Ukraine-Russia latest: Russian military intel officer injured in car bomb as Kyiv hits Putin’s Crimea ferry

A Russian military intelligence officer has been critically injured in a car bomb explosion in Moscow.

Kremlin-approved media reported that the officer, believed to be the deputy head of a military unit specialising in communication, was wounded after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated inside his car.

Footage published on the Telegram messenger app showed the burnt remains of a Toyata Land Cruiser with its left side ripped off.

The motive for the bombing is not yet clear, but Russian officials often – without evidence – try and blame Ukraine for such incidents.

It comes as Ukrainian forces have “seriously damaged” a ferry in occupied Crimea which was being used by Russian forces to transport military equipment, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said last night.

The apparent destruction of Russia’s last railway ferry “Slavyanin” in Port Kavkaz took place as Ukraine launched a major aerial attack on Putin’s forces for the second night in a row in the early hours yesterday, targeting occupied Crimea using at least 21 drones.

Key Points

• Victim of Moscow car blast identified as Kremlin intelligence officer

• Moscow intelligence office injured in car blast – pictures

• Ukraine says it is open for talks if Russia ready to negotiate in good faith

• Kyiv says Russian ferry in Crimea ‘seriously damaged’

Russia launches air attack on Ukraine’s Kharkiv, mayor says

11:18 , Tom Watling

Russia launched an air attack on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight, setting at least one building ablaze, officials said on Wednesday.

The city’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, initially said one civilian was killed, though his message on the Telegram messaging app was later edited to say the death had not been confirmed.

Terekhov said Russia launched several waves in its attack on Kharkiv – the administrative centre of the broader Kharkiv region which borders Russia.

Also on Telegram, Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said the strikes set a building ablaze in the city.

Images show aftermath of Russian strike on Ukrainian port city

10:40 , Tom Watling

We have images detailing the extent of damage sustained by Ukraine’s southern port city of Izmail following a Russian drone strike overnight.

The city, located on the border with Romania, is a key port in the Danube river for Ukraine to import fuel.

Ukraine says it is open for talks if Russia ready to negotiate in good faith

10:11 , Tom Watling

Ukraine is ready for talks with Russia if Moscow is prepared to negotiate in good faith, though it has seen no sign of that, Kyiv’s foreign minister said on Wednesday according to his ministry.

Dmytro Kuleba made the remarks during talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, the ministry added.

Ukraine’s foreign minister seeking ‘common ground’ with China in talks on ending war with Russia

10:02 , Tom Watling

Ukraine’s foreign minister seeking ‘common ground’ with China in talks on ending war with Russia

Romania’s defense ministry says no drone fragments found after strikes in Ukraine

09:30 , Tom Watling

Romania’s defense ministry said on Wednesday that no drone fragments had been found on its territory following overnight attacks by Russia on Ukrainian infrastructure near the Romanian border.

We reported earlier that at least three people had been wounded as a result of Russian drone attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Izmail, which is located on the border with Romania.

The Romanian defence ministry added that two F-16s were deployed to monitor from the air, part of regular procedure.

Zelensky pays thanks to Ukraine’s emergency services

09:15 , Tom Watling

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked his country’s emergency services for “steadfastly committed to protecting human lives”.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Zelensky praised the state emergency service, who have frequently been targeted in Russian double-tap strikes, where Moscow forces fire a second missile at damaged sites after rescue personnel arrive.

Russian man arrested over plot to ‘destabilise’ Paris Olympics

09:00 , Tom Watling

Russian man arrested over plot to ‘destabilise’ Paris Olympics

Moscow intelligence office injured in car blast – pictures

08:42 , Tom Watling

While more information comes out about the Kremlin intelligence officer injured in a car blast this morning in Moscow, we have some pictures below of the incident.

They have been compiled from a range of state-approved media outlets on the Telegram messenger app.

The vehicle appears to be a Toyata Land Cruiser.

China’s top diplomat seeks long-term ties with Ukraine: Chinese foreign ministry

08:35 , Tom Watling

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has stressed that China and Ukraine should look at and plan bilateral relations from a long-term perspective, according to China’s foreign ministry.

Wang held talks with his Ukrainian counterpart in Guangzhou earlier, Chinese state media reported.

In the meeting, Wang said the two countries should maintain communication and exchanges, enhance mutual trust and renew friendship, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said at a regular press briefing.

Victim of Moscow car blast identified as Kremlin intelligence officer

08:27 , Tom Watling

Earlier, we reported that an explosion was reported in Moscow. It has now been reported that the victim was an officer from the Kremlin’s military intelligence (GUR).

Russia’s Kommersant daily reported, citing unnamed sources, that the man was a GRU officer.

Reports from Kremlin-approved online media site Shot claimed that the man is in critical condition in hospital, while his wife suffered minor injuries from the passenger seat.

The site is claiming that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) wedged under the pedal of the driver’s seat, and that it exploded upon the car’s ignition.

Ukraine air defences downed 25 Russian drones, air force says

07:36 , Arpan Rai

Ukraine’s air defences shot down 17 out of 23 attack drones as well as eight reconnaissance drones fired by Russia in an overnight attack, the Ukrainian air force said this morning.

Russian forces also used two missiles in their overnight strike on Ukraine, the air force said.

Belarus’ foreign minister arrives in North Korea for talks expected to focus on Russia cooperation

07:00 , Tom Watling

Belarus’ foreign minister arrives in North Korea for talks expected to focus on Russia cooperation

Russian drone injures three in Ukraine

06:56 , Arpan Rai

At least three people were wounded after a Russian drone attack hit the southern Ukrainian city of Izmail overnight. The strike damaged port infrastructure and a residential building, officials said.

Rescuers were working to clear up the consequences of the strike, officials from Izmail’s state administration said.

Ukraine working on own missiles as Zelensky eyes ‘maximum independence’

06:42 , Arpan Rai

Ukraine will gradually move away from seeking military aid from the West as Volodymyr Zelensky lauded Kyiv’s missile programme yesterday, backing the war-hit nation to achieve “maximum defence independence”.

“Our missile programme is showing good dynamics, and although it is a challenging task, we are gradually approaching the possibility of using our own missiles, and not just relying on missiles supplied by our partners,” he said in his nightly address.

He held a meeting with top army officials, including Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi where he discussed Ukraine’s “real” frontline situation with Russia’s “intentions and capabilities”.

“Over time, Ukraine should achieve maximum defence independence, as such states always find effective allies and realise their interests more easily,” Mr Zelensky said.

Kyiv has enjoyed successes against Russia using its domestically-produced drones, but has relied heavily on its partners in the US and Europe for missiles and anti-missile systems.

“Ukrainian warriors have already proven to be real innovators in many areas of drone use. And it is worth continuing, and we will continue this,” the Ukrainian president said.

Car blast in Moscow injures two people

06:41 , Arpan Rai

Two people were injured in a car blast in Moscow, Russia’s interior ministry said this morning.

The ministry said that the blast was caused by the detonation of an unidentified object. No further details on the type of unidentified object and injuries were immediately available.

One civilian killed in Russian attack on Kharkiv

06:05 , Arpan Rai

A civilian was killed in Russia’s air attacks on Kharkiv, the mayor of the city in Ukraine’s east said this morning. The details of the casualty are not immediately clear.

The Russian missile and drone strikes also targeted several neighbourhoods in the city around 5am, regional governor Oleh Sinegubov said. The strikes hit a non-residential building in the Nemshlyan district and damaged at least five cars.

Another two civilians were injured in a Shahed drone attack on Malodanyliva community which caused a fire in the area, the governor said. The injured were nursed by doctors provided on the spot, he added.

A private residential building was also set ablaze after coming under a rocket attack. The law enforcement officers are investigating the type of rocket used by Russian forces. “All emergency services are working to eliminate the consequences of Russian aggression,” the head of the regional Kharkiv administration said.

Russia launched several waves in its attack on the city, which is also the administrative centre of the broader Kharkiv region and which borders Russia.

Both sides deny targeting civilians in the 27-month-old war, which Russia started with a full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbour.

Thousands in Ukraine attend funeral of former lawmaker and critic of Russia who was killed in Lviv

06:00 , Tom Watling

Thousands in Ukraine attend funeral of former lawmaker and critic of Russia who was killed in Lviv

French interior minister praises law enforcement for security work at Paris Olympics

05:00 , Tom Watling

French interior minister praises law enforcement for security work at Paris Olympics

Kyiv says Russian ferry in Crimea ‘seriously damaged’

04:46 , Arpan Rai

Ukrainian forces have “seriously damaged” a ferry in occupied Crimea which was being used by Russian forces to transport military equipment, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said last night.

“Today, the grouping of forces and means of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with units of other components of the Defence Forces, caused significant damage to the enemy ferry ‘Slavyanin’ in the port ‘Kavkaz’,” the General Staff said.

Russian occupiers were using the ferry to transport railway wagons, motor vehicles and containers for military purposes, it said. The Ukrainian forces also hinted at a “next target” in the region, without providing more details.

The ferry was reportedly the third and last railway ferry being used by Russian forces in the region. The attack, which took place in the early hours yesterday, killed one and injured others, local governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Telegram.

Putin’s forces set up new military base 200km from Ukraine frontline – report

04:11 , Arpan Rai

Russian forces have built a military base just 200km from the Ukraine war frontline in Rostov city, a new investigation has found.

The new military base is being used to conduct strikes into Ukraine and has been set up near to a penal colony and two secondary schools, reported Skhemy, a Ukrainian investigative media outlet.

“According to Planet Labs satellite images, the Russian army set up a new military base in May 2024 between a penal colony and two half-built secondary schools, on the site of another abandoned military facility – cooks’ school No 195 of the Civil Defence Forces, which closed in 2011,” it said.

Work on the base likely began last summer as, after 12 years of inactivity, changes began to take place at the abandoned premises of the former military school, the outlet said.

EU takes away Hungary’s right to host ministerial meet over its stance on Ukraine

04:00 , Tom Watling

EU takes away Hungary’s right to host ministerial meet over its stance on Ukraine

Pentagon reaffirms support for Ukraine in defence heads call

03:50 , Arpan Rai

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov dialled each other to discuss Washington’s unwavering support for Ukraine, the Pentagon said late yesterday.

This is the first call between the defence heads since US president Joe Biden’s announcement of bowing out of his reelection bid and endorsing vice president Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination to take on Republican former president Donald Trump.

“During the call, the secretary reaffirmed the unwavering support of the United States for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression,” the Pentagon’s press secretary, Major General Pat Ryder, told journalists at a news briefing.

In Kyiv, Mr Umerov said he and Mr Austin also discussed the recent developments on the frontline and Ukraine‘s urgent battlefield needs.

“I once again highlighted the importance and urgency of lifting the bans on long-range fires,” the Ukrainian defence minister said in a statement on X.

The calls comes as a steadfast move to assure Kyiv of Washington’s unrelenting support in the wake of turbulent political atmosphere in the US. On Tuesday Ms Harris national security adviser and his chief of staff spoke with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky said it was important that “the dynamics of our joint work for a just peace do not diminish.”

The first 2 of 14 new F-16 fighter jets from the US land in Slovakia

03:00 , Tom Watling

The first 2 of 14 new F-16 fighter jets from the US land in Slovakia

Civilians killed and wounded as Russia and Ukraine trade attacks. Russia claims gains in the east

02:00 , Tom Watling

Civilians killed and wounded as Russia and Ukraine trade attacks. Russia claims gains in the east

Starmer’s words will be welcomed in Kyiv – but Zelensky needs action more than ever

01:00 , Tom Watling

Starmer’s words will be welcomed in Kyiv – but Zelensky needs action more than ever

The loneliness of an Olympic athlete training in wartime Ukraine through an AP photographer’s lens

Wednesday 24 July 2024 00:00 , Tom Watling

The loneliness of an Olympic athlete training in wartime Ukraine through an AP photographer’s lens

British army not as strong as it should be because of ‘historic underinvestment’ says defence chief

Tuesday 23 July 2024 23:00 , Tom Watling

British army not as strong as it should be, admits defence chief

Belarus’ foreign minister arrives in North Korea for talks expected to focus on Russia cooperation

Tuesday 23 July 2024 21:00 , Tom Watling

Belarus’ foreign minister arrives in North Korea for talks expected to focus on Russia cooperation

Zelensky holds briefing with top military chiefs

Tuesday 23 July 2024 20:00 , Tom Watling

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has held a briefing with his top military chiefs, including army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi.

“A lot of attention was paid to the ability to strike behind the front line. We analysed the effectiveness of our drones of various types, as well as the tactics of the Russian army regarding drones,” Mr Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messenger app. The effectiveness of EW (electronic warfare) and other methods of combating UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) was evaluated.

“Rocket program. We are actively working to reduce dependence on the supply of missiles by partners, in particular for air defence.”

Ukraine’s Olympic team readies for Paris 2024

Tuesday 23 July 2024 19:00 , Tom Watling

Zelensky holds phone call with newly-appointed Estonia PM

Tuesday 23 July 2024 18:00 , Tom Watling

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has held a phone call with newly-appointed Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal hours after he took over from former Ukraine champion Kaja Kallas.

Mr Michal is taking over from Ms Kallas after the former Estonian PM accepted a role as the new foreign policy chief for the European Union. Support for Ukraine is expected to continue to be high on Tallinn’s agenda.

Estonia, which shares a border with Russia, has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies. It also has a strong defensive alliance with the United Kingdom, hosting around 900 British soldiers as part of the enhanced forward presence (eFP) programme.

EU takes away Hungary’s right to host ministerial meet over its stance on Ukraine

Tuesday 23 July 2024 17:00 , Tom Watling

EU takes away Hungary’s right to host ministerial meet over its stance on Ukraine

Estonia will support Ukraine ‘until victory’, new PM says

Tuesday 23 July 2024 16:10 , Tom Watling

Estonia’s incoming government will support Ukraine until “victory” in its war with Russia, newly-appointed prime minister Kirsten Michal told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday, pledging continuity on the issue with the former administration.

Michal, 49, has replaced Kaja Kallas, who recently resigned to become the European Union’s foreign policy chief after emerging as one of the strongest critics of Russia and supporters of Ukraine in the European Union and Nato.

“We will support Ukraine until the victory of Ukraine in this war. We are in this for a long term, I hope our allies are too,” Michal said after taking the oath of office.

“The message to our enemies is that Estonia is well-defended, we will increase our (defence) expenditure,” he added.

We have some more photos coming out of Ukraine

Tuesday 23 July 2024 15:50 , Tom Watling

Below, you can see passers-by visiting Independence Square in central Kyiv, where a memorial has been set up honouring all those who have lost their lives fighting against Russia.

Independence Square is also where protesters gathered to oppose pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych in 2013 and 2014, eventually forcing the politician to flee to Moscow. More than a hundred demonstrators were killed during the protests after Yanukovych’s forces are believed to have opened fire on the crowds.

Each flag brought by relatives bears a name of a soldier killed in battle with Russian troops. International flags mark foreign volunteers who was fighting in the Ukrainian Army

Ukraine’s top diplomat arrives in China for historic visit

Tuesday 23 July 2024 15:20 , Tom Watling

Ukraine’s top diplomat has arrived in China for the first official visit from a Ukrainian delegation since Russia launched its full-scale war more than two years ago.

Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba arrived in China, a close ally of Russia, earlier today. Beijing is one of the few countries outside of Ukraine and Russia that have proposed their own peace plan for the conflict in eastern Europe – a group of African nations also put forward a proposal – but many have viewed China’s proposal as pushing Moscow’s talking points. Western officials have spoken openly about China being the only country able to dissuade Vladimir Putin of his war in Ukraine.

“Extensive, detailed, substantive negotiations with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi are ahead regarding ways to a just peace,” wrote Mr Kuleba on Facebook.

“We must avoid competing peaceful plans. It is very important that Kyiv and Beijing conduct a direct dialogue and exchange positions.

“We will also discuss bilateral relations. I am convinced that after Ukraine started negotiations on joining the European Union, China 8 should look at relations with our country through the prism of its strategic relations with Europe.”

Zelensky meets with Vatican City official

Tuesday 23 July 2024 15:05 , Tom Watling

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has met with the secretary of state for the Vatican City.

The pair focused on the first peace summit held in Switzerland last month and continued humanitarian issues in Ukraine, according to a statement from Mr Zelensky, which you can read in full below.

British army not as strong as it should be because of ‘historic underinvestment’ says defence chief

Tuesday 23 July 2024 14:40 , Tom Watling

British army not as strong as it should be, admits defence chief

Next Ukraine peace summit may include Russia, says EU foreign policy chief

Tuesday 23 July 2024 14:25 , Tom Watling

The next peace summit organised by Ukraine could also involve the participation of Russia, the European Union’s foreign policy chief has said.

Speaking during a press conference in Brussels after the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Josep Borrell was asked about the next peace summit. The first was held in Switzerland last month, to which Russia was not invited.

“I am convinced that President Zelensky will continue to push in these negotiations to have the next conference with Russia’s presence,” Mr Borrell said. “This is real, of course. We have already said what has been said – the next step requires Russia’s involvement.”

But he also stressed that while it was important to pursue diplomatic deals, Vladimir Putin’s current terms for peace need still be rejected. Currently, Putin maintains that any peace deal is predicated on Ukraine ceding all the territory contained within the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine, as well as the Crimean peninsula.

“Yes, of course, we must place hope in peace through diplomatic negotiations, but on a certain basis.,” Mr Borrell added. “And this is not Putin’s basis.”

Moscow bans 15 British nationals from entering Russia over Ukraine roles

Tuesday 23 July 2024 14:10 , Tom Watling

Russia has expanded its list of British nationals banned from entering the country due to what it called their anti-Russian public statements on Ukraine or their role in training or arming the Ukrainian armed forces.

The Russian foreign ministry published a list of 15 people it said were representatives of Britain’s military-industrial complex or who were experts or publicists who pushed what it called anti-Russian lines in the media.

Residents rescued from frontline city

Tuesday 23 July 2024 13:45 , Tom Watling

Rescuers from a small city near the frontline in eastern Ukraine have been evacuated, images have shown.

Pictures released by Ukraine’s state emergency services show a handful of residents being evacuated from the city of Toretsk, less than three miles from the nearest Russian soldiers.

Thousands in Ukraine attend funeral of former lawmaker and critic of Russia who was killed in Lviv

Tuesday 23 July 2024 13:10 , Tom Watling

Thousands in Ukraine attend funeral of former lawmaker and critic of Russia who was killed in Lviv

French interior minister praises law enforcement for security work at Paris Olympics

Tuesday 23 July 2024 12:41 , Tom Watling

French interior minister praises law enforcement for security work at Paris Olympics

Photos from the frontline – Ukraine

Tuesday 23 July 2024 12:26 , Tom Watling

Below are some of the latest photos coming from the frontline in Ukraine. These soldiers are pictured in the Khmelnytsky region in western Ukraine.

The first 2 of 14 new F-16 fighter jets from the US land in Slovakia

Tuesday 23 July 2024 12:00 , Tom Watling

The first 2 of 14 new F-16 fighter jets from the US land in Slovakia

MoD issues update on Russian recruitment of ‘violent criminals and rapists’

Tuesday 23 July 2024 11:41 , Tom Watling

The British Ministry of Defence has issued a video report on the Russian recruitment of convicts into its army ranks.

Photos from the frontline – Russia

Tuesday 23 July 2024 11:20 , Tom Watling

The Russian defence ministry has posted photos from the frontline in Ukraine.

Russian lawmakers seek punishment for troops using smartphones in Ukraine war

Tuesday 23 July 2024 11:00 , Tom Watling

Russia’s lower house of parliament, the Duma, has proposed disciplinary detention for up to 10 days for troops using devices with camera and geolocation functions in combat zones such as Ukraine, Russia’s Tass state news agency reported.

Mobile phones have been used by both sides to identify targets in the Ukraine war, both by tracking signal locations and by accessing the photographs or messages posted by the devices, according to Russian and Western officials.

According to a draft law supported by the State Duma Defence Committee, the use of electronic devices meant for “household purposes” and which allow for filming, audio recording and transmission of geodata while in the combat zone in Ukraine, will be classified as gross disciplinary offence, Tass reported.

The bill would allow commanders of military units to decide on the imposition of disciplinary arrest for a period of up to 10 days for one gross disciplinary offence, Tass reported.

A 2024 report by the Enea cybersecurity software firm has found that mobile phones could be easily tracked on the battlefield in numerous ways by the opposing sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

A Ukrainian missile strike in 2023 killed nearly 100 soldiers in the Russian-controlled Donetsk region of Ukraine housed in a vocational school after unauthorised use of mobile phones by the troops allowed Kyiv forces to locate them.

Tass reported that the Duma draft law also seeks disciplinary arrest for up to 10 days for troops who violate the existing ban on public distribution of information that could identify Russian military personnel or their location.

EU takes away Hungary’s right to host ministerial meet over its stance on Ukraine

Tuesday 23 July 2024 10:30 , Tom Watling

EU takes away Hungary’s right to host ministerial meet over its stance on Ukraine

Lukoil’s oil supplies to Slovakia and Hungary via Ukraine have not resumed, source says

Tuesday 23 July 2024 10:00 , Tom Watling

The transit of Russian oil from Lukoil to Slovakia and Hungary via Ukraine has not resumed, a senior Russian oil industry source told reporters on Tuesday.

Slovakia and Hungary said earlier this month that they had stopped receiving oil from Lukoil through the Druzhba pipeline after Ukraine imposed a ban last month on the transit of resources from Lukoil via Ukrainian territory.

Thousands attend funeral of former MP and Russia critic killed in Lviv

Tuesday 23 July 2024 09:30 , Shweta Sharma

Thousands of people gathered in Lviv to mourn the assassination of a former Ukrainian MP best known for her controversial campaigns to promote the country’s language.

Iryna Farion, 60, was shot on Friday by an unknown assailant. She suffered injuries and later died from her wounds in a hospital.

A search is underway for her attacker, who fled the scene. Ukrainian officials said the attack is being investigated as an assassination.

Farion’s funeral was held in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv yesterday.

Her daughter Sofia Semchyshyn said: “Killed, they killed her near her house during the day, on a sunny day.”

Farion served as a member of the Ukrainian parliament between 2012 and 2014, and was best known for her campaigns to promote the use of the Ukrainian language, urging that Ukrainian officials should not speak Russian.

She controversially criticised Russian-speaking members of Ukraine‘s Azov regiment who defended the port city of Mariupol in the first days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russia sentenced another US journalist on same day as WSJ reporter

Tuesday 23 July 2024 08:30 , Shweta Sharma

A Russian court sentenced a Russian-US journalist to six and a half years in jail on the same day Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was convicted, it has emerged.

Alsu Kurmasheva, who used to work for US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was convicted and sentenced after two days of court proceedings of spreading false information about the Russian army, the court revealed on Monday.

RFE/RL president and CEO Stephen Capus called Kurmasheva’s trial and conviction “a mockery of justice”.

“The only just outcome is for Alsu to be immediately released from prison by her Russian captors,” Capus said in a statement. “It’s beyond time for this American citizen, our dear colleague, to be reunited with her loving family.”

It comes after a court in Yekaterinburg sentenced Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison for espionage, following a three-day trial held behind closed doors.

His newspaper and the United States have called the trial a sham, and Washington says it is working to secure his release.

Gershkovich and Kurmasheva are among at least a half dozen Americans convicted and jailed in Russia amid the biggest breakdown of relations between Moscow and the West since the Cold War.

Russian lawmakers propose punishment for soldiers using smartphones in Ukraine

Tuesday 23 July 2024 07:34 , Shweta Sharma

Russian troops could face disciplinary detention for up to 10 days for using smartphones in combat zones under a new law being considered by Russia’s parliament.

The lower house of parliament, the Duma, has proposed punishment for soldiers using devices with cameras and geolocation functions in combat zones such as Ukraine, Russia’s TASS state news agency reported.

Mobile phones have been used by both sides to identify targets in the Ukraine war, both by tracking signal locations and by accessing the photographs or messages posted by the devices, according to Russian and Western officials.

According to a draft law supported by the State Duma Defence Committee, the use of electronic devices meant for “household purposes” and which allow for filming, audio recording and transmission of geodata while in the combat zone in Ukraine, will be classified as gross disciplinary offence, TASS reported.

The bill would allow commanders of military units to decide on the imposition of disciplinary arrest for a period of up to 10 days for one gross disciplinary offence, TASS reported.

Ukraine reaches deal to restructure $20bn debt

Tuesday 23 July 2024 07:10 , Shweta Sharma

Ukraine struck a deal with international creditors to restructure about $20bn of national debt, bolstering Kyiv’s efforts to leverage private capital in financing its war against Russia.

The Zelensky government said yesterday that it won an agreement with investors to reduce the debt by more than a third.

The development brings the war-torn country closer to an unprecedented debt rework and comes just a week before a two-year debt suspension agreement struck in 2022 is due to run out.

“After months of engagement and hard work with our private bondholders, the IMF and our bilateral partners, we have reached an agreement in principle with the Ad Hoc Creditor Committee on the comprehensive restructuring of our public external debt,” finance minister Serhiy Marchenko said in a statement.

This was an important step to ensure Ukraine maintained the budget stability and cash resources needed to continue financing its defence, he added.

Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal said the deal would free up resources for urgent needs, including defence, social protection and recovery.

US-Russian journalist jailed after secret trial

Tuesday 23 July 2024 07:00 , Joe Middleton

A Russian court has convicted Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva of spreading false information about the Russian army and sentenced her to six and a half years in prison after a secret trial, court records and officials said.

The conviction in the city of Kazan came on Friday, the same day that a court in the city of Yekaterinburg convicted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich of espionage and sentenced him to 16 years in prison in a case that the US called politically motivated.

Ms Kurmasheva, who worked for the US government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and was an editor for the Tatar-Bashkir service, was convicted of spreading false information about the military, according to the website of the Supreme Court of Tatarstan.

Court spokesperson Natalya Loseva confirmed to the Associated Press that Ms Kurmasheva was sentenced to six and a half years in prison in a case classified as secret, with no details available about the nature of the accusations.

Asked about the verdict on Monday, Stephen Capus, RFE/RL president and chief executive, denounced the trial and conviction as “a mockery of justice” and said “the only just outcome is for Alsu to be immediately released from prison by her Russian captors”.

“It’s beyond time for this American citizen, our dear colleague, to be reunited with her loving family,” Mr Capus added in a statement to the AP.

Ms Kurmasheva, who lives in Prague with her husband and two daughters, was taken into custody in October 2023 and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent while collecting information about the Russian military.

Later, she was also charged with spreading false information about the Russian military under legislation that effectively criminalised any public expression about the war in Ukraine that deviates from the Kremlin line.

RFE/RL was told by Russian authorities in 2017 to register as a foreign agent, but it has challenged Moscow’s use of foreign agent laws in the European Court of Human Rights. The organisation has been fined millions of dollars by Russia.

In February, RFE/RL was outlawed in Russia as an undesirable organisation.

Russian airstrike damages critical infrastructure in Sumy

Tuesday 23 July 2024 06:52 , Shweta Sharma

An attack by Russian forces has damaged critical infrastructure facilities in the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said today.

No casualties have been reported in the aerial attack, the region’s military administration told parliament, but important infrastructure was damaged. No further details regarding the target of the attack were provided.

Ukraine‘s air force said on Telegram that its air defence systems destroyed seven out of the eight drones that Russia launched overnight.

Russia also launched a Kh-69 guided air missile, the air force said, but added that as a result of its forces’ countermeasures, the missile “did not reach its target”.

Russia holds second mobile nuclear missile launcher drill in a month

Tuesday 23 July 2024 06:30 , Shweta Sharma

Russian forces are conducting drills involving Yars mobile nuclear missile launchers, Russian media reported on Tuesday, in what would be the second such exercise in less than a month.

Missile launcher crews in the Volga river basin, some 700km (435 miles) east of Moscow, were set to move over 100km (62 miles) and practice camouflage and deployment, the Interfax news agency reported.

The drills follow similar exercises in early July in at least two different regions and are taking place less than two months after Russia held tactical nuclear weapons deployment exercises alongside ally Belarus.

Russia’s Kommersant newspaper reported on Tuesday that the systems, equipped with a missile with multiple warheads, can hit targets at a distance of 11,000 km. It also reported that the systems can be mounted onto truck carriers or deployed in silos.

Since invading Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has conducted numerous military exercises on its own or with other countries including China and South Africa.

Russia says it repelled 25 drone attacks launched overnight

Tuesday 23 July 2024 06:01 , Shweta Sharma

The Russian defence ministry said its defence systems destroyed 25 attack drones that Ukraine launched overnight.

It said some 21 drones were destroyed over the Crimean Peninsula and the Black Sea waters, while two each were downed over Russia’s Bryansk and Belgorod regions that border Ukraine, the ministry said.

If confirmed, it would represent the second major Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s forces in as many nights. Russia said its defences destroyed 75 Ukrainian drones targeting several Russian regions on Sunday night.

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