Job Offer Turned Suicide Bomb Plot: Is Russia Trapping Ukrainian Youths Amid War?
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The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Russian air defences down dozens of Ukrainian drones, including two near St. Petersburg
Russian air defence units downed dozens of Ukrainian drones in widely dispersed parts of the country, including two near the country's second-largest city, St. Petersburg, officials said. Alexander Drozdenko, Governor of Leningrad region surrounding St. Petersburg, wrote on Telegram that two drones were downed in different districts south of the city. He said no injuries or damage was reported. Operations were suspended for a time at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo airport. The governor of Smolensk region in western Russia said anti-aircraft units had downed three drones without any casualties or damage. The governor of Voronezh region, next to Ukraine said 'several' drones had been destroyed. The Russian Defence Ministry reported a total of 42 drones destroyed over a three-hour period, 37 of them in three regions bordering Ukraine – Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk. Ukraine has deployed drones increasingly in attacks on distant targets in Russian territory. In one spectacular set of strikes last month, in an operation dubbed 'Spider's Web', a number of Russian bombers were hit at various air bases. Russian forces have used increasing numbers of drones to target Ukrainian cities, with a record total of 539 drones and 11 missiles deployed against Kyiv on Thursday (July 3, 2025) night, according to the Ukrainian air force. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his military had successfully deployed drone interceptors to down Russian drones in the overnight attack. Russia launches largest missile, drone barrage on Kyiv since beginning of war Waves of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv overnight in the largest aerial assault since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began more than three years ago, officials said Friday (July 4, 2025), amid a renewed Russian push to capture more of its neighbour's land. The seven-hour bombardment of Kyiv caused severe damage across multiple districts of the capital in a seven-hour onslaught, authorities said. Blasts lit up the night sky and echoed across the city as air raid sirens wailed. The blue lights of emergency vehicles reflected off high-rise buildings, and debris blocked city streets. 'It was a harsh, sleepless night,' Mr. Zelenskyy said. Russia has been stepping up its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities. Less than a week ago, Russia launched what was then the largest aerial assault of the war. That strategy has coincided with a concerted Russian effort to break through parts of the roughly 1,000-km front line, where Ukrainian troops are under severe pressure. Russia launched 550 drones and missiles across Ukraine during the night, the country's air force said. The majority were Shahed drones, but Russia also launched 11 missiles in the attack. Alya Shahlai, a 23-year-old Kyiv wedding photographer, said that her home was destroyed in the attack. 'We were all in the (basement) shelter because it was so loud, staying home would have been suicidal,' she told The Associated Press. 'We went down 10 minutes before and then there was a loud explosion, and the lights went out in the shelter, people were panicking.' Five ambulances were damaged while responding to calls, officials said, and emergency services removed more than 300 tons of rubble. Mr. Zelenskyy, Mr. Trump hold 'very important and productive' phone call Hours after the barrage that killed one person and wounded at least 26 others, including a child, Mr. Zelenskyy said he had a 'very important and productive' phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders discussed how Ukrainian air defences might be strengthened, possible joint weapons production between the U.S. and Ukraine, and broader U.S.-led efforts to end the war with Russia, according to a statement by Mr. Zelenskyy. The U.S. has paused some shipments of military aid to Ukraine, including crucial air defence missiles. Ukraine's main European backers are considering how they can help pick up the slack. Mr. Zelenskyy says plans are afoot to build up Ukraine's domestic arms industry, but scaling up will take time. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the call. In Friday's (July 4, 2025) call, Mr. Zelenskyy said he congratulated Mr. Trump and the American people on Independence Day and thanked the United States for its continued support. They discussed a possible future meeting between their teams to explore ways of enhancing Ukraine's protection against air attacks, Mr. Zelenskyy said. He added that they talked in detail about defence industry capabilities and direct joint projects with the U.S., particularly in drone technology. They also exchanged views on mutual procurement, investment, and diplomatic cooperation with international partners, Mr. Zelenskyy said.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Dozens of Ukrainian drones downed by Russian air defences
Russian air defence units downed dozens of Ukrainian drones in widely dispersed parts of the country, including two near the country's second-largest city, St. Petersburg, officials Drozdenko, Governor of Leningrad region surrounding St. Petersburg, wrote on Telegram that two drones were downed in different districts south of the said no injuries or damage was reported. Operations were suspended for a time at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo The governor of Smolensk region in western Russia said anti-aircraft units had downed three drones without any casualties or damage. The governor of Voronezh region, next to Ukraine said "several" drones had been Russian Defence Ministry reported a total of 42 drones destroyed over a three-hour period, 37 of them in three regions bordering Ukraine -- Belgorod, Bryansk and has deployed drones increasingly in attacks on distant targets in Russian territory. In one spectacular set of strikes last month, in an operation dubbed "Spider's Web", a number of Russian bombers were hit at various air forces have used increasing numbers of drones to target Ukrainian cities, with a record total of 539 drones and 11 missiles deployed against Kyiv on Thursday night, according to the Ukrainian air President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his military had successfully deployed drone interceptors to down Russian drones in the overnight attack.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Trader loses 1.5 cr after ‘digital arrest' follows investment fraud
1 2 Kolkata: A 56-year-old resident of Tollygunge fell victim to a combination of scams, involving cryptocurrency, investment, and share trading, followed by 'digital arrest' fraud and lost about Rs 1.5 crore through multiple transactions between May and June this year. The victim, a trader by profession, has lodged a complaint at Regent Park Police Station. The victim was lured into joining a legitimate WhatsApp group claiming to represent a share trading and securities firm on May 26. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The group promised lucrative returns through Over The Counter (OTC) trading and IPO investments. The scammers then convinced him to join a Telegram group on June 6. Over the next month, they convinced him to make several large transfers amounting lakhs of rupees through RTGS payment mode for investment purpose. When he attempted to withdraw his funds on June 16, the fraudsters demanded a 20% short-term Capital gains tax payment, amounting to Rs 92 lakh. The fraudsters claimed that the clearance of the tax was mandatory for processing of any the 'digital arrest' modus operandi, the fraudsters threatened the victim of arrest for allegedly breaking SEBI and RBI norms. The victim borrowed money from family members and transferred about Rs 45 lakh in two instalments on June 19 and 20 to the accounts provided by the fraudsters. When the victim discovered a LinkedIn post by the real president of the investment firm — whose identity was misused by the fraudsters to establish credibility — he realised that he had been cheated. The Cyber Crime Division of Kolkata Police has initiated probe into the matter. Initial findings suggest this is part of a larger cryptocurrency trading scam targeting senior citizens. The police have formed a special team to track the digital footprint of the fraudsters and have frozen several accounts linked to the transactions. Authorities are also coordinating with the banks to trace the money trail.
