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Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zelensky warns Russia is 'preparing something' in Belarus under guise of military drills
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on April 29 that Russia is preparing potential military aggression under the guise of joint exercises with Belarus this summer. "Look at Belarus — this summer, Russia is preparing something there under the guise of military exercises. This is how its new attacks usually start," Zelensky said at the Three Seas Summit, according to Suspilne. "But where this time? I don't know. Ukraine? Lithuania? Poland? God forbid! But we all have to be prepared. All our institutions are open to cooperation." Belarus will host the Zapad 2025 (West 2025) military exercises with Russian forces, part of a long-standing series of drills held every two years since 2009. The most recent iteration, Zapad-2021, involved over 200,000 participants and served as a prelude to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite not being directly involved in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Belarus continues to host Russian troops and missiles on its territory. Belarus shares borders with Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Russia, positioning it as a key strategic corridor between NATO and Moscow. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi previously said that the upcoming Zapad exercises could enable Russia to covertly assemble offensive forces under the guise of drills. Read also: Trump promised peace in 100 days, but Russia's violence against Ukraine has only escalated "All exercises have a purpose. And one of these goals is the covert creation of offensive troop groups," Syrskyi told on April 9. "The visibility of the exercises is the most acceptable way to relocate, redeploy troops, concentrate them in a certain direction, and create a group of troops." Zelensky has repeatedly cautioned that Russia may escalate military actions beyond Ukraine. On Feb. 14, during the Munich Security Conference, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to deploy up to 150,000 troops, primarily in Belarus, suggesting a possible buildup for future offensives against NATO countries. "Based on all the information I've gathered from intelligence and other sources, I think he is preparing for war against NATO countries next year (2026)," Zelensky said, though he added he could not be entirely sure. Tensions between NATO and Moscow have intensified following Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine. Western leaders and intelligence agencies have warned of a risk of a larger war in Europe within the next five years, pointing to Russia's growing militarization and hostile posture. Read also: 'I don't trust a lot of people' — Trump offers contradictory views on Putin's intentions in interview on first 100 days We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian drone shot down Russian long-range bomber worth US$100 ml – Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has reported that Ukrainian troops shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber with a drone a few days ago. Source: Syrskyi in an interview with (Left Bank), a Ukrainian news agency Quote from Syrskyi: "Our successful operation destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber a few days ago. It had just landed, and our drone hit it. The cost of it is about US$100 million." For reference: The Tu-22M3 is a supersonic long-range strategic bomber with a flexible wing configuration. The United Aircraft Company Tupolev developed it in the 1960s. It was produced in two main modifications: The Tu-22M2 (decommissioned in the 1990s) and the Tu-22M3, which was produced from 1978 to 1993 and operated by Russia. Background: Earlier, a source in Ukraine's Defence Intelligence stated that on 5 April, the Defence Intelligence and the Armed Forces carried out a combined operation to attack three military airbases in Russia. The source reports that three Tu-95MS strategic bombers were allegedly severely damaged during the raid on Engels-2 airbase. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia conscripts 8-9,000 people every month for war against Ukraine – Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said that Russia was increasing the number of its armed forces by 8-9,000 people every month at the expense of contract soldiers. Source: Syrskyi in an interview with Details: In response to a question about mobilisation plans, Syrskyi confirmed that the figure of 30,000 people who are drafted monthly, announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is relevant and remains a target for the defence forces, and stressed the need to respond to the Russian actions, as they continue to actively replenish their troops. Quote: "The president announced the figure that he announced. And this is indeed the figure we must stick to. The enemy is increasing the number of its Armed Forces by 8-9,000 every month at the expense of contract soldiers. In some regions, the cost of a contract reaches US$40,000. And money is always an incentive for them." Background: In July 2024, The New York Times reported that Ukraine conscripts up to 30,000 people a month – two to three times more than in the winter and about the same number as Russia's monthly conscription. On 11 February 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with The Economist that in 2024, Ukraine mobilised 30,000 people a month. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
