Ukraine-Russia conflict newest: Kremlin hits out at long-running reviews of rift between Putin and Lavrov
The Kremlin on Monday hit out at long-running reports of a rift between Vladimir Putin and his veteran foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.
It said that Lavrov, 75, was actively working as Russia’s foreign minister and suggested that people ignore Western media speculation that he may have fallen out of favour with the president.
Lavrov was absent from a key meeting last week that he would typically attend, and Putin chose someone else to attend a G20 summit in South Africa later this month, a role that Lavrov has filled in the past.
Speculation swirled among Russia-critical outlets that Lavrov had been sidelined over the collapse of a proposed summit between Putin and US president Donald Trump in Budapest.
Lavrov said on Sunday that he was keen to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the mending of bilateral ties, while repeating that peace could not be achieved without “taking Russian interests into account”.
Ukraine launches corruption investigation into energy sector
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have launched a “large-scale operation” into the country’s energy sector to uncover graft involving a “high-level criminal organisation”, according to reports.
The National Anti-Corruption Agency (NABU) said that along with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), it conducted a “large-scale operation” to expose the alleged corruption.
The agency added that the investigation involved 15 months of work and 1,000 hours of audio recordings.“The activities of a high-level criminal organization have been documented,” the statement said, adding that the scheme was organised to influence “strategic state-sector enterprises”.
NABU claimed that those involved in the scheme sought to obtain illegal benefits to the tune of up to 15 per cent of a state contract value.
Zelensky wants 25 Patriot air defense systems from America. Here’s how they could change the war
President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to order 25 Patriot air defence systems from the United States, as the nation faces relentless Russian aerial attacks, causing widespread blackouts on the brink of winter.
Acknowledging the high cost and lengthy manufacturing time, Mr Zelensky suggested European countries could donate their Patriots and await replacements, stressing, “we would not like to wait.”
The missile and drone strikes on the power grid coincide with Ukraine’s efforts to repel a Russian push towards the eastern stronghold of Pokrovsk.
More here.
Ukraine’s commander-in-chief denies Russia’s control over Pokrovsk
The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has denied reports of Russia’s progress in Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, where troops from Kyiv and Moscow have been engaged in one of the fiercest frontline battles.
“They continue to show this area on their maps as if it’s under their control,” Oleksandr Syrsky said.
“This perception — that the enemy has got practically everything and they’re about to finish it — is not true.”
His statement comes after Russian media reports claimed that Moscow’s troops have overtaken the city of Pokrovsk.
Russia says Ukraine attack damaged civilian infrastructure
Ukrainian overnight drone attack damaged civilian infrastructure in the Saratov region, the governor of the western Russian region said this morning.
“All emergency services were deployed to the scene,” governor Roman Basurgin said on Telegram.
Ukraine military using video game-style reward system earning points killing Russians with drones
Ukraine’s military units are competing with each other by launching deadly drone attacks to earn points that can be used to buy more weapons.
Bryony Gooch has more below…
Recap: Kremlin denies order to begin nuclear testing
Russian president Vladimir Putin gave no order to begin preparations for nuclear weapons testing, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
“The president gave no instructions to begin preparations,” Peskov told state owned VGTRK.
“First of all, we must understand whether we should do it. This must be a serious, well-founded and thought-out decision. So our specialists will work on that.”
Recap: Ukraine’s special forces say they hit Russian oil depot in occupied Crimea
Ukraine’s special forces have struck a Russian oil depot in occupied Crimea, officials have said.
“The Hvardiyska oil depot is an important element of the fuel logistics system of the occupying authorities in Crimea,” the special forces stated on Telegram.
“It is important for supplying military facilities and transport of the enemy army.”
The Independent could not independently verify the report.
Watch: How Ukraine and Russia are playing out a deadly cat and mouse drone war from underground bunkers
Ukraine military using video game-style reward system earning points killing Russians with drones
Ukraine’s military units are competing with each other by launching deadly drone attacks to earn points that can be used to buy more weapons.
Bryony Gooch has more below…
Source: independent.co.uk
