Russia carries out deadly air strike on Ukrainian prison
The operation on Monday hit the Bilenkivska Correctional Colony with four guided aerial bombs, according to the State Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine.
At least 42 inmates were admitted to hospital with serious injuries while another 40 people, including one staff member, sustained other injuries.
The strike destroyed the prison's dining hall and damaged administrative and quarantine buildings, but the perimeter fence held and no escapes were reported.
Ukrainian officials condemned the attack, saying that targeting civilian infrastructure, such as prisons, is a war crime under international conventions.
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The Irish Sun
a minute ago
- The Irish Sun
Putin's nuke button, ‘poo briefcase' & army of bodyguards… Giant security op that will go with Vlad for Trump showdown
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Putin, who has rarely set foot in a foreign country since begining his invasion of Ukraine in 2023, will be surrounded by his highly-trained bodyguards to ensure maximum protection. The former KGB agent, who has been ruling Russia for 25 years, is said to be obsessed with his security. A Russian official who attended the Victory Day parade on May 9 told The Moscow Times: "The Kremlin takes Vladimir Putin's security very seriously. He is protected by a whole army of visible and invisible guards." Members of ageing Putin's security team, who call themselves his "Musketeers", are said to be from a special unit within Russia's Federal Protective Service (FSO), according to The Economist. Among the many things they are expected to carry are a number of suitcases, but they are not ordinary luggage. Each one comes with a bulletproof protection that can be used as a shield in case shots are fired at Putin. One of them is said to be a "Poo suitcase", which is used to collect his stools and urine and deliver them back to Moscow. Inside remote Alaska ice base where Trump and Putin go head-to-head in CRUCIAL Ukraine war showdown French magazine Paris Match claimed that the bizarre practice was first noted in 2017 during a state visit to France. It is thought that Putin - who over the years has been at the centre of health rumours - does not want outsiders to know his physical condition, which could be studied using his faecal matter. In 2019, a strange video showed paranoid Vlad being accompanied to the bathroom by six male bodyguards during Ukraine peace talks at Paris' Elysee Palace. Putin also likes to carry his dreaded nuclear briefcase dubbed "Cheget". Developed during the 1980s for the Soviet KGB, earlier versions of these were said to have an explosive charge of one kiloton, equivalent to one thousand tons of TNT. That's enough to destroy everything within a half-mile radius. The current version is thought to act as a communication device, relaying orders to launch a nuclear attack. With just the press of a button, the General Staff in Moscow receives the signal and initiates the nuclear attack. 10 Russian President Vladimir Putin's bodyguard carrying special suitcases Credit: EPA 10 The despot is always pictured with suitcases close to him whenever he steps out in public Credit: EPA Meanwhile, Putin's bodyguards are said to be handpicked for qualities that include 'operational psychology,' physical stamina and the ability to withstand cold and not sweat in heat. They are equipped with an SR-1 Vektor pistol said which can fire armour-piercing bullets. Before Putin travels, advance teams scout out his destination months ahead of time, checking to see how the public will likely respond and even if the area could be affected by bad weather or natural disasters. Wherever he's going to stay gets inspected, jamming devices are installed to prevent remote detonation of bombs, and technicians conduct electronic surveillance of cellphones and other devices in the area. On the road, Putin rides amid a convoy of heavily armoured vans that carry military special operators armed with AK-47s, anti-tank grenade launchers and portable anti-aircraft missiles. The Friday summit is said to have a ring of steel security, made up of both Russian and American special agents. 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Elmendorf-Richardson is reportedly considered the only site in Alaska which could be locked down to the required level of security for the high-stakes meeting. Putin will fly the nine hours from Moscow and Trump the seven-and-a-half hours from Washington, with ample room on the runway for both their presidential aircraft.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
IFAC on Apple tax: 'Spend it, save it or cut debt'
Briefings for the Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) chair ahead of an Oireachtas appearance flagged likely questions on the Apple tax windfall, the budget impact of migration, and poor value from money in health spending. Two Q&As were prepared for Séamus Coffey as he got ready to appear before a committee on budgetary oversight in early July. One section highlighted issues that were likely to be 'pertinent now' while another looked at questions that arose 'consistently.' On what to do with the €13.8bn Apple tax windfall, a suggested answer for Mr Coffey said to remember the government 'is not stuck for cash.' It said: '[The state] is stuck for its capacity to spend it on things we all want. There are three broad options – spend it, save it, [or] cut debt.' The Q&A said spending it on housing was easier said than done as the biggest issues were 'construction sector capacity and planning bottlenecks' not the availability of cash. If asked about the budgetary implications of migration, the briefing for Mr Coffey said there had been 'large increases' in numbers coming to Ireland in recent years. It said: 'This has meant the labour force and employment has been able to grow as rapidly as it has in recent years. '[Around] €2.1bn has been set aside for humanitarian assistance to refugees this year (€0.8bn of this is for Ukrainian refugees). In terms of future costs, these are uncertain.' The Q&A said that getting migrants integrated into employment and their own homes would reduce costs for the government. 'An increased supply of housing would mean some of the more expensive means of accommodation (hotels] may be replaced,' it said. On cost-of-living supports, which have been a major feature of recent budgets, the IFAC briefings said these cost increases were now 'likely permanent.' The Q&A said: 'There is probably less of a case for once-off measures this winter. Permanent increases in social welfare could be targeted at specific groups. However, the measures have seldom been targeted.' Mr Coffey was also briefed on employment in construction and whether we needed more people working in that sector. 'Just over six per cent of all employment is in the construction sector. Over the period 2005 to 2007, this reached over ten per cent. This may have been unsustainable, however.' The briefing added: 'Mention productivity, can we get more output from the same workforce?' A Q&A on broader questions highlighted the challenges in creating a wealth tax that would be fair, not become an administrative burden, and collect enough money to make it worthwhile. On how to fix repeated overruns in health spending, the briefing said that 'poor budgeting' was a problem but that there was also evidence of 'reduced productivity.' It also explained how Ireland's failure to meet its climate targets carried a very real 'fiscal risk.' The Q&A said the country had already foregone €500m from carbon credits it was entitled to sell and that costs of non-compliance were in the range of €8bn and €26bn. The document said: 'While several [EU] member states are projected to fall short, the potential costs are significantly higher for Ireland relative to the size of its economy.' Asked about the records, IFAC said they had no further comment to make.
Irish Post
3 hours ago
- Irish Post
Taoiseach pledges Ireland's support for ceasefire in Ukraine ahead of Trump's Putin summit
TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has pledged Ireland's support for peace talks aimed at bringing an end to the war in Ukraine. Mr Martin attended an online leaders' meeting of the Coalition of the Willing held yesterday (August 13) in support of war-torn Ukraine. Convened by President of France Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the meeting was held ahead of a US-Russia Summit taking place in Alaska tomorrow (August 15). 'At a critical time for Ukraine and Europe, I joined my fellow leaders of the Coalition of the Willing to discuss recent developments and the ongoing engagement with our US partners ahead of President Trump's meeting with President Putin,' the Taoiseach said after the meeting. 'We also heard from President Zelenskyy who briefed us on the situation on the ground in Ukraine and the needs of Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression. 'The initiative of President Trump towards ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and achieving a just and lasting peace was warmly welcomed,' he added. 'We agreed that unity is vital and that close transatlantic coordination will continue as part of our efforts to secure a ceasefire and a durable peace. During the meeting, the leaders agreed that any peace deal must have Ukraine's involvement. 'Recalling the EU leaders' statement of 12 August, there was agreement that the people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future and that the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine,' Mr Martin said. 'Any diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine and Europe's security,' he added. The leaders further agreed that any 'meaningful negotiations on a just and lasting peace should be preceded by a ceasefire', the Taoiseach confirmed. 'We committed to continue to provide political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine,' he added. 'There was also agreement to maintain pressure on Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire, including through the use of sanctions and other economic measures.' Mr Martin claimed a 'human dimension' must be at the heart of any peace deal. 'I believe that the human dimension must be a key component of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,' he said. 'The Ukrainian children abducted by Russia must be returned to their families and communities,' he explained. 'Ireland will continue to support Ukraine, both bilaterally and through the EU, on its path towards EU membership and in its efforts to achieve a just and durable peace,' he added. See More: Coalition Of The Willing, Ireland, Russia, Taoiseach, Ukraine
