On Wednesday, October 25, Russia carried out test firings of ballistic missiles aimed at preparing its forces for a “massive nuclear strike” in response, as it prepares to leave the treaty banning nuclear tests. Senior Russian officials have threatened to use nuclear weapons several times since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022. On other occasions, Vladimir Putin, for his part, wanted to be reassuring on this subject.
The Russian president on Wednesday oversaw the exercises which involved the firing of an Iars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the northwest and a Sineva ballistic missile from a submarine in the Barents Sea. Long-range Tu-95MS aircraft also fired cruise missiles, which have a shorter range and were sometimes used in strikes in Ukraine.
United States, Japan and South Korea condemn the agreement between Russia and North Korea
In a joint declaration published Wednesday the United States, Japan and South Korea condemn the supply of weapons by North Korea to Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine, reported the US State Department.
Nearly 300,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on October 26 that Russia had lost 297,120 soldiers in Ukraine since the start of its invasion. This figure includes 810 casualties suffered by Russian forces over the past day. According to the report in the Ukrainian media The Kyiv Independent, Russia also lost 5,141 tanks, 9,715 armored fighting vehicles, 9,507 vehicles and fuel tanks, 7,155 artillery systems, 834 multiple rocket launcher systems, 556 air defense systems, 320 aircraft, 324 helicopters, 5,389 drones and 20 boats. .
Biden urges new speaker in Congress to pass aid to Israel and Ukraine “quickly”
Joe Biden urged the newly elected Republican speaker of the House of Representatives to “quickly” vote on aid projects for Israel and Ukraine, at war with Hamas and Russia respectively. “We must act quickly to meet our national security needs and avoid a ‘shutdown’ (the paralysis of the federal state, Editor’s note) in 22 days”, declared the American president in a press release congratulating elected official Mike Johnson.
Czech Republic buys 48 air-to-air missiles from Israel
The Czech government announced on Wednesday that it would purchase 48 long-range I-Derby air-to-air missiles from Israel to strengthen its defense capabilities as the war in Ukraine continues to rage. NATO member Prague will spend 2.8 billion crowns ($120 million) to acquire these missiles manufactured by Israeli Rafael, which should be delivered by October 2027. The missiles can destroy drones, helicopters , aircraft and missiles within a radius of 80 kilometers and at an altitude of twenty kilometers.
The Russian army recruited 385,000 soldiers in 2023, will continue to enlist in 2024
Around 385,000 people enlisted in the Russian army in 2023 and Russia intends, in the midst of the conflict in Ukraine, to continue recruiting in 2024, said former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, saying he was in charge of the file. These include 305,000 people who signed a contract directly with the Ministry of Defense and 80,000 “volunteers”, a term generally used for people fighting in the ranks of paramilitary groups like Wagner, he said. precise.
Slovakia: Robert Fico appointed to head a coalition government with the pro-Russian far right
The Slovak president on Wednesday appointed a new coalition government led by populist Robert Fico, who has notably joined forces with a pro-Russian far-right party. According to analysts, such a government could radically change Slovakia’s foreign policy and turn away from Ukraine. “You will see a sovereign Slovak foreign policy,” said Robert Fico, whose Smer-SD party came first in September’s parliamentary elections by promising to end military aid to Kiev.
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