Latest news with #Zaporizhzhia
Al Jazeera
9 hours ago
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,212
This is how things stand on Friday, June 20: At least 14 people were injured when Russian drones attacked the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Odesa overnight, damaging high-rise buildings and railway infrastructure, Ukrainian authorities said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Hennadiy Shapovalov as commander of Ukraine's land forces, replacing Mykhailo Drapatyi, who resigned over a deadly attack on a training area carried out by Russia. Drapatyi was reassigned to the post of commander of the joint forces as part of a military shake-up. Major-General Christian Freuding, who is in charge of coordinating German military aid to Kyiv, dismissed as 'nonsense' repeated warnings by Russian President Vladimir Putin that delivering Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine might make Berlin party to the war. Ukraine and Russia exchanged more prisoners of war, officials from both countries said, the latest round of swaps under an agreement struck in Istanbul. Zelenskyy said Russia's defence of Iranian authorities amid the Israel-Iran conflict had underscored the need for intensified sanctions against Moscow. Zelenskyy added that Russia's deployment of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and North Korean munitions showed that Kyiv's allies were applying insufficient pressure against Moscow. The International Atomic Energy Agency said the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine cannot resume operations until challenges related to the availability of cooling water and off-site power are fully resolved. Foreign direct investment into Russia has fallen sharply, the latest United Nations data showed, and Russia's premier economic forum in Saint Petersburg this week is offering scant hope of a revival, with Western investors largely absent. Soaring defence spending has propped up Russia's $2 trillion economy since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Irish Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Russian minister says country's economy is ‘on the verge' of recession
Vladimir Putin 's economy minister has warned that Russia is 'on the verge' of recession as he spoke on the second day of a signature event meant to bolster economic confidence. The minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, said at the St Petersburg economic forum that his view was based on 'current business sentiment and indicators' pointing to a slowdown. 'Everything else depends on our decisions,' Reshetnikov said, calling for the central bank to show a 'little love for the economy'. Russia's central bank raised interest rates to an eye-watering 21 per cent in October 2024 to combat inflation and kept them at that level until this month when it eased them to 20 per cent. Russia's economic growth slowed to 1.4 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest quarterly figure in two years. Prices are rising across the economy driven up by massive government spending on the war and widespread labour shortages. Annual inflation has been more than double the central bank's 4 per cent target for more than a year. READ MORE Economists have warned since the war began that any Russian growth driven by the defence industry is unsustainable and does not reflect a real increase in productivity. In Ukraine , Kharkiv and Odesa were under attack from Russian-launched drones in the early hours of Friday, according to local officials and social media channels. Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant 'cannot start operating again as long as this large-scale war continues', the UN nuclear agency has said. The plant, illegally held by the Russians, has too many issues with cooling water and its need for electricity supplied from off-site, the IAEA said. Russia and Ukraine said on Thursday that they had completed another exchange of captured soldiers. Neither side said how many. 'Our people are returning home from Russian captivity,' said Volodymyr Zelenskiy , the Ukrainian president. The Ukrainian government agency overseeing the exchanges said it involved 'seriously ill and wounded' soldiers. Russia's defence ministry also confirmed the exchange. Mr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that Russia's defence of Iran 's authorities underscored the need for intensified sanctions against Moscow. Its deployment of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and North Korean munitions was proof that Kyiv's allies were applying insufficient pressure against the Kremlin. 'When one of their accomplices loses their capability to export war, Russia is weakened and tries to interfere. This is so cynical and proves time and again that aggressive regimes cannot be allowed to unite and become partners.' The Ukrainian foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said the conflict between Israel and Iran had exposed Russian hypocrisy, with Moscow condemning strikes against Tehran while 'ruthlessly' attacking Ukraine. 'The only rational conclusion is that Russia cannot be trusted in any situation, and it is always part of the problem rather than the solution.' Fighting between Iran and Israel could deflect global attention from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and even bolster the Kremlin's war effort, a senior Ukrainian political source told AFP. The conflict has pushed up the price of oil and 'for Ukraine, the challenge is the price of oil, because if prices remain high for a long time, the Russians will earn more'. However, Kyiv has welcomed Israeli attacks on a country that has directly aided and provided weapons to Russia. Denmark , when it takes over the presidency of the European Council, will continue preparing Ukraine for EU membership against the objections of Hungary, the Danish Europe minister, Marie Bjerre, said on Thursday. The Danish presidency begins on July 1st. 'Unfortunately, Hungary is blocking and we are trying to put as much pressure there as we can and also do everything we can to make Ukraine continue with the necessary reform work,' said Bjerre. - Guardian
The Guardian
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Ukraine war briefing: Russia ‘on verge of recession', Putin minister tells economic showcase
Vladimir Putin's economy minister has warned that Russia is 'on the verge' of recession as he spoke on the second day of a signature event meant to bolster economic confidence. The minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, said at the St Petersburg economic forum that his view was based on 'current business sentiment and indicators' pointing to a slowdown. 'Everything else depends on our decisions,' Reshetnikov said, calling for the central bank to show a 'little love for the economy'. Russia's central bank raised interest rates to an eye-watering 21% in October 2024 to combat inflation and kept them at that level until this month when it eased them to 20%. Russia's economic growth slowed to 1.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest quarterly figure in two years. Prices are rising across the economy driven up by massive government spending on the war and widespread labour shortages. Annual inflation has been more than double the central bank's 4% target for over a year. Economists have warned since the war began that any Russian growth driven by the defence industry is unsustainable and does not reflect a real increase in productivity. Kharkiv and Odesa were under attack from Russian-launched drones in the early hours of Friday, according to local officials and social media channels. Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant 'cannot start operating again as long as this large-scale war continues', the UN nuclear agency has said. The plant, illegally held by the Russians, has too many issues with cooling water and its need for electricity supplied from offsite, the IAEA said. Russia and Ukraine said on Thursday that they had completed another exchange of captured soldiers. Neither side said how many. 'Our people are returning home from Russian captivity,' said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president. The Ukrainian government agency overseeing the exchanges said it involved 'seriously ill and wounded' soldiers. Russia's defence ministry also confirmed the exchange. Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Russia's defence of Iran's authorities underscored the need for intensified sanctions against Moscow. Its deployment of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and North Korean munitions was proof that Kyiv's allies were applying insufficient pressure against the Kremlin. 'When one of their accomplices loses their capability to export war, Russia is weakened and tries to interfere. This is so cynical and proves time and again that aggressive regimes cannot be allowed to unite and become partners.' The Ukrainian foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said the conflict between Israel and Iran had exposed Russian hypocrisy, with Moscow condemning strikes against Tehran while 'ruthlessly' attacking Ukraine. 'The only rational conclusion is that Russia cannot be trusted in any situation, and it is always part of the problem rather than the solution.' The funeral has been held in Kyiv for Ukrainian soldier and former actor Yuriy Felipenko, who was killed on the frontline aged 32. Before joining the army in April 2024, Felipenko starred in several stage productions and TV shows, playing a lead role in Ukrainian crime serial The Colour of Passion. Fighting between Iran and Israel could deflect global attention from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and even bolster the Kremlin's war effort, a senior Ukrainian political source told AFP. The conflict has pushed up the price of oil and 'for Ukraine, the challenge is the price of oil, because if prices remain high for a long time, the Russians will earn more'. However, Kyiv has welcomed Israeli attacks on a country that has directly aided and provided weapons to Russia. Denmark when it takes over the presidency of the European Council will continue preparing Ukraine for EU membership against the objections of Hungary, the Danish Europe minister, Marie Bjerre, said on Thursday. The Danish presidency begins on 1 July. 'Unfortunately, Hungary is blocking and we are trying to put as much pressure there as we can and also do everything we can to make Ukraine continue with the necessary reform work,' said Bjerre.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Flags at half mast in Kyiv as death toll from Russian strike reaches 28
Flags across Kyiv were lowered to half-mast on Wednesday, as Ukrainians mourned more than two dozen people killed a day earlier in Russia's deadliest strike on the capital this year. Russia sent 440 drones and fired 32 missiles during the overnight attack, said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy , partly flattening a residential building, in the latest blow to a war-weary population as diplomatic efforts to end the grinding conflict bear little fruit. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Wednesday the death toll had reached 28, but that a search operation was continuing. Two people were also killed in a separate strike on the southern port city of Odesa. Residents visited the site of the partly destroyed apartment building, where rescue workers dug through chunks of debris amid the din of heavy machinery. READ MORE 'That kind of nation has no right to exist and bring such suffering to people,' said Alla Martyniuk (46), referring to Russians. Ukrainian officials said about 27 locations in Kyiv, including educational institutions and critical infrastructure, had been hit during the multi-wave attack. Scores more people were wounded. Russia's defence ministry said it had used air, land and sea-based missiles and drones to strike 'objects of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine' in the Kyiv region and southern Zaporizhzhia province. Moscow has stepped up drone and missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in recent weeks as talks to end the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, have yielded few results. Mr Zelenskiy left the Group of Seven summit in Canada on Tuesday saying diplomacy was in 'crisis' after having missed the chance to press US president Donald Trump for more weapons. Kyiv is eager for critical aid from Washington, which has been its biggest military backer during the war, but the Trump administration has not announced any new packages. The G7 wealthy nations struggled to find unity over the conflict in Ukraine after Mr Trump expressed support for Russian president Vladimir Putin and left a day early to address the Israel-Iran conflict from Washington. A Canadian official initially said Ottawa had dropped plans for the G7 to issue a strong statement on the war in Ukraine after resistance from the United States. Prime minister Mark Carney's director of media relations later said no proposed statement on Ukraine had ever been planned. Mr Carney had started the day by announcing Ottawa would provide C$2 billion (€1.28 billion) in new military assistance for Kyiv and would impose new financial sanctions. In a post on Telegram, Mr Zelenskiy said he told the G7 leaders that 'diplomacy is now in a state of crisis' and they need to continue calling on Mr Trump 'to use his real influence' to force an end to the war. Although Canada is one of Ukraine's most vocal defenders, its ability to help it is far outweighed by the US, the largest arms supplier to Kyiv. Mr Zelenskiy had said he hoped to talk to Mr Trump about acquiring more weapons. After the summit in the Rocky Mountain resort area of Kananaskis concluded, Mr Carney issued a chair statement summarising deliberations. 'G7 leaders expressed support for President Trump's efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,' it said. 'They recognized that Ukraine has committed to an unconditional ceasefire, and they agreed that Russia must do the same. G7 leaders are resolute in exploring all options to maximize pressure on Russia, including financial sanctions.' Canada holds the rotating G7 presidency this year. Other leaders do not need to sign off on G7 chair statements. A European official said leaders had stressed to Mr Trump their plans to be hard on Russia and the US president seemed impressed, though he does not like sanctions in principle. Three European diplomats said they had heard signals from Mr Trump that he wanted to raise pressure on Putin and consider a US Senate bill drafted by senator Lindsey Graham, but that he had not committed to anything. 'I am returning to Germany with cautious optimism that decisions will also be made in America in the coming days to impose further sanctions against Russia,' German chancellor Friedrich Merz said. Upon arriving at the summit, Mr Trump said that the then-Group of Eight had been wrong to expel Russia after Putin ordered the occupation of Crimea in 2014. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Mr Trump was right and said the G7 was no longer significant for Russia and looked 'rather useless.' —Reuters
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Kyiv mourns as death toll from Russian strike climbs to 28
KYIV, June 18 (Reuters) - Flags across Kyiv were lowered to half-mast on Wednesday, as Ukrainians mourned more than two dozen people killed a day earlier in Russia's deadliest strike on the capital this year. Russia sent 440 drones and fired 32 missiles during the overnight attack, said President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, partly flattening a residential building, in the latest blow to a war-weary population as diplomatic efforts to end the grinding conflict bear little fruit. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Wednesday the death toll had reached 28, but that a search operation was continuing. Two people were also killed in a separate strike on the southern port city of Odesa. Residents visited the site of the partly destroyed apartment building, where rescue workers dug through chunks of debris amid the din of heavy machinery. A Reuters correspondent saw two bodies being removed from the rubble. "That kind of nation has no right to exist and bring such suffering to people," said Alla Martyniuk, 46, referring to Russians. Ukrainian officials said about 27 locations in Kyiv, including educational institutions and critical infrastructure, had been hit during the multi-wave attack. Scores more people were wounded. Russia's defence ministry said it had used air, land and sea-based missiles and drones to strike "objects of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine" in the Kyiv region and southern Zaporizhzhia province. Moscow has stepped up drone and missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in recent weeks as talks to end the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, have yielded few results. Zelenskiy left the Group of Seven summit in Canada on Tuesday saying diplomacy was in "crisis" after having missed the chance to press U.S. President Donald Trump for more weapons. Kyiv is eager for critical aid from Washington, which has been its biggest military backer during the war, but the Trump administration has not announced any new packages. Sofiia Holovatenko, 21, who lives nearby, came to lay flowers at the site, where residents had created makeshift memorials that included children's toys. "It shocks me, especially when it happens near your home. You just can't ignore this."
