All articles tagged with #defense ministry
Ukraine's new Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov says about 2 million people are evading mobilization and 200,000 soldiers are AWOL, highlighting a severe manpower shortage as Ukraine pushes army reforms, improves front-line infrastructure, and fights corruption.
China protested US Defense Secretary Hegseth's speech at the Singapore defense forum and chose not to send its top military diplomat, marking a departure from tradition and signaling frustration with US-China tensions over Taiwan and regional security issues.
Italy's defense ministry has admitted that Hezbollah staged an attack on a UNIFIL base in Lebanon, which was initially blamed on the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The incident involved rocket fire that hit the base, but an IDF review later determined Hezbollah was responsible. The attack did not result in serious injuries, and UNIFIL confirmed the strikes were likely carried out by non-state actors within Lebanon.
Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow and five other Russian regions, with 84 drones intercepted by Russian air defenses. The attack injured one person and temporarily halted operations at three airports. This marks the most significant drone assault on Moscow since the start of the conflict over two years ago.
In a significant shake-up of Russia's defense ministry, President Vladimir Putin has ousted long-time Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and arrested several senior officials under an anti-corruption campaign. This move comes amid Russia's recent military successes in Ukraine and is seen as part of Putin's strategy to streamline the ministry and ensure victory. The changes also reflect the lingering influence of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late Wagner Group leader, who had criticized the ministry's corruption and inefficiency.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported that Russian forces suffered their highest monthly casualties in May since the invasion began, with 38,940 Russian fighters lost. Daily Russian casualties reportedly exceeded 1,000, peaking at 1,740 in a single day. While these figures are difficult to verify independently, the British Defense Ministry also noted significant Russian losses, attributing them to aggressive but costly tactics. The conflict has intensified in regions like Donetsk and Kharkiv, with both sides experiencing heavy losses.
A series of arrests of top Russian military officials on corruption charges has raised questions about President Vladimir Putin's control over the Defense Ministry, potential turf battles between military and security services, and the broader implications for Russia's governance. The arrests, which include high-ranking figures like former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, come amid increased defense spending due to the war in Ukraine and suggest a crackdown on "egregious" corruption. Analysts speculate that the new defense minister, Andrei Belousov, may be clearing out his predecessor's associates and signaling a shift in how defense funds are managed. The situation could lead to more arrests and potential instability within the system, which is deeply rooted in corruption.
Russia has arrested Lieutenant-General Vadim Shamarin, the fourth senior military officer to face fraud charges in a month, for allegedly accepting a large bribe to award state contracts. The Kremlin denies a military purge, stating the arrests are part of ongoing anti-corruption efforts.
A series of arrests of top Russian military officials on corruption charges has raised questions about President Vladimir Putin's control over the Defense Ministry, potential turf battles between military and security services, and the broader implications for Russia's governance amid the war in Ukraine. The arrests, which began shortly before Putin's fifth term, suggest a crackdown on corruption within the Defense Ministry, possibly driven by the new defense minister Andrei Belousov, and could signal a shift in how defense spending is managed.
Russia's Defense Ministry has announced a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Kapustin Yar testing range, affirming the stability and high reliability of Russian missiles for strategic security, without specifying the type of missile tested.
Ukrainian President Zelensky signed a law lowering the draft age to 25 in an effort to bolster the country's military ranks amid Russia's invasion. The move comes as Ukraine faces a critical need for reinforcements, with some soldiers fighting for over two years without adequate breaks. The law also establishes an electronic database of military-age men, and discussions continue regarding the exact rules and privacy concerns. Meanwhile, Zelensky has urged US congressional leaders to pass a $60 billion package for Ukraine's war effort, with a focus on enhancing air defense capabilities.
Two Russian fuel depots were targeted in drone attacks across nine regions of Russia, causing fires and disruptions to power supplies. The attacks, attributed to Ukraine, resulted in the destruction of 25 Ukrainian drones and the interception of missiles and shells by Russian air defense forces. No casualties were reported, but evacuations were undertaken as a precautionary measure. This marks a continuation of drone attacks by the Ukrainian army into Russian territory since the start of the war in February 2022.
Indonesia has scrapped its plan to purchase 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar, worth 733 million euros, due to fiscal constraints and controversy over the secondhand jets' age. The defense ministry spokesperson confirmed the cancellation, with the country opting to retrofit its existing Sukhoi and F-16 aircraft instead. Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, a leading presidential candidate, has faced criticism over the deal but defended the purchase, citing the need for interim jets while awaiting new ones. Indonesia has been working to modernize its military fleet with purchases from various international suppliers.
The Netherlands has decided to halt the sale of six F-16 fighter jets to a U.S. company and will instead prepare the planes for delivery to Ukraine, increasing the number of Dutch aircraft to be handed over to 24. This move is part of a European effort to provide Ukraine with F-16 capabilities to counter Russian aggression. The F-16s will help Ukraine suppress Russian air defense systems and upgrade its older jets, with the Dutch government insisting on certain conditions being met before the handover.
Ukrainian officials are accused of embezzling $40 million intended for the purchase of ammunition for the military, implicating current and former high-ranking Defense Ministry officials and managers of an arms supplier. The stolen funds have been seized, and five people have been served notices of suspicion, with one suspect detained. The scandal comes at a critical time as Ukraine seeks international support amid its war with Russia, and anticorruption activists view the announcement of criminal action as a positive step in reforming the defense ministry.