Latest news with #Russian
United News of India
19 minutes ago
- Business
- United News of India
Europe incapable of aiding Ukraine effectively to defeat Russia: Former British diplomat
EU/UK, Jun 20 (UNI) Europe does not have the capability to continue sending military aid to Ukraine on the scale needed by it to defeat Russia said former UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan Craig Murray. Murray felt that Europe's ever growing defence spending is getting more and more unsustainable and putting massive strain on its economy, Speaking to RIA Novosti, Murray said "It's not sustainable for Europe (to support Ukraine)," he replied when asked whether Europe's assistance to Kiev is viable in the future. "Unfortunately, what we're seeing in the UK in particular, but also in Germany, is a massive economic distortion to prioritise defence spending." According to the former diplomat, it is common for politicians to prioritise defence spending because it is "the most corrupt industry." "Europe doesn't have the ability to supply Ukraine with munitions on the scale needed to attempt to defeat Russia militarily,' he added. In June, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Moscow produces as much ammunition in three months as NATO does in a year, reports Sputnik. Russia has repeatedly stated that Western arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the resolution of the military conflict and make NATO countries a party to the crisis. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine will be a legitimate target for the Russian military.
Al Etihad
21 minutes ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant is 'normal', Russian official says
20 June 2025 12:10 ST PETERSBURG (REUTERS)The head of Russia's nuclear energy corporation, Alexei Likhachev, said on Friday that Russian specialists were still working at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran and that the situation there was normal and under control. Likhachev said he hoped Russia's warnings to Israel not to attack the site had been received by the Israeli leadership.
NBC News
25 minutes ago
- Politics
- NBC News
One killed and 14 injured in overnight Russian attack on Ukraine's Odesa
KYIV, Ukraine — One person was killed and at least 14 were injured when Russian drones attacked the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Odesa overnight, damaging high-rise buildings and railway infrastructure, local authorities and prosecutors said Friday. Odesa is Ukraine's largest Black Sea port, key for imports and exports, and has been under constant missile and drone attacks by Russia since the war began. 'Despite the active work of air defense forces, there is damage to civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, a higher education institution, a gas pipeline and private cars,' local governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram messenger. Kiper released photos of burning houses and charred high-rise buildings. Local emergency services said that during the attack there were at least 10 drone strikes on residential buildings, causing massive fires. Ukraine's air force said Friday that Russia had launched 86 drones on Ukraine overnight. The military noted its air defense units shot down 34 drones while another 36 drones were lost — in reference to the Ukrainian military using electronic warfare to redirect them — or they were drone simulators that did not carry warheads. However, the military reported that drones hit eight locations. Ukrainian state railways Ukrzaliznytsia reported that Odesa railway station was damaged during the attack, with power wires and rails damaged. Russian drones also attacked Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine overnight, damaging several private and multi-story houses, Kharkiv officials said.
Nahar Net
26 minutes ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Israel killed and injured 500 children in Lebanon in 2024
From Gaza and Lebanon to the Democratic Republic of Congo, violence against children in conflict zones reached "unprecedented levels" in 2024, a United Nations annual report said Thursday. The report calls out Israel's military operations in Lebanon, where more than 500 children were killed or injured last year. "In 2024, violence against children in armed conflict reached unprecedented levels, with a staggering 25 percent surge in the number of grave violations in comparison with 2023," according to the report from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The report verified 41,370 grave violations against children in 2024 -- including 36,221 committed in 2024 and 5,149 committed previously but confirmed in 2024 -- the highest number since the monitoring tool was established nearly 30 years ago. The new high beats 2023, another record year, which itself represented a 21 percent increase over the preceding year. With more than 4,500 killed and 7,000 injured, children continue to bear "the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks," the report said. There was also a marked increase in the number of child victims of multiple violations to 22,495. "The cries of 22,495 innocent children who should be learning to read or play ball -- but instead have been forced to learn how to survive gunfire and bombings -- should keep all of us awake at night," said Virginia Gamba, special representative of the U.N. secretary-general for children and armed conflict. "This must serve as a wake-up call. We are at the point of no return." The Israeli armed forces, which were named last year along with Palestinian Hamas, remain on the "list of shame" calling out those responsible for the violations. The Palestinian territories occupy the top spot in the dismal rankings, with more than 8,500 serious violations, the vast majority attributed to Israeli forces, including more than 4,800 in the Gaza Strip. This figure includes confirmation of 1,259 Palestinian children killed in Gaza, and the U.N. notes it is currently verifying information on an additional 4,470 children killed in 2024 in the war-torn territory. Also listed again is the Russian army for its actions in Ukraine, where the report records a 105 percent increase in serious violations between 2023 and 2024.
Hans India
33 minutes ago
- Business
- Hans India
Pakistan To Receive 40 Chinese Stealth Fighters While India's Indigenous Program Faces Decade-Long Wait
China is set to deliver 40 Shenyang J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft to Pakistan, marking a significant shift in South Asian air power dynamics. This development places Pakistan among the select nations operating advanced stealth technology, while India's Air Force continues to operate without any stealth fighters in its current inventory. The delivery timeline suggests Pakistan could have these advanced aircraft operational by December 2025, according to defense analysts. Meanwhile, India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program remains at least a decade away from fielding operational units, with official projections indicating full induction around 2035. According to sources, senior Indian Air Force veterans have confirmed that Pakistani pilots have already been training in China for over six months on these aircraft systems. Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat, a retired IAF fighter pilot and defense analyst, noted that the pilot training program had been ongoing well before the official delivery announcement, indicating China's methodical approach to this technology transfer. The aircraft Pakistan will receive is reportedly the FC-31, an export variant of China's J-35 with reduced capabilities compared to the full-specification version used by the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force. This practice aligns with standard international arms export protocols where nations typically provide downgraded versions of their most advanced military equipment to foreign buyers. The development has raised significant concerns within India's defense establishment. The Indian Air Force has historically maintained air superiority over Pakistan through superior pilot training, advanced tactics, and a more diverse aircraft inventory. However, the introduction of stealth technology into Pakistani service threatens to narrow this advantage considerably. Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor, who previously served in key planning positions within the IAF, has suggested pursuing an interim solution to address this capability gap. He advocates for acquiring Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighters through a government-to-government arrangement, similar to India's previous Rafale acquisition deal. His proposal includes securing technology transfer agreements and coding access to integrate India's domestically developed weapon systems. The Su-57 option presents both advantages and challenges. Proponents argue that Russian systems would offer better compatibility with existing Indian equipment, weapons, and radar systems. Additionally, operating fifth-generation fighters would provide valuable experience for Indian aircrew and ground personnel while the AMCA program continues development. However, not all defense experts support this approach. Critics point to India's previous involvement in the abandoned Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft program with Russia, from which India withdrew after investing approximately $350 million. Concerns about the Su-57's performance capabilities and Russia's limited production capacity for its own air force have influenced this skepticism. Alternative suggestions include considering the American F-35 Lightning II, despite its higher cost and potential technology transfer restrictions. Some analysts view it as a more proven platform with established operational history across multiple air forces worldwide. The AMCA program represents India's long-term solution to achieving fifth-generation fighter capability. Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency in collaboration with the Air Force and Navy, this twin-engine stealth fighter aims to provide India with an indigenous alternative to foreign systems. The program targets prototype rollout by 2028-29, with full operational capability expected in the mid-2030s. The timing disparity between Pakistan's near-term acquisition and India's long-term development timeline has intensified debates about interim procurement options. Defense analysts emphasize that waiting another decade while regional adversaries enhance their capabilities could compromise India's strategic position. This development occurs within the broader context of evolving regional security dynamics, where both China and Pakistan continue modernizing their military capabilities. The stealth fighter acquisition represents Pakistan's most significant air power enhancement in recent years and could influence tactical considerations across the subcontinent. The situation underscores the challenges facing India's defense procurement and indigenous development strategies. While self-reliance in defense manufacturing remains a national priority, the immediate operational requirements may necessitate difficult decisions about bridging capability gaps through foreign acquisitions. As this technological shift unfolds, it will likely influence regional military planning, defense spending priorities, and strategic partnerships. The introduction of fifth-generation fighter technology into the South Asian theater marks a new chapter in the ongoing regional military competition.
