Today
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
6:14 p.m
Ukraine used long-range ATACMS missiles for the first time
Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his troops used American long-range ATACMS missiles for the first time. “The agreements we reached with President Biden are being implemented. They are implemented very precisely: the ATACMS have proven themselves,” welcomes the Ukrainian President in his daily address, which is published on social networks.
Acronym for “Army Tactical Missile System”, this surface-to-surface missile – also called MGM-140 – which has been in use since 1991, can cover a distance of 300 kilometers in its latest versions.
>> Here you can find our article on ATACMS missiles to learn more
14:58
MEETING BETWEEN VLADIMIR PUTIN AND XI JINPING IN CHINA
Upon his arrival in Beijing later in the day, Vladimir Putin was greeted by Xi Jinping on the occasion of the New Silk Roads summit taking place in the Chinese capital. “President Xi Jinping welcomed President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival, the two leaders had a brief conversation,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Although he has primarily visited Belarus, Iran and, more recently, Kyrgyzstan, the Kremlin’s master is making his first trip to a major world power since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
13:59
Ukraine claims these were attacks on Russian army airfields
Ukraine says it carried out devastating attacks overnight on two Russian army airfields in Lugansk and Berdyansk, cities in Russian-occupied territories. According to a statement from the armed forces published on Telegram, the operation, dubbed “Dragonfly,” resulted in the destruction of runways, nine helicopters, an anti-aircraft system and an ammunition depot. Ukrainian special offers.
The Russian army had no immediate comment, but Moscow rarely talks about its own losses.
13:54
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CONFIRMS EUR 50 BILLION OF SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
MEPs voted to provide Ukraine with €50 billion for the “reconstruction” and “modernization” of the country as part of an extension of the EU’s multi-annual budget over four years (2024-2027).
This proposal was adopted by 512 votes in favour, 45 against and 63 abstentions, paving the way for negotiations with Member States to determine the final content of this support mechanism called the Ukraine Facility. And MEPs want to act quickly: no EU support package for Kiev for 2024 has yet been approved. The support package for 2024-2027 proposed by the European Commission provides for loans worth 33 billion euros and grants worth 17 billion euros.
13:51
GREEN LIGHT FROM DOUMA FOR REVOKING THE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY
A new setback in terms of nuclear non-proliferation. Against the background of the crisis with the West due to the war in Ukraine, Russian MPs approved in the first reading the revocation of the ratification of the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). A vote by an overwhelming majority – 412 elected officials of the 450 in the Duma – paved the way for the publication of this text, which was ratified by Russia in 2000.
In early October, Vladimir Putin said his country could “withdraw its consent to ratify” the treaty in response to the United States never ratifying it.
The CTBT is one of three agreements with universal application on nuclear disarmament, along with the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the 2017 Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty (TIAN).
11:39
PUTIN MEETS ORBAN AND WELCOMES RUSSIA’S RELATIONS WITH HUNGARY
At a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban this Tuesday in China, Vladimir Putin expressed his satisfaction at having Hungary as an interlocutor in Europe, while Budapest strives to maintain its relations with Moscow despite the war in Ukraine. “Due to the current geopolitical conditions, the opportunities to maintain contacts and develop relationships are very limited. However, it is satisfactory that (Russia) has relations with many European countries, and Hungary is one of them. “Between them,” the Russian president said, according to state television footage.
10:31
Russia claims to have shot down eight drones near Crimea
The governor appointed by Moscow in the annexed Crimea region announces that Russia shot down eight Ukrainian drones near the peninsula overnight. “During the night, eight enemy aerial drones were neutralized by electronic warfare or shot down by air defense systems,” Sergei wrote on Telegram, urging residents to “remain calm.”
According to local authorities, three more drones were neutralized in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine on Monday evening without causing any casualties or damage.
07:21
PUTIN IN CHINA
Images of the Russian President’s arrival on Chinese soil.
Vladimir Putin has just arrived in ChinaSource: TF1 Info
07:19
PUTIN IN CHINA
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday where he is scheduled to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Russian news agencies said.
The Russian leader’s plane landed in the Chinese capital, on his first trip to a major world power since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.