Header Ads

Facebook

Popular Posts

Recent Posts

3/recentposts

Latest in Sports

Sport

Hot Posts

6/recent/ticker-posts

Most Popular

Cardinal Bernardin: An example for the Church and the world

Cardinal Bernardin: An example for the Church and the world

06:38
Pope Leo XIV to be discharged from hospital

Pope Leo XIV to be discharged from hospital

03:38
Interior Minister tells all actors in Ghana’s elections to put Ghana first ahead of 2024 polls | 3News

Interior Minister tells all actors in Ghana’s elections to put Ghana first ahead of 2024 polls | 3News

17:10
Pope Leo: Saints show us 'history shaped by faith'

Pope Leo: Saints show us 'history shaped by faith'

01:38
Pope Leo XIV returns to Vatican after being discharged from hospital

Pope Leo XIV returns to Vatican after being discharged from hospital

07:38
Pope to FAO: 'Guaranteeing access to food is a basic human right'

Pope to FAO: 'Guaranteeing access to food is a basic human right'

02:38
Russia's Soviet-era military stockpile running low, faces equipment shortages, media reports Russia has depleted much of its Soviet-era military-industrial stockpile, with remaining equipment in poor condition, the independent media outlet The Insider reported on Jan. 28. The Russian military has lost more than half of its available equipment, and unless an unexpected shift occurs, hostilities could gradually fade by late 2025 or early 2026 due to a shortage of tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery, the publication claims. This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump urged Russia to "make a deal" to end the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has since said Moscow is ready to hold talks with Trump. The Insider reported that both Russian and Ukrainian forces are primarily losing Soviet-era equipment, with Russian losses now accounting for about 50% of its total stock. Much of the remaining equipment in storage is in poor technical condition, making it unlikely to be repaired and deployed to the front lines. The number of combat-ready vehicles Russia could still send to the front is estimated at around 2,000 tanks, 2,000 infantry fighting vehicles (BMPs), and 3,000 armored personnel carriers (APCs). Moscow is also reportedly facing production limitations. The only infantry fighting vehicle in large-scale production remains the BMP-3, with 463 units produced in 2023. Modern BTR-82 armored personnel carrier production is estimated at 300–400 units annually. Russian assault intensity declines, focus on Pokrovsk sector, monitoring group reports Despite suffering heavy losses, Russian forces have reportedly been able to replenish their combat strength. The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy The decline in Russia's equipment stockpile coincides with a slowdown in assault operations in Ukraine, though fighting remains intense, according to the monitoring group DeepState. As of late January, 44% of Russian attacks have been concentrated in the Pokrovsk sector, a key logistics hub for Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast. The peak of Russia's offensives occurred in December, following a surge in late November. Amid these trends, U.S. peace envoy Keith Kellogg suggested on Jan. 24 that tighter restrictions on Russia's oil industry could pressure the Kremlin to negotiate. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier on Dec. 29 expressed dissatisfaction with Trump's team's reported peace proposals, particularly the idea of freezing hostilities along the current line of contact. Putin later reiterated his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has "no right to sign any documents" in potential negotiations, reaffirming that Russia is prepared to hold talks with Trump. Romania’s presidential candidate Georgescu calls Ukraine ‘fictional state,’ suggests annexing territory “On 100% it will happen,” Calin Georgescu said in the interview with journalist Ion Cristoiu about redrawing Ukraine’s borders as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, suggesting Romania could claim some of Ukraine’s regions. The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Russia's Soviet-era military stockpile running low, faces equipment shortages, media reports Russia has depleted much of its Soviet-era military-industrial stockpile, with remaining equipment in poor condition, the independent media outlet The Insider reported on Jan. 28. The Russian military has lost more than half of its available equipment, and unless an unexpected shift occurs, hostilities could gradually fade by late 2025 or early 2026 due to a shortage of tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery, the publication claims. This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump urged Russia to "make a deal" to end the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has since said Moscow is ready to hold talks with Trump. The Insider reported that both Russian and Ukrainian forces are primarily losing Soviet-era equipment, with Russian losses now accounting for about 50% of its total stock. Much of the remaining equipment in storage is in poor technical condition, making it unlikely to be repaired and deployed to the front lines. The number of combat-ready vehicles Russia could still send to the front is estimated at around 2,000 tanks, 2,000 infantry fighting vehicles (BMPs), and 3,000 armored personnel carriers (APCs). Moscow is also reportedly facing production limitations. The only infantry fighting vehicle in large-scale production remains the BMP-3, with 463 units produced in 2023. Modern BTR-82 armored personnel carrier production is estimated at 300–400 units annually. Russian assault intensity declines, focus on Pokrovsk sector, monitoring group reports Despite suffering heavy losses, Russian forces have reportedly been able to replenish their combat strength. The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy The decline in Russia's equipment stockpile coincides with a slowdown in assault operations in Ukraine, though fighting remains intense, according to the monitoring group DeepState. As of late January, 44% of Russian attacks have been concentrated in the Pokrovsk sector, a key logistics hub for Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast. The peak of Russia's offensives occurred in December, following a surge in late November. Amid these trends, U.S. peace envoy Keith Kellogg suggested on Jan. 24 that tighter restrictions on Russia's oil industry could pressure the Kremlin to negotiate. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier on Dec. 29 expressed dissatisfaction with Trump's team's reported peace proposals, particularly the idea of freezing hostilities along the current line of contact. Putin later reiterated his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has "no right to sign any documents" in potential negotiations, reaffirming that Russia is prepared to hold talks with Trump. Romania’s presidential candidate Georgescu calls Ukraine ‘fictional state,’ suggests annexing territory “On 100% it will happen,” Calin Georgescu said in the interview with journalist Ion Cristoiu about redrawing Ukraine’s borders as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, suggesting Romania could claim some of Ukraine’s regions. The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

04:34
Denmark potentially open to sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine Denmark is prepared to contribute troops if European peacekeeping forces are needed in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on March 10. Following a meeting of Denmark’s parliament, the ministers said that the government had clarified its stance and received broad support from multiple parties. "It is important that we in Europe send the right signals both to Putin and to Washington. That is what we are doing today by saying: If it comes to the point where a European presence is needed for a ceasefire or peace agreement to be reached, then Denmark is in principle prepared for that," Rasmussen said, according to Danish Broadcasting Corporation. According to a poll published by the Ritzau news agency on Feb. 21, about 53% of Danes support sending peacekeepers to Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale war comes to an end. Despite Denmark’s readiness, Poulsen emphasized that no concrete plans have been made at this stage. Any potential deployment would depend on future developments. Trump’s alignment with Russia derails Europe’s push for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine European countries have intensified talks on sending peacekeepers to Ukraine to monitor and enforce a possible ceasefire. But the potential deployment of European peacekeepers to Ukraine faces a lot of challenges and uncertainties. There is no unity among European countries on the issue, with some… The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov "We have not made a decision to make a concrete effort. It must depend on how things develop. Therefore, this is an expression of timely care," he explained, highlighting that Denmark’s position remains conditional on the evolving situation in Ukraine. Poulsen does not foresee all of NATO-member countries spearheading a peacekeeping mission but expects several individual states to provide security assurances to Ukraine. "Now the initiative has been taken by the French and British sides to form an overview of what could potentially be needed," he said, noting ongoing discussions about what such a mission might entail. The specifics of Denmark’s potential troop contribution remain unclear, as Poulsen indicated it is too soon to determine which soldiers might be deployed. He also stressed that any commitment to Ukraine must not come at the expense of security in the Baltic region. ‘We’re ready’ — Ukraine heads into US peace talks with everything at stake Kyiv officials will meet their Washington counterparts in Jeddah on March 11 for talks which will impact the future of diplomatic relations between the two countries and likely the future of the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian side hopes the meeting would help mend ties with the White House and The Kyiv IndependentChris York

Denmark potentially open to sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine Denmark is prepared to contribute troops if European peacekeeping forces are needed in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on March 10. Following a meeting of Denmark’s parliament, the ministers said that the government had clarified its stance and received broad support from multiple parties. "It is important that we in Europe send the right signals both to Putin and to Washington. That is what we are doing today by saying: If it comes to the point where a European presence is needed for a ceasefire or peace agreement to be reached, then Denmark is in principle prepared for that," Rasmussen said, according to Danish Broadcasting Corporation. According to a poll published by the Ritzau news agency on Feb. 21, about 53% of Danes support sending peacekeepers to Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale war comes to an end. Despite Denmark’s readiness, Poulsen emphasized that no concrete plans have been made at this stage. Any potential deployment would depend on future developments. Trump’s alignment with Russia derails Europe’s push for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine European countries have intensified talks on sending peacekeepers to Ukraine to monitor and enforce a possible ceasefire. But the potential deployment of European peacekeepers to Ukraine faces a lot of challenges and uncertainties. There is no unity among European countries on the issue, with some… The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov "We have not made a decision to make a concrete effort. It must depend on how things develop. Therefore, this is an expression of timely care," he explained, highlighting that Denmark’s position remains conditional on the evolving situation in Ukraine. Poulsen does not foresee all of NATO-member countries spearheading a peacekeeping mission but expects several individual states to provide security assurances to Ukraine. "Now the initiative has been taken by the French and British sides to form an overview of what could potentially be needed," he said, noting ongoing discussions about what such a mission might entail. The specifics of Denmark’s potential troop contribution remain unclear, as Poulsen indicated it is too soon to determine which soldiers might be deployed. He also stressed that any commitment to Ukraine must not come at the expense of security in the Baltic region. ‘We’re ready’ — Ukraine heads into US peace talks with everything at stake Kyiv officials will meet their Washington counterparts in Jeddah on March 11 for talks which will impact the future of diplomatic relations between the two countries and likely the future of the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian side hopes the meeting would help mend ties with the White House and The Kyiv IndependentChris York

17:34
'We had to get Ukraine to do the right thing' — Trump on his Oval Office clash with Zelensky U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 17 that his argument with President Volodymyr Zelensky during the Ukrainian leader's visit to the Oval Office was part of a strategy to pressure Ukraine. "A lot of people are being killed over there and we had to get Ukraine to do the right thing. It was not an easy situation," Trump told reporters at the Kennedy Center. "You got to see a little glimpse at the Oval Office, but I think they are doing the right thing now, and we are trying to get the peace agreement done. We want to get ceasefire and then a peace agreement." Zelensky and Trump held a tense 45-minute press briefing in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, which ended in a heated argument over U.S. aid to Ukraine and the cancellation of a planned mineral agreement. After the meeting, Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the U.S. and said on Truth Social that "he can come back when he is ready for peace." The dispute escalated during the press conference following Zelensky's response to remarks by U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Who is to gain more from a ceasefire — Russia or Ukraine? U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 17 that he expects to hold a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal that Moscow has yet to agree to. Russia has declined to immediately accept the 30-day ceasefire proposal, with the The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov Following the argument, the Trump administration suspended intelligence and military aid to Ukraine for about a week. Tensions started to ease by March 4, when Zelensky apologized to Trump, expressing readiness to work with Trump's leadership for lasting peace and reiterating Ukraine's commitment to ending the war. Trump previously said he plans to have a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18. The planned call follows U.S.-led talks in Saudi Arabia, where Washington proposed a 30-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. Kyiv accepted the deal on March 11, leading the U.S. to resume military and intelligence support. On March 13, Putin signaled Russia's willingness but demanded guarantees that Ukraine wouldn't mobilize, train troops, or receive military aid during the truce, raising concerns about renewed Russian aggression. "It's a bad situation in Russia, and it's a bad situation in Ukraine," Trump said. "What's happening in Ukraine is not good, but we're going to see if we can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire, and I think we will be able to do it.  And I'm speaking to President Putin tomorrow morning." Critical Ukraine coverage at risk as Trump slashes Radio Free Europe funding The U.S. decision to cut off funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty came as a surprise for the outlet’s newsroom, a source in the RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service told the Kyiv Independent. “We understood that the U.S. president, to put it mildly, does not like us, The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

'We had to get Ukraine to do the right thing' — Trump on his Oval Office clash with Zelensky U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 17 that his argument with President Volodymyr Zelensky during the Ukrainian leader's visit to the Oval Office was part of a strategy to pressure Ukraine. "A lot of people are being killed over there and we had to get Ukraine to do the right thing. It was not an easy situation," Trump told reporters at the Kennedy Center. "You got to see a little glimpse at the Oval Office, but I think they are doing the right thing now, and we are trying to get the peace agreement done. We want to get ceasefire and then a peace agreement." Zelensky and Trump held a tense 45-minute press briefing in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, which ended in a heated argument over U.S. aid to Ukraine and the cancellation of a planned mineral agreement. After the meeting, Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the U.S. and said on Truth Social that "he can come back when he is ready for peace." The dispute escalated during the press conference following Zelensky's response to remarks by U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Who is to gain more from a ceasefire — Russia or Ukraine? U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 17 that he expects to hold a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal that Moscow has yet to agree to. Russia has declined to immediately accept the 30-day ceasefire proposal, with the The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov Following the argument, the Trump administration suspended intelligence and military aid to Ukraine for about a week. Tensions started to ease by March 4, when Zelensky apologized to Trump, expressing readiness to work with Trump's leadership for lasting peace and reiterating Ukraine's commitment to ending the war. Trump previously said he plans to have a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18. The planned call follows U.S.-led talks in Saudi Arabia, where Washington proposed a 30-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. Kyiv accepted the deal on March 11, leading the U.S. to resume military and intelligence support. On March 13, Putin signaled Russia's willingness but demanded guarantees that Ukraine wouldn't mobilize, train troops, or receive military aid during the truce, raising concerns about renewed Russian aggression. "It's a bad situation in Russia, and it's a bad situation in Ukraine," Trump said. "What's happening in Ukraine is not good, but we're going to see if we can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire, and I think we will be able to do it.  And I'm speaking to President Putin tomorrow morning." Critical Ukraine coverage at risk as Trump slashes Radio Free Europe funding The U.S. decision to cut off funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty came as a surprise for the outlet’s newsroom, a source in the RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service told the Kyiv Independent. “We understood that the U.S. president, to put it mildly, does not like us, The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

21:34
Explosion rocks thermal plant in Russia An explosion rocked a thermal power plant in the Russian city Orenburg, the local Emergency Services Ministry reported on April 13. As a result, a fire broke out at a substation in the morning, leaving many local residents without power. There were no casualties, and the fire has now been extinguished. It took a force of 20 people to put out the fire, which covered 10 square meters. Russia's Unified Operational Dispatch Service blamed the fire on "a short circuit” at the transformer substation, Russian media reported. Orenburg lies close to the border with Kazakhstan, around 1,700 kilometers from Kyiv and 1,200 kilometers from Moscow. The Russian Defense Ministry said it destroyed Ukrainian drones in the Rostov and Belgorod oblasts overnight but did not report on any drones in Orenburg Oblast. A gas station owned by Russian energy giant Lukoil is located near the plant, as reported by Russian independent media ASTRA. Ukrainian drones have regularly targeted Russia’s oil and gas assets in a bid to undermine Moscow’s war machine, which relies on profits from the energy sector. A Ukrainian attack on March 19 caused a huge fire at an oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai that raged for nearly a week. Kyiv has not commented on the explosion in Orenburg. Ukrainian drones have flown deep into Russian territory, with strikes reported 1,500 kilometers into Russia, including in Orenburg Oblast. In May 2024, a Ukrainian drone attacked an early-warning Voronezh M radar in the city of Orsky in Orenburg Oblast. Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) last October claimed responsibility for a fire that damaged a Russian Tu-134 military transport aircraft at a military airfield in Orenburg Oblast. Last month, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a long-range drone capable of flying 3,000 kilometers. Ukraine war latest: US envoy Witkoff proposes giving Russia ‘ownership’ of Ukrainian regions, Reuters reports Key developments on April 11: * US envoy Witkoff proposes giving Russia ‘ownership’ of Ukrainian regions, Reuters reports * Trump urges Russia “to get moving” to end war against Ukraine * Putin meets U.S. envoy Witkoff to discuss Ukraine, Kremlin says * “Several hundred” Chinese nationals fight… The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Explosion rocks thermal plant in Russia An explosion rocked a thermal power plant in the Russian city Orenburg, the local Emergency Services Ministry reported on April 13. As a result, a fire broke out at a substation in the morning, leaving many local residents without power. There were no casualties, and the fire has now been extinguished. It took a force of 20 people to put out the fire, which covered 10 square meters. Russia's Unified Operational Dispatch Service blamed the fire on "a short circuit” at the transformer substation, Russian media reported. Orenburg lies close to the border with Kazakhstan, around 1,700 kilometers from Kyiv and 1,200 kilometers from Moscow. The Russian Defense Ministry said it destroyed Ukrainian drones in the Rostov and Belgorod oblasts overnight but did not report on any drones in Orenburg Oblast. A gas station owned by Russian energy giant Lukoil is located near the plant, as reported by Russian independent media ASTRA. Ukrainian drones have regularly targeted Russia’s oil and gas assets in a bid to undermine Moscow’s war machine, which relies on profits from the energy sector. A Ukrainian attack on March 19 caused a huge fire at an oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai that raged for nearly a week. Kyiv has not commented on the explosion in Orenburg. Ukrainian drones have flown deep into Russian territory, with strikes reported 1,500 kilometers into Russia, including in Orenburg Oblast. In May 2024, a Ukrainian drone attacked an early-warning Voronezh M radar in the city of Orsky in Orenburg Oblast. Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) last October claimed responsibility for a fire that damaged a Russian Tu-134 military transport aircraft at a military airfield in Orenburg Oblast. Last month, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a long-range drone capable of flying 3,000 kilometers. Ukraine war latest: US envoy Witkoff proposes giving Russia ‘ownership’ of Ukrainian regions, Reuters reports Key developments on April 11: * US envoy Witkoff proposes giving Russia ‘ownership’ of Ukrainian regions, Reuters reports * Trump urges Russia “to get moving” to end war against Ukraine * Putin meets U.S. envoy Witkoff to discuss Ukraine, Kremlin says * “Several hundred” Chinese nationals fight… The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

01:34

Ad Home

Recent Posts

Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )
Powered by Blogger.