Latest news with #RussianMinistryofDefence
Memri
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Memri
Russia And China Conduct Large-Scale Naval Military Exercises
From August 1-5, 2025, Russia and China held naval exercises, called "Maritime Interaction-2025," in the Sea of Japan showcasing a growing military coordination and a shared intent to counterbalance U.S. influence in the region. It is worth noting that, on July 21, 2025, Russia and Iran launched a three-day annual naval exercise codenamed CASAREX 2025 in the Caspian Sea. The three-day drill was hosted by Iran's Northern Fleet and the Fourth Naval District of Imam Reza.[1] Maritime Interaction-2025 (Source: Russian Ministry of Defence) Following is a translation of a report on the Russian-Chinese naval drills:[2] This Drill Is "The Most Significant Bilateral Military Event" Between Russia And China In 2025 "From August 1 to 5, Russia and China [conducted] large-scale naval exercises 'Maritime Interaction-2025' in the waters near Vladivostok in eastern Russia. This is one of the most significant bilateral military events between the two countries this year, which is taking place against the backdrop of increasingly close bilateral relations in the defense sector and continuing tensions between the countries [of the region]. "According to the data of China's Ministry of National Defense, warships, diesel-electric submarines and naval aircraft from both sides took part in the exercises. The Chinese Navy deployed the Type 052 destroyer 'Shaoxing' to lead the grouping, while Russia deployed the large anti-submarine ship 'Admiral Tributs' as the leading vessel. The exercises included submarine and air defense, search and rescue operations and live-fire drills. "Despite the fact that both Moscow and Beijing have stated that the exercises are part of their annual cooperation plan and are not directed against any particular country, analysts note that they carry many strategic messages. In the context of the growing military presence of the U.S. and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region, the further strengthening of defense cooperation between Russia and China is perceived as a move aimed at demonstrating a united stance and strengthening influence in a region, which is sensitive to geopolitics. "According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Russia and China have conducted more than 100 joint exercises over the past 20 years, wherein since 2018 their number increased sharply. Furthermore, the two countries also regularly conduct joint naval and air patrols in areas near Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and the East China Sea, which are areas with a U.S. military presence." "No Coincidence That China And Russia Chose This Particular Moment To Coordinate Their Actions" "Immediately following the exercise, the two countries also planned to continue their sixth joint naval patrol, demonstrating an increased coordination [of the fleets]. Meanwhile, the exercise in waters adjacent to Japan also attracted attention from the regional public, especially in the context of the ongoing dispute between Russia and Japan over sovereignty over the South Kuril Islands. "Although Russia and China have not yet established a formal military alliance, they are gradually increasing their coordination capabilities, especially in joint combat situations. Observers argue that both sides pursue a long-term goal: to create a new balance of power at sea, where the United States and its allies will not have an advantage. "In addition to technical and training elements, the 'Maritime Interaction-2025' exercises clearly reflect the trend of using the navy as the main tool in the struggle for influence. With its ability to be deployed at long distances, [to asset] control over maritime space and to coordinate armed forces, the navy is becoming the centerpiece of modern defense and deterrence strategies. "It's no coincidence that China and Russia chose this particular moment to coordinate their actions. Against the backdrop of growing U.S. military support for Ukraine and the further development of security alliances in Asia, the two countries' high-intensity exercises are a way to reassert their roles and interests in the Pacific region, which is becoming a new center of global competition."
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'10 Areas Lost': Ukraine Suffers One Of The ‘Biggest Blows' In Weeks Against Russia
/ Jul 19, 2025, 04:40AM IST Russia claims one of its biggest victories in weeks, capturing 10 key settlements across Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia. Russian Ministry of Defence reports over 1,100 Ukrainian troop casualties during a massive offensive between July 12–18. As battles intensify near Kupiansk and Pokrovsk, Kyiv faces mounting pressure with growing losses. Watch
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Russia Claims New Victories After Trump Sets Deadline
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. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MOD) said it had taken control of the settlement of Novokhatske in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk and also defeated Kyiv's forces in several other areas of Sumy, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv. The latest advances come after U.S. President Donald Trump set Moscow a 50-day deadline to make peace, or he would introduce deeper sanctions against the Russian economy, including a punitive secondary tariff on its trading partners. Trump also said he is sending Ukraine more Patriot air defense missiles, as well as other "sophisticated" weapons that would be paid for by NATO allies in Europe. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Defence plants under large-scale UAV attack in Russia – photo, video
Explosions rang out in various oblasts of Russia on the night of 25-26 May. Local residents reported attacks on a drone factory in Tatarstan and a chemical plant in Ivanovo Oblast. Explosions were also heard in Tula Oblast, where a defence plant is located; as usual, the authorities reported that the attack had had no adverse effects, while the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that air defence had shot down almost a hundred UAVs. Source: Russian Telegram channels Astra, Baza and Shot; Russian regional authorities and the Russian Ministry of Defence on Telegram Details: Residents of Tula reported hearing explosions. Tula is home to NPO Splav, one of Russia's leading developers and manufacturers of multiple-launch rocket systems, which has already been attacked twice in May. There were also reports of explosions in Kineshma in Russia's Ivanovo Oblast. Local residents reported that drones had attacked the Dmitrievsky Chemical Plant. Smoke after the explosion in Kineshma. Photo: Astra Telegram Channel The Ivanovo Oblast Operational Headquarters reported "the fall of UAV debris in the industrial zone" and "damage to an outbuilding for storing packaging". Kineshma is located more than a thousand kilometres from the Ukrainian border. It was also reported that drones were being shot down over Yelabuga (Tatarstan), a city that is home to a plant for assembling Shahed UAVs. It has been attacked before. Yelabuga is located 1,500 kilometres from the border with Ukraine. The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsiya reported that temporary restrictions on aircraft flights had been imposed at Kaluga and Nizhnekamsk airports and at Moscow's Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports. The Russian Ministry of Defence announced that it had allegedly downed "96 Ukrainian UAVs" over 12 oblasts of Russia. In particular, 31 drones were allegedly shot down over Bryansk Oblast, 16 over Belgorod Oblast, 11 over Kursk Oblast, nine over Tula Oblast, eight over Oryol Oblast, six over Moscow Oblast, five over Kaluga Oblast, four over Ivanovo Oblast, two over Ryazan and Vladimir oblasts, and one over Yaroslavl Oblast and the Republic of Tatarstan. As per usual, the Russian Ministry of Defence has not disclosed anything about the total number of drones involved in the attack, and nothing about the consequences of the strikes or the downing of UAVs. Background: On 25 May, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported an attack by several drones flying towards the city, and three airports in the Russian capital and the Moscow region temporarily shut down. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia's elite drone unit destroying Ukraine's precious Himars launchers
Credit: Russian Ministry of Defence / 'Rubicon' drone unit Footage captured the moment a Ukrainian Himars rocket launcher was destroyed by an elite Russian drone unit just 10km (six miles) from the front line last month. In a grainy video filmed just outside Chasiv Yar, in Donetsk, the US-supplied missile system was seen hurtling along a dirt-laden road as a Russian UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) closed in from above. The feed cut out seconds before impact, but separate footage showed an explosion moments later, confirming one of Ukraine's most valuable rocket systems had been destroyed. The attack was reportedly carried out by Rubicon, the Kremlin's elite drone warfare unit that Ukrainian soldiers have come to fear. Previously deployed earlier this year during Russia's brutal campaign to recapture the eastern town of Kursk, Rubicon has now been redirected to hunt Ukraine's most valuable battlefield assets: its US-supplied long-range missiles. There are signs it is succeeding. Since the start of the war, Ukraine has received around 40 vital Himars systems from Washington. The satellite-guided rocket launchers, capable of striking targets with pinpoint accuracy up to 80km away, have played a key role in blunting Russia's advances, allowing Kyiv to pin Russia back by disrupting logistics, command hubs and ammunition depots. Their advantage lies in the fact that they can sit deep behind the front line, out of Russian reach. Because of their importance, it is unusual for a Himars launcher to be placed just 10km from the front line. The one that was destroyed near the war-torn town of Chasiv Yar was therefore probably being used to hit a target deep behind enemy lines. 'Himars have remained an important tactical and operational level system for the Ukrainians, particularly as it can hold Russian targets at risk some distance from the front line, affecting Russian logistics and command and control, as well as combat power,' said Tom Withington, a weapons expert at Rusi, a defence think tank. But, following the latest destruction of the launcher near Chasiv Yar, at least four have now been lost – a small but significant dent in Ukraine's arsenal at a time when US support appears likely to dry up. Donald Trump's administration has given no indication it will resupply Ukraine with new Himars systems, further raising the stakes for Ukraine over its remaining ones. The latest method used to destroy a Himars launcher is especially concerning for Kyiv. Unlike previous losses, which mostly resulted from missile or artillery strikes, the latest attack on one of the systems was reportedly carried out by a first-person view (FPV) drone using a fibre-optic guidance cable – a sophisticated and largely jam-proof design that signals a dangerous shift in the conflict. Traditional FPV drones are vulnerable to Ukraine's electronic warfare systems, which jam incoming frequencies and render them blind mid-flight. But fibre-optic drones are physically tethered to their operators via ultra-thin cables that transmit real-time video and guidance signals. 'Fibre optic cables are basically impossible to jam,' Mr Withington said. 'The cables are very small, in some cases the breadth of a human hair, so that makes them incredibly difficult to detect physically.' Rubicon, established in October 2024 at the personal instruction of Andrei Belousov, Russia's defence minister, has become a test bed for this type of new technology. Its drone pilots now operate in at least seven specialist detachments across eastern Ukraine, carrying out complex, decentralised missions. The unit's tactics are equally modern. During the Kursk offensive, Rubicon drones reportedly struck short segments of road – just 100 to 300 metres long – from multiple angles at once, catching convoys in lethal ambushes. Some drones were embedded in road surfaces, exploding beneath passing vehicles like land mines. Others attacked head-on, targeting the front and rear vehicles to trap the rest in a kill zone. The results were devastating, with the majority of Ukrainian troops pushed out of Kursk after the Rubicon unit destroyed their supply route. In the process, Rubicon is believed to have disabled hundreds of Ukrainian vehicles, including M2 Bradley infantry carriers and heavily armoured MaxxPro trucks, often with fibre optic cable drones. Ukrainian drone operators, unable to jam or outmanoeuvre them, began referring to the airspace above Kursk as the 'road of death'. The redeployment of Rubicon towards high-value weaponry like Himars marks a new and troubling phase for Ukraine. Russia is no longer just harassing Ukraine's supply lines in Kursk – its sights are firmly set on systematically targeting the strategic backbone of Kyiv's long-range strike capability that it has used so effectively. The symbolic significance of these losses is not lost on Ukraine. Himars launchers are more than just tools of war; they are symbols of Western support. Their destruction delivers a psychological blow as much as a military one. For much of 2022 and 2023, the arrival of Himars shifted the balance on the battlefield. Ukraine used them to force Russian withdrawals from key cities, including Kherson, where a strike destroyed a Russian training camp on a beach. But if stockpiles dwindle further and replacements are in doubt, Ukraine could lose a significant battlefield edge. The strike near Chasiv Yar – believed to be the first destruction of a Himars launcher by a fibre optic cable drone – suggests that Russia now has the means to reach even Ukraine's most protected assets. If Kyiv cannot adapt quickly to this new threat, the consequences could be far-reaching. 'Years ago, I spoke to soldiers stationed in Germany during the Cold War. They said there were fields and valleys filled with wire-guided munitions… I wouldn't be surprised if Ukraine starts ending up like that too,' Mr Withington said. 'Until a meaningful counter is developed, the uptake will just continue.' 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.
