Russia signs deal to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus

Russia signs deal to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Russia and Belarus on Thursday signed an agreement formalizing the deployment of Moscow’s tactical nuclear weapons in its ally’s territory, though arms control remains with the Kremlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the deployment of shorter-range weapons to Belarus earlier this year in a move widely seen as a warning to … Read more

South Africa under scrutiny for Russian vessel as ruling ANC says it would ‘welcome’ Putin

South Africa under scrutiny for Russian vessel as ruling ANC says it would ‘welcome’ Putin

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The South African government was coming under more pressure Wednesday for refusing to release cargo documents relating to a visit to a Russian ship that the United States says collected cargo weapons for Moscow. Separately, a senior member of South Africa’s ruling party added to the scrutiny of the … Read more

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to China mired in sanctions

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to China mired in sanctions

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and a delegation of his colleagues visited China this week in hopes of further strengthening economic ties with Beijing. But Mishustin’s counterpart, State Council Chairman Li Qiang, who had invited him to the visit, reportedly refused to meet him at the China-Russia Business Forum on Tuesday, according to the Russian … Read more

Russian private army chief Wagner says more than 20,000 of his soldiers died in the Battle of Bakhmut

Russian private army chief Wagner says more than 20,000 of his soldiers died in the Battle of Bakhmut

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian private army chief Wagner says his forces lost more than 20,000 fighters in the long battle for Bakhmutwith about 20% of the 50,000 Russian convicts he recruited to fight in the 15-month war dying in the city in eastern Ukraine. The figure contrasts sharply with widely disputed claims by Moscow … Read more

EU says it’s now on track to get 1m Ukrainian ammunition – POLITICO

EU says it’s now on track to get 1m Ukrainian ammunition – POLITICO

BRUSSELS – The EU has sent Ukraine 220,000 rounds of ammunition since pledging in March to supply the war-torn country with 1 million shells in 12 months, putting the bloc on the right track to achieve his goal, top European diplomat Josep Borrell said on Tuesday. Yet questions remain about whether EU countries can keep … Read more

Ukraine’s nuclear power plant ‘extremely vulnerable’, warns UN official, after 7th blackout of war

Ukraine’s nuclear power plant ‘extremely vulnerable’, warns UN official, after 7th blackout of war

Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, spent hours running on emergency diesel generators on Monday after losing its external power supply for the seventh time since its neighbor’s large-scale invasion by Russia, said the head of the UN nuclear watchdog. “The nuclear safety situation at the plant (is) extremely vulnerable,” Rafael … Read more

Russia claims eastern city of Bakhmut, but Ukrainian military leaders say battle is not over

Russia claims eastern city of Bakhmut, but Ukrainian military leaders say battle is not over

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Although Russia claims to have taken control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut after a bitter nine-month conflict in which tens of thousands of fighters died, Ukraine’s top military leaders say the battle is not over. Ukrainian officials admit they only control a small part of Bakhmut. Deputy Defense Minister … Read more

Latest news on Russia and the war in Ukraine

Latest news on Russia and the war in Ukraine

29 minutes ago Russia says F-16s to Ukraine would raise question of NATO involvement A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet flies overhead during the second day of Aero India 2023 in Bangalore on February 14, 2023. Manjunath Kiran | AFP | Getty Images Transferring F-16 jets to Ukraine would raise the question … Read more

Robert Gates slams White House for being ‘slow’ to approve arms to Ukraine

Robert Gates slams White House for being ‘slow’ to approve arms to Ukraine

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates has criticized the Biden administration for the pace it is taking to approve weapons systems. Ukrainegiven that the beleaguered country is the “most important” foreign policy issue facing the United States “right now”. In an interview with “Face the Nation” that aired Sunday, Gates said the intelligence disclosures the Biden … Read more

Exclusive: Paul Whelan tells CNN he’s ‘positive and confident’ the ‘wheels are turning’ towards the exit

Exclusive: Paul Whelan tells CNN he’s ‘positive and confident’ the ‘wheels are turning’ towards the exit

CNN — Paul Whelan, an American wrongfully detained in Russia, told CNN on Sunday that he was confident his case was a priority for the US government, but wanted it resolved more quickly. “I remain positive and confident on a daily basis that the wheels are turning. I just wish they were spinning a little … Read more