Page 124 - Latest Updates on Ukraine peace talks

Nearly 50,000 Russian men died in conflict with Ukraine, shows report

Nearly 50,000 Russian men have died in the war in Ukraine, according to the first independent statistical analysis of Russia's war dead. Two independent Russian media outlets, Mediazona and Meduza, working with a data scientist from Germany's Tubingen University, used Russian government data to shed light on one of Moscow's closest-held secrets the true human cost of its invasion of Ukraine. To do so, they relied on a statistical concept popularised during the COVID-19 pandemic called excess mortality. Drawing on inheritance records and official mortality data, they estimated how many more men under age 50 died between February 2022 and May 2023 than normal. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv gives timely data on military losses, and each is at pains to amplify the other side's casualties. Russia has publicly acknowledged the deaths of just over 6,000 soldiers. Reports about military losses have been repressed in Russian media, activists and independent journalists say. Documenting the dead h

Why Europe can't give weapons to Ukraine quickly even after 1.5 yrs of war

The calculation matters beyond the corporate offices of Europe's defence industry, which collectively generates about €120 billion a year in revenues

Wimbledon: Azarenka of Belarus booed at after loss to Ukraine's Svitolina

Victoria Azarenka said it "wasn't fair" that she was booed at Wimbledon after her loss to Ukrainian rival Elina Svitolina on Sunday. Azarenka, who's from Belarus, had just lost a third-set tiebreaker and knowing that Svitolina does not shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players after matches in protest of Russia's invasion of Ukraine walked directly to the umpire to shake hands. The two-time Grand Slam champion also seemed to give a slight wave to Svitolina, who won 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9). But as she gathered her equipment and began walking off No. 1 Court where the crowd had been rooting for Svitolina boos rained down. "I can't control the crowd. I'm not sure that a lot of people were understanding what's happening," Azarenka said, suggesting the crowd had been drinking. "It wasn't fair. It is what it is. What can I do?" It wasn't clear if fans thought Azarenka snubbed Svitolina, but the Belarusian shook her head as she walked off and banged her hands or fists together over h

Ukraine's possible entry may be biggest challenge at upcoming Nato meet

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues with no end in sight, NATO's much-celebrated unity faces fresh strains when leaders gather for their annual summit this week in Vilnius, Lithuania. The world's biggest security alliance is struggling to reach an agreement on admitting Sweden as its 32nd member. Military spending by member nations lags behind long-standing goals. An inability to compromise over who should serve as NATO's next leader forced an extension of the current secretary-general's term for an extra year. Perhaps the most difficult questions are over how Ukraine should be eased into NATO. Some maintain admitting Ukraine would fulfil a promise made years ago and be a necessary step to deter Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. Others fear it would be seen as a provocation that could spiral into an even wider conflict. "I don't think it's ready for membership in NATO," President Joe Biden told CNN in an interview airing Sunday. He said joining NATO requires countries t

Solidarity or squabbling: Test of Nato's unity at annual Vilnius summit

The world's biggest security alliance is struggling to reach an agreement on admitting Sweden as its 32nd member

Ukraine, environment to top agenda when Biden meets UK politicians, royalty

A dash of pomp and a dose of politics are on the agenda during a stopover visit to the UK where President Joe Biden will discuss the environment with King Charles III and the war in Ukraine with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Biden flies to London on Sunday on his way to a NATO summit in Lithuania. He is scheduled to hold talks with Sunak at 10 Downing St on Monday before heading to Windsor Castle to meet Charles for the first time since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September. Though this is not a full state visit with military honours and palace banquet, the royal imprimatur and backdrop of the 1,000-year-old castle help underscore the importance of the trans-Atlantic special relationship - tested by Brexit but reinforced by unity over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Sunak and the president will hold Ukraine-focused talks before both attend this week's NATO meeting in Vilnius, which will discuss how far the military alliance should open the door to Ukraine. NATO leaders said in

Russia oil discount to India shrinks to $4, delivery charges remain opaque

The steep discounts on Russia crude oil that India gorged on since the Ukraine war, have plunged but the shipping rates charged by Russia-arranged entities continues to remain 'opaque' and higher than normal, sources said. Russia bills Indian refiners at a price shade less than the USD 60 per barrel price cap imposed by the West but charges anything between USD 11 to USD 19 per barrel, twice the normal rate, for delivery from the Baltic and Black Sea to the west coast, three sources with knowledge of the matter said. The USD 11-19 per barrel shipping costs from the Russian ports to India - some of it on the 100+ tankers reportedly acquired by Russian actors for a shadow fleet - are higher than rates for comparable distances, such as a voyage from the Persian Gulf to Rotterdam. Following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February last year, Russian oil was sanctioned and shunned by European buyers and some in Asia, such as Japan. This led to Russian Urals crude being traded at a disco

Russian fighter jets harass American drones over Syria: US military

Russian fighter jets have harassed American drones over Syria for the third day in a row this week, the U.S. military said. Tension between Russian and U.S. troops is not uncommon in Syria as both countries conduct patrols on the ground as well as overflights. Syria's 12-year conflict has left half a million people dead and over 1 million wounded. The U.S. military said in a statement that Friday's encounter lasted for about two hours during which three MQ-9 drones were once again harassed by Russian fighter aircraft while flying over Syria. Russian aircraft flew 18 unprofessional close passes that caused the MQ-9s to react to avoid unsafe situations, Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, head of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, said in a statement. Rear Adm. Oleg Gurinov, head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, said earlier this week that the Russian and Syrian militaries have started a six-day joint training that ends Monday. Gurinov added in comments carried by Syrian state me

EU approve plans to boost anemic ammunition production to help Ukraine

The European Union took a major step early on day in approving plans to boost its anemic production of ammunition and missiles within the 27-nation bloc, to both defend itself and quickly help Ukraine in trying to push back the invasion by Russia. The EU presidency announced early on day that the member states and the EU Parliament reached a deal to urgently mobilise" half a billion euros from its budget for an Act in Support of Ammunition Production. The deal follows up the decision by EU leaders in March to boost urgently needed ammunition deliveries to Ukraine, which were then sought to start a counteroffensive against Russian forces. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has steadfastly asked for more military aid, from ammunition to planes and missiles. ASAP was part of the plan to send Ukraine 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition within the next 12 months. The EU had already approved plan for a fast-track purchasing procedures when it approved funds Friday to ramp up ...

Russia's missile attack on Ukraine city of Lviv kills 6, injures dozens

Russia fired cruise missiles at a western Ukraine city far from the front line of the war, killing at least six people in an apartment building in what officials said was the heaviest attack on civilian areas of Lviv since the Kremlin's forces invaded the country last year. Emergency crews with search dogs went through the rubble of the building after the nighttime attack on Thursday destroyed the roof and the top two floors. At least 36 people were injured, according to authorities. The youngest of the people who died was 21 years old and the oldest was a woman of 95, Lviv province governor Maksym Kozytskyi said. "This woman survived the Second World War, but unfortunately she didn't survive" Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kozytskyi said. Debris and wrecked parked cars lined the street outside the building, which overlooks a small neighbourhood park with swings and other playground equipment. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the body of a woman was pulled from the rubble l

US to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of aid package: Report

The Biden administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce on Friday that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of the latest military aid package for the war effort against Russia, according to people familiar with the decision. The decision comes despite widespread concerns that the controversial bombs can cause civilian casualties. The Pentagon will provide munitions that have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths. US officials said Thursday that the cluster munitions would be part of about USD 800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine. Long sought by Ukraine, cluster bombs are weapons that open in the air, releasing submunitions, or bomblets, that are dispersed over a large area and are intended to wreak destruction on multiple targets at once. The officials and others familiar with the decision were not authorised to publicly discuss the move .

India can contribute in ending war in Ukraine: US ambassador to Kyiv

India, with its rising global profile and current presidency of the G20, can contribute significantly in ending the war in Ukraine, US Ambassador to Kyiv Bridget A Brink said on Wednesday. At a special online briefing for a small group of Indian reporters, Brink said India's leadership is critical in addressing various global challenges and New Delhi's increasing concern over the adverse impact of the war on the Global South creates the ground for its role in defusing the crisis. She said the United States hopes to work with its partners and allies around the world, including India, to support freedom and democracies, and the ability of countries to choose their own future. "From Kyiv, every day I see both the devastating effects of the war and the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people," Brink said. The ambassador said India's aspirations for global leadership and its calls for collective action through its G20 theme of "One Earth, One Family, One Future" reflect the spir

Kyiv, Moscow trade accusations of attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Ukraine and Russia accused each other on Wednesday of planning to attack one of the world's largest nuclear power plants, which is located in southeastern Ukraine and occupied by Russian troops, but neither side provided evidence to support their claims. Citing intelligence reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian troops had placed objects resembling explosives on the roof of several power units of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The objects could be used to simulate an attack, he said, meaning a false flag attack. A statement from the General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces said the foreign objects were placed on the outer roof of the plant's third and fourth power units. Their detonation should not damage power units but may create a picture of shelling from Ukraine," the statement said. In Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov raised the spectre of a potentially catastrophic provocation by the Ukrainian army at the nuclear plant, which is Europe's .

Ukraine invasion: FMCG major Unilever to continue operations in Russia

Unilever has defended its decision to maintain operations in Russia citing the challenges of exiting the market and the potential consequences for its employees as reasons for its continued presence

Indian refiners saved $7 billion from Russian crude imports in 14 months

India is the world's third-largest crude oil consumer and imports more than 85 per cent of its oil needs

Russian military says it fended off Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow

The Russian military said it fended off a Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow on Tuesday that prompted authorities to briefly close one of the city's airports. The attack, which follows previous similar raids on the Russian capital during the previous months, comes after a mutiny launched by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, which saw his Wagner troops approach Moscow in the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin in more than two decades of his rule. Ukrainian authorities, which generally avoid comments on attacks inside Russia's proper territory, didn't claim responsibility for the raid. The Russian Defence Ministry said four of the five drones were downed by air defences on the outskirts of Moscow and the fifth was jammed by electronic warfare means and forced down. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that there were no casualties or damage. The drone attack prompted authorities to temporarily restrict flights at Moscow's Vnukovo airport and divert flights to other Mo

Russian President Putin losing control of his own people: Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy in an exclusive interview with CNN said: We see Putin's reaction. It's weak.

Int'l centre opens to help hold Russian leadership accountable for Ukraine

An international centre opened on Monday in The Hague to support nations already building cases against senior Russian leaders for the crime of aggression resulting from the country's invasion of Ukraine. The International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine is the latest step in concerted worldwide efforts to hold the Russian leadership criminally responsible for its war against Ukraine last year, triggering Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. The centre is based at the headquarters of the European Union's judicial cooperation agency, Eurojust. It will not issue indictments or arrest warrants for suspects. Instead, it will support investigations already underway in Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said in a statement that the launch was a clear signal that the world is united and unwavering on the path to holding the Russian regime accountable for all its crimes. He added that .

Need to ensure our interest is best served: Jaishankar on Ind-Russia trade

EAM Jaishankar said on Monday that India should keep its relationship with Russia going and see how the interest of the Indian people is best served

Covid-19, Ukraine war led to data gaps in 2022: RBI dy governor Patra

Analysis of forecast errors show there is no systematic bias in system, he says