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An Israeli tank near the border with Gaza. The United States paused an arms shipment to Israel last week out of concern that the weapons might be used in a threatened assault on Rafah, Gaza, officials said. Credit... Tsafrir Abayov/Associated Press
Persons: Tsafrir Organizations: United, Associated Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Rafah
Read previewA Ukrainian tank gunner and driver were filmed heaping praise on US-supplied Abrams tanks in a state-backed media report, boasting that they've been easy to learn to operate. "There's nothing so complicated here," he told Army TV. Alexey and Koka's commander, Dmytro, told Army TV that the Abrams' armor was effective against Russian anti-tank missiles like the Kornet. AdvertisementUkraine was promised 31 Abrams tanks by the US in January 2023, with the first batch arriving in September after crews trained for months in Germany to operate them. In late April, the Russian military displayed an abandoned Abrams M1A1 at an exhibition called the "Trophies of the Russian Army," which showcased NATO equipment seized during the war.
Persons: , Abrams, Koka, Alexey, Yevhen Nazarenko, Dmytro, Zeus Organizations: Service, Mechanized Brigade, Army TV, Business, Abrams, Army, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, Pentagon, Associated Press, Business Insider, Russian, Capitol Hill, Republican, New York Times, Russian Army, NATO Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Germany, Soviet
A large Russian missile and drone assault caused serious damage to several power plants across Ukraine early Wednesday, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraine’s largest private electricity company, DTEK, said in a statement that three thermal power plants had been hit, further straining Ukraine’s electricity generation capacity, which was already reeling from previous assaults. Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s national electricity company, said that it might have to cut power to some domestic and industrial customers on Wednesday evening as a result. “You have to be prepared for this,” Volodymyr Kudritskyi, the head of Ukrenergo, told the Ukrainian news media. The attacks have hit Ukraine at a particularly difficult moment.
Persons: Volodymyr Kudritskyi Locations: Russian, Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden's administration paused a shipment of weapons to Israel last week in opposition to apparent moves by the Israelis to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a senior administration official said on Tuesday. Biden has been trying to head off a full-scale assault by the Israelis against Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinian have sought refuge from combat elsewhere in Gaza. "As a result of that review, we have paused one shipment of weapons last week. It consists of 1,800 2,000-lb bombs and 1,700 500-lb bombs," the official said. We have not made a final determination on how to proceed with this shipment," the official said.
Persons: Joe Biden's, Biden, Israel, Karine Jean, Pierre Organizations: Palestinian Hamas, Boeing, Attack Munitions, Pentagon, Tuesday, White Locations: Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Rafah, Washington, Egypt
A Ukrainian tank crew told state media they're still using the Abrams tank on the front lines. A Ukrainian Abrams commander told Army TV that the tanks weren't withdrawn but are used situationally. AdvertisementA Ukrainian tank crew says the US-supplied Abrams is still viable on the front lines, but the tank-on-tank battles where it excels have been few and far between. Advertisement"WHERE IS UKRAINIAN ABRAMS: how the legendary American tank fights at the front," its title reads. At least five Abrams tanks have been reported lost in combat, with another three damaged.
Persons: Abrams, Ukrainian Abrams, , Kyiv hadn't, Dmytro, Alexey, Biden Organizations: Pentagon, Abrams, Army, Service, Associated Press, Kyiv, Mechanized Brigade, Ukraine's Defense Ministry, YouTube, ABRAMS, Business Insider, Russian, AP, Russia, Congress Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Hill
Germany plans to send Ukraine a prototype artillery shell that can travel 62 miles, Handelsblatt reported. AdvertisementGermany is gearing up to send Ukraine a prototype artillery shell that can travel up to 62 miles, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported. That would more than triple the reach of the conventional 155 mm artillery rounds Ukraine is heavily reliant on, depending on what system is used to fire it. It's not clear what the prototype munition actually is. Earlier this year, Germany announced a $5.3 million military aid package for Ukraine, including 10,000 artillery rounds from its own stocks, Politico reported.
Persons: They'd, , It's, Handelsblatt, Russia's, Armin Papperger, Germany's, Olaf Scholz, Scholz Organizations: Service, Associated Press, Rheinmetall, Defense, Politico Locations: Germany, Ukraine, Berlin
Opinion: Russia can lose this war
  + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Opinion Timothy Snyder | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +6 min
And far too many of us, during Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, have believed that. Of its three most consequential foreign wars, the Red Army lost two. And the Russian army of today is not the Red Army. It was disproportionately Ukrainians who fought their war to Berlin in the uniform of the Red Army. Russia can lose this war, and should, for the sake of Russians themselves.
Persons: Timothy Snyder, Richard C, Levin, , , Read, Leonid Brezhnev, Putin, Alexander Nemenov, Brezhnev, Vladimir Putin, Robert Nickelsberg Organizations: Global Affairs, Yale University, CNN, Russia, Getty, Red, Red Army, Soviet, Lease, Russian Empire, Russo, Fascism Locations: Nazi Germany, Russia, Ukraine, AFP, Poland, Afghanistan, USSR, Soviet Ukraine, Berlin, United States, Russian, Crimean, Japanese, Europe, Pacific, Kabul, Soviet Union, Crimea, Japan, Soviet, Ukrainian
CNN —Russia carried out a “massive” missile attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight into Wednesday, according to local authorities, in the biggest aerial onslaught by Russian forces for weeks. Russia used 76 air attack weapons in the assault, including 55 missiles and 21 drones launched from Russia and Russian controlled areas, according to Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk. Rescuers assess the ruins of a building, damaged by a Russian missile attack in Kyiv region, Ukraine on May 8, 2024. Handout/Ukrainian Emergency Service/APMoscow has stepped up efforts to paralyze Ukraine’s energy system in the past month, as Kyiv’s troops struggle to hold positions on key frontlines particularly in the east. The latest Russian attack hit three thermal power plants run by Ukraine’s biggest power company, DTEK.
Persons: Mykola Oleshchuk, Herman Halushchenko, ” Halushchenko, Maksym Kozytskyi, Volodymyr Zelensky, Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian Air Force, country’s Energy, Emergency, AP, Ukraine’s, Nazism Locations: Russia, Russian, Ukraine’s Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano, Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Kyiv region, Ukraine, Handout, AP Moscow, Avdiivka, Ukraine’s, Chervonohrad, Stryi
In February of last year, President Biden changed the U.S. standard for cutting off weapons deliveries to foreign militaries that harm civilians during wartime. Under the new arms transfer policy, Mr. Biden said countries that were “more likely than not” to violate international law or human rights with American weapons should not receive them. Previously, U.S. officials were required to show “actual knowledge” of such violations, a higher bar to clear. Hamas attacked Israel two months later, triggering the war in Gaza and plunging Mr. Biden and Mr. Blinken into an intense global debate about how Israel is using U.S. arms. To Mr. Biden’s critics, his steadfast refusal to limit arms deliveries to Israel runs counter to those initiatives and badly undermines his goal of positioning the United States as a protector of civilians in wartime.
Persons: Biden, Antony J, Blinken Locations: U.S, Israel, Gaza, States
Dmitry Medvedev is at it again, threatening Western leaders with nuclear attacks if they cross a line. Medvedev says no leaders in Washington, Paris, and London won't "be able to hide" if they send troops to Ukraine. AdvertisementFormer Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday threatened nuclear strikes on Western leaders who want to send their troops to Ukraine, doubling down on his increasingly hostile rhetoric toward the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Related storiesStrategic nuclear weapons are those typically launched via intercontinental ballistic missiles. But such threats have also been categorized as bluffs by Western leaders, who say the Kremlin hopes to scare Ukraine's allies off.
Persons: Dmitry Medvedev, Medvedev, , nonstrategic, Vladimir Putin, Putin, isn't, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Sinead Baker, Tony Soprano's, Edward Lucas Organizations: London, Service, Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, Capitol, Monday, Russia's, Hague, Center for, Russia's Security Locations: Washington, Paris, Ukraine, Russian, France, Baltics, Poland, Kyiv, Russia, Ukraine's, Elysee, Downing Street, Moscow
Russia said on Monday that it would treat F-16s in Ukraine as an escalation because they're nuclear-capable. AdvertisementRussia warned on Monday against the expected arrival of F-16s in Ukraine, saying the US warplanes would be treated as an escalation given their potential as nuclear weapons platforms. AdvertisementMeanwhile, Russia has for months said the delivery of the F-16s is a provocation from NATO because they can be fitted to carry nuclear weapons. In any case, Ukraine does not possess any nuclear weapons in its arsenal, having surrendered them in 1994 when it gained independence. It is subject to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Persons: , Sergey Lavrov, Ukraine's Su, it's, They're, Jake Epstein, Epstein Organizations: Foreign Ministry, Service, NATO, Russian Foreign Ministry, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Russia, Soviet, British Storm Shadow, Nuclear Weapons, US Navy Locations: Russia, Ukraine, United States, North, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Kyiv, Russian, Belarus, Minsk, Moscow
Read previewAbout half of the North Korean missiles Russia has fired at Ukraine have failed, Ukraine's top prosecutor said, per new reporting. State prosecutors have been examining the debris of 21 out of 50 North Korean missiles fired at Ukraine by Russia between December and February. AdvertisementBeyond the missiles, North Korean rockets have also been called into question. Last summer, the Ukrainians got their hands on North Korean rockets that troops characterized as "very unreliable," noting they sometimes "do crazy things." AdvertisementOne of the North Korean missiles sent to Russia appears to be KN-23s, known in North Korea as the short-range Hwasong 11.
Persons: , Andriy Kostin, Yuriy Belousov, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Kostin Organizations: Service, North Korean, Business, Korean, Reuters, North Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Korean, North, Pyongyang, North Korea, Korea, Russian, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kirovohrad
Two US Navy warships on the front lines of the Houthi battle are back in the Red Sea. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Gravely made a recent port visit in Greece. AdvertisementThe US Navy aircraft carrier that spent months battling the Houthis in the Red Sea is rearmed and back in the waterway after a short break. AdvertisementThe Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower prepares to port in Souda Bay, Greece on April 28. While there may be no immediate end in sight to the Red Sea conflict, US officials have routinely stressed that American forces will continue to engage the Houthis.
Persons: Dwight D, Eisenhower, , Arleigh Burke, Mercy Crowe, Ike, Marc Miguez, Miguez, Souda, Navy Carlos Del Toro, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Nicholas Rodriguez, Haines, Pat Ryder Organizations: US Navy, Navy, Service, Business, NATO, Nimitz, Mass Communication, Eisenhower Carrier Strike, Fighter Squadron, Eisenhower, US, National Intelligence, Armed Services, Department of Defense, Pentagon Press, Air Force Locations: Red, Greece, Souda Bay, Crete, Gulf, Aden, Yemen, Iran, Gaza, Israel
Read previewEarly on Tuesday, Israeli tanks seized control of the vital Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. But throughout its eight-month war, Israel has shown that it is willing to reject and ignore the advice of its most important international ally, the US. Israel on Monday warned civilians in eastern Rafah to evacuate, indicating that an attack may be imminent. His coalition is fragile, and he relies on the support of far-right lawmakers who are demanding an attack on Rafah. AdvertisementThe Gaza war has repeatedly threatened to spill into a wider regional conflict, and scenes of new civilian suffering in Rafah could intensify that threat.
Persons: , Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Matt Duss, Biden, John Kirby, Netanyahu, Israel Biden, Israel, JIM WATSON, He's, Aaron David Miller, Dave Harden Organizations: Service, Hamas, Israeli, Business, Washington, Center for International, House, Monday, Biden, Getty, US, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Wall Street, New York Times, US Agency for International Development, West Bank, BBC Locations: Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Rafah, Ukraine, Israel —, Qatar, New York City, Palestinian, Saudi Arabia
CNN —The United States paused a shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns over their potential use in a Rafah incursion, according to a US official. The shipment, which was held back last week, includes 1,800 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds and 1,700 bombs weighing 500 pounds. CNN reported over the weekend that one shipment of ammunition to Israel had been paused, but the reason was unclear. On Monday, Israel carried out what the US described as a “limited” operation in Rafah, taking over the border crossing with Egypt that is a vital lifeline for humanitarian aid. “We have not made a final determination on how to proceed with this shipment,” the official said.
Persons: Biden, Israel, , Matt Miller, , Pat Ryder, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, Ali Jadallah, Marc Garlasco, Sabrina Singh, “ You’ve, You’ve, I’m Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, US, Getty, UN Locations: United, Israel, Rafah, Gaza, Egypt, Anadolu, Israel’s, Vietnam
The new Swiss Army Knife will be missing a key feature
  + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +2 min
CNN —The maker of the Swiss Army Knife is working on a new version of the classic multi-tool, which won’t have a blade. “We are in the early stages of developing pocket tools without blades,” a spokesperson for Swiss firm Victorinox told CNN in a statement Tuesday, adding that they will compliment the existing range of multi-tools rather than replacing them. Adrian Moser/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesCNN contacted Victorinox after company CEO Carl Elsener Jr. told Swiss media outlet Blick that he is concerned about increasingly stringent regulations on knives in many markets. For example, increasing concern over the prevalence of knife crime means that the British government is considering new legislation on bladed articles, and Elsener himself referenced the country’s rules. “In England or certain Asian countries, you are sometimes only allowed to carry a knife if you need to have it to do your job or operate outdoors,” said Elsener.
Persons: Victorinox, , Adrian Moser, Carl Elsener Jr, Elsener, Karl Elsener, Arnd Wiegmann, Elsener Jr, CNN’s Richard Quest Organizations: CNN, Swiss Army, Bloomberg, Getty Images CNN, , “ Cyclists, Reuters Locations: Ibach, Switzerland, Swiss, England,
Despite US aid, Ukraine struggles to maintain sufficient manpower on the front lines. Ukraine's dwindling soldier numbers are a problem that could get worse, a war analyst warned. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementUkraine is having trouble maintaining a sufficient force size in its fight against Russia, which could lead to more problems down the road, war analyst Michael Kofman said. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.
Persons: , Michael Kofman Organizations: Service, Russia, Carnegie Endowment, International, Business Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Kharkiv
Nic Antaya/Getty Images Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate on the New York University campus in New York on Friday, May 3. Mike Blake/Reuters Pro-Palestinian protesters stand their ground after police breached their encampment at UCLA on May 2. Before police were deployed to campus, pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters were clashing at the school , according to multiple reports. Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images Columbia University students gather for a picket organized by the Student Workers Union (UAW Local 2710) on Monday, April 29. Stefan Jeremiah/AP Israeli flags are reflected in the sunglasses of a demonstrator in front of Columbia University on April 22.
Persons: CNN —, Biden, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, , Matthew Miller, Adam Schultz, Netanyahu, Israel, Mahmud Hams, It’s, , Democratic Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Sen, Alex Brandon, Van Hollen, Miller, ” Miller, Melissa Overton, Nic Antaya, Seth Harrison, Jenny Kane, Chip Somodevilla, Mathieu Lewis, Rolland, Craig Hudson, Emma, Roberto Schmidt, Etienne Laurent, Mike Blake, Spencer Platt, Frederic J . Brown, Caitlin Ochs, David Dee Delgado, Charly Triballeau, Kena Betancur, Seyma, Alex Kent, Joseph Prezioso, Suzanne Cordeiro, Diane Handal, Cliff Owen, Qian Weizhong, Mike Stewart, Sarah Reingewirtz, Jay Janner, Brandon Bell, Brian Snyder, Mike Johnson, Timothy A, Clary, Matthew Hatcher, Nuri Vallbona, Jordan Vonderhaar, Zaydee Sanchez, Cameron Jones, Stephanie Keith, Andres Kudacki, Tayfun, Joe Buglewicz, Fatih Aktas, Michael M, Mary Altaffer, Scott Eisen, Columbia's, Stefan Jeremiah, Selcuk Organizations: CNN, State Department, Israeli, Congress, Hamas, Capitol, , National Security, Getty, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, Defense Department and National Security Council, Biden, Israel, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations Office, Human Rights, Biden Democrats, Democratic, Democratic Party, Republican, Department, Protesters, University of Michigan's, New York University, Westchester County Journal, USA, Network Police, Portland State University, AP, George Washington University, The George Washington University, AFP, Police, University of California, UCLA, Reuters, Fordham, Lincoln Center, Getty Images Police, Hamilton, Columbia University, Reuters Police, Columbia, The City College of New, Getty Images, Columbia Students, Justice, Hamilton Hall, Brown University, Getty Images Columbia University, Student Workers Union, UAW, University of Texas, Low, Sunday, Rueters Georgia State Patrol, Emory University, MediaNews, Los Angeles Daily News, Austin Statesman, Network, Austin, University, Emerson College, Swarthmore College, Bloomberg, University of Southern, Reuters New York, Reuters Columbia, New York Times, Sproul Hall, Yale University, University police, York University, The New School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Library, USAID Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Capitol Hill, Iran, Palestinian American, Jabalia, AFP, Ann Arbor , Michigan, New York, Westchester, Portland , Oregon, Washington ,, Portland, The, Los Angeles, The City College of New York, Columbia, Columbia's, Palestine, Providence , Rhode Island, Texas, Austin, New, Rueters Georgia, Atlanta, Getty Images Texas, Boston, Swarthmore , Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Berkeley, Sproul, Anadolu, New Haven , Connecticut, Cambridge
CNN —Vladimir Putin has formally begun his fifth term as Russia’s president in a carefully choreographed inauguration ceremony, in a country he has shaped in his image after first taking office nearly a quarter of a century ago. Putin won Russia’s stage-managed election by an overwhelming majority in March, securing for himself another six-year term that could see him rule until at least his 77th birthday. Attendees wait in the Kremlin as Putin arrives for his inauguration ceremony. Putin waves during his inauguration ceremony. To ensure it has enough drones and missiles to bombard Ukraine, Russia has also entered into deeper partnerships with Iran and North Korea.
Persons: CNN — Vladimir Putin, Putin, – Putin, , Matthew Miller, Putin’s, Maxim Shemetov, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, Alexey Navalny, Navalny, , ” Putin Organizations: CNN, Kremlin, US State Department, Reuters, US Embassy, Presidential Locations: Russia, Ukraine, United States, Kremlin, Moscow, Russian, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Iran, North Korea
But now that extra spending money is gone, economists are concerned about what comes next. That means many Americans have more debt than savings and suggests “that American households fully spent their pandemic-era savings as of March 2024,” they wrote in a recent report. Consumer spending plays a crucial role in driving economic growth in the United States, and it has shown remarkable strength over the past two years. “A continuing strong labor market could help consumers maintain spending patterns similar to those observed recently, even without pandemic-era savings,” they wrote. What comes next: Disney, Airbnb, Uber, Anheuser-Busch, Tapestry and Dillards all report later this week — investors will look for any comments about how consumer spending, or lack thereof, is altering revenue forecasts for 2024.
Persons: Hamza Abdelrahman, Luiz Edgard Oliveira, , Austan Goolsbee, ’ ”, Fitch, Sarah Wyeth, Chris Kempczinski, Abdelrahman, Airbnb, Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, Greg Abel, Buffett, , Abel, isn’t, Boeing “, Scott Stocker, Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, San Francisco Federal Reserve, Chicago Federal, Society for, , Shoppers, Tyson Foods, , Disney, Anheuser, Busch, Berkshire, International Monetary Fund, Industries, Nvidia, Microsoft, FAA, Boeing, Federal Aviation Administration, CNN Locations: New York, United States, Omaha , Nebraska, Omaha, scamming
Calling AI profound, Buffet said that the technology is like a "genie" — once it gets let out of the bottle, it could have disastrous effects. It's a question, he said, that has riddled the best economists for a century. Warren Buffett is the first to admit he doesn't know much about artificial intelligence. This rebound has led to questions from corporate executives about factors that could be at play, from AI to return-to-office mandates. "Every company is looking at AI and deciding where it will help them," he said during a recent interview on CNBC's "Money Movers."
Persons: Buffett, Buffet, Warren Buffett, it's, couldn't, John Maynard Keynes, Keynes, Gary Cohn, Cohn, Dev Ittycheria, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Robert Solow, Berkshire Hathaway Organizations: Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Berkshire, IBM, National Economic, CNBC, Nvidia, McKinsey, Harvard Business Locations: Omaha, Berkshire
Some AI-controlled fighter jets are outperforming human pilots in dogfights, per the AP. The outlet witnessed an hourlong experimental flight at the Edwards Air Force Base in California. The Air Force is reportedly planning a fleet of more than 1,000 AI-enabled unmanned warplanes. AdvertisementSome AI-controlled F-16 fighter jets are already outperforming human pilots in dogfights, according to a report from the Associated Press. The US Air Force has been actively exploring AI, which has been cited as a transformative technology for military action globally.
Persons: , Frank Kendall, Kendall Organizations: Edwards Air Force Base, The Air Force, Service, Associated Press, AP, Air Force, Business, US Air Force, Industry, IDF Locations: dogfights, California, Israel
“China is neither the creator of the crisis, nor a party to it or a participant. The trip will also see Xi visit Serbia and Hungary, with the leader’s visit to Belgrade coinciding with the 25th anniversary of NATO’s bombing of the Chinese embassy in the city that killed three. Beijing has defended its trade with Russia as part of normal bilateral ties; it also says it does not provide weapons to parties in conflict. It has not been accused of sending lethal weapons to Russia, but rather goods with military use. Beijing supports efforts recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with “equal and just discussions of all possible peace plans at the conference,” he said.
Persons: Xi Jinping, ” Xi, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der, , ramped, Macron, Xi “, he’s, , ” Macron, presser, Xi, Vladimir Putin, von der Leyen, Putin Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, French, European, NATO, Biden, Kyiv Locations: Hong Kong, Ukraine, China, Europe, Moscow, “ China, Paris, Washington, Beijing, Russian, Serbia, Hungary, Belgrade, Serbian, Balkans, Russia, France, , Israel, Switzerland
President Biden paused an arms shipment to Israel last week to prevent the U.S.-made weapons from being used in a long-threatened assault on the city Rafah, administration officials said on Tuesday night, a sign of the growing rift between Washington and Jerusalem over the conduct of the war. The president withheld 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs that he feared could be dropped on Rafah, where more than one million Gazans have taken refuge, the officials said. The administration is reviewing whether to hold back future transfers, including guidance kits that convert so-called dumb bombs into precision-guided munitions. Israeli officials disclosed the weapons pause to Axios earlier this week, but U.S. officials refused to confirm it either at briefings or privately until Tuesday night. Confirmation of the arms pause came just hours after Israel sent tanks into the city in southern Gaza.
Persons: Biden, Biden’s, Israel Organizations: Biden’s Democratic, Hamas Locations: Israel, U.S, Rafah, Washington, Jerusalem, Gaza
Russia said on Monday that it would hold military exercises with troops based near Ukraine to practice for the possible use of battlefield nuclear weapons, ratcheting up tensions with the West after two European leaders raised the prospect of more direct Western intervention in the war. Such weapons, often referred to as “tactical,” are designed for battlefield use and have smaller warheads than the “strategic” nuclear weapons meant to target cities. Russia’s Defense Ministry said that President Vladimir V. Putin had ordered an exercise for missile, aviation and naval personnel to “increase the readiness of nonstrategic nuclear forces to carry out combat missions.”Russian officials claimed the order was in response to comments from the West about the possibility of more direct Western involvement in the war in Ukraine. And it came at the start of a week of extensive publicity for the Russian leader, with his inauguration scheduled for Tuesday, followed on Thursday by the annual Victory Day celebration, which commemorates the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. The announcement of the exercise was Russia’s most explicit warning in its more than two-year invasion of Ukraine that it could use tactical nuclear weapons there.
Persons: Vladimir V, Putin Organizations: Russia’s Defense Ministry Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Nazi Germany
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