Russia is not going to assault Nato international locations, Putin says
Russia has no designs on any Nato nation and won’t assault Poland, the Baltic states or the Czech Republic but when the west provides F-16 fighters to Ukraine then they are going to be shot down by Russian forces, president Vladimir Putin mentioned late on Wednesday, studies information company Reuters.
Talking to Russian air power pilots, Putin mentioned the US-led navy alliance had expanded eastwards in direction of Russia because the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union however that Moscow had no plans to assault a Nato state.
“We’ve no aggressive intentions in direction of these states,” Putin mentioned, based on a Kremlin transcript launched on Thursday.
“The concept that we’ll assault another nation – Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are additionally being scared – is full nonsense. It’s simply drivel.”
The Kremlin, which accuses the US of combating in opposition to Russia by supporting Ukraine with cash, weapons and intelligence, says relations with Washington have most likely by no means been worse, studies Reuters.
Requested about F-16 fighters which the west has promised to ship to Ukraine, Putin mentioned such plane wouldn’t change the scenario in Ukraine. “If they provide F-16s, and they’re speaking about this and are apparently coaching pilots, this is not going to change the scenario on the battlefield,” Putin mentioned.
![Russian president Vladimir Putin said late on Wednesday that Russia has no designs on any Nato country.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/2df8f77e63ae47c8545b992cbac5d992d870c477/0_0_6000_4000/master/6000.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none)
“And we’ll destroy the plane simply as we destroy at this time tanks, armoured automobiles and different tools, together with a number of rocket launchers.” Putin mentioned that F-16 might additionally carry nuclear weapons.
“In fact, if they are going to be used from airfields in third international locations, they grow to be for us professional targets, wherever they is likely to be situated,” Putin mentioned.
Putin’s remarks adopted feedback earlier within the day by Ukrainian overseas minister Dmytro Kuleba that the plane ought to arrive in Ukraine within the coming months.
Ukraine, now greater than two years right into a full-fledged struggle in opposition to Russia, has sought F-16s for a lot of months.
Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands are amongst international locations which have pledged to donate F-16s. A coalition of nations has promised to assist practice Ukrainian pilots of their use.
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Russian president Vladimir Putin briefed South African president Cyril Ramaphosa by cellphone on the scenario in Ukraine, Reuters studies, citing the Kremlin.
The 2 leaders additionally mentioned cooperation in power and commerce, the Kremlin mentioned.
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Aminchon Islomov, certainly one of eight suspects detained over suspected involvement within the Moscow live performance corridor assault final week, has appealed in opposition to his pre-trial detention, studies Reuters citing the Russian state information company RIA on Thursday.
Islomov, a local of Tajikistan, is suspected of aiding the 4 Tajik nationals who attacked the Crocus metropolis corridor venue, killing a minimum of 143 folks.
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The Kremlin gave no indication on Thursday that Russian president Vladimir Putin plans to go to relations of these killed in final Friday’s assault on a Moscow live performance corridor, which killed 143 folks, studies AFP.
The Russian chief was seen lighting a candle for the victims at a Moscow church final week however has not visited the scene of the bloodbath or publicly met with its victims.
“If any contacts are mandatory, we’ll inform you accordingly,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned, when requested if Putin deliberate to fulfill relations of the lifeless.
In keeping with AFP, Peskov additionally mentioned Putin didn’t plan to go to Crocus metropolis live performance corridor, the scene of the bloodbath the place rescuers had for the previous week been looking the rubble for our bodies.
“In lately it might be fully inappropriate to hold out any fact-finding journeys, as a result of this is able to merely intervene with the work,” Peskov mentioned.
Islamic State jihadists have mentioned a number of occasions since Friday that they have been liable for the assault, however Putin and Russian officers have recommended Ukraine and western intelligence have been by some means concerned.
The Kremlin has expressed confidence within the nation’s highly effective safety businesses, regardless of swirling questions over how they did not thwart the bloodbath.
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The Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor has restricted entry to 11 channels within the Telegram messaging app “with terrorist content material” over the previous two days, studies Reuters citing an article by the state-owned information company RIA Novosti on Thursday.
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Poland and Ukraine maintain talks on farm imports dispute
Poland’s prime minister on Thursday hosted his Ukrainian counterpart for long-awaited talks designed to ease friction over Ukrainian farm imports and border blockades by disgruntled Polish farmers, studies information company Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Poland has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine because it fights off a Russian invasion, however ties have soured over the previous months over financial disputes, with farmers complaining that imports from Ukraine have undercut costs for their very own produce.
On Thursday, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk welcomed his counterpart Denys Shmygal to Warsaw, with Ukrainian flags hoisted exterior the seat of presidency and the anthems of each international locations performed by the navy band.
“There shall be no secure Europe and not using a free Ukraine,” Tusk mentioned on X because the talks started.
AFP say that Kyiv has repeatedly urged its EU neighbour to ease the cross-border visitors snarls, warning that delays triggered by the blockades might impede weapons deliveries to the nation.
“We rely on a realistic and constructive dialogue and the event of efficient options,” Shmygal mentioned on social media.
Up to now, solely lower-level talks between the international locations have been held, with little signal of progress. The Polish aspect has sought to tone down expectations earlier than the newest assembly.
“It’s exhausting to anticipate any breakthrough after these talks, any specific settlement … on agricultural points,” Tusk’s chief of workers Jan Grabiec informed the Polish state information company PAP. “There are divergent positions on this matter,” he added.
Ukraine’s agricultural sector has been crippled by Russia’s 2022 invasion, with many export routes by the Black Sea blocked and swaths of farmland rendered unusable by the battle.
Talks between ministers from each governments are additionally scheduled for Thursday, to debate defence cooperation between the allies.
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Listed below are a number of the newest photos on the newswires:
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The Kremlin mentioned on Thursday full silence was wanted when it got here to discussions about potential prisoner exchanges involving Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Avenue Journal reporter arrested in Russia a yr in the past on suspicion of espionage, studies Reuters.
Gershkovich, 32, grew to become the primary US journalist arrested on spying costs in Russia because the chilly struggle when he was detained by the Federal Safety Service (FSB) on 29 March.
The FSB, the principle successor to the Soviet-era KGB, mentioned Gershkovich had been attempting to acquire navy secrets and techniques.
The reporter, the Wall Avenue Journal and the US authorities all deny he’s a spy.
Reuters studies that when requested about when a courtroom would hear Gershkovich’s case or whether or not there can be a prisoner trade, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed reporters: “We do not need details about the courtroom – it’s not our prerogative.”
“As for trade issues, we have now repeatedly careworn that there are particular contacts, however they should be carried out in absolute silence,” Peskov mentioned, including that public remarks have been a hindrance.
Gershkovich has now spent nearly a yr at Moscow’s high-security Lefortovo jail, which is intently related to the FSB, and his detention has been prolonged to 30 June.
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Safety measures within the Ukrainian capital Kyiv shall be tightened after a spate of Russian ballistic missile assaults and threats of escalation, a metropolis official mentioned on Thursday, based on Reuters.
Russia staged concerted airstrikes on Ukraine’s power system final week in what Moscow mentioned was a part of a sequence of “revenge” strikes in response to Kyiv’s bombardment of Russian areas.
Moscow has since elevated its use of ballistic missiles, that are a lot sooner than common cruise missiles and more durable to shoot down, to assault Ukrainian cities.
Reuters studies that Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s navy administration, mentioned a metropolis defence council would evaluate the staging of public occasions and improve safety round giant gatherings.
He mentioned the choice had been made due to Russian statements and Russian forces’ use of missiles that attain their goal inside minutes of being fired.
He added that Russian brokers “and different enemy components” may very well be trying to infiltrate the town.
“I ask Kyivans to stay calm. Don’t panic. We’re utilizing preventive measures in order that Kyiv and its residents are reliably defended,” he mentioned on Telegram.
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Kremlin says questions concerning the lacking after live performance assault are for investigators
The Kremlin, requested on Thursday about studies that dozens of individuals stay lacking after the assault on a Moscow live performance corridor that killed a minimum of 143, mentioned that the query was greatest addressed to investigators, studies Reuters.
Russian Telegram channel Baza, which is near the safety companies, reported on Wednesday that 95 folks stay lacking because the assault final Friday.
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Ukraine’s overseas minister has arrived in New Delhi on for a two-day go to to spice up bilateral ties and cooperation with India, which considers Russia a time-tested ally from the chilly war-era.
The Related Press (AP) studies that Dmytro Kuleba will meet together with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Friday, in addition to the deputy nationwide safety adviser, based on India’s Overseas Ministry.
On Thursday, Kuleba pays his respects to Indian independence chief Mahatma Gandhi on the Rajghat memorial website.
His go to comes per week after Indian prime minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian president Vladmir Putin, whom India has to this point averted criticising over the struggle in Ukraine. As an alternative, New Delhi has careworn the necessity for diplomacy and dialogue on ending the struggle and has expressed its willingness to contribute to peace efforts.
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Putin’s spy chief visited North Korea, Russian intelligence service says
Russian president Vladimir Putin’s overseas intelligence chief paid a go to to North Korea this week to deepen bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang and focus on broader regional safety, Russia’s spy service mentioned on Thursday based on Reuters.
Sergei Naryshkin, the top the SVR, Russia’s overseas intelligence service, visited Pyongyang on March 25-27, the SVR mentioned. North Korea’s KCNA state media first reported the go to, mentioned Reuters.
Naryshkin met North Korean minister of state safety Ri Chang Dae, the SVR mentioned. “They mentioned topical problems with the event of the worldwide scenario, guaranteeing regional safety, and deepening Russian-North Korean cooperation within the face of makes an attempt to extend stress from exterior forces,” the SVR was quoted as saying by Russian state information company Tass.
KCNA mentioned the 2 sides mentioned additional boosting cooperation to cope with the “ever-growing spying and plotting strikes by the hostile forces”.
Putin has deepened ties with North Korea because the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the US and its allies have condemned what they are saying have been important North Korean missile deliveries to Russia to assist its struggle effort.
Each Russia and North Korea have repeatedly dismissed the criticism.
Moscow says it’s going to develop ties with no matter international locations it needs and that its cooperation with Pyongyang doesn’t contravene worldwide agreements.
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Up to date at 05.12 EDT
Russia is not going to assault Nato international locations, Putin says
Russia has no designs on any Nato nation and won’t assault Poland, the Baltic states or the Czech Republic but when the west provides F-16 fighters to Ukraine then they are going to be shot down by Russian forces, president Vladimir Putin mentioned late on Wednesday, studies information company Reuters.
Talking to Russian air power pilots, Putin mentioned the US-led navy alliance had expanded eastwards in direction of Russia because the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union however that Moscow had no plans to assault a Nato state.
“We’ve no aggressive intentions in direction of these states,” Putin mentioned, based on a Kremlin transcript launched on Thursday.
“The concept that we’ll assault another nation – Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are additionally being scared – is full nonsense. It’s simply drivel.”
The Kremlin, which accuses the US of combating in opposition to Russia by supporting Ukraine with cash, weapons and intelligence, says relations with Washington have most likely by no means been worse, studies Reuters.
Requested about F-16 fighters which the west has promised to ship to Ukraine, Putin mentioned such plane wouldn’t change the scenario in Ukraine. “If they provide F-16s, and they’re speaking about this and are apparently coaching pilots, this is not going to change the scenario on the battlefield,” Putin mentioned.
“And we’ll destroy the plane simply as we destroy at this time tanks, armoured automobiles and different tools, together with a number of rocket launchers.” Putin mentioned that F-16 might additionally carry nuclear weapons.
“In fact, if they are going to be used from airfields in third international locations, they grow to be for us professional targets, wherever they is likely to be situated,” Putin mentioned.
Putin’s remarks adopted feedback earlier within the day by Ukrainian overseas minister Dmytro Kuleba that the plane ought to arrive in Ukraine within the coming months.
Ukraine, now greater than two years right into a full-fledged struggle in opposition to Russia, has sought F-16s for a lot of months.
Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands are amongst international locations which have pledged to donate F-16s. A coalition of nations has promised to assist practice Ukrainian pilots of their use.
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Opening abstract
It has gone 10am in Kyiv and 11am in Moscow. That is our newest Guardian weblog overlaying all the newest developments over the Russia-Ukraine battle.
In a single day, Ukrainian forces shot down 26 out of 28 assault drones launched by Russia, Kyiv’s navy mentioned on Thursday.
The Iranian-made drones have been destroyed over elements of jap, southern and southeastern Ukraine, the air power added.
The Zaporizhzhia area’s governor mentioned on Telegram that two ladies had been wounded when particles struck a residential neighbourhood within the regional capital, whereas prosecutors within the jap Kharkiv area mentioned a restaurant, a retailer and places of work have been broken by particles from three drones.
In the meantime, it was reported that Russia has no designs on any Nato nation and won’t assault Poland, the Baltic states or the Czech Republic, president Vladimir Putin mentioned late on Wednesday. He mentioned if the west provides F-16 fighters to Ukraine then they are going to be shot down by Russian forces.
Extra on that in a second, however first, listed here are the opposite newest developments:
The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, will focus on help for Ukraine throughout talks in Paris subsequent week with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, the US state division has introduced. After Paris, Blinken will head to Brussels for talks of Nato overseas ministers forward of the alliance’s seventy fifth anniversary summit in Washington in July. Blinken may even maintain a three-way assembly in Brussels with EU leaders and the Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, who needs to department out from Armenia’s alliance with Russia.
Ukraine downed 26 Russian drones over Wednesday evening, Mykola Oleshchuk, the top of Ukraine’s air power, mentioned on Thursday morning. “The enemy launched a missile airstrike in opposition to Ukraine utilizing three Kh-22 cruise missiles and an Kh-31P anti-radar missile (from the Black Sea), an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile (Donetsk) and 28 assault UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 kind. Twenty-six assault UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 kind have been destroyed inside Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia areas,” he mentioned on Telegram, with out offering particulars on the missile strikes.
Russia has bombed the north-eastern metropolis of Kharkiv, killing a minimum of one civilian and wounding 16 others, based on authorities. The airstrikes induced widespread injury, hitting a number of residential buildings and damaging the town’s institute for emergency surgical procedure.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s president, condemned the assault as “Russian terror” and Volodymyr Tymoshko, head of the Kharkiv regional police, mentioned Moscow might need used a brand new kind of guided bomb, which he described because the UMPB D-30. “That is one thing between a guided aerial bomb which they [the Russians] have used lately, and a missile. It’s a flying bomb so to say.” The regional governor, Oleh Synehubov, mentioned: “Evidently the Russians determined to check their modified bombs on the residents of the homes.”
After the assault on Kharkiv, Zelenskiy urged Ukraine’s allies to hurry up deliveries of warplanes and air defence programs. “There aren’t any rational explanations for why Patriots, that are plentiful world wide, are nonetheless not overlaying the skies of Kharkiv and different cities.”
Russian has fashioned a “Dnipro River flotilla” in occupied Kherson that’s more likely to be prone to assaults by Ukraine’s uncrewed floor automobiles (USVs), or drone boats, based on an intelligence replace from the UK Ministry of Defence.
Vladimir Putin has reportedly informed Russian navy pilots that the provision of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is not going to alter the scenario on the battlefield. However they’ll carry nuclear weapons and Moscow must take account of that in its navy planning, the Russian president was quoted as saying. Earlier on Wednesday, the Ukrainian overseas minister, Dmytro Kuleba, mentioned the jets ought to arrive in Ukraine within the coming months.
A Ukrainian spy chief has hinted at a secretive assassination marketing campaign “probably” run by Ukraine’s SBU spy company to take out Ukrainian residents collaborating with Russia. In a televised interview with Ukraine’s nationwide broadcaster ICTV, the top of the SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, mentioned Ukrainian spies had focused “very many” folks liable for struggle crimes and assaults in opposition to Ukrainian residents. “Formally, we is not going to admit to this. However on the identical time I can supply some particulars.”
The SBU has detained two alleged brokers of Russia’s intelligence company accused of passing the placement of delicate navy targets to enemy forces. “Because of a particular operation, two [Russian] FSB brokers have been detained in Kyiv and Odesa,” the SBU mentioned in a press release. “Each criminals have been detained red-handed whereas spying on potential targets for the occupiers.” One of many suspects photographed a thermal energy station, ostensibly to assist Russia with its bombardment of Ukrainian power infrastructure. Each have been charged with collaboration and face life in jail.
A Russian courtroom has sentenced Lucy Shtein, a member of feminist group Pussy Riot and a former municipal deputy in Moscow, to 6 years in jail in absentia for anti-war social media posts, Reuters reported the courtroom’s press service as saying on Wednesday. Shtein, 27, in March 2022 posted on X accusing Russian troopers of “bombing overseas cities and killing folks”. Shtein fled home arrest in Moscow to dwell in Iceland quickly after the invasion, and reportedly has Icelandic citizenship.
Samsung has mentioned it’s going to cease supporting the Russian cost card Mir on its cellular cost service from 3 April – a results of anti-war sanctions. The US treasury has introduced sanctions on Russia’s nationwide cost card system, the central bank-owned entity that operates Mir.
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