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☆ How Hitachi Digital Services is helping companies adopt AI models responsibly to meet their operational and financial goals
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

To assess the value of investments in generative AI models, companies must first develop their knowledge of the tools' potential for financial impact. We then help pair each use case with the right AI strategy, including the applicability of generative AI. To further support optimal financial operations for your company, your generative AI models must be trained to encompass operational and information technology priorities and perspectives. Learn more about how Hitachi Digital Services uses AI to empower informed decision-making. This post was created by Hitachi Digital Services with Insider Studios.

Persons: Premkumar Balasubramanian, observability, HARC Organizations: Hitachi Digital Services, Hitachi, Insider Studios

☆ Ukraine says it took out one of Russia's supersonic strategic bombers for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Ukraine claims to have shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber in war first. The bomber was on its way to attack Ukraine, said the air forces. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementUkraine has shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber for the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv's military intelligence said. In a statement released early Friday, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (GUR) said it had taken out one of the strategic long-range bombers that had "launched a missile attack against Ukraine on the night of April 19."

Persons: —, GUR Organizations: Service, Main Intelligence, Business Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Russia's Stavropol, Russia

☆ Kyiv rebuffs Putin's claims that gunmen who killed 133 Russian concertgoers had links to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin linked Moscow concert hall attackers to Ukraine. At least 133 people were killed by gunmen, and 11 have suspects been detained, say Russian sources. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementRussian President Vladimir Putin claimed the gunmen who attacked a Moscow concert hall and killed 133 people had links to Ukraine, an allegation Kyiv completely rejected. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) had earlier claimed a link between Ukraine and the gunmen in a statement, said Russian news agency TASS.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, —, Putin, STRINGER, Hamid Karzai Organizations: Service, Crocus City, Russia's Federal Security Service, Putin, Main Intelligence, Ministry of Defense, Getty, Russia's, Islamic, Politico Locations: Moscow, Ukraine, Crocus, Krasnogorsk, Russia's, Russian, Kyiv, Islamic State, Kabul

☆ Russian soldiers forced to rape each other says report alleging brutal violence on Ukraine frontline
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. The outlet interviewed several Russian soldiers over three months, who described brutal conditions in which troops recruited from Russia's prisons bully and abuse mobilized soldiers while commanders remain stationed safely away from the front. AdvertisementHandcuffed to trees"It's hell here," another Russian soldier said. Verstka also published a video appearing to show an unidentified soldier being tied to a tree. Ukraine has said that Storm Z shows extremely low combat capability, according to a press release translated by Pravada .

Persons: —, Verstka, Misha Maltsev, Semyon Kiskorov, Kiskorov, Maltsev, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Pravada Organizations: Service, Business, Getty, Storm, Main Intelligence, Ministry of Defense Locations: Ukraine, Krynky, Dnipro, Yuzhno, Sakhalinsk, Russia, AFP

☆ Zelenskyy's aides kept an emergency escape train on standby for him at the start of the war. He never took it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Zelenskyy's aides had a train ready for him to escape on in February 2022, a new book says. Zelenskyy refused to use the train and defiantly stayed to lead Ukraine's defense against Russia. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementAt the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's security service kept a train idling in Kyiv to enable a quick escape out of the city, according to a new biography. Ukraine's then-defense minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, said that Russia was trying to make Zelenskyy panic and run, according to Shuster.

Persons: Zelenskyy's, Zelenskyy, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy's, Volodymyr Zelensky, Simon Shuster, Shuster, Ukraine's, Oleksiy Reznikov, Olena Zelenska, Pierre Crom, Viktor Yanukovych, Joe Biden —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: Russia, Service, Reuters, Armed Forces of Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Kyiv, Kyiv's, Russia, Poland, Armed Forces of Ukraine

☆ Russia Says Dual Russian-Italian National Arrested for Train Bombing on Behalf of Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Dec. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian investigators said on Friday a dual Russian-Italian national had been detained for planting bombs on railway tracks as part of a sabotage campaign orchestrated by Ukrainian military intelligence. After his arrest, the man, born in 1988 and a resident of Ryazan, confessed to planting home-made bombs that derailed a freight train in central Russia on Nov. 11, according to investigators. The Committee said the detained man admitted undergoing "sabotage training in Latvia with the direct participation of the Latvian special services." Ukrainian military intelligence could not be reached for immediate comment. (Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Jamie Freed)

Persons: Felix Light, Guy Faulconbridge, Jamie Freed Organizations: Main Intelligence, Ministry of Defense, Reuters Locations: MOSCOW, Russian, Ukrainian, Ryazan, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Latvian, Rybnoe, Moscow

☆ Ukrainian sabotage of Crimea bridge 'overturns' naval operations -intelligence head
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Newly appointed Head of the Ukraine's State Security Service Vasyl Maliuk looks on during a session of Ukrainian parliament, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 7, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 24 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian sea drone attack on Russia's Crimean bridge in July had "overturned" naval operations and forced Moscow to resort to ferries to move weaponry, the head of Ukraine's main intelligence agency said in a video broadcast on Friday. "We have practically overturned the philosophy of naval operations," Maliuk said in the first of a series of televised documentaries entitled "SBU, the Special Operations of Victory." Traffic has since been operating on the bridge, though Russian officials say repair work is still proceeding. Zelenskiy said this month that Ukraine has seized the initiative from Russia in the Black Sea and, thanks to the use of naval drones, forced Russia's naval fleet and warships to pull back.

Persons: Ukraine's State Security Service Vasyl Maliuk, Vasyl Maliuk, Maliuk, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Josie Kao Organizations: Ukraine's State Security Service, Presidential Press Service, REUTERS, Security Service of Ukraine, Black, Fleet, Thomson Locations: Ukraine's, Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Moscow, Russia, Russian, Sevastopol

☆ Ukrainian Sabotage of Crimea Bridge 'Overturns' Naval Operations -Intelligence Head
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - A Ukrainian sea drone attack on Russia's Crimean bridge in July had "overturned" naval operations and forced Moscow to resort to ferries to move weaponry, the head of Ukraine's main intelligence agency said in a video broadcast on Friday. "We have practically overturned the philosophy of naval operations," Maliuk said in the first of a series of televised documentaries entitled "SBU, the Special Operations of Victory." Plenty of surprises lie ahead and not just the Crimean bridge." Traffic has since been operating on the bridge, though Russian officials say repair work is still proceeding. The attack on the bridge is one of a number of Ukrainian offensive actions in the Black Sea, including a missile assault on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol in September.

Persons: Vasyl Maliuk, Maliuk, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Josie Kao Organizations: Reuters, Security Service of Ukraine, Black, Fleet Locations: Ukrainian, Moscow, Kyiv, Russia, Russian, Sevastopol, Ukraine

☆ Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones have lost their edge in Ukraine, but the company behind them is still making a big bet there
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones were a valuable weapon for Ukraine after Russia invaded last year. The TB2 drone has lost much of its utility as Russia's military has adapted to its use, however. AdvertisementA Bayraktar TB2 at a military base in Ukraine in March 2019. Press Office of the President of Ukraine / Mykola Lararenko / Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesBaykar has supplied at least 50 TB2 drones to Ukraine to date. Baykar's Bayraktar Akinci drone on display at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport in April.

Persons: —, Haluk Bayraktar, Mykola Lararenko, Col, Volodymyr Valiukh, Ali Bakir, Haluk, Bakir, James Rogers, Rogers, Oguz Yeter, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, Press, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Ukrainian, Ukraine's Main Intelligence, Business, Baykar, Cornell Brooks School Tech Policy Institute, Istanbul's, Airport Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Turkish, Russian, Kyiv, Ukraine's, Turkey, Ukrainian, Ankara, Syria, Libya, Nagorno, Karabakh, Ethiopia

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s intelligence agency took credit for a car bombing Wednesday that killed a member of the Russia-backed authority in the illegally annexed Luhansk region. He had survived a car bombing on Feb. 21, 2022, three days before Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It said that the killing was a warning that “traitors to Ukraine and collaborators with terrorist Russia in temporarily occupied territories … will receive just retribution! Russia-backed insurgents declared a separatist Luhansk People’s Republic in 2014 and fought Ukrainian forces relying on Moscow’s military and political support. The previous government was a staunch supporter of Ukraine, sending it arms worth 671 million euros ($717 million).

Persons: Mikhail Filiponenko, Filiponenko, Robert Fico, Fico, ___ Karel Janicek, Yuras Organizations: Local, Main Intelligence, Ministry of Defense, European Union Locations: KYIV, Ukraine, Russia, Luhansk, Luhansk People’s Republic, Donetsk, Bahatyr, Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Kherson, Beryslav, Prague, Tallinn, Estonia, russia, ukraine

☆ Putin fake death rumors are being spread by the Kremlin to gauge Russian reactions, Ukraine intelligence says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Kremlin is using them to gauge Russian reactions, intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov said. "It's an internal story that is intended for an internal Russian audience," Yusov told NV Radio. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Kremlin is using fake rumors about President Vladimir Putin's death to gauge Russian reactions, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. "It's an internal story that is intended for an internal Russian audience," Yusov told NV Radio, per Ukrainska Prava. Last week's claims prompted Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, to dismiss speculation about Putin's health on two occasions.

Persons: Andriy Yusov, Yusov, —, Vladimir Putin's, Putin, HUR, Ukrainska, d'état, Putin's, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov Organizations: Radio, Service, Kremlin, Defense, Main Intelligence Directorate, Ukrainian NV, Ukrainska Pravda, SVR Locations: Ukraine, Kremlin, Russian

☆ Fears Ukrainian POWs have been coerced to fight against their fellow citizens by Russia, says ISW
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia is training Ukrainian prisoners of war to fight on the front lines, Russian media reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementRussian authorities are planning to deploy a battalion of Ukrainian prisoners of war to the front lines, Russian media reported. The outlet described it as a volunteer battalion including about 70 prisoners from various penal colonies. A Russian battalion consists of two-to-four companies and has from 250 to 1,000 people. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Russian authorities have likely coerced Ukrainian prisoners of war into joining a 'volunteer' formation that will fight in Ukraine, said the Institute for the Study of War.

Persons: —, Bogdan Khmelnitsky, Andrii Tyshchenko, Tyshchenko, Andriy Yusov, HUR Organizations: Geneva Convention, Service, RIA Novosti, Russian, Institute for, Siberian Battalion, International Legion of, Armed Forces of, Defense, Main Intelligence Locations: Russia, Russian, Donetsk Oblast, Geneva, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Kyiv

☆ Ukraine says it created a whole battalion from Russians who signed up to fight their own country
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Siberian Battalion largely consists of people from ethnic minorities in Russia. The battalion is expected to be sent to fight against Russia very soon, Bloomberg reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine said Wednesday that it had created a whole battalion from Russians who wanted to fight their own country. The battalion does not recruit captured Russian soldiers, he added, as per the Kyiv Post. He called his battalion the Siberian Battalion.

Persons: —, Andriy Yusov, HUR, Yusov, Vladislav Ammosov Organizations: Siberian Battalion, Bloomberg, Service, International Legion of, Armed Forces of, Defense, Main Intelligence, Russian Federation, Kyiv Post, New, Radio Free Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Kyiv, Russian, Eastern Siberia, Europe, Radio Free Europe

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Russia says it's 'extremely concerned' about Middle East crisis — but has no plans to call Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Kyiv said Russia is planning to launch a disinformation campaign to discredit Ukraine in the Middle East, claiming Moscow was planning to allege that Ukraine had supplied Western-supplied weapons to Hamas militants. "The special operations units of Russia are conducting a campaign to discredit Ukraine in the Middle East," Ukraine's main intelligence department said on Telegram Monday. It said Russia was looking to exploit the Palestinian militant group Hamas' attack against Israel in order to undermine Ukraine. "The next step, according to the plan of the Russians, should be fake accusations [involving] the Ukrainian military in the alleged sale of Western weapons to terrorists on a regular basis." Ukraine said Russia "aimed at discrediting the Armed Forces of Ukraine and [encouraging] the complete cessation of military aid to our country from Western partners."

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Benjamin Netanyahu, Holly Ellyatt Organizations: Hamas, USA, Ukrainian, CNBC, Armed Forces of, Sunday Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Israel, EU, Armed Forces of Ukraine

☆ US Hits Chinese, Russian Firms Over Moscow Military Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By David Shepardson and Alexandra AlperWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Monday imposed new trade restrictions on 11 Chinese and five Russian companies, accusing some of supplying components to make drones for Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The Commerce Department, which oversees export policy, added a total of 28 firms, including some Finnish and German companies, to a trade blacklist, making it harder for U.S. suppliers to ship them technology. The investigation found that Hong Kong-based exporter Asia Pacific Links Ltd. has been among the most important suppliers to Russia's drone program. The firm, along with import company SMT iLogic, were the target of an earlier round of U.S. sanctions in May. The United States has aggressively used a trade blacklist known as the entity list to target China's tech sector and attempt to stymie Russia's war in Ukraine.

Persons: David Shepardson, Alexandra Alper WASHINGTON, Joe Biden's, Alan Estevez, Barack Obama, Alexandra Alper, Rami Ayyub Organizations: The Commerce Department, China's, Links Ltd, Technology Center, Russia's Main Intelligence, General Staff, Reuters, Royal United Services Institute, Special Technology, Asia Pacific Links, SMT, Commerce, Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Company, Commerce Department, U.S, United Locations: Ukraine, Russian, London, St . Petersburg, Russia, Hong Kong, Iran, United States

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is embraced by U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Monday imposed new trade restrictions on 11 Chinese and five Russian companies, accusing some of supplying components to make drones for Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The firm, along with import company SMT iLogic, were the target of an earlier round of U.S. sanctions in May. Another six Chinese entities were added for allegedly procuring aerospace parts for the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Company that are used to make drones used by Iran to attack oil tankers in the Middle East and by Russia in Ukraine, according to the Commerce Department. The United States has aggressively used a trade blacklist known as the entity list to target China's tech sector and attempt to stymie Russia's war in Ukraine.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden's, Alan Estevez, Barack Obama, David Shepardson, Alexandra Alper, Rami Ayyub Organizations: U.S, White, REUTERS, Rights, The Commerce Department, China's, Links Ltd, Technology Center, Russia's Main Intelligence, General Staff, Reuters, Royal United Services Institute, Special Technology, Asia Pacific Links, SMT, Commerce, Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Company, Commerce Department, United, Thomson Locations: Washington, Ukraine, Russian, London, St . Petersburg, Russia, Hong Kong, Iran, United States

☆ Ukraine's drones rain leaflets on occupied territory telling its citizens to boycott Putin's 'election farce'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Resistance efforts have included blowing up a polling station and mass distributing leaflets via drones calling on people to ignore the elections. Russia is holding elections this weekend in occupied Ukrainian territories, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea, The Guardian reports. Interventions to sabotage the elections have included Ukraine's Security Service blowing up a polling station in Zaporizhzhia with drones. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Elections here ended prematurely," a Security Service of Ukraine source told the Kyiv Post. AdvertisementAdvertisementAt least 3,000 Ukrainians in the Zaporizhzhia region are said to be implicated in helping Russians with the pseudo-elections, The Kyiv Post cites from authorities.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Andriy Yusov Organizations: of Europe, Service, Kyiv, Guardian, Kyiv Independent, Ukraine's Security Service, Security Service, Armed Forces, National Resistance Center of, of, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UN Charter, National Resistance Center, Main Intelligence Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Crimea, Russian, Kyiv, National Resistance Center of Ukraine, Tokmak, of Europe

☆ Ukrainian intercepts show Russian soldiers’ anger at losses, disarray
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Story contains strong languageUkraine’s counteroffensive was in its second month when Andrey, a Russian soldier, called his wife to say his unit was taking heavy casualties. The expletive-laden intercepts, shared with Reuters by a Ukrainian intelligence source, provide a rare - albeit partial - glimpse into the conditions of some Russian soldiers as Kyiv prosecuted a major counteroffensive, which started in early June, two military analysts told Reuters. Ukraine has acknowledged that its efforts to recapture territory have been hindered by vast Russian minefields and well-prepared defensive lines. The Ukrainian intelligence source said they illustrated the challenges facing Russian soldiers but did not elaborate on how the recordings were selected. In the excerpts, several soldiers used profane language to describe Russian units that had taken heavy casualties and had been unable to retrieve their wounded.

Persons: Andrey, ” Andrey, “, Neil Melvin, Vladimir Putin, SBU, ” Maxim, Anna, Kupiansk, Maxim, Putin, ”, Elena, Alexei, “ Everyone’s, Dmitry Medvedev, Tom Balmforth, Filipp Lebedev, Eve Watling, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Security Service of Ukraine, Reuters, International Security, Royal United Services Institute, Russia’s Defence Ministry, Ukrainian General Staff, Lyman, Russia’s 52nd Regiment, U.S . Defence Intelligence Agency, “, ” Reuters, Russian Security Council Locations: Russian, Soviet, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Russia, London, Irkutsk, Russia’s, Afghanistan, Rubizhne, Ukraine’s, Luhansk

CNN —A Russian official claimed Thursday that a Ukrainian sabotage operation had been foiled in Bryansk, southwestern Russia, with several Ukrainians killed or captured. Alexander Bogomaz, governor of the Bryansk region that borders both Ukraine and Belarus, said on his Telegram channel that two of the group had died and five were detained in the Navlinsky district on Wednesday. Bryansk neighbors northern Ukraine and eastern Belarus, Moscow’s close ally that helped facilitate Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year. This marks the second alleged sabotage attempt by Ukraine in the region this month. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed on August 16 that it had stopped an attempt by a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group to enter Bryansk.

Persons: Alexander Bogomaz, “, ” Bogomaz, Moscow’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian Security Service, Main Intelligence Directorate, NATO, TASS, Russian National Guard, RIA Novosti, Federal Security Service, Ministry of Defense, Russian Federation Locations: Ukrainian, Bryansk, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Navlinsky, Russian

☆ Russia is sinking its own ships in a desperate attempt to protect a vital bridge from sea drones, Ukraine says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia is sinking its own ferries to create a protective barrier in the Kerch Strait, Ukraine said. Russia is doing this to protect the Kerch Bridge from Ukrainian sea drone attacks, they added. But Stephen Wright, a drone technology developer, told Insider that the new tactic won't prove useful for Russia, at least against drone attacks. Russia has been trying to deploy all kinds of defenses amid a series of audacious Ukrainian sea drone attacks in the area, which have previously damaged large warships. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe attacks have ramped up ever since Ukraine unveiled a new sea drone that packs hundreds of pounds of explosives and is faster than anything in the Black Sea, CNN reported.

Persons: GUR, Stephen Wright Organizations: Service, Main Intelligence, Ukraine's Defense Ministry, CNN Locations: Russia, Kerch Strait, Ukraine, Kerch, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Crimea, Kyiv

☆ Ukraine's spymaster comes out of the shadows
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Tom Balmforth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

For an intelligence chief running Ukraine's spy operations during war with Russia, Kyrylo Budanov, 37, has built up an unusually public profile that he has used to get his message out and to menace Russia from afar. These days, a spy boss cannot stay in the shadows, he says. "It's not possible without this, not anymore," the head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) told Reuters in an interview at his heavily defended headquarters in the capital. The prospect of a spy agency sending assassins to hunt down Ukraine's enemies has drawn comparisons with Israel's Mossad. Budanov began his military career as a special forces operative and served in the east after Russia illegally annexed Crimea and its proxies took over Ukraine's eastern fringes.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kyrylo Budanov, GUR, Budanov, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin, haven't, Tom Balmforth, Sergiy, Mike Collett, White, Peter Graff Organizations: Kyiv, Ukraine's Main Intelligence, Reuters, Russian Interior Ministry, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, RUSSIA, Russian, Crimea, Rybalskyi

☆ Ukraine's counteroffensive is facing off against Wagner's successor group, Storm Z, on the outskirts of Bakhmut
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine's counteroffensive is running into Wagner's successor group, Storm Z, in Bakhmut. The group is mostly conscripts, reservists, and convicts, The Washington Post said. Storm Z, however, doesn't consist of mercenaries like Wagner, which defined itself with a culture of extreme violence. Ukraine has said that Storm Z shows extremely low combat capability, according to a press release translated by Pravada. Wagner troops declared victory in Bakhmut — a once-bustling city now a ghost town left in ruins — in May.

Persons: Storm Z, Wagner, Pravada, Bakhmut —, Yevgeny Prigozhin's Organizations: Washington Post, Service, Ukraine, Storm, Wagner Group, Main Intelligence, Ministry of Defense, Russian Locations: Bakhmut, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russian, —, Russia

1 11 a.m. Friday Prigozhin questions war rationaleIn a 30-minute video released at 11 a.m. on Friday, Mr. Prigozhin challenged the wisdom of the Russia-Ukraine war. The Federal Security Service, Russia’s main intelligence agency, opened an investigation against Mr. Prigozhin for armed rebellion. 3 7:30 a.m. Saturday Wagner forces take Rostov-on-DonConcord Press ServiceDespite the defense measures, Wagner forces took Rostov-on-Don with little resistance. Around 7:30 a.m., Mr. Prigozhin posted a video from the regional military headquarters, claiming to have control of key city installations. Mr. Prigozhin was among those leaving, driving out of the city in a heavily guarded black S.U.V.

Persons: Yevgeny V, Wagner, Prigozhin, Sergei K, ”, Prigozhin’s, Saturday Wagner, Don Sea, Putin, Alexsandr G, Lukashenko, ’, Don Wagner Organizations: Wagner, Federal Security Service, Don Concord Press, Don, Saturday, Reuters, Moscow, Moscow russia belarus Elets, Volgograd UKRAINE Bakhmut Rostov, Moscow russia Elets, New York Times, Ukraine Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Rostov, Russia’s Voronezh, Moscow russia belarus, Moscow russia belarus Elets Voronezh, Volgograd UKRAINE, Don, Azov, Moscow russia, Moscow russia Elets Voronezh, Russian, Voronezh, Elets, Lipetsk, Belarus, ”

☆ As China's intelligence capabilities grow, spying becomes an increasing flashpoint in ties with US
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

They underscore how intelligence gathering – an activity meant to go on without detection, out of the public eye – is becoming an increasingly prominent flashpoint in the US-China relationship. That pushes intelligence gathering itself to become “another factor that is complicating US-China relations,” he said. That’s especially the case, experts say, as China continues to expand its own intelligence gathering capabilities – catching up in an area where the US has traditionally had an edge. Other arms of the Communist Party apparatus also play a role in activities beyond conventional intelligence gathering, experts say. Heightened concern and awareness about Chinese intelligence gathering – or the potential for it – has exploded in the US in recent years.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Bill Burns, ”, Lyle Morris, Christopher Johnson, “, there’s, they’ve, Johnson, Xi Jinping, That’s, Xuezhi Guo, Guo, Xi, Hector Retamal, –, TikTok –, Edward Snowden, ’, Shou Zi Chew, Jabin, John Delury, John T, Downey, Delury Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, US, White House, CIA, CNN, Asia Society, Center for, Central Intelligence Agency, China, Group, U.S . Navy, AP, Guilford College, People’s Liberation Army, Ministry of State Security, Communist Party, Federal Bureau of Intelligence, The New York Times, Huawei, TikTok, Tiktok, US Justice Department, China Initiative, Center for Strategic, International Studies, National Security Agency, US Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, China ”, Energy, Commerce, Capitol, Washington Post, Subversion Locations: Hong Kong, United States, China, Beijing, American, Cuba, US, Center for China, South, Russia, AFP, Washington, USA, South China, Washington , DC

☆ Russia's brash invasion plan for Ukraine wasted special-operations units on missions they weren't meant to do
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Russia's invasion also struggled because of flaws in its planning for the operation. "The lack of effective line infantry units caused Spetsnaz units to be deployed mostly as light infantry, which also led to a high level of casualties among these units. It details not only structural flaws but also the tactical misuse of Russian special forces during the invasion itself. When the airborne assault on Kyiv failed and the tank columns stalled, the special forces were left adrift. Russian commanders then sent Spetsnaz units in to operate like light infantry, which increased their casualties and left fewer Spetsnaz units available for their designated missions.

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