Latest news with #Rossiya-24
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Putin's Helicopter Targeted in Drone Strike, Commander Says
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. Vladimir Putin's helicopter was targeted by Ukrainian drones as he visited Kursk region in a surprise visit last week, an official has claimed. The alleged attack took place as Russian president visited the border region for the first time since Moscow claimed it had repelled Ukrainian forces from the area last month. His helicopter was "at the epicenter" of a "large-scale" Ukrainian drone attack on May 20, Yury Dashkin, commander of an air defense division, said, according to Kremlin newswire Tass. "The intensity of the attack during the flight of the aircraft with the Commander-in-Chief over the territory of the Kursk Region increased significantly. Therefore, we simultaneously conducted an air defense battle and ensured the safety of the presidential helicopter's flight in the air," Dashkin said in an interview aired by the state-run Rossiya-24 TV channel. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Putin's helicopter ‘fended off drone attack'
Vladimir Putin's helicopter was forced to shoot down drones while the Russian president was aboard, a Moscow official said on Sunday. Air defence commander Maj Gen Yuri Dashkin told state television that Putin's aircraft was involved in an 'air defence battle' after finding itself in the middle of an 'unprecedented Ukrainian drone assault'. The incident was said to have happened last week when the Russian leader was on a tour of the Kursk region, part of which Ukraine previously occupied. 'During the period when the president was working in the Kursk region, the enemy launched an unprecedented attack with unmanned aerial vehicles,' Gen Dashkin said in an interview with Rossiya-24 television. He added: 'We simultaneously conducted an air defence battle and ensured the safety of the presidential helicopter's flight in the air.' Russian forces destroyed several Ukrainian drones during the operation, Gen Dashkin claimed. 'The task was accomplished,' he said. 'The attack of the enemy drones was repelled, and all air targets were hit.' Ukraine has not responded to the claims. If verified, the timing of the drone attack would suggest Ukrainian forces had advanced intelligence about Putin's visit to the war zone. The Kremlin did not publicly disclose the trip until after Putin had left the region. Wearing a smart suit, Putin met with volunteers, municipal leaders and acting governor Alexander Khinshtein during the visit on Tuesday. He also inspected construction of the Kursk-II nuclear power plant, in his first to the region since April 26. On his visit to a command post in Kursk in March, he wore olive green military fatigues. Putin was believed to be travelling in an Mi-17 helicopter, an evolution of the Soviet-era Mi-8. The Mi-17 is 82ft long and can carry up to 30 passengers or four tons of cargo. It is equipped with defensive systems including infrared jammers, flare dispensers and armoured plating around critical components, designed to counter heat-seeking missiles and small-arms fire. However, the helicopter's defensive systems are not normally powerful enough against coordinated drone attacks, which is why escorts and ground-based protection are needed for risky flights. Ukrainian forces launched a significant ground incursion into Kursk in August 2024 and seized territory before Russian counter-offensives pushed them back months later. Following the shock incursion, Putin poured in tens of thousands of Russian troops, with the help of a North Korean deployment, to break Kyiv's hold on the frontier territory. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff for Russia's armed forces, said his forces had pushed Ukrainians out of the territory while fighting 'shoulder to shoulder' with North Koreans. Ukraine has increasingly used drones to strike targets deep inside Russia, including oil refineries, military airfields and government facilities. Russian air defence systems have faced increasing pressure as Ukraine expands its drone operations. The frequency and scale of Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory have grown significantly since the conflict's early months. In May 2023, Ukrainian drones damaged the Kremlin's Senate Palace. The unprecedented attack on the very symbol of Russian statehood sent shockwaves well beyond Moscow. The helicopter attack would mark one of the most direct attempts to target Putin personally since the war began. Unlike Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, who frequently visits the front line, Putin has largely avoided combat zones over the past three years. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian negotiator suggests ceasefire may not be reached in 2025
Russian negotiator Grigory Karasin cast doubt on the Trump administration's efforts to broker a quick ceasefire in Ukraine, saying on March 28 that the talks with the U.S. may not yield decisive results this year. Karasin led the Russian delegation that held the 12-hour-long technical consultations with the U.S. in Riyadh on March 24. These talks led to an agreement on a partial ceasefire covering strikes against energy infrastructure and Black Sea operations. The Russian official described the meeting with the U.S. delegation as "constructive" but acknowledged limited results, suggesting that the consultations will continue. When asked about the timeline for clear results in the negotiations, he said they might not come "this year or at the end of this year." "It would be naive to expect any breakthrough results at the very first meeting," Karasin, chairman of Russia's Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, said in an interview with the state-owned TV channel Rossiya-24. Kyiv has already accused Russia of violating the energy ceasefire, while the future of the Black Sea ceasefire is in doubt as Moscow has linked it to the lifting of Western sanctions on Russian food producers and some financial institutions. Moscow previously rejected a full 30-day truce agreed upon by the U.S. and Ukraine in Jeddah on March 11 unless it included conditions undermining Ukraine's ability to defend itself, including a full halt on foreign military aid. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he would broker a swift deal to end Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, which has been ongoing for more than three years. His administration briefly halted all military assistance to Ukraine to push it to the negotiating table while exerting little pressure on Russia. Trump acknowledged on March 25 that Russia may be "dragging their feet" in peace talks, while Kyiv and other observers warn that Moscow intentionally prolongs the process to allow Russian forces to capture more territory. Read also: Russia preparing new offensive in 'coming weeks' to strengthen negotiating position, AP reports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
