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Newsweek
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Russia Preparing 'Combat Training' ICBM Launch, Kyiv Warns
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russia is reportedly planning to conduct a "combat training" launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Monday night as a show of force, Ukraine's military intelligence agency said in a notice on Sunday. Newsweek has contacted Russia's defense ministry for comment via email on Sunday. Why It Matters Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a war for more than three years after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded the Eastern European nation in February 2022. The two nations met on Friday in Turkey to discuss on how to end the war, marking the first direct meeting between Russia and Ukraine since March 2022. What To Know Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence said on Sunday that Moscow was planning to carry out a "combat training" launch of the RS-24 ICBM from a launch site near the village of Svobodny in the Sverdlovsk region of Russia. The launch of the missile, equipped with training ammunition, was ordered to be carried out by the crew of the 433rd regiment of the 42nd division of the 31st Army of Russia's strategic missile forces, Kyiv's Main Directorate of Intelligence said. It added that the flight range of the three-stage solid-propellant rocket is more than 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles). The agency said the move was meant as an intimidation tactic against Ukraine, the European Union, (EU) and member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In a Truth Social post on Saturday, President Donald Trump shared his plan to speak with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine next week, with the goal of encouraging a final agreement to end the conflict. The day prior, both sides met in Istanbul for talks. The talks lasted under two hours and ended without a ceasefire deal, but a prisoner exchange was agreed upon, according to the Associated Press. A Yars mobile nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile is seen during drills at an undisclosed location in Russia on February 6. A Yars mobile nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile is seen during drills at an undisclosed location in Russia on February 6. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP What People Are Saying Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence said in a statement: "In order to demonstratively pressure and intimidate Ukraine, as well as EU and NATO member states, the aggressor state Russia intends to carry out a 'combat training' launch of the RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile from the Yars complex on the night of May 19, 2025." President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social Post on Saturday: "I will be speaking, by telephone, to President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday, at 10 a.m. the subjects of the call will be, stopping the 'bloodbath' that is killing, on average, more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, and trade." He continued: "I will then be speaking to President Zelensky of Ukraine and members of NATO. Hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end. God bless us all!!!" What Happens Next? In a Saturday post on X, formerly Twitter, Zelensky called on the international community to maintain pressure on Moscow, renewing his call for sanctions if Russia does not pursue genuine diplomatic efforts. "Without tougher sanctions, without stronger pressure, Russia will not seek real diplomacy," he wrote.
Telegraph
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Ukrainian sea drone shoots down Russian fighter jet in world first
Ukraine destroyed a Russian fighter jet using a seaborne drone, Kyiv's military intelligence agency said. The Main Directorate of Intelligence [GUR] said the Russian Su-30 fighter jet was destroyed by Ukraine's Group 13 on Friday, over waters near Novorossiysk, the Russian port city on the Black Sea. It is the world's first downing of a combat plane by a drone boat. The Ukrainian waterborne drone reportedly fired an R-73 surface-to-air missile, which struck the $50 million fighter jet and caused it to catch fire and crash. Ukraine said it used a Magura V7 sea drone, a 5.5m-long drone with a range of up to 1,800km. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of GUR, later claimed that two Russian Su-30s had been shot down by the innovative sea drones. 'It's a historical moment,' he told War Zone website, although no footage has emerged yet of the second strike. It is the latest case of the Ukrainians, who are less well-resourced and armed than Moscow, managing to turn the tables on their Russian invaders in the three-year conflict. 'On May 2, 2025, the special unit of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in cooperation with the SBU and the Defense Forces of Ukraine, eliminated a Russian Su-30 in the Black Sea – this is the first destruction of a combat aircraft by a naval drone in the world,' GUR said in a statement. 'The historic strike was carried out by soldiers of the special forces unit of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry Group 13 with a Magura unmanned maritime platform missile,' the statement continued. 'The fighter plane of the aggressor state of Russia, which has an estimated cost of about $50 million, burst into flames in the air and eventually fell into the sea – to the bottom, and into the possession of ruthless Neptune,' it added. Video footage online appeared to show the moment that the Magura's crosshairs honed in on its target from the sea surface and fired its payload. Russia has not officially responded to the claim, but a prominent Russian military blogger confirmed that the attack had occurred in a post on Telegram. 'Yesterday, towards evening, an Su-30 naval aviation fighter jet was shot down by the Ukrainian side 50 kilometres west of Novorossiysk. This was done from an uncrewed boat with an R-73 SAM [surface-to-air missile],' the blogger, named Rybar, wrote. 'The pilots ejected and were picked up by civilian sailors. Both are alive, and to hell with the plane.' Mr Budanov, however, claimed that the second jet's crew had been killed. Ukraine has previously said it used the Magura seaborne drone to take down two Russian military helicopters in December 2024. It also managed to destroy a patrol ship in the Kerch Strait in March 2024, and the Tsezar Kunikov landing ship in February 2024. Ukraine a world leader in drone technology Drone warfare has become a crucial element of the conflict as the devices are far cheaper and quicker to produce than traditional expensive weaponry. For the past three years, explosive-laden combat drones, the smallest and cheapest variation of drones, have been used by Ukrainian forces to pursue and kill Russian invaders on the eastern front. But there are larger and more advanced types of drones which can be fitted with much more powerful missiles capable of destroying some of Russia's most expensive weaponry. Seaborne drones are a fairly new innovation in warfare. Kyiv has emerged as a world leader in the technology, having had significant success in the Black Sea, using drone boats to terrorise Russian warships. Germany has also become increasingly reliant upon them to defend the Baltic Sea from Russian saboteurs. In January, Germany deployed the Israeli-made 'Blue Whale' drone in the Baltic to survey and pursue suspicious vehicles, such as those seeking to cut undersea cables as part of suspected Russian sabotage operations.
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Russia's New Jet-Engine Drone Aims To Break Through Ukrainian Defenses
In the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine war, many analysts predicted that Russia would rely heavily on hypersonic missiles to strike key Ukrainian targets. However, the use of hypersonics has been fairly limited due to their high cost, supply chain constraints, and modest battlefield effectiveness. As a result, Russia has increasingly turned to loitering munitions in its strategic bombing campaigns. These weapons are inexpensive, flexible, and becoming more advanced. Earlier this month, Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence reported the appearance of a new Russian loitering munition known as the Banderol. Its distinguishing feature is the use of a jet engine, unlike other loitering munitions of similar size, which typically rely on piston engines. According to Ukrainian officials, the Russian military recently deployed the Banderol in strikes on the Odesa region. The Banderol's jet engine reportedly allows it to reach speeds between 400 and 500 kilometers per hour, while flying higher and further than traditional loitering munitions. The use of jet engines in such devices is not entirely new. During World War II, Germany developed the V-1 missile, which also relied on a jet engine, although that system lacked the navigational control seen in modern loitering munitions. More recently, the Iranians have developed the Shahed-238 loitering munition, which the Banderol is believed to replicate. As with any newly deployed military system, many of the Banderol's technical specifications remain unknown, including its range and payload. The drone appears approximately similar in size to the Geran-2, Russia's version of the Iranian Shahed-136, suggesting a comparable payload. Meanwhile, its jet engine likely provides an extended range and the ability to fly at higher altitudes. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, the drone was developed by Kronshtadt JSC and KT Unmanned Systems JSC. Although the exact date of its first use is unclear, sightings have become more frequent over the past month, especially as part of a series of strikes on Odesa. Russia's decision to use a jet engine on the Banderol is a logical one, as it enables the drone to cover greater distances more efficiently. This extended range allows Russia to strike deeper into Ukraine, including targets in the city of Odesa. Further, the increased range lets Russia launch drones from farther within its own territory, reducing the risk of Ukrainian attacks on airbases and launch sites. Ukraine has been targeting Russian drone staging areas in recent months. The added range not only increases operational flexibility but also makes it harder for Ukraine to anticipate attack patterns. Another major advantage of the jet engine is that it allows the Banderol to fly at higher altitudes than traditional loitering munitions. Flying at higher elevations helps the drone evade the short-range air defense systems commonly used against such weapons. More significantly, it reduces the drone's vulnerability to Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems, which currently disable a significant portion of Russian loitering munitions. Since EW signals attenuate with distance, a higher-flying drone is better able to differentiate between jamming signals and its own command and navigation signals. Russia does have other systems with comparable range and resistance to Ukrainian jamming, such as the Kinzhal hypersonic missile. However, these systems are costly and face production challenges due to Western sanctions. The Banderol should avoid many of these issues, as it appears similar to the Iranian Shahed-236, making it easier to source components from Iran. It also likely shares electronic components with the Geran-2 and other Russian loitering munitions. For the jet engine, Russia can draw on its well-established aviation industry. The current price tag for this drone would be similar to the Shahed-236, which is estimated to cost $1.4M. While more expensive than a piston-based loitering munition, the Banderol is still significant less than a Kinzhal missile, which costs an estimated $1oM. This relatively low cost is critical. Russia's current missile strategy relies on overwhelming Ukrainian air defenses with large quantities of projectiles. Further, the introduction of a new loitering munition into strike packages, especially one that flies faster and at different altitudes, will further complicate Ukraine's ability to detect and neutralize incoming attacks. Russia appears to be having success with the Banderol, which is not surprising. Its capabilities allow it to bypass many Ukrainian air defenses and strike targets deep within the country. As a result, its use can be expected to increase. However, as with every new technology introduced in this war, these advantages are temporary. As Ukraine adapts its air defense systems and strategies, the Banderol's effectiveness will diminish. Regardless, the system provides Russia with a valuable capability at a critical point in the war.
Russia Today
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
‘Unnecessary' to tell the truth to Ukrainians – Kiev's spy chief
Ukrainians should be kept in the dark about the details of the 'harsh reality' of the conflict with Russia, because many of them can't handle the truth, Kirill Budanov, Kiev's military intelligence chief, has said. In a conversation with journalist Anna Maksimchuk on Saturday, the three-star general expressed his views on information censorship during wartime, suggesting that Ukrainian society should only find out certain things in the future. 'During wartime, knowing the whole truth is not necessary. Otherwise, people may develop opinions,' Budanov said. 'Some minds are not prepared to grasp the harsh reality. Let's not put them to the test. Everything should be dosed.' Since 2020, Budanov has led the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (HUR) – an agency reportedly rebuilt from scratch by the CIA following the 2014 armed coup in Kiev to serve as a tool against Russia. Read more Ukraine's top general calls for censorship Prior to the escalation of hostilities with Russia in 2022, Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky cracked down on critical media, claiming to do so in order to fight against local oligarchs under Moscow's influence. During the conflict, Kiev launched a news marathon with programming said to be directly controlled by the president's office – which critics have called state propaganda. Additionally, under martial law, Zelensky banned several opposition parties, claiming they posed a national security threat. Earlier this year, turmoil swept through Ukraine's media landscape following US President Donald Trump's decision to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID), an organization used by Washington to promote its political agenda through foreign grants. Researcher Oksana Romanyuk estimated in January that nearly 90% of Ukrainian outlets relied on foreign aid, with 80% specifically receiving funding from USAID.
Russia Today
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ceasefire with Russia possible this year – Ukraine's top spy
A ceasefire in Ukraine could be reached this year despite the 'diametrically opposed' positions of both sides, the country's top military spy, Kirill Budanov, has claimed. The hostilities could be halted, but peacekeepers are unlikely to serve as a reliable security guarantee, Budanov, the chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), stated. He added that he could not recall a single conflict in which the deployment of peacekeepers has proven effective. Western nations previously brought up the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine as peacekeepers. Budanov's remarks followed high-level US-Russia talks in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday, which centered on restoring relations and exploring potential peace talks. Ukraine and the EU were absent at the meeting, with Kiev insisting it won't recognize any outcome without its involvement. 'This is a paradoxical situation: despite the diametrically opposed starting positions of both sides, I believe that we will reach a ceasefire this year. How long it will last and how effective it will be is another question,' Budanov told Hromadske news outlet on Thursday. Last month, media reports suggested that Budanov said a during a closed-door meeting in parliament that Ukraine might not survive unless negotiations with Russia begin by this summer. The HUR has refuted the claims, saying the purported statements were false and taken out of context. According to Budanov, there is no framework, other than NATO membership, that can be considered a true security guarantee for Ukraine. In his view, all other options should be regarded merely as 'commitments to support.' Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky earlier suggested that at least 200,000 foreign troops would be needed for a sufficient security guarantee. However, European NATO allies are reportedly considering a much smaller force – an approach that, in Zelensky's words, would amount to 'nothing.' Meanwhile, the US has ruled out any involvement of its military or NATO as an organization in any potential peacekeeping arrangement. The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously warned that Moscow views any European peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine as a provocative step that could further escalate the conflict. Moscow has also insisted that any peace settlement must address the root causes of the conflict, including Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO. Ukraine must renounce its plans to join the military bloc and abandon its claims to Crimea, as well as four other regions that are now part of Russia. The formerly Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye joined Russia following a series of referendums in 2022. Crimea previously voted to join Russia in 2014.
