Russia's Yasen-M-class nuclear-powered attack submarine Novosibirsk has launched Oniks and Kalibr cruise missiles during a scheduled exercise in the Pacific Ocean, according to Russia's Defence Ministry. The reported strikes targeted a simulated enemy warship and a land-based training target on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Russia's nuclear submarine unleashes missiles in the Pacific

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7 struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula at a depth of 140 kilometres, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The epicentre was located around 123 kilometres southwest of Vilyuchinsk in Russia’s Far East. The tremors were recorded at approximately 3:35 pm local time. No tsunami warning was issued, with the US National Tsunami Warning Center confirming there was no tsunami danger following the quake.


Russia Earthquake:  Huge 7.0 earthquake strikes Russia again, Moscow shakes violently 

As wars continue to rage in Ukraine and West Asia, Starlink has emerged as a powerful tool not just for civilians, but also for the military. It is now at the centre of a big row. While Ukraine has cried foul due to sudden Starlink restrictions, Iran has pledged a tougher crackdown on this service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX.&nbsp;In the latest from the battlefield, four people were injured in the city of Odesa in an alleged Russian attack. Footage showed the moment when a jet-powered drone struck a supermarket, resulting in a big fire. Subsequently, the store was partially destroyed, and cars were damaged.&nbsp;At a time when Ukraine's defence capabilities have been impacted, Russia reportedly fired over 850 Shahed drones across various cities, including Kyiv, since the early hours of Thursday. Three people were killed, and six others were injured in an alleged Russian drone attack on Ukraine's Kirovohrad region. Businesses, logistics centres, warehouses and residential buildings were hit. Three others were killed in a strike on Dnipro as well.&nbsp;In another development, two vessels off Romania's coast were struck overnight by aerial drones. This included a San Marino-flagged vessel in the Black Sea, which caught fire overnight. According to Romania, seven crew members are still missing. While Moscow has not been linked to this incident until now, suspected Russian drones have hit several ships off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria since last week.&nbsp;Amid a surge in attacks against Ukraine, defence experts claimed that Russia has nearly finished building a major new base for launching jet-powered drones in just six weeks. Located in the Rostov region, satellite imagery indicated that the facility was the size of around 126 football fields. This assumes significance as Ukraine is struggling to intercept Russian jet-powered drones that can travel at up to 600 kilometres per hour.&nbsp;On the other hand, Ukraine's military claimed to have destroyed four Su-34M military aircraft and hit two others in an overnight strike on an airfield in Russia's Voronezh region. This large fighter-bomber, costing millions of US dollars, is reportedly used by Russia to drop glide bombs onto Ukrainian cities near the frontline.&nbsp;Now, in the wake of Trump striking a deal with Putin to import tonnes of diesel to ease high prices for Americans ahead of the midterms, Zelensky stressed that he felt betrayed by the US president. Terming the restrictions on Starlink a 'big mistake', he claimed that this decision would lead to a lot of human losses and urged Musk to restore the service.&nbsp;Starlink essentially helps the military by providing high-speed and jam-resistant satellite internet that connects combat units, command posts and unmanned systems in real time. Starlink-enabled connections help pilots maintain links with drones, thereby supporting operations against Russian military positions, supply lines and infrastructure.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/false-accusations-maduro-wife-plead-not-guilty-to-new-us-torture-charges-1792090129550">‘False accusations’: Maduro, wife plead not guilty to new US torture charges</a>&nbsp;After SpaceX reportedly imposed a speed limit on Starlink terminals, Ukraine's 7th Air Assault Corps reported that some drones started experiencing connection losses for 10 to 20 seconds while travelling at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. These interruptions made them harder to control, and slowing them down increased their vulnerability to Russian attacks.&nbsp;The problem was particularly severe for medium-range strike drones, which require relatively high speeds during take-off. According to Zelensky's adviser, the Starlink curbs disrupted a number of missions and also threatened Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian drones. He highlighted that Starlink remained the most effective tool for enabling interceptors to shoot down Russia's jet-powered drones.Defence experts also flagged the impact of Starlink restrictions on Ukrainian drones.&nbsp;On his part, though, Elon Musk sought to pass the buck to Trump. The SpaceX CEO said that the concerns pertained to Starshield, which he claimed was owned and controlled by the US government. He said, and I am quoting him, "Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately the US president".&nbsp;While Starshield is designed for government use and provides users with the ability to integrate sensors on drones, its secure communications rely on Starlink.&nbsp;In Iran, however, Starlink has been under the radar for a completely different reason. Outlawed in Iran on national security grounds, this satellite internet service has emerged as an alternative for people who seek to bypass the country's internet restrictions and shutdowns.&nbsp;For instance, the Masoud Pezeshkian-led government shut down the internet for a staggering 88 days following the start of the war on February 28 this year. However, Iran is viewing it as a strategic vulnerability.&nbsp;A top official described Starlink as a 'tool of war' for enemies, who he claimed were using it for espionage and information gathering. While the scale of Starlink usage in Iran is tough to estimate, ex-Israeli PM Naftali Bennett had claimed to have smuggled thousands of Starlink devices into Iran from 2021 to 2022 to aid protesters.&nbsp;According to reports, Iranian authorities use a combination of measures to block Starlink connections. This includes using jammers to disrupt services, along with spoofed GPS locations to slow new devices being set up. Besides this, Iran also tries to physically intercept terminals via raids.&nbsp;It is important to note that an Iranian faces six months to two years in jail simply for using Starlink. Importing and distributing Starlink devices carries a jail sentence of up to ten years. In case national security or espionage charges are invoked, individuals can even face the death penalty.&nbsp;Now, amid Musk complaining about Starlink's delayed launch in India, Ukraine's experience provides food for thought. It just goes to show how reliance on satellite technology controlled by a foreign power can prove to be a double-edged sword in times of conflict.

Starlink's role in Ukraine's military operations and Iran's crackdown on the satellite internet service have highlighted the risks of relying on technology controlled by a foreign power during conflicts.

As wars continue to rage in Ukraine and West Asia, Starlink has emerged as a powerful tool not just for civilians, but also for the military. It is now at the centre of a big row. While Ukraine has cried foul due to sudden Starlink restrictions, Iran has pledged a tougher crackdown on this service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX. In the latest from the battlefield, four people were injured in the city of Odesa in an alleged Russian attack. Footage showed the moment when a jet-powered drone struck a supermarket, resulting in a big fire. Subsequently, the store was partially destroyed, and cars were damaged. At a time when Ukraine's defence capabilities have been impacted, Russia reportedly fired over 850 Shahed drones across various cities, including Kyiv, since the early hours of Thursday. Three people were killed, and six others were injured in an alleged Russian drone attack on Ukraine's Kirovohrad region. Businesses, logistics centres, warehouses and residential buildings were hit. Three others were killed in a strike on Dnipro as well. In another development, two vessels off Romania's coast were struck overnight by aerial drones. This included a San Marino-flagged vessel in the Black Sea, which caught fire overnight. According to Romania, seven crew members are still missing. While Moscow has not been linked to this incident until now, suspected Russian drones have hit several ships off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria since last week. Amid a surge in attacks against Ukraine, defence experts claimed that Russia has nearly finished building a major new base for launching jet-powered drones in just six weeks. Located in the Rostov region, satellite imagery indicated that the facility was the size of around 126 football fields. This assumes significance as Ukraine is struggling to intercept Russian jet-powered drones that can travel at up to 600 kilometres per hour. On the other hand, Ukraine's military claimed to have destroyed four Su-34M military aircraft and hit two others in an overnight strike on an airfield in Russia's Voronezh region. This large fighter-bomber, costing millions of US dollars, is reportedly used by Russia to drop glide bombs onto Ukrainian cities near the frontline. Now, in the wake of Trump striking a deal with Putin to import tonnes of diesel to ease high prices for Americans ahead of the midterms, Zelensky stressed that he felt betrayed by the US president. Terming the restrictions on Starlink a 'big mistake', he claimed that this decision would lead to a lot of human losses and urged Musk to restore the service. Starlink essentially helps the military by providing high-speed and jam-resistant satellite internet that connects combat units, command posts and unmanned systems in real time. Starlink-enabled connections help pilots maintain links with drones, thereby supporting operations against Russian military positions, supply lines and infrastructure. Also Read: ‘False accusations’: Maduro, wife plead not guilty to new US torture charges After SpaceX reportedly imposed a speed limit on Starlink terminals, Ukraine's 7th Air Assault Corps reported that some drones started experiencing connection losses for 10 to 20 seconds while travelling at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. These interruptions made them harder to control, and slowing them down increased their vulnerability to Russian attacks. The problem was particularly severe for medium-range strike drones, which require relatively high speeds during take-off. According to Zelensky's adviser, the Starlink curbs disrupted a number of missions and also threatened Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian drones. He highlighted that Starlink remained the most effective tool for enabling interceptors to shoot down Russia's jet-powered drones. Defence experts also flagged the impact of Starlink restrictions on Ukrainian drones. On his part, though, Elon Musk sought to pass the buck to Trump. The SpaceX CEO said that the concerns pertained to Starshield, which he claimed was owned and controlled by the US government. He said, and I am quoting him, "Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately the US president". While Starshield is designed for government use and provides users with the ability to integrate sensors on drones, its secure communications rely on Starlink. In Iran, however, Starlink has been under the radar for a completely different reason. Outlawed in Iran on national security grounds, this satellite internet service has emerged as an alternative for people who seek to bypass the country's internet restrictions and shutdowns. For instance, the Masoud Pezeshkian-led government shut down the internet for a staggering 88 days following the start of the war on February 28 this year. However, Iran is viewing it as a strategic vulnerability. A top official described Starlink as a 'tool of war' for enemies, who he claimed were using it for espionage and information gathering. While the scale of Starlink usage in Iran is tough to estimate, ex-Israeli PM Naftali Bennett had claimed to have smuggled thousands of Starlink devices into Iran from 2021 to 2022 to aid protesters. According to reports, Iranian authorities use a combination of measures to block Starlink connections. This includes using jammers to disrupt services, along with spoofed GPS locations to slow new devices being set up. Besides this, Iran also tries to physically intercept terminals via raids. It is important to note that an Iranian faces six months to two years in jail simply for using Starlink. Importing and distributing Starlink devices carries a jail sentence of up to ten years. In case national security or espionage charges are invoked, individuals can even face the death penalty. Now, amid Musk complaining about Starlink's delayed launch in India, Ukraine's experience provides food for thought. It just goes to show how reliance on satellite technology controlled by a foreign power can prove to be a double-edged sword in times of conflict.

Starlink's role in Ukraine's military operations and Iran's crackdown on the satellite internet service have highlighted the risks of relying on technology controlled by a foreign power during conflicts.

Ukraine blinded: Musk deflects blame on Trump, Putin sharpens attack | Gravitas

A catastrophic two-day bombardment has struck Ukraine in apparent retaliation for recent attacks on Russian oil refineries. Over forty-eight hours, Russian forces launched dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles alongside 272 attack drones, hitting industrial and energy targets in Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kremenchuk and Poltava. With 58 confirmed dead and more than 120 injured, President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the brutal onslaught will not go unanswered. Watch the complete breakdown of this massive aerial assault and the images from ground zero, the voices of people affected.

58 killed in 48 hours: Russia unleashes 270+ drones & missiles in massive revenge blitz

As the Russia-Ukraine war escalates, India has proposed a three-part Russia-Ukraine truce. What is the proposal all about? What is the situation looking like on the battlefield? What are Russia and Ukraine saying? 

India proposes 3-part Russia-Ukraine truce, Putin's birthday attacks batter Kyiv | Gravitas

Russia has attacked Kyiv's two key bridges four days in a row, aiming to paralyse the Ukrainian capital. Ukraine has struggled to intercept Russia's jet-powered drones. Meanwhile, Ukraine accused Russia of attacking a civilian vessel in the Black Sea, resulting in at least one fatality.


Putin turns Kyiv into a kill zone, Ukraine unable to stop Russia's jet drones

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow could use “all weapons at our country’s disposal” if Kaliningrad or any other Russian territory comes under direct attack. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club, Putin issued the warning amid rising tensions over Russia’s western exclave.

Vladimir Putin threatens to unleash entire Russian arsenal if Europe attacks Kaliningrad

Ukraine says Russia has used a jet-powered drone with a steel-cutting warhead for the first time, targeting a high-voltage power pylon. Kyiv says the warhead carries a 40-kilogram main charge and four additional modules, and is designed to destroy pylons and steel bridges. 

With temperatures set to fall near freezing, Ukraine fears Russia’s new weapon could push the country into a far harsher winter blackout crisis.

The attack came during a major Russian assault involving nearly 190 drones and ballistic missiles, according to president zelensky. Ukrainian statements said drones hit a major Kyiv bridge and the grounds of a nuclear research institute, while the reactor was undamaged. Ukraine also said a drone struck a school amid round-the-clock attacks on Kyiv. 


Putin's new winter weapon: Steel-cutter drone that destroys Ukraine's power grid

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned against what he described as a “dangerous escalation” by Moscow amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Macron’s remarks come as tensions remain high over the war and Russia’s military actions. France continues to support Ukraine while calling for efforts to address the conflict. The warning highlights growing concerns in Europe over further escalation.


Russia-Ukraine War: Macron warns of Moscow's ‘dangerous escalation’ 

Russia has reportedly launched fresh attacks targeting warehouses and infrastructure as casualties were reported across several regions linked to the conflict. Russian officials said two people were killed in Crimea, three in occupied Zaporizhzhia, and four in Krasnodar and Belgorod. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow is not prepared to end the war, underscoring the deep divisions that continue to hinder prospects for peace as fighting intensifies on multiple fronts.


Russia-Ukraine war: Zelensky says Russia is not prepared to end the war

A fresh barrage of fast, jet-powered Russian drones struck Ukraine's capital and regional hubs, targeting critical railway networks, petrol stations, and warehouses. Leaving at least two people dead and over two dozen injured in Kyiv, the strikes ignited fires near the central train station and damaged energy infrastructure—occurring just hours after diplomatic discussions focused on securing a potential bilateral halt to energy facility attacks.   


Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv claims Russian drones struck city centre in broad daylight

Russia-Ukraine war: Fresh wave of Russian jet drones strikes Ukraine's critical infrastructure

Ukrainian President Zelensky met CIA Director John Ratcliffe at Shannon Airport in Ireland while both their planes refueled, sources told Reuters. Neither side has revealed what was discussed. The meeting comes just weeks after Ratcliffe's unannounced August 25 trip to Moscow, where he reportedly met senior Russian intelligence officials and shared a bleak assessment of Russia's war position, urging a deal before things worsen. Zelensky was en route to New York for the UN General Assembly, where he's set to meet President Trump.


Russia-Ukraine war: Report suggests Ratcliffe meets Zelensky weeks after secret Moscow trip

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks yet on the Moscow region, with authorities intercepting over 1,600 drones, 450 of them headed for the capital. Two people were killed, a 44-year-old woman and an elderly man, in separate strikes, while a major oil refinery caught fire and a drone hit a residential building, forcing evacuations. The attack landed on the final day of Russia's parliamentary elections, with Moscow's mayor accusing Ukraine of trying to disrupt the vote.


Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow attacked by hundreds of drones, 2 killed as fire erupts at oil refinery 

Russia unleashed fresh strikes across Ukraine, a guided aerial bomb hit a residential building in Sumy, killing two and injuring seven, including a 13-year-old girl, while a shopping centre fire broke out in Dnipro. Firefighters battled the blaze as emergency crews rushed to both scenes. Separately, Ukraine's intelligence service revealed Russia is preparing to recruit at least 27 Yemeni nationals, some born as recently as 2006, offering legal status in exchange for military contracts to fight on the front lines.


Russia's deadly Ukraine strikes kill 2 in Sumy, hit Dnipro mall 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused European leaders of using warnings about a possible conflict with Russia to distract from domestic economic and political problems. Putin said Russia has no aggressive intentions toward Europe and remains open to restoring ties, while warning that sending European troops into Ukraine would amount to direct war with Russia.

Putin: European leaders using war rhetoric to save falling ratings

Russians have begun three days of voting in the country’s parliamentary election, the first held during wartime since the invasion of Ukraine. With virtually no opposition and electronic voting allowed, the election is expected to reinforce the Kremlin’s political dominance.

Russia holds first parliamentary elections since the beginning of the Ukraine war

Russia launched a fresh wave of strikes across Ukraine, wounding at least 18 people. Kyiv's mayor reported 12 injured, including two children, while Sumy suffered a deadly guided bomb strike that killed one person. Attacks also hit Odesa. In a tit-for-tat exchange, Ukraine struck back at Russia, hitting a military airfield in Rostov-on-Don and an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, part of Kyiv's ongoing campaign against Russian energy and military infrastructure as the war grinds into its fifth year.


Russia-Ukraine war: '18 wounded in Russian air strikes' as Kyiv, Odesa, and Sumy come under fire

Russia unleashed a massive overnight strike across Ukraine, hitting steel plants in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and Odesa Moscow says manufacture military equipment, alongside ports in Odesa. Reports of casualties vary by region and source, with officials citing several killed and dozens injured, including an infant among the wounded in Odesa. Zelensky said nearly 500 drones were deployed against Ukrainian targets in a single day, as Russia's campaign against infrastructure sharply escalates.


Russia-Ukraine war: Putin burns Dnipro to Zaporizhzhia to Odesa 

The BRICS New Delhi Summit has revived talk of an old idea: the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral, first conceived in the late 1990s and never formally launched. With Western tariffs pushing Moscow and Beijing to seek common ground with Delhi, and India-China ties cautiously thawing, the chorus for RIC is growing louder. But India has stayed non-committal, any revival depends on "mutual convenience", raising the real question: would formalizing RIC actually challenge India's careful balancing act?


BRICS Summit 2026: RIC acted as the precursor for BRICS

Day 1 of the BRICS Summit ended on a high note for India, all 11 members unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration, overcoming sharp Iran-UAE differences over West Asia after days of tense negotiations. PM Modi packed the day with bilaterals, including a landmark meeting with Xi Jinping. With the main open session done and dusted, all eyes now turn to Day 2, where the agenda shifts to inclusive global growth and the BRICS+ outreach nations.


BRICS Summit 2026: Consensus on joint declaration, diplomatic win for India 

Putin's arrival in Delhi for BRICS put the spotlight back on his heavily customised presidential jet, nicknamed the "Flying Kremlin." Russia flies two identical IL-96-300PU aircraft side by side, so nobody outside his inner circle knows which one he's actually on. The plane functions as a secure airborne command centre with advanced communications, though Russia's dedicated nuclear command aircraft is technically a separate jet, the IL-80. Much of the "Flying Kremlin's" tech remains classified.


Putin's 'doomsday' plane: The secretive IL-96-300PU and its identical decoy jet 

Zelensky says he's willing to meet Putin at the G20 summit in Miami this December to talk peace, but the Kremlin shut it down instantly, calling it "impossible" and insisting any meeting must happen in Moscow. Lavrov went further, saying Russia won't halt strikes on Ukraine during peace talks, even as Trump's envoys shuttle between Kyiv and Moscow trying to restart negotiations. Putin and Zelensky haven't met face-to-face since before the 2022 invasion began.


Russia-Ukraine war: Lavrov says Russia will not halt the Ukraine war during peace talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for the 2026 BRICS Summit aboard his heavily guarded Ilyushin Il-96-300PU, known as the "Flying Kremlin" or "Doomsday Plane." Operating as a fully mobile airborne command center, the high-security aircraft features advanced radar-jamming tech, encrypted satellite communications, and anti-missile defense systems alongside luxurious presidential suites. Watch for full details on the security architecture and high-stakes arrival of President Putin in India. 

Putin’s 'doomsday plane' in Delhi: Inside the secretive 'flying Kremlin' aircraft 

Marking two decades since its inception, the expanded 11-member BRICS bloc is pushing to transform the Global South from passive "rule-takers" into active "rule-shapers" of the international system. As world leaders gather in New Delhi, the key question remains whether a diverse group of nations can forge sustainable consensus, challenge Western-dominated institutions, and act as a stabilizing force in a fractured global order.

 The verdict-BRICS at 20: Can the expanded bloc rewrite the rules of global power? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the unanimous adoption of the BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026, marking a landmark moment for the summit. In his concluding address, PM Modi emphasized that a rapidly changing world cannot be steered by outdated institutions and called for urgent structural reforms in global governance. He highlighted the imperative of ensuring equal participation for the Global South in emerging technology standards and decision-making frameworks. Watch PM Modi’s complete address at the BRICS Summit closing session.


BRICS summit 2026 latest update: New Delhi declaration adopted! 

Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum 2026 in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the severe political and economic uncertainty facing the world, describing the global order as being "under churn" due to geopolitical conflicts and disruptions. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin took direct aim at the G7, declaring that BRICS has become the new engine of global growth by accounting for over 40% of world GDP and driving more than half of recent economic expansion. Both leaders urged BRICS nations to deepen market integration and build shock-resistant supply networks.


BRICS Summit 2026: Putin claims BRICS now drives over 50% of global economic growth

Day two of the 18th BRICS Summit brings the meeting everyone's watching: PM Modi and President Xi Jinping sit down today, Xi's first visit to India in seven years. It comes as both sides work to stabilize ties after the 2020 Ladakh standoff, with progress already made on border patrolling and direct flights. Alongside the bilateral, "Strengthening Multilateralism" tops the summit agenda as world leaders gather at Bharat Mandapam for the closing day.


BRICS Summit 2026: India, Russia push to expand trade, defence and strategic partnership 

Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in New Delhi and went straight into bilateral talks with PM Modi ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit. Trade, energy, and defence topped the agenda, with BrahMos missile upgrades, S-400 deliveries and Su-57 jets all reportedly on the table. Putin arrived with a high-level delegation, and the two leaders are expected to review decades of strategic partnership before world leaders gather at Bharat Mandapam this weekend.


BRICS Summit 2026: India, Russia push to expand trade, defence and strategic partnership

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi gifts a Russian translation of the 'Thirukkural' to Putin

BRICS Summit 2026: Russian President Putin's first BRICS trip abroad since the Ukraine war began

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