Latest news with #DefenseForces
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine to ramp up arms production for symmetrical response to Russia, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 27 that Ukraine is fully mobilizing its domestic industrial base to scale up production of drones, missiles, and other weapons systems, as the country braces for continued large-scale Russian attacks. From May 24 to 26, Russian forces fired more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles across Ukraine, with the third night amounting to the single largest drone attack of the full-scale war. Zelensky's remarks followed a high-level meeting with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Chief of the General Staff Anatolii Hnatov, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. "The agenda included planning our actions, our readiness to respond to Russian strikes, to their threats, and taking preventive measures, which means increasing the production of our drones and our missiles," the president said during his evening address. He added that "hundreds of Ukrainian companies are already producing results for Ukraine's Defense Forces, with more to follow." Zelensky said the government is fully mobilizing "entrepreneurial capacity for weapons production" and plans to sign new agreements with European partners to attract investment, focusing on unmanned systems and long-range capabilities. While the government cannot publicly disclose its existing plans or capabilities, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine must "respond symmetrically to all Russian threats" and Moscow must "clearly feel the consequences of what they are doing against Ukraine. And they will." "Attack drones, interceptors, cruise missiles, Ukrainian ballistic systems – these are the key elements. We must manufacture all of them," he said. In the meantime, the Trump administration has spent months trying to broker a peace deal in Ukraine. However, direct talks in Istanbul failed to yield a ceasefire, and during a May 19 phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin once again rejected calls for a 30-day truce. Despite this, Trump has refused to impose new sanctions on Moscow so far, but said on May 25 that new sanctions could be on the table: "I've always gotten along with him," Trump said of Putin. "But he's sending rockets into cities and killing people (...) We're in the middle of talking and he's shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don't like it at all." Read also: Sanctions on Russia are working, Ukraine just needs more We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Reuters
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Fact Check: Video of missiles over residential area predates India-Pakistan conflict
A video from at least as long ago as August 2024 showing what was reported at the time to be rockets fired over northern Israel has been misrepresented online as footage from the four days of conflict between India and Pakistan in May. In the video, missiles are seen in the night sky, which appears to be shot in a residential area. Posted to social media, opens new tab on May 8, one caption said: 'Hostile ballistic missile intercepted mid-air by India's deadly S-400 SAM system —Neutralized with precision.' India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after days of military clashes, which included launching missiles at each other. However, the video predates the conflict, as it was shared online, opens new tab on August 3, 2024. It was described at the time by Israeli media, opens new tab and the Israeli government's official X account, opens new tab as showing rockets over northern Israel. Local media reported rocket alerts across northern Israel on August 3 after dozens of projectiles were spotted, opens new tab crossing the border from Lebanon. Most of the projectiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome,, opens new tab the reports said. Israel's Defense Forces did not respond to requests for comment. Miscaptioned. The video was posted online in August 2024, which predates the India-Pakistan conflict in May by nine months. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia massing troops near Kharkiv Oblast ahead of possible attack, military warns
Russia may be preparing to launch new attacks in the Kharkiv sector, as indicated by the buildup of its forces near the Ukrainian border, Andrii Pomahaibus, the chief of staff of Ukraine's 13th National Guard Khartiia Brigade, said on May 21. Speaking to Suspilne, Pomahaibus said that Russia is trying to move its forces closer to the contact line, but has so far failed to carry out attacks. The reported preparations indicate Moscow's efforts to escalate the war despite calls by Kyiv and its partners for an unconditional 30-day truce. "There is an accumulation of personnel closer to the state border, that is, there are attempts to involve the (Russian) personnel, obviously preparing for active assault operations. Our Defense Forces are ready to repel attacks," he said. In April, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces were regrouping and preparing for a renewed assault on Kharkiv Oblast. President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that Moscow had attempted to advance in Sumy Oblast, continuing its pressure on Ukraine's northeastern regions as part of what Kyiv described as a new spring offensive. The Financial Times reported on May 13, citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officials, that Russia seems to be preparing a significant offensive in Ukraine as it is moving troops toward key positions on the front. Russia has rejected ceasefire proposals unless accompanied by a halt on military aid for Ukraine and continues ground assaults along the front and long-range strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. Read also: 'No one saw surrender as an option' – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Eritrea: Call for Organized Visits to Historical Sites
A call has been made for organized visits to historical sites where heroic feats have been demonstrated by liberation fighters during the armed struggle for independence, with the aim of passing this legacy to future generations. The appeal was made during a visit to the Meshalit and Genfelom trenches in Hamelmalo sub-zone on 17 May, as part of the 34th Independence Day anniversary celebrations. The program was attended by over 1,300 students, Government employees, members of the Defense Forces, and residents of the administrative areas of Gizgiza, Wazintet, and Genfelom. Attendees received briefings from veteran fighters who had been stationed in those areas. In their briefings, the veterans emphasized the heavy sacrifices made during the struggle and called for a deep understanding of the country's history, encouraging the youth to uphold and carry forward this national legacy. The participants of the tour said that the program makes it special for it was conducted during the 34th Independence Day celebrations week and called for the continuation of such educational initiatives. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian defence destroys 35 out of 108 Russian drones, 58 go off radar
The Russians attacked Ukraine with 108 Shahed UAVs and decoy drones of various types on the night of 19-20 May. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Details: As of 09:00, 93 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones had been confirmed downed in the country's east, north and centre. A total of 35 UAVs were downed by air defence and another 58 disappeared from radar (without causing adverse effects). Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy and Zhytomyr oblasts came under attack. Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups from Ukraine's defence forces were involved in repelling the attack. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
