Month: April 2023

Russian forces have destroyed a Ukrainian train carrying up to 200 tons of ammunition, Moscow’s Defense Ministry claimed on Sunday. The strike reportedly occurred in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic, near the city of Kramatorsk, which remains under Ukrainian control.

The Russian military has also been actively targeting Ukrainian artillery units, the ministry spokesman, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, announced during a media briefing.

“Over the past 24 hours, tactical and army aviation, missile and artillery units of the Russian Armed Forces hit 82 Ukrainian artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and equipment in 115 areas,” Konashenkov stated.

The attack on the train appears to the largest military gain of the day, but earlier Russian forces also claimed a strike on a command post of Ukraine’s 81st airborne brigade near the village of Belogorovka, in Lugansk People’s Republic.

Over the past few days, both Russian and Ukrainian forces have been ramping up long-range strikes against each other.

On Saturday, the Russian military claimed the destruction of a major Ukrainian command center, responsible for operations of Kiev’s southern troops. The bombing was carried out with sea-based cruise missiles, according to Moscow.

Earlier this week, the Russian military launched a major missile salvo at Ukraine, targeting multiple groupings of Ukrainian military reserves. The military said the strike was a success, and prevented the redeployment of reserves toward the front line.

During the bombardment, a multi-story residential building was damaged in the Ukrainian city of Uman, with more than 20 civilians killed, according to Kiev. While it was not immediately clear what exactly hit the building, Ukrainian authorities have blamed Moscow for the incident. However, Kiev’s own troops have hit civilian targets in the country – and even beyond – with air defense projectiles on multiple occasions during the conflict, which has been raging since February 2022.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has intensified the shelling of Russia’s border regions, including the city of Donetsk, which has been subjected to artillery and rocket attacks on an almost daily basis. On Friday the city endured a massive shelling, which destroyed and damaged multiple residential buildings and critical infrastructure, leaving at least nine civilians dead and over a dozen injured.

Overnight, Kiev’s forces shelled the village of Suzemka in Russia’s Bryansk Region, killing at least four civilians according to the local Governor, Aleksandr Bogomaz.

Source: Russia Today

The number of fatalities caused by a Ukrainian strike on a settlement in Russia’s Bryansk Region has grown to four, local governor Aleksandr Bogomaz said on Sunday.

Emergency workers clearing rubble at the site following the overnight attack on the village of Suzemka have found and recovered the remains of two more civilians, Bogomaz wrote on Telegram.

Another two were wounded “as a result of the actions by Ukrainian nationalists” and they have been hospitalized, he added.

One house was completely destroyed in the attack and two others were damaged, according to the governor.

A state of emergency has been declared around Suzemka, which is located about ten kilometers from Russia’s border with Ukraine, due to the strike, Bogomaz said, adding that rescuers were continuing to work at the site.

Initially, he’d said that two people had been killed and that the settlement had been shelled from a multiple rocket launch system shortly after midnight on Sunday.

The updated death toll of four makes the strike on Suzemka one of the deadliest attacks on Russian territory since the outbreak of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022.

The Russian regions of Bryansk, Belgorod, and Kursk, all of which border Ukraine, have been the targets of numerous drone and missile attacks by Kiev’s forces over the past year.

The strikes have been aimed against energy infrastructure and residential areas, resulting in several civilian deaths, as well as many injuries and the destruction of property.

Bryansk Region suffered another major Ukrainian terrorist incident in early March when a group of gunmen crossed the border from the Ukraine side before attacking civilians and planting explosive devices. Two people were killed and a ten-year-old boy wounded in that incursion.

Source: Russia Today

‘Everything is true until it’s false’ – that’s the basic trajectory of scientific and social development that’s playing out in the world today so dramatically. The American, or Western dream, of prosperity based on excessive consumption and artificial assets is quickly losing its shine, but what is emerging to replace it?

Source: Russia Today

As 2022 Eurovision winner, Ukraine is guaranteed a place in the Eurovision final on 13 May. When TVORCHI takes the stage in host city Liverpool, it will be a moment to savour for the country’s LGBT troops.

“I didn’t know if I would make it,” says Antonina Romanova, a soldier who has been fighting on Ukraine’s front line.

“I had to walk two kilometres under strong fire in the mud, in the rain, at night – with the mortar and all the equipment, which was extremely heavy. It was beyond my physical capability. I doubt I could go through that again.”

This is the reality for Antonina, who identifies as non-binary and who, with her partner of nine years Oleksandr, took the decision to leave their lives as theatre directors in Kyiv and fight the Russian army. “Another world” is how Oleksandr describes it.

It’s a step they took soon after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Talking to them via webcam, it’s impossible to imagine all that they have been through over the last 14 months.

Their work has ranged from digging trenches and ducking gunfire, to feeding 150 soldiers in the frontline military canteen – the toughest gig of all, they only half joke. They have also had to learn from scratch how to use mortars – and have been firing them over the snow through the long, harsh winter.

Now, some much-needed light relief is just around the corner.

“We are looking forward to seeing Ukraine perform in Eurovision this year,” says Oleksandr. “We’ve had very difficult times. And Eurovision is like a breath of fresh air… because when you see people doing what they like, and enjoying what they’re doing and that life is still going on… When you see people in Europe supporting Ukraine: that’s very important. Especially when you’re on the front line.”

But the razzamatazz, the strutting, the shimmying and the songs all seem a very long way from frontline warfare. Why is Eurovision something they care about?

“It is a very important message that Europe supports us,” explains Antonina. “And for people defending Ukraine with weapons in their hands, it’s very important.”

Both soldiers have fond memories of Kalush Orchestra’s triumph, winning Eurovision for Ukraine in 2022. By then, daily life involved taking cover in bomb shelters. “It felt like a miracle that Kalush had a chance to represent Ukraine with dignity,” says Oleksandr. “I thought, ‘Oh my god, we won Eurovision, we’re going to win this war!'” he laughs.

“It was very emotional,” adds Antonina, who says she was left “speechless”.

Turning his shoulder towards the camera, Oleksandr shows off a rainbow badge – which certainly pops against the green-greys of his military uniform. And they are both wearing another badge, which is more discreet, in army colours. A unicorn’s head stares out. It’s become an emblem of serving LGBT military in Ukraine. “Because lots of people said that there were no gay people in the army,” smiles Oleksandr.

The couple expected to encounter homophobic, verbal and even physical aggression from fellow soldiers, having been beaten and pepper-sprayed in a random homophobic street attack before the war last year.

But overall, they’ve been pleasantly surprised. “It’s more tolerant than we expected – and I think that is partly because of other LGBTQ military who came out,” says Oleksandr, in a nod to soldier Viktor Pylypenko, who was considered a pioneer when he came out in 2018.

Another couple following in his footsteps is Pavlo Lagoida, 30 and Vladyslav Polishchuk, 20. Via webcam from the Odesa region, they explain they are on a holiday before being prepared to be sent to the front line.

For all the pressures they face, Pavlo says they also contend with some name-calling. “A lot of people believed that we are not able to take a gun into our hands and fight. And they believe that we are so delicate. Not masculine.”

They sit with their arms interlocked throughout the interview – having become engaged only the day before. They hope same-sex civil partnerships will soon become possible in Ukraine.

Why does Eurovision matter to them at all?

“Ukraine’s victory last year showed that Ukraine is invincible,” says Vladyslav, a deadly serious expression on his broad face. “And that we can overcome any difficulties and adversities, whether it is a war or a contest. I believe it’s a message to the whole world that despite the war we can show our creativity.

“It’s also the message to Russia: No matter how the war is going, we still have this fighting spirit. And it doesn’t break us. And nor does it break our creative spirit. And we will never fall to our knees before Russia.”

For Antonina, the impact of Russian aggression is nothing new. She fled her birthplace, Crimea, when Russia invaded the peninsula in 2014 and moved to Kyiv. It’s ironic that she might not otherwise have met Oleksandr and fallen in love.

Partly because of her background, Antonina has vivid memories of Ukraine winning Eurovision in 2016 with Jamala’s song, 1944, about the deportation of Crimean Tatars under Stalin.

Although Antonina remains exiled from her homeland, she wants more for it than ending the horrors sent by Vladimir Putin. “I have a great hope that one day Eurovision will be held in Crimea,” she says. “Because it’s a sacred place for Ukraine. Since the war started in Crimea, it should be finished in Crimea.”

It may be a very long time before Eurovision can be held in Crimea. But for these soldiers, despite everything, they continue to hope.

Source: BBC

Morocco is purchasing Russian diesel and other refined products at discounted prices and re-exporting the fuel to Spain, El Mundo reported on Friday citing ship tracking sources.

Data from navigation tracking portal Vesselfinder showed that, on April 28, at least three tankers were heading from Russia’s Baltic ports to Morocco carrying approximately 170,000 tons of oil products on board.

The North African country, which bought about 600,000 barrels of Russian diesel throughout 2021, ramped up imports of the product to 2 million barrels in January 2023, with another 1.2 million barrels arriving in the country in February, according to tracking sources.

Morocco’s fuel exports almost stopped after its only processing plant was shut down in 2015 over unpaid taxes and legal hurdles, leaving the country dependent on refined oil imports.

In the beginning of the year, Rabat resumed fuel supplies and expanded exports of diesel from its Horizon Tanger terminal to Spain, Türkiye, Ghana, and southern Africa, the outlet said. In January, the country sent 280,000 barrels of diesel to the Spanish Canary Islands and another 270,000 barrels to Türkiye.

“At the end of 2022, Morocco began to buy diesel fuel from Moscow at an average of more than 7 million liters per day. In parallel, Rabat began to export it to Spain,” the outlet wrote.

According to ship tracking data, Moroccan deliveries now account for 10% of monthly Spanish demand for diesel, estimated at $60 million. According to some media reports, in March, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria accounted for 30% of Russia’s diesel exports.

Meanwhile, the Spanish government has pledged to ensure that no Russian fuel enters the kingdom.

“Our obligation is to investigate what happens with the fuel [supplies],” Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera told reporters on Friday. “Initially, it comes with documents confirming its appropriate origin,” she added.

Russia has been diversifying its energy supplies in response to Western sanctions after the EU stopped accepting the country’s oil transported by sea. In December, the EU, G7, and allied countries imposed an embargo and a $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian crude. Similar restrictions were introduced in February for exports of petroleum products.

Source: Russia Today

It’s not that long ago that a decision by a leading member of Sinn Féin to attend a British royal coronation would have caused a week of stories.

After all, the IRA murdered Lord Louis Mountbatten off the Sligo coast in 1979.

King Charles said Lord Mountbatten was the grandfather he never had.

Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill announced she has accepted her invitation to the King’s coronation, and so has Alex Maskey, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

It says much about where the Irish republican party is at now, that these announcements caused scarcely a mainstream ripple.

A DUP representative described the decision as a step in the right direction, although there was some dissent – People Before Profit and Aontú said it was “utterly shameful” and evidence that Sinn Féin is prepared to “jettison almost anything in their quest for power”.

And, yes, Sinn Féin has its eyes on the big picture as it sees it.

It’s all about being in government north and south at a time when it believes that Brexit and changing demographics put the future of Northern Ireland in play – even if it is still some time away and needs to be planned for.

Michelle O’Neill is already first minister-designate and the party’s hope is that Mary Lou McDonald will be Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) after a general election, expected in the late Autumn 2024.

Irish unity not main focus

Sinn Féin in government north and south would certainly change the narrative about a border poll, as the party would be in power in a sovereign independent EU state with its hands on many levers of international influence.

But the party would also have to be mindful that while Irish unity is something it feels strongly about for the electorate south of the border, there are more pressing issues such as dealing with a lack of housing, a failing health service and the cost of living.

For voters in the Republic of Ireland a united Ireland inside the EU remains an aspiration rather than an immediate priority.

Money matters

Polls suggest Sinn Féin is likely to be in government after the next election in some form of coalition but it’s far too early to be certain about that.

And the current coalition of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens has the economic resources and huge budget surpluses to address voters’ concerns – although maybe not the time and policies.

There is, after all, a political imperative not to allow a Sinn Féin-led government to spend the pot of gold amassed from massive corporation tax receipts garnered from 10 US multinational companies.

For Sinn Féin to win the trust of the Republic’s voters, a functioning Northern Ireland Executive would help allay the fears of many that the party might be too populist or financially irresponsible in government.

The party must also hope that the attendance of Michelle O’Neill and Alex Maskey at the coronation will make it look “responsible” in its appeal to those voters who have yet to be convinced.

But, in fairness to Sinn Féin’s leaders, there has been a developing warm relationship between the Royal family and the party in recent years as witnessed most recently when Ms O’Neill and Mr Maskey met the King after his mother’s death.

And as we know from his many visits to Ireland north and south, reconciliation is a theme close to the heart of King Charles.

It may still be a truism but politics can make for strange bedfellows especially when eyes are on the main prize.

Source: BBC

Four civilians are killed and two others wounded, in overnight shelling by Ukrainian forces of the Russian border region of Bryansk. That’s according to local officials. Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant, built by a Russian company, receives official status, as the two countries’ leaders take part in an inauguration ceremony via a video link. Asia’s richest banker says the US currency is the biggest financial terrorist as he accuses it of holding too much power. He proposes that India’s rupee might be next to rise to the top.

Source: Russia Today