Latest news with #Status-6
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian Cruise Missile Strikes Ukrainian-Controlled Black Sea Drilling Platform
Newly emerged video footage purportedly shows the attack on a Ukrainian drilling rig in the Black Sea by a supersonic cruise missile launched by a Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bomber. The incident underscores the importance of the Tu-22M3 fleet, which was recently targeted as they sat on the ground at Russian airfields in an unprecedented Ukrainian drone strike. The cruise missile attack highlights the ongoing battle for the control of northern Black Sea drilling platforms, something that we just covered in an exclusive interview with Ukraine's spy chief. The Russian side released footage from a strike with the Kh-22 cruise missile launched from the Tu-22M3 bomber on the "Tavrida" self-elevating drilling rig located in the Black Sea on June object has been occupied by the Russians since 2015 and recaptured by Ukraine in… — Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 10, 2025 While the exact origin of the video in question is unknown, it began circulating on Telegram earlier today. Russian accounts claim that it documents a successful strike against the Tavrida self-elevating drilling rig, carried out yesterday, June 9. It's claimed that a Tu-22M3 used a Cold War-era Kh-22 (AS-4 Kitchen) anti-ship cruise missile to attack the rig, which was occupied by Russian forces since 2015 but was recaptured by Ukraine in 2023. While the Russian side claims that Ukraine used the Tavrida rig — located close to Snake Island — to launch special operations raids into and around Russian-occupied Crimea. At least one Russian military blogger claims that Ukraine was using this drilling rig as a forward base for personnel from the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR). They write that it was also used for launching aerial drones, refueling naval drones, as well as for hosting electronic warfare and communication systems. Speaking to TWZ, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, commander of Ukraine's GUR, denied those Russian claims about the military uses for the rig, stating instead that 'We use the defense and control towers for other reasons,' but declined to provide more details. Budanov did confirm that the rig had been hit in the past more than 10 times, by Kh-22s as well as Kh-59 standoff missiles. From the available footage, captured from an aerial surveillance drone in the vicinity, it's not possible to determine what aircraft and missiles were involved, but the impact, close to the base of the drilling rig, results in a large explosion. Meanwhile, Budanov shared a photo with TWZ showing what he says was the rig after the latest attack, which you can see at the top of this story, which suggests that the main structure remains intact. Generally, the video footage appears consistent with the use of the very heavy Kh-22, or perhaps the more modern version of the same weapon, the Kh-32, which is externally similar. Both the Kh-22 and Kh-32 are carried exclusively by the Tu-22M3. The launch of two supersonic cruise missiles kh-22 from a long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber Tu-22. fighter_bomber — Massimo Frantarelli (@MrFrantarelli) May 11, 2022 During the war in Ukraine, the Tu-22M3 has primarily been associated with attacks using Kh-22 missiles repurposed for use against ground targets. In this role, the weapon has proven to be very destructive, although not highly precise, and has resulted in significant numbers of civilian deaths. Video reportedly shows the moment of the Russian Kh-22 cruise missile hits the apartment block in Dnipro during Saturday's missile strikes. — ELINT News (@ELINTNews) January 16, 2023 In the past, we looked at the particular characteristics of the Kh-22, after seeing the first apparent evidence of the missile being used in combat in Ukraine, in May 2022: The Cold War-era Kh-22, known to NATO as AS-4 Kitchen, dates back to the early 1960s, and production ceased as long ago as 1988. The delta-wing missile is powered by a liquid-fuel rocket and is typically launched from a Tu-22M3 flying at a speed of Mach 1.5. The missile then accelerates to Mach 3 before approaching the target. In its terminal phase, the missile dives at a steep angle and attains a maximum speed of over Mach 4. Each Tu-22M3 can carry up to three of these missiles in overload configuration, although one is more usual. In Cold War times, the Kh-22 was primarily armed with a nuclear warhead, although an alternative conventional high-explosive charge was available for the anti-ship version. The limited accuracy of the land-attack version meant that this one previously only carried a nuclear warhead, which would have been used against large targets like airfields or ports. With that in mind, it's possible that a Kh-22 could have been used to strike the drilling rig in much the same way that it might target a naval vessel, using its active radar seeker for the final run-in to the target. Another option is that the missile was a Kh-32, which retains the same physical characteristics of the Kh-22 but offers improved performance, including a dual-role anti-ship and land-attack capability. Apparent Kh-32 test rounds carried by Tu-22M3s: 現在は改良型のKh-32が有りますね。これは近代化改修されるTu-22M3Mに搭載されます。 — 高町露化@ロシア海軍情報管理複合体 (@xia_takamachi) May 13, 2019 It's unclear to what degree the drilling rig might have been provided with any kind of air defenses. In the past, however, Ukrainian officials have stated just how difficult it is to shoot down the fast-moving Kh-22 missile without calling upon the most advanced Western-supplied surface-to-air missiles. Even these may well be of only limited effect against the missile, especially during its terminal phase. For now, we await more details about the nature of the attack on the Tavrida drilling rig, including potential post-strike imagery that might reveal the extent of the damage. However, the mission emphasizes the considerable value that both sides in the conflict place on this type of infrastructure. Despite Ukrainian denials that these kinds of platforms are not used for launching raids and drone attacks, their strategic location ensures they have been highly prized assets since even before the start of the current conflict. Contact the author: thomas@
India.com
12-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
These weapons can cause massive destruction under water in seconds, only two countries have them, one is India's...
These weapons can cause massive destruction under water in seconds, only two countries have them, one is India's… India has successfully taken revenge of Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 tourists were killed, and in days the Indian Armed Forces has brought Pakistan to its knees by showing their might. On 7 May, the Indian Armed Forces entered Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and destroyed 9 terror camps. The was shocked to see valour of the Indian Armed Forces. Now a lot of discussion is going on Indian Army's weapons. Currently, only two countries in the world have such weapons that can cause a tsunami if detonated under ocean. One of these countries is India's best friend. Russia India's longtime friend Russia has a nuclear-powered underwater autonomous weapon called – Poseidon, also known as Status-6 or Canyon. It was first revealed Russian media in 2015, when a secret slide described it as the 'Status-6 Oceanic Multipurpose System'. Basically, Poseidon is an underwater drone loaded with a nuclear weapon. In March 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced it as one of six new super-weapons. In May 2022, a Russian TV anchor claimed that this weapon is capable of sinking the United Kingdom with a 500-meter-high radioactive tsunami. Wha is Poseidon? It is an intercontinental nuclear-powered autonomous torpedo. It is slower than other contemporary missiles but if fired it is difficult to stop it. The torpedo has a range of 10,000 km and is capable of operating at a depth of 1000 meters. Its speed is 100 knots and can evade tracking devices. Poseidon can carry a two-megaton nuclear weapon and its explosion can cause radioactive tsunami. Also known as Doomsday Drone, Russia is planning to include it in its navy by 2027. North Korea In January 2024, North Korea conducted a test of a new underwater nuclear weapon system in the Sea of Japan. This action, utilising a drone designated 'Haal-5-23', heightened regional tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The drone, initially tested in early 2023, represents a new development in North Korea's nuclear capabilities. In response to joint military drills involving the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, North Korea announced the successful testing of a new underwater nuclear weapon system. State media reports claim the drone is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and causing widespread destruction, potentially creating tsunami-like waves. North Korea framed the test as a direct response to perceived threats from the United States.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zelensky Decries Peace Talks Without Ukraine, Trump Says He Had His Shot For Years
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky complained that peace talks about Ukraine are taking part without his country's participation and seemingly to Russia's benefit. Speaking to reporters after the U.S. and Russia wrapped up the first sessions of negotiations to stop the nearly three-year-old war, Zelensky said he wants the conflict to end, 'but we want it to be fair and that no one decides anything behind our backs.' Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump seemed to blame Ukraine for not seeking an earlier peace deal and sided with the Russian position that Zelensky should face new elections. 'You cannot make decisions without Ukraine on how to end the war in Ukraine, on any conditions,' he stated after meeting with Turkish President Recep Erdogan. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who hosted the talks in Riyadh, originally invited Zelensky to take part in the meeting. However, both the U.S. and Russia objected, according to Bloomberg, citing sources. "Prince Mohammed had wanted Zelenskiy to be represented at the talks but both the Americans and the Russians had insisted that they wanted to meet without the Ukrainians, according to a person with knowledge of the Saudi preparations." — Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) February 18, 2025 Tuesday afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed concerns that Ukraine has not had a seat at the table during the negotiations, essentially blaming Kyiv for not negotiating a way out of the war earlier. 'They're upset about not having a seat, well, they've had a seat for three years, and a long time before that,' Trump told reporters Tuesday afternoon. 'This could have been settled very easily…' Trump's message to Ukrainians who feel let down by his administration:"I hear they're upset about not having a seat. Well, they've had a seat for three years." — Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) February 18, 2025 Trump echoed comments earlier in the day by a top U.S. negotiator who pushed back on the notion that Ukraine and European allies are being left out of this process. 'If you're going to bring both sides together, you have to talk to both sides,' said U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who took part in the Riyadh peace talks. 'And we'll continue to remind everyone literally within minutes of President Trump hanging up with President Putin he called and spoke with President Zelensky. So shuttle diplomacy has happened throughout history, it's happened all over the world. We are absolutely talking to both sides.' Waltz was part of high-ranking delegations from Washington and Moscow that met for nearly five hours in the Saudi capital to find a way to end the conflict. They came away with a four-point agreement focused mostly on improving U.S.-Russian relations that badly deteriorated after Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. It called for normalizing bilateral relations, creating 'high-level' teams to find a way to end the war 'as quickly as possible,' laying the groundwork for future bilateral political and economic agreements and pleading to keep the peace process moving forward. The four points were drastically different from positions Rubio held while a U.S. Senator before becoming Secretary of State. The talks, led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, were a stunning turnaround from the stance Washington held under the Biden administration. After Russia launched its full-on invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, then-President Joe Biden organized an international effort to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin and impose harsh economic sanctions on his country. Today's agreement opens the door to reversing that. 'Should this conflict come to an acceptable end, the incredible opportunities that exist to partner with the Russians, geopolitically on issues of common interest, and frankly economically on issues that hopefully will be good for the world and will also improve our relations in the long term between these two important countries,' Rubio told reporters in Riyadh after the talks wrapped up. Rubio's comments caused consternation among allies. The negotiations were held without Russia offering any concessions and as U.S. relations with Europe are plummeting in the wake of the Trump administration's sudden foreign policy shifts. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio after meeting with Russian officials in Riyadh today:There is an incredible opportunity to partner with the Russians geopolitically, on issues of common interest, and, frankly, economically. — Clash Report (@clashreport) February 18, 2025 Rubio deflected a question about whether Trump would end the sanctions. 'There are sanctions that were imposed as a result of this conflict. And so I would say to you that in order to bring an end to any conflict there has to be concessions made by all sides,' Rubio explained. 'We're not going to predetermine what those are. We're certainly not going to negotiate this today or in a press conference for that matter.' Any future deal will also involve a discussion about Ukrainian territory seized by Russia, said Waltz. 'We know just the practical reality is that there is going to be some discussion of territory and there is going to be a discussion of security guarantees,' he stated. That territory could conceivably include not just land Russia captured, which is about 20% of Ukraine including Crimea, but territory it annexed from four Ukrainian regions which is even larger. Waltz said that is on the table as well. 'I think that those are things to be discussed,' he told reporters. REPORTER: Is it acceptable to the US for Russia to retain any territory that it has annexed since the beginning of the war in February 2022?MIKE WALTZ: Well I think those are things, those are to be discussed — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 18, 2025 Speaking to reporters after the meeting as well, Lavrov echoed Rubio's goals and said that Washington and Moscow agreed to appoint representatives to carry out 'regular consultations' on Ukraine. 'I have reason to believe that the American side has started to better understand our position,' the Russian foreign minister said. That position may be just a stalling tactic, intelligence officials and political leaders told NBC News. '…intelligence from the United States and close allies shows that Russian President Vladimir Putin still wants to control all of Ukraine,' the network reported, citing four Western intelligence officials and two U.S. congressional officials. 'We have zero intelligence that Putin is interested in a real peace deal right now,' one of the congressional officials said. 'He thinks he's winning,' one of the Western intelligence officials said, adding that Russian losses on the battlefield are not pressuring Putin to stop fighting. No way! Putin isn't interested in a real peace deal and just wants more land? Shocking. Unbelievable. Never saw that coming. — Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) February 18, 2025 Meanwhile, European leaders left out of the negotiations and angered by how the U.S. is handling the process, continued to find a way to play a role. French President Emmanuel Macron is planning a second meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, to find ways to guarantee Ukraine's security, Reuters reported. Additional European nations and Canada were invited to take part. That follows a meeting held in Paris on Monday seeking commitments for a European peacekeeping force on the ground in Ukraine to bolster any successful negotiation to end the war. The meeting ended without a consensus. Foreign troops on Ukrainian soil after a peace deal is a non-starter, Lavrov said. 'The presence of troops from NATO countries, whether under foreign flags, EU flags, or their own national flags, does not change anything. This is, of course, unacceptable to us,' the Russian foreign minister exclaimed. Lavrov: NATO or EU troops in Ukraine are unacceptable"The presence of troops from NATO countries, whether under foreign flags, EU flags, or their own national flags, does not change anything. This is, ofcourse, unacceptable to us," Lavrov — Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) February 18, 2025 On Monday, Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya outlined another key demand of the talks, making it clear that Moscow wants to force Zelensky out of office. The Russian ambassador called Zelensky 'the self-proclaimed Ukrainian president' and referred to his government as 'the Zelensky cabal,' saying that neither had 'a role to play in the new Ukraine.' However, Zelensky won the second round of Ukraine's 2019 presidential election in a landslide and there have been no elections because the country is under martial law and voting has been considered logistically unfeasible and challenging after so many residents fled the war. Despite that, Trump seemed to concede that Nebenzya's point as well Tuesday afternoon. Zelensky wants 'a seat at the table… but the people of Ukraine have to say, like, 'you know, it's been a long time since we've had an election,'' Trump told reporters. 'That's not a Russia thing. That's something coming from me and coming from many other countries also.' REPORTER: 'We're hearing that Russia wants to force Ukraine as a condition for a peace deal. Is that something the US would support?'TRUMP: 'We have a situation where we haven't had elections in Ukraine, where we have martial law … the leader in Ukraine, I hate to say it, but… — Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) February 18, 2025 While today marks the first time high-level meetings were held between the U.S. and Russia since the all-out war in Ukraine began, this is an extremely fragile process, something Rubio acknowledged. 'Today is the first step of a long and difficult journey but an important one,' he explained, heaping praise on Trump for being 'the only leader in the world that could initiate that process.' No date has yet been set on when Ukraine will get a seat at the negotiating table. Clearly angered, Zelensky said he expects a delegation led by Trump peace envoy Keith Kellogg to arrive in Kyiv on Thursday. However, it remains to be seen whether that visit will make the Ukrainian leader any more reassured about how this peace process will play out. Contact the author: howard@
