on Russian sources. On June 8, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that its forces had entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a claim that has not been substantiated by Ukrainian authorities. The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState also reported no evidence of Russian forces entering the oblast. A map depicting Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine indicates that the Russian troops are only a couple of kilometers from the border. To date, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — a major industrial region in central Ukraine — has not seen confirmed Russian ground incursions, though it has remained under constant threat from missile and drone attacks. In late April, Ukrainian authorities began mandatory evacuations of families with children from four front-line villages — Kolona Mezhova, Novopidhorodne, Raipole, and Sukhareva Balka — located just kilometers from Russian positions. The latest developments come amid growing pressure on Ukrainian defenses across multiple fronts and continued failure of U.S.-mediated negotiations to produce a ceasefire agreement. Read also: Why can't the West match Russia's ammunition production? Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned on June 13 that Russia has begun preparing strategic military reserves, signaling plans for military operations that may extend beyond Ukraine. "According to our intelligence, Russia has started to prepare strategic reserves, which indicates plans for combat operations not only in Ukraine," Sybiha said during the Globsec conference in Prague, calling for urgent diplomatic and economic pressure. "Allies need full diplomatic mobilization to stop this war. This is not just a question for Ukraine. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin only understands strength, and right now it's crucial to apply sanctions in a timely manner, using them as economic weapons to pressure Russia," Sybiha said. The comments come as Russia intensifies its military offensives and missile strikes across Ukraine, despite participating in two recent rounds of peace talks in Istanbul. The first talks were held on May 16, followed by a second meeting on June 2. While both rounds produced agreements on prisoner exchanges, they failed to secure a ceasefire. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a June 12 interview with Germany's Bild newspaper that Russia is using the talks to delay tougher U.S. sanctions, while continuing to escalate attacks on Ukrainian cities. Russia also continues to issue nuclear threats to Western countries. Putin claimed on June 11 that Russia possesses the world's most advanced nuclear systems, with 95% of its strategic nuclear forces reportedly made up of modern equipment. Putin emphasized the need to significantly strengthen Russia's ground forces. Russian defense spending has surged to 6.3% of GDP, the highest level since the Cold War, as Moscow continues to ramp up its military investment amid the ongoing war. Read also: Iranian commander killed in Israeli airstrike oversaw Shahed drone supply to Russia Ukraine has brought home the bodies of 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers and citizens as part of an agreement with Russia in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War (POWs) announced on June 13. The repatriation comes after Ukraine brought back the bodies of 1,212 fallen service members earlier this week, with Moscow voicing readiness to release the remains of some 6,000 Ukrainians total during recent peace talks in Istanbul. The headquarters coordinated the operation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Ombudsman's Office, the military, the Interior Ministry, and other state and defense bodies. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also provided assistance. It is not immediately clear whether Ukraine released the bodies of Russian soldiers in return. During the previous exchange on June 11, Moscow claimed it had repatriated the bodies of 27 Russian service members. At the Istanbul meeting on June 2, Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed on a new exchange of POWs but failed to reach a ceasefire agreement. The talks led to the most extensive prisoner swap in late May, involving 1,000 captives on each side. The exchanges continued this week, focusing on severely ill and wounded soldiers. Russia accused Ukraine on June 7 of failing to uphold a proposed prisoner exchange, a charge Kyiv denied. Russian media published footage showing refrigerated containers allegedly holding the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, suggesting Kyiv had rejected their return. POW Coordination Headquarters deputy head Andrii Yusov told Ukrainian Pravda that the footage had been filmed inside Russia and not at a designated exchange site. Kyiv has repeatedly urged Moscow to adopt an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange formula. While over 5,000 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity since March 2022, Russia continues to resist a comprehensive swap. Read also: Amid Moscow's war in Ukraine, Trump wonders why 'everybody hates' Russia Explosions could be heard across Crimea early on June 13, including in Sevastopol and Simferopol, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported amid Russian claims of Ukrainian drone attacks. Atesh partisans reported "precise hits" against Russian military facilities near Simferopol. "Our agents report that due to the negligence of the (Russian) command, valuable equipment was damaged, probably an air defense missile system," the group said on Telegram. "There are also losses among the troops," Atesh said, adding that the exact numbers are difficult to establish. The pro-Ukrainian Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported a hit in Simferopol, Crimea's capital, sharing a photo of a plume of smoke rising in the vicinity of a local power station and of the village of Perevalne. Blasts in Yevpatoriia, Saki, Fedosia, and elsewhere were also reported. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 125 Ukrainian drones overnight on June 13, including 70 over Crimea and seven over the Black Sea. Russian officials did not comment on possible damage. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Ukraine has not commented on the alleged attacks. Russia has illegally occupied Crimea since 2014, transforming the peninsula into a heavily militarized stronghold to support its war against Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted the peninsula with missiles and drones since the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022. Most recently, Ukrainian drones attacked an ammunition depot used by Russia's 126th Coastal Defense Brigade near the village of Perevalne. Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian MiG-29 strikes Russian drone hub, ammo depot in Zaporizhzhia direction, releases video
A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet carried out a precision strike on Russian positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, targeting a command post for drone operators and a combined ammunition and fuel depot, Ukraine's Air Force reported on June 13. The Air Force did not disclose the exact location of the strike but thanked international partners for providing the guided munitions used in the attack. "We thank our partners for their highly accurate and effective 'arguments'," the service wrote. 0:00 / 1× The MiG-29, a Soviet-designed multirole fighter jet, remains a front-line platform in Ukraine's air force and has been adapted to carry Western-supplied precision-guided weapons. Zaporizhzhia Oblast, located in southeastern Ukraine, remains one of the war's most contested areas. While the city of Zaporizhzhia is under Ukrainian control, southern parts of the region remain occupied by Russian forces. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 31 that Russia has intensified offensive operations across several key areas, including Zaporizhzhia, as part of a broader summer push. Ukrainian forces have continued to conduct airstrikes and sabotage missions to degrade Russian supply lines and disrupt offensive preparations. Read also: Russia preparing strategic reserves for conflicts beyond Ukraine, Ukraine warns We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Mint
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Russian intelligence document calls China ‘the enemy', leak exposes Moscow's deep fear
A leaked internal document from Russia's powerful Federal Security Service (FSB) reveals growing distrust toward China, with the agency branding Beijing as 'the enemy' in an eight-page planning document obtained by The New York Times. The document, reportedly authored by a previously undisclosed FSB unit, warns that China poses a serious and expanding threat to Russian national security. China is increasingly trying to recruit Russian scientists and intelligence officers, the document states, adding that Beijing is aggressively targeting 'dissatisfied individuals" with access to sensitive military and technological information. FSB officers claim that Chinese agents are actively monitoring Russian military operations in Ukraine. Their aim, according to the document, is to analyse Western-supplied weapons and learn modern warfare techniques. 'Chinese intelligence conducts espionage in the Arctic using mining companies and university research centers as cover,' the report alleges, raising alarms over Beijing's dual-use civilian infrastructure and scientific engagement. The document also expresses concern that China could be laying groundwork to eventually challenge Russian territorial claims, particularly in sparsely populated and strategically significant regions near their shared border. Strikingly, just three days before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the FSB launched a new counterintelligence program titled Entente-4—a name seen as a pointed irony, given Moscow's public embrace of Beijing. The report notes that with most of Russia's espionage resources focused on Ukraine, the FSB feared China might take advantage of the shift. The timing was likely not accidental. Since 2022, the FSB says it has documented a sharp increase in Chinese efforts to infiltrate Russian institutions. In response, Russian officers were directed to hold face-to-face meetings with Russian citizens cooperating closely with China. They were instructed to eliminate the threat and prevent the transfer of critical information, the document states, adding, Beijing seeks to exploit Russia and gain access to advanced scientific research. The report further reveals a climate of deep mutual suspicion between the two powers. Chinese intelligence reportedly monitors returning operatives using polygraph tests and controls over 20,000 Russian students currently in China. The FSB warns that Chinese agents often seek out Russians married to Chinese citizens for potential recruitment. The goal: to penetrate Russia's state institutions through trusted, vulnerable personal connections. Though Russia and China have publicly declared a 'no limits' partnership, the FSB document reveals a behind-the-scenes intelligence struggle. It describes a 'tense and dynamically developing intelligence battle in the shadows between the two outwardly friendly nations.' While the document is undated, clues suggest, as per the news report, it was likely drafted in late 2023 or early 2024, underscoring the ongoing strain in bilateral ties despite surface-level cooperation.
