Latest news with #Izvestia
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Russians react to Ukraine's unprecedented drone attack - as Kremlin's silence speaks volumes
Ukraine's drone attack on Russia's long-range bombers was unprecedented, not that you'd know it from reading the Russian papers. Nor from watching the news bulletins here. Monday's front pages were dominated by photos of the wreckage of a road bridge collapsing on to a passenger train in the Bryansk region, after it was blown up late on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the flagship talk show on state TV here on Monday morning didn't even mention the attack. Instead, there was just a breathless build-up to the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul. The lack of visual coverage of the drone attack is partly because of the sensitivities around publishing images of Russian military infrastructure. But I think it's also because the Kremlin wants to play down the assault, which was a hugely embarrassing breach of defences. So where the attack is mentioned in the papers, it's done in a way to reinforce Moscow's narrative - that is the aggressor out to derail the peace process. The Izvestia newspaper, for example, describes it as a terrorist attack, and says it "calls into question Kyiv's readiness for de-escalation". There's no reference to the scale of the damage, and there's certainly no sense of alarm. It's a similar vibe on the streets of Moscow, where we meet Irina. She believes the reports of the attack are "exaggerated". "These planes are very old and hardly anyone needs them," she says. Another passer-by, called Vladimir, says he trusts his namesake Mr Putin to respond when the time is right. "This must be done systematically, confidently, and without any kind of nervous breakdowns, or any shows of soul," he says. There is plenty of soul on show on social media, though, where Russia's influential military bloggers are calling for a rapid retaliation. One popular channel, called Dva Mayora or "Two Majors", even said it was "a reason to launch nuclear strikes on Ukraine". Others are directing their anger at Russia's military command, accusing the leadership of complacency for storing the planes out in the open. Read more: It all served to overshadow the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul, where the only concrete outcome was another prisoner exchange and the return of 6,000 dead soldiers from each side. And if anything, the outlook for peace now is even more bleak than it was before the talks began. That's because Russia has now presented its blueprint for a settlement, and it seemingly offers no sign of compromise at all. According to Russian media reports, the document is a list of Moscow's maximalist demands, including neutrality for Ukraine, limits to its army, surrender of territory and the lifting of sanctions. Only then, Russia says, would it agree to end the war. The Kremlin itself still hasn't commented on the drone attack - a silence that speaks volumes. Can you imagine Downing Street doing the same if something similar happened in the UK? There will undoubtedly be repercussions at some point, both externally and internally. So, despite the talk being of peace at the talks in Turkey, the mood is still very much one of war.
Sky News
a day ago
- General
- Sky News
Russians react to Ukraine's unprecedented drone attack - as Kremlin's silence speaks volumes
Ukraine's drone attack on Russia's long-range bombers was unprecedented, not that you'd know it from reading the Russian papers. Nor from watching the news bulletins here. Monday's front pages were dominated by photos of the wreckage of a road bridge collapsing on to a passenger train in the Bryansk region, after it was blown up late on Saturday night. 0:39 Meanwhile, the flagship talk show on state TV here on Monday morning didn't even mention the attack. Instead, there was just a breathless build-up to the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul. The lack of visual coverage of the drone attack is partly because of the sensitivities around publishing images of Russian military infrastructure. But I think it's also because the Kremlin wants to play down the assault, which was a hugely embarrassing breach of Russia's defences. So where the attack is mentioned in the papers, it's done in a way to reinforce Moscow's narrative - that Ukraine is the aggressor out to derail the peace process. 0:46 The Izvestia newspaper, for example, describes it as a terrorist attack, and says it "calls into question Kyiv's readiness for de-escalation". There's no reference to the scale of the damage, and there's certainly no sense of alarm. It's a similar vibe on the streets of Moscow, where we meet Irina. She believes the reports of the attack are "exaggerated". "These planes are very old and hardly anyone needs them," she says. Another passer-by, called Vladimir, says he trusts his namesake Mr Putin to respond when the time is right. "This must be done systematically, confidently, and without any kind of nervous breakdowns, or any shows of soul," he says. There is plenty of soul on show on social media, though, where Russia's influential military bloggers are calling for a rapid retaliation. One popular channel, called Dva Mayora or "Two Majors", even said it was "a reason to launch nuclear strikes on Ukraine". Others are directing their anger at Russia's military command, accusing the leadership of complacency for storing the planes out in the open. It all served to overshadow the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul, where the only concrete outcome was another prisoner exchange and the return of 6,000 dead soldiers from each side. And if anything, the outlook for peace now is even more bleak than it was before the talks began. That's because Russia has now presented its blueprint for a settlement, and it seemingly offers no sign of compromise at all. According to Russian media reports, the document is a list of Moscow's maximalist demands, including neutrality for Ukraine, limits to its army, surrender of territory and the lifting of sanctions. Only then, Russia says, would it agree to end the war. The Kremlin itself still hasn't commented on the drone attack - a silence that speaks volumes. Can you imagine Downing Street doing the same if something similar happened in the UK? There will undoubtedly be repercussions at some point, both externally and internally. So, despite the talk being of peace at the talks in Turkey, the mood is still very much one of war.
India.com
5 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
After seeing destruction caused by Brahmos in Pakistan, Ukraine's Zelensky urges Germany to give..., Russia can now...
India's BrahMos Missile BrahMos supersonic missile: India conducted strikes on Pakistan killing more than a hundred terrorists across multiple terror camps. With its BrahMos supersonic missile, India destroyed various strategic locations of Pakistan, which were used for anti-India purposes. However, the impact of the pure dominance that the BrahMos missile has reached beyond the boundaries of Pakistan. For a background information, readers must note that the BrahMos supersonic missile is the Indo-Russian collaboration of the P-800 Onyx missile, originally developed by Russia. The success of the Russian originated BrahMos supersonic missile during Operation Sindoor has sent Russia's war enemy, Ukraine in total shock and panic. With the fear that Russia may use the P-800 Onyx missile (the original Russian version of the BrahMos supersonic missile), Ukrainain President Volodymyr Zelensky had requested Taurus missiles from Germany—long-range missiles capable of striking targets over 500 km away from Germany. However, as per media reports, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declined the request. Among all the drama around the BrahMos missile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reportedly made a big move. Under his recent move, the minister announced that Russia is ready for peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. India's Ambassador to Russia talked about BrahMos's effectiveness during Operation Sindoor In a strong development after Operation Sindoor which further deepened the Indo-Russian defence cooperation, the Ambassador of India to Russia, said in an interview to a Russian publication the effectiveness of 'Made in India' defence equipment was decisively proven during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, Vinay Kumar, 'Our relations have even deepened recently. We not only buy and sell military equipment, but also engage in joint development and production of defence products. Equipment manufactured in India, including BrahMos (a supersonic anti-ship missile of joint Russian-Indian production), has repeatedly proven its effectiveness, including during the period from May 7 to 10. Therefore, I believe that our relations in this area will only develop,' Ambassador Vinay Kumar told Izvestia in an interview. (With inputs from agencies)
Business Insider
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Russia strengthens Sahel ties with humanitarian aid to two West African countries
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, 709.5 tons of aid are being sent to Burkina Faso, while up to 20,000 tons of wheat will be provided to Niger as part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties with the region's military-led governments. Russian news platform Izvestia quoted Agriculture Minister Oksana as saying Moscow is prepared to supply additional humanitarian aid if agreements are reached. ' Our decision on humanitarian supplies is made by the president. Therefore, if there is such a decision, of course, we will provide everything.' ' We have no information about any official requests yet, but this depends on communication between our leader and decision-makers. Regarding volumes, we have capacity and will supply all agreed quantities if necessary, ' she stated. In 2023, Russia announced humanitarian aid shipments to six African countries —Mali, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Somalia, and the Central African Republic. Analysts suggest that, amid reductions in U.S. aid programs, Russia may adjust its approach to humanitarian assistance in Africa. This move underscores Moscow's growing diplomatic and strategic interest in West Africa, reflecting a shifting global order and the waning influence of Western powers. Moscow seizes aid opening The humanitarian crisis unfolding across parts of Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Horn of Africa, has intensified following substantial reductions and reallocations of U.S. humanitarian assistance, notably through agencies like USAID. Traditionally, the United States has been one of the continent's largest humanitarian donors, providing billions in food aid, health services, and emergency response efforts. However, shifting U.S. priorities, global budget constraints, and increasing demands elsewhere have led to aid reductions or delays in vulnerable African regions. Before now, the US allocated $70 billion annually for global grants via USAID, with 25% going to Africa. Under Trump, USAID's budget and staff were reduced, with only 17% of programs continuing. Meanwhile, Russia and China have capitalized on this shift, leveraging their resources and development ties to expand their influence. Russia, a major grain exporter, has used wheat shipments to project goodwill, while China has built on its longstanding development ties to enhance health cooperation and infrastructure support.
Russia Today
21-05-2025
- Health
- Russia Today
Sputnik V creator warns of global ‘cat flu' pandemic
The head of Gamaleya Research Institute, Alexander Gintsburg, has warned that H5N1 avian flu spreading in cats could jump to humans, potentially triggering a deadly pandemic. Gintsburg said the threat is serious enough to warrant immediate vaccine development. '[A vaccine prototype] should go through Phase I and II clinical trials against the strain that is very likely to start transmitting not just between animals, but from human to human,' Gintsburg told Izvestia on Wednesday. The institution was behind Sputnik V, the world's first registered Covid-19 vaccine. According to Gintsburg, a mutation of H5N1 allowing airborne human transmission could lead to a crisis worse than smallpox. 'The fatality rate is 50–70%, and if transmitted by air, smallpox will seem like child's play compared to what could happen after one or two mutations,' he said. Gintsburg said Russia needs to be able to manufacture the vaccine quickly. 'A ready prototype should be available to scale up production in three to four weeks and introduce it for public use,' he added. However, he noted that no such program currently exists. In early May, University of Maryland researchers identified a surge in avian influenza cases among domestic cats. The study, based on two decades of data, found over 600 infections in cats across 18 countries, with a fatality rate exceeding 50%. 'Domestic cats are susceptible to [bird flu] and provide a potential pathway for zoonotic spillover to humans,' the researchers warned, stressing the risks to people in close contact with animals during outbreaks. Cats typically contract H5N1 through consuming infected birds, raw poultry products, or unpasteurized milk from infected livestock. The study also highlighted unknown transmission routes, including indoor cats with no clear exposure. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a total of 974 confirmed human cases of H5N1 across 24 countries since 2003. Among these cases, 470 have resulted in fatalities. Such cases are typically associated with direct or indirect exposure to infected poultry. The virus has not achieved sustained human-to-human transmission, but health authorities continue to monitor its evolution closely due to its high mortality rate and potential pandemic risk. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to the general public as low.
