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☆ Ukrainian intelligence says it lured Russian helicopter to land in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Max Hunder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency deliberately lured a Russian military pilot to land his Mi-8 helicopter at a Ukrainian airfield, spokesperson Andriy Yusov said on Wednesday, amid differing media reports of what happened. A successful operation to capture a working Russian helicopter and its pilot would represent an audacious coup for Ukraine, allowing it to simultaneously replenish its limited aviation stocks while also potentially getting valuable intelligence on the Russian air force. The report said the helicopter landed in eastern Ukraine with the pilot. Ukrainian military journalist Yuriy Butusov reported that the Mi-8 helicopter had landed at a Ukrainian air base "some time ago", citing unnamed sources in the Ukrainian military command. In April, Ukraine's domestic security service accused a number of Ukrainian military personnel of treason after what it said was an unsuccessful attempt to lure a Russian pilot to land at a Ukrainian air base, which led to a lethal Russian missile strike on that location in July 2022.

Persons: Ukraine's, Andriy Yusov, Yusov, Yuriy Butusov, Butusov, GUR, Max Hunder, Nick Macfie Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Fighterbomber

☆ Thailand’s political drama, Zimbabwe election hopes and ‘General Armageddon’ removed
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been moved from prison to hospital, just hours after his return to the country from a 15-year exile. Cash-strapped Zimbabwe heads to the polls. Plus, the man known as “General Armageddon” is replaced as head of the Russian air force and a dramatic high wire rescue in Pakistan. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. Further ReadingThailand's billionaire ex-PM Thaksin moved to hospital on first night in jailZimbabweans vote but hopes of ending economic freefall appear dimSouth Africa, China sign power deals during BRICS summitOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Cash, Thaksin Organizations: Apple, Google, Reuters, Thomson, Reading Locations: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Africa, China

☆ Top US Air Force general was surprised that Russia 'gave up' trying to destroy Ukraine's Russian-designed air defenses so quickly
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia's limited use of its air force in Ukraine has surprised US Air Force leaders. Those leaders are surprised in large part because Ukraine is using air defenses that Russians designed. "I would say that I was somewhat surprised" by Russia's inability to control the air and knock out Ukrainian air defenses, Hecker said. Ukrainian forces are now using US-made Patriot missiles and the US-Norwegian-designed NASAMS to defend against long-range threats as well as several Western-designed systems for short-range air defense. US intelligence assessments leaked online this spring suggested Ukraine could expend its supply of surface-to-air missiles for several systems by mid-year.

Persons: James Hecker, " Hecker, Justin Bronk, Hecker, Ukrainian Defense Ministry Hecker, Charles Brown Jr, Brown, Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Ed Ram Organizations: US Air Force, Service, Russian Air Force, US Air Forces, Defense Writers, Russian Ministry of, Royal United Services Institute, Russian Sukhoi, Ukraine's Defense Ministry, Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Air Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Ukraine, Ukrainian, International Institute of Strategic Studies, The Washington, Getty, Patriot, Russian, Ukraine Defense Contact Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Europe, Russian, Russia, British, Soviet, Norwegian, Kyiv

☆ Russia is quickly depleting its fleet of warplanes through overuse, and Ukraine deploying F-16s could worsen the situation: expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An enginerring expert says the Russian air force is being depleted through overuse in Ukraine. The arrival of Ukraine's F-16s could worsen the problem, wrote Rand's Michael Bohnert. Ukraine says it urgently needs F-16s to reduce Russia's air dominance. He added that the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by its Western allies, which had been delayed by bureaucracy, could damage Russia's air force even more. In the early weeks of the conflict, some analysts believed that Russia would be able to establish rapid control of Ukrainian air space, with its air force more sophisticated and bigger than Ukraine's.

Persons: Ukraine's, Michael Bohnert, Bohnert Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Defense News, Rand Corporation, International Institute for Strategic Studies Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Russian, British

☆ Ukraine desperately wants F-16s because without them all it has are Soviet-era fighter jets that simply aren't cutting it
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Ukraine has long sought F-16s, believing the Western fighter jets would be a boon to their arsenal. Danil Shamkin/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesUkraine is currently flying Soviet-made MiG-29 and Su-27 multirole fighters against a larger and technologically superior Russian air force. The aircraft are underdogs compared to Russian fighter aircraft like the MiG-31s and Su-25s, which feature advanced radars that allow them to see and locate targets further away, among other higher-end capabilities. Ukraine's been operating much of its air force from "remote locations, places that the Russians wouldn't expect," Tannehill added. One of the biggest challenges for the Ukrainian air forces has been Russia's formidable air defenses, which have kept much of Kyiv's air force far from the front lines.

Persons: Justin Bronk, Danil, Tannehill, Taylor Crul, they'd, Joe Biden, Abrams, It's, Bronk, they're Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Soviet, Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy, Royal United Services Institute, NATO, Ukrainian Air Force, Getty Images, US Navy, Kyiv, Patriots, US Air Force, Falcon, White House, Pentagon, AIM, Air Missile, Air Force, Reuters Locations: Ukraine, Soviet, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Vasylkiv, Kyiv, Getty Images Ukraine, Russian, Russia, Moscow, Taylor Crul Ukraine

☆ Russia's air force is barely able to leave its own airspace because Ukraine's defenses are so strong, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Russian Air Force continues to struggle against Ukraine's strong air defenses, UK intel said. Russia is attempting to throw basic free-fall bombs into Ukrainian territory instead. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyThe Russian Air Force is barely able to leave its own airspace because Ukraine's air defenses are so strong, according to UK intelligence. To compensate, Russia is sending adapted free-fall bombs into Ukrainian territory. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has been able to gain air superiority in the war so far despite Russia's vastly larger air force.

Persons: Insider's Christopher Woody, Johnny Stringer Organizations: Russian Air Force, intel, British Ministry of Defense, Service, Russian, MoD, Ukrainian, UK's MoD, Air Locations: Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Russian

☆ Russia is using heavily modified Ka-52M aircraft in Ukraine and has equipped its fleet with long-range anti-tank missiles, says UK intel
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ka-52 attack helicopters have given Russia a strong advantage in Ukraine, the UK MOD said. Russia has now started using heavily modified versions of the aircraft in southern Ukraine, it said. Dutch open-source intelligence group Oryx said that 38 Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters have been visually confirmed as lost since the start of the invasion. Insider reported in November 2022 that the helicopters had been used more than any other attack helicopter by Russia in its invasion. At that time, more than 25% of the Russian Air Force's in-service Ka-52 fleet had been shot down, the UK MOD said.

Organizations: MOD, Service, Russia, UK Ministry of Defence, NATO, Russian Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Zaporizhzhia, Russian, Syria

☆ The Ukrainians are begging Western countries for F-16s, but they've also got their eyes on an often overlooked Swedish jet
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Constantine Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ukraine has repeatedly asked Western countries to give it F-16 fighter jets to take on Russia. To better fight the air war and support its ground forces, Ukraine has repeatedly asked Western countries for F-16 fighter jets, and those countries are moving toward supplying them. Matthew Horwood/Getty ImagesThe Gripen is well regarded by experts and may be uniquely suited for the war in Ukraine. That'll be great for future marketing of your aircraft,'" Alperovitch added. Of the six countries that fly the jet, only Sweden and the Czech Republic have backed Ukraine in the war.

Persons: Sweden's JAS, Dmitri Alperovitch, Alperovitch, Griffin, JAS, Matthew Horwood, Petr Josek PJ, That'll, Czech JAS, Mindy Bloem, John Kirby, Constantine Atlamazoglou Organizations: Gripen, Service, Royal Military Air, Getty, IRIS, Ukraine's Air Force, Strategic Services, Saab, REUTERS, AA, Russian Air Force, Kyiv, US Air National Guard / Tech, Gripen Es, Swedish Air Force, White House National Security Council, Fletcher School of Law, LinkedIn, Twitter Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Swedish, Wall, Silicon, Western, Kyiv, Prague, Sweden, Stockholm, Czech Republic, Brazil, South Africa, Thailand, Hungary, Czech, Poland, Slovakia

☆ Ukrainian helicopter crew say women flash them as they fly overhead to boost their morale fighting Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Ukrainian air force crew told The Sunday Times that women flash them when they fly overhead. The Ukrainian air force is trying to keep morale high as it faces a strong Russian counterpart. He said his crew saves the GPS locations of places where it happens, lighthearted moment in their dangerous and often demoralizing missions against a far superior Russian air force. The Ukrainian air force is struggling against a far better-armed Russia, Maksym said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told The Wall Street Journal last month that Russian air superiority would exact a heavy toll on Ukrainian soldiers if Western powers did not provide them with reinforcements.

Persons: Maksym, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: Sunday Times, Service, Times, Wall Locations: Ukrainian, Russian, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Soviet, Ukraine

☆ How the Russian officer elite has been decimated in Ukraine — here are the generals and top commanders killed in action
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Alia Shoaib | Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Vitaly GerasimovMaj. Gen. Vitaly Gerasimov became the second senior Russian commander reported to be killed after Ukrainian military intelligence claimed he was shot dead in Kharkiv. Andrey KolesnikovUkraine's military said in a tweet that they killed Russian Maj. Gen. Andrey Kolesnikov. Ivan GrishinColonel Ivan Grishin, commander of Russia's 49th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, died in Ukraine, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Vyacheslav SavinovLieutenant Colonel Vyacheslav Savinov, who headed Russian artillery intelligence, was killed in Ukraine, a Russian artillery school confirmed. A damaged Russian military vehicle is seen after Russian Forces withdrawal as Russia-Ukraine war continues in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine on September 14, 2022.

Persons: , Oleg Tsokov, Andrei Sukhovetsky Maj, Andrei Sukhovetsky, Sukhovetsky, Vitaly Gerasimov Maj, Vitaly Gerasimov, Alexander Nevsky, Andrey Kolesnikov Ukraine's, Andrey Kolesnikov, Oleg Mityaev Russia, Oleg Mityaev, Anton Gerashchenko, Andrei Mordvichev, Oleksiy Arestovych, Ramzan Kadyrov, Yakov Rezantsev, Illia Ponomarenko, Zelenskyy, Rezantsev, Dmitry Safronov Ukraine's, Dmitry Safronov, Denis Glebov, Glebov, Courage, Konstantin Zizevsky, Mikhail Vedernikov, Yuri Agarkov, Agarkov, Andrei Zakharov, Sergei Porokhnya, Gleb Garanich, Reuters Magomed, Magomed Tushaev, Putin, Vladimir Zhonga, Vladimir Zhoga, Sergei Sukharev, Sergei Krylov, Sukharev, Alexei, Alexei Sharov, Sharov, Sergey Bratchuk, Dmitry Dormidontov, Dmitry Pavlovich Dormidontov, Igor Zharov, Igor Igoshin, Zharov, Denis Kurilo, Kurilo, Anton Kuprin, Kuprin, Anton Gerashenko, Stringer, Denis Mezhuev, Vladimir Petrovich Frolov Maj, Gen, Vladimir Petrovich Frolov, Alexander Beglov, Fontanka, Miras, Miras Bashakov, Ivan Grishin, Vyacheslav Savinov, Savinov, Metin Aktas, Denis Kozlov, Kozlov, Andrei Simonov, Simonov, Roman Kutuzov Major, Roman Kutuzov, Alexander Sladkov, Tsargrad, Roman, Roman Berdnikov, Kutuzov, Volya, Kanamat, Botashev, Artem Nasbulin Maj, Artem Nasbulin, Serhiy Bratchuk, Tsokov, Михаил Ведерников Organizations: UK Defence Ministry, Service, British Defence Ministry, West, Storm, Russian, 7th Airborne Division, Combined Arms Army, Russian Federal Security Service, Arms Army, Interior Ministry, The New York Times, 8th General Army, Southern Military District of, Armed Forces, Twitter, Telegraph, Dmitry Safronov Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, Separate Marine Brigade, Russian Armed Forces, Ukraine's Defense Ministry, Airborne, 247th Guards Air Assault Regiment, Luhansk People's, 56th Air Assault Brigade, Guardian, 12th Engineer Brigade, Russian Armoured, Carrier, Reuters, The Daily Mail, Forces, Sparta Battalion, Donetsk People's, Daily Mail, 331st Guards Parachute, Ukraine, Ukraine's, Strategic Communication, Information Security, The Independent, 810th, Zhukov Brigade, Russian Marines, Evening, Local, 200th, Rifle Brigade, Black, Fleet, Russian Federation, Ukrainian, New York Times, 1st Guards, Banner, The Times, Kremlin, 8th Army, Aircraft Missile Brigade, Armed Forces of, Russian Missile Troops and Artillery, Russian Forces, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Separate Guards Engineers of Keningsbersko, Red Banner Brigade, Courage, Russian 2nd Army, Presidential, Russian Air Force, BBC, High Mobility Artillery, Southern Military District Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Chornobayivka, Kherson Airport, London, Yakov Rezantsev Ukraine, Kyiv, Chornobaivka, Ukrainian, Chuhuiv, Donbas, Donetsk, Luhansk, Pskov Region, Andrei Zakharov Ukraine, Ufa, Nova Husarivka, Chechen, Hostomel, Russia's Chechnya, Donetsk People's Republic, Volnovakha, Kostroma, Tatarstan, Pechenga, Sevastopol, St, Petersburg, St . Petersburg, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, Izyum, Ukraine's Donbas, Severodonetsk, Kherson, Berdyansk

☆ Russia's air force 'remains largely intact,' but more jets won't fix all its problems in Ukraine, NATO commanders say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

After 16 months of fighting, most of Russia's air force remains intact. And even though Russia has a vastly larger air force, other issues may keep it from operating effectively, according to two NATO air commanders. Royal Air Force Air Chief Marshal Rich Knighton at the Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference on July 13, 2023. Massicot and others say Russia's air force could still exploit its numerical advantage if Ukraine's air-defenses network falters, though other factors could inhibit Russian air operations going forward. "The Russians have recapitalized a fair amount of their tactical air force, and they've done a lot on the weapons front as well.

Persons: Rich Knighton, Knighton, Muhammed Enes Yildirim, James Hecker, " Hecker, Hecker, hasn't, We've, Dara Massicot, Johnny Stringer, Stringer Organizations: NATO, Service, Royal Air, Jets, Global Air & Space Chiefs, Conference, Air, British Defence Intelligence, Royal Air Force Air, Global Air & Space Chiefs ’ Conference, Space Power Association, YouTube, Ukrainian Air Force, Russian, Anadolu Agency, Getty, US Air Forces, NATO's Allied Air Command, Aircraft, Russian Ministry of Defense, Rand Corporation, British Air Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, London, Donetsk, Europe, Poland, Romania, Russian, Bakhmut, Kherson, Massicot

☆ 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

CNN —Russian fighter jets harassed an American drone operating over Syria for the second time in two days, according to the US Air Force, a sign of increasing friction between the two countries in Middle East airspace. On Thursday, a US MQ-9 Reaper drone was conducting a mission against ISIS targets in northwest Syria when Russian fighter jets approached, Air Force Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich said in a statement about the incident. Video of the encounter released by Air Force Central Command shows two Russian fighters flying near the US drone. In the Wednesday encounter, the Russian jets dropped parachute flares in front of the US drones, forcing the drones to take evasive maneuvers. In March, a Russian SU-27 fighter jet collided with a US MQ-9 Reaper drone in international airspace over the Black Sea.

Persons: Alex Grynkewich, Michael Andrews, ” Grynkewich, Bashar al, Assad, ”, Brig, Pat Ryder Organizations: CNN, US Air Force, ISIS, Air Force, Air Force Central Command, Coalition, Russian, French Rafale, French Armed Forces, Pentagon Locations: Russian, Syria, Middle East, Iraq, Russia

☆ Russian fighters have engaged in aggressive maneuvers around at least 6 NATO aircraft in the last 48 hours, US military says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russian fighter jets bullied a US military drone over Syria on Thursday, the Air Force said. The Russian pilots employed flares in front of the Reaper drones and flew "dangerously close, endangering the safety of all aircraft involved," Grynkewich said. An unclassified US Air Force video shows the Russian jets bombard one of the MQ-9s with flares as it soars above the drone. The US Air Force said in response to the incident that it "fully" supports French security missions across the region. "These events represent another example of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces operating in Syria, which threaten the safety of both Coalition and Russian forces," Grynkewich said in the Thursday statement.

Persons: —, Russian Su, Alexus Grynkewich, Grynkewich Organizations: Air Force, NATO, Service, Islamic State, US Air Forces Central Command, Dassault Rafale, US Central Command, US Air Force, Coalition, Russian, ISIS, Raptors, US Air Forces Central Locations: Syria, Russian, Iraq, Washington, Moscow

☆ F-22 stealth fighter jets are back in the Middle East as a US commander warns of 'buffoonery' by Russian pilots
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

US Air Force F-22 stealth fighter jets were redeployed to the Middle East in mid-JuneTheir redeployment comes amid repeated cases of aggressive flying by Russian air force pilots. Grynkewich spoke shortly after the US Air Force redeployed F-22s to the Middle East. The US planned to compensate by deploying A-10 attack planes, which are designed to strike ground targets, to the Middle East. A US Air Force A-10C refuels from a KC-135 over the Middle East in April. Paul Iddon is a freelance journalist and columnist who writes about Middle East developments, military affairs, politics, and history.

Persons: —, Alexus Grynkewich, Äzzeddin Kasim, Grynkewich, you've, Devin Boyer, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Al, DELIL SOULEIMAN, There's, Bohl, Nicholas Heras, Christopher Ruano, Heras, Su, Paul Iddon Organizations: US Air Force, Russian, Service, Air Force's, US Air Forces Central Command, Wagner Group, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Pacific, KC, Tech, East, Getty, New Lines Institute, UAE, Russia, Kremlin Locations: Russia, Syria, Russian, Ukraine, Idlib, East, Europe, North Africa, Al Tanf, AFP, United States, Moscow

☆ Video shows Russian fighter jets bullying US Reaper drones with their afterburners and flares
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russian fighter jets were captured on video harassing US military drones above Syria. The US Air Force said the MQ-9 Reaper drones were conducting a mission against ISIS Wednesday. US officials have warned that Russian aircraft are increasingly carrying out aggressive actions. An unclassified video published by the Air Force shows some moments of the engagement. "These events represent another example of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces operating in Syria, which threaten the safety of both US and Russian forces," Grynkewich said.

Persons: —, Alexus Grynkewich, Grynkewich, Michael Kurilla, Russian Su Organizations: US Air Force, ISIS Wednesday, Service, Russian, Islamic State, US Air Forces Central Command, Air Force, ISIS, Central Command, Raptors, Moscow, Islamic Locations: Syria, Russian, Islamic State, Washington

☆ Surovikin: Russian general was secret VIP member of Wagner, documents show
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Matthew Chance | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Moscow CNN —Documents shared exclusively with CNN suggest that Russian Gen. Sergey Surovikin was a secret VIP member of the Wagner private military company. The documents, obtained by the Russian investigative Dossier Center, showed that Surovikin had a personal registration number with Wagner. Surovikin is listed along with at least 30 other senior Russian military and intelligence officials, who the Dossier Center said are also VIP Wagner members. Surovikin was known to have links with the mercenary group, but the documents raise questions about the closeness of senior members of the Russian military and Wagner. During Prigozhin’s short-lived rebellion, Wagner fighters were able to take over the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, facing virtually no resistance from the Russian army.

Persons: Sergey Surovikin, Wagner, Surovikin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, “, ” Organizations: Moscow CNN, CNN, Russian Air Force Locations: Moscow, Russian, Syria, Rostov

Colonel General Sergei Surovikin attends a briefing in the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia, on June 9, 2017. Rumors about his whereabouts — and his potential role in the short-lived insurrection — have been swirling in recent days. CNN has reached out to the Kremlin and Russian Ministry of Defense for comment on Surovikin’s whereabouts. Surovikin first served in Afghanistan in the 1980s before commanding a unit in the Second Chechen War in 2004. He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces during Russia’s operations in Syria, which saw Russian combat aircraft causing widespread devastation in rebel-held areas.

Persons: Sergei Surovikin, Pavel Golovkin, Sergey Surovikin, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, —, Surovikin, “, Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin, Peskov, Putin, “ Surovikin, Alexey Venediktov –, –, Sergey Markov, ”, Surovikin “, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s, Mikhail Gorbachev, Organizations: Russian Defense Ministry, Moscow Times, CNN, Kremlin, Russian Ministry of Defense, General Staff, Defense, Ministry, Echo, New York Times, Russian Aerospace Forces, Washington DC, Jamestown Foundation, Human Rights Watch Locations: Moscow, Russia, Russian, Surovikin, Echo Moscow, Rostov, Afghanistan, Syria, Idlib

The commander of the Russian air force Sergey Surovikin and the Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin have not been seen in public in days as questions swirl about the role Surovikin may have played in Prigozhin’s short-lived mutiny. The Russian air force commander Sergey Surovikin (left) and the Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin APWhy is everyone talking about Surovikin? Prigozhin meanwhile, played the central role in the short-lived insurrection – it was he who ordered Wagner troops to take over two military bases and then march on Moscow. Putin assembled Russian security personnel in Moscow Tuesday, telling them they “virtually stopped a civil war” in responding to the insurrection. Prigozhin was last spotted leaving the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don Saturday, after abruptly calling off his troops’ march on Moscow.

Persons: Sergey Surovikin, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Surovikin, “ Surovikin, ”, Alexey Venediktov –, –, Sergey Markov, Surovikin’s, “, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s, Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Prigozhin, Sergei Shoigu, Valery Gerasimov, Don Saturday, Alexander Lukashenko, Lukashenko, Peskov, ” Peskov, Mikhail Gorbachev, , Joe Biden, Josep Borrell Organizations: CNN, Moscow Times, Russian Telegram, Baza, Yevgeny Prigozhin AP, New York Times, PMC Wagner, Russian Ministry of Defense, Kremlin, Street, Belarusian, General Staff, Defense, Ministry, Washington DC, Jamestown Foundation, Russian Aerospace Forces, Human Rights Watch, Union’s, Foreign Affairs Locations: Kremlin, Russian, Moscow, Rostov, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Minsk, St . Petersburg, Ukraine’s, Afghanistan, Syria, Idlib, ”, Brussels, Dagestan, Derbent

Some Russian military bloggers with substantial followings expect a serious reshuffle of the military in the light of the Wagner uprising, and perhaps within the security services for not seeing the preparations for it. Putin has sought to reassert his authority after Prigozhin's mutiny. There is no way to verify Rybar’s allegations, but their airing may demonstrate a level of apprehension in the Russian military in the light of the mutiny. At one point, according to Russian military bloggers, Surovikin interceded to try to procure ammunition for Wagner. There is still considerable respect in Russian military circles for what Wagner has contributed to the Ukraine conflict.

Persons: Vladimir Putin’s, Wagner, Sergey Shoigu, Rybar, ” Rybar, Putin, Valery Gerasimov, Mikhail Teplinsky, Boris Rozhin, Sergey Surovikin, “, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s, ”, Dmitry Peskov, Surovikin, Mark Galeotti, Galeotti, Tatiana Stayonova, Rob Lee, “ Wagner, ” Surovikin, Prigozhin, Vyacheslav Volodin, ” Volodin, Anastasia Kashevarova, Mikhail Tereshchenko, Stayonava, Shoigu, Yevgeny Prigozhin, George W Bush, Concord Company ”, we’ll, eking, Viktor Zolotov, ” Zolotov, ” Anastasia Kashevarova, Russia “, there’s Organizations: CNN, FSO, Federal Guard Service, Federal Protective Service, AP, General Staff, The New York Times, Mayak Intelligence, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Russian Aerospace Forces, Sputnik, Getty, Western Military, Concord Company, Kremlin, MoD, Defense Ministry, Russian National Guard, Ministry of Defense, Telegram Locations: Rostov, Moscow, Don, Russia, Ukraine, AFP, Bakhmut, Shoigu, Putin, St, Petersburg, Russian, Minsk, Belarus, Prigozhin

☆ WSJ: Wagner boss planned to capture top Russian defense chiefs
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin planned to seize two of Russia top military officials when he launched a short-lived mutiny on Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing Western officials. Prigozhin’s plot involved the capture of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and top army general Valery Gerasimov when the pair visited a region along the border of Ukraine, the WSJ wrote. Wagner mercenaries took control of a key military base in the city of Rostov-on-Don, and his troops were approaching the Russian capital when Prigozhin called off his mutiny. There has been speculation about the role of senor Russian commanders as the mutiny got underway on Friday night. Viktor Zolotov, the director of Russia’s National Guard, claimed Monday that senior Russian officials knew of Prigozhin’s plans for a rebellion because people close to the Wagner boss had leaked them, Russian state media agency TASS reported.

Persons: CNN — Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Sergei Shoigu, Valery Gerasimov, Prigozhin, Wagner, senor, Sergey Surovikin, “, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s, ” Surovikin, Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Prigozhin’s, –, Viktor Zolotov, Zolotov, Alexander Lukashenko, Lukashenko Organizations: CNN, Wall Street, Western, Federal Security Service, New York Times, Russia’s National Guard, TASS, British, NATO, Russian Ministry of Defense Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Rostov, Prigozhin, Russian, Belarus

☆ Putin says he hopes Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries 'didn't steal much' of the billions Russia spent on them
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Putin revealed on Tuesday Russia spent billions on Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenaries. He then said that he hopes "no one stole anything — or, let's say, didn't steal much." Putin's comment seems to suggest some theft is expected, highlighting the state of corruption in Russia. He didn't call out his long-time ally Prigozhin by name though. "I hope that in the course of this work, no one stole anything — or, let's say, didn't steal much," the Russian president said, according to a translation from The Times.

Persons: Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, —, Vladimir Putin, Wagner, Prigozhin, Sergei Shoigu, Valery Gerasimov, Alexei Navalny, Gleb Irisov Organizations: Russia, Service, Moscow, Russian Ministry of Defense, Wagner, The New York Times, The Times, Kremlin, Putin, Times Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Bakhmut, Concord, Russian

☆ Footage appears to show Russian attack helicopter bombing one of its own oil depot to deny Wagner mercenaries fuel supply
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Footage appears to show an explosion at an oil depot in Voronezh after strikes by a Russian helicopter. It comes as Wagner fighters seized military facilities in the city, Russian sources told Reuters. Other unverified footage appears to show Russian air forces deflecting a Wagner group anti-aircraft missile system. Local sources reported that the mercenary fighters had tried to seize the oil depot to supply their convoys with fuel, according to a report by Defense Blog. On Saturday, Putin called the actions of the Wagner group a "betrayal" and vowed the country would defend itself and punish those involved in the insurrection.

Persons: Wagner, —, Don —, Putin, Yevegny Prigozhin Organizations: Reuters, Don, Service, Defense, Wagner Group Locations: Voronezh, Russian, Rostov, Al Jazeera, Moscow, Ukraine

☆ Ukrainian pilots describe the fear of being outgunned by Russia's air force and implore the West to give them F-16 jet fighters, in CNN interview
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukrainian pilots implored the West to supply them with F-16 fighter jets, in a new CNN interview. In a recent interview with CNN, a pilot in the Ukrainian air force said the country's aged Soviet-era Su-25s can't compete with Russia's Su-35s, their radars, and long-range missiles. However, a deputy battalion commander highlighted that strong Russian air force power has made it difficult for Ukrainian forces to advance. "We try to maneuver to avoid them"Two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons US Air Force photo by Tech. A Ukrainian pilot exits a MiG-29 fighter jet at an airbase outside of Kyiv, November 23, 2016.

Persons: —, Russia's Su, Pumba, Matthew Lotz, they're, Danil, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: CNN, Service, Ukrainian, Territorial Defense Brigade, NATO, US Air Force, Fighting Falcons US Air Force, Tech, West, Getty, Pentagon Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Russia, Ukrainian, Kyiv

☆ Russian attack helicopters showed up in force on the front lines and have been putting dents in Ukraine's armored assaults
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

These activities are a detriment to the Ukrainian counteroffensive, but Kyiv's forces appear to be adapting. In this situation, "Russian forces deployed aviation in a way they haven't recently, to front-line positions, and were able to use it more successfully than they have in the past," he said. Russian Air Force Mil Mi-8 and Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" attack helicopter Leonid Faerberg/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images"We haven't seen Russian forces really use aviation super extensively on the front line," Bailey said, adding "they have been concerned about having aviation losses." "Ukrainian forces are having to adapt to how Russian forces are employing these in southern Ukraine," he said, noting that they are seeing signs of that as the Ukrainians set the stage for their main attack. Ukraine hasn't committed the bulk of its dedicated counteroffensive forces to a major assault operation, and, as ISW's George Barros said recently, "big fireworks are still to come."

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Riley Bailey, Bailey, Kamov, Leonid Faerberg, it's, VITALY TIMKIV, Wagner, Karolina Hird, It's, Ukraine hasn't, George Barros Organizations: Service, Senior Ukrainian, BBC Wednesday, Institute for, Russian Air Force, Getty, Operations, Ukraine, Bakhmut, CNN, Fox News Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russian, Russia's Krasnodar, AFP, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Oblast

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