Page 25 - Russia Ukraine Conflict

Dialogue the only way forward to resolve Ukraine crisis: PM Modi to Putin

Two leaders reviewed bilateral ties in energy, trade and defence

Lessons in budgeting: Changing Budget tack amid changing realities

From an adventurous start in 2019 to modest revenue projections last year, there has been a marked change in Ms Sitharaman's approach. T N Ninan looks at what can be expected in Budget 2023

2022 in Review: Events that defined India's relations with the world

From India's stand on sanctions on Russia to a trade pact with Australia, take a look at some of the top events that defined India's relations with the world

Russians face major hurdles for return to Olympic track amid Ukraine war

The International Olympic Committee's complex discussion about allowing Russian athletes to participate at the Paris Games in 2024 if their country is still at war provided no short-term help in improving the athletes' standing among leaders in track and field, the biggest sport on the Olympic programme. In a year-end interview this week, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe suggested the Russian war in Ukraine, to say nothing of the still-active doping sanctions against Russia that have been in place since 2015, have led to a more difficult path for Russian track athletes to reach the IOC goal of participating as neutrals either at next year's world championships or at the Olympics the year after that. Coe sketched out a two-part process for Russian reinstatement. First, the doping sanctions would have to be lifted at a World Athletics council meeting in March, a prospect that seems more likely after a series of positive reports from a task force that monitors Russia's compliance

Russia-Ukraine stalemate sets stage for possible escalation this winter

With the war in Ukraine grinding through its 10th month, both sides are locked in a stalemated battle of attrition, which could set the stage for a new round of escalation. Many observers see the current deadlock as beneficial to Ukraine, allowing it to receive more state-of-the-art weapons from the West and prepare for new counteroffensives. In Russia, there is a growing sense of desperation among hard-liners about what they see as President Vladimir Putin's hesitancy and lack of a clear strategy. Military analysts note the fighting is likely to intensify again shortly as the soil freezes. Many point to Russian-occupied areas in the south as the most likely place for the next Ukrainian attack. The ground needs to properly freeze before you can move vehicles with more freedom," Justin Crump, a former British tank commander who heads security consultancy Sibylline, told The Associated Press. He noted that while it's harder to sustain military operations in colder weather, it will .

Russia launches another missile attack, explosions in 3 Ukrainian cities

Ukrainian authorities reported explosions in at least three cities on Friday, saying Russia has launched a major missile attack on energy facilities and infrastructure. Local authorities on social media reported explosions in the capital, Kyiv, southern Kryvyi Rih and northeastern Kharkiv as authorities sounded air raid alarms across the country warning of a new devastating barrage of the Russian strikes that have occurred intermittently since mid-October. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram that the city is without electricity. The strikes targeting energy infrastructure have been part of a new Russian strategy to try to freeze Ukrainians into submission after several key battlefield losses by Russian forces in recent months.

Ukraine's Kherson without power after heavy Russian shelling, two dead

The city was shelled more than 16 times on Thursday

US air defense systems could be targets in Ukraine, threatens Russia

Russia's Foreign Ministry warned Thursday that if the U.S. delivers sophisticated air defense systems to Ukraine, those systems and any crews that accompany them would be a legitimate target for the Russian military, a blunt threat that was quickly rejected by Washington. The exchange of statements reflected soaring Russia-U.S. tensions amid the fighting in Ukraine, which is now in its 10th month. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the U.S. had effectively become a party to the war by providing Ukraine with weapons and training its troops. She added that if reports about U.S. intentions to provide Kyiv with Patriot surface-to-air missile system prove true, it would become another provocative move by the U.S. and broaden its involvement in the hostilities, "entailing possible consequences. Any weapons systems supplied to Ukraine, including the Patriot, along with the personnel servicing them, have been and will remain legitimate priority targets for the Russian

US to expand combat training for Ukrainian troops against Russian forces

The Pentagon will expand military combat training for Ukrainian forces, using the slower winter months to instruct larger units in more complex battle skills, the Defense Department and U.S. officials said Thursday. The U.S. has already trained about 3,100 Ukrainian troops on how to use and maintain certain weapons and other equipment, including howitzers, armored vehicles and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS. But senior military leaders for months have discussed expanding that training, stressing the need to improve the ability of Ukraine's company- and battalion-sized units to move and coordinate attacks across the battlefield. Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told Pentagon reporters Thursday that the U.S. expects to train about 500 Ukrainian troops each month and will begin in the January timeframe. Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary, added that it is not likely to require additional U.S. forces to conduct the training. According to U.S. officials, the

US Senate passes record $858 billion defense bill, sends bill to Prez Biden

The fiscal 2023 NDAA authorizes $858 billion in military spending and includes a 4.6% pay increase for the troops, funding for purchases of weapons, ships and aircraft, and support for Taiwan

European Union approves new sanctions against Russia over war in Ukraine

The European Union said it approved a new package of sanctions Thursday aimed at ramping up pressure on Russia for its war in Ukraine. The package, whose details have not been revealed, was approved after days of deliberations during a meeting of the 27-nation bloc's ambassadors. The Czech Republic, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, said the package will be confirmed by written procedure on Friday. Details will then be published in the bloc's legal records. The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, last week proposed travel bans and asset freezes on almost 200 more Russian officials and military officers as part of the new round of measures. The targets of the latest recommended sanctions included government ministers, lawmakers, regional governors and political parties. In addition to sanctions on various entities, banks and individuals, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and members of his family, the EU previously approved an embargo on co

Ukraine launches largest attack on Donetsk in years, says report

On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said a Christmas ceasefire was "not on the agenda"

Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow warns 'consequences' if US sends missiles

Russia's Foreign Ministry warned Thursday that if the United States confirms reports that it plans to deliver sophisticated air defense missiles to Ukraine, it would be another provocative move by the U.S. that could prompt a response from Moscow. Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a weekly briefing Thursday that the U.S. has effectively become a party to the war in Ukraine, following reports that it will provide Kyiv with Patriot surface-to-air missiles, the most advanced the West has yet provided to help Ukraine's military repel Russian aerial attacks. Zakharova added that growing amounts of U.S. military assistance, including the transfer of such sophisticated weapons, "would mean even broader involvement of military personnel in the hostilities and could entail possible consequences. She did not specify what the consequences might be. U.S. officials said Tuesday that Washington was poised to approve sending a Patriot missile battery to Ukraine, finally agreeing to an

Swedish PM Kristersson presents priorities of EU Council Presidency

Sweden will hold the EU Council Presidency between January 1 and June 30 next year

Russia replaces Iraq as top oil supplier to India in Nov with 23% share

India's oil imports from Russia rose for the fifth straight month, totaling 908,000 barrels per day (bpd) in November, up 4% from October, the data showed

IAEA to send permanent technical missions to all nuclear plants in Ukraine

The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency will send permanent technical missions to all the nuclear power plants in Ukraine as part of stepped-up efforts to help prevent a nuclear accident

Multiple explosions reported in central district of Ukraine's Kyiv: Mayor

The mayor of Kyiv is reporting multiple explosions in the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday, the first such time in weeks during Russia's ongoing war against the country. Vitali Klitschko wrote in a post on Telegram that there were explosions in a central district of the capital that is home to many government agencies and buildings. He said municipal teams were in place and more details were expected.

The $60 price cap on Russian oil may not hit Indian purchases: Report

India mostly buys the Urals crude from Russia. This grade made up 80% of India's oil imports last month

India to set G20 agenda amid global challenges including Ukraine war

Global challenges including the war in Ukraine as well as the serious concerns posed by the aftermath of the pandemic are aspects that India's presidency predominantly would be focusing upon

US finalising arms upgrade to Ukraine with Patriot missile batteries

The US is poised to send Patriot air and missile defense batteries to Ukraine pending final approval from President Joe Biden, two US officials said