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India Today
16 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Ukrainian officials seek US support as Russian strike on Sumi kills 4
Senior Ukrainian officials visited Washington on Tuesday to rally continued US support against Russia, even as Kyiv accused Moscow of stalling in peace talks and escalating attacks on Ukrainian visit, led by President Zelenskyy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak and Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, comes as a Russian artillery strike on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy killed four civilians, intensifying calls from Kyiv for international met with US officials, including Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and scheduled talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He accused Moscow of manipulating peace talks to delay further sanctions and avoid agreeing to a ceasefire. 'Russia is playing for time,' Yermak wrote on Telegram, adding that Ukraine is fully behind the US-proposed ceasefire and ready for a high-level summit, which Russia continues to resist. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha was more direct, saying Russia failed to respond to Ukraine's proposals during Monday's second round of peace talks in Istanbul. "We demand Russia's reply. Each day of silence from them proves their wish to continue the war," Sybiha said, rejecting Moscow's latest demands as outdated limited progress at the Istanbul talks, highlighted by a potential prisoner swap, Russia insists Ukraine is the one lacking sincerity. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the situation as "extremely complex" and warned against expecting swift the battlefield, Ukraine demonstrated its resilience with a covert attack on a key bridge connecting Russia to Crimea. The bridge, a symbol of Russia's 2014 annexation of the peninsula, was damaged underwater by explosives, though Russia later claimed traffic had also struck Russian-controlled areas in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, targeting power infrastructure in retaliation for earlier Russian attacks that plunged parts of Ukraine into darkness. Over the weekend, Ukraine hit Russian military airfields, some housing nuclear-capable bombers, prompting Russian military bloggers to call for response to growing military pressure, Zelenskyy announced a reshuffle in military leadership, saying Ukraine must remain combat-ready more than three years into the war. 'This strike on Sumy shows everything about Russia's so-called desire for peace,' Zelenskyy said in his nightly these developments, Ukrainian officials also discussed potential US investment in Ukrainian mineral projects and reconstruction efforts, seeking to bolster Ukraine's long-term resilience both economically and InMust Watch
Mint
a day ago
- Politics
- Mint
Ukraine strikes Kerch Bridge in Crimea after bombing 40 Russian warplanes — Why it matters: Key points
Ukraine on Tuesday (June 3) claimed responsibility for an underwater explosion that damaged the Kerch Bridge, a vital artery linking Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) described the operation as a 'unique special operation,' marking the third time Ukraine has struck the bridge since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The blast, which detonated more than 1,000 kilograms of explosives attached to an underwater pillar, sent a plume of water and debris skyward in dramatic video footage released by Ukrainian officials. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, Russian authorities temporarily closed the bridge for about four hours before resuming traffic by Tuesday afternoon. Strategic lifeline: The 19-kilometre (12-mile) Kerch Bridge is the only fixed land connection between Russia and Crimea, transporting troops, weapons, fuel, and civilian supplies. Military supply route: The bridge is essential for sustaining Russian military operations in southern Ukraine, especially in conflict zones like the Zaporizhzhia region. Symbolic significance: Built after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, the bridge represents Moscow's claim of control over the peninsula and is a symbol of Russian power and pride. Operational disruption: Damage to the bridge delays and complicates Russia's logistics, impacting the timely delivery of reinforcements and materials to the frontlines. Psychological impact: Attacking such a high-profile and supposedly secure structure undermines Russian morale and exposes vulnerabilities within occupied territories. Part of a Larger Campaign: The Kerch Bridge strike follows a wave of Ukrainian operations targeting Russian airbases and railway infrastructure, aiming to sever critical supply routes deep inside Russian-controlled areas. Ukraine destroyed over 40 Russian military aircraft in a major drone assault just days before the Kerch Bridge attack. The underwater explosion damaged a support pillar of the bridge, temporarily halting traffic. Russia acknowledged the closure but has not disclosed the full extent of the damage. The SBU described the bridge strike as a 'unique special operation,' involving more than 1,000 kg of explosives. The bridge is vital to Russian military logistics and the flow of supplies into occupied Crimea and southern Ukraine. The strike is part of Ukraine's strategy to weaken Russian supply lines and regain momentum in the ongoing conflict. Symbolically, the bridge is a potent emblem of Russian control. President Vladimir Putin personally inaugurated it in 2018 by driving across its newly completed span — a display of Moscow's defiance in the face of international condemnation. Its construction, led by Putin ally and oligarch Arkady Rotenberg, was fast-tracked just two years after the annexation. This latest attack demonstrates Ukraine's ability to carry out deep, precise strikes against key Russian infrastructure, escalating pressure on Moscow's military operations and signaling continued Ukrainian resolve amid stalled peace negotiations. This latest operation marks the third confirmed attack on the bridge. The first, in October 2022, caused massive fire and structural damage after a truck bomb explosion. A second, in July 2023, left part of the roadway hanging and killed two civilians. Tuesday's blast underscores Ukraine's continued intent to weaken Russian military logistics and reclaim control over territory lost since 2014. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that the bridge is a legitimate military target. Just two days before the Kerch Bridge bombing, Ukraine carried out one of its most extensive drone operations of the war, targeting four Russian airbases across the Arctic, Siberia, and the Far East. The coordinated strikes, spanning three time zones, reportedly took over a year to plan. According to Ukrainian officials, the operation destroyed more than 40 warplanes, including long-range Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons. Neutralize air power: Destroy long-range bombers (like Tu-95 and Tu-22M3) that Russia uses for missile strikes across Ukraine. Reduce Russia's ability to launch air attacks from deep within its territory. Disrupt logistics and operations: Damage aircraft, fuel depots, and support infrastructure to hinder the Russian air force's mobility and readiness. Force Russia to relocate assets, stretching its logistics. Expose vulnerabilities: Demonstrate Ukraine's ability to strike thousands of kilometers into Russian territory, undermining the perception of Russia's interior security. Build leverage for negotiations: Increase pressure on Moscow during peace talks by striking strategic, high-value targets. Regain initiative: Shift from a defensive to offensive posture, taking the war deep into Russian-controlled space to regain strategic momentum.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia says situation at Zaporizhzhia plant under control but situation is complex
MOSCOW (Reuters) -The situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine remains under control, although it remains very complex after an attack by Ukrainian forces on power facilities, theRIA state news agency reported on Tuesday. RIA cited Alexei Likhachev, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom. Russia-installed officials in Zaporizhzhia said earlier on Tuesday that Ukrainian attacks had triggered power cuts over swathes of Russian-controlled territory in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in Ukraine's south, leaving hundreds of thousands without power.
Reuters
a day ago
- General
- Reuters
Russia says situation at Zaporizhzhia plant under control but situation is complex
MOSCOW, June 3 (Reuters) - The situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine remains under control, although it remains very complex after an attack by Ukrainian forces on power facilities, theRIA state news agency reported on Tuesday. RIA cited Alexei Likhachev, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom. Russia-installed officials in Zaporizhzhia said earlier on Tuesday that Ukrainian attacks had triggered power cuts over swathes of Russian-controlled territory in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in Ukraine's south, leaving hundreds of thousands without power.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Ukrainian strikes cut power to key Russian-held areas
Ukrainian attacks triggered power cuts over swathes of Russian-controlled territory in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in Ukraine's south, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without electricity, Russia-installed officials said. Officials said there was no effect on operations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station - Europe's largest nuclear facility which was seized by Russia in the weeks after Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russian officials running the plant said radiation levels were normal at the facility, which operates in shutdown mode and produces no power at the moment. Russia-installed governors in the two regions - which are among the key areas that Russia demands that Ukraine give up in order for the war to end - said the Ukrainian attacks prompted authorities to introduce emergency measures to preserve power sources. More than 600,000 people in nearly 500 settlements in Zaporizhzhia were without electricity, after shelling by Ukraine's forces damaged high-voltage infrastructure, Russia-installed Governor Yevgeny Belitsky wrote on Telegram. "As a result of shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, high-voltage equipment was damaged in the northwestern part of the Zaporizhzhia region," Mr Belitsky wrote. The attacks came hours after Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Turkey for peace talks where Russia said it would only agree to end the war if Ukraine gives up big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on the size of its army. The Zaporizhzhia region energy ministry has been instructed to conserve sources of power and healthcare sites have been transferred to reserve power sources. In the adjacent Kherson region, farther west, Russia-appointed Governor Vladimir Saldo said debris from fallen drones had damaged two substations, knocking out power to more than 100,000 residents of 150 towns and villages in Russian-held areas. Emergency crews working to restore power quickly, he said. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Both sides deny targeting civilians in their attacks. But thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. For many long months in the winter, it was Ukrainian towns and villages that endured repeated electricity cuts as Russian attacks focused strikes on generating capacity. Each side has repeatedly accused the other of launching attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and running the risk of a nuclear accident. The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said last week in response to a Ukrainian complaint that it saw no sign that Russia was preparing to restart the Zaporizhzhia plant and connect it to the Russian grid. The IAEA has stationed monitors permanently at Zaporizhzhia and Ukraine's other nuclear power stations. Trump open to meeting Zelensky and Putin US President Donald Trump is "open" to meeting his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts in Turkey, the White House said, after the two sides failed Monday to make headway towards an elusive ceasefire yesterday. Delegations from both sides did, however, agree another large-scale prisoner exchange in their meeting in Istanbul, which in mid-May also hosted their first round of face-to-face talks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan proposed that Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mr Trump come together for a third round later this month in either Istanbul or Ankara. Mr Putin has so far refused such a meeting. However, Mr Zelensky has said he is willing, underlining that key issues can only be resolved at leaders-level. Mr Trump, who wants a swift end to the three-year war, is "open" to a three-way summit "if it comes to that, but he wants both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together", White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in Washington. But despite Mr Trump's willingness to meet with Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky, no US representative took part in yesterday's talks in Istanbul, according to a State Department spokesperson. Mr Zelensky said that, "we are very much awaiting strong steps from the United States" and urged Mr Trump to toughen sanctions on Russia to "push" it to agree to a full ceasefire. Ukraine said yesterday that Russia had rejected its call for an unconditional ceasefire. It offered instead a partial truce of two to three days in some areas of the frontline. Russia will only agree a full ceasefire if Ukrainian troops pull back entirely from four regions - Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson - according to its negotiating terms reported on by Russian state media. Russia currently only partly controls those regions. Russia has also demanded a ban on Ukraine joining NATO, limiting Ukraine's military and ending Western military support. Top negotiators from both sides agreed to swap all severely wounded soldiers and captured fighters under the age of 25. Russia's lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said it would involve "at least 1,000" on each side. The two sides also agreed to hand over the bodies of 6,000 soldiers, Ukraine said after the talks.
