Latest news with #AndreiBelousov
The Star
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Russia says Ukraine, backed by Europe, is trying to wreck peace talks
FILE PHOTO: Russia's Defence Minister Andrei Belousov attends a military parade on Victory Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday that Ukraine, backed by certain European countries, had taken several 'provocative steps' aimed at derailing Moscow-initiated direct peace talks with Kyiv. The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in over three years took place on May 16, but failed to produce a ceasefire agreement. "At the initiative of the Russian Federation, direct Russian-Ukrainian dialogue on a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine has been resumed," the ministry said. "At the same time, the Kyiv regime, supported by certain European countries, has taken a number of provocative steps aimed at disrupting the negotiation process." According to the Russian ministry, since May 20, Ukraine has significantly increased drone and missile attacks on Russian territory, using Western-supplied munitions and targeting civilian areas. Between the evening of May 20 and the morning of May 27, Russian air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 2,331 Ukrainian drones, including 1,465 outside the immediate conflict zone, the ministry said. Ukraine has also reported a sharp escalation in Russian attacks on its territory, including a record barrage on Sunday night. The intensification prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to comment that Russian President Vladimir Putin had "gone absolutely CRAZY," while also threatening new sanctions. Russia's defence ministry on Tuesday said that its strikes were retaliatory, precise, and targeted solely at military facilities and enterprises within Ukraine's military-industrial complex. (Reporting by Reuters Writing by Maxim Rodionov Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Al Arabiya
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Putin discussed Ukraine talks with Russia's most senior officials, Kremlin says
President Vladimir Putin held a late night meeting with some of Russia's most powerful officials to discuss the upcoming peace talks with Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Thursday. Among those present was Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, chief of Russia's general staff, Valery Gerasimov, Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, spy chiefs and senior Russian commanders. Developing
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kremlin uses World War II myths to justify war against Ukraine
Ahead of Victory Day on 9 May, Russian authorities have stepped up their historical propaganda in an attempt to present the war against Ukraine as a continuation of the USSR's heroic path in World War II. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.] Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War note that the Kremlin is continuing to draw on Soviet-era narratives of victory in the Second World War to establish an information context intended to justify the protracted war in Ukraine and future aggression against NATO in the eyes of Russian society. On 8 May, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov released an article in which he asserted that Russia's war in Ukraine would go down in history as a feat comparable to the Red Army's defeat of Nazi Germany. Belousov also claimed that Russia's actions in Ukraine are a continuation of the "glorious traditions" of Soviet valour and heroism, as well as the enthusiasm of the Soviet people to mobilise and support the war effort. He also stated that Russia's victory in Ukraine is "inevitable". ISW analysts report that these analogies to Russia's Soviet past are also actively supported by Russian state media, pointing to an intentional attempt to forge a new state ideology. Quote: "Kremlin officials have recently seized on the mythos of the Second World War to form the basis of a new pseudo-state ideology that will span across generations and that the Kremlin intends to use to justify potential future aggression against the West." Details: Belousov reiterated the narrative that Russia had no viable alternative but to commence a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, presenting it as a matter of life and death. Moreover, Dmitry Medvedev, Head of the Russian Security Council, warned European states, saying they ought to "remember the crushing defeat of Nazi Germany" when supporting Ukraine. ISW analysts stress that this information operation is part of a larger reflexive control strategy designed to erode European backing for Kremlin continues to seize on the Russian mythos of the Second World War ahead of Russia's 9 May Victory Day holiday to set informational conditions to justify a prolonged war in Ukraine and future aggression against NATO to Russian society. Belousov explicitly identified large-scale Russian military reforms as preparations for a future conflict with NATO as Russian Security Council Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev threatened European countries that support Ukraine. Russia claimed to have implemented its unilateral Victory Day ceasefire on 8 May and accused Ukraine of ceasefire violations even though Ukraine did not officially and publicly agree to Russia's ceasefire. Russia's unilateral Victory Day ceasefire and accusations of violations continue to demonstrate the necessity that any ceasefire or peace agreement be formally agreed to in advance by all parties and include robust monitoring mechanisms. Ukrainian officials continue to highlight Ukraine's willingness to implement US President Donald Trump's desired 30-day ceasefire to precede peace talks. The Kremlin is attempting to exploit its unilateral Victory Day ceasefire to blame Ukraine for the lack of progress toward a longer-term ceasefire and peace negotiations despite Russia's continued rejection of such a longer-term ceasefire. Russian leader Vladimir Putin and People's Republic of China (PRC) President Xi Jinping conducted a series of bilateral engagements in Moscow on 8 May, showcasing deeper Russian-Chinese cooperation and alignment. The joint Russian-Chinese statement on 8 May referenced Putin's original aims in launching his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in an attempt to lend international support and legitimacy to Russia's goals and attempted justifications for the war. The joint Russian-Chinese statement supported Putin's proposed Eurasian security architecture and Russia's ongoing efforts to create a Russia-dominated alternative, anti-Western bloc. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (UN HRMMU) reported that Ukrainian civilian casualties have significantly increased between 2024 and 2025. The Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) ratified the US-Ukrainian bilateral economic partnership agreement on 8 May. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Toretsk. Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk and Sumy oblasts and near Kupiansk, Borova, Toretsk, Kurakhove, and Velyka Novosilka. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Newsweek
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Enormous Russian Arms Depot Explodes, Emptying Nearby Villages
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Flames engulfed an arsenal containing more than 100,000 tons of weapons and missiles in a Russian region following explosions that prompted the evacuation of neighboring areas. Russian state media confirmed that there had been explosions on Tuesday at the arsenal near Kirzhach in the Vladimir region, but authorities denied there were casualties and blamed the incident on a violation of safety requirements regarding explosives. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the incident, which is the latest to hit a Russian military facility. Newsweek has contacted the Russian and Ukrainian Defense Ministries for comment. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in Moscow on December 16, 2024. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in Moscow on December 16, It Matters Ukrainian Telegram channels, media and open-source military observers have speculated that the explosions may have been the result of a Ukrainian long-range drone strike. These claims have not been independently verified, and Ukrainian authorities have provided no confirmation—though one official noted that the site contained rocket launchers, ammunition and missiles that Russia has used against Ukraine. What To Know Explosions erupted on Tuesday at the arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate in Vladimir. The site, which is 40 miles north of Moscow and about 330 miles from the Ukrainian border, spans 502 hectares and serves as a critical storage facility for Russia's military. Astra, an independent Russian media outlet, said residents reported a powerful blast followed by continued secondary detonation and that drones could be heard beforehand. Russia's Defense Ministry said the fire erupted at the site because of a violation of safety protocols when working with explosive materials. Explosions reported near military base in Kirzhachsky district, Vladimir region — local media A road leading from Moscow to Kirzhach has reportedly been blocked. Residents say smoke from the explosions can be seen above the village of Barsovo. The area houses the Arsenal of the… — ASTRA (@ASTRA_PRESS) April 22, 2025 The Russian Emergencies Ministry said a military unit, seven settlements and 12 holiday villages had been evacuated, and Russian media reported that nearby homes were also damaged. Four people were injured, according to Vladimir Oblast Governor Aleksandr Avdeyev. Without Kyiv claiming responsibility, Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, said the site stored about 105,000 tons of weapons, including Iskander, Tochka-U and Kinzhal missiles—all of which have been used to strike Ukrainian infrastructure. The depot also contained ammunition for Pantsir-S1, S-300 and S-400 air defense systems and Grad, Smerch and Uragan multiple rocket launchers, Kovalenko added. Ukrainian and military sources speculated that the explosion might have been caused by a Ukrainian long-range drone strike, potentially involving the domestically produced Palianytsia turbojet drone missile system. What People Are Saying Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, wrote on Telegram: "The 51st GRAU arsenal burned [thoroughly], with secondary detonations; the fire engulfed it almost completely." What Happens Next Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has set up a team to investigate the incident. On Wednesday, Russian air defenses opened fire against drones in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia's Tatarstan region—where Shahed-type drones are produced, according to Astra—and Ukrainian strikes on sites deep inside Russia are likely to continue.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Explosions rock what could be one of Russia's largest weapons arsenals in Vladimir Oblast
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Explosions have erupted at a Russian weapons arsenal in Vladimir Oblast on April 22, causing a fire, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Telegram. According to Ukrainian defense media outlet Militarnyi, the facility in question is Russia's 51st Arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate – one of Russia's largest weapons arsenals, located about 530 kilometers (330 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Analysis of imagery from the facility suggests that the arsenal stored a wide range of military materiel, including medium-caliber artillery shells and missiles for anti-aircraft systems. Militarnyi reported that the facility also housed a laboratory for monitoring the condition of artillery propellants and explosives, as well as workshops equipped to test high-tech weapons systems. In addition to specialized equipment, the 51st Arsenal and similar bases under the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate are believed to store large stockpiles of heavy artillery shells, multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) munitions, and small arms ammunition. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the fire erupted at the site due to a violation of safety protocols when working with explosive materials. No casualties have been reported. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has ordered the creation of a special commission to investigate the incident. Independent Russian media outlet ASTRA reported, citing local residents, a powerful blast at the base, followed by continued secondary detonations. Following the incident, roads leading to the nearby town of Kirzhach from Moscow were closed. According to Russian state-controlled media outlet Kommersant, Russian authorities ordered evacuations from the settlements of Barsovo and Mirny. Vladimir Oblast Governor Alexander Avdeev confirmed the explosions but warned journalists and residents against spreading information about the incident before "verified official data" is released, threatening fines for violations. The facility has a history of similar incidents. On June 22, 2022, a detonation of ammunition occurred during unloading operations, killing three servicemen and a civilian specialist and seriously injuring another. Read also: Trump hopes to 'end war' this week. Here's what you need to know We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
