Ukraine fights back against Russia with deadly drone strike
The targeted facility, identified as the Kupol plant, manufactures drones and air defense systems, and sustained direct hits, causing a fire.
The audacious attack, occurring deep within Russian territory, underscores Ukraine 's focus on developing long-range weaponry and increasing domestic drone productio n.
Both sides in the conflict are increasingly relying on sophisticated drone technology, with Russia having launched a record number of drones at Ukraine recently.
The incident highlights the escalating drone warfare and occurs amid ongoing uncertainty regarding future US military aid to Ukraine.
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Macron and Putin discuss Iran in first call in three years
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, spoke to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for the first time in three years on Tuesday in an attempt to de-escalate the Iran crisis, as Tehran confirmed it was ending all cooperation with the UN nuclear inspectorate, including banning its inspectors from visiting any of its nuclear sites. Macron had refused to speak to Putin since the Russian leader ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but Paris has become frustrated that the lack of communication with Moscow is not solving multiple crises, and leaving the diplomatic events exposed to the relationship between Putin and Donald Trump. In statements after the two-hour phone call, a French spokesperson said Macron was left more positive about the possibility of Russia pressing Iran to restore cooperation with the nuclear inspectorate, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The French indicated a willingness to discuss the Iranian red line that it must have a right to enrich uranium domestically. One reason given by Iran for ending cooperation with the IAEA is the failure of the agency's leadership to condemn the Israeli attacks on its nuclear sites as a flagrant violation of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. The German foreign ministry said Iran's decision to suspend cooperation with the IAEA sent a 'disastrous signal'. 'For a diplomatic solution it is essential for Iran to work with the IAEA,' German officials said. Berlin said it had been informed of the Macron call to Putin in advance. In an interview with Le Monde, the French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, urged Iran to cooperate with the IAEA. But he also said Israel's strikes 'are not in accordance with international law. They have certainly set back Iran's nuclear programme. But only a negotiated framework will allow us to permanently avert the danger.' He added: 'We support the resumption of US negotiations with Iran, but it is essential that our security interests be taken into account. European territory is potentially within range of missiles designed in Iran.' Asked about Iran's right to domestic enrichment he said: 'What is essential is that Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon under any circumstances.' French officials did not rule out Iranian domestic enrichment, as allowed in the 2015 nuclear deal. The Kremlin readout of the Macron-Putin call said: 'It was noted that respecting Tehran's legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear technology and continue to fulfil its obligations under the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, which includes cooperating with the IAEA, was crucial.' It went on: 'The two leaders spoke in favour of settling the crisis around Iran's nuclear programme and any other differences arising in the Middle East exclusively via political and diplomatic means. They agreed to maintain contact in order to coordinate their stances if necessary.' Iran has been steadily moving towards freezing out the IAEA, making it harder for any independent assessment to be made of the scale of the damage inflicted on Iran's nuclear sites by the US and Israel strikes. On 25 June, the day after the ceasefire that ended 12 days of war, the Iranian parliament overwhelmingly voted for a bill suspending cooperation between Iran and UN agency. The law was then approved by the guardian council, the body responsible for reviewing legislation in Iran, before being ratified by the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian. State media confirmed on Wednesday that the legislation had now taken effect. It is thought a small number of IAEA inspectors are still in the country. Asked about efforts to revive the postponed UN special conference on the two-state solution, Barrot said France was discussing a possible date as soon as possible with the conference co-chair Saudi Arabia. He said: 'There is an emergency. An emergency in Gaza, for the hostages and the Palestinian population. It is also urgent to restore a political horizon that alone will allow us to emerge from the permanent state of war and offer both peoples a response to their legitimate aspirations. 'The solution is more than ever undermined by colonisation in the West Bank, by the destruction in Gaza, and by a form of resignation on the part of the international community. The danger would be that this political solution comes too late.' Analysis by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz claimed Iran launched more than 500 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which landed in open areas, throughout the recent 12-day conflict. Israel and the US intercepted the remainder with about 200 missile interceptors at an estimated cost of 5bn shekels (£1.1bn), according to an analysis of IDF data and open-source information. Data compiled by Haaretz from IDF reports over the course of the war shows Iran carried out 42 missile barrages, firing roughly 530 ballistic missiles at Israel. The IDF reported that during the 12-day conflict 36 Iranian missiles struck built-up areas, while air defence systems achieved an interception rate of 86%.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Pentagon reviews weapons exports to allies amid reported drop in munition stockpiles
The Pentagon has said that it is reviewing weapons deliveries to allies around the world as reports grow of concerns over dwindling stockpiles of crucial munitions including anti-air missiles. The announcement came after the White House confirmed that it was limiting deliveries of weapons to Ukraine to 'put America's interests first following a Department of Defense review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries around the globe'. Those weapons were believed to include both offensive precision munitions such as Himars long-range missiles, 155mm artillery shells, and defensive Patriot anti-air missiles that are crucial for defending Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure from Russian missile attacks. The Kremlin strikes have been condemned by most western leaders, including Donald Trump, who last week told a Ukrainian journalist that he would look for ways to deliver more Patriot missiles to Ukraine. Instead on Tuesday, deliveries of Patriot missiles and other munitions were reported to be halted because of a Department of Defense review inspired in part by the expenditure of hundreds of US interceptor air defense missiles, which were used to help protect Israeli cities as well as Qatar from Iranian bombardments during last month's war. On Wednesday, the Pentagon confirmed that its review of exports of US weapons could affect countries other than Ukraine, according to Sean Parnell, a defence department spokesperson, who said the review was ongoing. It was not clear if this could include Israel, which buys 68% of its foreign-sourced weapons from the US. Parnell's remarks came during a briefing in which he defended the review and pause in delivery of munitions to Ukraine but declined to discuss which specific munitions were being held back. 'A capability review is being conducted to ensure US military aid aligns with our defense priorities, and we will not be providing any updates to specific quantities or types of munitions being provided to Ukraine, or the timelines associated with these transfers,' he said. 'We see this as a common sense pragmatic step … to evaluate what munitions are sent and where. But we want to be very clear about this last point. Let it be known that our military has everything that it needs to conduct any mission anywhere, anytime, all around the world.' On Wednesday, Kyiv warned that a halt in shipments from the US would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Ukraine said it had called in the acting US envoy to Kyiv to underline the importance of military aid from Washington continuing, and cautioned that any cut-off would embolden Russia in its war in Ukraine. 'The Ukrainian side emphasised that any delay or procrastination in supporting Ukraine's defence capabilities will only encourage the aggressor to continue the war and terror, rather than seek peace,' Ukraine's foreign ministry said. The review was said to be carried out under secretary of defense for policy Elbridge Colby, who leads a group of foreign policy thinkers who believe that the US should redirect resources from Europe and the Middle East toward combating the threat posed by China. The so-called prioritisers have powerful allies in the Republican party, including vice-president JD Vance, who has been a prominent critic of US aid to Ukraine. 'For a long time, four years under the Biden administration, we were giving away weapons and munitions without really thinking about how many we have,' said Parnell. 'I think that this president was elected on putting this country first and defending the homeland and then you couple that with … a shift to the Indo-Pacific. Part of our job is to give the President a framework that he can use to evaluate how many munitions we have and where we're sending them.' Reuters contributed reporting
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Pentagon pause on arms shipments to Ukraine part of a global review of pressures on stockpiles
The Pentagon is pausing shipments of weapons to Ukraine again after more than three years of deliveries meant to bolster the country's defenses against invading Russian forces. The Trump administration's decision comes as Ukraine is facing intensified attacks by Russia against its civilians, and withholding that assistance could reduce Kyiv 's ability to counter deadly incoming ballistic missile attacks. Officials said the decision was prompted by concerns that U.S. stockpiles were getting too low. Here's a look at what the U.S. has provided Ukraine to date and why it's concerned about pressure on its own arsenal: What weapons has the U.S. provided to Ukraine to date? Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $67 billion in weapons and security assistance to Kyiv. That ranges from more than 500 million bullets and grenades to 31 Abrams tanks, more than 3 million 155mm artillery rounds and more than 5,000 Humvees. It's also provided scores of critical drones and drone defense systems. But Ukraine's constant need has been for air defense — from taking out Russian aircraft in the early days of the conflict to having to defend itself against long-range missiles now. In response, the U.S. has provided Patriot air defense batteries, National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and HAWK air defense systems — and still more is sought. But those demands are butting up against demands for similar air defenses in the Middle East and the reality that the U.S. military does not have enough munitions on hand to sustain a high rate of deliveries, while providing troops with equipment to train on and build up a stockpile for a potential future conflict. That's especially true if it's put in a position where the U.S. has to defend Taiwan against China. How will the new weapons pause affect Ukraine? This is the second time the Trump administration has paused weapons shipments to Ukraine, but for different reasons. After an explosive Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in March, President Donald Trump paused weapons that were funded under the Biden administration and still flowing into Ukraine. That pause was short-lived after Republican lawmakers pressed for Ukraine aid to resume. The new pause affects high-demand munitions the U.S. has sent to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles, the AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile and shorter-range Stinger missiles. Ukraine has relied on the AIM-7 Sparrow to counter incoming missiles and shorter-range Stinger missiles to knock down Russian aircraft or counter drone attacks. The Patriot missiles are used against Russia's frequent ballistic missile attacks. The pause could have deadly consequences for Ukraine, said Brad Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. 'If we deprive Kyiv of PAC-3 (Patriot) interceptors it means more Russian missiles getting through and more dead Ukrainians,' Bowman said. Rather than cutting off Ukraine, Bowman said the administration needs to look at 'whether we are taking all the steps we can to procure the max quantity that industry can produce.' Does the U.S. face stress on its weapons stockpile? The Trump administration's pause is part of a global review by the Pentagon on what munitions it is providing and where it is sending them, and the impact on its own stockpiles. 'We can't give weapons to everybody all around the world,' Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said in a briefing Wednesday. 'We have to look out for Americans and defending our homeland and our troops around the world.' Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, has previously warned that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East were putting pressure on his stockpile levels. As Iran launched a retaliatory ballistic missile attack last month, troops defended Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar with scores of Patriot air defense missiles — a high-demand munition the U.S. only has in limited supply. The Navy also has defended ships in the Red Sea by striking Houthi weapons and launch sites in Yemen with Tomahawk missiles. In one day in January 2024, it fired more Tomahawks than the Navy had purchased the prior year, said Mackenzie Eaglen, a senior defense fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. 'Everybody's worried — and the thing is, they have a reason to be worried,' Eaglen said. 'Air defense is a key capability of the most concern.' Is the U.S. producing enough weapons? A $60 billion Ukraine aid bill passed by Congress last year contained billions for U.S. weapons manufacturers to expand their production capacity. Despite the billions spent on defense contracts each year, the number of weapons in the U.S. can quickly dwindle — particularly for some of the complex air defense munitions — if a major conflict breaks out. That's because of the time it takes to build each missile. For example, despite an influx of investment since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the rate of production for Patriot missiles — one of the military's most important air defenses for its bases overseas — has increased to just 48 per month. That is compared to 21 per month prior to the invasion. While the total number of Patriot munitions the U.S. has is unknown, the number of entire Patriot missile defense systems is in such limited supply that providing one to a new location often means taking it from somewhere else. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he needs the systems to help defend his country's electrical grid and cities from the thousands of missile and drone attacks it faces daily. And defending a large overseas base like Al Udeid can also require firing scores of the missiles, which cost $4 million a piece. For other munitions that have been critical to Ukraine's defenses — like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS — production has increased from just 5 per month pre-invasion to 8 per month now, according to a Defense Department fact sheet. Elbridge Colby, Defense Department undersecretary for policy, said Pentagon officials have aimed to provide Trump 'with robust options to continue military aid to Ukraine' but also are 'rigorously examining' that approach while 'preserving U.S. forces' readiness for administration defense priorities.' ___
