Crafty Ukrainian soldiers develop Mad Max-style truck with huge spikes to defend against deadly Russian drones
THORN IN VLAD'S SIDE Crafty Ukrainian soldiers develop Mad Max-style truck with huge spikes to defend against deadly Russian drones
CRAFTY Ukrainian soldiers have developed a vehicle fitted with huge spikes to defend against Russian drones.
The Mad Max-style truck has been equipped with the cage contraption to block the enemy's deadly devices.
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Ukrainian soldiers have developed a vehicle fitted with huge spikes to defend against Russian drones
Credit: Getty
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The truck is equipped with a cage contraption to block the enemy's deadly devices
Credit: AP
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The truck was seen north of front line city Donetsk
Credit: Reuters
This makeshift armour is fitted to what looks to be a US-made Humvee.
It was seen yesterday north of front line city Donetsk, where fierce fighting between President Volodymyr Zelensky's Ukrainian military and invading Russian troops continues.
It is now almost completely deserted, with most residents fleeing the onslaught from Vladimir Putin's war machine.
Meanwhile, a giant paint plant in Yaroslavl, Russia — making special coatings for protection of military equipment — was pictured engulfed in flames yesterday following an attack by Ukraine.
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Russia has also been bulking up its vehicles with the protective add-ons, so much so in some cases that it is impossible to tell what the vehicle even is.
Last month, combat footage showed what observers identified as a Russian tank shielded by a large cage, significant amounts of netting, and some other material.
President Trump floated the idea of a territorial exchange as part of a potential deal, a proposal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected.
He said: "There is nothing to talk about. This violates our Constitution.
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"This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine."
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A paint plant in Yaroslavl, Russia - making special coatings for protection of military equipment - pictured engulfed in flames
Credit: East2West
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President Trump has floated the idea of a territorial exchange as part of a potential deal, a proposal President Zelensky has rejected
Credit: Getty
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Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Alaska talks must not overlook how important human rights are to durable peace
As the presidents of the United States and Russia prepare to meet in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, much commentary has centred on maps and front lines. Security guarantees and territorial questions matter. But any agreement not anchored in human rights will be fragile from the outset and will not deliver a durable peace. Human rights are the only universally agreed roadmap for honouring human dignity. They provide a reliable framework for resolving disputes and a foundation for just, sustainable peacemaking. Standing by these principles is, in the long run, the best defence against any aggression. Russia's illegal war of aggression has caused immense suffering, death and destruction. It has resulted in widespread human rights violations and international crimes, including unlawful killings, the systematic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, the denial of access to international human rights monitors, the illegal detention of thousands of civilians, and the unlawful forcible transfer of Ukrainian children. Those responsible must be held to account and this must be made a key element of any discussions around a just and sustainable peace. Ukraine, as the sovereign state that is the target of Russia's illegal aggression, must always be present at the negotiating table, at every stage. The Council of Europe and some of its member states are rightly calling for that. This is not only a question of legitimacy. It is a practical necessity for implementing any agreement on the ground. Trump will meet Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Friday. Graphic: Graphic News. More is needed. My recent memorandum on human rights elements for peace in Ukraine offers insights into how to address human rights issues for peace in Ukraine. In particular, these five urgent elements should guide the Alaska talks. First, accountability must be non-negotiable. Those responsible for gross violations of international human rights law and international crimes must be brought to justice. Significant steps have already been taken, including the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, the creation of a Register of Damage and progress toward a claims commission. These initiatives should be backed with sustained support for investigations and prosecutions so that impunity does not become the price of peace. Second, victims must be at the centre. Reparations are essential to justice. All victims of Russia's aggression since 2014 should receive redress. Ukraine's own efforts to compensate victims already now deserve robust international backing. Third, peace negotiations must provide for the immediate release of all prisoners of war and all civilian detainees, account for the missing, and ensure the unconditional return of unlawfully transferred Ukrainian children. Fourth, the rights of people in temporarily occupied territories must be protected. Russia continues to torture and illegally detain civilians living there, while also imposing its laws and pressuring residents to acquire Russian citizenship. This should stop. Safe and unfettered access for independent human rights monitors is essential. Fifth, inclusivity makes peace more durable. Women's meaningful participation at every stage of talks consistently increases the likelihood and longevity of peace agreements. A gender perspective should be integrated across agendas, from security arrangements to reconstruction. Victims of human rights violations, Ukraine's civil society and relevant multilateral organisations must be fully involved. They should not only be consulted but embedded in design, monitoring and implementation to ensure outcomes that are inclusive, sustainable and firmly grounded in human rights. The Alaska talks will be judged less by the guns they silence than by the protections they set in motion. Arrangements balanced on power alone will fail at the first shock. A settlement anchored in human rights offers something else: a peace that is just, and therefore built to endure. Michael O'Flaherty is Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
US and Russia fire off veiled nuclear threats ahead of Alaska showdown talks between Trump and Putin
Trump warned there would be 'very severe consequences' if Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire as he spoke out after a video call with European leaders TALKS GO NUCLEAR US and Russia fire off veiled nuclear threats ahead of Alaska showdown talks between Trump and Putin RUSSIA and America swapped veiled nuclear threats yesterday ahead of showdown talks between their two presidents over the war in Ukraine. At a British air base used by US nuclear bombers Vice President JD Vance warned that peace was only possible if the 'bad guys' were afraid of America. Advertisement 5 Russia and the US have exchanged veiled nuclear threats, pictured Mr Zelensky is met in Berlin by Germany's Chancellor Merz Credit: AFP 5 The diplomatic war games came as President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russia's President Putin in Alaska tomorrow Credit: Getty 5 Mr Trump warned there would be 'very severe consequences' if Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire Credit: AP Meanwhile it was announced that joint exercises to be held by Russian and Belarusian troops will include nuclear weapons drills. The diplomatic war games came as President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Alaska tomorrow. Mr Trump yesterday warned there would be 'very severe consequences' if Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire. He spoke out after a video call with European leaders including Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Advertisement Europe's political chiefs also vowed to hit tyrant Putin with more sanctions if talks fail. Mr Vance, in Britain on holiday, yesterday addressed US airmen at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. The base is routinely used as a staging post by US nuclear bombers. He said: 'It is impossible to bring peace anywhere unless the bad guys are worried that we have got a hell of a fine air force and a hell of a fine military to back up the peace to begin with. Advertisement 'You make it possible for us to accomplish the President's goals through negotiation. 'You make it possible for us to go into a room and say, 'yes, we want peace, yes we want to work together, yes we want to bring an end to this terrible conflict but we have also got some great airmen'. Trump & Putin's 1-on-1 meeting is a 'listening exercise', WH says as 'Vlad wants Ukraine to withdraw for ceasefire' 'The fact that people are afraid of you is why we are able to do what we do as an administration.' A British defence source said last night: 'It's the big stick theory. It is deterrence — don't f*** with me because I will f*** you more. Advertisement 'If we can't get that message over then we fail.' Peace isn't possible unless the bad guys fear you've got hell of a military JD Vance Mr Vance's warnings came as Belarus announced it will hold joint nuclear drills with Russia. Defence minister Viktor Khrenin said its troops would train for the deployment of nuclear weapons. Kremlin said the drills were 'predominantly strategic deterrence' abut added: 'We should be ready for everything.' Advertisement President Trump has downplayed expectations of a breakthrough, saying his meeting with Putin was to get the lie of the land. He also touted the possibility of a second meeting to include Mr Zelensky, who has been frozen out of the peace talks. 5 Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a video conference Credit: EPA Mr Zelensky, who was in Berlin for the video conference yesterday, warned that Putin was bluffing over peace after Russian military advances in eastern Ukraine. Advertisement Mr Zelensky insisted America, Ukraine and allies all want 'peace in Ukraine, peace in Europe'. Putin doesn't want peace — he wants to occupy our country Zelensky But he declared: 'Putin is bluffing, he is trying to push forward along the whole front. 'Putin doesn't want peace — he wants to occupy our country.' And he repeated calls for more economic pressure on Moscow, saying: 'In reality, the sanctions are very effective, and they're hurting the Russian military economy.' Advertisement But Moscow's foreign ministry warned 'any attempts on our property will result in a painful response'. Europe's 'coalition of the willing' has demanded a ceasefire, stronger sanctions and 'robust and credible security guarantees' that Ukraine will not lose any territory. Russia wants a land swap to end the three-year conflict. In a statement PM Sir Keir later insisted the UK's support for Ukraine is 'unwavering'. Advertisement He has previously vowed to send British peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. His spokesman said Europe's leaders thanked President Trump for his 'efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end to the ongoing bloodshed'. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe and America must 'increase the pressure' on Russia if peace talks fail. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said 'the ball is now in Putin's court'. Advertisement But Mr Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton reckoned inviting Putin to the US was 'a great victory' for the tyrant. He said: 'He's a rogue leader of a pariah state and he's going to be welcomed into the United States.'
Irish Examiner
9 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Putin faces 'very severe consequences' if no Ukraine truce agreed, Trump says
Vladimir Putin will face 'very severe consequences' if he does not agree a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine at his summit with Donald Trump in Alaska, the US president said on Wednesday. Speaking after a call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders, including Britain's Keir Starmer, Trump also suggested he would push for a second summit if his meeting with Putin goes well – this time including his Ukrainian counterpart. 'If the first one goes OK, we'll have a quick second one,' Trump told reporters in Washington. 'I would like to do it almost immediately, and we'll have a quick second meeting between president Putin and president Zelenskyy and myself, if they'd like to have me there.' Trump did not provide a timeframe for a second meeting. He is to meet Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday. Asked if Russia would face consequences if Putin did not agree to stop the war after the Alaska meeting, Trump said: 'Yes, they will … very severe consequences.' The president's remarks followed what he described as a very good call with European leaders in which he consulted about the goal and strategy for his summit. He pleased Europe's leadership by giving reassurances that a ceasefire was his priority and he would not make any territorial concessions without Kyiv's full involvement. Trump's approach at the video conference, as described by France's Emmanuel Macron, appeared to reassure some of the leaders, who were making a final collective plea to the unpredictable US president that he had a duty to protect Ukraine's sovereignty – and European security – at the talks in Alaska. The European leaders spoke to Trump and his vice-president, JD Vance, in a hastily convened one-hour meeting in an effort to shape Trump's negotiating strategy. Zelenskyy and European leaders have been excluded from the Alaska summit and fear that Trump, intent on fulfilling his election campaign guarantee that he could easily end the bloodshed in Ukraine, will make concessions that compromise Ukraine's future sovereignty. But Trump underlined his promise that the summit was not in itself a substantive negotiation and was what he described as a 'feel-out' to test Putin's terms to sign a temporary ceasefire that would then lead to talks with Kyiv. Trump said it had been a very good call, and that he rated it at a 10 out of 10. Face masks depicting Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin hang for sale at a souvenir shop in St. Petersburg, Russia. Picture: Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Britain, France and Germany, co-chairs of the so-called 'coalition of the willing', later laid out their position on the talks, reiterating that international borders must not be changed by force, and insisting that Ukraine must have 'robust and credible security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity'. The three countries repeated that meaningful negotiations can happen only with a ceasefire in place, and called for Russia to face further economic sanctions if it does not agree to cease hostilities at the Alaska summit. Speaking alongside Zelenskyy in Berlin, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said Europe wanted Trump to be successful in Alaska but that it had made clear to the US president that Ukrainian and European interests had to be protected at the summit. Merz called for a 30-day ceasefire, and then substantive talks. Putin has resisted a ceasefire for months. Setting out the key principles on which Europe is united he said: 'Negotiations must be part of a common transatlantic strategy. Then they can ultimately be most likely to succeed. This strategy must continue to rely on strong support for Ukraine and necessary pressure against Russia. This also means, if there is no movement on the Russian side in Alaska, then the United States and we Europeans should … increase the pressure.' He added there cannot be any Russian legal ownership of Ukrainian territory. 'President Trump knows this position, he shares it very extensively and therefore I can say: We have had a really exceptionally constructive and good conversation with each other.' Macron said no serious discussions had taken place about Russian-Ukrainian land swaps involving the ceding of Ukrainian territory, and Trump had anyway underlined that any such discussions could only be negotiated with Kyiv. He said Trump would fight for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US and Russia and that such a meeting would be held in Europe. One European diplomat said: 'Overall the meeting was reassuring in that our points came across, but the question remains whether Trump will stick to the agreed script when he gets into the room with Putin.' Trump met heads of state and government leaders from Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Poland and Finland, as well as the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. The issue of security guarantees for Ukraine was raised in the call with Trump, but no breakthrough was made in the US offering to provide practical support to the coalition. But the Europeans' main objective had been to seek reassurances from the notoriously fickle Trump that he would not be lured into making irretrievable pledges requiring Ukraine to make concessions of land as the price for securing Putin's agreement to a ceasefire. They also tried to extract assurances that Trump was still prepared to deploy as yet unused economic levers that could damage Russian revenues. European leaders have been careful in public to welcome Trump's summit but in private fear Trump is bent on improving US-Russia relations and sees a loss of Ukrainian sovereignty as a necessary and unavoidable price to secure that objective. Trump has been vague about his strategy, including the terms he will offer to induce Putin to agree to a ceasefire. Zelenskyy has vowed that the Ukrainian military will not voluntarily surrender territory in Donetsk and Luhansk, but Russia is insisting at least four Ukrainian regions will become Russian either at the negotiating table or through force. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump vented his fury at media reporting of his meeting with Putin, writing on Truth Social: 'The media is being really, really unfair about my meeting with Putin. They keep quoting fired losers and really stupid people like John Bolton, who just said that even though the meeting is on US soil, 'Putin has already won'. What the hell is this? We win EVERYTHING.' The treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said further sanctions or secondary tariffs could yet be placed on Russia's trading partners if the Alaska meeting did not go well. A confident Moscow dismissed the importance of Europe's consultation with Trump. The foreign ministry spokesperson Alexei Fadeyev said: 'We consider the consultations requested by the Europeans to be politically and practically insignificant actions. Verbally, the Europeans support the diplomatic efforts of Washington and Moscow to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, but in reality the European Union is sabotaging them.' Russia says the Alaska meeting is likely to address the full gamut of Russian-American bilateral relations, and not just Ukraine. 'We hope that this meeting will allow the leaders to focus on the full range of issues, from the crisis in Ukraine to the obstacles that hinder normal and constructive dialogue, which is crucial to ensuring international peace and stability,' the spokesperson said. The veteran Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, will be present at the Alaska talks. — The Guardian
