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Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Three Belgian soldiers injured while on exercise in Scotland
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Three Belgian soldiers from one of the country's parachute regiments were injured while on exercise in Scotland, said Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever in a post on X on Monday. He did not provide details. Belgium is planning to increase its total defence spending to 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) this year, which is the minimum level agreed among NATO allies.


Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Three Belgian soldiers hospitalised and 12 others injured after shooting incident at Scots military base
BASE HORROR Three Belgian soldiers hospitalised and 12 others injured after shooting incident at Scots military base Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THREE Belgian soldiers have been rushed to hospital and 12 others were injured after a 'shooting incident' during a military exercise in Scotland. Soldiers from the country's parachute regiments were taking part in the Red Condor exercise when the incident happened earlier today. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up The exercise, which was supported by Britain's defence ministry, was being carried out at Kinloss Barracks on the Moray Coast in the northeast of Scotland. A total of 15 soldiers have been injured, and three were rushed to hospital in an ambulance after being wounded. According to Belgian publication Sudinfo, two soldiers have suffered serious injuries while the third suffered minor injuries. The other 12 soldiers all reportedly suffered hearing damage. Belgium's Ministry of Defence announced the news on social media. The country's Defence Minister, Theo Francken, posted a short clip of himself on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirming the incident. He said: "They were on an exercise and something went wrong. "We do everything to train, train and protect our personnel as best we can, but sometimes things don't go as planned." He added that the government was "monitoring the situation very closely" and that the families of those who were injured have been informed. Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever also made a post on X as he responded to the incident. He wrote: "I have received the sad news that three soldiers from the Third Parachute Battalion were injured during an exercise in Scotland. "I wish the injured a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with their loved ones." The country's Defence Ministry has launched an investigation into the incident. They released a statement which said: "They received first aid and were then transferred to a local hospital. In addition, a dozen soldiers suffered hearing damage. "An investigation has been launched to find out the exact circumstances of the incident." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Scottish Sun. is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheScottishSun.


The Sun
12-05-2025
- The Sun
Three Belgian soldiers hospitalised and 12 others injured after shooting incident at Scots military base
THREE Belgian soldiers have been rushed to hospital and 12 others were injured after a 'shooting incident' during a military exercise in Scotland. Soldiers from the country's parachute regiments were taking part in the Red Condor exercise when the incident happened earlier today. The exercise, which was supported by Britain's defence ministry, was being carried out at Kinloss Barracks on the Moray Coast in the northeast of Scotland. A total of 15 soldiers have been injured, and three were rushed to hospital in an ambulance after being wounded. According to Belgian publication Sudinfo, two soldiers have suffered serious injuries while the third suffered minor injuries. The other 12 soldiers all reportedly suffered hearing damage. Belgium's Ministry of Defence announced the news on social media. The country's Defence Minister, Theo Francken, posted a short clip of himself on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirming the incident. He said: "They were on an exercise and something went wrong. "We do everything to train, train and protect our personnel as best we can, but sometimes things don't go as planned." He added that the government was "monitoring the situation very closely" and that the families of those who were injured have been informed. Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever also made a post on X as he responded to the incident. He wrote: "I have received the sad news that three soldiers from the Third Parachute Battalion were injured during an exercise in Scotland. "I wish the injured a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with their loved ones." The country's Defence Ministry has launched an investigation into the incident. They released a statement which said: "They received first aid and were then transferred to a local hospital. In addition, a dozen soldiers suffered hearing damage. "An investigation has been launched to find out the exact circumstances of the incident." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Scottish Sun. is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheScottishSun.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine unveils new drone designed to intercept Russian-used Shaheds
Ukraine unveiled a domestically developed drone designed to intercept and destroy Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russia, the Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi reported on April 9. According to its designers, the drone has already been deployed in combat and has successfully destroyed more than 20 Shahed-type drones over the past two months. The designers said this is the most effective interceptor drone currently in service with the Armed Forces. The system is also capable of targeting reconnaissance drones. The interceptor drone's maximum flight speed is 200 kilometers per hour (approximately 124 miles per hour), and it can operate at altitudes up to 5 kilometers (about 3.1 miles). Unlike traditional air defense systems that rely on costly anti-aircraft missiles, the new drone offers a cheaper and more sustainable option for downing low-speed, small-sized targets. Russia has extensively used Shahed drones since late 2022, particularly the Shahed-136 model, to strike critical infrastructure and civilian areas across Ukraine. The low-flying, self-detonating drones have become a central element of Russia's long-range strike tactics. The Ukrainian drone was showcased to Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever during his visit to Kyiv on April 8. De Wever visited Bucha in Kyiv Oblast and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in the day. Kyiv has prioritized the development of high-performance, low-cost domestic defense technologies to improve protection and reduce dependence on Western-supplied missile systems. Read also: Ukrainian drone destroys Russia's Tu-22M3 long-range bomber, Syrskyi claims We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'We will not look away' — Belgian PM visits Bucha
Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, and Defense Minister Theo Francken, arrived in Kyiv on April 8, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The delegation also visited Bucha, a suburb northwest of Kyiv which became a symbol of Russian war crimes after mass graves were uncovered in April 2022 following its liberation by Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has documented over 1,400 civilian killings in the Bucha District, including 637 in Bucha itself. Among the victims were 37 children. Many were executed, their bodies left on the streets or buried in mass graves. Prevot said on his social media that their visit is "more than a symbolic gesture." "Today, we honor the victims. We stand with the survivors. And we reaffirm this: Belgium stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. Justice must prevail. And we will not look away," Prevot said in a post on social media. The Kremlin has long-used Bucha in state propaganda, denying the extensively documented crimes committed by Russian forces. Ukraine marked the third anniversary of the Bucha tragedy on March 31, with European parliamentary leaders visiting the suburb. "The brutality of March 2022 is not hearsay," Prevot said. "It is fact. Documented by satellite images, forensic experts, survivors' testimonies, and the tireless work of the UN, ICC, and NGOs. "And yet, Russia still tries to deny it, spinning lies, peddling disinformation, calling Bucha a hoax. But no lie can erase the truth written in blood," he added. "Bucha is not an isolated case. From Mariupol to Izium, from Kramatorsk to Kherson, the pattern is the same: terror, torture, mass killings. These are not tragic mistakes of war. They are war crimes. Systematic. Calculated. Deliberate." Read also: Trump 'not happy' with Russian bombing of Ukraine, says he 'doesn't know what's happening there' We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.