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☆ Wagner Group shooting down a Russian command plane may be gift that keeps on giving for Ukraine's beleaguered air defenses
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

During Wagner Group's revolt in June, its mercenaries shot down several Russian military aircraft. The loss of one of Russia's few Il-22M could hinder its air force's ability to operate over Ukraine. Wagner Group's abortive revolt last month didn't just end with its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, fleeing the country and its troops being absorbed into the Russian military. The airborne command posts couldn't even communicate directly with air-defense units or with Russian fighters on combat air patrols. Royal Air ForceIndeed, command and control is the Achilles heel of the Russian military, which inherited the rigid command structure of its Soviet predecessor.

Persons: Wagner Group's, —, Yevgeny Prigozhin, NIKITA SHCHYUKIN, Greg L, Davis, Justin Bronk, aren't, Bronk, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Wagner Group, NATO, British Ministry of Defense, Getty, Ukraine, Ministry of Defense, Target, Boeing, Joint STARS, US Air Force, Britain's Royal United Services Institute, Russian, Ground Forces, CAP, RAF Typhoons, Royal Air Force, US, CNA, Russian Aerospace Force, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Russia, AFP, Davis Russian, Baltic, Forbes

☆ IAEA has seen no sign of explosives at Zaporizhzhia yet, more access needed
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Francois Murphy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday accused each other of plotting to stage an attack on Europe's biggest nuclear power plant, where the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly warned of potential catastrophe from nearby military clashes. "The IAEA experts have requested additional access that is necessary to confirm the absence of mines or explosives," it added. loadingIt was not clear from the IAEA statement why the agency wanted access to those two reactor units' rooftops. The IAEA said it was aware of reports that mines and other explosives have been placed in and around the plant. "With military tension and activities increasing in the region where this major nuclear power plant is located, our experts must be able to verify the facts on the ground," the IAEA said.

Persons: Francois Murphy, Alex Richardson, Conor Humphries Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, British Ministry of Defence, Thomson Locations: VIENNA, Russian, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Prigozhin's Wagner mercenaries appear to be on the march towards Moscow
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's Wagner paramilitary forces appear to be headed toward the capital, Moscow. Photos and videos now appear to show Wagner forces and their armored vehicles in the region of Lipetsk, which is a roughly eight-hour drive from Rostov-on-Don — and less than six hours from Moscow. He later confirmed that Wagner forces were moving through the area, state media reported, and urged civilians to stay in their homes. The "march" began Friday after Prigozhin accused Russia's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, of ordering an air strike on Wagner forces in Ukraine. He has repeatedly accused Shoigu and other military leaders of undermining Wagner forces in Ukraine.

Persons: Russia's Wagner, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, —, Yevgeny Prigozhin —, Don —, Igor Artamonov, Prigozhin, Russia's, Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, Ramzan Kadyrov, Sergey Sobyanin, Igor Girkin Organizations: Service, New York Times, Russian, British Ministry of Defense Locations: Moscow, Russian, Rostov, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Ukraine, Russia, Vorenezh Oblast

☆ Russia has doubled its pens of trained dolphins near Ukraine to guard its ships from attack by enemy divers, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia has ramped up its trained dolphin force that protects its Black Sea fleet, UK intelligence said. Russia has been training dolphins in the Black Sea since the Cold War, according to the United States Naval Institute. The MOD also noted Russia's documented use of marine animals elsewhere, saying "Russia has trained animals for a range of missions." Russia's Black Sea fleet includes attack submarines and vessels with long-range strike capabilities and air defense missiles. Russia accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks on the fleet earlier this month, after Ukraine started its long-awaited counteroffensive.

Persons: — Organizations: British Ministry of Defence, Service, Russia, UK Ministry of Defence, MOD, Google, United States Naval Institute, Maxar Technologies, Naval News, US Navy, Washington Post Locations: Russia, Sevastopol, Ukraine, Crimea, Norway, Petersburg, Sweden, Iraq, Ukrainian, Ukraine's Kherson

☆ Attack helicopters are giving Russia the edge in the skies over southern Ukraine, says UK intel
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The UK Ministry of Defence said Russia's attack helicopters gave Putin's forces "a temporary advantage." Of all the Russian Air Force's attack helicopters, the Ka-52 is perhaps the most widely used. According to the latest UK Ministry of Defence briefing, Russian troops have reinforced its attack helicopter forces, allowing them to gain "a temporary advantage in southern Ukraine, especially with attack helicopters employing longer-range missiles against ground targets." Of all the Russian Air Force's attack helicopters, the Ka-52 is perhaps the most widely used. Featuring an unusual coaxial rotor design and a side-by-side crew seating arrangement, Insider reported that it has been on the frontline and involved in the thickest fighting more than any other Russian attack helicopter since Russia's attack began in February 2022.

Persons: —, h. Organizations: UK Ministry of Defence, Russian Air, Service, — Ministry of Defence Locations: Ukraine

☆ Zelenskiy: Counteroffensive actions taking place in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Tom Balmforth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"Counter-offensive and defensive actions are taking place in Ukraine, but I will not say in detail what stage they are at," Zelenskiy said, listing Ukraine's top military brass by name. Russian forces, it said, "continue to suffer heavy losses which they are trying to conceal". Ukrainian military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi reported new gains near Bakhmut. SOME PROGRESS: BRITISH MINISTRY"In some areas, Ukrainian forces have likely made good progress and penetrated the first line of Russian defences. Ukrainian military analyst Oleksiy Hetman told NV Radio the events of recent days were only initial steps.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Zelenskiy, Justin Trudeau, Oleksander Syrskyi, Serhiy Cherevatyi, We're, We've, Cherevatyi, Ukraine's, Oleksiy, Tom Balmforth, Felix Hoske, Alex Richardson, Andrew Cawthorne, Mike Harrison, Ron Popeski, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Kremlin, Sporting, Canadian, Russia's Defence Ministry, Saturday, Ukrainian, Reuters, Britain's Ministry of Defence, Kyiv, Europe's, Radio, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Donetsk, Moscow, Bakhmut, Maryinka, Crimea, Ukrainian

☆ Russian schools are spending thousands to teach children as young as 12 how to operate drones, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russian schools are teaching children how to operate drones, independent outlet iStories reported. Some of the students are as young as 12 years old, iStories said. The report comes amid a general militarization of Russian schools. The report comes amid a general militarization of Russian schools. In an intelligence update earlier this year, the British Ministry of Defence tweeted that secondary school students in Russia will be learning basic military skills from September 1 onwards.

Persons: iStories, —, Petersburg, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Service, British Ministry of Defence Locations: Kaliningrad, St, Russia, Soviet Union

☆ Russia's claim that it won in Bakhmut may be meaningless — and a good sign for Ukraine's upcoming counteroffensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russia claimed victory over Bakhmut after a monthlong battle over the eastern Ukrainian city. On Sunday, Russia's defense ministry backed a claim first made by the head of the Wagner paramilitary group, Prigozhin, that Russian forces have seized Bakhmut. "Their capture does not grant Russian forces operationally significant terrain to continue conducting offensive operations or any particularly strong position from which to defend against possible Ukrainian counterattacks." The battle in Bakhmut has also, at times, put the Wagner leader at odds with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Russian forces will likely need additional reinforcements to hold Bakhmut City and its flanks at the expense of operations in other directions," ISW reported.

☆ A top Ukrainian commander fighting around Bakhmut says military experts who portray Russian soldiers as 'stupid and miserable' are wrong
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Andriy Biletsky, of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, said Russian soldiers were not "stupid." Zelenskyy's office later made it clear that he had not meant that the city had fallen to Russian troops, the BBC reported. Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade in actionHelmet camera footage of Ukrainian fighters on the frontlines. @11Knuk123 Twitter screenshotMeanwhile, Ukraine said it had made advances on the flanks around Bakhmut, where Biletsky's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade has seen action. The British Ministry of Defence announced additional Russian troops had likely been deployed to Bakhmut to fight against Kyiv's advances.

☆ Ukraine war live updates: UK slaps new Russia sanctions targeting grain theft, diamonds, metals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Kyiv's Group of Seven allies are set to announce fresh sanctions targeting Russia for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as officials gather for the group's annual summit in Hiroshima, Japan, from Friday to Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the gathering in person. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the U.K. was banning imports on Russian diamonds and copper, aluminum and nickel. The U.K. government also formally announced new Russia restrictions against the theft and resale of Ukrainian grains, major energy and arms-shipping enterprises, and some companies linked to Russian nuclear energy firm Rosatom. G-7 powers have relied on sanctions to reduce Russia's war coffers in a bid to stall the progress of its military offensive in Ukraine.

☆ Russia's best tanks are in Ukraine, Russian state media says, but they're not assaulting Kyiv's forces, just shooting at them from a distance
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's cutting-edge T-14 Armata tanks have arrived in Ukraine, state media reported. The RIA state news agency reported Tuesday that the much-awaited T-14 tanks have made it to Ukraine, citing an "informed source." "Russian troops have begun to use the latest Armata tanks to fire on Ukrainian positions," the unnamed source told the outlet. Russian state media outlet TASS previously called the cutting-edge vehicle "the world's best tank," but the T-14s have been plagued by setbacks in recent months, according to reports. The outlet said Russian combat crews have been undergoing training to use the tanks in Ukraine since the end of last year.

☆ Documents that appear to be classified US-NATO war plans were leaked or stolen and can now be found on Twitter and Telegram
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Apparent classified US-Ukraine war plans were leaked or stolen, The New York Times reported Thursday. The documents, which may have been doctored, appeared on Twitter and Telegram. "We are aware of the reports of social media posts and the department is reviewing the matter," a Pentagon spokesperson told the Times. "They've obviously been doctored," Michael Weiss, a Russia expert and senior correspondent at Yahoo News, posted on social media. "Still bad that they were leaked — or stolen."

☆ Russia wants to ditch the Wagner Group and replace it with another private army that's easier to control, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tensions between Wagner and Russia's Defense Ministry have been simmering for months. Russia might replace the Wagner group with another private military company that it can exert "more control" over, the British Ministry of Defense tweeted on Tuesday. It comes as a very public feud between Russian military leaders and the Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin appears to have spiraled out of control. This led to the Kremlin cutting all ties with the group, Prigozhin said last month. A spokesperson for Russia's Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

☆ London's priciest townhouse just listed for $74 million. Here's what's hidden beneath it
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Ray Parisi | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Will PryceOne of the most expensive townhouses in London listed Monday for 60 million pounds (about $74 million). The home's subterranean level includes a swimming pool that spans 39 feet and a pool deck furnished with daybeds. Below the townhouse residences are subterranean parking spots that eliminate the need for on-street parking. Here's a closer look around — and under — London's newest $74 million listing, which is being sold fully furnished. This can be achieved on a subterranean level because the rear garden is one level below street grade.

☆ Days after Putin's dead-of-night trip to a city far from the front, Zelenskyy visited the heart of the bloodiest fighting in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( John Haltiwanger | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Days after Putin's dead-of-night trip in Ukraine, Zelenskyy visited troops near the front lines. State media followed the Russian President meeting with residents who told him the occupied, war-torn Ukrainian city is a "little piece of paradise." Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) visits a recently renovated theater in Mariupol. In the original video, Putin meets with local residents near a new apartment complex in the dead of night. Zelenskyy visits troops fighting on the front lines in BakhmutUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with troops near the front lines of Bakhmut.

☆ Russia's new offensive in Ukraine has likely fizzled out after only a month, Western intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

UK intelligence suggests Russia's new offensive is on its last legs, just a month after it began. Russian forces have depleted their "combat power," the assessment said. "Even local offensive actions are not currently sustainable," it added. The British Defense Ministry said this is likely because Russian forces have depleted their "combat power" to such a degree that "even local offensive actions are not currently sustainable." There's been an evolving debate between Kyiv and its Western partners over Ukraine's insistence on continuing to defend Bakhmut, which analysts have suggested could fall to Russian forces in the coming days.

☆ Russia's Wagner army is recruiting fighters on Pornhub in a desperate attempt to strengthen troops, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Wagner Group has struggled to recruit more fighters to support Russia in the Ukraine war. "Don't whack off, go work for PMC Wagner," an advert on Pornhub said, according to the report. "Don't whack off, apply for a job with the Wagner Group." The advert also includes a phone number, which is reportedly linked with Wagner Group recruiters. A Ukrainian military intelligence report, published in December and first obtained by CNN, said that Wagner Group fighters, which include prisoners, "have become the disposable infantry" in Ukraine.

☆ Ukraine is vowing to defend 'fortress' Bakhmut as Russian forces surround it: Here are 3 reasons why
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Ukrainian infantrymen with the 28th Brigade view damaged buildings while driving to a frontline position facing Russian troops on March 05, 2023 outside of Bakhmut, Ukraine. Russian forces appear to be tightening the noose around the city in Donetsk. "The fall of Bakhmut won't necessarily mean that the Russians have changed the tide of this fight," he added, noting that he would not predict when Bakhmut might fall to Russian forces. Ukrainian military vehicles drive along a road outside of the strategic city of Bakhmut on January 18, 2023 in Bakhmut, Ukraine. On Tuesday, Zelenskyy warned that Russian troops will have "open road" to key cities in eastern Ukraine if they seize Bakhmut.

☆ Russian court hands down first sabotage verdict since start or Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 21 (Reuters) - A Russian court sentenced two defendants to three-and-a-half years in a strict regime colony for plotting to sabotage the railway in a region bordering Ukraine, the first convictions for sabotage since Russia's invasion, media reported on Tuesday. Their convictions were the first based on the "Sabotage" Article 231 of the Russian Criminal Code since the start of what Russia calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine, the news agency said. Ukraine and its allies say Russia's military intervention in its neighbour, launched on Feb. 24 last year, is an imperialistic land-grab. There have been several sabotage incidents against Russian railways and other facilities, especially in regions bordering Ukraine, such as Belgorod and Bryansk, according to the British Ministry of Defence. The ministry said in an October report that with the Russian military primarily relaying on rail transport, which often passes through isolated areas, meaning "the system is extremely challenging to secure against physical threats".

☆ Russia Builds Pressure on Ukraine Along Front Line
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Ian Lovett | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Ukrainian troops near the front line in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on Saturday. MYKOLAIV, Ukraine—Russian forces are putting pressure on Ukraine along a growing portion of the front line, with attacks coming in the Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions in recent weeks, in addition to the fierce fighting around Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine, is increasingly being cut off from other Ukrainian-held territory, according to the British ministry of defense, as Moscow continues to make progress in its efforts to encircle the city.

☆ Major Russian assault in Vuhledar unlikely to yield breakthrough, UK says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 31 (Reuters) - A major new Russian assault on the Ukrainian-held bastion of Vuhledar could make local gains but is unlikely to lead to an operational breakthrough, Britain's Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday. However, it is unlikely that Russia has sufficient uncommitted troops in the area to achieve an operationally significant breakthrough." Vuhledar lies at the southern-most end of the eastern front in Ukraine, overlooking railway lines that supply Russian forces on the adjacent southern front. Ukraine has repelled several Russian attacks on the town since the start of the war. The administrator of Russian-held territory in the Donetsk region has claimed that Russian forces have secured a foothold inside Vuhledar since launching their latest assault there.

☆ Russia plans to send its strongest tanks to drive around Ukraine but is too scared to put them in combat, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia may deploy its new T-14 Armata tanks in Ukraine, British intelligence said Thursday. But it is "unlikely to trust" the tank in combat given problems in its development, it said. "If Russia deploys T-14, it will likely primarily be for propaganda purposes," it concluded. "Production is probably only in the low tens, while commanders are unlikely to trust the vehicle in combat." The T-14 isn't the only advanced combat vehicle Russia appears to be using mostly for show in Ukraine.

☆ Ukraine's smart air defense threatens one of Russia's most advanced jets, leaving it too scared to use them, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Since the start of the war, Russia's air force has struggled in combat over Ukraine. Moscow has been afraid to use them because of Ukraine's smart air defense, two experts told Insider. But, per an intelligence update earlier this week from the British ministry of defense, Russia has only used the jets from within its own airspace. Dr. Matthew Ford, a professor at the Swedish Defence University, also credited Ukraine's air defense to deterring Russian incursions. "[Ukraine's] air defense is sufficiently credible to make it open to question for the Russians as to whether they want to commit their air power," he added.

☆ Wagner chief says he wants to seize a key Ukrainian city for its vast network of caves and tunnels that could be used for war
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's Wagner Group has been fighting on the front lines in Bakhmut, Ukraine. Prigozhin is referring to a vast network of caves and salt mines underneath the city. Its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said over the weekend that he wants to seize the location because of its vast tunnel network, which he termed "underground cities." Prigozhin, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is referring to a winding labyrinth of caves and salt mines under Bakhmut. The US has also accused Wagner Group troops of exploiting the natural resources in warzones in the Middle East and Africa where they fought for Russia in other conflict.

☆ Only 3 countries have managed to build 5th-generation fighters, but nearly a dozen are already working on 6th-gen jets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

(The recently unveiled B-21 bomber is billed as the world's first sixth-gen aircraft, but little is known about its capabilities.) Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, and Boeing are believed to be competing to build the jets, and all have released illustrations of sixth-gen aircraft. FCAS/SCAFA full-scale model of the Future Combat Air System at the Paris Air Show in June 2019. An illustration of Japan's next-generation fighter aircraft concept. While China is making heavy investment in military aviation, Russia's ability to develop next-generation jets may be shrinking.

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