Police swarm Melbourne streets ahead of fierce A-League Grand Final clash
National
Several police stations across Melbourne will be temporarily shut this evening, as Victoria Police throws its resources behind a tense A-League Grand Final clash.
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Courier-Mail
8 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Satellite images show the extent of the damage after Ukraine's daring operation deep inside Russia
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. Satellite images analysed by experts have confirmed Ukraine's claim that it destroyed crucial elements of Vladimir Putin's air power during its surprise operation deep inside Russia earlier this week. The raid, codenamed Operation Spider's Web, took 18 months to plan and execute. Ukraine smuggled drones across the Russian border, hidden in trucks, which then drove to the sites of military bases. One penetrated as far as Siberia, more than 4000 kilometres away from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. At a co-ordinated moment, the trucks released their drones, which then attacked while being controlled remotely. Ukraine pulled off the extraordinary operation with near-total secrecy, and all its operatives successfully made it back across the border. Even the United States, whose intelligence and military aid have been vital throughout the war, was not warned beforehand. 'Planning, organisation, every detail was perfectly executed. It can be said with confidence that this was an absolutely unique operation,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said when it was over. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. Picture:In the immediate aftermath of the operation, Ukraine's security forces claimed to have taken out about a third of Russia's strategic bombers, partially crippling Putin's capacity to launch long-distance missile strikes. Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, head of the Security Service, put the tally at 41 aircraft, encompassing both Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. It turns out that was not even the full extent of the damage. According to American military correspondent David Axe (fitting name, no?), the Ukrainian attacks on Russian bases appear to have diminished Russia's already dwindling supply of A-50s – an expensive type of surveillance aircraft, equipped with a powerful radar, whose chief purpose is to co-ordinate operations involving fighter jets and bombers. When Putin first invaded Ukraine, in February of 2022, he reportedly had nine active A-50s. By February of this year, that had fallen to seven, or perhaps even fewer, as Ukraine claimed to have destroyed at least two of them. One of the air bases targeted in Operation Spider's Web, in Ivanovo Oblast, is known to have housed A-50 aircraft, as captured by satellite imagery last month. Another photographic image, taken after the attack, showed at least one of the craft damaged. An overview of the Ivanovo air base, which was among those targeted by Ukraine. Picture: Maxar Technologies/AFP Two undamaged A-50 aircraft, captured in satellite images, before the Ukrainian attacks last month. Picture: Maxar Technologies/AFP The reconnaissance planes are hard to replace, and the cost – hundreds of millions of dollars – is not the only problem. After the aforementioned pair were lost earlier this year, Ukraine said Russia was trying to replace their capability with drones, as a sort of stopgap measure. 'It's certainly plausible that Russians are scrambling drones to plug some of the gaps,' drone expert Steve Wright told Newsweek at the time. 'But it's certainly not a one-for-one replacement.' 'That is hard to replicate with drones which, even if equipped with radar, lack the size and power to provide comparable radar coverage,' agreed Frederik Mertens, an analyst at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. Satellite images from commercial firms have granted a valuable window into Ukraine-Russia war since Putin's invasion began. That these latest images show smouldering wreckage deep within Russia, though, is a fact that demonstrates the astonishing success of Ukraine's operation. An image from AviVector, showing the damage at Olenya air base. Another example, from geospatial intelligence consultant Chris Biggers. Wreckage at Belaya air base. Picture: Maxar Technologies/AFP Defence analysis website The War Zone this week reiterated its previous assessment that 'Russia would not have to lose very many bombers, as well as A-50s, to' suffer a significant negative impact. 'Even taking one or two bombers out of operation will impact the Russian Aerospace Forces. The bomber triad has played a key role in launching the barrages of cruise missiles that have regularly struck targets across Ukraine,' the site noted. 'At the same time, these aircraft are an integral part of Russia's nuclear deterrent. This makes them a matter of great prestige, but also a critical element in Russia's ability to launch nuclear or conventional air strikes against targets outside of Ukraine. 'These aircraft are also regularly used for long-range patrols over Europe and Asia, also venturing as far as the coast of Alaska, and for irregular visits to strategic allies. 'Wiping out a significant portion of one prong of the nuclear triad – the most flexible part of it – has an impact on the credibility of Russia's overall deterrent.' Originally published as Satellite images show the extent of the damage after Ukraine's daring operation deep inside Russia
Sky News AU
16 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Delusional': Victorian government ridiculed after revealing plan to have just 14 inspectors enforce new tobacco licensing scheme
Victoria's new tobacco licensing scheme has been ridiculed by opposition and crossbench MPs after the Allan government revealed there would be just 14 inspectors to enforce new laws. Premier Jacinta Allan's government is implementing a licensing scheme as part of its attempts to combat the state's ongoing illicit tobacco wars. There have been at least 125 arson attacks and 130 arrests connected to the conflict since March 2023, which has seen outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised crime groups battle for control of a black market trade estimated to be worth $5 billion. Details of the new tobacco licensing scheme were revealed on Wednesday, with the Allan government claiming it would begin the process to 'break the business model of organised crime'. From July, businesses will be able to apply for licenses to sell cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco-related products, with enforcement for the new scheme to begin in February next year. Under the scheme, any person found to be selling illicit tobacco will face fines of up to $355,000 or up to 15 years in jail, while businesses will face fines of more than $1.7 million. In announcing the scheme, the Allan government claimed it was 'delivering boots on the ground to crack down on those breaking the law and backing the work of Victoria Police to disrupt the illicit tobacco trade.' But the $46 million scheme is set to be enforced by just 14 licensing inspectors. The government said the inspectors, who will work for Tobacco Licensing Victoria, will 'hit the streets to hold illegal operators to account'. The inspectors will also support Victoria Police's Taskforce Lunar – set up to combat the illicit tobacco trade – by providing them with additional intelligence. But Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin said the plan was akin to sending parking inspectors to confront hardened criminals. 'They're saying they're bringing in 14 inspectors to go out for a problem that is involving bikies, bombings and fires here across our state,' Mr Battin said. 'We're going to be effectively sending in parking officers to fix a problem of massive crime and corruption here in Victoria. That is a big problem.' The Liberal leader – who is a former police officer – said the state's tobacco laws could only be combatted by Victoria Police. 'We're not talking about walking into a shop for someone who stole a Mars bar. We're talking about organised crime who have used fire bombings on more than 100 occasions across the state. You can't send in someone who's not qualified and trained to stop that crime,' he said. 'You've got to send Victoria Police to fix this issue. And that means intervention earlier. That means working with Victoria Police to give them the powers that they need to stop these crimes happening. 'We need to make sure Victoria Police have the powers. We need to make sure Victoria Police have the staffing they can to go out and address this issue.' The government's announcement has also come under fire from Victorian Libertarian MP David Limbrick, who compared the plan to hire 14 illicit tobacco inspectors for the entire state of Victoria with the estimated 300 inspectors in Chicago to enforce alcohol prohibition in the 1920 – a city of around 3 million people. 'If the Victorian Government thinks 14 inspectors will suppress a multi-billion dollar industry, they are delusional. They seem to have no idea about the scale of organised crime in this state,' Mr Limbrick told The Libertarian MP backed NSW Premier Chris Minns' recent calls for a federal review of the tobacco excise, which has been cited as a major driver of the illicit tobacco trade. 'Until such time as federal excise is reduced, organised crime will continue to control the tobacco industry in this state,' Mr Limbrick said.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
The rhythm is going to get you: boogying burglar caught on security footage
An alleged burglar has been caught on camera, dancing in the moonlight, before breaking into a school to steal thousands of dollars in electronics. Police are searching for a man, aged in his 30s with a medium build and long hair, as the investigation into the school break-in in Sunbury, Victoria, continues. Footage showed the man driving a silver Holden Commodore to the car park of the Sunbury school at 1.10am on April 23. He took a moment to trip the light fantastic before allegedly heading inside the school to steal three laptops and a projector worth more than $5000. "It is believed the man was Dancing In The Dark," Victoria Police said. Police have asked members of the public to come forward with information about the man seen on CCTV footage. He was wearing a red and black hooded jumper, black runners, a red headband and blue gloves at the time of the burglary. Anyone who recognises the man or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at An alleged burglar has been caught on camera, dancing in the moonlight, before breaking into a school to steal thousands of dollars in electronics. Police are searching for a man, aged in his 30s with a medium build and long hair, as the investigation into the school break-in in Sunbury, Victoria, continues. Footage showed the man driving a silver Holden Commodore to the car park of the Sunbury school at 1.10am on April 23. He took a moment to trip the light fantastic before allegedly heading inside the school to steal three laptops and a projector worth more than $5000. "It is believed the man was Dancing In The Dark," Victoria Police said. Police have asked members of the public to come forward with information about the man seen on CCTV footage. He was wearing a red and black hooded jumper, black runners, a red headband and blue gloves at the time of the burglary. Anyone who recognises the man or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at An alleged burglar has been caught on camera, dancing in the moonlight, before breaking into a school to steal thousands of dollars in electronics. Police are searching for a man, aged in his 30s with a medium build and long hair, as the investigation into the school break-in in Sunbury, Victoria, continues. Footage showed the man driving a silver Holden Commodore to the car park of the Sunbury school at 1.10am on April 23. He took a moment to trip the light fantastic before allegedly heading inside the school to steal three laptops and a projector worth more than $5000. "It is believed the man was Dancing In The Dark," Victoria Police said. Police have asked members of the public to come forward with information about the man seen on CCTV footage. He was wearing a red and black hooded jumper, black runners, a red headband and blue gloves at the time of the burglary. Anyone who recognises the man or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at An alleged burglar has been caught on camera, dancing in the moonlight, before breaking into a school to steal thousands of dollars in electronics. Police are searching for a man, aged in his 30s with a medium build and long hair, as the investigation into the school break-in in Sunbury, Victoria, continues. Footage showed the man driving a silver Holden Commodore to the car park of the Sunbury school at 1.10am on April 23. He took a moment to trip the light fantastic before allegedly heading inside the school to steal three laptops and a projector worth more than $5000. "It is believed the man was Dancing In The Dark," Victoria Police said. Police have asked members of the public to come forward with information about the man seen on CCTV footage. He was wearing a red and black hooded jumper, black runners, a red headband and blue gloves at the time of the burglary. Anyone who recognises the man or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at
