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

Czech Republic joins Leopard upgrade campaign in Berlin

Czech Republic joins Leopard upgrade campaign in Berlin

WASHINGTON — The Czech Defense Ministry plans to join an emerging German push to modernize its Leopard 2 main battle tank fleet, ahead of an order for 70 the new A8 configuration of the vehicle. Prague leaders have appointed Defense Minister Jana Černochová as a contact person to negotiate a Czech purchase of the weapons, … 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

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

Russia battles suspected Ukraine incursion for second day, reports new drone attacks

Russia battles suspected Ukraine incursion for second day, reports new drone attacks

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian troops and security forces battled for a second day on Tuesday against an alleged cross-border raid that Moscow blamed on Ukrainian military saboteurs but Kiev described as an uprising against the Kremlin by partisans Russians. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region on the Ukrainian border, said forces continued to … Read more

Biden’s switch to F-16s for Ukraine came after months of internal debate

Biden’s switch to F-16s for Ukraine came after months of internal debate

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden decision to allow allies to train Ukrainian forces in the use of F-16 fighter jets – and possibly supplying the aircraft themselves – seemed like an abrupt shift in stance, but it was actually a shift that came about after months of internal debate and quiet talks with allies. … Read more

F-16 takeoff to Ukraine will take time – POLITICO

F-16 takeoff to Ukraine will take time – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Expressed by artificial intelligence. Don’t expect to see F-16s in Ukrainian skies anytime soon – allies need time. After months of Ukrainian lobbying, the United States on Friday gave the go-ahead to train Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter jets, hinting that a fleet of F-16s would soon be … 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