LONDON – As the war between Russia and Ukraine enters its eighth week, Russia has confirmed that its flagship in the Black Sea has sunk – with Ukrainians claiming their anti-ship missile is to blame – while CIA Director William Burns warned the United States did not they can “take lightly” Russia’s ability to use nuclear weapons.
The Russian warship Moscow sinks in the Black Sea
The Russian Black Sea Fleet’s guided missile cruiser Moscow crosses the Bosphorus in 2014 (Can Merey / EPA / Shutterstock)
Moscow’s defense ministry confirmed on Thursday that Moscow, Russia’s leading warship in the country’s naval attack on Ukraine, had sunk while being towed to port during a storm. “While being towed … to the port of destination, the ship lost its balance due to damage to the hull, as a fire broke out after an explosion of ammunition. Given the stormy sea, the ship sank, “the Russian state news agency TASS reported, citing a statement from the ministry.
Moscow initially said a “fire” had set fire to some of its weapons and that “ammunition had exploded on board” as a result. Officials said the crew, estimated to include about 500 sailors, had been safely evacuated from the burning ship. The ministry said the fire was currently under investigation. However, the governor of Odessa said the damage was the result of a Ukrainian missile strike on Wednesday – which Moscow denied.
The CIA chief warns of nuclear weapons
Director of Central Intelligence William Burns at an event at the Georgia Institute of Technology on Thursday in Atlanta. (Brin Anderson / AP)
Russia’s military failures in the war against Ukraine could lead Russian President Vladimir Putin to use low-yield or tactical nuclear weapons, CIA Director William Burns warned on Thursday. Speaking at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Burns said: “Given the potential desperation of President Putin and the Russian leadership, given the military failures they have faced so far, none of us can take lightly the threat of potential resort. to tactical nuclear weapons or low-power nuclear weapons. “
Burns added that the CIA had monitored the Kremlin “very closely,” but said the United States had not yet seen any signs that Putin was preparing to use those weapons. Russia has had nuclear forces on high alert since the beginning of its invasion on February 24.
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The Kremlin promises more strikes against Kyiv
A Ukrainian military factory near Kyiv, which produced missiles allegedly used to destroy the Russian warship Moscow, was partially destroyed by Russian strikes at night, an AFP journalist saw at the scene on April 15. (Fadel Senna / AFP via Getty Images)
Russia’s Defense Ministry promised on Friday to strike more against the Ukrainian capital Kyiv after the loss of the battleship “Moscow”. “The number and scale of missile strikes on targets in Kyiv will increase in response to any terrorist attacks or acts of sabotage on Russian territory by the Kiev nationalist regime,” the ministry said in a statement. A military plant in Kyiv, which is said to have produced Neptune missiles, Ukraine said it used to strike the warship Moscow, was targeted Thursday night.
Russia warns the United States to stop arming the Ukrainian military
Ukrainian servicemen unpacked a shipment of military aid delivered as part of US aid to Ukraine’s security at Borispol Airport outside Kyiv on February 11. (Ephraim Lukacki / AP)
In a diplomatic note to the Biden administration, Russia warned the United States that it would have “unpredictable consequences” if Washington continued to send military aid to Ukraine. “We call on the United States and its allies to stop the irresponsible militarization of Ukraine, which has unpredictable consequences for regional and international security,” the Washington Post said in a statement. On Wednesday, President Biden approved $ 800 million in military aid to Ukraine. The shipment will include a wide range of weapons, including helicopters, armed Switchblade drones, and medical equipment.
Zelensky called on European countries to give up Russian oil
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky spoke from Kyiv on Thursday. (Press service of the Ukrainian president through AP)
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has called on European countries to stop buying Russian oil, which provides “bloody” money to the Putin regime. Speaking to the BBC in an interview published on Thursday, Zelenski criticized Hungary and Germany for preventing the oil embargo. “We don’t understand how you can make money from blood,” he said. “Unfortunately, this is what some countries, European countries, are doing. The Ukrainian leader added: “Some of our friends and partners understand that now is a different time, that it is no longer a matter of business and money. That it’s a matter of survival. “
The victims in Kharkiv
Firefighters are working to put out a house fire after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Monday. (Felipe Dana / AP)
At least 503 people in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region have been killed since the invasion began on February 24th, local Governor Oleg Sinegubov said this week. He told the social media app Telegram that 24 children were among the dead.
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