Drones, missiles and cross-border artillery took centre stage during the 62nd week of Russia’s war in Ukraine, as the 63rd began with a dramatic allegation from Moscow – that Ukraine made an attempt on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s life. Ukraine may have targeted Russian fuel depots – a possible preamble to its expected counteroffensive. Russia, … Read moreUkraine targets Russian fuel sites ahead of counteroffensive
An explosion derailed a freight train for the second day in a row in a Russian region bordering Ukraine, sending both the locomotive and some cars off the tracks, authorities said. Tuesday’s incident occurred in the western Bryansk region, which borders both Ukraine and Belarus. Russian officials say pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups have made multiple attacks … Read moreBlast causes another train to derail in Russia near Ukraine
The New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal have released a joint letter calling for the release of Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia since late March, stressing that he is being detained solely for doing his job as a reporter. The letter, which appeared in three major newspapers on Thursday … Read moreTop US newspapers call for Evan Gershkovich’s release in Russia
NATO allies and partner countries have provided Ukraine with 1,550 armoured vehicles and 230 tanks to form units and help it retake territory from Russian forces, the military alliance’s chief said. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general, said on Thursday that the deliveries constituted more than 98 percent of the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine during … Read moreUkraine has received 98% of promised combat vehicles: NATO chief
The United Kingdom and France’s sports ministers have insisted that Russian and Belarusian athletes must never compete as neutrals as recommended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) because they could still be funded by their governments. The IOC sanctioned Russia and Belarus after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022 with Minsk’s support, but last month … Read moreUK and France demand ban on Russia, Belarus state-funded athletes
President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that takes temporary control of the Russian subsidiaries of two foreign energy firms, signalling that Moscow could take similar action against other international companies if Russian assets abroad are seized. The decree — outlining possible retaliation if Russian assets abroad are harmed — showed Moscow had already taken … Read morePutin signs decree to control two foreign firms’ assets in Russia
Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva has called for a “negotiated” settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war and said he does not want to “please anyone” with his views about the conflict. Lula, who is seeking to revive Brazil’s role as a dealmaker and go-between, angered Ukraine by saying Kyiv shared blame for the war … Read moreBrazil’s Lula backs Russia-Ukraine talks to end war
World military spending reached an all-time high of $2.24 trillion in 2022, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine fuelled a sharp jump in military spending across Europe, according to a leading defence think tank. Global spending rose for the eighth consecutive year, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said on Monday in its annual report … Read moreWorld military spending reaches all-time high of $2.24 trillion
Ukraine’s military has reported “bloody battles unprecedented in recent decades” in the eastern city of Bakhmut as the death toll from a Russian attack on residential buildings in nearby Sloviansk climbed to 11. The reported battles on Saturday came as the Russian defence ministry said fighters from its Wagner mercenary group had captured two more … Read moreUkraine reports ‘unprecedented bloody battles’ in Bakhmut
The United States ambassador to Russia has visited detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in a Moscow jail, marking the first consular access granted to the imprisoned US journalist amid calls for his release. Ambassador Lynne Tracy confirmed on Monday that Gershkovich is “in good health and remains strong”. Her visit comes a week … Read moreUS envoy visits WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russian jail