Latest news with #Soviet-built
India.com
30-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Amid tensions with India, Pakistan makes Rs 22000000000 deal with Russia, it will enable Islamabad to significantly…, with most advanced technology…
New Delhi: Amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, Russia has made a significant economic agreement with Pakistan. Under this billion-dollar deal, a modern steel plant will be constructed in Karachi. This agreement aims to revive the Soviet-built Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), which has been closed since 2015. The estimated cost of this deal is 2.6 billion dollars (approximately 22,000 crore rupees), which could play a crucial role in strengthening Pakistan's economy. What is the agreement? This agreement between Russia and Pakistan has been made to revive the closed steel plant in Karachi. This plant was established in the 1970s with the help of the Soviet Union. It remained operational until 1992, but was eventually shut down in 2015 due to economic and technical reasons. Under the new agreement, Russia will provide advanced steel manufacturing technology, meaning machines with the most advanced technology for steel production, which is expected to reduce Pakistan's reliance on steel imports by up to 30%. The aim of this project is to reduce Pakistan's 11.2 million metric tons steel consumption deficit. In March 2025, the cost of imported scrap and semi-finished products was 324 million dollars. This project will not only reduce the import bill but also increase local employment opportunities. How will Pakistan benefit? This deal will help strengthen Pakistan's economy. A 30% reduction in steel imports will relieve pressure on foreign exchange reserves, which is crucial for Pakistan which is currently grappling with an economic crisis. The revival of the steel plant will create thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities. This will boost economic activities in Karachi and surrounding areas. By utilizing Russia's advanced steel manufacturing technology, Pakistan's steel industry will become modern and competitive. This will improve the quality and efficiency of local production. Increased self-reliance due to reduced dependence on imported scrap and semi-finished products is important for long-term economic stability. A matter of concern for India? This agreement has taken place amid India-Pakistan tensions, leading to concerns in India regarding this deal. Tensions between India and Pakistan are at an all-time high following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which resulted in the death of 26 people. In response, India conducted airstrikes on terrorist bases in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. Russia has always considered India its strategic partner, but this time its response has been balanced and neutral. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack but called for both India and Pakistan to ease tensions and also offered mediation. This stance was unexpected for India, as Russia had previously openly supported India on the Kashmir issue. Relations between Russia and Pakistan have strengthened in recent years.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Inside Ukraine's most bombed estate in town on Russian border where locals vow ‘we will live here and we will die here'
Steely residents remain convinced that — just like in wartime Britain 80 years ago — that determination will eventually see off their bitter enemy 'NEVER LEAVE' Inside Ukraine's most bombed estate in town on Russian border where locals vow 'we will live here and we will die here' GLANCING nervously to the sky as yet another air-raid siren wails, the locals on this bombed-out housing estate are praying the blitz spirit will see them through their darkest hour. But these are not memories of wartime Britain recalled for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Advertisement 8 Lubov Bobro and daughter Olya in the cellar they use to shelter from shelling at home in Saltivka 8 Olena Kushko in front of the Soviet-built housing estate where she lives 8 A Kharkiv resident cycles past flames after another attack on the city Credit: AP 8 The district's shattered tower blocks, a few miles from the front line This is life today in North Saltivka, in Kharkiv, the most-bombed housing estate in Ukraine. It lies just a few miles from the border with Russia and almost every tower block here has been shelled, leaving the bustling neighbourhood a ghost town after thousands fled. But incredibly, some steely residents refuse to be driven from their homes, even though many have no windows or running water. And they remain convinced that — just like in wartime Britain 80 years ago — that determination will eventually see off their bitter enemy. Advertisement Read More on World News CRUNCH TIME Will Putin chicken out? Ukraine piles on pressure on Vlad to meet Zel this week 'There were mice and food rotting in the fridge' As diplomatic efforts to halt the war inched forward, no-nonsense pensioner Elena Vizer, 72, said: 'This is my home and no one is chasing me out of it.' The estate, made up of scores of Soviet-era nine-storey tower blocks, bore the brunt of Russia's invasion in February 2022, as Putin's shock troops launched a bombardment that killed more than 600 civilians. Around 700,000 of Kharkiv's population of two million fled and President Volodymyr Zelensky later declared that a quarter of Ukraine's second city had been destroyed. As The Sun toured the apocalyptic landscape of North Saltivka amid hopes that Ukraine and Russia could finally sit down for peace talks in Turkey tomorrow, it was clear that barely a single building had escaped damage. Advertisement Cranes were tearing down buildings beyond repair while the playgrounds were silent — most families with young children having long since left. Retired lab technician Elena was forced out of her home for 14 months after the invasion but has now returned to her half-empty tower block, part of which teeters on the brink of collapse. Will Putin chicken out? Ukraine piles on pressure on Vlad to meet Zelensky as Russia stays deathly silent on Thursday showdown She said: 'They were bombing us with jets right from the start, and the Russian tanks were on the main road outside my home. 'My front doorstep was the front line. The house was shaking — a shell came through the roof of my next-door neighbour's apartment and destroyed it. Advertisement 'My windows were blown out and my balcony was destroyed. Rescuers and fire engines did not come because the shelling was too intense. 'I didn't see my apartment again until April 2023. When I returned I was so overjoyed I walked around kissing everything. 'But I was also heartbroken because it was in a terrible state. Everything was damaged and there were mice everywhere and rotting food in the fridge.' Her houseplants which she had lovingly tended for 15 years were all dead, apart from an amaryllis which miraculously flowered again when she watered it. Advertisement 8 The worst of the shelling is over for now but has never fully stopped, and Elena still spends some nights sheltering in a corridor as Russian attack drones fly overhead, but she insists she will never leave. Kharkiv is Ukraine's most-bombed major city, and North Saltivka its most-blitzed neighbour. The Battle of Kharkiv raged for three months at the start of the war, with the city seen as a major target for Russia. Advertisement As invading tank regiments bore down on the city, terrified Lubov Bobro and her three children found themselves on the wrong side of the front line. And in a bizarre twist, to make it to a safe area they had to evacuate into Russia. They ended up in a city 1,200 miles to the east where officials pressured them into registering as Russian citizens and taking local passports. Brave Lubov refused and managed to flee back to Ukraine with the help of Bring Back Kids, a humanitarian organisation launched by President Zelensky to secure the return of children snatched by Russia. 8 Elena Vizer returned to desolation after 14 months away Advertisement 8 Elena found her amaryllis plant had survived Credit: Chris Eades 8 Londoners walk to their offices during the Blitz Credit: Rex When they got back to Kharkiv, they found their home had been destroyed by a phosphorus bomb — just one more war crime in a long list committed by Russia. They now live in another house nearby — which has plastic sheeting where the windows used to be, and no running water or mains gas. Advertisement A week ago they once again had to run to the shelter in the basement when Russia attacked. When they emerged they found that the blast from a nearby attack had ripped off the plaster from the walls of the stairwell. Single mum Lubov, 40, is unable to work because she does not want to leave traumatised kids Olya, 15 Denys, ten, and Tetyana, seven, alone. Instead, she survives on a government handout of £45 a week. She said: 'I lost so much weight because of all the stress. Advertisement 'I used to think Russia were our brothers' 'When we got back to Ukraine the children were crying tears of joy. 'At the bus station in Kyiv people were asking why we were going back to Kharkiv because it was so dangerous. I told them, 'This is our home'. 'When we came back, everything was broken — our house was completely destroyed. 'The children were shocked and said, 'Mum, where are we going to live?' A neighbour allowed us to stay in an empty house and it has no water, just a well. But this is our home, we will live here and we will die here. This is where we live. Nowhere else is home, only here. So whatever happens, we will never leave.' Advertisement Pharmacy worker Olena Kusko, 63, who was driven out of North Saltivka when her apartment block was hit, also hailed Kharkiv's blitz spirit. She said: 'People have a great spirit around here. They want to stay because they are connected to this area. This is their home. 'My house was on the seventh floor. The roof and the top two floors were badly damaged so every time it rained water came into my home and I had to move out.' Although the locals insist that Ukraine will never be defeated, they are exhausted after three years of war and are now praying for a ceasefire. Advertisement But they have little faith that Putin will stick to one — and can never forgive Russia for the invasion. Olena added: 'I am hoping for a short-term peace agreement as that will at least be something, but I don't think war will end any time soon.' I hope that peace will come and the guns will fall silent Lubov Bobro Lubov said: 'I hope that peace will come and the guns will fall silent. 'We are praying to God that they can find a common language to end this war. Advertisement 'But everything Putin says is just talk. I fear that this cannot be resolved and the people will keep suffering.' And Elena said: 'My opinion of Russia has changed 180 degrees. I used to think they were our brothers but not now. How can we ever forgive them? But we always have hope for peace. This war must end.' North Saltivka was one of the first areas in Ukraine hit when Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Around 20,000 Russian soldiers crossed over the border just after midnight and advanced on Kharkiv on several fronts, with the plan to occupy the city within 48 hours. Advertisement But they met with fierce resistance from Ukraine's 92nd Brigade, the National Guard's 3rd Rapid Response Brigade and the 22nd Motorised Infantry Battalion. Finding themselves unable to occupy the city as planned, the Russians began destroying it, launching a relentless bombardment of North Saltivka and other districts. The heaviest fighting in Ukraine took place in Kharkiv in the early days, with rocket strikes, cluster bombs and snipers all targeting civilians. Two months later, Ukraine launched a counter-offensive and forced Russian troops back toward the border. Advertisement The worst fighting in the city was over but Russian attacks have continued. Elena added: 'The shelling is less now but it has never stopped. The Sunday before last there was shelling and the house was shaking. I was so scared and feared the entire block would fall down.' She said the one survivor from her beloved houseplant collection had given her hope. She said: 'I loved my plants — I had them for more than 15 years and talked to them and told them I loved them. Advertisement 'But when I returned to my apartment I found that they had all died apart from one, an amaryllis. 'I gave it some water and it was revived and grew again and flowered. 'That symbolised life for me. Whatever happens, life goes on.'
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Inside Ukraine's most bombed estate in town on Russian border where locals vow ‘we will live here and we will die here'
GLANCING nervously to the sky as yet another air-raid siren wails, the locals on this bombed-out housing estate are praying the blitz spirit will see them through their darkest hour. But these are not memories of wartime Britain recalled for the 80th anniversary of 8 Lubov Bobro and daughter Olya in the cellar they use to shelter from shelling at home in Saltivka 8 Olena Kushko in front of the Soviet-built housing estate where she lives 8 A Kharkiv resident cycles past flames after another attack on the city Credit: AP 8 The district's shattered tower blocks, a few miles from the front line This is life today in It lies just a few miles from the border with But incredibly, some steely residents refuse to be driven from their homes, even though many have no windows or running water. And they remain convinced that — just like in wartime Britain 80 years ago — that determination will eventually see off their bitter enemy. Read More on World News 'There were mice and food rotting in the fridge' As diplomatic efforts to halt the war inched forward, no-nonsense pensioner Elena Vizer, 72, said: 'This is my home and no one is chasing me out of it.' The estate, made up of scores of Around 700,000 of Kharkiv's population of two million fled and President As The Sun toured the apocalyptic landscape of North Saltivka amid hopes that Ukraine and Most read in The US Sun Cranes were tearing down buildings beyond repair while the playgrounds were silent — most families with young children having long since left. Retired lab technician Elena was forced out of her home for 14 months after the invasion but has now returned to her half-empty tower block, part of which teeters on the brink of collapse. Will Putin chicken out? Ukraine piles on pressure on Vlad to meet Zelensky as Russia stays deathly silent on Thursday showdown She said: 'They were bombing us with jets right from the start, and the Russian tanks were on the main road outside my home. 'My front doorstep was the front line. The house was shaking — a shell came through the roof of my next-door neighbour's apartment and destroyed it. 'My windows were blown out and my balcony was destroyed. Rescuers and fire engines did not come because the shelling was too intense. 'I didn't see my apartment again until April 2023. When I returned I was so overjoyed I walked around kissing everything. 'But I was also heartbroken because it was in a terrible state. Everything was damaged and there were mice everywhere and rotting food in the fridge.' Her houseplants which she had lovingly tended for 15 years were all dead, apart from an amaryllis which miraculously flowered again when she watered it. 8 The worst of the shelling is over for now but has never fully stopped, and Elena still spends some nights sheltering in a corridor as Kharkiv is Ukraine's most-bombed major city, and North Saltivka its most-blitzed neighbour. The Battle of Kharkiv raged for three months at the start of the war, with the city seen as a major target for Russia. As invading tank regiments bore down on the city, terrified Lubov Bobro and her three children found themselves on the wrong side of the front line. And in a bizarre twist, to make it to a safe area they had to evacuate into Russia. They ended up in a city 1,200 miles to the east where officials pressured them into registering as Russian citizens and taking local passports. Brave Lubov refused and managed to flee back to Ukraine with the help of Bring Back Kids, a humanitarian organisation launched by President Zelensky to secure the return of children snatched by Russia. 8 Elena Vizer returned to desolation after 14 months away 8 Elena found her amaryllis plant had survived Credit: Chris Eades 8 Londoners walk to their offices during the Blitz Credit: Rex When they got back to Kharkiv, they found their home had been destroyed by a phosphorus bomb — just one more war crime in a long list committed by Russia. They now live in another house nearby — which has plastic sheeting where the windows used to be, and no running water or mains gas. A week ago they once again had to run to the shelter in the basement when Russia attacked. When they emerged they found that the blast from a nearby attack had ripped off the plaster from the walls of the stairwell. Single mum Lubov, 40, is unable to work because she does not want to leave traumatised kids Olya, 15 Denys, ten, and Tetyana, seven, alone. Instead, she survives on a government handout of £45 a week. She said: 'I lost so much weight because of all the stress. 'I used to think Russia were our brothers' 'When we got back to Ukraine the children were crying tears of joy. 'At the bus station in Kyiv people were asking why we were going back to Kharkiv because it was so dangerous. I told them, 'This is our home'. 'When we came back, everything was broken — our house was completely destroyed. 'The children were shocked and said, 'Mum, where are we going to live?' A neighbour allowed us to stay in an empty house and it has no water, just a well. But this is our home, we will live here and we will die here. This is where we live. Nowhere else is home, only here. So whatever happens, we will never leave.' Pharmacy worker Olena Kusko, 63, who was driven out of North Saltivka when her apartment block was hit, also hailed Kharkiv's blitz spirit. She said: 'People have a great spirit around here. They want to stay because they are connected to this area. This is their home. 'My house was on the seventh floor. The roof and the top two floors were badly damaged so every time it rained water came into my home and I had to move out.' Although the locals insist that But they have little faith that Putin will stick to one — and can never forgive Russia for the invasion. Olena added: 'I am hoping for a short-term peace agreement as that will at least be something, but I don't think war will end any time soon.' I hope that peace will come and the guns will fall silent Lubov Bobro Lubov said: 'I hope that peace will come and the guns will fall silent. 'We are praying to God that they can find a common language to end this war. 'But everything Putin says is just talk. I fear that this cannot be resolved and the people will keep suffering.' And Elena said: 'My opinion of Russia has changed 180 degrees. I used to think they were our brothers but not now. How can we ever forgive them? But we always have hope for peace. This war must end.' North Saltivka was one of the first areas in Ukraine hit when Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Around 20,000 Russian soldiers crossed over the border just after midnight and advanced on Kharkiv on several fronts, with the plan to occupy the city within 48 hours. But they met with fierce resistance from Ukraine's 92nd Brigade, the National Guard's 3rd Rapid Response Brigade and the 22nd Motorised Infantry Battalion. Finding themselves unable to occupy the city as planned, the Russians began destroying it, launching a relentless bombardment of North Saltivka and other districts. The heaviest fighting in Ukraine took place in Kharkiv in the early days, with rocket strikes, cluster bombs and snipers all targeting civilians. Two months later, Ukraine launched a counter-offensive and forced Russian troops back toward the border. The worst fighting in the city was over but Russian attacks have continued. Elena added: 'The shelling is less now but it has never stopped. The Sunday before last there was shelling and the house was shaking. I was so scared and feared the entire block would fall down.' She said the one survivor from her beloved houseplant collection had given her hope. She said: 'I loved my plants — I had them for more than 15 years and talked to them and told them I loved them. 'But when I returned to my apartment I found that they had all died apart from one, an amaryllis. 'I gave it some water and it was revived and grew again and flowered. 'That symbolised life for me. Whatever happens, life goes on.'
Al Arabiya
26-03-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Russia, Hungary discuss deeper cooperation on trade, oil and gas
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto discussed bilateral trade and conditions for enhanced energy cooperation, Russian government said on Wednesday. It also said that oil supplies to Hungary via the Soviet-built Druzhba pipeline reached 956,000 metric tons, or 118,800 barrels per day, in the January to February period. In 2024 total supplies via the route stood at 4.78 million tons, it added.
Russia Today
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
‘No problem' for US to take over Ukrainian nuclear plants
American nuclear specialists have the necessary expertise to operate Ukrainian nuclear facilities, should President Donald Trump authorize such a step, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has stated. The possibility of the US taking over Ukraine's energy supply, including its nuclear power plants, surfaced during Trump's phone call with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky on Wednesday, according to official American accounts of the conversation. When asked about the practical implications of such an arrangement by Fox News, Wright said it would be feasible if the Trump administration deems it a necessary step towards peace in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. 'If it was helpful to achieve that end to have the US run nuclear plants in Ukraine – no problem, we can do that,' he said. The Trump administration has suggested that potential American ownership of the Ukrainian energy sector 'would be the best protection' for the infrastructure. Soviet-built nuclear plants have become a vital source of electricity for Ukraine, as Russia has targeted parts of the power grid it considers crucial for Kiev's military manufacturing and logistics. This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to Trump's proposal for a moratorium on strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, with Zelensky committing to halt long-range drone attacks on Russian facilities in return. Ukraine immediately broke the agreement by launching three kamikaze drones against an internationally-owned oil transfer station in Russia on Wednesday, according to Moscow's military, which labeled it a blatant provocation. Further discussions involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine regarding a gradual de-escalation of hostilities are scheduled for later this week. During a press conference on Wednesday, Zelensky announced plans to send specialists in port infrastructure to Saudi Arabia as he seeks protection for the national transport system.
