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A high-ranking general in the Russian armed forces and his assistant have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2ek388yxzo">reported BBC</a>.
Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defence Forces (NBC), was leaving a residential block early on Tuesday when a device hidden in a scooter detonated, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.
The explosive was reportedly detonated remotely, as confirmed by Russian security sources to the state news agency Tass.
On Monday, Ukraine’s SBU security service charged Kirillov in absentia, saying on Telegram that he was “responsible for the mass use of banned chemical weapons.” The Ukrainian government has yet to comment on the general’s death.
Images from the scene revealed significant damage to the entrance of the building, with scorch marks on the walls and several blown-out windows. Two body bags were also visible on the street.
In October, the UK imposed sanctions on Kirillov, citing his oversight of chemical weapon use in Ukraine and his role as a “significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation.”
Ukraine’s SBU has claimed that Russia utilized chemical weapons over 4,800 times under his leadership, a claim Moscow denies.
Following the explosion, Russia’s Investigative Committee announced it had “opened a criminal case into the murder of two servicemen.” It said:
<blockquote>
Investigators, forensic experts and operational services are working at the scene.
Investigative actions and operational search activities are being carried out aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the crime.
</blockquote>
Russian state news agencies reported that the explosive device, which killed the 54-year-old Kirillov and his aide on Ryazansky Avenue, had an explosive force equivalent to 300 grams of TNT.
Bomb experts and specialized search dogs were deployed to inspect the area, and no additional explosives were found. Under UK sanctions, Kirillov was subject to an asset freeze and travel ban.
Kirillov served in various roles within Russia’s military-related to hazardous materials, including the Directorate of the Chief of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defence Troops, before being appointed head of the NBC in 2017.
His death follows less than a week after the assassination of a prominent Russian weapons expert, Mikhail Shatsky, who was shot dead near his home in Moscow.
Ukrainian media reported that the assassination was carried out by Ukraine’s military intelligence service.
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Pindula News

A top Russian general named Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov was killed in an explosion in Moscow along with his assistant. The explosive was hidden in a scooter and detonated remotely. Ukraine accused Kirillov of using banned chemical weapons many times and charged him in absentia. The UK had already imposed sanctions on Kirillov for overseeing chemical weapon use in Ukraine. The explosion is being investigated as a murder, with no additional explosives found. Kirillov had a history of handling hazardous materials before being head of the NBC. This incident comes shortly after another Russian weapons expert was assassinated.

High-ranking Russian Army General Killed In An Explosion In Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had struck Ukraine with a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, days after Kyiv used Western-supplied weapons to target locations inside Russia, reported <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4n9vgwnnyo">BBC News</a>.
The attack on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, which took place on Thursday morning, had sparked hours of speculation about the weapon used.
In a surprise national address, Putin confirmed that the missile, capable of reaching speeds of “2.5-3 km per second,” was a “new” intermediate-range ballistic missile, codenamed Oreshnik.
This contradicted Ukraine’s earlier claims, with President Zelensky and the foreign ministry alleging the attack was carried out by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a claim that US officials quickly dismissed.
Had it been an ICBM, it would have marked the first use of such a missile in the war.
Putin said that the missile strike was a direct response to Ukraine’s use of US and UK long-range weapons, including ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles, which were recently authorised for use in Ukraine’s military operations.
He warned that Russia could target military facilities in the US and UK that allowed their weapons to be used against Russia.
The Russian leader also issued a stark warning to the West, stating that Moscow was “ready for any developments.”
The Pentagon’s deputy press secretary, Sabrina Singh, confirmed that the US had been notified “briefly” via Nuclear Risk Reduction channels, which are typically used for missile launch notifications.
Putin revealed that a test of a non-nuclear hypersonic version of the missile had been successful, with the target reached.
He claimed there was no way to counter such a weapon, which can strike at speeds of 10 Mach (around 2.5-3 km/s).
Putin concluded his statement with a warning to the West: “If anyone still doubts this, they shouldn’t. There will always be a response.”
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Putin said Russia used a new missile in Ukraine. It was not an intercontinental missile like Ukraine claimed. Putin warned to hit US and UK targets if they help Ukraine. US was notified of the missile test. The missile can't be stopped and is very fast. Putin warned the West to be ready for a response. He tested a successful non-nuclear hypersonic version of the missile. Putin said there will always be a response to any doubts from the West.

Putin Confirms Use Of New Missile In Ukraine, Threatens To Hit Targets In US, UK

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the city of Dnipro, which, if confirmed, would be the first use of such a weapon in any armed conflict.
Western officials, as reported by ABC News, questioned this claim, suggesting that the missile was actually a shorter-range ballistic missile, similar to those previously used by Russia in the war against Ukraine.
According to Ukraine’s air force, nine projectiles were launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region at Dnipro between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time. The missile is believed to have travelled about 500 miles (800 km) to reach its target.
The missile reportedly hit its target “without consequences,” though there were no immediate reports of casualties. Six of the nine projectiles were intercepted by Ukraine’s air defence systems.
Russian ICBMs have a range of over 6,200 miles, capable of reaching targets as far as the U.S. east coast.
These weapons are also capable of carrying nuclear warheads, which could make such a launch a symbolic or strategic signal from Moscow, though it has not been officially confirmed, reported <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/21/russia-fired-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-at-dnipro-says-ukraine">The Guardian</a>.
Russia has not acknowledged the use of an ICBM and did not mention it in its daily military briefing.
However, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova appeared to inadvertently reference the missile strike in a phone conversation caught on a hot mic, where an unidentified caller instructed her not to comment “on the ballistic missile strike”. The caller did not use the word intercontinental.
Under an agreement between the U.S. and Russia signed in 2000, each side is supposed to notify the other 24 hours in advance of any missile launch exceeding 500 km. It is unclear whether Russia followed this protocol.
Pavel Podvig, an expert on Russian nuclear weapons, warned that there wasn’t enough information to confirm whether the missile was an ICBM.
He suggested that while using an ICBM in a military context may not make sense due to its high cost and low accuracy, it could serve as a political or strategic signal.
The U.S. and UK have permitted longer-range missiles, like the Atacms and Storm Shadow, to be used against targets in or near Russia’s Kursk region, a development that Russia has warned it would respond to “accordingly.”
The U.S. embassy in Kyiv temporarily closed after receiving a warning of a “potential significant air attack.” The closure was linked to increased concerns over Russia’s missile activities, particularly ICBM threats.
Early reports from Dnipro suggested damage to an industrial enterprise and two fires in the city. Civilian impact remains limited, though full details have not been confirmed.
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Russia fired a big missile at a city in Ukraine. Some say it was a long-range missile, but others think it was a short one. The missile hit the city, but no one got hurt. Ukraine stopped some of the missiles with their defense systems. Russia did not admit to using a big missile. Some people think firing the big missile was just a message, not a real attack. The US and UK have also used long-range missiles near Russia. The US embassy in Ukraine closed because of fears of more missile attacks. Damage was seen in the city, but no details are confirmed yet.

Ukraine Claims Russia Fired Intercontinental Ballistic Missile At Eastern City

The US embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine has temporarily closed after receiving “specific information of a potential significant air attack on 20 November”.
In a statement, the embassy also recommended that US citizens should prepare to shelter in the event an air alert is announced. It said:
<blockquote>
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20. Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place. The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.
</blockquote>
The development comes after Ukraine on Tuesday launched US-supplied long-range missiles into its Bryansk region, marking the first use of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) against Russia’s internationally recognised territory.
According to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, five missiles were intercepted, and one missile’s fragments caused a fire at a military facility in the region. There were no reported casualties.
The attack hit an ammunition depot near the town of Karachev, around 100 km from the Russian border, causing multiple secondary explosions.
In response, Russia has vowed an “appropriate and tangible response” to any further such attacks.
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The US embassy in Ukraine closed because of a possible big air attack from Russia. US citizens are told to be ready to go inside if needed. Ukraine shot missiles into Russia, but only small damage happened. Russia promises to fight back if there are more attacks. No one was hurt in the missile attack on a Russian military base. The US government is taking steps to protect its people in Ukraine from possible danger.

US Embassy In Ukraine Closes Over Threat of Major Russian Airstrike

Russia’s army has reportedly gained full control of the strategic hilltop town of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine, according to unconfirmed claims by pro-Russian military bloggers, reported <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/2/russia-reportedly-captures-key-town-of-vuhledar-in-eastern-ukraine">Al Jazeera</a>.
The mining town, located in the Donetsk region, is significant for its strategic position and has resisted capture since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
The governor of Donetsk reported that Russian troops had reached the centre of Vuhledar shortly before these claims emerged.
Russian authorities have not commented on the reports that it now controls the town.
Vuhledar serves as a supply hub for both Ukrainian and Russian forces, located at the intersection of the eastern and southern fronts.
Its capture is viewed as crucial for Moscow’s efforts to control the entire Donetsk region.
The town’s strategic value is heightened by its closeness to a rail line connecting Crimea to the industrial Donbas region.
While under Ukrainian control, Vuhledar allowed forces to target Russian supply lines.
Russian forces reached the outskirts last week and have intensified their offensive, complicating Ukrainian supplies and troop rotations.
Reports indicate that remaining Ukrainian defenders faced heavy bombardment from aerial glide bombs.
Ongoing fierce fighting since 2022 has devastated much of Vuhledar. Recent footage showed Russian soldiers unfurling flags from bombed buildings, corroborating claims of their presence in the town.
Since August, Russian troops have advanced rapidly in eastern Ukraine, marking their fastest progress in over two years, despite Ukrainian incursions into Russia’s Kursk region.
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Russian forces have taken over a town called Vuhledar in Ukraine. This town is very important because it is a hub for supplies for both Ukrainian and Russian troops. The town is also close to a rail line connecting Crimea to the Donbas region. The Russian troops have been advancing quickly in eastern Ukraine, causing a lot of damage and fighting. The town has been heavily bombed and many Ukrainian defenders are facing attacks. This is part of Russia's efforts to control the Donetsk region in Ukraine.

Russian Forces Reportedly Capture Strategic Town In Ukraine

United States President Joe Biden has given Ukraine the green light to use American weapons to strike inside Russia for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv, reported <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/joe-biden-partially-lifts-ban-on-ukraine-using-us-weapons-in-strikes-on-russian-territory-13145668">Sky News</a>.
Kharkiv is a Ukrainian city close to the border which has been subjected to intense bombing by Russia over the past few weeks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and others have been increasingly vocal in making the case that the restriction was putting Ukrainian forces in an untenable situation.
Russia made advances in the area as the United States and Western Europe delayed supplying Ukraine with the weaponry it needed to defend itself from Russian aggression.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, is just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the Russian border.
However, U.S. officials stated that the U.S. policy calling on Ukraine not to use American long-range missiles and other munitions to strike inside Russia offensively has not changed.
Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Biden had barred Ukraine from using American-made weaponry to launch strikes on Russian territory, concerned that the action could be seen as provocative and lead to Moscow widening the war.
Meanwhile, a top Russian official has said Ukraine striking with US weapons inside of Russia could mean war with NATO and warned that Moscow’s nuclear threats are not a bluff.
NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance comprising 30 European states plus the United States and Canada.
NATO adheres to the principle that an attack against one or several of its members is considered an attack against all.
Responding to Biden partially lifting restrictions on how Ukraine can use American-supplied weapons, Dmitry Medvedev issued a series of warnings to the West.
Dmitry Medvedev was President of Russia (2008–2012), Prime Minister of Russia (2012–2020), and is currently deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia since 2020.
Medvedev said “no one can rule out” when tensions with the West will escalate to its “last stage” – and that Moscow will consider any long-range weapons used by Ukraine to strike inside Russia as being controlled by NATO. He said:
<blockquote>
This is no military assistance, this is participation in a war against us. Such actions could well become a casus belli [an act that provokes a war].
</blockquote>
He also said it would be a “fatal mistake” on the part of the West to think that Russia was not ready to use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
Medvedev warned about the potential to strike unnamed hostile countries with strategic nuclear weapons. He said:
<blockquote>
This is, alas, neither intimidation nor bluffing. The current military conflict with the West is developing according to the worst possible scenario.
There is a constant escalation when it comes to the firepower of NATO weapons being used. Therefore, nobody today can rule out the conflict’s transition to its final stage.
</blockquote>
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Biden Allows Ukraine To Hit Russian Targets With U.S. Weapons

President Volodymyr Zelensky has cancelled all upcoming foreign trips as Ukrainian troops withdraw from several villages in the border region of Kharkiv following an incursion by Russian forces.
As reported by <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1030vvy0mzo">BBC</a>, a Ukrainian military spokesman said soldiers had come under heavy fire in two areas of the northeastern region and moved to “more advantageous positions” language Ukraine has typically used to signify a retreat.
Russia has claimed that its forces have now taken control of two more settlements in the region – Lukyantski and Hlyboke – and the village of Robotyne, in the southern Zaporizhzhia region
Robotyne was one of a few settlements Kyiv retook in its summer counter-offensive last year.
A spokesman for the Ukrainian military said the decision to move troops from the Lukyantsi and Vovchansk areas was taken to “preserve the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses”.
The military spokesman also said that the situation “remains difficult” but asserted that Ukrainian forces were “not allowing the Russian occupiers to gain a foothold”.
Thousands of civilians have fled west in recent days towards Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv – including from the town of Vovchansk, located 74km away.
Oleksiy Kharkivskiy, Vovchansk’s police chief, said “The situation is extremely difficult. The enemy is taking positions on the streets of the town of Vovchansk”.
Russian troops made incursions into the Kharkiv region on Friday, and the attack is seen as one of Russia’s most significant ground attacks since it launched its full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.
On Wednesday, President Zelensky’s office said reinforcements have been sent to the wider Kharkiv region.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional US$2 billion in military aid to the Ukrainian war effort while on a visit to Kyiv. He said:
<blockquote>
We’re rushing ammunition, armoured vehicles, missiles, air defences to get them to the front lines.
We’ve been through challenging times together, I have every confidence that together we will get through these difficult moments.
</blockquote>
It comes weeks after the US Congress passed a $61 billion aid package last month.
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Ukraine Troops Pull Back In Kharkiv After Russia Incursion

More than 70 people were killed and injured in the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine in a Russian missile strike.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack could have been prevented if Ukraine had been provided with better air defences by its Western allies.
<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/17/europe/russia-strike-chernihiv-ukraine-air-defense-intl/index.html?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=whatsappCNN&amp;utm_content=2024-04-17T11:42:15">CNN</a> cited Ukraine’s emergency services as saying at least 14 people were killed in the strike and 61 others were injured, including two children. Rescue operations are underway as police search for survivors under the rubble.
Three missiles hit the outskirts of Chernihiv, north of the capital Kyiv, at about 9 AM local time on Wednesday. The strikes caused substantial damage to an eight-story building, a four-story building, a hospital and a higher education institute, according to Ukrainian officials.
Chernihiv police said that among those killed was 25-year-old police lieutenant Alina Mykolayets, who was fatally wounded by shrapnel. She had been at home on sick leave when Russia attacked.
Russia’s strike comes after Zelensky has for months warned that Ukraine lacks the air defences necessary to protect its skies from Russian attacks. He said:
<blockquote>
This would not have happened if Ukraine had received a sufficient number of air defence systems and if the world’s determination to counter Russian terror had been sufficient.
The Ukrainian determination is sufficient. There must be equally sufficient determination from our partners and, as a result, sufficient support.
</blockquote>
In an interview with PBS NewsHour that aired Monday, Zelensky said Ukraine had “run out of missiles” to repel a Russian airstrike that destroyed the biggest power plant in the Kyiv region last week.
Zelensky on Tuesday signed into law a key piece of legislation overhauling the country’s mobilization rules in a bid to bolster Ukraine’s depleted military.
The law requires all men between 18 and 60 to register with Ukraine’s military and to carry their registration documents on them at all times.
Ukraine has been at war with Russia since February 24, 2022, when the latter launched a series of missile strikes on Ukrainian cities followed by the swift movement of Russian ground troops into Ukrainian territory.
Since then, battles have raged, and the human cost of war has been significant. Ukrainian forces recently withdrew from the eastern town of Avdiivka, marking Russia’s most significant victory since the fall of Bakhmut in May of the previous year.
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Russian Missile Strike Kills At Least 14 In Northern Ukraine

Around 23,000 tonnes of fertiliser donated to Zimbabwe by Russia have been blocked by the European Union (EU) due to its agricultural export blockade on Russia. This blockade was implemented in response to the conflict in Ukraine, <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/eu-blocks-zim-fertiliser-consignment">The Sunday Mail</a> reported. Last year, several developing countries, including Zimbabwe, were supposed to receive a share of 260,000 tonnes of fertiliser from Russia’s Uralchem-Uralkali for free. Malawi and Kenya have already received their share through the United Nations World Food Programme, but Zimbabwe and Nigeria have not due to the EU’s tightening blockade.
The EU has imposed sanctions on Russia, including prohibiting the export of fertiliser, in an attempt to pressure Moscow into resolving its conflict with Ukraine. However, Russia argues that blocking the export of fertiliser to countries in need is hypocritical and goes against the EU’s claim that sanctions do not apply to Russian fertiliser and food exports. Russian exporters also face obstacles and high fees due to the sanctions. In a statement last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said 96,000 tonnes of fertiliser are currently stuck in EU ports. Read the statement in part:
<blockquote>
As part of the Russia-UN Memorandum on September 7, 2022 . . . Russia took the initiative to send 262 000 tonnes of mineral fertilisers blocked in the ports of Latvia, Estonia, Belgium and the Netherlands as humanitarian aid to the poorest countries . . . Since then, however, only two deliveries have been completed.
The release of three other planned shipments — to Nigeria (34 000 tonnes), Zimbabwe (23 000 tonnes) and Sri Lanka (55 000 tonnes) — has been stalled, despite the fact that all preparatory procedures have been completed.
</blockquote>
Russia is unable to pay for services after being cut off from the SWIFT interbank messaging system, and it claims that the blockade of Russian produce at EU ports is illegal. The fertiliser blockade has also affected the UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal between Russia and Ukraine, which aimed to facilitate the delivery of Ukrainian grain to world markets in exchange for removing Western barriers on Russian agricultural exports.
Russia is a major global producer of fertiliser, accounting for a significant portion of global exports of potash, ammonia, and urea. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions and consequences of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the impact of international sanctions on agricultural trade.
The blockade will likely affect Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector considering that the southern African country does not produce enough fertiliser on its own. In Zimbabwe, there are several fertiliser-producing companies, including Windmill, Zimbabwe Fertilizer Company (ZFC), Sable Chemical Industries, and Zimbabwe Phosphate Industries (ZimPhos). Windmill is known for producing compound fertilisers with a capacity of approximately 50,000 metric tonnes per year. ZFC is a leading manufacturer of compound fertilisers, ammonium nitrate, and urea, with a production capacity of over 100,000 metric tonnes annually. Sable Chemical Industries specializes in ammonium nitrate production, with a capacity of around 240,000 metric tonnes per year. ZimPhos is involved in the manufacture of phosphate-based fertilisers, but the combined output falls short of the required amounts. 
Due to this shortfall in fertiliser production, the government of Zimbabwe has allowed the importation of fertilisers to meet the required amounts. This decision was made to reduce input costs and boost grain production ahead of a farming season that may be affected by adverse El Nino weather conditions. The high prices of fertilisers in the past two years, caused by natural gas price increases and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, have made it difficult for farmers in Zimbabwe. Therefore, the government suspended import duties on nitrogenous fertiliser this October and will allow the duty-free import of up to 250,000 metric tons of urea and ammonium nitrate. Despite recent improvements in maize production, food insecurity remains a challenge in Zimbabwe, and many households still rely on aid for their food needs.
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EU Has Blocked Donation Of 23,000 Tonnes Of Fertiliser From Russia To Zimbabwe

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has openly declared his support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
<a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/zimbabwes-mnangagwa-comes-out-in-support-of-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-20230728">News24</a> reported that Mnangagwa became the second African leader to openly side with Russia.
Speaking on the sidelines of the two-day Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St Petersburg, Mnangagwa said:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe is in solidarity with the Russian Federation in your country’s special military operation in Ukraine.
</blockquote>
Most African African countries mostly abstain from United Nations resolutions on the matter. Only Eritrea voted in support of the invasion.
Zimbabwean political commentator Alexander Rusero opined that Mnangagwa’s remarks could have dire consequences for his re-engagement efforts. Said Rusero:
<blockquote>
The implications are a contradiction to his effort on re-engagement and appeasement of the West.
They are also not thought out against the realities of a state that wants to be taken seriously on sanctions claims.
Russia is a strong patron but nowhere near as in a position to bail out a country undergoing a veritable economic meltdown as Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin gave Mnangagwa a helicopter and 50 000 tonnes of grain free of charge.
Putin announced that Zimbabwe will be among the African countries that will receive grain from Russia, free of charge.
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Mnangagwa Supports Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, a private army of mercenaries late on Saturday ordered his fighters to halt their advance to Moscow, Russia’s capital.
The Wagner mercenaries have reportedly left the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, less than 24 hours after seizing it.
Earlier, Prigozhin said he had told his fighters to return to Ukraine to avoid bloodshed.
According to Russian state media reports, Prigozhin will now move to neighbouring Belarus and charges against him and his troops will be dropped. This followed a deal brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.
Wagner troops took control of the headquarters of Russia’s Southern Military District in Rostov on Saturday morning after crossing the border from Ukraine where they have been fighting alongside the Russian army.
They then began to advance towards Moscow in a move President Vladimir Putin described as a betrayal and an act of treason.
On Saturday, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky described the situation in Russia as “complete chaos”. He said in a statement:
<blockquote>
The man from the Kremlin is obviously very afraid and probably hiding somewhere, not showing himself. I am sure that he is no longer in Moscow.
He knows what he is afraid of because he himself created this threat. All evil, all losses, all hatred – it is he who spreads it.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66006860">BBC News</a> reported that there were rumours that Putin had fled Moscow after flight tracking showed that two presidential planes had left Moscow on Saturday.
However, his press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said the president was still in the Kremlin.
Peskov also said the arrest warrant for Prigozhin would be dropped and the criminal case against him and his troops would be closed.
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Wagner Chief Prigozhin Calls Halt To Moscow Advance, Fighters Leave Rostov

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said anyone who “chooses the path of evil destroys itself”, and that “Russia’s weakness is obvious”.
Zelensky was responding to reports that the boss of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed that his fighters have seized “all military facilities” in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, in what Russian President Vladimir Putin described as an “armed mutiny”.
Although he does not mention Putin by name, Zelensky appears to criticise the Russian leader for “throwing hundreds of thousands” into war.
Posting on his Telegram account on Saturday, Zelensky warned that the longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries in Ukraine, “the more chaos, pain and problems it will have for itself later”. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-66006142">He wrote</a>:
<blockquote>
Russia used propaganda to mask its weakness and the stupidity of its government. And now there is so much chaos that no lie can hide it. And all this is one person… although he is not able to lead to anything else. Russia’s weakness is obvious.
</blockquote>
According to Reuters, as of 24 June 2023, at least 62 295 people have been killed while 60 117 more have been injured since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
At least 15 000 people are reported missing and approximately 17 million people have been displaced from their homes.
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Russia's Weakness Is Obvious, Says Ukrainian President Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has stated that peace talks with Russia would only be possible once Moscow withdraws its troops from occupied Ukrainian territory, Reuters reported. He also expressed surprise and confusion over the decision of African leaders to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Zelenskiy emphasised that negotiations with Russia could only take place after a complete Russian withdrawal from Ukrainian land, adding that any negotiations with Russia, while they continue to occupy Ukrainian territory, would only serve to freeze the war and prolong pain and suffering. Zelenskiy told a joint press conference with the delegation:
<blockquote>
To allow any negotiations with Russia now while the occupier is on our land is to freeze the war, to freeze everything: pain and suffering.
We need real peace, and therefore, a real withdrawal of Russian troops from our entire independent land.
</blockquote>
The African delegation, which included leaders of Senegal, Egypt, Zambia, South Africa, and the Comoros, met with Zelenskiy to discuss the possibility of mediating the end of the conflict. Despite this, Ukraine remains firm in its stance that peace talks can only take place after a complete Russian withdrawal.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the President of the Comoro Islands, Azali Assoumani, hope to mediate in the conflict, which has disrupted grain and food supplies, causing price inflation in African countries. Ramaphosa called for the free flow of grain and African participation in a peace agreement. While some African nations have cordial relations with Russia, most have closer economic ties with the US and Europe. The leaders aim to negotiate “confidence-building measures” despite Ukraine’s recent counteroffensive against Russian forces. The Kremlin has downplayed the prospects of peace talks with Kyiv, but remains open to outside initiatives.
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Zelenskiy: Peace Talks Possible After Russia Troop Withdrawal

Chinese experts predict that efforts by countries to replace the US dollar in international trade will intensify as BRICS nations discuss the feasibility of introducing a common currency at a summit in South Africa later this year.
The BRICS group of nations, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, accounts for one-third of global economic output, and their combined output is larger than that of the Group of Seven economies. The move is seen as an attempt to offer better accessibility and fairer treatment in international trade, as the US dollar has caused uncertainty for the world economy by enabling US international hegemony.
According to Zhou Yu, director of the Research Centre of International Finance at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, creating a unified currency for a group of countries is a challenging task but not entirely impossible. Zhou noted that such an effort requires years of cooperation and the phasing out of local currencies, citing the birth of the euro as an example. Despite the difficulties, the BRICS nations’ discussion on introducing a common currency could be the start of a long-term goal towards a currency unit. He said:
<blockquote>
However, currently the effort by BRICS nations seems to be focused on devising a currency unit used specifically to settle cross-border trade, rather than a currency unit to replace other local currencies, which reduces the difficulty of such efforts and increases its plausibility.
</blockquote>
BRICS countries and other emerging economies are seeking to reduce their reliance on the US dollar. This is due to the impact of US interest rate hikes and geopolitical conflicts on global trade prices in dollars. The freezing of Russian assets by the US and EU has also prompted countries to explore alternatives to using the dollar as a reserve currency. Currently, around 80% of global trade is settled in US dollars.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has supported creating a currency for trading among BRICS countries, questioning the necessity of tying trade to the dollar. Experts warn that the US’s monetary policy has made the dollar increasingly risky.
According to experts, the de-dollarisation trend around the world will accelerate as the US Federal Reserve ends its rate hikes and the US dollar weakens. The BRICS countries have made progress in reducing the dominance of the dollar in trade settlement by increasing their efforts to settle trade in other currencies, exemplified by the fast internationalisation of the yuan. 
Local currency settlement is seen as a major development in this trend, with over 70% of China-Russia trade already settled in local currencies. Experts point out that the Chinese government is responsible for the issuance of the yuan, unlike the excessive issuance of dollars by the US, making local currency settlements a fairer and more reliable trend for trade between member countries.
More than 30 countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, have applied to join the BRICS economic alliance.
South Africa’s top diplomat to BRICS, Ambassador Anil Sooklal, has suggested that the alliance is set to expand this year, with a decision to be made at the BRICS summit in August. The potential expansion and the introduction of a new currency would weaken the GDPs of Western nations and the US dollar’s dominance in international trade.
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Experts: BRICS May Introduce A Common Currency, Reducing US Dollar Dominance

Russia has accused Ukraine of attacking the Kremlin with drones to assassinate President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine denied the accusation, calling it a “terrorist provocation”.
The Kremlin threatened retaliation, and hardliners demanded retribution against President Zelenskiy. The Kremlin said in a statement:
<blockquote>
Two unmanned aerial vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services with the use of radar warfare systems, the devices were put out of action.
We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the president’s life, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 Parade, at which the presence of foreign guests is also planned …
The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit.
</blockquote>
A video was posted on the Telegram channel Baza, linked to Russia’s law enforcement agencies, showing an object approaching the Kremlin Senate building and exploding before reaching it. The building overlooks Red Square, where the Victory Day parade is held. The authenticity of the video could not be immediately verified.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said in comments sent to Reuters:
<blockquote>
Ukraine has nothing to do with drone attacks on the Kremlin. We do not attack the Kremlin because, first of all, it does not resolve any military tasks.
</blockquote>
Mykhailo Podolyak stated that reports of an attack on the Kremlin and the supposed detention of Ukrainian saboteurs in Crimea indicate Russia’s preparation for a terrorist provocation. 
Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament, demanded the use of weapons to stop and destroy Ukraine’s “terrorist regime”. Margarita Simonyan, head of the state broadcaster RT, expressed hope that things would now get started for real.
Russia’s presidential administration confirmed that drones had been used to attack the Kremlin, but there were no casualties or material damage. Putin was not at the Kremlin at the time and was working at his residence outside Moscow.
Another video showed smoke over the Kremlin.
Russia has accused Ukraine of cross-border attacks, but Ukraine does not typically claim responsibility.
Victory Day will still be celebrated with a military parade on Red Square, for which the Kremlin has announced tighter security.
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Russia Says Ukraine Sent Drones To Assassinate President Putin

China’s yuan has replaced the United States Dollar (USD) as the most traded currency in Russia. This comes a year after Western sanctions were imposed on Russia over its <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/ukraines-foreign-minister-putin-launched-full-scale-invasion-well-defend-and-win/">invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.</a>
In February this year, the yuan surpassed the dollar in monthly trading volume for the first time, and this trend continued in March, according to data from the Moscow Exchange.
Before the invasion, the yuan’s trading volume in the Russian market was insignificant, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-03/china-s-yuan-replaces-dollar-as-most-traded-currency-in-russia#:~:text=China's%20yuan%20has%20replaced%20the,of%20Western%20sanctions%20against%20Moscow.">Bloomberg</a> reported.
What changed: This change is attributed to the additional sanctions that have been placed on some of Russia’s banks this year, which have limited their ability to make cross-border transfers in dollars and other currencies from countries considered “unfriendly” by the Kremlin.
How is China’s Yuan involved: Russia has deepened its ties with China since the February 2022 invasion, prompting a break with the West. In March, Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first foreign trip to Moscow since his re-election and promised the Kremlin cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, supply chains, mega-projects, energy and hi-tech.
How does decrease US Dollar Influence: Sanctions targeting Russia’s financial system have forced the Kremlin and Russian companies to switch their foreign trade transactions from the dollar and euro to the currencies of countries that have refused to join any of the sanctions.
The finance ministry earlier this year switched its market operations to yuan instead of dollars and developed a new structure for the National Wealth Fund to hold 60% of its assets in yuan. The Bank of Russia regularly asks companies and citizens to transfer their assets to rubles or “friendly” currencies to avoid the risk of them being blocked or frozen.
Results: Despite all this, the USD remains by far the most popular currency in the Russian market, rarely losing to China’s Yuan as the most traded currency in Russia on any day, according to exchange data compiled by Bloomberg.
Iskander Lutsko, a strategist at ITI London says there are fewer dollars in the market now as Russia’s revenues fall due to a drop in oil prices and a reduction in exports.
Russia has actually increased exports to China by 29% but exports from China have remained stable.
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China's Yuan Replaces USD As Most Traded Currency In Russia

The British defence ministry says Russian forces are likely to control the eastern Ukrainian town of Soledar, in the Donetsk region.
A daily update by the ministry on Tuesday said capturing Soledar is “likely an effort to envelop Bakhmut”, the highly contested city 10 kilometres away.
Bakhmut has been referred to as “a meat grinder” due to the sheer large number of troops from both sides who have been killed as the battle for the city continues. Reads the update:
<blockquote>
In the last four days, Russian and Wagner forces have made tactical advances into the small Donbas town of Soledar and are likely in control of most of the settlement.
Soledar is 10km north of Bakhmut, the capture of which likely continues to be Russia’s main immediate operational objective.
Russia’s Soledar axis is highly likely an effort to envelop Bakhmut from the north, and to disrupt Ukrainian lines of communication.
Part of the fighting has focused on entrances to the 200km-long disused salt mine tunnels which run underneath the district.
Both sides are likely concerned that they could be used for infiltration behind their lines.
Despite the increased pressure on Bakhmut, Russia is unlikely to envelop the town imminently because Ukrainian forces maintain stable defensive lines in depth and control over supply routes.
</blockquote>
Seizing Bakhmut would allow Moscow’s troops to advance to two more prominent cities, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/10/russian-forces-likely-control-soledar-british-defence-ministry">reported Al Jazeera</a>.
In his late-night address on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Soledar and its environs have been completely destroyed. He said:
<blockquote>
Everything is completely destroyed, there is almost no life left.
The whole land near Soledar is covered with the corpses of the occupiers and scars from the strikes.
This is what madness looks like.
</blockquote>

Russia Close To Capturing Ukraine's Soledar - UK Defence Ministry

Russia’s military has been ordered to withdraw from the Ukrainian city of Kherson, the only regional capital it captured after invading on 24 February this year.
Russia’s commander in Ukraine, Gen Sergei Surovikin, who previously was commander of Russia’s recent operations in Syria, said it was no longer possible to keep supplying Kherson.
The withdrawal means Russian forces will pull out entirely from the western bank of the River Dnipro.
It is a significant blow as Russia faces a Ukrainian counter-offensive, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63573387">reported BBC</a>.
Russia’s military top brass was seen making the decision on Russian state TV. Gen Surovikin told the meeting:
<blockquote>
In these circumstances, the most sensible option is to organise the defence along a barrier line along the river Dnipro.
</blockquote>
Russia’s supply lines across the Dnipro River had become increasingly difficult after the few bridges across were destroyed by Ukrainian missiles.
Before Russia announced the withdrawal, it moved thousands of civilians out of the city by boat, in what Ukraine condemned as forced deportation.
The retreat was announced shortly after Russian media said the deputy leader of Kherson, Kirill Stremousov, had been killed in a car crash.
Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, announced Russia’s annexation of Kherson, and three other occupied regions, at the end of September.

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