In pics | Iran releases images of reverse-engineered US drones

A drone attack was averted by security officials in Russia on Tuesday. An unidentified flying object was spotted. Television and radio services were hacked. Moscow says that the drone was programmed to target civilian infrastructure.

Russia tightens security amid drone attacks

A German news website claims that Russia is in talks with China to purchase 100 ZT-180 drones. Does this mean China has joined the war? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: China is reportedly selling drones to Russia

According to media reports, Iran used boats and a state owned airline to transfer new variations of advanced long-range armed drones to Russia.

Iran smuggled drones using boats and state airline

A US drone manufacturing facility in Latvia that has built drones for the Ukrainian military and NATO partners caught fire on Tuesday, as per AFP news agency.&nbsp;

To extinguish the fire that broke out, at least twelve police vehicles, nine fire service engines, and five ambulances reached the site of the incident. The factory is run by a US company Edge Autonomy outside of the capital of Latvia.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-india-gave-musharraf-a-second-chance-but-his-sins-could-not-be-washed-away-ex-envoy-to-pakistan-559678">India gave Musharraf a second chance, but his sins could not be washed away: Ex-envoy to Pakistan&nbsp;</a>

The fire service while taking to Twitter said, "A high-risk fire has occurred in the production building, sparking a lot of smoke."&nbsp;

Watch | Syria: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/syria-death-toll-rises-to-1600-after-devastating-earthquake-559719">Death toll rises to 1,600 after devastating earthquake</a>

According to the company's website, the California-based business manufactures long-range unmanned aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.&nbsp;

The cause of the blaze was not known and no victims were immediately reported.

(This is a developing story) 
&nbsp;

A US drone manufacturing facility in Latvia that has built drones for the Ukrainian military and NATO partners caught fire on Tuesday, as per AFP news agency. To extinguish the fire that broke out, at least twelve police vehicles, nine fire service engines, and five ambulances reached the site of the incident.

A US drone manufacturing facility in Latvia that has built drones for the Ukrainian military and NATO partners caught fire on Tuesday, as per AFP news agency. To extinguish the fire that broke out, at least twelve police vehicles, nine fire service engines, and five ambulances reached the site of the incident. The factory is run by a US company Edge Autonomy outside of the capital of Latvia. Also Read | India gave Musharraf a second chance, but his sins could not be washed away: Ex-envoy to Pakistan The fire service while taking to Twitter said, "A high-risk fire has occurred in the production building, sparking a lot of smoke." Watch | Syria: Death toll rises to 1,600 after devastating earthquake According to the company's website, the California-based business manufactures long-range unmanned aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The cause of the blaze was not known and no victims were immediately reported. (This is a developing story)

Latvia: Fire erupts at US drone factory that has built drones for Ukraine military, NATO allies

A drone deal between India and U.S., in talks since 5 years, may finally be coming through. U.S. used this drone to kill Al-Qaeda chief Al-Zawahiri in his safehouse in Kabul and India wants to buy 30 of these drones.

India set to buy armed U.S. drones worth $3Bn

Bomb-carrying drones hit an Iranian defence factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight on Sunday (January 29), said the country’s officials who have since condemned the attack and called it “cowardly”. So far, no government or group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, media reports citing United States officials have indicated that they suspect Israel’s involvement in the incident.&nbsp;

What happened?

The Iranian government has claimed that the facility sustained “minor damages” and there were no casualties, however, the extent of the damage caused cannot be independently verified, while details remain scarce. The attack is said to have occurred around 11:30 pm, Saturday, as per authorities in Tehran. The footage of the incident released by the Iranian state media shows a flash in the sky and the arrival of emergency vehicles at the scene.&nbsp;

What has Iran said about the attack?

The Iranian defence ministry has claimed that they foiled an “unsuccessful attack” which took place late Saturday and involved three drones and there were no casualties. The ministry said, one of the drones was destroyed while the other two were caught using “defence traps and blew up”. It added, “It caused only minor damage to the roof of a workshop building”, as per a report by Iranian state TV.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-defence-ministry-complex-hit-by-drone-attack-557057">Iran government condemns drone attack on defence ammunition plant, calls it ‘cowardly’</a>

The ministry also said that the attack was conducted using “micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs)”. However, the state-run IRNA news agency later described the drones as “quadcopters equipped with bomblets,” which gets its name from the four rotors and are typically operated from short ranges by remote control.&nbsp;

Additionally, a report by Reuters citing a military official in the region said given the location of the strike as well as the size of the drone it is likely that it was staged from within Iranian borders. Subsequently, in a press conference, the country’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian with his Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who is visiting Tehran called the attack “cowardly” and aimed at creating “insecurity” in the country.&nbsp;

While the Iranian defence ministry has not commented on who might have carried out the attack, a report by the state-run media quoting comments by a lawmaker, Hossein Mirzaie, said there was a “strong speculation” Israel was behind it. The Isfahan’s factory is 350 km south of the capital Tehran while the ministry has described the site as a “workshop” without giving any details.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-drone-attack-on-military-site-thwarted-557035">Iran: Drone attack on military site thwarted</a> 
 
However, reports suggest that it comprises a large air base built for its fleet of US-made F-14 fighter jets and is also home to the country’s nuclear fuel research and production centre. During the aforementioned press conference when asked if the incident would affect the country’s nuclear programme, the foreign minister said, “Such moves can’t impact our nuclear scientists’ will and intentions to achieve peaceful nuclear energy,” as per Al Jazeera.&nbsp;

In a separate incident, on early Sunday, the IRNA reported that a fire broke out at a motor oil factory near the industrial zone in the northwestern city of Tabriz which the officials later said was caused by an oil leak and no further details were given.&nbsp;

What the US officials have allegedly said

Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said no US military forces played a role in the strikes in Iran and declined to comment further, reported Reuters. However, a US official speaking on the condition of anonymity to the news agency said it appears that Israel is involved. Additionally, first reported by the Wall Street Journal citing multiple anonymous sources from officials in Washington also reported that Tel Aviv might have been involved in Saturday’s attack.&nbsp;

Why does this matter?

If the reports are confirmed this will be the first attack carried out under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since he returned to office in December between the two long-time foes. Furthermore, Tehran has previously accused Israel of planning attacks using agents inside Iranian territory. Last year Iran claims that they arrested a sabotage team of Kurdish militants which had allegedly been working with Israel to blow up a “sensitive” defence industry centre in Isfahan.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-admits-sending-drones-to-moscow-before-russia-ukraine-war-started-531475">Iran admits sending drones to Moscow before Russia-Ukraine War started</a>

In 2020, Iran also accused Israel of conducting a sophisticated attack which killed Tehran’s top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. However, Saturday’s attack in Isfahan comes as the region is witnessing a rise in tensions over Iran's nuclear programme as well as its alleged supply of arms to Russia amid its conflict with Ukraine.&nbsp;

Kyiv has accused Iran of supplying hundreds of drones to Moscow which have reportedly been used to target Ukrainian cities but not on the frontlines, reported Reuters citing a senior aide to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-explosions-reported-from-kyiv-following-drone-attack-says-mayor-542893">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky</a> linked to the incident. “Explosive night in Iran…Did warn you,” said Mykhailo Podolyak on Twitter following the attack in Iran. In this context, while Tehran has acknowledged sending drones to Russia it has maintained that they were sent before the invasion while Moscow has denied the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine while reports have suggested otherwise.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Bomb-carrying drones hit an Iranian defence factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight on Sunday (January 29), said the country’s officials who have since condemned the attack and called it “cowardly”.

Bomb-carrying drones hit an Iranian defence factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight on Sunday (January 29), said the country’s officials who have since condemned the attack and called it “cowardly”. So far, no government or group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, media reports citing United States officials have indicated that they suspect Israel’s involvement in the incident. What happened? The Iranian government has claimed that the facility sustained “minor damages” and there were no casualties, however, the extent of the damage caused cannot be independently verified, while details remain scarce. The attack is said to have occurred around 11:30 pm, Saturday, as per authorities in Tehran. The footage of the incident released by the Iranian state media shows a flash in the sky and the arrival of emergency vehicles at the scene. What has Iran said about the attack? The Iranian defence ministry has claimed that they foiled an “unsuccessful attack” which took place late Saturday and involved three drones and there were no casualties. The ministry said, one of the drones was destroyed while the other two were caught using “defence traps and blew up”. It added, “It caused only minor damage to the roof of a workshop building”, as per a report by Iranian state TV. ALSO READ | Iran government condemns drone attack on defence ammunition plant, calls it ‘cowardly’ The ministry also said that the attack was conducted using “micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs)”. However, the state-run IRNA news agency later described the drones as “quadcopters equipped with bomblets,” which gets its name from the four rotors and are typically operated from short ranges by remote control. Additionally, a report by Reuters citing a military official in the region said given the location of the strike as well as the size of the drone it is likely that it was staged from within Iranian borders. Subsequently, in a press conference, the country’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian with his Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who is visiting Tehran called the attack “cowardly” and aimed at creating “insecurity” in the country. While the Iranian defence ministry has not commented on who might have carried out the attack, a report by the state-run media quoting comments by a lawmaker, Hossein Mirzaie, said there was a “strong speculation” Israel was behind it. The Isfahan’s factory is 350 km south of the capital Tehran while the ministry has described the site as a “workshop” without giving any details. ALSO WATCH | Iran: Drone attack on military site thwarted However, reports suggest that it comprises a large air base built for its fleet of US-made F-14 fighter jets and is also home to the country’s nuclear fuel research and production centre. During the aforementioned press conference when asked if the incident would affect the country’s nuclear programme, the foreign minister said, “Such moves can’t impact our nuclear scientists’ will and intentions to achieve peaceful nuclear energy,” as per Al Jazeera. In a separate incident, on early Sunday, the IRNA reported that a fire broke out at a motor oil factory near the industrial zone in the northwestern city of Tabriz which the officials later said was caused by an oil leak and no further details were given. What the US officials have allegedly said Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said no US military forces played a role in the strikes in Iran and declined to comment further, reported Reuters. However, a US official speaking on the condition of anonymity to the news agency said it appears that Israel is involved. Additionally, first reported by the Wall Street Journal citing multiple anonymous sources from officials in Washington also reported that Tel Aviv might have been involved in Saturday’s attack. Why does this matter? If the reports are confirmed this will be the first attack carried out under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since he returned to office in December between the two long-time foes. Furthermore, Tehran has previously accused Israel of planning attacks using agents inside Iranian territory. Last year Iran claims that they arrested a sabotage team of Kurdish militants which had allegedly been working with Israel to blow up a “sensitive” defence industry centre in Isfahan. ALSO WATCH | Iran admits sending drones to Moscow before Russia-Ukraine War started In 2020, Iran also accused Israel of conducting a sophisticated attack which killed Tehran’s top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. However, Saturday’s attack in Isfahan comes as the region is witnessing a rise in tensions over Iran's nuclear programme as well as its alleged supply of arms to Russia amid its conflict with Ukraine. Kyiv has accused Iran of supplying hundreds of drones to Moscow which have reportedly been used to target Ukrainian cities but not on the frontlines, reported Reuters citing a senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky linked to the incident. “Explosive night in Iran…Did warn you,” said Mykhailo Podolyak on Twitter following the attack in Iran. In this context, while Tehran has acknowledged sending drones to Russia it has maintained that they were sent before the invasion while Moscow has denied the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine while reports have suggested otherwise. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US officials suspect Israel’s involvement in drone attack on Iranian 'workshop': What we know so far

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Crimean city Sevastopol's Russian-installed governor Mikhail Razvozhaev on Saturday claimed that a drone was shot down by the air defences, referring to the latest attack launched by Ukrainian forces on a port where the Black Sea Fleet of Russia is based.&nbsp;

The claims were made as Russian President Vladimir Putin marked Orthodox Christmas at a church in Moscow after declaring a unilateral ceasefire.

Governor Razvozhaev made the claims on the Telegram messaging service as he alleged that the drone&nbsp;was&nbsp;shot down in the wee hours of January 7, the day of Orthodox Christmas.

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-putin-orders-ceasefire-in-ukraine-on-january-6-7-549807">Russia-Ukraine war: Putin offers Orthodox Christmas truce, Ukraine rejects it as 'hypocrisy'</a>

"Even the sacred holiday of Christmas was not a reason for these inhuman people to halt their attempts to attack our Hero City," said Razvozhaev.&nbsp;

In 2014, Crimea was annexed by Russia and Ukraine says it will take back the Black Sea peninsula and other parts of eastern Ukraine which the Russian forces have invaded since February 24, 2022.

Putin attends midnight service to mark Orthodox Christmas&nbsp;

Russian President Putin was seen standing alone,&nbsp;attending a midnight service held at a church in the Kremlin to mark Orthodox Christmas, which is shadowed by Russia's invasion of war-ravaged Ukraine.&nbsp;

The service held at the Cathedral of the Annunciation, which was designed originally as a church for only the Russian tsars, was attended by Putin.&nbsp;

WATCH| WION Wideangle | Russia-Ukraine War: Ten months, ten key events

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Putin stood as the ceremony was conducted by Orthodox priests, wearing golden robes, who held long candles, as per the photographs released by the Kremlin.&nbsp;

In the message released on Saturday by the Kremlin, the Russian president extended his wishes to Orthodox Christians, stating that the holiday gave inspiration for "good deeds and aspirations".&nbsp;

He also appreciated the Orthodox Church because of which the Russian government received the full support of head Patriarch Kirill in the offensive against Ukraine.

Church organisations are "supporting our soldiers taking part in a special military operation," said Putin.

"Such great, multifaceted, truly ascetic work deserves the most sincere respect," the president added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Crimean city Sevastopol's Russian-installed governor Mikhail Razvozhaev on Saturday claimed that a drone was shot down by the air defences, referring to the latest attack launched by Ukrainian forces on a port where the Black Sea Fleet of Russia is based. The claims were made as Russian President Vladimir Putin marked Orthodox Christmas at a church in Moscow after declaring a unilateral ceasefire. Governor Razvozhaev made the claims on the Telegram messaging service as he alleged that the drone was shot down in the wee hours of January 7, the day of Orthodox Christmas. ALSO READ| Russia-Ukraine war: Putin offers Orthodox Christmas truce, Ukraine rejects it as 'hypocrisy' "Even the sacred holiday of Christmas was not a reason for these inhuman people to halt their attempts to attack our Hero City," said Razvozhaev. In 2014, Crimea was annexed by Russia and Ukraine says it will take back the Black Sea peninsula and other parts of eastern Ukraine which the Russian forces have invaded since February 24, 2022. Putin attends midnight service to mark Orthodox Christmas Russian President Putin was seen standing alone, attending a midnight service held at a church in the Kremlin to mark Orthodox Christmas, which is shadowed by Russia's invasion of war-ravaged Ukraine. The service held at the Cathedral of the Annunciation, which was designed originally as a church for only the Russian tsars, was attended by Putin. WATCH| WION Wideangle | Russia-Ukraine War: Ten months, ten key events Putin stood as the ceremony was conducted by Orthodox priests, wearing golden robes, who held long candles, as per the photographs released by the Kremlin. In the message released on Saturday by the Kremlin, the Russian president extended his wishes to Orthodox Christians, stating that the holiday gave inspiration for "good deeds and aspirations". He also appreciated the Orthodox Church because of which the Russian government received the full support of head Patriarch Kirill in the offensive against Ukraine. Church organisations are "supporting our soldiers taking part in a special military operation," said Putin. "Such great, multifaceted, truly ascetic work deserves the most sincere respect," the president added. (With inputs from agencies)

Crimean governor claims Ukraine drone shot over Sevastopol as Putin marks Orthodox Christmas

Better late than never. Governments around the world are taking steps to tackle the risks of allowing the development and spread of killer robots, technically known as Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).&nbsp;

LAWS differ from the vast array of weapons in today’s arsenals – from intercontinental ballistic missiles to the drones used to devastating effect by Russia and Ukraine – because they can make decisions on what or whom to strike, who lives and who dies, without human intervention.

Artificial intelligence, facial recognition and millions of lines of codes will take the place of human operators. It is a concept in sharp contrast to the way the United States used Predator drones in Afghanistan and Iraq. They were flown by pilots sitting in front of television screens in cubicles at the Creech Air Force base in Nevada, 8,000 miles from the target areas.&nbsp;

The human operators were “on the loop,” the military jargon for constant control. LAWS would operate on the principle of “human out of the loop.”

Watch | War in Ukraine: 30 minutes after Zelensky's speech, Russia launches drone attacks

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The United States, the world’s biggest maker and exporter of weapons, has no LAWS in its arsenal, according to the Pentagon. But it does have a definition: “weapons systems that, once activated, can select and engage targets without further intervention by a human operator.”&nbsp;

The pros and cons of killer robots have been debated in military academies and among arms control experts for almost two decades but the topic won little public attention and scant news coverage despite the efforts of advocacy groups such as stopkillerrobots.org and humanrightswatch.org.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been outspoken on the subject: “Autonomous machines with the power and discretion to select targets and take lives without human involvement are politically unacceptable, morally repugnant and should be prohibited by international law,” he has said.

Such statements produced few headlines. One reason: Unlike the years-long campaign that led to the 1997 treaty banning anti-personnel mines, the anti-LAWS movement has lacked celebrity backers. The mine ban’s vocal supporters included the late Princess Diana and the actress Angelina Jolie.

There are signs now that a movement to ban or at least regulate killer robots is finally getting traction. Last October, the topic was formally raised at the UN General Assembly for the first time when 70 states agreed on a resolution calling for internationally agreed rules and limits on autonomous weapons systems.

A resolution by 70 countries falls far short of the two-thirds majority required in the General Assembly to stir the Security Council, the UN’s supreme decision-making body, into action.

But the issue will be raised again next month at a global summit, the first of its kind, hosted by the Dutch government, to discuss Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain. According to the Netherlands government, the meeting was prompted by the need to give the topic “a higher place on the international agenda.” Dubbed REAIM 2023, the summit is scheduled for February 15 and 16 at The Hague.

There is no full list of participants yet. The government says the summit will be a platform for governments, industry, civil society, academia and think tanks to forge a common understanding of the opportunities, dilemmas and vulnerabilities associated with military AI.

The 70 countries that signed the General Assembly statement included the US, Britain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Belgium, and Germany – all countries with the capacity to produce LAWS.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/killer-robots-arent-science-fiction-a-push-to-ban-them-is-growing-437886">Killer robots aren’t science fiction. A push to ban them is growing.</a>

No country has yet deployed LAWS in combat, according to military experts. But for proponents of using them, the logic appears obvious. If a country can fight wars with great efficiency, accurately pick out opponents from thousands of feet in the sky without the need for soldiers on the battlefield, why not?

The main argument by opponents is that the threshold for states going to war would be lowered by autonomous weapons. As an analysis in the Harvard Political Review put it, “many philosophers, political scientists and governments have expressed the concern that militaries will resort to conflicts more often if they do not need to rely on soldiers.”

One concern often expressed by experts in discussions on the future of war is that technology is running ahead of deliberations of ethical and legal questions.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/san-francisco-reverses-move-to-allow-police-use-killer-robots-after-backlash-540858">After backlash, San Francisco reverses move to permit use of ‘killer robots’ by police</a>

Many of those have no convincing answers. Such as, can you programme the Laws of War and the Rules of Engagement into an autonomous weapon? Or, if something goes wrong, resulting in the death of civilians, who will be held responsible? The robot’s manufacturer? The designers? Software programmers? The commanding officer in whose unit the weapon operates? Or the political leader who gave the green light for deploying LAWS in the first place?

The forthcoming summit in The Hague so far has no catchy slogan. Here’s my suggestion: We need laws about LAWS.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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&nbsp;

Better late than never. Governments around the world are taking steps to tackle the risks of allowing the development and spread of killer robots, technically known as Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).

Better late than never. Governments around the world are taking steps to tackle the risks of allowing the development and spread of killer robots, technically known as Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). LAWS differ from the vast array of weapons in today’s arsenals – from intercontinental ballistic missiles to the drones used to devastating effect by Russia and Ukraine – because they can make decisions on what or whom to strike, who lives and who dies, without human intervention. Artificial intelligence, facial recognition and millions of lines of codes will take the place of human operators. It is a concept in sharp contrast to the way the United States used Predator drones in Afghanistan and Iraq. They were flown by pilots sitting in front of television screens in cubicles at the Creech Air Force base in Nevada, 8,000 miles from the target areas. The human operators were “on the loop,” the military jargon for constant control. LAWS would operate on the principle of “human out of the loop.” Watch | War in Ukraine: 30 minutes after Zelensky's speech, Russia launches drone attacks × The United States, the world’s biggest maker and exporter of weapons, has no LAWS in its arsenal, according to the Pentagon. But it does have a definition: “weapons systems that, once activated, can select and engage targets without further intervention by a human operator.” The pros and cons of killer robots have been debated in military academies and among arms control experts for almost two decades but the topic won little public attention and scant news coverage despite the efforts of advocacy groups such as stopkillerrobots.org and humanrightswatch.org. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been outspoken on the subject: “Autonomous machines with the power and discretion to select targets and take lives without human involvement are politically unacceptable, morally repugnant and should be prohibited by international law,” he has said. Such statements produced few headlines. One reason: Unlike the years-long campaign that led to the 1997 treaty banning anti-personnel mines, the anti-LAWS movement has lacked celebrity backers. The mine ban’s vocal supporters included the late Princess Diana and the actress Angelina Jolie. There are signs now that a movement to ban or at least regulate killer robots is finally getting traction. Last October, the topic was formally raised at the UN General Assembly for the first time when 70 states agreed on a resolution calling for internationally agreed rules and limits on autonomous weapons systems. A resolution by 70 countries falls far short of the two-thirds majority required in the General Assembly to stir the Security Council, the UN’s supreme decision-making body, into action. But the issue will be raised again next month at a global summit, the first of its kind, hosted by the Dutch government, to discuss Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain. According to the Netherlands government, the meeting was prompted by the need to give the topic “a higher place on the international agenda.” Dubbed REAIM 2023, the summit is scheduled for February 15 and 16 at The Hague. There is no full list of participants yet. The government says the summit will be a platform for governments, industry, civil society, academia and think tanks to forge a common understanding of the opportunities, dilemmas and vulnerabilities associated with military AI. The 70 countries that signed the General Assembly statement included the US, Britain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Belgium, and Germany – all countries with the capacity to produce LAWS. Also Read | Killer robots aren’t science fiction. A push to ban them is growing. No country has yet deployed LAWS in combat, according to military experts. But for proponents of using them, the logic appears obvious. If a country can fight wars with great efficiency, accurately pick out opponents from thousands of feet in the sky without the need for soldiers on the battlefield, why not? The main argument by opponents is that the threshold for states going to war would be lowered by autonomous weapons. As an analysis in the Harvard Political Review put it, “many philosophers, political scientists and governments have expressed the concern that militaries will resort to conflicts more often if they do not need to rely on soldiers.” One concern often expressed by experts in discussions on the future of war is that technology is running ahead of deliberations of ethical and legal questions. Also Read | After backlash, San Francisco reverses move to permit use of ‘killer robots’ by police Many of those have no convincing answers. Such as, can you programme the Laws of War and the Rules of Engagement into an autonomous weapon? Or, if something goes wrong, resulting in the death of civilians, who will be held responsible? The robot’s manufacturer? The designers? Software programmers? The commanding officer in whose unit the weapon operates? Or the political leader who gave the green light for deploying LAWS in the first place? The forthcoming summit in The Hague so far has no catchy slogan. Here’s my suggestion: We need laws about LAWS. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Killer robots and the future of war

In a major boost to Marine Surveillance, India has concluded a maiden contract for Multicopter Vertical Take-off and Landing drones.

100 drones for India’s Marine surveillance

Iran on Saturday (December 31) carried out tests of new attack drones, said state TV. The tests were reportedly carried out in coastal area of Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz as part of ongoing annual drill.&nbsp;According to the report, the Ababil-5 attack drone hit its target with a bomb after having travelled 400 kilometres. This drone was used during wargames for the first time. Over the past decade, Iran has tested many other military drones.

Iran, a close ally of Russia in many matters, finds itself at odds with the West on the issue of drones. It recently admitted that it provided drones to Russia which global opinion says were used in the Ukraine war. However, Iran claims that the drones were provided to Russia prior to its invasion of Ukraine. Iran maintains that it is committed to stopping the Ukraine conflict.

Strait of Hormuz near which the drones tests were carried out is part of all-important Persian Gulf. It is an immensely significant waterway as a fifth of&nbsp;world's oil traded passes through this gulf.

Iranian commandos and airborne infantry took part in the ongoing wargames, called Zolfaghar-1401. This was accompanied by participation of fighter jets, military transport aircrafts, helicopters and submarines. It is expected that Iranian forces will fire missiles and test air defence systems as well.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Iran on Saturday (December 31) carried out tests of new attack drones, said state TV. The tests were reportedly carried out in coastal area of Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz as part of ongoing annual drill.

Iran on Saturday (December 31) carried out tests of new attack drones, said state TV. The tests were reportedly carried out in coastal area of Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz as part of ongoing annual drill. According to the report, the Ababil-5 attack drone hit its target with a bomb after having travelled 400 kilometres. This drone was used during wargames for the first time. Over the past decade, Iran has tested many other military drones. Iran, a close ally of Russia in many matters, finds itself at odds with the West on the issue of drones. It recently admitted that it provided drones to Russia which global opinion says were used in the Ukraine war. However, Iran claims that the drones were provided to Russia prior to its invasion of Ukraine. Iran maintains that it is committed to stopping the Ukraine conflict. Strait of Hormuz near which the drones tests were carried out is part of all-important Persian Gulf. It is an immensely significant waterway as a fifth of world's oil traded passes through this gulf. Iranian commandos and airborne infantry took part in the ongoing wargames, called Zolfaghar-1401. This was accompanied by participation of fighter jets, military transport aircrafts, helicopters and submarines. It is expected that Iranian forces will fire missiles and test air defence systems as well. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran showcases new attack drones in ongoing wargames near the strategic Strait of Hormuz

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Thursday said that the country will boost its readiness to respond to airspace intrusions after five drones of North Korea crossed the border and could not be shot down by the military.&nbsp;Fighter jets were deployed by South Korea's military after the airspace intrusion by North Korea's drones on Monday as one of the drones flew close to the capital.

However, even after carrying out a five-hour-long operation, the North Korean drones were not shot down which led to the South Korean military's widespread criticism and the military issued an apology.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-plans-to-spend-441-million-until-2027-to-counter-nkorean-drones-547448">South Korea plans to spend $441 million until 2027 to counter N.Korean drones</a>

On Thursday, President Yoon said that the situation was "intolerable" and added that the government should make Pyongyang "realise that provocations are always met with harsh consequences".

"In order for us to achieve peace, we need to make overwhelmingly superior war preparations," he added, while speaking during his visit to the state-run Agency for Defence Development.

"The overall response system against all flying objects invading our airspace, on top of drones, must be re-examined to quickly make up for any deficiencies," he added.

Earlier this week, Yoon criticised the way the incident was handled by the military and called for accelerating the plan for launching a drone unit, in which advanced stealth models will be included for carrying out surveillance on important military facilities in Pyongyang.

The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday said that exercises, focused on drones, will be staged.

WATCH|&nbsp;WION Fineprint: South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol announces new drone unit

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For the first time in five years, the drones of Pyongyang made an air incursion into the airspace of South. This year, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, said that he aims to make his country the most powerful nuclear force in the world, and said that the country is an "irreversible" nuclear state.

President Yoon said that nuclear weapons of North Korea would not affect the response of Seoul to any future provocations by Pyongyang.

"Regardless of whether the opponent has nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction, we should give a clear message to those who are provoking," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Thursday said that the country will boost its readiness to respond to airspace intrusions after five drones of North Korea crossed the border and could not be shot down by the military.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Thursday said that the country will boost its readiness to respond to airspace intrusions after five drones of North Korea crossed the border and could not be shot down by the military. Fighter jets were deployed by South Korea's military after the airspace intrusion by North Korea's drones on Monday as one of the drones flew close to the capital. However, even after carrying out a five-hour-long operation, the North Korean drones were not shot down which led to the South Korean military's widespread criticism and the military issued an apology. ALSO READ| South Korea plans to spend $441 million until 2027 to counter N.Korean drones On Thursday, President Yoon said that the situation was "intolerable" and added that the government should make Pyongyang "realise that provocations are always met with harsh consequences". "In order for us to achieve peace, we need to make overwhelmingly superior war preparations," he added, while speaking during his visit to the state-run Agency for Defence Development. "The overall response system against all flying objects invading our airspace, on top of drones, must be re-examined to quickly make up for any deficiencies," he added. Earlier this week, Yoon criticised the way the incident was handled by the military and called for accelerating the plan for launching a drone unit, in which advanced stealth models will be included for carrying out surveillance on important military facilities in Pyongyang. The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday said that exercises, focused on drones, will be staged. WATCH| WION Fineprint: South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol announces new drone unit For the first time in five years, the drones of Pyongyang made an air incursion into the airspace of South. This year, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, said that he aims to make his country the most powerful nuclear force in the world, and said that the country is an "irreversible" nuclear state. President Yoon said that nuclear weapons of North Korea would not affect the response of Seoul to any future provocations by Pyongyang. "Regardless of whether the opponent has nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction, we should give a clear message to those who are provoking," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea plans to upgrade preparedness after unchecked North Korea’s drone incursion

South Korean President has vowed to advance the creation of a military unit specializing in drones. Yoon Suk-yeol earlier criticised the military response to a border intrusion by North Korean drones.

Why has South Korea's Yoon vowed to create a military unit specializing in drones?

IT Consulting firm Cognizant announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Indian drone firm Garuda Aerospace, to develop "smart drones". This is aimed at powering drones with advanced digital capabilities, achieving greater productivity. In real-world applications, it is set to bring solutions such as intelligent water and soil management, crop spraying, aerial planting in the agriculture sector; asset inspection, storm impact assessment, and fire safety in the energy sector; the drones can also be used for warehouse management in inventory audit, tracking products etc.

"Drones are not just about the hardware, it is a combination of hardware, software and firmware. Our goal is to make drones more intelligent and multi-functional and ensure that they can be pre-programmed for use in multiple scenarios. We expect the co-developed drones to be ready in six months" Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Co-Founder &amp; CEO, of Garuda Aerospace told WION.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-to-carry-out-two-test-missions-two-uncrewed-missions-before-gaganyaan-astronaut-flight-545422">Also read |&nbsp;ISRO to carry out two test missions, two uncrewed missions before ‘Gaganyaan’ astronaut flight</a>

Drone services are one of the fastest growing technology segments with the potential to provide extraordinary value to industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, energy and utilities, retail and logistics, said Achal Kataria VP &amp; India Country Head, Cognizant.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-us-marines-deliver-holiday-gifts-to-underprivileged-children-in-chennai-544815">Also read |&nbsp;India: US Marines deliver holiday gifts for underprivileged children in Chennai</a>

"We are excited to collaborate with Garuda Aerospace, combine our deep industry knowledge with capabilities such as advanced data analytics, real-time insights and software development to elevate drone-based solutions and new use cases for enterprises across sectors" he added.&nbsp;

Such smart drones can be integrated into operations of a wide range of sectors including agriculture, mining, defence, factories, oil pipelines, industrial facilities etc.

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IT Consulting firm Cognizant announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Indian drone firm Garuda Aerospace, to develop "smart drones". This is aimed at powering drones with advanced digital capabilities, achieving greater productivity.

IT Consulting firm Cognizant announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Indian drone firm Garuda Aerospace, to develop "smart drones". This is aimed at powering drones with advanced digital capabilities, achieving greater productivity. In real-world applications, it is set to bring solutions such as intelligent water and soil management, crop spraying, aerial planting in the agriculture sector; asset inspection, storm impact assessment, and fire safety in the energy sector; the drones can also be used for warehouse management in inventory audit, tracking products etc. "Drones are not just about the hardware, it is a combination of hardware, software and firmware. Our goal is to make drones more intelligent and multi-functional and ensure that they can be pre-programmed for use in multiple scenarios. We expect the co-developed drones to be ready in six months" Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Co-Founder & CEO, of Garuda Aerospace told WION. Also read | ISRO to carry out two test missions, two uncrewed missions before ‘Gaganyaan’ astronaut flight Drone services are one of the fastest growing technology segments with the potential to provide extraordinary value to industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, energy and utilities, retail and logistics, said Achal Kataria VP & India Country Head, Cognizant. Also read | India: US Marines deliver holiday gifts for underprivileged children in Chennai "We are excited to collaborate with Garuda Aerospace, combine our deep industry knowledge with capabilities such as advanced data analytics, real-time insights and software development to elevate drone-based solutions and new use cases for enterprises across sectors" he added. Such smart drones can be integrated into operations of a wide range of sectors including agriculture, mining, defence, factories, oil pipelines, industrial facilities etc. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US IT firm Cognizant ties up with India's Garuda Aerospace to make 'smart drones'

Drones have become farmer's friends as India's Jammu & Kashmir is all set to introduce drones in the agriculture sector. Watch this report for all the details.

WION Climate Tracker | India: Jammu & Kashmir set to introduce drones in the agriculture sector

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that the country's air defence systems had shot down 13 Iranian-made kamikaze drones that targeted the capital Kyiv earlier in the day.

Ukraine shot down 13 kamikaze drones in Kyiv attack: Zelensky

To help the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir, the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Science Technology (SKUAST) and&nbsp;the Government of Jammu and Kashmir have introduced high-tech drones to spray chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides in the orchards.&nbsp;

This technology will help the farming community of the region and lower the costs. From manual labour to minimal usage of chemicals and saving time, this technology could be a great help for the farmers of the Kashmir Valley. The government says that if the farmers adopt technology, it will help in increasing economic productivity, reducing environmental pollution and attracting youth to agriculture.

''The agriculture university of Kashmir is now working with the government of Jammu and Kashmir about the modernisation of agriculture, it includes bringing in new technologies. We would also include Artificial Intelligence. We have today introduced drones for spraying of pesticides and fertilizers in our orchards, conventionally we are using excessive use of chemicals, 90 per cent of all the chemicals used in Jammu and Kashmir are sprayed on these orchards."

Using drones will bring down the percentage of pesticides by around 90 per cent. We will also be reducing the labour cost. It would be more precise with a mist spray. We are sure we will be taking agriculture to the next level with the support of the government,'' said Nazir Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST. &nbsp;

Jammu and Kashmir has&nbsp;around one lakh sixty thousand hectares of land under horticulture and over 20 lakh metric tonnes of fruit are grown every year. Around 8 per cent of the economy of the Union Territory is contributed by horticulture.&nbsp;

''Horticulture is the backbone of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, It is around 15 thousand crore rupees (Rs 150 billion), and we believe there is potential to increase it to four times. It won't happen without technology. Drone technology is one aspect,&nbsp;we are also bringing Artificial Intelligence.&nbsp;We are collecting data on how it's spraying the pesticides, at what height, and whether the mist it is spraying is sufficient for the requirement of the plant. We are collecting all the data and by next year we will be able to give it to farmers for use,'' said Vice Chancellor Ahmad. &nbsp;

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-200-female-athletes-trained-in-water-sports-with-a-goal-to-represent-india-538571">&nbsp;Over 200 female athletes trained in water sports with a goal to represent India</a>

The drones are not fitted with a camera yet due to security reasons. But SKUAST is working with the government and will soon be fitting a spectrum camera which will detect the disease of the plant and spray it with exactly the kind of chemical to treat the disease. Using this technology will save 90 per cent of the chemicals which will be great for the environment and also good for health.&nbsp;

''Our drone is called Agri boat.&nbsp;It is the first drone approved by DGCA. It is designed for 10 litres of liquid that will be sprayed over one acre of land. The battery life is around 20 minutes per charge. It can cover up to one hectare of land per battery charge. A farmer can save around 90 per cent of water, generally, it takes three hours for an acre of land and that too with a team of labourers, so if we compare this is less time-consuming and needs much lower manual labour. The second is human contact with chemicals would be much lesser,'' said Dheeraj Yadav, engineer.&nbsp;

The farming community of the Kashmir region has hailed the initiative and demanded that drones be made available soon.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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To help the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir, the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Science Technology (SKUAST) and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir have introduced high-tech drones to spray chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides in the orchards.

To help the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir, the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Science Technology (SKUAST) and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir have introduced high-tech drones to spray chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides in the orchards. This technology will help the farming community of the region and lower the costs. From manual labour to minimal usage of chemicals and saving time, this technology could be a great help for the farmers of the Kashmir Valley. The government says that if the farmers adopt technology, it will help in increasing economic productivity, reducing environmental pollution and attracting youth to agriculture. ''The agriculture university of Kashmir is now working with the government of Jammu and Kashmir about the modernisation of agriculture, it includes bringing in new technologies. We would also include Artificial Intelligence. We have today introduced drones for spraying of pesticides and fertilizers in our orchards, conventionally we are using excessive use of chemicals, 90 per cent of all the chemicals used in Jammu and Kashmir are sprayed on these orchards." Using drones will bring down the percentage of pesticides by around 90 per cent. We will also be reducing the labour cost. It would be more precise with a mist spray. We are sure we will be taking agriculture to the next level with the support of the government,'' said Nazir Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST. Jammu and Kashmir has around one lakh sixty thousand hectares of land under horticulture and over 20 lakh metric tonnes of fruit are grown every year. Around 8 per cent of the economy of the Union Territory is contributed by horticulture. ''Horticulture is the backbone of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, It is around 15 thousand crore rupees (Rs 150 billion), and we believe there is potential to increase it to four times. It won't happen without technology. Drone technology is one aspect, we are also bringing Artificial Intelligence. We are collecting data on how it's spraying the pesticides, at what height, and whether the mist it is spraying is sufficient for the requirement of the plant. We are collecting all the data and by next year we will be able to give it to farmers for use,'' said Vice Chancellor Ahmad. Also Read: Over 200 female athletes trained in water sports with a goal to represent India The drones are not fitted with a camera yet due to security reasons. But SKUAST is working with the government and will soon be fitting a spectrum camera which will detect the disease of the plant and spray it with exactly the kind of chemical to treat the disease. Using this technology will save 90 per cent of the chemicals which will be great for the environment and also good for health. ''Our drone is called Agri boat. It is the first drone approved by DGCA. It is designed for 10 litres of liquid that will be sprayed over one acre of land. The battery life is around 20 minutes per charge. It can cover up to one hectare of land per battery charge. A farmer can save around 90 per cent of water, generally, it takes three hours for an acre of land and that too with a team of labourers, so if we compare this is less time-consuming and needs much lower manual labour. The second is human contact with chemicals would be much lesser,'' said Dheeraj Yadav, engineer. The farming community of the Kashmir region has hailed the initiative and demanded that drones be made available soon.

J&K government introduces drones for spraying fertilisers, pesticides in orchards

FBI Director Christopher Wray has said that bomb-laden drones are circulating in the U.S. He has further claimed that these drones can carry drugs or launch weaponry withing America. Priyanka Sharma reports.

Gravitas: FBI Director says bomb-laden drones are circulating in America

A bomb-carrying drone hit an oil tanker, nearly 240 kilometres off the coast of Oman on Tuesday, as per multiple reports.&nbsp;The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which provides maritime security information, said it was aware of the incident and investigating it.&nbsp;

The tanker named Pacific Zircon, belonging to Eastern Pacific Shipping, a Singapore-based company owned by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer sustained minor damages to the hull. Fortunately enough, there was no spillage of oil or cargo either&nbsp;

The company in a statement released informed that the crew on the ship was safe.&nbsp;

“We are in communication with the vessel and there is no reports of injuries or pollution. All crew are safe and accounted for. There is some minor damage to the vessel’s hull but no spillage of cargo or water ingress.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/iran-and-israel-from-allies-to-deadly-enemies-377928#special-relationship-377924">Read more:&nbsp;Iran and Israel: From allies to deadly enemies</a>

While no country or organisation has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, the suspicion has fallen on Iran which has engaged in a shadow war with Israel over the years.&nbsp;

This is not the first time that Gulf waters have seen such a skirmish. In 2021, Israel blamed Iran for carrying a suspected drone attack on its&nbsp;petroleum product tanker.&nbsp;

"This was indeed an operation by Iran. That is clear," said Israel's then-PM Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview.&nbsp;

"You're familiar with my policy. Iran is Israel's biggest enemy. I am determined to fend it off. We are striking at it all over the region," he added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tensions-flare-up-between-iran-and-israel-as-iran-suspects-israel-killed-its-2-scientists-488240">WATCH |&nbsp;Tensions flare up between Iran and Israel as Iran suspects Israel killed its 2 scientists</a>

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Meanwhile, Iran replied by saying,&nbsp;"Netanyahu suffers from Iranophobia and he thinks the way to solve his domestic problems is by spreading such accusations."

Once close friends, both Iran and Israel have been each other's sworn enemies since the&nbsp;1979&nbsp;Islamic&nbsp;revolution&nbsp;in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;toppled&nbsp;the 'Shah' and brought the 'Ayatollahs'.

Since then, Iran consider Israel an illegal occupier of Jerusalem and responsible for the "genocide" of Palestinians.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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A bomb-carrying drone hit an oil tanker, nearly 240 kilometres off the coast of Oman on Tuesday, as per multiple reports. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which provides maritime security information, said it was aware of the incident and investigating it.

A bomb-carrying drone hit an oil tanker, nearly 240 kilometres off the coast of Oman on Tuesday, as per multiple reports. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which provides maritime security information, said it was aware of the incident and investigating it. The tanker named Pacific Zircon, belonging to Eastern Pacific Shipping, a Singapore-based company owned by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer sustained minor damages to the hull. Fortunately enough, there was no spillage of oil or cargo either The company in a statement released informed that the crew on the ship was safe. “We are in communication with the vessel and there is no reports of injuries or pollution. All crew are safe and accounted for. There is some minor damage to the vessel’s hull but no spillage of cargo or water ingress.” Read more: Iran and Israel: From allies to deadly enemies While no country or organisation has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, the suspicion has fallen on Iran which has engaged in a shadow war with Israel over the years. This is not the first time that Gulf waters have seen such a skirmish. In 2021, Israel blamed Iran for carrying a suspected drone attack on its petroleum product tanker. "This was indeed an operation by Iran. That is clear," said Israel's then-PM Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview. "You're familiar with my policy. Iran is Israel's biggest enemy. I am determined to fend it off. We are striking at it all over the region," he added. WATCH | Tensions flare up between Iran and Israel as Iran suspects Israel killed its 2 scientists × Meanwhile, Iran replied by saying, "Netanyahu suffers from Iranophobia and he thinks the way to solve his domestic problems is by spreading such accusations." Once close friends, both Iran and Israel have been each other's sworn enemies since the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran toppled the 'Shah' and brought the 'Ayatollahs'. Since then, Iran consider Israel an illegal occupier of Jerusalem and responsible for the "genocide" of Palestinians. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Oil tanker with Israeli connection hit by an armed drone; Iran's role suspected

India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has shot down a Pakistani drone along the India-Pakistan International Border in Punjab. What was the drone sent for?

India shoots down Pakistani drone | WION Shorts

The Russia-Ukraine war has made drones the new normal on the battlefield. Now, when you think of any country’s military arsenal, you don't just think artillery, fighter jets, tanks, missiles but also, combat drones. Why are drones being preferred over missiles? Have drones become deciders of war outcome? And are drone-strikes making extrajudicial killings more frequent? A detailed report by Shivan Chanana.

Drones over missiles | Have drones become game-changers in the battlefield?

Was it a bird, an aircraft, or a strange object? No, it was just free advertising and air pollution. However, it was also impossible to ignore, and for others, it served as a reminder of their little infatuation with the smartphone game Candy Crush Saga.

To celebrate the game's tenth anniversary, 500 lit drones were flown in rhythm against the Manhattan cityscape on Thursday night under clear skies, as reported by the Guardian.&nbsp;

To avoid breaking the restrictions on drone use in New York City's airspace and prohibitions against flying them within the city boundaries, the display was flown over land from the adjacent state of New Jersey.

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In other news: New Yorkers enjoyed a drone show by ‘Candy Crush’ as the game celebrates its 10th anniversary <a href="https://t.co/4sqRAG0H1B">pic.twitter.com/4sqRAG0H1B</a>
— Reuters (@Reuters) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1588661114484584448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The company's chief marketing officer, Fernanda Romano, characterised the quick transformation of the Manhattan skyline into a "candified carnival" as a 10-minute light show that used the sky as "the greatest screen on the globe."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/twitter-starts-mass-layoff-large-number-of-employees-laid-off-in-india-531275">Twitter starts mass layoff: Roughly 50% of workforce hit by layoffs, Musk blames activist groups</a>

However, some gaped while others complained. Brad Hoylman, a Democratic state senator from the area, blasted the move and called it "outrageous" to "damage" the city's iconic skyline "for private benefit." Birds were also at danger, he told Gothamist.

Every year, millions of migratory birds fly over the city; many of them collide with lit-up structures and are susceptible to being startled by things like drones.

To set up the exhibit, the firm needed a special authorization.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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Was it a bird, an aircraft, or a strange object? No, it was just free advertising and air pollution. However, it was also impossible to ignore, and for others, it served as a reminder of their little infatuation with the smartphone game Candy Crush Saga.

Was it a bird, an aircraft, or a strange object? No, it was just free advertising and air pollution. However, it was also impossible to ignore, and for others, it served as a reminder of their little infatuation with the smartphone game Candy Crush Saga. To celebrate the game's tenth anniversary, 500 lit drones were flown in rhythm against the Manhattan cityscape on Thursday night under clear skies, as reported by the Guardian. To avoid breaking the restrictions on drone use in New York City's airspace and prohibitions against flying them within the city boundaries, the display was flown over land from the adjacent state of New Jersey. In other news: New Yorkers enjoyed a drone show by ‘Candy Crush’ as the game celebrates its 10th anniversary pic.twitter.com/4sqRAG0H1B — Reuters (@Reuters) November 4, 2022 × The company's chief marketing officer, Fernanda Romano, characterised the quick transformation of the Manhattan skyline into a "candified carnival" as a 10-minute light show that used the sky as "the greatest screen on the globe." Also read | Twitter starts mass layoff: Roughly 50% of workforce hit by layoffs, Musk blames activist groups However, some gaped while others complained. Brad Hoylman, a Democratic state senator from the area, blasted the move and called it "outrageous" to "damage" the city's iconic skyline "for private benefit." Birds were also at danger, he told Gothamist. Every year, millions of migratory birds fly over the city; many of them collide with lit-up structures and are susceptible to being startled by things like drones. To set up the exhibit, the firm needed a special authorization. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

WATCH: 500 drones light up New York City's sky to mark 10 years of Candy Crush

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

A day after Russia claimed a&nbsp;"massive" drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, a new video has emerged showing that Russia’s Admiral Makarov vessel was damaged and most likely disabled by the Ukrainian attack over the weekend.

Russia had accused British troops of being involved in Saturday's attack, inviting a sharp retort from UK Ministry of Defence which said Moscow was "peddling false claims of an epic scale".

According to the open-source investigation by GeoConfirmed community, the Russian Navy’s frigate was attacked by a “swarm of drones” at 4.20 am on Sunday.

After examining the clips, it said, “Only Admiral Makarov matches this class for the Black Sea Fleet.”

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The first videos emerged this morning. 
 
Video 01: Explosion in distance, filmed by a fixed camera. 
 
44.64545, 33.53681 
 
02/ <a href="https://t.co/KRM1sVQZoq">pic.twitter.com/KRM1sVQZoq</a>
— GeoConfirmed (@GeoConfirmed) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoConfirmed/status/1586460402573099009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The video stops when a drone reaches the Russian boat, it added, with the unmanned vessel “likely” blowing up on impact, it said.

The clip showed the unmanned vehicle hovering over the Russian boats near the southern part of Sevastopol in an area known as Riflemen’s Bay. A Russian navy school is reportedly located nearby.

A Ukrainian journalist, Andriy Tsaplienko, had shared dramatic footage shot by a drone in action off the Crimea coast in which it appeared to dodge bullets hitting the water on its way to a target ship.

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Very epic footages from today's attack by drones on the Port in Sevastopol, Crimea 
/1 <a href="https://t.co/9kDbDBkWPV">pic.twitter.com/9kDbDBkWPV</a>
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) <a href="https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1586356804673339392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Russian defence ministry has claimed that Ukraine used nine air and seven sea drones, most of which were intercepted.

However, the ministry did not mention any damages to Admiral Makarov. Though it admitted to “minor damage” to a minesweeper, the Ivan Golubets.

Kremlin on Sunday said that they have recovered the drones and are being analysed. They said that the drones were equipped with Canadian-made navigation modules.

Though Ukraine has kept mum over the incident, the Guardian reported that aides to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hinted at the country’s role in the Saturday attack.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. A day after Russia claimed a "massive" drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, a new video has emerged showing that Russia’s Admiral Makarov vessel was damaged and most likely disabled by the Ukrainian attack over the weekend. Russia had accused British troops of being involved in Saturday's attack, inviting a sharp retort from UK Ministry of Defence which said Moscow was "peddling false claims of an epic scale". According to the open-source investigation by GeoConfirmed community, the Russian Navy’s frigate was attacked by a “swarm of drones” at 4.20 am on Sunday. After examining the clips, it said, “Only Admiral Makarov matches this class for the Black Sea Fleet.” The first videos emerged this morning. Video 01: Explosion in distance, filmed by a fixed camera. 44.64545, 33.53681 02/ pic.twitter.com/KRM1sVQZoq — GeoConfirmed (@GeoConfirmed) October 29, 2022 × The video stops when a drone reaches the Russian boat, it added, with the unmanned vessel “likely” blowing up on impact, it said. The clip showed the unmanned vehicle hovering over the Russian boats near the southern part of Sevastopol in an area known as Riflemen’s Bay. A Russian navy school is reportedly located nearby. A Ukrainian journalist, Andriy Tsaplienko, had shared dramatic footage shot by a drone in action off the Crimea coast in which it appeared to dodge bullets hitting the water on its way to a target ship. Very epic footages from today's attack by drones on the Port in Sevastopol, Crimea /1 pic.twitter.com/9kDbDBkWPV — Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) October 29, 2022 × The Russian defence ministry has claimed that Ukraine used nine air and seven sea drones, most of which were intercepted. However, the ministry did not mention any damages to Admiral Makarov. Though it admitted to “minor damage” to a minesweeper, the Ivan Golubets. Kremlin on Sunday said that they have recovered the drones and are being analysed. They said that the drones were equipped with Canadian-made navigation modules. Though Ukraine has kept mum over the incident, the Guardian reported that aides to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hinted at the country’s role in the Saturday attack. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet was damaged by Ukrainian drone attacks in Crimea: Report

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