Latest news with #UKDefenceIntelligence
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
UK intelligence analyses Russia's large-scale aerial attack on Ukraine last weekend
Russia launched over 900 drones against Ukraine over the course of three nights of aerial attacks from 23 to 26 May. This marked the largest combined attack in recent months and the most extensive use of loitering munitions since the war began. Source: UK Defence Intelligence update dated 30 May on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: UK intelligence reports that Russia's nighttime attacks from 23 to 26 May constituted the most extensive use of loitering munitions against Ukraine since the war began. These drone strikes were coupled with other weapons used by Russian forces, with many targeting Kyiv. In total, Russia used more than 900 attack drones over the course of these three days. Moreover, strategic aircraft were employed to launch missiles on 25 and 26 May, marking the first instance of those warplanes being used on two consecutive days since August 2024. UK intelligence also noted that the previous use of Russian Long-Range Aviation (LRA) for a combined aerial attack occurred on 24 April. "Russia's post-strike rebuilding of its stockpile enables LRA to sit ready to conduct strikes such as these with little to no notice, at a time of Russia's choosing," the update concludes. Background: One of the previous UK Defence Intelligence updates mentioned Russian general Sergei Surovikin, who disappeared after Yevgeny Prigozhin's death and recently appeared in a photo posted by the Russian Embassy in Algeria. [Prigozhin was the Wagner Group financier who led a failed mutiny in June 2023, during which he accused Russia's military leadership of betraying Wagner fighters and briefly advanced towards Moscow before standing down after negotiations – ed.] Earlier, UK intelligence suggested that Russia could suffer record losses in the war against Ukraine in 2025. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
UK intelligence reveals that Russian General Surovikin has been found in Algeria
UK intelligence has learned that Russian General Sergei Surovikin who has not been seen in public for many months is likely in Algeria. Source: UK Defence Intelligence update dated 27 May on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: The update relays reports from the Russian media that General Surovikin was spotted in a photo from the Russian Embassy in Algeria, taken during Victory Day events on 9 May, where he appeared in the role of "head of a group of Russian military specialists". [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 – ed.] This is one of Surovikin's first public appearances since Yevgeny Prigozhin's failed mutiny in 2023. [Prigozhin was the financier of the Wagner Private Military Company. He led a failed mutiny in June 2023, during which he accused Russia's military leadership of betraying Wagner fighters and briefly advanced towards Moscow before standing down after negotiations – ed.] Surovikin previously commanded the Russian Group of Forces in the war against Ukraine and later headed the Russian Aerospace Forces. He was known to be close to Prigozhin, notably due to involvement in operations in Syria. Quote from UK intelligence: "Reports of Surovikin's arrest and detention in relation to the June 2023 Wagner Group mutiny were not publicly confirmed. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MOD) did not officially announce Surovikin's resignation. However, in September 2023, references to him were reportedly removed from the Russian MOD's website." Details: Analysts suggest that the Kremlin has viewed Surovikin with suspicion due to his long-standing ties to the Wagner Group dating back to the Syrian campaign. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UK Defence Intelligence: Russia has advanced in Donetsk Oblast but has failed to consolidate control
The UK Ministry of Defence has reported minor tactical successes by Russian forces in Donetsk Oblast over the past month, particularly near the city of Kostiantynivka. Sources: UK Defence Intelligence update dated 17 May on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: UK Defence Intelligence notes that over the past month, Russian forces have made increased tactical gains in Donetsk Oblast, particularly near Kostiantynivka, which is adjacent to the large urban areas of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Quote: "Russia is carrying out attacks in three areas: Chasiv Yar (12 km to the north-east), Toretsk (15 km to the south-east) and to the east of Pokrovsk along the H-32 highway [now marked T0504 on the map – ed]." Details: The update includes a reminder that the fighting for Chasiv Yar and Toretsk has been going on for a year. Quote: "Russia occupies the majority of both but has been unable to fully consolidate control or to exploit slow advances. Most of Chasiv Yar has been destroyed due to heavy Russian aerial and artillery bombardment. Ukrainian forces remain in several fortified buildings in defence." Details: UK Defence Intelligence noted that Russian forces have expanded a salient southwest of Kostiantynivka, pushing forward by up to 5 km in some areas. Quote: "Russian forces have highly likely severed the H-32 highway which connects Kostiantynikva with Pokrovsk and will likely seek to advance further on this axis in coming weeks." Background: In an earlier update, UK intelligence analysed a large-scale explosion of ammunition at a Russian depot in Vladimir Oblast. Earlier, UK Defence Intelligence suggested that Russia could suffer record losses in the war against Ukraine in 2025. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK intelligence analyses Russia's April advance in Ukraine
Russia's territorial advance in Ukraine slowed considerably in April 2025 compared to late 2024. Source: UK Defence Intelligence update dated 9 May on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: UK intelligence noted that Russia's Ground Forces have likely taken control of around 200 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory in April, averaging approximately 6 square kilometres per day. This represents a slight increase compared to March, when Russia seized 150 square kilometres—the lowest monthly figure since June 2024, according to UK intelligence. Russian advances in sq km Photo: UK Defence Intelligence UK Defence Intelligence also pointed out that Russian forces made tactical gains around the town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast in April. "Pokrovsk has likely remained the priority axis for Russia in its campaign but it has been unable to make any notable advances around the city since late 2024," the update says. The Pokrovsk front situation Photo: Screenshot from DeepState Map, an interactive map of hostilities in Ukraine UK intelligence further reported that, while Russia celebrates Victory Day on 9 May, Ukrainian troops are continuing limited combat operations in Kursk Oblast, marking the first time since World War II that foreign troops have operated on Russian soil. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.] Background: Earlier, UK intelligence suggested that Russia could suffer record losses in the war against Ukraine in 2025. UK Defence Intelligence warned that the sharp decline in oil prices threatens Russia's ability to finance its planned budget for 2025. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK Intelligence: Russia faces growing budget deficit amid falling oil prices
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The UK intelligence service has said that the sharp decline in oil prices threatens Russia's ability to finance its planned budget for 2025. Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 7 May on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: UK intelligence notes that due to worsening price expectations, the Russian Ministry of Finance has reduced its expected oil and gas revenues by 25%, from 10.94 trillion to 8.32 trillion roubles (from US$135 billion to US$103 billion). However, the expected budget deficit has tripled, going from 0.5% to 1.7% of GDP. Despite this, the intelligence community writes that Russia prioritises high military spending to the detriment of economic stability. They pointed out that the Russian authorities have increased the prognosis for public spending for 2025 by another 830 billion roubles (about US$10.2 billion). The UK intelligence service says that if low oil prices persist, Moscow will likely be forced to use its financial reserves even more to support government spending. Background: UK intelligence pointed to a trend of further increases in the number of Russian casualties in the war against Ukraine in 2025. The intelligence also described how Russia is recruiting foreigners to join its armed forces to participate in the war it has unleashed against Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
