Latest news with #SU-35
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Estonian PM vows to keep up checks on Russia's 'shadow fleet'
By Andrius Sytas TALLINN (Reuters) -Estonia will keep checking Russian "shadow fleet" vessels, Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Reuters on Sunday, days after Russia deployed a SU-35 fighter jet as Estonia attempted to alter the course of one such ship. Estonia said the jet briefly breached NATO airspace during the Baltic country's attempt to inspect a Russian-bound oil tanker, thought to be part of a so-called shadow fleet defying Western sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Last week's incident "doesn't change a thing", with Estonia determined to continue checking suspicious tankers, Michal said. "I would say that everybody - Estonians, Finns - will be monitoring these kind of ships, and if there's something suspicious we will ask about it. Everybody will do that," Michal said in an interview. Michal said the Estonian Navy had no plans to board the suspect tanker, which then sailed into Russian waters, escorted by the Su-35 and an Estonian patrol boat. Estonia detained another shadow fleet tanker, Kiwala, in April. Russia receives an estimated 60% of its oil revenues via shipments by the "shadow fleet" to buyers in countries such as China and India, according to Estonian estimates. The vessels, which frequently have opaque ownership structures and sail without top-tier Western insurance and safety certification, are often loaded in Russian Baltic Sea ports, approached via the waters between Estonia and Finland. "It's understandable why Russia is getting a little bit nervous," said Michal, saying Russian oil imports should be further limited. "The questions for us - not Estonia, but for Europe and for the United States - is how come Russia is waging the war for the fourth year, and is still selling products on the world market?," he said. Russia views sanctions as an attempt to crush its economy, and has said its ships must have free passage in the Baltic. DEFENCE SPENDING BOOST Estonia, one of the most outspoken critics of Russia in NATO and the European Union, was annexed in the 1940s by the Soviet Union, which agreed with Nazi Germany to carve up the region. For Michal, the only way for Europe to hope for a lasting peace with Russia is to have a strong military. Estonia has pledged at least 5% of GDP for defence to build up its forces, and hopes the larger NATO members will follow suit at a summit in The Hague next month. "Nobody loves governments who raise taxes for defence, but ... you have to do that", Michal said, adding that he hoped U.S. President Donald Trump would raise the threat of new sanctions during a planned call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. "I hope that he will continue this line, that the pressure is mounting," he said.
Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Estonian PM vows to keep up checks on Russia's 'shadow fleet'
TALLINN - Estonia will keep checking Russian "shadow fleet" vessels, Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Reuters on Sunday, days after Russia deployed a SU-35 fighter jet as Estonia attempted to alter the course of one such ship. Estonia said the jet briefly breached NATO airspace during the Baltic country's attempt to inspect a Russian-bound oil tanker, thought to be part of a so-called shadow fleet defying Western sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Last week's incident "doesn't change a thing", with Estonia determined to continue checking suspicious tankers, Michal said. "I would say that everybody - Estonians, Finns - will be monitoring these kind of ships, and if there's something suspicious we will ask about it. Everybody will do that," Michal said in an interview. Michal said the Estonian Navy had no plans to board the suspect tanker, which then sailed into Russian waters, escorted by the Su-35 and an Estonian patrol boat. Estonia detained another shadow fleet tanker, Kiwala, in April. Russia receives an estimated 60% of its oil revenues via shipments by the "shadow fleet" to buyers in countries such as China and India, according to Estonian estimates. The vessels, which frequently have opaque ownership structures and sail without top-tier Western insurance and safety certification, are often loaded in Russian Baltic Sea ports, approached via the waters between Estonia and Finland. "It's understandable why Russia is getting a little bit nervous," said Michal, saying Russian oil imports should be further limited. "The questions for us - not Estonia, but for Europe and for the United States - is how come Russia is waging the war for the fourth year, and is still selling products on the world market?," he said. Russia views sanctions as an attempt to crush its economy, and has said its ships must have free passage in the Baltic. DEFENCE SPENDING BOOST Estonia, one of the most outspoken critics of Russia in NATO and the European Union, was annexed in the 1940s by the Soviet Union, which agreed with Nazi Germany to carve up the region. For Michal, the only way for Europe to hope for a lasting peace with Russia is to have a strong military. Estonia has pledged at least 5% of GDP for defence to build up its forces, and hopes the larger NATO members will follow suit at a summit in The Hague next month. "Nobody loves governments who raise taxes for defence, but ... you have to do that", Michal said, adding that he hoped U.S. President Donald Trump would raise the threat of new sanctions during a planned call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. "I hope that he will continue this line, that the pressure is mounting," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Bloomberg
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Estonia Calls In Russian Diplomat After Airspace Violation
Estonia's Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian embassy's top official after a Russian military aircraft violated the Baltic country's airspace. Portuguese F-16 jets stationed in Estonia responded to the intrusion by a Russian SU-35 fighter jet, the Baltic nation's military said in a statement on Wednesday. The Russian jet, which entered Estonian airspace for less than a minute, had no radio contact with air traffic controllers and no flight plan, while its transponder was turned off, the statement said.
Al Jazeera
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,105
Here is the situation on Wednesday, March 5: Fighting Ukraine's military said it attacked oil-pumping infrastructure in Russia's Rostov region as well as an oil refinery in the Samara region overnight. The military's statement said the attack on Samara started a fire, and that 'powerful explosions' took place in the vicinity of a gas transmission facility in Rostov. French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said Russia displayed 'aggressive behaviour' by flying an SU-35 fighter dangerously close to a French surveillance drone over the eastern Mediterranean. He said the jet made three successive close passes, and said it was intentional and unacceptable. A Russian drone attack on Tuesday killed one person and cut off power, water and heating in Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa for the second day, regional Governor Oleh Kiper said. Drone attacks damaged critical infrastructure as well, he added. Politics and diplomacy Russia's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the United States' decision to halt military aid to Ukraine would be 'the best contribution to the cause of peace' between Moscow and Kyiv. Finnish intelligence agency Supo said ending Russia's war on Ukraine would free up Kremlin resources to 'influence' other countries and branded Russia an 'aggressive, expansionist state that is prepared to use all means to achieve its political goals'. Ukraine is still 'absolutely determined' to continue cooperation with the US, said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal after the public spat between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He also said Kyiv would do everything necessary to withstand Russia's aggression. Shmyhal said Ukraine has the military capacity to maintain its front line against Russian forces, despite the US's decision to withhold assistance. However, he said Ukraine would continue to work with Washington via all available channels. Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke about a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, Starmer's spokesperson said. He said both Starmer and Trump are focused on the same outcome of ensuring a secure and lasting peace in Ukraine. Interfax-Ukraine reported Shmyhal as saying that Kyiv is open to peace discussions, but that territorial losses are off the table. 'We do not discuss and cannot discuss Ukraine's territorial losses. We can talk about a peace plan that includes certain stages,' he reportedly said. Zelenskyy said he wants to 'make things right' with Donald Trump, calling their earlier spat 'regrettable'. He also said he wants to work under Trump's 'strong leadership' to ensure a secure, lasting peace in Ukraine. Trump, in his address to the US Congress, welcomed Zelenskyy's willingness to sign the minerals deal and said Zelenskyy had made the declaration to him earlier via a letter. Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address, said he had instructed his defence minister and other government officials to clarify information regarding the suspension of military aid to Kyiv, 'because people should not be left to guess'. Zelenskyy said on X that Ukraine is ready to negotiate as soon as possible, and that peace with Russia is possible if Moscow agrees to certain conditions. He proposed the release of prisoners, and a truce in the sky and at sea as a first step to ending the war. Citing four people familiar with the situation, Reuters reported that the US and Ukraine plan to sign the minerals deal that fell through earlier after the Oval Office clash between Trump and Zelenskyy.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
French Reaper drone was target of Russian intimidation, defence minister says
PARIS (Reuters) - A French Reaper drone on a surveillance mission in international airspace over the eastern Mediterranean was the target of intimidation by a Russian SU-35 fighter jet, France's Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday. The incident comes as European countries scramble to boost defence spending and increase support for Ukraine in its war against invading Russian forces amid growing doubts over the commitment of the Trump administration to defending Europe. The Russian jet made three successive passes in close proximity, which "could have caused the drone to lose control, reflecting a desire to restrict free air movement in common areas", Lecornu wrote on X, adding this was an "intentional, unprofessional and aggressive action that is not acceptable". See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "France will continue to act to defend freedom of navigation in international air and maritime spaces," he said. Lecornu did not say exactly where the incident occurred in the eastern Mediterranean.
