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Putin and Xi cement strategic alliance amid rising tensions with US
Russian and Chinese leaders have reaffirmed their shared strategic interests and criticized what they see as the global dominance of the United States. During talks on Thursday, 16 May, the two sides agreed to expand political and economic cooperation.
Putin is currently on a two-day state visit to China. This marks his first overseas trip since his inauguration for a fifth term as Russia's president. At the outset of his visit, Putin emphasised the "unprecedentedly high level of strategic …
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German defense conglomerate Rheinmetall to launch air defense system production in Ukraine
German defence conglomerate Rheinmetall is set to establish joint production of air defence systems in Ukraine, announced Rheinmetall's CEO, Armin Papperger.
During the company's annual general meeting, Papperger outlined plans to create an additional joint venture in Ukraine specifically for air defence systems.
However, it is anticipated that it will take at least a year, perhaps even two, before production can commence. The necessary documents, including the memorandum of understanding and …
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Ukrainian Forces halt Russian offensive in Vovchansk, military official reports
The situation in the Kharkiv region remains complex but is dynamically changing. On May 16, Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesperson for the operational-strategic grouping of troops Khortytsia, elaborated on the state of affairs during a news broadcast. "The situation has been partially stabilised. We are destroying the invaders who entered the Kharkiv region with all available means," he emphasised.
Voloshyn noted that the advance of the Russian Armed Forces has been stopped in certain areas and …
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Widespread drone attacks target Russian regions and Crimea overnight
Several Russian regions, including Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, and Tula, as well as annexed Crimea, were subjected to drone attacks from Ukraine overnight on Thursday, 16 May, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defence on their Telegram channel.
The Ministry reported "four drones were destroyed and two others were intercepted" over Crimea. Specific targets of the drone attacks were not disclosed. Meanwhile, the Telegram channel "Crimean Wind" posted a video late on 15 May, …
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Ukrainian President Zelensky visits Kharkiv amid intense fighting in the region
On Thursday, 16th May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Kharkiv, where he held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters. During the session, he received reports from Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the “Khortytsya” Operational-Strategic Troop Grouping Yuri Sodol, and Commander of the “Kharkiv” Operational-Tactical Group Mykhailo Drapaty regarding the situation in the region.
According to the President, the meeting addressed the tasks and needs of the …
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Belbek airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea comes under Ukrainian missile attack
Explosions were heard during the night of May 15 near the Belbek airfield close to Sevastopol in the annexed Crimea, reports the Telegram channel Crimean Wind.
"It was a loud night in the area around the Belbek airfield under Sevastopol," the news outlet writes.
Specifically, the first wave of explosions began around 01:55, with further signs that Russian air defense systems were operational, with a series of quieter blasts suggesting ammunition detonation occurring 15 minutes later. The …
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International Economic Forum Russia – Islamic World kicks off in Tatarstan; Taliban, Iran, Turkey among honored guests
The 15th International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World", known as the Kazan Forum, is underway in Tatarstan. The program features 125 thematic sessions across 12 different directions and will continue until 19 May.
The goal of the 15th Kazan Forum is "to provide a platform for leading international experts in economics and finance from the Islamic world to strengthen ties between member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Russian Federation in economic, …
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Vovchansk nearly destroyed amid relentless Russian shelling, evacuation underway
The city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region has been almost entirely destroyed due to relentless shelling by the Russian Armed Forces, said Tamaz Gambarashvili, the head of Vovchansk's military-civil administration, during a news broadcast.
"The situation today is just as severe and critical as it was yesterday and the day before. This is because the enemy is constantly bombarding the city. The city is almost destroyed. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are defending our city, which is fully under …
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Russian Defense Ministry's Personnel Chief Yuri Kuznetsov arrested on bribery charges
The head of the main personnel department of the Russian Defence Ministry, Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, who was detained the day before, has been arrested on suspicion of taking a particularly large bribe. A criminal case has been opened against Kuznetsov, announced Svetlana Petrenko, the official representative of the Russian Investigative Committee on Tuesday, May 14.
While serving as the head of the 8th Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, …
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Ukrainian missile strike on Russian military base in Crimea leaves commander dead
Early in the morning, around 6 AM, several missiles, believed to be Storm Shadow, targeted the Russian military unit 85683 located on Mount Ai-Petri in Crimea. The attack was reported by the Telegram channel ASTRA, citing sources in the emergency services of the annexed peninsula.
There is a "secret" air defense base of the 3rd Radio-Technical Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces situated on the mountain. As a result of the missile strike, damage was inflicted on the military unit's territory, …