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Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Full scale of Op Spiderweb devastation laid bare as satellite pix show prized Putin jets in RUINS after $7bn drone blitz
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE FULL extent of Ukraine's devastating drone blitz on airfields inside Russia has been laid bare by new satellite pictures. Masterful Operation Spiderweb inflicted $7billion worth of damage, and left Putin's precious fleet of bombers in tatters. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Shadows of scorched earth are all that remain on Putin's bombers at this airfield Credit: @AirbusDefence 8 This bomber was smashed to smithereens by the cheap Ukrainian drones Credit: AFP 8 The Belaya airfield bares the scars of the drone blitz Credit: @Planet and @AirbusDefence 8 Stunning satellite photos show patches of scorched earth where valuable Russian jets one lay. The debris has been hastily swept away - perhaps an attempt to conceal the scale of the destruction. Elsewhere, wreckages of warplanes blown to pieces remain on the tarmac, with fragments strewn across the runway. The covert drone plot - 18 months in the planning - targeted four airfields deep inside Russia, and is reminiscent of the most daring raids of the WW2 that turned the tide against the Nazis. Volodymyr Zelensky oversaw the operation and said: "It's genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. "We will continue this work." Putin's doomsday bomber fleet was crippled with 41 - a third of the total - of his most prized aircraft lying in smouldering wrecks on tarmac. Ukraine said the sneak attack was worth $7bn (£5.2bn) in damage to Russia - caused by just 117 cheaply made drones. Following the humiliating and costly blow, Putin's stooges came out and accused a Ukrainian ex-DJ of being the mastermind. Desperate to save face, Russian war bloggers named the man they believe was pulling the leavers as Artem Timofeev. Dramatic moment Putin's 'war hero' who led slaughter of Mariupol is killed in mysterious suicide bomb attack Artem, 37, is a former Ukrainian DJ. Putin's sleuths think they have identified that he owned the lorries used to carry the containers to the strikes. Alleged drivers who transported the crates and were tracked down by the bloggers all had similar stories about taking instruction from an "Artem", the Daily Mail reports. They appeared to have thought they were transporting wooden frame houses, but instead they moved kamikaze drones into strike position. 8 Ukraine hit bombers at the Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk Credit: East2West 8 Ukraine released photos of the drones in the crates taken from inside Russia Credit: Unpixs 8 A still from first-person-footage of the drone blasts Credit: Ukrainian Armed Forces The drones and the containers were smuggled into Russia and then pieced together right under Vlad's nose. Clueless lorry drivers then parked the containers next to Russian airbases - where they sat and waited in plain sight. Zelensky said the drivers were led far away from their vehicles - as Ukraine looked to hide those involved being captured and interrogated the FSB. Then, on the morning of June 1, the fleet of flying bombs rose over the far reaches of Russia - and the most daring military operation of the war began. Nondescript shipping containers parked in laybys and verges had attracted little attention - before their lids blew open and the drone swarms poured out. Russian civilians stood in awe as they saw the drones zoom out of the containers and head in the direction of the airbase. The craft buzzed as they took off into the air and only had to travel a short distance to their valuable targets. Each of the 117 drones had their own dedicated pilot and Russia had little defences to protect their bases and stop them. One hapless Russian soldier stationed at an air base recorded himself standing just meters from several burning wrecks.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Full scale of Op Spiderweb devastation laid bare as satellite pix show prized Putin jets in RUINS after $7bn drone blitz
THE FULL extent of Ukraine's devastating drone blitz on airfields inside Russia has been laid bare by new satellite pictures. Advertisement 8 Shadows of scorched earth are all that remain on Putin's bombers at this airfield Credit: @AirbusDefence 8 This bomber was smashed to smithereens by the cheap Ukrainian drones Credit: AFP 8 The Belaya airfield bares the scars of the drone blitz Credit: @Planet and @AirbusDefence 8 Stunning satellite photos show patches of scorched earth where valuable Russian jets one lay. The debris has been hastily swept away - perhaps an attempt to conceal the scale of the destruction. Elsewhere, wreckages of warplanes blown to pieces remain on the tarmac, with fragments strewn across the runway. he most daring raids of the WW2 that turned the tide against the Nazis . Advertisement read more in world news Volodymyr Zelensky oversaw the operation and said: "It's genuinely satisfying when something I authorized a year and six months ago comes to fruition and deprives Russians of over forty units of strategic aviation. "We will continue this work." Putin's doomsday bomber fleet was crippled with 41 - a third of the total - of his most prized aircraft lying in smouldering wrecks on tarmac. Ukraine said the sneak attack was worth $7bn (£5.2bn) in damage to Russia - caused by just 117 cheaply made drones . Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Following the humiliating and costly blow, Putin's stooges came out and Desperate to save face, Russian war bloggers named the man they believe was pulling the leavers as Artem Timofeev. Dramatic moment Putin's 'war hero' who led slaughter of Mariupol is killed in mysterious suicide bomb attack Artem, 37, is a former Ukrainian DJ. Putin's sleuths think they have identified that he owned the lorries used to carry the containers to the strikes . Advertisement Alleged drivers who transported the crates and were tracked down by the bloggers all had similar stories about taking instruction from an "Artem", the . They appeared to have thought they were transporting wooden frame houses, but instead they moved kamikaze drones into strike position. 8 Ukraine hit bombers at the Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk Credit: East2West 8 Ukraine released photos of the drones in the crates taken from inside Russia Credit: Unpixs Advertisement 8 A still from first-person-footage of the drone blasts Credit: Ukrainian Armed Forces The drones and the containers were smuggled into Russia and then pieced together right under Vlad's nose. Clueless lorry drivers then parked the containers next to Russian airbases - where they sat and waited in plain sight. Zelensky said the drivers were led far away from their vehicles - as Ukraine looked to hide those involved being captured and interrogated the FSB. Advertisement Then, on the morning of June 1, the fleet of flying bombs rose over the far reaches of Russia - and the most daring military operation of the war began. Nondescript shipping containers parked in laybys and verges had attracted little attention - before their lids blew open and the drone swarms poured out. Russian civilians stood in awe as they saw the drones zoom out of the containers and head in the direction of the airbase. The craft buzzed as they took off into the air and only had to travel a short distance to their valuable targets. Advertisement Each of the 117 drones had their own dedicated pilot and Russia had little defences to protect their bases and stop them. One hapless Russian soldier stationed at an air base recorded himself standing just meters from several burning wrecks. 8 Russian Belaya Air Base in Irkutsk region, Siberia, was ablaze Credit: East2West
Free Malaysia Today
26-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
France, Vietnam sign Airbus, satellite deals as Macron visits Hanoi
A separate agreement with Airbus Defence was signed during the visit to cooperate with Vietnam on earth-observations satellites. (EPA Images pic) HANOI : France and Vietnam signed a deal today for 20 Airbus planes, among other pacts, as President Emmanuel Macron visited Hanoi seeking to boost France's influence in its former colony, grappling with threats of crippling US tariffs. Macron's first formal visit to Vietnam, the first by a French president in nearly a decade, follows US President Donald Trump's threats on Friday of 50% duties on EU goods from June that sharply fuelled tension with the 27-nation bloc. Export-dependent Vietnam, under pressure from Washington to buy more American goods, has made pledges in trade talks to avert 46% tariffs that could impair its growth, fanning European concerns about deals at the region's expense. Deals signed during Macron's visit covered the plane purchase, cooperation on nuclear energy, railways, Airbus earth-observation satellites and Sanofi vaccines, a list of documents seen by Reuters showed, confirming an earlier report. In statements to the press with no questions allowed, Macron reiterated France's support of freedom of navigation, an issue dear to Vietnam as it often clashes with Beijing over contested boundaries in the South China Sea. Macron added the partnership with Vietnam 'entails a reinforced defence cooperation', citing the signing of multiple projects on defence and space. Vietnam's President Luong Cuong said the defence partnership involved 'sharing of information on strategic matters' and stronger cooperation in the defence industry, cybersecurity and anti-terrorism. France ruled the Southeast Asian country for about 70 years until it was forced out in 1954 after a major defeat at Dien Bien Phu in northern Vietnam. Ties have improved in recent decades, being upgraded last year to Vietnam's highest level. On his trip, the first leg of a Southeast Asian tour that includes Indonesia and Singapore, Macron will visit a university in Hanoi tomorrow, before flying to Jakarta, the Indonesian capital. Airbus The deal with European planemaker Airbus for Vietnam's low-cost airline VietJet to buy 20 A330neo wide-body aircraft follows last year's agreement for 20 of the jets. The signing followed urging by European officials in recent weeks for Vietnam to be careful in concessions made to the White House, two officials based in Vietnam with knowledge of the discussions had told Reuters, referring to concerns on Airbus. Airbus is the main supplier of jets to Vietnam, contributing 86% of its fleet, data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows. A separate agreement with Airbus Defence was also signed during the visit for cooperation with Vietnam on earth-observations satellites. Airbus has long been in talks with Hanoi for the replacement of Vietnam's earth-observation satellite, built by Airbus' predecessor EADS and launched in 2013. With an economy heavily dependent on US exports, Vietnam has signalled the possible purchase of at least 250 Boeing planes by flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and rival VietJet. Officials of both nations have said such deals would help cut its huge trade surplus with the US and possibly appease Trump. In talks with the US, 'Vietnam should make sure not to make decisions at the expense of European interests,' one of the EU officials said. Vietnamese leaders have been advised such steps could jeopardise close ties with the EU, which has a free trade deal with Vietnam and is a major buyer of its goods, they added.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Dozens of deals on the table as Macron visits next week
Infrastructure and energy are among issues France's President Emmanuel Macron is expected to discuss with Vietnam's leaders next week during a state visit to the former colony when dozens of deals may be signed, officials said. The first trip to Vietnam by a French president in nearly a decade is part of a larger tour of South-East Asia. Macron is set to arrive in Hanoi on May 25, move to Indonesia on May 27 and finish in Singapore, where he will speak at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top defence conference, starting on May 30. Macron's Elysee office said dozens of deals were being prepared and could be signed during the visit. One official with knowledge of the talks said about 30 pacts were under discussion ahead of a signing ceremony on Monday. Vietnam's foreign affairs ministry did not reply to a request for comment. Caught off-guard by the threat of high tariffs from the United States, export-reliant Vietnam is trying to readjust its growth model to focus more on government spending, with massive investments planned in transport, communications and energy. Macron is following leaders of China, Japan and other European countries in visiting the region in recent weeks, in a sign of South-East Asia's strategic importance amid uncertainties on global supply chains and trade. One agreement under negotiation is for the replacement of an earth-observation satellite, built by Airbus Defence's predecessor and launched in 2013. A non-binding memorandum of understanding on that could be signed during Macron's visit, one official said. A second official said other satellite discussions were under way. Airbus did not reply to a request for comment but has said in the past it was working on the replacement of Vietnam's satellite. The Elysee did not comment about this specific agreement. France is also keen to discuss energy cooperation, with progress expected on renewables projects under the EU-backed Just Energy Transition Partnership, the two officials said. Nuclear energy will also be on the table, although no deals were expected, one of the sources said. Vietnam has decided to relaunch its nuclear power programme as it struggles to meet growing energy needs from its expanding economy. — Reuters
The Star
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Satellites, nuclear power on agenda as Macron visits Vietnam next week
French President Emmanuel Macron will also be visiting Indonesia and Singapore next week. - Photo: EPA-EFE HANOI/PARIS: Infrastructure and energy are among issues France's President Emmanuel Macron is expected to discuss with Vietnam's leaders next week during a state visit to his country's former colony, when dozens of deals may be signed, officials said. The first trip to Vietnam by a French president in nearly a decade is part of a larger tour of South-east Asia. Macron is set to arrive in Hanoi on Sunday (May 25), move to Indonesia on May 27 and finish in Singapore, where he will speak at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top defence conference, starting on May 30. Macron's Elysee office told Reuters dozens of deals were being prepared and could be signed during the visit. One official with knowledge of the talks said about 30 pacts were under discussion ahead of a signing ceremony on May 26. Vietnam's foreign affairs ministry did not reply to a request for comment. Caught off-guard by the threat of high tariffs from the United States, export-reliant Vietnam is trying to readjust its growth model to focus more on government spending, with massive investments planned in transport, communications and energy. Macron is following leaders of China, Japan and other European countries in visiting the region in recent weeks, in a sign of South-east Asia's strategic importance amid uncertainties on global supply chains and trade. Satellites, energy One agreement under negotiation is for the replacement of an earth-observation satellite, built by Airbus Defence's predecessor and launched in 2013. A non-binding memorandum of understanding on that could be signed during Macron's visit, one official said. A second official said other satellite discussions were under way. Airbus did not reply to a request for comment but has said in the past that it was working on the replacement of Vietnam's satellite. The Elysee did not comment about this specific agreement. France is also keen to discuss energy cooperation, with progress expected on renewables projects under the EU-backed Just Energy Transition Partnership, the two officials said. Nuclear energy will also be on the table, although no deals were expected, one of the sources said. Vietnam has decided to relaunch its nuclear power programme as it struggles to meet growing energy needs from its expanding economy. Russia and Japan appear to be ahead in nuclear talks at the moment, officials have said. France, South Korea and the US have also discussed possible cooperation with Hanoi. Talks with the US progressed alongside trade negotiations this week, according to the Vietnamese government. France is also interested in plans for a new high-speed link between Vietnam's top cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which at an estimated cost of US$67 billion would be Vietnam's largest infrastructure project. - Reuters
