Latest news with #Counter-DisinformationCenter
28-05-2025
- Politics
Russia says Trump 'does not fully understand' after criticism of Putin
LONDON -- A top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that President Donald Trump "is not getting enough information" about Moscow's war on Ukraine, after Trump criticized Putin for his apparent reluctance to pursue a peace deal and warned that the Kremlin was "playing with fire." "There is a lot that Trump says, we read it all, track it, but in many ways we come to the conclusion that Trump is not getting enough information about what is really happening in the context of the Ukrainian-Russian confrontation," Yuri Ushakov said in an interview with Russian propagandist Pavel Zarubin published on Wednesday. "In particular, he is not being informed enough about what massive terrorist attacks are being carried out by Ukraine against peaceful Russian cities," Ushakov said. "Trump only knows what countermeasures we are taking, and he does not fully understand that we are attacking military institutions or military industrial complexes." Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday that he was "disappointed" by Russia's barrage of strikes in recent days. Asked if he believed the Russians are being disrespectful and if Putin actually wants to end the war, Trump responded, "I can't tell you that. But I'll let you know in about two weeks." "Within two weeks. We're going to find out very soon," he continued. "We're going to find out whether or not he's tapping us along or not. And if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently. But it will take about a week and a half, two weeks." He said he hasn't imposed new sanctions on Russia because "I think I'm close to getting a deal." "I don't want to screw it up by doing that," he said. "This isn't my war. This is Biden's war, Zelenskyy's war and Putin's war. This isn't Trump's war. I'm only here for one thing -- to see if I can end it." The comments came after hundreds of Ukrainian drones crossed into Russia overnight into Wednesday morning, dozens of which targeted Moscow and again caused disruption to flights in and out of the capital, according to officials there. Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces shot down 296 Ukrainian drones over 12 regions -- including the capital Moscow -- during the latest round of long-range strikes. Moscow Gov. Andrei Vorobyov said on Telegram that at least 42 drones were downed over the region. Vorobyov reported damage to three homes in the town of Chekhov around 40 miles south of the capital. Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport -- one of four international airports in the capital -- also warned travelers of delays due to flight restrictions imposed during the latest drone attack. Recent weeks have seen regular disruptions to Moscow's airports during such strikes. Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Counter-Disinformation Center operating as part of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said on Telegram there were "some pretty good hits" during Tuesday night's attack. Among the targets were the Dubna Machine-Building Plant -- involved in the production of aviation, missile and drone technology, Kovalenko said -- in the city of Dubna, around 70 miles north of Moscow. Kovalenko said the Technopark ELMA-Zelenograd facility -- which hosts the development of microelectronics, IT, robotics and medical equipment -- was also targeted. The facility "is one of the centers where import substitution of critical components previously imported from the West takes place," Kovalenko said. ABC News could not immediately verify Kovalenko's claim of successful strikes on the facilities. Russia continued its own long-range attacks on Ukraine overnight. Ukraine's air force said Moscow launched six missiles and 88 strike drones into the country, of which 71 drones were shot down or otherwise neutralized. The air force said it recorded impacts in eight locations. The intensity of strikes by both sides has only increased since Trump's return to office in January, the president having promised to end Russia's war on its neighbor in 24 hours. Trump has not delivered on that promise, and his frustration appears to have been building in recent weeks with the continued failure of U.S.-led ceasefire efforts. Trump called Putin "absolutely crazy" in a Sunday social media post, then on Tuesday said Putin doesn't realize "that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!" The U.S. and Ukraine are now waiting for Russia to deliver its peace memorandum -- a document promised by Putin to Trump during a phone call between the two leaders earlier this month. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia is ready to present its memorandum to Ukraine and proposed holding a second round of talks with Kyiv in Istanbul on June 2. In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha questioned the need for the wait, saying, "If the Russians have finally elaborated on their 'memorandum' -- after 10 days of reflections and attacks -- it can be passed to us right away." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier Wednesday floated the idea of a trilateral meeting with Putin and Trump. "If Putin is uncomfortable with a bilateral meeting, or if everyone wants it to be a trilateral meeting -- I don't care. I'm ready for any format," he said. Trump, meanwhile, said Wednesday he would sit down with Putin and Zelenskyy "if it's necessary." "At this point, we're working on President Putin, and we'll see where we are," he told reporters. Zelenskyy has cast doubt on the Russian proposal. "They talk a lot about diplomacy. But when, in the midst of all that, there are constant Russian strikes, constant killings, relentless assaults, and even preparations for new offensives," he wrote on social media on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Andriy Yermak -- the head of Zelenskyy's presidential office -- wrote on Telegram, "Russians are masters of empty words."
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Russia says Trump 'does not fully understand' after criticism of Putin
A top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that President Donald Trump "is not getting enough information" about Moscow's war on Ukraine, after Trump criticized Putin for his apparent reluctance to pursue a peace deal and warned that the Kremlin was "playing with fire." "There is a lot that Trump says, we read it all, track it, but in many ways we come to the conclusion that Trump is not getting enough information about what is really happening in the context of the Ukrainian-Russian confrontation," Yuri Ushakov said in an interview with Russian propagandist Pavel Zarubin published on Wednesday. "In particular, he is not being informed enough about what massive terrorist attacks are being carried out by Ukraine against peaceful Russian cities," Ushakov said. "Trump only knows what countermeasures we are taking, and he does not fully understand that we are attacking military institutions or military industrial complexes." The comments came after hundreds of Ukrainian drones crossed into Russia overnight into Wednesday morning, dozens of which targeted Moscow and again caused disruption to flights in and out of the capital, according to officials there. Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces shot down 296 Ukrainian drones over 12 regions -- including the capital Moscow -- during the latest round of long-range strikes. Moscow Governor Andrei Vorobyov said on Telegram that at least 42 drones were downed over the region. Vorobyov reported damage to three homes in the town of Chekhov around 40 miles south of the capital. Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport -- one of four international airports in the capital -- also warned travelers of delays due to flight restrictions imposed during the latest drone attack. Recent weeks have seen regular disruptions to Moscow's airports during such strikes. Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Counter-Disinformation Center operating as part of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said on Telegram there were "some pretty good hits" during Tuesday night's attack. Among the targets were the Dubna Machine-Building Plant -- involved in the production of aviation, missile and drone technology, Kovalenko said -- in the city of Dubna, around 70 miles north of Moscow. Kovalenko said the Technopark ELMA-Zelenograd facility -- which hosts the development of microelectronics, IT, robotics and medical equipment -- was also targeted. The facility "is one of the centers where import substitution of critical components previously imported from the West takes place," Kovalenko said. ABC News could not immediately verify Kovalenko's claim of successful strikes on the facilities. MORE: Putin 'playing games' with US peace talks, Zelenskyy says amid drone attack Russia continued its own long-range attacks on Ukraine overnight. Ukraine's air force said Moscow launched six missiles and 88 strike drones into the country, of which 71 drones were shot down or otherwise neutralized. The air force said it recorded impacts in eight locations. The intensity of strikes by both sides have only increased since Trump's return to office in January, the president having promised to end Russia's war on its neighbor war in 24 hours. Trump has not delivered on that promise, and his frustration appears to have been building in recent weeks with the continued failure of U.S.-led ceasefire efforts. Trump called Putin "absolutely crazy" in a Sunday social media post, then on Tuesday said Putin "doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!" The U.S. and Ukraine are now waiting for Russia to deliver its peace memorandum -- a document promised by Putin to Trump during a phone call between the two leaders earlier this month. Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Tuesday that Moscow was still working on the document. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cast doubt on the Russian proposal. "They've already spent over a week on this," he wrote on social media on Tuesday. "They talk a lot about diplomacy. But when, in the midst of all that, there are constant Russian strikes, constant killings, relentless assaults, and even preparations for new offensives." On Wednesday, Andriy Yermak -- the head of Zelenskyy's presidential office -- wrote on Telegram, "Russians are masters of empty words." Russia says Trump 'does not fully understand' after criticism of Putin originally appeared on
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds of drones attack Russia with impacts, disruption reported in Moscow
Hundreds of Ukrainian drones crossed into Russia overnight into Wednesday morning, dozens of which targeted Moscow and again caused disruption to flights in and out of the capital, according to officials there. Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces shot down 296 Ukrainian drones over 12 regions -- including the capital Moscow -- during the latest round of long-range strikes. Moscow Governor Andrei Vorobyov said on Telegram that at least 42 drones were downed over the region. Vorobyov reported damage to three homes in the town of Chekhov around 40 miles south of the capital. Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport -- one of four international airports in the capital -- also warned travelers of delays due to flight restrictions imposed during the latest drone attack. Recent weeks have seen regular disruptions to Moscow's airports during such strikes. Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Counter-Disinformation Center operating as part of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said on Telegram there were "some pretty good hits" during Tuesday night's attack. Among the targets were the Dubna Machine-Building Plant -- involved in the production of aviation, missile and drone technology, Kovalenko said -- in the city of Dubna, around 70 miles north of Moscow. Kovalenko said the Technopark ELMA-Zelenograd facility -- which hosts the development of microelectronics, IT, robotics and medical equipment -- was also targeted. The facility "is one of the centers where import substitution of critical components previously imported from the West takes place," Kovalenko said. ABC News could not immediately verify Kovalenko's claim of successful strikes on the facilities. MORE: Putin 'playing games' with US peace talks, Zelenskyy says amid drone attack Russia continued its own long-range attacks on Ukraine overnight. Ukraine's air force said Moscow launched six missiles and 88 strike drones into the country, of which 71 drones were shot down or otherwise neutralized. The air force said it recorded impacts in eight locations. The intensity of strikes by both sides have only increased since President Donald Trump's return to office in January, the president having promised to end Russia's war on its neighbor war in 24 hours. Trump has not delivered on that promise, and his frustration appears to have been building in recent weeks with the continued failure of U.S.-led ceasefire efforts. Trump called Putin "absolutely crazy" in a Sunday social media post, then on Tuesday said Putin "doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!" The U.S. and Ukraine are now waiting for Russia to deliver its peace memorandum -- a document promised by Putin to Trump during a phone call between the two leaders earlier this month. Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Tuesday that Moscow was still working on the document. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cast doubt on the Russian proposal. "They've already spent over a week on this," he wrote on social media on Tuesday. "They talk a lot about diplomacy. But when, in the midst of all that, there are constant Russian strikes, constant killings, relentless assaults, and even preparations for new offensives." Hundreds of drones attack Russia with impacts, disruption reported in Moscow originally appeared on
28-05-2025
- Politics
Hundreds of drones attack Russia with impacts, disruption reported in Moscow
LONDON -- Hundreds of Ukrainian drones crossed into Russia overnight into Wednesday morning, dozens of which targeted Moscow and again caused disruption to flights in and out of the capital, according to officials there. Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces shot down 296 Ukrainian drones over 12 regions -- including the capital Moscow -- during the latest round of long-range strikes. Moscow Governor Andrei Vorobyov said on Telegram that at least 42 drones were downed over the region. Vorobyov reported damage to three homes in the town of Chekhov around 40 miles south of the capital. Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport -- one of four international airports in the capital -- also warned travelers of delays due to flight restrictions imposed during the latest drone attack. Recent weeks have seen regular disruptions to Moscow's airports during such strikes. Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Counter-Disinformation Center operating as part of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said on Telegram there were "some pretty good hits" during Tuesday night's attack. Among the targets were the Dubna Machine-Building Plant -- involved in the production of aviation, missile and drone technology, Kovalenko said -- in the city of Dubna, around 70 miles north of Moscow. Kovalenko said the Technopark ELMA-Zelenograd facility -- which hosts the development of microelectronics, IT, robotics and medical equipment -- was also targeted. The facility "is one of the centers where import substitution of critical components previously imported from the West takes place," Kovalenko said. ABC News could not immediately verify Kovalenko's claim of successful strikes on the facilities. Russia continued its own long-range attacks on Ukraine overnight. Ukraine's air force said Moscow launched six missiles and 88 strike drones into the country, of which 71 drones were shot down or otherwise neutralized. The air force said it recorded impacts in eight locations. The intensity of strikes by both sides have only increased since President Donald Trump's return to office in January, the president having promised to end Russia's war on its neighbor war in 24 hours. Trump has not delivered on that promise, and his frustration appears to have been building in recent weeks with the continued failure of U.S.-led ceasefire efforts. Trump called Putin "absolutely crazy" in a Sunday social media post, then on Tuesday said Putin "doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!" The U.S. and Ukraine are now waiting for Russia to deliver its peace memorandum -- a document promised by Putin to Trump during a phone call between the two leaders earlier this month. Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Tuesday that Moscow was still working on the document. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cast doubt on the Russian proposal. "They've already spent over a week on this," he wrote on social media on Tuesday. "They talk a lot about diplomacy. But when, in the midst of all that, there are constant Russian strikes, constant killings, relentless assaults, and even preparations for new offensives."
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia, Ukraine exchange drone attacks after Trump rebukes leaders
Russia and Ukraine continued long-range cross-border drone attacks on Sunday night into Monday morning, despite President Donald Trump's criticism of presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy -- the latest signal of Trump's frustration at his inability to bring Moscow's 3-year-old invasion of its neighbor to a close. Ukrainian officials said air defenses engaged targets across the country, including in the capital Kyiv where damage was reported to buildings. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched a total of 364 "air attack vehicles" -- nine cruise missiles and 355 attack drones -- in the latest bombardment. All missiles and 288 drones were shot down or neutralized in flight, the air force said. Impacts were reported in five regions and falling debris in 10 regions, the air force said. Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its forces downed 128 Ukrainian drones over 12 regions overnight and into Monday morning. Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Counter-Disinformation Center operating as part of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said "unknown drones" attacked the city of Yelabuga in Russia's Tatarstan Republic -- more than 500 miles east of Moscow and some 740 miles from the closest Ukrainian-controlled territory. The target was a facility producing Russia's Iranian-designed Shahed strike drones, Kovalenko said. Other drones attacked "a chemical enterprise" in the Ivanovo region, around 150 miles northeast of Moscow, he added. The facility "creates components for Russian equipment and weapons, including missiles," Kovalenko said. Near-nightly cross-border strikes have become a prominent feature of Russia's war on Ukraine, now more than three years old with little sign of an imminent ceasefire or peace deal. Recent months have seen the bombardments grow in size. On Saturday night into Sunday, for example, Russia launched what Ukrainian officials described as its largest aerial attack of the war. The assault included 367 drones and missiles and killed at least 18 people, officials said. The attack prompted Trump to rebuke Putin while speaking with reporters and later on social media. MORE: Russia hits Ukraine with massive drone, missile barrage amid prisoner exchange "I'm not happy with what Putin is doing," the president said. "He's killing a lot of people, and I don't know what the hell happened to Putin. I've known him a long time. Always gotten along with him, but he's sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don't like it at all." Trump reiterated his close relationship with Putin but suggested that "something has happened" which has made him "crazy." "I've always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that's proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump also attacked Zelenskyy, who he has repeatedly framed as an impediment to a U.S.-brokered peace deal. "Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does," Trump wrote. "Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don't like it, and it better stop," Trump continued. Zelenskyy and his officials have cited Russia's continued massed strikes as evidence that Moscow is not genuine in its public appeals for peace. Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly appealed to Trump to impose new, tougher sanctions on Moscow to push the Kremlin to downgrade its maximalist war goals. Those include the annexation of swaths of Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian demilitarization and a permanent block on the country's accession to NATO. Ukrainian requests have so far gone unanswered, despite Trump's threats to introduce new measures to press Putin into negotiations. Kyiv is pushing for a 30-day ceasefire during which time peace talks can take place. Russia has so far refused the proposal. Following the latest round of Russian strikes, Andriy Yermak -- the head of Zelenskyy's presidential office -- wrote on Telegram on Monday morning, "Russia should speed up the ceasefire, now Moscow is slowing down even with the discussion of proposals, no specifics, only delaying time." "Moscow can be speeded up with sanctions and weapons," he added. Russia, Ukraine exchange drone attacks after Trump rebukes leaders originally appeared on
