&w=3840&q=100)
'July storm': Russia launches massive navy drills with 150 ships, 15,000 soldiers in Baltic & Caspean
A view shows Russian warships during major naval drills, which are conducted by the Russian Navy in the Pacific and Arctic oceans and in the Baltic and Caspian seas, at an unknown location, in this still image taken from video released July 23. Source: Reuters
Russia kicked off large-scale naval exercises dubbed 'July Storm' on Wednesday (July 23), involving over 150 ships and 15,000 personnel across the Pacific and Arctic oceans, as well as the Baltic and Caspian seas, according to the defence ministry.
The drills aim to test the Navy's readiness for unconventional operations, the use of long-range weapons, and advanced tech like unmanned systems, Moscow said.
The ministry explained, 'At sea, the crews of the ships will practice deployment to combat areas, conducting anti-submarine operations, defending areas of deployment and economic activity.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
They'll also focus on 'repelling attacks by air attack weapons, unmanned boats and enemy drones, ensuring the safety of navigation, striking enemy targets and naval groups.'
The exercise includes over 120 aircraft and 10 coastal missile systems, led by Navy chief Admiral Alexander Moiseev.
Despite ranking as the world's third most powerful navy after China and the US, Russia's fleet has faced significant losses in the Ukraine conflict.
Russia's gains on battlefield
In Ukraine, Russian forces have captured Pokrovsk, a critical logistical hub, after over a year of fierce fighting, marking a major blow to Kyiv. Russian troops have entered the city, a key flashpoint on the front line, and are conducting search-and-destroy missions, though they haven't fully entrenched, according to The Kyiv Independent.
If Russia solidifies control, it would be a significant victory for the Armed Forces of Russia (AFR) and raise serious concerns about Kyiv's ability to hold ground in Donetsk Oblast amid Russia's intensifying summer offensive.
The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState and frontline troops, cited by The Kyiv Independent, reported that Russian forces broke through from the Zvirove direction, exploiting weak infantry positions and 'inaccurate situational reporting.'
This triggered an urgent Ukrainian response to contain the breach and prevent 'the situation from spiralling into disaster,' as per DeepState.
While it's unclear how firmly Russian forces are established in Pokrovsk, their entry after a year of effort spells trouble for Kyiv.
The situation echoes last year's fall of Avdiivka, when US funding for Ukraine dried up, leaving its skies vulnerable to a massive Russian barrage.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
14 minutes ago
- First Post
'Stuck in a rut': Russia mocks Trump's sanction threat, says 'have developed certain immunity'
Russia has dismissed Donald Trump's threat of new sanctions, saying it has developed 'immunity' after years under Western pressure. Kremlin officials mocked the US approach, calling sanctions a failed and repetitive tactic. read more As US President Donald Trump sharpens his rhetoric on Russia's role in the Ukraine war, the Kremlin has brushed off his threat of fresh sanctions as predictable and ineffective. Moscow officials claim the country has adapted to years of economic pressure, minimising the impact of punitive Western measures. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian economy has been functioning under 'a huge number of restrictions' and is now largely immune to additional penalties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Echoing that sentiment, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the new threat as 'routine,' saying Washington and its allies appear unable to move beyond their sanctions playbook. 'It seems as if they are constantly stuck in a rut,' she said, arguing that the sanctions have failed to change Moscow's course and instead backfired on Western economies. The comments signal that Russia is likely to continue its current posture on Ukraine, even in the face of renewed pressure from a possible second Trump administration. 'We have been living under a huge number of sanctions for quite a long time, our economy operates under a huge number of restrictions,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. 'Therefore, of course, we have already developed a certain immunity in this regard, and we continue to note all statements that come from President Trump, from other international representatives on this matter." Trump said on Tuesday that the United States would start imposing tariffs and other measures on Russia in 10 days if Moscow showed no progress towards ending its more than three-year-long war in Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the threat of new sanctions 'routine' and said it was odd that the US and the West had not yet understood that imposing such measures did not work and only served to hurt Western economies. 'We see that the West simply cannot let go of the issue of sanctions. It seems as if they are constantly stuck in a rut,' Zakharova told a news briefing in Moscow. 'Apparently, there are no other options left - they have been exhausted. We are responding and taking measures to counteract all of this or even turn it to our own advantage." With inputs from agencies
India Today
14 minutes ago
- India Today
Trump targets India with 25% tariff, penalties over Russian oil imports
What's new:President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports from August 1, along with a separate penalty for New Delhi's continued oil and defence purchases from it matters: The US is India's top export market, with bilateral trade worth nearly $128 billion in 2024. The sudden move ends months of trade talks and risks escalating tensions. It may also trigger secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian energy. advertisementIn Numbers25% — New U.S. tariff on Indian imports starting August 1.$127.9B — The size of India–U.S. trade in 2024.50% — The Highest tariff rate the U.S. will apply on some 1 — U.S. ranking as India's largest export DepthTrump's latest trade strike on India is part of a broader August 1 package that slaps higher tariffs on dozens of U.S. trading partners, including Canada and Mexico. In some cases, the rates reach 50%.In a Truth Social post, Trump accused India of having 'among the highest tariffs in the world' and imposing 'strenuous and obnoxious' non-tariff barriers. He also cited India's large defence and energy purchases from Russia — the latter a flashpoint amid the war in Ukraine — as grounds for an extra announcement effectively derails months of efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to secure special treatment. Since February, when Modi made a high-profile visit to the White House, India had rolled back some tariffs and offered concessions on trade and immigration. But talks stalled in recent weeks over agriculture and market had previously hinted at a 'very big' trade deal that would open India to U.S. businesses. Trump flipped, warning of a 20-25% tariff. The penalty on Russian energy purchases adds a geopolitical sting. Big PictureThe U.S. move comes as Trump presses Russia to accept a 10-day truce in Ukraine. The penalty on India could preview a wider U.S. push to punish countries helping Russia's economy, even indirectly. India's tariffs threaten export revenue and its balance between the US and Russia. India buys a lot of energy and defence products from Russia, despite growing US ties. The new tariffs may force India to rethink its trade and foreign They Said'India has among the highest tariffs in the world... and is Russia's largest buyer of energy,' — Donald Trump, U.S. President- Ends
Hindustan Times
14 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
India reacts to Trump's 25% tariff on the country
July 30 - U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a 25% tariff on goods imported from India starting August 1 and an unspecified penalty for buying Russian weapons and oil. India reacts to Trump's 25% tariff on the country Trump's decision dashes hopes of a limited trade agreement between the two countries, which had been under negotiation for several months. Here are some reactions: MADHAVI ARORA, ECONOMIST, EMKAY GLOBAL "While the negotiations seem to have broken down, we don't think the trade-deal haggling between the two nations is over yet. We see it more from the lens of geopolitics than purely economics and see both sides striving to get the deal done, even as the power equations may change a bit in U.S. favour." R. ANEN BANERJEE, PARTNER OF ECONOMIC ADVISORY, PWC INDIA "Higher tariffs for India compared to countries it competes with, for exports to the U.S., are going to be challenging. However, the expectation is that the trade deal is likely to be finalised shortly and hence the period of applicability of these higher tariffs could be short." NILESH SHAH, MD KOTAK MAHINDRA AMC "Despite the unpredictable policy making of the U.S., the market was expecting a tariff deal to work out as longer-term U.S.-India strategic interests are aligned. Markets will hope for a 'TACO' trade if better senses prevail. China is defying U.S./UN sanction on Iran oil, Myanmar and Russia trade and North Korea support. Size and the competitiveness of the economy has its advantages. I hope and pray that this unilateral imposition should accelerate Indian policy making to be growth supportive. Our biggest deterrence continues to remain GDP size and competitiveness." AGNESHWAR SEN, TRADE POLICY LEADER, EY INDIA "The decision to raise the U.S. tariff to 25% on Indian exports is an unfortunate development, particularly given the strong strategic partnership that has been steadily built between India and the USA in recent years. However, it's important to note that both countries remain positively engaged in active negotiations with the U.S. team expected in India later in August to finalize a comprehensive trade agreement." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
