Minister slams own intelligence services for ‘failing to predict’ invasion of Ukraine
A senior German minister has lashed out at his own intelligence services for failing to foresee Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Defence
Latest reporting and analysis on defence.
Moscow may annex Georgian breakaway regions, former Russian president says
Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev said that South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the Caucasus, which most countries recognise…
Ukraine furious at ex-French president over peace proposals
Ukrainian officials have berated former French president Nicolas Sarkozy over his suggestions on how to end Kyiv’s current conflict with Russia.
Austria: ‘European security architecture impossible without Russia’
Austria’s foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg said the countries of Europe cannot "cancel Russia" and cut off dialogue with Moscow in regard to creating a…
German police raid home of pro-Russia activists after donation drive
The home of two pro-Russia activists in Germany was reportedly raided by police on August 21 as part of an investigation into alleged criminal activity.
US approves Apache helicopter sale as Poland continues defence-spend splurge
The United States on August 21 approved a potential $12 billion sale of Apache attack helicopters to Poland, a significant deal with a frontline ally supporting…
Ukrainian drone strike ‘destroys Russian supersonic bomber’
Ukraine has apparently destroyed a flagship Russian long-range bomber in a drone attack deep inside the country.
Around half a million troops dead or injured since Ukraine war began
In total, about 500,000 troops have either been killed or injured since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, US officials have claimed.
Finland to cut off development aid for countries that support Russia
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio of the Finns Party has announced some noteworthy shifts in his country’s foreign policy.
Netherlands to give its entire F-16 fleet to Ukraine, Zelenskyy claims
The Netherlands is planning to hand over its entire fleet of F-16s fighter jets to Ukraine to help it fight off Russia, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has…
Medvedev wants total destruction of Ukrainian state
Former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev told his followers on Telegram that Russia must not stop its military offensive against Ukraine until it ceases to exist.
‘Neutral’ Ireland caught planning to give Ukrainian troops weapons training
European Union Member State Ireland has been caught planning to give Ukrainian troops weapons training, despite claiming to be a militarily neutral country regarding…
US fast-tracks F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine after complaints from Kyiv
The United States has pledged to help fast-track the delivery of advanced F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine after Kyiv complained about delivery delays.
Ukraine gives up on getting F-16 fighter jets in 2023
Ukraine has given up on being able to deploy American advanced F-16 fighter jets this year, a spokesman for the country's air force has said.
War with China is now more likely than not
Since world affairs took a sharp turn back towards great power competition – particularly after Russia’s takeover of Crimea in 2014 – we have become used to…
Libya conflicts reignite as militias clash in Tripoli
Gunfire rang out through the Libyan capital Tripoli as leading militias in the city clashed once again.
Calls for Ukraine to surrender land for peace deal ‘ridiculous’, Kyiv states
Kyiv has branded suggestions that it surrender land to Russia for the sake of achieving peace as "ridiculous" and "absolutely unacceptable".
Don’t be fooled: China’s investment in renewables is not about net zero – it is about preparing for war with the United States
History is a harsh mistress, especially for those who refuse to learn lessons from the past.
Two Russians charged in Poland over recruiting for Wagner mercenary group
The Polish authorities have arrested two Russian citizens over the appearance in Warsaw and Kraków of posters and stickers targeted at recruiting people for the…
Russian mine explodes near Romanian tourist beach
A large explosion rocked Romanian waters at a popular tourist resort earlier today.
Russia fires warning shots at merchant vessel after grain deal collapse
Russia's navy fired multiple warning shots at a merchant vessel in the Black Sea on August 13.
Ukraine wants Israel expelled from alliance group over ‘pro-Russian stance’
Kyiv wants to have Israel excluded from its allies' cooperation group, the Ramstein Forum, over the country’s “pro-Russian stance on the global stage”, according…
African coalition commands military to ‘restore order’ in Niger
Allied nations in West Africa have ordered the "deployment" of a coalition force, which they have instructed to "restore constitutional order" in coup-torn Niger.
Bad spirits: Ukraine adds Bacardi to its list of ‘Russian war sponsors’
Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention says Bacardi Limited is disregarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and is making significant money through sales…
Armenians ‘face genocide’ in Azerbaijan, warns former International Criminal Court chief
Luis Moreno Ocampo, who served as the first Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) from 2003 to 2012, said there is "an ongoing genocide” against…
The problem of peace: Détente vs appeasement
The recent gathering of diplomats hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah was a notable event – at least in size and participation, if not outcomes.
Ukraine hails Jeddah summit as a ‘huge blow’ for Russia
Ukraine insists that talks in Saudi Arabia regarding the war with Russia amounted to "a huge blow" to Moscow, while the attendance of China, a key ally of Russia,…
Ukraine offensive slowed by weeds, UK defence ministry claims
The strong growth of summer vegetation is impairing Ukraine's offensive against Russia, the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD) has claimed.
Chinese ambassador: No peace possible where NATO extends ‘diabolical paws’
Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui is backing Moscow and lays all blame for the war in Ukraine on the West.
Nigerien junta ‘refuses to give in to any threat’
International pressure on the coup leaders in Niger is mounting.