Putin oversees training of Russian nuclear forces

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Putin monitors training firings of Russian nuclear forces

Russian President Vladimir Putin has overseen exercises by the country’s strategic nuclear forces involving multiple practice launches of ballistic and cruise missiles, in a show of force amid heightened tensions with the West over the conflict in Ukraine.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin that the exercise was intended to simulate a “massive nuclear strike” by Russia in retaliation for a nuclear attack on the country.

During the Russian exercises, a land-based Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was tested from the northern Plesetsk launch site. A Russian nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea launched a Sineva ICBM at the Kura firing range in the far east of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Poland wary of potential nuclear threat from Russia

The Polish government is closely monitoring Russia’s movements in neighboring Ukraine to prepare for the Kremlin’s potential use of nuclear or chemical weapons, the central European country’s deputy defense minister said.

Marcin Ociepa told Polish state broadcaster TVP1 that the government believes Russian President Vladimir Putin “could use nuclear or chemical weapons” because his country’s forces are struggling in Ukraine and Poland “needs to be prepared. to all scenarios.

US sanctions target corruption and Russian operations in Moldova

The United States has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities involved in what it described as malicious Russian influence operations in Moldova as well as systemic corruption in the small Eastern European country.

Those sanctioned, a mix of Russian and Moldovan officials, include oligarchs “widely credited with capturing and corrupting Moldova’s political and economic institutions and those acting as instruments of Russia’s global influence campaign”, it said. the US Treasury Department said in a statement.

The designations also include former Moldovan member of parliament Vladimir Plahotniuc, who manipulated “key sectors of the Moldovan government, including law enforcement, electoral and judicial sectors”, the statement said. There was no immediate comment from Russia or Moldova.

Russians dig in to defend key city of Kherson, Ukrainian forces say

Crouching in a weed-choked irrigation canal, hidden from prowling enemy drones by overhanging trees, the Ukrainian soldier dismissed media reports that reclaiming the Russian port city of Kherson would be a walk in the park.

“They’ve got good defensive lines with deep trenches, and they’re sitting deep underground,” Vitalii said, holding an assault rifle and nodding towards the treeline where his enemies were bunked. “The Ukrainian armored forces must destroy these defensive lines.”

He and other members of the unit occupying positions north of Kherson that they saw Russian troops reinforcing their lines, aided by newly mobilized conscripts.

Thousands have left Ukraine’s Kherson region: pro-Moscow official

At least 70,000 people have left their homes in Kherson province, southern Ukraine, in the space of a week, a Moscow-backed regional official said.

“I’m sure more than 70,000 people have left in a week since the crossings were organised,” Vladimir Saldo told a regional TV channel, referring to efforts by pro-Kremlin authorities in the region to move the inhabitants to the areas under Russian control on the left bank of the Dnipro river.

He added that the number could be higher as people could have used their own boats to cross the river instead of organized ferries.

Russian missile launch at Dnipro in Ukraine leaves 2 dead, 4 injured, governor says

A missile strike in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro killed two people and injured four as Russian strikes on various cities in Ukraine continued.

“A Russian missile that flew into the Dnipro killed two people. According to the information specified, four are injured. They are two women and two men. Everyone is in the hospital. Three are in poor condition,” Dnipropetrovsk Governor Valentin Reznichenko said on his Telegram account.

Russia says Shoigu discussed Ukraine’s alleged ‘dirty bomb’ threat with his Indian counterpart

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had a phone call with his Indian counterpart and raised Russia’s concerns over the possible use of a “dirty bomb” by Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense said. Shoigu.

This follows a series of calls Shoigu has held since Sunday on the same subject with NATO defense ministers.

Ukraine and its Western allies have dismissed Russia’s claim that kyiv is preparing to use a radioactive ‘dirty bomb’ and expressed concern that Moscow is using it as a pretext for further escalation of the war .

Ukraine assesses increased Russian strikes with US, UK and French advisers

Ukraine’s top presidential aide discussed the increasing intensity of Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities with US, UK and French advisers.

“Had telephone conversations with National Security Advisor to US President Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to UK Prime Minister Tim Barrow and Diplomatic Advisor to French President Emmanuel Bonne,” Andriy Yermak said in a tweet.

Yermak added that he briefed the three advisers on the latest situation on the ground, as well as the increasing intensity of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure with missiles and drones.

Biden discussed Ukraine aid with Italian Prime Minister Meloni – White House

US President Joe Biden spoke by phone with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and discussed their commitment to continue providing assistance to Ukraine, the White House said.

The Meloni government is Italy’s most right-wing administration since World War II and the former close ties between Moscow and two of its coalition partners have raised concerns among NATO allies.

Mercedes-Benz to sell Russian assets to local investor: ministry

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is set to sell its Russian assets to a local investor, Russia’s Industry and Trade Ministry has announced, becoming the latest automaker to exit since Moscow sent troops to Ukraine.

“Mercedes-Benz intends to sell its shares in Russian subsidiaries to a local investor,” Avtodom, the ministry said in a Telegram statement.

Ukrainian official: No side is preparing to withdraw to Kherson

A senior Ukrainian official predicted that the “heaviest of battles” will be fought in the strategic southern province of Kherson, partially occupied by Russia, and said that the army in Moscow was sinking to face the advance of the Ukrainian forces.

“With Kherson, everything is clear. The Russians are rebuilding, strengthening their grouping there,” said Oleksiy Ares tovych, adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“It means that no one is preparing to withdraw. On the contrary, the heaviest of battles will take place for Kherson,” according to Arestovitch, who did not specify when the battle could take place.

READ MORE: Russia notifies UN of Ukraine’s ‘dirty bomb’ plans

Biden and Sunak agree to support Ukraine

US President Joe Biden and Britain’s new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed in talks to work together to support Ukraine, the White House has said.

The two leaders also reaffirmed the “special relationship” that exists between the United States and Britain, and said they would work together to advance global security and prosperity, the White House said in a reading of the conversation.

“Leaders agreed on the importance of working together to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its aggression,” the statement said.

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Source: TRTWorld and agencies