Ukraine says Russia launched 479 drones in war's biggest overnight bombardment
Russia launched 479 drones at Ukraine in the war's biggest overnight drone bombardment, the Ukrainian air force said on Monday.
Apart from drones, 20 missiles of various types were fired at different parts of Ukraine, according to the air force, which said the barrage targeted mainly central and western areas of Ukraine.
Ukraine's air defences destroyed 277 drones and 19 missiles in mid-flight, an air force statement said, claiming that only 10 drones or missiles hit their target.
Officials said one person was injured.
It was not possible to independently verify the claim.
A recent escalation in aerial attacks has coincided with a renewed Russian battlefield push on eastern and north-eastern parts of the roughly 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) front line.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said late on Sunday that in some of those areas 'the situation is very difficult'. He provided no details.
Ukraine is short-handed on the front line against its bigger enemy and needs further military support from its Western partners, especially air defences. But uncertainty about the US policy on the war has fuelled doubts about how much help Kyiv can count on.
Two recent rounds of direct peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul have yielded no significant breakthroughs beyond pledges to swap prisoners as well as thousands of their dead and seriously wounded troops.
Russia's aerial attacks usually start late in the evening and end in the morning, because drones are harder to spot in the dark.
Russia has relentlessly battered civilian areas of Ukraine with Shahed drones during the more than three-year war. The attacks have killed more that 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations.
Russia says it targets only military targets.
Ukraine has developed long-range drones that continue to strike deep inside Russia.
Russia's Ministry of Defence said on Monday that it shot down 49 Ukrainian drones overnight over seven Russian regions.
Two drones hit a plant specialising in electronic warfare equipment in the Chuvashia region, located more than 600 kilometres east of Moscow, local officials reported.
Alexander Gusev, head of Russia's Voronezh region, said 25 drones had been shot down there overnight, damaging a gas pipeline and sparking a small fire.
The Ukrainian General Staff claimed special operations forces forces struck two Russian fighter jets stationed at the Savasleyka airfield in Russia's Novgorod region located some 650 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.
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The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Cammy Day complaints raises safe-guarding council issues, report says
The investigation focused on how the Council handled any allegations made, the policy and procedures in place to deal with similar types of allegations and what improvements could be made to safeguard against any inappropriate behaviour in future. The report makes a series of recommendations around the council's complaints procedures and whistleblowing policy with a focus on the safeguarding of victims. It comes after former City of Edinburgh Council leader resigned at the end of last year after two Ukrainian refugees who had settled in the city told a newspaper he repeatedly sent them inappropriate messages on a dating app. Since then, other complaints about Mr Day were revealed by the press. However, the former council leader has since been cleared of criminality in a separate Police Scotland investigation and has claimed he has been subject to a political plot against him. The inquiry published today by the council, however, found there is "no doubt" there is a "significant perceived power imbalance" around the complaints being made to Edinburgh City Council about the "alleged unwanted behaviour" of the former council leader. READ MORE: Cammy Day's conspiracy claims 'really wrong' says ex-Labour colleague Cammy Day probe widened to include all historic complaints The inquiry involved a detailed review of council policies, reports and other documents, webcasts of council meetings and 35 structured interviews. In his report, the author, Mr Dunion, who was appointed to the task in February, writes: "There which have apparently been reported up the management chain, such as alleged unwanted advances being made to junior staff but being treated as gossip, or concerns about a social relationship with a young member of staff being formed, but a procedural response taken, based around the narrow legal requirement for safeguarding." As part of its remit, his report considered whether the safeguards in the Council are sufficient to prevent behaviour such as that alleged in relation to Councillor Day occurring. Mr Dunion states: "The question has been posed in my remit as to whether the safeguards in the Council are sufficient to prevent behaviour such as that alleged in relation to Councillor Day occurring. "In short, the answer is no." Kevin Dunion (Image: supplied) He recommends further consideration of councillors' conduct, their interactions with staff and the appropriateness of some social events in the City Chambers. His comments come as in his review, he notes: "Several councillors and staff interviewed have commented adversely on this prevalent culture of hospitality, which can be taken to excess and have suggested that this practice cease completely." The report also includes a review of a 2018 complaint which involved a 15 year-old boy who was alleged to have been groomed online via email by the council leader and invited to his flat with "sexual intent" in 2010. Even in 2018, the complainant said he remained "fearful" of retaliation if the councillor concerned was made aware he was the complainant, according to the report. As is stated in the report, the complaint was not shared with the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer. Commenting on the council's handling of this, Mr Dunion states: "There are some inadequacies in the handling of this complaint. "The seriousness of the claim of potentially criminal behaviour by a councillor, who might be the Deputy Leader, is such that the emails should have been shared by the Council Leader with the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer. "They would then have been in a position to decide whether to contact the police or been able to respond to enquiries from them, had the complainant contacted the police as advised by the Business Manager." Mr Dunion also goes on to point out that the email containing the complaint mentioned the 15-year-old had previously suffered sexual abuse. The investigator states: "This was information which should have been provided to the Council, to decide whether to conduct its own enquiries." He adds: "An unintended and unexpected consequence of not sharing the complaints with the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer, and retaining the email exchanges only in the individual mailboxes of the recipient, meant that they became vulnerable to loss, and thus significantly diminished the quality of evidence once a report was made to the police." Later on in his recommendations, Mr Dunion highlights the need to properly record complaints. Mr Dunion does, however, find that a complaint made to the Chief Executive in relation to Councillor Day in December 2023 regarding a Ukrainian refugee was "properly considered and investigated in line with the Council's policies and procedures." He also notes that the handling of the two whistleblowing disclosures made in 2023 were "well-handled and properly considered in line with the Council's policies". Recommended measures to improve the complaint system include improved awareness by councillors and staff of what constitutes bullying and harassment and a need for clear routes of the complaint, with expectations as to line management response. Mr Dunion also recommends greater emphasis on providing HR support for staff experiencing poor behaviour from councillors and better record keeping of complaints, informal as well as formal, so that patterns of poor behaviour may be recognised. 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'I think that inevitably in politics there are people who work away to undermine, but I don't want to make any comment about that. What I want to say is that I am really looking forward to having the former council leader back in the party. 'He's been cleared by the police. I am so looking forward to welcoming him back because he's a very experienced and committed councillor." Pressed on whether she had concerns about the behaviour alleged in various press reports, the Scottish Labour council leader said she "prefer[s] to go with facts rather than allegations.'
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scots beauty queen who witnessed pals' abusive relationships fights to protect women
Grace McCabe, whose work for women's safety was recognised by the United Nations, will compete for the crown of Miss Great Britain Glasgow. A Scots beauty queen has pledged to use her pageant platform to help end gender-based violence after years of tireless campaigning that has seen her recognised by the United Nations. Grace McCabe, from Strathaven, is one of the finalists for Miss Great Britain Glasgow and will take to the stage at the Radstone Hotel in Larkhall on June 20. The 21-year-old, who competed in last year's Miss Scotland pageant, will battle contenders in a number of rounds, including ones in fashion wear, swimwear and evening wear. If successful, she'll compete at the 80th anniversary of the national Miss Great Britain finals on Friday October 17 at the Athena in Leicester. However, behind the pageantry, lies a determined criminal law graduate with the aim of making Scotland safer for women and girls. She told the Daily Record: "I went into pageantry in an unconventional way. Many people enter pageants and then think of what charity they are going to support. Whereas I have campaigning for the safety of women since I was 15 years old. "I've witnessed domestic violence first-hand and had close friends in abusive relationships. Women are being killed by their partners every single day. I couldn't sit back anymore. "I realised people in pageants were making a big impact by raising loads of money and awareness. I wanted to push myself and build my confidence but also make a bigger impact than I am just now. "I owe it to women to use this platform to fight for their safety. Whether I win or not, I'll never stop fighting. This is my life's mission." The Glasgow Caledonian University law graduate previously co-led the Own Our Zone campaign with Girlguiding Scotland, which called for safer public spaces and was backed in the Scottish Parliament with a motion of support. Grace continued: "When I became lead volunteer with Girlguiding Scotland, it was just after Sarah Everard had been murdered. We wanted to do something real to make streets safer through better lighting, safer toilets and planners taking women's needs seriously. The campaign launched and we got backing in the Scottish Parliament. It was incredible." The campaign also earned Grace a nomination as a Safe Spaces Now Champion by UN Women UK, where she was shortlisted in the top six out of over 300 nominees for actively working to combat sexual harassment in public spaces. "I was the youngest one there at 20 years old," she said. "I stood alongside women who had changed laws. It was surreal – especially when I think about being bullied at school for speaking out. "I had a strong sense of right and wrong from a young age, but being a girl, I was constantly shut down. Now, I've stuck to my guns and it's paid off because I am able to help other women." The pageant hopeful began supporting Women's Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire after witnessing the horror of abuse and the tragic outcome that can come from it. In November, she raised over £1,000 and donated five carloads of makeup, toiletries and other essentials to help women escaping domestic abuse. She added: "Quite often with femicide, when male partners kill their female partners, that is the first time they have laid hands on them. However, there are usually warning signs. I knew I had to give back to a charity which supported women leaving these horrible situations. "The thing with domestic violence and rape there is never any justification for it. It is an epidemic that isn't talked about enough. I have had friends who have gone through it. That's the reason I do criminal law. "If I am fortunate enough to win, I hope that the increased platform and reach will mean I am able to share resources about prevention work to a wider audience. "I intend to inspire other girls to work on this issue because everyone has to be involved for us to end gender-based violence." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
UK sanctions two Israeli ministers as it ramps up pressure over Gaza
Mr Ben-Gvir, the security minister, and Mr Smotrich, the finance minister in Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government will both face a travel ban and see their assets frozen. The move comes as the UK and other Western nations seek to ramp up pressure on Israel's government amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Israel's foreign affairs minister Gideon Sa'ar said it was 'outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures'. He added: 'I discussed it earlier today with PM Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.' Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir both belong to right wing parties which help to prop up Mr Netanyahu's fragile coalition government. Both have been criticised for their hardline stance on the war in Gaza. Foreign Secretary David Lammy paused negotiations towards a UK trade deal with Israel in May (Carlos Jasso/PA) Mr Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, while Mr Ben-Gvir has called for Gaza's people to be resettled from the territory. The UK and its allies have increased pressure on Israel in recent months amid ongoing aid shortages in Gaza, as well as suggestions it could launch a new large-scale offensive into the territory. Reports suggest only scarce amounts of aid are making their way into the hands of Gazans, amid a new aid initiative backed by the US and Israel, instead of the previous UN-run programme. The slow flow of food and medicines has prompted warnings of famine and starvation among the territory's population. In May, Foreign Secretary David Lammy paused negotiations towards a UK trade deal with Israel as the Government sought to pressure Israel to abandon its planned offensive into Gaza. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, France's president Emmanuel Macron and Canada's prime minister Mark Carney also wrote a joint statement last month warning that Israel's leaders risked 'breaching International Humanitarian Law', and calling for more aid to be allowed into Gaza. Mr Netanyahu responded by claiming the three leaders were on the 'wrong side' of history. In September last year, the Government halted 30 out of around 350 arms sales licences to Israel, for fear they may be used for war crimes. Ministers insist that this means F-35 fighter jets used by Israel no longer receive replacement parts from the UK, and no UK-made bombs or ammunition are used in Gaza. Lord David Cameron has previously said he considered sanctioning both Israeli ministers in his final days as foreign secretary in Rishi Sunak's Conservative government.
