Latest news with #ZelenskyyUa
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Our most long-range operation': Ukrainian President Zelenskyy hails ‘brilliant' drone strikes on Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday praised the drone strike deep inside Russia, calling it a 'brilliant result' and an important moment in the war. The operation, over a year and a half in the making, targeted several Russian military airfields, destroying more than 40 aircraft, including bombers and surveillance planes. It marked what Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) called the most extensive strike yet on Russian soil, carried out entirely by Ukrainian forces. 'An absolutely brilliant result. A result achieved solely by Ukraine.' Zelenskyy posted on social media platform X. — ZelenskyyUa (@ZelenskyyUa) 'Our most long-range operation,' he said, adding 'Our people involved in preparing the operation were withdrawn from Russian territory in time.' Thanking General Vasyl Maliuk, the head of Ukraine's Security Service, Zelenskyy said the success would be remembered as a defining chapter in the war, 'these are Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly be in history books.' The mission, called Operation Spider Web, reportedly destroyed 41 Russian planes, including strategic Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers, aircraft frequently used by Moscow to launch missile attacks on Ukraine. Also hit was the A-50, a critical airborne early warning system used to coordinate missile strikes. According to a senior Ukrainian military official speaking to the AP, the operation was 'extremely complex'. Ukraine's Security Service said the operation caused an estimated $7 billion in damage and destroyed 34% of Russia's fleet of air missile carriers. However, these claims have not been independently verified. Zelenskyy also said that 117 drones were deployed in the massive attack. "A total of 117 drones were used in the operation. And a corresponding number of drone operators worked," Zelensky said in a statement, quoted by AFP. The Russian defence ministry confirmed attacks on bases in Irkutsk and Murmansk, more than 4,000 km from Ukraine, and said other strikes had been repelled in Amur, Ivanovo, and Ryazan. The drone strike came just ahead of a new round of direct peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul on Monday. 'Ukraine is defending itself, and rightly so,' Zelenskyy said. 'we are doing everything to make Russia feel the need to end this war. Russia started this war, Russia must end it. Glory to Ukraine!'
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agrees meeting with Putin this week
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is prepared to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, shortly after US President Donald Trump urged him to "immediately" accept the Russian leader's offer to hold peace talks in Turkey, CNN reported. #Operation Sindoor India responds to Pak's ceasefire violation; All that happened India-Pakistan ceasefire reactions: Who said what Punjab's hopes for normalcy dimmed by fresh violations After meeting in Kyiv on Saturday, Ukraine's major European allies gave Russia an ultimatum: agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine by Monday or face "massive" new sanctions. Trump supported the initiative, Germany's new chancellor Friedrich Merz said. In a late-night address, Putin did not acknowledge the ultimatum. Ignoring the ceasefire offer, he instead proposed holding "direct talks" with Ukraine in Turkey on Thursday - something not seen since the early weeks of Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022, as per CNN. — ZelenskyyUa (@ZelenskyyUa) Live Events Ukraine's allies spent Sunday stressing that there could be no further talks before Putin agrees to an unconditional ceasefire. But Trump undermined the efforts to put pressure on Putin, saying that Ukraine should "immediately" agree to meet with Russian officials on Thursday, CNN reported. "HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. Within an hour, Zelenskyy said he was prepared to meet with Putin this week, in what would be the leaders' first meeting since Russia launched its war, CNN reported. "I will be waiting for Putin in Turkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses," Zelenskyy said on Sunday on X. — ZelenskyyUa (@ZelenskyyUa) Although Zelenskyy said a "full and lasting ceasefire" from Monday would provide "the necessary basis for diplomacy," he did not specify that this would be a precondition for attending the talks. Whereas Putin on Saturday faced a joint call from Europe and the US to accept a ceasefire by Monday's deadline, his counteroffer of "direct" talks had by Sunday relieved much of the pressure on Moscow and shifted the focus to the potential talks this week. European leaders have not yet said whether they will press ahead with the threatened additional sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire is not in place by Monday.
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Ukraine and allies push for 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday
Ukraine and its allies are ready for a 'full, unconditional ceasefire' with Russia for at least 30 days starting on Monday, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said. His remarks came as the leaders of four major European countries visited Kyiv, amid a push for Moscow to agree to a truce and launch peace talks on ending the nearly three-year war. It coincided with on the last day of a unilateral three-day ceasefire declared by Russia that Ukraine says the Kremlin's forces have repeatedly violated. Following the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Kyiv, all five leaders @ZelenskyyUa @EmmanuelMacron @bundeskanzler @donaldtusk @Keir_Starmer had a fruitful call with @POTUS focused on peace efforts. Ukraine and all allies are ready for a full unconditional ceasefire on land,… — Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) May 10, 2025 In March, the United States proposed an immediate, limited 30-day truce which Ukraine accepted, but the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia strikes Ukraine's Kharkiv with Iranian-made drones, 40 injured
Drone strike in Ukraine's Kharkiv A Russian drone strike on Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv late Friday injured more than 40 people, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He alleged Russia used dozens of Iranian-made Shahed drones, also called "kamikaze" drones, for the attack. "Right now, Russia is yet again attacking Ukraine. Kharkiv has been hit by dozens of "Shahed" drones. Residential buildings, enterprises, and civilian infrastructure have been damaged. As of now, more than 40 people have been reported injured. Rescuers and relevant services are working everywhere," Zelenskyy posted on X. — ZelenskyyUa (@ZelenskyyUa) "There were no military targets, nor could there have been. Russia is striking residential areas precisely when Ukrainians are at home, when they are putting their children to bed. Only fiends could give such orders and carry them out. While the world hesitates with decisions, nearly every night in Ukraine turns into a nightmare, costing lives," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The Ukrainian leader also called on world leaders to assist his country with strengthening its air defences. He demanded that Ukraine's partners, including the United States and Europe, take "strong and real" decisions. According to Kharkiv governor Oleg Synegubov , an 11-year-old girl is among those injured. "Nearly 50 people have been wounded because of the massive attack by the invader on four districts. Fires have broken out. Residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and cars have been damaged," Synegubov wrote on Telegram. The drone attack on Kharkiv, which lies close to the Ukraine-Russia border, came just hours after Russian strikes on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia wounded more than 20 people. Russia has announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine next week that coincides with World War II celebrations in Moscow. Kyiv has denounced it as a "manipulation" that is "just for a parade" that the Kremlin holds on Red Square every year.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia's forces aren't as strong as they claim, say captured Chinese fighters
Two Chinese citizens captured fighting against Ukraine said they were 'fed lies' by Russia and that Vladimir Putin's forces were not as strong as they claimed. In an evening press conference organised by the Ukrainian security service, Wang Guanjung and Zhang Renbo said: 'All Russia fed us are lies. They're fake. Russia isn't as strong as they claim, and Ukraine isn't as backward as they say.' The pair were handcuffed and wearing military fatigues as they addressed reporters at a briefing organised by Ukrinform, the Ukrainian national news agency. They had been captured fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine earlier this month. President Zelensky initially demanded that Beijing explain why Chinese soldiers, as he referred to them, were fighting for Russia. However, the pair stressed they were not fighting on behalf of China and had no links to Chinese state authorities. Instead, they were recruited as mercenaries through online advertisements, they said. Mr Wang said he was recruited through a TikTok advert in China. He told reporters he then travelled via coaches and minibuses to Kazan in south-west Russia, before moving through Rostov-on-Don and finally entering eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, where he enlisted in the army with Mr Zhang. Mr Zhang told reporters he was in Russia as a tourist when he spotted the advert with the offer of two million roubles (£18,400) and decided to enlist. The pair were both captured in Donetsk, with footage of their detention released on April 8. Credit: X/@ZelenskyyUa Both prisoners said they were taken captive immediately after arriving on the front line and had not killed any Ukrainian troops. Mr Zelensky said last week that there were at least 155 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in the war, a claim Beijing has dismissed as 'irresponsible'. China denies significant numbers of its citizens are serving in the Russian armed forces, saying it advises nationals to 'avoid participating in military operations of any party' and is a 'staunch supporter' of peace in Ukraine. Credit: @TGTM_Official The only example so far of a foreign country deploying soldiers to help Russia in its war effort is North Korea. However, those troops have not been allowed to fight inside Ukrainian territory. Asked about conditions inside the Russian camps, the prisoners described a lack of water and electricity. Mr Wang recalled an instance when they worked until the early hours of the morning, only to be given 'a pinch of raw rice'. His account is consistent with reported accounts from North Korean soldiers, who have complained of a lack of food in the Russian army. Both told reporters that they were expecting to face punishment on their return to China, but said this had not dissuaded them from wanting to go home. 'I understand that punishment is possible and I am prepared for it, because it's clear that for participating in war and such actions, there can be consequences. Still, I want to return home to my family,' Mr Wang said. 'For those Chinese compatriots who wish to join the war against Ukraine, I just want to say… don't join this war,' he added. The Ukrainian security service said both men had undergone initial interrogations and were being held as prisoners of war in Kyiv. Meanwhile, Donald Trump took a fresh swipe at Mr Zelensky during a meeting with reporters in the Oval Office. The US president claimed on Monday that the Ukrainian president had 'allowed' the war with Russia to begin, before questioning his competence and insisting Putin would never have invaded under his leadership. 'The mistake was letting the war happen. If Biden were competent, and if Zelensky were competent, and I don't know that he is sure that he is… he just kept asking for more and more, that war should have never been allowed to happen,' he said. 'You take a look at Putin. I'm not saying anybody's an angel. But I will tell you I went four years and it wasn't even a question, he would never.' Questioned on whether he would accept an offer made by Mr Zelensky to buy 10 US-made Patriot air defence missile systems for $15 billion (£11.34 billion), he answered: 'When you start a war, you've got to know that you can win the war, right?' 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.
