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. Following reports of assaults on energy infrastructure that caused power outages across the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Saturday (October 22) that Russia had launched a "massive attack" on Ukraine overnight. Zelensky said on social media: "The aggressor continues to terrorise our country. At night, the enemy launched a massive attack: 36 rockets, most of which were shot down... These are vile strikes on critical objects. Typical tactics of terrorists." ALSO READ | Iran again rejects Ukraine drone claims, slams West over 'provocative approaches' Russian attacks on energy infrastructure across Ukraine have left more than a million homes without electricity, according to the deputy director of the Ukrainian presidency. Kyrylo Tymoshenko said on social media: "As of now, 672,000 subscribers have been disconnected in Khmelnytskyi region, 188,400 in Mykolaiv region, 102,000 in Volyn region, 242,000 in Cherkasy region, 174,790 in Rivne region, 61,913 in Kirovograd region and 10,500 in Odessa region." WATCH | Ukraine President Zelensky warns of 'large scale disaster', says Russia planning to blow up dam × ALSO READ | China's Xi Jinping further cements power as Communist Party's 20th Congress closes Meanwhile, in response to Kyiv's counter-offensive, pro-Russian officials in Ukraine's southern Kherson region, which Moscow claims to have annexed, ordered residents to leave "immediately" on Saturday. The region's pro-Russian authorities said on social media: "Due to the tense situation on the front, the increased danger of mass shelling of the city and the threat of terrorist attacks, all civilians must immediately leave the city and cross to the left bank of the Dnieper river. 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.

Russia launched 36 rockets at Ukraine, over a million households without power, claims Zelensky

Tehran on Saturday (October 22) warned against using "provocative approaches" after some of the European countries called for a UN investigation into Iranian drones being allegedly used by Russia in the ongoing Ukraine war.&nbsp;

After the EU and Britain imposed further sanctions on Tehran this week, France, Britain, and Germany demanded an "impartial" probe into the situation in a letter to the UN on Friday.&nbsp;

So far, Iran has denied that it provided Russia with weapons for use in the Ukraine war. On the other hand, Kremlin said that it had no knowledge of its army using such weapons and Moscow accused the West of seeking to put "pressure" on Tehran with the allegations.&nbsp;

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said in a statement: "The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the current provocative approaches of the European Union and the United Kingdom to be part of a targeted political scenario."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-20th-communist-party-congress-closes-xi-jinping-further-cements-power-527591">China's Xi Jinping further cements power as Communist Party's 20th Congress closes</a>&nbsp;

Kanani stated that Tehran "reserves the right to answer for any irresponsible actions"&nbsp;and would not hesitate to "defend the interests of the Iranian country". He&nbsp;"roundly rejected and strongly condemned" the "destructive" measure adopted&nbsp;by the EU and Britain.&nbsp;

Kanani repeated Iran's rejection of "baseless claims about the transfer of drones for use in the Ukraine conflict". He further added, "We support peace and an immediate end to the war in Ukraine through a political process."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;US, Russia Defence Ministers discuss Ukraine war, speak for the first time since May&nbsp;

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On Thursday, the EU and Britain announced penalties against three Iranian generals and an arms company they claimed was in charge of giving Iranian drones to Russia for use in bombing Ukraine.&nbsp;

On Friday, the UN Security Council was urged by France, Germany, and the UK to look into whether Iran may have violated resolution 2231.&nbsp;

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Tehran on Saturday (October 22) warned against using "provocative approaches" after some of the European countries called for a UN investigation into Iranian drones being allegedly used by Russia in the ongoing Ukraine war.

Tehran on Saturday (October 22) warned against using "provocative approaches" after some of the European countries called for a UN investigation into Iranian drones being allegedly used by Russia in the ongoing Ukraine war. After the EU and Britain imposed further sanctions on Tehran this week, France, Britain, and Germany demanded an "impartial" probe into the situation in a letter to the UN on Friday. So far, Iran has denied that it provided Russia with weapons for use in the Ukraine war. On the other hand, Kremlin said that it had no knowledge of its army using such weapons and Moscow accused the West of seeking to put "pressure" on Tehran with the allegations. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said in a statement: "The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the current provocative approaches of the European Union and the United Kingdom to be part of a targeted political scenario." ALSO READ | China's Xi Jinping further cements power as Communist Party's 20th Congress closes Kanani stated that Tehran "reserves the right to answer for any irresponsible actions" and would not hesitate to "defend the interests of the Iranian country". He "roundly rejected and strongly condemned" the "destructive" measure adopted by the EU and Britain. Kanani repeated Iran's rejection of "baseless claims about the transfer of drones for use in the Ukraine conflict". He further added, "We support peace and an immediate end to the war in Ukraine through a political process." WATCH | US, Russia Defence Ministers discuss Ukraine war, speak for the first time since May × On Thursday, the EU and Britain announced penalties against three Iranian generals and an arms company they claimed was in charge of giving Iranian drones to Russia for use in bombing Ukraine. On Friday, the UN Security Council was urged by France, Germany, and the UK to look into whether Iran may have violated resolution 2231. 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.

Iran again rejects Ukraine drone claims, slams West over 'provocative approaches'

The Ukraine government has placed restrictions on electricity usage nationwide for the first time since Russia's invasion following attacks on power plants and concerns about energy needs in winter. According to government officials temporary blackouts are possible if people do not minimize their use of electricity.

Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv warns against blackouts in winters

Russia's new commander for the war in Ukraine has made an admission. He said the situation in the Kherson region has become "very difficult" for the Russian Forces. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Russian war commander makes big admission

Israel says it is not selling arms to Ukraine. But Kyiv wants 'quality cooperation' from Israel, in other words, it wants Israel to send immediate air defence systems. So far, Israel has had cordial relations with Russia, but will it now be forced to pick sides? Listen in to Molly Gambhir.

Gravitas: Ukraine war: Will Israel be forced to pick a side?

Russian strikes have demolished large parts of Ukraine's power grid ahead of winter. The war has forced Ukrainians to restrict their electricity consumption.

Ukraine battles energy crisis amidst war

Russia has once again raised the threat of a possible nuclear war. On the ground, Russia continues to strike Ukrainian towns and cities targeting several key civilian and other infrastructure.

Russian strikes pound Ukraine power sites

The Russia-Ukraine war is now in its 8th month. Since the very beginning of this war, global powers have picked sides. But one nation that is still almost unconditionally with Russia's so far is its trusted ally Belarus.

Reports: Putin may force Lukashenko to join war

Ukraine's Foreign Minister has submitted a proposal to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to formally cut diplomatic ties with Iran. This came after Kyiv accused Tehran of supplying drones to Russia.

Reports: Iran supplying Fateh-110, Zolfaghar missiles to Russia

Russian installed officials in the occupied Ukrainian city of Kherson are preparing to defend it from an imminent Ukrainian attack. They've also urged civilians to flee as soon as possible.

Russia's men in Kherson tell civilians to flee

Ukraine's Foreign Minister has submitted a proposal to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to formally cut diplomatic ties with Iran. This came after Ukraine accused Tehran of supplying drones to Russia.

Russia Ukraine War: Kyiv to cut diplomatic ties with Tehran

Russian news agencies said on Tuesday (October 18) that at least 13 people, including three children, were killed after a military plane crashed into a residential area of Yeysk in southwest Russia. The search for the survivors has ended.&nbsp;

The agencies quoted the ministry of emergency situations: "Rescuers have finished excavating the rubble (...) In total, 13 people died, including three children, while 19 people were injured."&nbsp;

On Monday, a fighter plane crashed into a residential building in the southern city shortly after take-off. The apartments in the building were engulfed in a fireball.&nbsp;

A video published by the Russian military news channel Zvezda showed explosions aboard the Sukhoi Su-34 supersonic medium-range fighter bomber. The jet fell on the apartments. Russian agencies said the pilots had ejected.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-opens-criminal-case-into-fighter-plane-crash-526266">Russia opens criminal case into fighter plane crash</a>&nbsp;

In a statement to RIA, the Russian defence ministry said: "According to the report of the ejected pilots, the cause of the plane crash was the ignition of one of the engines during take-off. At the site of the crash of the Su-34 in the courtyard of one of the residential quarters, the plane’s fuel ignited."&nbsp;

Images and videos of the accident were circulating on social media platforms as footage showed the nine-storey building on fire, which was later put out.&nbsp;

Veniamin Kondratyev, the Krasnodar regional governor, denied reports that the plane had been loaded with ammunition.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russian warplane crashes in southern city near Ukraine border; six killed 25 injured&nbsp;

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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-orders-troops-to-capture-more-russian-prisoners-to-facilitate-release-of-ukrainian-heroes-526294">Zelensky orders troops to capture 'more' Russian prisoners to facilitate release of Ukrainian 'heroes'</a>&nbsp;

Russia opens probe&nbsp;

After the crash, Russia launched a criminal investigation to look into it.&nbsp;

As per the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered all necessary help to be provided to victims. Also, the health minister of the nation will fly to the region on Putin's order. The incident comes nearly eight months after Russia sent its troops into Ukraine.&nbsp;

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Russian news agencies said on Tuesday (October 18) that at least 13 people, including three children, were killed after a military plane crashed into a residential area of Yeysk in southwest Russia.

Russian news agencies said on Tuesday (October 18) that at least 13 people, including three children, were killed after a military plane crashed into a residential area of Yeysk in southwest Russia. The search for the survivors has ended. The agencies quoted the ministry of emergency situations: "Rescuers have finished excavating the rubble (...) In total, 13 people died, including three children, while 19 people were injured." On Monday, a fighter plane crashed into a residential building in the southern city shortly after take-off. The apartments in the building were engulfed in a fireball. A video published by the Russian military news channel Zvezda showed explosions aboard the Sukhoi Su-34 supersonic medium-range fighter bomber. The jet fell on the apartments. Russian agencies said the pilots had ejected. ALSO READ | Russia opens criminal case into fighter plane crash In a statement to RIA, the Russian defence ministry said: "According to the report of the ejected pilots, the cause of the plane crash was the ignition of one of the engines during take-off. At the site of the crash of the Su-34 in the courtyard of one of the residential quarters, the plane’s fuel ignited." Images and videos of the accident were circulating on social media platforms as footage showed the nine-storey building on fire, which was later put out. Veniamin Kondratyev, the Krasnodar regional governor, denied reports that the plane had been loaded with ammunition. WATCH | Russian warplane crashes in southern city near Ukraine border; six killed 25 injured × ALSO READ | Zelensky orders troops to capture 'more' Russian prisoners to facilitate release of Ukrainian 'heroes' Russia opens probe After the crash, Russia launched a criminal investigation to look into it. As per the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered all necessary help to be provided to victims. Also, the health minister of the nation will fly to the region on Putin's order. The incident comes nearly eight months after Russia sent its troops into Ukraine. 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.

Russia military plane crash: Ministry says death toll rises to 13 as search ends

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. Underwater images and video released on Tuesday (October 18) showed the extent of damage to the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. At least 50 metres of the pipeline have been destroyed. The cause of damage was probably an explosion believed to be from sabotage. News outlet Expressen reported that a massive tear and twisted metal can be seen on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline 80 metres down. The videos that were apparently filmed on Monday and show that a chunk from the pipeline is missing. It could be buried under the seabed. Trond Larsen, a drone operator with the Norwegian company Blueye Robotics, told Expressen: "It is only an extreme force that can bend metal that thick in the way we are seeing." Larsen piloted the submersible drone which captured the video. He noted that "a very large impact on the seabed around the pipe" can also be seen. ALSO READ | Russia military plane crash: Ministry says death toll rises to 13 as search ends ***UPDATE*** Swedish journalists got permission to image one of the Nord Stream explosion sites using an underwater drone (ROV) Caution against listening to the impending wave of explosives experts on Twitter Their article (in Swedish) https://t.co/lpUvF0NIEi pic.twitter.com/aAkSeva0zf — H I Sutton (@CovertShores) October 18, 2022 × Here are the first exclusive images of the ruptured Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline. On the seabed we filmed the remains of the pipe that had been torn to pieces by the explosion. with @erikwiman @alexljungdahl and @BlueyeRoboticshttps://t.co/VvrXiThyLt — Mattias Carlsson (@CarlssonMattias) October 18, 2022 × ALSO READ | Zelensky orders troops to capture 'more' Russian prisoners to facilitate release of Ukrainian 'heroes' The leaks in Nord Stream gas pipelines, which link Russia to Europe, have been blamed on sabotage. Many experts with knowledge of the matter have also claimed that various armed forces in the region are capable of such an operation. The leaks became a flashpoint in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The leaks caused gas from the two Russian-owned gas pipelines to pour into the sea. Previously, Germany, Denmark and Sweden openly said that they were attacks. Even Russia has also said sabotage was a possibility and launched an "international terrorism" probe by the FSB security service. 'Powerful explosions' behind Nord Stream leaks Copenhagen Police said on Tuesday that the initial probe of the pipeline damage shows the leaks were caused by "powerful explosions". Danish police could not say when the investigation is expected to be concluded. "It is still too early to say anything about the framework under which the international cooperation with e.g. Sweden and Germany will run, as it depends on several factors," Copenhagen Police said in a statement. 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.

Nord Stream 1: First images of ruptured gas pipeline show extent of damage

A special envoy of the United Nations has accused Russia of using rape and sexual assault&nbsp;as part of their “military strategy” in the ongoing Ukraine invasion.

Speaking to AFP, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, backed her claims by citing a UN report released in late September.

The report released by a panel of UN experts recently verified “more than a hundred cases” of rape or sexual assault incidents in Ukraine since February—when Russia launched its invasion.

Patten claimed that the number of victims is likely to be higher than official figures saying that sexual crimes are often “under-reported”.

“When you hear women testify about Russian soldiers equipped with Viagra, it’s clearly a military strategy,” Pramila Patten, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, said in an interview with AFP on Thursday.

She said that the report "confirmed crimes against humanity committed by the Russian forces, and according to the gathered testimonies, the age of the victims of sexual violence ranges from four to 82-year-old."

“There are many cases of sexual violence against children who are raped, tortured and sequestered,” Patten said.

“I have not stopped since February to emphasize the importance of having credible investigations into these cases of violence,” she added.

Her claims lend credence to the repeated assertions made by the Ukrainian politicians who spoke of numerous cases of sexual violence since Putin declared war.

In June, Ukraine’s deputy minister of internal affairs Kateryna Pavlichenko alleged that police received around 50 complaints of sexual crimes committed by Russian soldiers.

Ukrainian officials are also probing rape allegations in the Kharkiv region after Ukrainian forces recently recaptured territory there.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A special envoy of the United Nations has accused Russia of using rape and sexual assault as part of their “military strategy” in the ongoing Ukraine invasion. Speaking to AFP, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, backed her claims by citing a UN report released in late September.

A special envoy of the United Nations has accused Russia of using rape and sexual assault as part of their “military strategy” in the ongoing Ukraine invasion. Speaking to AFP, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, backed her claims by citing a UN report released in late September. The report released by a panel of UN experts recently verified “more than a hundred cases” of rape or sexual assault incidents in Ukraine since February—when Russia launched its invasion. Patten claimed that the number of victims is likely to be higher than official figures saying that sexual crimes are often “under-reported”. “When you hear women testify about Russian soldiers equipped with Viagra, it’s clearly a military strategy,” Pramila Patten, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, said in an interview with AFP on Thursday. She said that the report "confirmed crimes against humanity committed by the Russian forces, and according to the gathered testimonies, the age of the victims of sexual violence ranges from four to 82-year-old." “There are many cases of sexual violence against children who are raped, tortured and sequestered,” Patten said. “I have not stopped since February to emphasize the importance of having credible investigations into these cases of violence,” she added. Her claims lend credence to the repeated assertions made by the Ukrainian politicians who spoke of numerous cases of sexual violence since Putin declared war. In June, Ukraine’s deputy minister of internal affairs Kateryna Pavlichenko alleged that police received around 50 complaints of sexual crimes committed by Russian soldiers. Ukrainian officials are also probing rape allegations in the Kharkiv region after Ukrainian forces recently recaptured territory there. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russia giving soldiers Viagra to rape Ukrainians, UN envoy says: Report

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. At least three people died and several were injured after Russia attacked Kyiv with a swarm of "kamikaze drones" on Monday (October 17). Kyiv mayor Vitalii Klitschko said on the Telegram messaging app that several blasts rocked the central Shevchenkivskiy district. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the "enemy terrorises the civilian population" all night and all morning. He mentioned, "Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine. The enemy can attack our cities, but it won't be able to break us." Kyiv mayor informed that at least two people were still trapped under the rubble and 18 people had been rescued after a residential building in the central Shevchenkivsky district of the capital had been hit. The latest attack comes exactly one week after Russia launched missile strikes over cities across Ukraine, killing at least 19 people. Ukraine again claimed that Russia used drones that are sent by Iran. Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president's staff, wrote on Telegram that Kyiv was hit by kamikaze drones. "Russians think it will help them," Yermak said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal condemned the attack and stated that the strikes had hit critical infrastructure in three regions. Electricity to hundreds of towns and villages across the nation has been cut off. Shmygal said: "Russian terrorists once again attacked the energy infrastructure of Ukraine in three regions. Hundreds of settlements were cut off as a result of the attack." WATCH | Is Russia running out of missile stock? Moscow eyes missiles from Iran × Iran denies supply of drones to Russia for Ukraine war Last week, Zelensky said Iranian drones were used in Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in several cities. But Tehran has been denying any supply of weapons to Russia for the war. Denying all the allegations, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani during a weekly press conference: "The published news about Iran providing Russia with drones has political ambitions and it's circulated by western sources. We have not provided weaponry to any side of the countries at war." 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.

Russia-Ukraine war: At least three killed in Russian 'kamikaze drones strike' in Kyiv

Pope Francis said that reform in the United Nations is "more than obvious" after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine, which caused global fuel and food crises.&nbsp;

In an extract of his book published on Sunday (October 16), Pope said that the Ukraine war has highlighted the need to ensure the current multilateral structure finds "more agile and effective ways of resolving conflicts".&nbsp;

"In wartime, it is essential to affirm that we need more multilateralism and a better multilateralism," Pope said in the extract published by La Stampa daily. But the UN is no longer fit for "new realities", he added.&nbsp;

Pope said that the world body was founded to prevent the horrors of two World Wars from happening again, but the threat represented by those conflicts persists. He said, "today's world is no longer the same."&nbsp;

"The necessity of these reforms became more than obvious after the pandemic" when the current multilateral system "showed all its limits", he further added.&nbsp;

He also criticised the unequal distribution of Covid vaccines and termed it as a "glaring example" of the strongest person winning out against unity. The 85-year-old argued for "organic reforms" that would enable international organisations to regain their fundamental goal of "serving the human family".&nbsp;

He insisted that international institutions must be the result of the&nbsp;"widest possible consensus." Pope also suggested that international institutions should base their judgments on the preservation of rights to food, health, economic security, and social justice.&nbsp;

His latest book, "I Ask You in the Name of God: Ten Prayers for a Future of Hope" is scheduled to release in Italy Tuesday.&nbsp;

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Pope Francis said that reform in the United Nations is "more than obvious" after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine, which caused global fuel and food crises.

Pope Francis said that reform in the United Nations is "more than obvious" after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine, which caused global fuel and food crises. In an extract of his book published on Sunday (October 16), Pope said that the Ukraine war has highlighted the need to ensure the current multilateral structure finds "more agile and effective ways of resolving conflicts". "In wartime, it is essential to affirm that we need more multilateralism and a better multilateralism," Pope said in the extract published by La Stampa daily. But the UN is no longer fit for "new realities", he added. Pope said that the world body was founded to prevent the horrors of two World Wars from happening again, but the threat represented by those conflicts persists. He said, "today's world is no longer the same." "The necessity of these reforms became more than obvious after the pandemic" when the current multilateral system "showed all its limits", he further added. He also criticised the unequal distribution of Covid vaccines and termed it as a "glaring example" of the strongest person winning out against unity. The 85-year-old argued for "organic reforms" that would enable international organisations to regain their fundamental goal of "serving the human family". He insisted that international institutions must be the result of the "widest possible consensus." Pope also suggested that international institutions should base their judgments on the preservation of rights to food, health, economic security, and social justice. His latest book, "I Ask You in the Name of God: Ten Prayers for a Future of Hope" is scheduled to release in Italy Tuesday. 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.

Pope believes need to reform United Nations 'more than obvious' after Covid pandemic and Ukraine war

Russian defence ministry said that a 'terrorist' attack on a military training ground in Russia left at least 11 dead and 15 wounded, reported Russian news agencies. The attack took place in Belgorod, a Russian region near Ukrainian border. Russian defence ministry said that two citizens from a former Soviet Union state carried out the attack.

"On October 15, two citizens of a CIS country committed an act of terror at the training range of the Western military district in the Belgorod region," the defence ministry was quoted as saying.

Watch: World at War | Episode 24: Russia says no need for massive new strikes on Ukraine

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The CIS, or Commonwealth of Independent States, was formed between republics that were part of the Soviet Union. Ukraine was formerly a Soviet state.

As per the Russian ministry, the attack took place during a training session for volunteers joining Russian forces.

"In the attack, 11 people were fatally wounded. Another 15 people suffered injuries of varying gravity and were taken to medical facilities," news agencies said.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-german-foreign-minister-warns-moscow-could-use-people-as-weapons-525723">Russia-Ukraine war: German foreign minister warns Moscow could use 'people as weapons'</a>

This attack has come days after a truck bomb resulted in damage to Kerch bridge, a key link between the Russia-annexed Crimea and Russia. Though Ukraine did not formally accept responsibility, Russian President Vladimir Putin had held Ukraine responsible.

The blast on the bridge has hit traffic movement considerably.

(With inputs from agencies)

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&nbsp;

Russian defence ministry said that a 'terrorist' attack on a military training ground in Russia left at least 11 dead and 15 wounded, reported Russian news agencies.

Russian defence ministry said that a 'terrorist' attack on a military training ground in Russia left at least 11 dead and 15 wounded, reported Russian news agencies. The attack took place in Belgorod, a Russian region near Ukrainian border. Russian defence ministry said that two citizens from a former Soviet Union state carried out the attack. "On October 15, two citizens of a CIS country committed an act of terror at the training range of the Western military district in the Belgorod region," the defence ministry was quoted as saying. Watch: World at War | Episode 24: Russia says no need for massive new strikes on Ukraine × The CIS, or Commonwealth of Independent States, was formed between republics that were part of the Soviet Union. Ukraine was formerly a Soviet state. As per the Russian ministry, the attack took place during a training session for volunteers joining Russian forces. "In the attack, 11 people were fatally wounded. Another 15 people suffered injuries of varying gravity and were taken to medical facilities," news agencies said. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: German foreign minister warns Moscow could use 'people as weapons' This attack has come days after a truck bomb resulted in damage to Kerch bridge, a key link between the Russia-annexed Crimea and Russia. Though Ukraine did not formally accept responsibility, Russian President Vladimir Putin had held Ukraine responsible. The blast on the bridge has hit traffic movement considerably. (With inputs from agencies) 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 ×

'Terrorist' attack on military site near Ukraine border killed 11, says Russian defence ministry

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of a "global catastrophe" in the event of a direct clash of NATO troops with Russia. Putin made the comments at a news conference at the end of a summit in Kazakhstan. Just a few days back, Moscow hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with its heaviest missile attacks since the start of its invasion on February 24.&nbsp;

"In any case, direct contact, direct clash of (NATO) troops with the Russian army is a very dangerous move which could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope that those who are saying this are smart enough not to take such a step," Putin said.

Putin said that the missile strikes were a retaliation for the attack on Crimea bridge and there was no need for further attacks right now.

"We do not set ourselves the task of destroying Ukraine. No, of course not," Putin said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-begins-evacuation-of-civilians-from-kherson-in-ukraine-525227">Russia begins evacuation of civilians from Kherson in Ukraine</a>

He said there was "no need for massive strikes" now because most designated targets had been hit.

Putin also spoke about Moscow's current situation and said they were "doing everything right". Russia has suffered a string of embarrassing defeats against Kyiv's forces in the past few weeks,&nbsp;

"What is happening today is not pleasant. But all the same, (if Russia hadn't attacked in February) we would have been in the same situation, only the conditions would have been worse for us," Putin told reporters.

"So we're doing everything right," he insisted.

Earlier, Putin had warned that he would use nuclear weapons to defend Russian territory after annexing four regions of Ukraine last month, a move which the UN condemned in a vote this week.

Putin also spoke on the matter of mobilisation and said that his call-up of Russian reservists would be over within two weeks and there were no plans for a further conscription.

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&nbsp;

He also repeated the Kremlin position that Russia was willing to hold talks, although he said they would require international mediation if Ukraine was prepared to take part.

Just a few hours before Putin made the comments, Kremlin-installed officials in the southern Kherson region had urged residents to leave as Kyiv said its soldiers were advancing.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of a "global catastrophe" in the event of a direct clash of NATO troops with Russia. Putin made the comments at a news conference at the end of a summit in Kazakhstan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of a "global catastrophe" in the event of a direct clash of NATO troops with Russia. Putin made the comments at a news conference at the end of a summit in Kazakhstan. Just a few days back, Moscow hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with its heaviest missile attacks since the start of its invasion on February 24. "In any case, direct contact, direct clash of (NATO) troops with the Russian army is a very dangerous move which could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope that those who are saying this are smart enough not to take such a step," Putin said. Putin said that the missile strikes were a retaliation for the attack on Crimea bridge and there was no need for further attacks right now. "We do not set ourselves the task of destroying Ukraine. No, of course not," Putin said. Also Read | Russia begins evacuation of civilians from Kherson in Ukraine He said there was "no need for massive strikes" now because most designated targets had been hit. Putin also spoke about Moscow's current situation and said they were "doing everything right". Russia has suffered a string of embarrassing defeats against Kyiv's forces in the past few weeks, "What is happening today is not pleasant. But all the same, (if Russia hadn't attacked in February) we would have been in the same situation, only the conditions would have been worse for us," Putin told reporters. "So we're doing everything right," he insisted. Earlier, Putin had warned that he would use nuclear weapons to defend Russian territory after annexing four regions of Ukraine last month, a move which the UN condemned in a vote this week. Putin also spoke on the matter of mobilisation and said that his call-up of Russian reservists would be over within two weeks and there were no plans for a further conscription. × He also repeated the Kremlin position that Russia was willing to hold talks, although he said they would require international mediation if Ukraine was prepared to take part. Just a few hours before Putin made the comments, Kremlin-installed officials in the southern Kherson region had urged residents to leave as Kyiv said its soldiers were advancing. (With inputs from agencies)

Clash between NATO and Russian forces will lead to a 'global catastrophe', warns Putin

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. Germany's foreign minister said on Saturday (October 15) that Russia might spark division in the West through refugees, as the ongoing Ukraine conflict has entered a new turn and Moscow seeks to expand its "hybrid war". Annalena Baerbock at a congress of her Greens' party said, "This war is not only waged with weapons, it is also waged with energy and for that, we have found an answer. But it will also be waged with fear and division, and that is precisely what we have to prevent." ALSO READ | Sweden refuses joint investigation team with Germany, Denmark to probe Nord Stream explosions In reference to Serbia which she accused of letting in migrants without visas, Baerbock said: "In this situation it is clear what will be next -- refugees and not refugees from Ukraine... but because this war is hybrid, other countries are also participating." Baerbock Germany was in talks with the Czech Republic and Slovakia on the issue. The minister stressed that there cannot be a situation "where people are being used as weapons." WATCH | US vows further $725 million aid to Ukraine × Concerns were raised by European Union about a rise in migrants using the Western Balkans (specifically Serbia) as a gateway to enter the bloc, putting the visa-free deal between the EU and Serbia under scrutiny. Serbia's friendly visa policies allow visa-free travel from places like India, Tunisia, etc. And it also enjoys a visa-free travel arrangement with the EU. For people, it becomes easier to travel across the EU after entering Serbia. 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.

Russia-Ukraine war: German foreign minister warns Moscow could use 'people as weapons'

As the Russia-Ukraine war is nearing completion of its eighth month, former Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko said that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to erase Ukraine and those trying to find a compromise, should instead focus on negotiation.

As the Russia-Ukraine war is nearing completion of its eighth month, former Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko said that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to erase Ukraine and those trying to find a compromise, should instead focus on negotiation. "Those who try to find a compromise with Putin should understand the following. Putin wants to kill us and we want to live. Putin wants to erase Ukraine as a state, as a nation from the world map. And we want to have our state. We want to move it to European family," said Poroshenko in an interview with Fox. Read more: Russia-Ukraine war: Zelensky holds 'productive' talks with Biden The Ukrainian leader, however, added that the time to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin was now and the recent unearthing of the mass grave site outside Izium could be a 'good starting point' for it. "The best negotiator, the best diplomat for this negotiation, is armed forces of Ukraine, supported by the whole world. Putin understands only strength and our unity," said Poroshenko. "Please don't trust Putin. I have five years of experience with him for negotiation. And please don't be afraid of Putin. Learn from Ukraine. Keep strong. Keep together. And we throw Putin and Russian troops away from Ukrainian soil." As reported by WION, the Ukrainian forces in September pushed the Russian troops away from the city and recovered a mass grave site that had more than 1,100 bodies. Officials stated that 99 per cent of the exhumed bodies found at the burial site had signs of violent death, meaning the Russian troops tortured and mutilated them when killing. Read more: The singular offense of the mass grave: Story of Izium and beyond The Russian troops attacked Izium in April and according to witnesses, over 100 were killed in the first assault as Russian bombs were hurled. However, through sheer perseverance, Ukrainian troops have managed to push the Russian forces and managed to regain significant ground, forcing Putin to call for partial mobilisation of troops. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Putin wants to kill us and we want to live,' says former Ukraine President

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Saturday (October 15) that it has not supplied Russia with weapons "to be used in the war in Ukraine".&nbsp;

The statement comes as Ukraine and the West have been claiming that Moscow had used&nbsp;Iran-made drones in attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks.&nbsp;

After last week's attacks on Ukrainian cities, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russian forces used Iranian drones in attacks.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/clash-between-nato-and-russian-forces-will-lead-to-a-global-catastrophe-warns-putin-525575">Clash between NATO and Russian forces will lead to a 'global catastrophe', warns Putin</a>&nbsp;

Rejecting all the claims, Iran reiterated that it did not provide Russia with weapons for the ongoing Ukraine war.&nbsp;

The Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement that Amir-Abdollahian has "emphasised that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not and will not provide any weapon to be used in the war in Ukraine."&nbsp;

The Iranian foreign minister said in a call with his Portuguese counterpart Joao Gomes Cravinho that "we believe that the arming of each side of the crisis will prolong the war. We have not considered and do not consider war to be the right path either in Ukraine or in Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;US-Ukraine Relations: US vows further $725 million aid to Ukraine&nbsp;

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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-begins-evacuation-of-civilians-from-kherson-in-ukraine-525227">Russia begins evacuation of civilians from Kherson in Ukraine</a>

Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran's official stance of neutrality over the war in a separate phone call with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday.&nbsp;

He said, "We have defence cooperation with Russia, but our policy regarding the war in Ukraine is not sending weapons to the conflicting parties, but stopping the war and ending the displacement of people."&nbsp;

Iran has claimed multiple times that it didn't supply weapons to Russia for war but last month, Kyiv decided to significantly reduce its diplomatic relations with Tehran over alleged arms deliveries to Moscow.&nbsp;

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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>.

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Saturday (October 15) that it has not supplied Russia with weapons "to be used in the war in Ukraine". The statement comes as Ukraine and the West have been claiming that Moscow had used Iran-made drones in attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks.

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Saturday (October 15) that it has not supplied Russia with weapons "to be used in the war in Ukraine". The statement comes as Ukraine and the West have been claiming that Moscow had used Iran-made drones in attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks. After last week's attacks on Ukrainian cities, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russian forces used Iranian drones in attacks. ALSO READ | Clash between NATO and Russian forces will lead to a 'global catastrophe', warns Putin Rejecting all the claims, Iran reiterated that it did not provide Russia with weapons for the ongoing Ukraine war. The Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement that Amir-Abdollahian has "emphasised that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not and will not provide any weapon to be used in the war in Ukraine." The Iranian foreign minister said in a call with his Portuguese counterpart Joao Gomes Cravinho that "we believe that the arming of each side of the crisis will prolong the war. We have not considered and do not consider war to be the right path either in Ukraine or in Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen." WATCH | US-Ukraine Relations: US vows further $725 million aid to Ukraine × ALSO READ | Russia begins evacuation of civilians from Kherson in Ukraine Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran's official stance of neutrality over the war in a separate phone call with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday. He said, "We have defence cooperation with Russia, but our policy regarding the war in Ukraine is not sending weapons to the conflicting parties, but stopping the war and ending the displacement of people." Iran has claimed multiple times that it didn't supply weapons to Russia for war but last month, Kyiv decided to significantly reduce its diplomatic relations with Tehran over alleged arms deliveries to Moscow. 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.

Iran denies claims that it supplied weapons to Russia 'for being used in war against Ukraine'

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday (October 14) asked Russia, in no uncertain terms, to stop the war in Ukraine.

"Stop the war... Wouldn't you be thinking that this is a more straightforward way to get the world economy in better shape?" IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva asked at the Friday press briefing.&nbsp;

Watch | 'Our aim is not to destroy Ukraine,' says Russian President Vladimir Putin

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The IMF drew attention to the fact that Russia's war in Ukraine has been the "single most important element" that has caused slowing of global economic growth. The comment from Nadia Calvino, chair of a key IMF committee came as finance ministers and central bankers gathered in Washington for the IMF and World Bank annual meetings, which focused on the war, soaring inflation and the climate crisis.&nbsp;

Calvino said that there was a "very strong call" for Russia to stop the war. She is chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and also Spain's economy minister.&nbsp;

"The war is the single most important element slowing down growth and generating inflation, volatility, energy and food insecurity and uncertainty," she told a press conference, describing peace as a key economic policy tool.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-sees-no-need-for-talks-with-joe-biden-amid-growing-tensions-between-the-two-525508">Putin sees 'no need' for talks with Biden amid growing tensions between Russia and US</a>

Russia is involved in the committee. It failed to reach agreement on communique as Russia blocked a consensus. Calvino hence issued a chair's statement that recognized that the pandemic and Ukraine war were "weighing heavily on economic activity".

IMF has said this week that more than a third of the global economy is headed for contraction either this year or the next.

(With inputs from agencies)

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;

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday (October 14) asked Russia, in no uncertain terms, to stop the war in Ukraine. "Stop the war... Wouldn't you be thinking that this is a more straightforward way to get the world economy in better shape?

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday (October 14) asked Russia, in no uncertain terms, to stop the war in Ukraine. "Stop the war... Wouldn't you be thinking that this is a more straightforward way to get the world economy in better shape?" IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva asked at the Friday press briefing. Watch | 'Our aim is not to destroy Ukraine,' says Russian President Vladimir Putin × The IMF drew attention to the fact that Russia's war in Ukraine has been the "single most important element" that has caused slowing of global economic growth. The comment from Nadia Calvino, chair of a key IMF committee came as finance ministers and central bankers gathered in Washington for the IMF and World Bank annual meetings, which focused on the war, soaring inflation and the climate crisis. Calvino said that there was a "very strong call" for Russia to stop the war. She is chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and also Spain's economy minister. "The war is the single most important element slowing down growth and generating inflation, volatility, energy and food insecurity and uncertainty," she told a press conference, describing peace as a key economic policy tool. Also Read | Putin sees 'no need' for talks with Biden amid growing tensions between Russia and US Russia is involved in the committee. It failed to reach agreement on communique as Russia blocked a consensus. Calvino hence issued a chair's statement that recognized that the pandemic and Ukraine war were "weighing heavily on economic activity". IMF has said this week that more than a third of the global economy is headed for contraction either this year or the next. (With inputs from agencies) 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 ×

'Stop the war in Ukraine, it's weighing heavily on economy': IMF tells Russia

A festival of light, art and emerging technology in Prague this year recognised the Ukrainian war by using objects such as cars which had been destroyed in the conflict.

Prague's festival of light, air & emerging technology recognises Ukraine war

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: Israel-Lebanon deal; Russia blames West for energy crisis;

It's been 230 days since the war in Ukraine started. Russia is raining missiles, Ukraine is stepping up its defences. NATO plans to provide air defence systems to Kyiv, this includes a system used at the White House. Priyanka Sharma reports.

Gravitas: Ukraine to get air defence system used at the White House

Since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, American companies have been prohibited from dealing with MMZ Avangard, a state-owned&nbsp;firm&nbsp;that makes&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;for one of Russia's most sophisticated weapons, the S-400 air-defence system.

In a measure of Western concern about the S-400, the United States ejected Turkey, a NATO member, from a joint fighter jet programme in 2019 after Ankara took delivery of the Russian system.

But even as the United States was taking actions to blunt MMZ Avangard's business, a publicly traded American&nbsp;technology company, Extreme Networks, was providing MMZ Avangard with computer&nbsp;networking&nbsp;equipment for its office IT systems, according to emails and other business records seen by Reuters, as well as interviews with people familiar with the matter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unga-passes-resolution-condemning-russian-illegal-annexation-of-ukrainian-land-india-abstains-from-voting-524945">Also read |&nbsp;UNGA passes resolution condemning Russian 'illegal annexation' of Ukrainian land; India abstains from voting</a>

In a statement to Reuters, Extreme said that based on information provided by the news agency it believed equipment "may have" been sold to MMZ Avangard using a surrogate buyer. Extreme said the equipment was sold without its knowledge. It added, without providing evidence, that an intermediary in Russia was "complicit" in supplying its products via a front company to "bad actors." Extreme said it is reporting its findings of these potential sales to&nbsp;U.S. authorities.

Ukraine has accused Russia of deploying&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;made by MMZ Avangard against ground targets since Russia launched what it terms its "special operation" on Feb. 24. Ukrainian authorities said MMZ Avangard&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;killed at least 30 civilians in a gruesome attack on a convoy on the edge of the southern city of Zaporizhzhia last month. Neither Kremlin officials nor MMZ Avangard responded to questions for this article. MMZ Avangard's parent, Almaz-Antey, also didn't comment.

Between 2017 and 2021, MMZ Avangard obtained over half a million dollars' worth of Extreme equipment for its IT systems, according to the business records reviewed by Reuters and the people familiar with the matter. The products included high-speed switches, an essential building block of corporate IT networks, and software.

The records also show that the deals went through a seemingly innocuous corporation near Moscow, and despite two Extreme officials raising concerns, the sales went forward.

That a Russian military company, identified as a threat by Washington, continued to acquire&nbsp;U.S. computer hardware is a case study in how Western countries may have overestimated their ability to choke the Russian economy with export bans and trade sanctions. It also highlights how dependent Russia's military machine is on&nbsp;U.S. high-tech&nbsp;equipment.

In April, six weeks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an Extreme employee filed an internal complaint, seen by Reuters, alleging that the company was selling to various military manufacturers in Russia. "Extreme equipment is used on Russian warships," the complaint said, "in communications systems."

Extreme said in its statement that the allegations were brought by a disgruntled employee. An investigation by the&nbsp;firm&nbsp;had found nothing to corroborate any of the claims until Reuters brought "new facts" to the company's attention this month. The company said it ceased operations in Russia in March, adding that it subsequently launched a process to dismiss the disgruntled employee for poor performance. It said it has no records of sales involving Russian warships.

Extreme, which trades on the NASDAQ exchange and is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, has earned a solid reputation in the United States and is an official partner of the National Football League. The NFL declined to comment for this article.

A Reuters investigation in August found that while the United States and allies banned high-tech&nbsp;exports to Russia to try to cripple its defense industry, and many&nbsp;tech&nbsp;companies announced that they had halted exports to Russia, the flow of Western brand-name computer parts to Russian clients hasn't stopped.

This account of how Extreme&nbsp;supplied&nbsp;MMZ Avangard and at least two other Russian military companies is based on interviews with three people familiar with the shipments as well as a review by Reuters of documents spanning five years to 2021. The documents include sales records and email exchanges between Extreme employees, customers and distributors. The shipments are reported here for the first time.

The&nbsp;U. Department of Commerce, which administers export restrictions, declined to comment for this story.

It&nbsp;was&nbsp;necessary&nbsp;to use cover

Russian companies, including those in the military sector, have virtually no choice but to buy foreign equipment to build the computer networks necessary for modern-day business. Russia has very limited domestic production of&nbsp;networking&nbsp;equipment.

Founded in 1996, Extreme is a junior player in the computer&nbsp;networking&nbsp;industry. Last year, it posted revenue of $1.1 billion, compared with $50 billion for Cisco Systems.

Still, the smaller company is a "meaningful competitor," according to Alex Henderson, a network and security analyst at Needham and Company in New York. The&nbsp;US&nbsp;military as well as NASA use Extreme hardware and support, according to contracting records, and the company has built up a substantial marketing profile.

In Russia, as well, Extreme lists prestigious customers, such as the Ministry of Health, the federal pension fund and Lomonosov Moscow State University.

But according to documents seen by Reuters, other buyers of Extreme equipment included not just MMZ Avangard but a major Russian military shipbuilding company and a high-tech&nbsp;defense electronics manufacturer.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: More than 50 Western countries promise more weapons for Ukraine

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One of the documents shows that in the four years ending 2020, Russian customers purchased $41.5 million worth of equipment. Reuters couldn't determine Extreme's total sales to sanctioned or military&nbsp;firms because it wasn't clear if transactions other than those involving MMZ Avangard had been recorded under cover names.

In its statement to Reuters, Extreme said it doesn't report country specific revenue.

In Russia, Extreme maintained contacts with its customers in order to help design complex networks that expand over time, according to two of the people familiar with the matter. Each customer or potential buyer had its own account manager at the company and was listed on internal sales records. Actual sales, though, were done through authorized intermediaries.

Extreme, in its statement to Reuters, said it rarely provided direct installation services. It said it had no such contracts with DEMZ or MMZ Avangard.

In its statement, Extreme said it has a "firm&nbsp;policy" not to work with sanctioned entities, but added it isn't always notified of the end customer, especially when its products are sold through so-called "stocking" distributors that hold an inventory.

Extreme named one of those distributors as RRC and said it believed RRC was "complicit" in the scheme to supply MMZ Avangard. RRC and its Cyprus parent, BD Enterprise&nbsp;Networking&nbsp;didn't respond to messages from Reuters seeking comment.

For Russian military companies, Extreme equipment had a strong selling point, the three people familiar with the shipments said: Unlike larger rivals, Extreme doesn't require service subscriptions and frequent software updates. "It is absolutely autonomous," one of the people said of the equipment. "It works without a license and you don't even need to be connected to the internet." This means, another person said, that "you don't need to fear that your system will go dark because someone in the&nbsp;U.S. decided to disconnect you."

Extreme said that the "autonomous model" is not unique to the company, but acknowledged it has become relatively rare.

It was no secret in Russia that MMZ Avangard used Extreme equipment. In late 2019, the missile manufacturer issued a tender through Russia's online public procurement platform, saying it needed spare parts for the Extreme computer networks it possessed. Extreme didn't dispute this but said it wouldn't necessarily be aware of such a tender.

A few months before, in the summer of 2019, an intermediary had contacted Extreme's representative office in Russia, asking for advice on a network upgrade for the missile company, the documents show. "We are working on a solution for the customer, MMZ Avangard," an employee of the intermediary wrote in a June 28, 2019, email to an Extreme system engineer. "I was told that I could seek your help."

As soon as its equipment arrived in Moscow, Extreme dispatched a staff engineer to MMZ Avangard's offices to help ensure a smooth installation, one of the people familiar with the shipments said.

In its statement to Reuters, Extreme said it had no records of an Extreme employee installing equipment at MMZ Avangard.

When it came to processing MMZ Avangard's purchasing orders, the missile&nbsp;maker's name didn't appear on Extreme's books. Instead, Extreme's Moscow employees recorded the orders as having been placed by a company called OOO DEMZ, according to emails and sales records, as well as three people familiar with the matter.

"It was necessary to use a cover because the Russian company is blacklisted in the&nbsp;U.S.," one of the people familiar with the shipments said. It has been illegal for&nbsp;U.S. companies to do business with MMZ Avangard since July 2014, when the&nbsp;U.S. Treasury Department listed its parent company, Almaz-Antey, as a "blocked" entity. The Treasury declined to comment for this story.

MMZ Avangard began buying products from Extreme in December 2017 and was disguised under the DEMZ cover in Extreme business records from that date, according to emails and other documents seen by Reuters. The most recent transaction using the DEMZ cover that Reuters identified was in September 2021. In total, the records show that Extreme shipped goods worth about $645,000 in this way during that period.

Extreme, in its statement, said it now believes that its equipment may have been acquired through a "front company." Extreme confirmed that the DEMZ account listed product purchases for approximately $645,000.

DEMZ is a small company based in Dmitrov, a city 50 miles north of Moscow. Russian corporate records list Vladimir Markov as its general director. Reached by phone, Markov said that DEMZ, which made tools for railcar maintenance, ceased all operations in 2016. The executive said he had never heard of Extreme or of DEMZ buying Extreme equipment for itself or on behalf of others.

The apparent ruse was a shallow one. Purported executives for DEMZ, listed in the Extreme customer records seen by Reuters, were actually employees of the missile&nbsp;maker&nbsp;who had provided their MMZ Avangard email addresses. They even included the Avangard email addresses when they applied for access to an Extreme customer service portal. One of these people declined to comment. The other couldn't be reached. Some of the documents also listed mmza.ru - MMZ Avangard's domain name - as DEMZ's purported web address.

On the last day of 2019, as a "DEMZ" order was winding through Extreme's approval system, an Extreme sales manager working in North Carolina emailed RRC, the Russian distributor, with a question about the domain name: "Can you tell me what the relationship is between DEMZ and mmza.ru?" An employee of the distributor responded that mmza.ru was "the customer's" domain. The employee didn't elaborate. A subsequent message indicates that the sale went through.

Extreme, in its statement, did not address questions about MMZ Avangard staff registering for access to online support, and an Extreme sales manager raising questions about the web domain.

Nearly a year later, dealing with another set of "DEMZ" orders, an employee from Extreme's in-house compliance desk in Ireland spotted the mmza.ru domain in the sales paperwork and researched it. "This link," the compliance team employee said in a Nov. 11, 2020, email, "goes directly to https://mmzavangard.ru/ which is a defense contractor seemingly [sic] to specialize in ground to air missile systems, we need to further review before we can make a decision."

Extreme, in its statement, also did not address questions about this email.

Good news

The Extreme compliance employee instructed the Russia office to have "DEMZ," the purported customer, fill out a form to certify there was no military end-user, that the equipment would not be resold for any military purpose, and that it would not be transferred to any sanctioned company.

Less than a week after the message from the Extreme compliance employee, a two-page letter seen by Reuters attested that the end-user was not sanctioned, and would not use Extreme's equipment in a way banned by&nbsp;U.S. law. Bearing an illegible signature and a blue "DEMZ" stamp, the document was sent to Extreme's compliance desk, according to one of the people familiar with the matter.

DEMZ's business, according to the purported self-declaration, had nothing to do with sophisticated&nbsp;missiles. Rather it was "components for the Metalworking of country houses." DEMZ never made such components and was out of business at the time of the letter, according to former director general Markov.

"Just heard back from our supply team for the DEMZ orders," emailed the North Carolina manager on Nov. 25 "with some good news."

The sales could go through.

"Thank you," Extreme's Vienna-based regional director for Northern and Eastern Europe wrote.

U.S. export control specialists told Reuters self-declarations can be useful in determining whether a client is legitimate. However, upon coming across a red flag, "you stop or put on hold the transaction," said James Fuller, a former special agent with the&nbsp;U.S. Department of Commerce. "You don't offer an avenue to provide more false information, or suggest some kind of workaround."

Extreme in its statement to Reuters confirmed that its internal compliance officer had requested and received the self-declaration. The company added that it has "other screening processes to check for red flags."

Shipbuilding

In Russia, Extreme&nbsp;supplied&nbsp;IT equipment to other military companies, according to the business documents seen by Reuters and the people familiar with the matter.

One of them was United Shipbuilding Corp. The company has headquarters in St. Petersburg and operates a host of Russian shipyards, making everything from frigates to submarines to mine sweepers. Like MMZ Avangard, United Shipbuilding has been listed as a "blocked" entity by the&nbsp;U.S. Treasury since July 2014.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-administration-unveils-new-national-security-strategy-china-russia-identified-as-major-threats-524974">Also read |&nbsp;US National Security strategy: China, Russia seen as threats, India as partner</a>

Another one was Concern Morinformsystem-Agat, a manufacturer of radar and other military electronics systems. According to the documents, including a July 2020 public tender, and one of the people familiar with the matter, Agat was relying on equipment from Extreme for some of its systems, which were then fitted on United Shipbuilding warships.

Extreme told Reuters it had no records of selling products to United Shipbuilding or Agat. The Russian companies did not respond to requests for comment.

United Shipbuilding is clearly described as an Extreme customer in email correspondence. In April 2020, an intermediary contacted Extreme's office in Moscow to submit the plan the intermediary had sketched out to modernize United Shipbuilding's data center.

A Russia-based engineer from Extreme responded the next day, pointing to a few items that could be removed from the proposed design.

"Apart from that, it's all correct," the Extreme engineer wrote in the email.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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Since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, American companies have been prohibited from dealing with MMZ Avangard, a state-owned firm that makes missiles for one of Russia's most sophisticated weapons, the S-400 air-defence system.

Since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, American companies have been prohibited from dealing with MMZ Avangard, a state-owned firm that makes missiles for one of Russia's most sophisticated weapons, the S-400 air-defence system. In a measure of Western concern about the S-400, the United States ejected Turkey, a NATO member, from a joint fighter jet programme in 2019 after Ankara took delivery of the Russian system. But even as the United States was taking actions to blunt MMZ Avangard's business, a publicly traded American technology company, Extreme Networks, was providing MMZ Avangard with computer networking equipment for its office IT systems, according to emails and other business records seen by Reuters, as well as interviews with people familiar with the matter. Also read | UNGA passes resolution condemning Russian 'illegal annexation' of Ukrainian land; India abstains from voting In a statement to Reuters, Extreme said that based on information provided by the news agency it believed equipment "may have" been sold to MMZ Avangard using a surrogate buyer. Extreme said the equipment was sold without its knowledge. It added, without providing evidence, that an intermediary in Russia was "complicit" in supplying its products via a front company to "bad actors." Extreme said it is reporting its findings of these potential sales to U.S. authorities. Ukraine has accused Russia of deploying missiles made by MMZ Avangard against ground targets since Russia launched what it terms its "special operation" on Feb. 24. Ukrainian authorities said MMZ Avangard missiles killed at least 30 civilians in a gruesome attack on a convoy on the edge of the southern city of Zaporizhzhia last month. Neither Kremlin officials nor MMZ Avangard responded to questions for this article. MMZ Avangard's parent, Almaz-Antey, also didn't comment. Between 2017 and 2021, MMZ Avangard obtained over half a million dollars' worth of Extreme equipment for its IT systems, according to the business records reviewed by Reuters and the people familiar with the matter. The products included high-speed switches, an essential building block of corporate IT networks, and software. The records also show that the deals went through a seemingly innocuous corporation near Moscow, and despite two Extreme officials raising concerns, the sales went forward. That a Russian military company, identified as a threat by Washington, continued to acquire U.S. computer hardware is a case study in how Western countries may have overestimated their ability to choke the Russian economy with export bans and trade sanctions. It also highlights how dependent Russia's military machine is on U.S. high-tech equipment. In April, six weeks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an Extreme employee filed an internal complaint, seen by Reuters, alleging that the company was selling to various military manufacturers in Russia. "Extreme equipment is used on Russian warships," the complaint said, "in communications systems." Extreme said in its statement that the allegations were brought by a disgruntled employee. An investigation by the firm had found nothing to corroborate any of the claims until Reuters brought "new facts" to the company's attention this month. The company said it ceased operations in Russia in March, adding that it subsequently launched a process to dismiss the disgruntled employee for poor performance. It said it has no records of sales involving Russian warships. Extreme, which trades on the NASDAQ exchange and is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, has earned a solid reputation in the United States and is an official partner of the National Football League. The NFL declined to comment for this article. A Reuters investigation in August found that while the United States and allies banned high-tech exports to Russia to try to cripple its defense industry, and many tech companies announced that they had halted exports to Russia, the flow of Western brand-name computer parts to Russian clients hasn't stopped. This account of how Extreme supplied MMZ Avangard and at least two other Russian military companies is based on interviews with three people familiar with the shipments as well as a review by Reuters of documents spanning five years to 2021. The documents include sales records and email exchanges between Extreme employees, customers and distributors. The shipments are reported here for the first time. The U. Department of Commerce, which administers export restrictions, declined to comment for this story. It was necessary to use cover Russian companies, including those in the military sector, have virtually no choice but to buy foreign equipment to build the computer networks necessary for modern-day business. Russia has very limited domestic production of networking equipment. Founded in 1996, Extreme is a junior player in the computer networking industry. Last year, it posted revenue of $1.1 billion, compared with $50 billion for Cisco Systems. Still, the smaller company is a "meaningful competitor," according to Alex Henderson, a network and security analyst at Needham and Company in New York. The US military as well as NASA use Extreme hardware and support, according to contracting records, and the company has built up a substantial marketing profile. In Russia, as well, Extreme lists prestigious customers, such as the Ministry of Health, the federal pension fund and Lomonosov Moscow State University. But according to documents seen by Reuters, other buyers of Extreme equipment included not just MMZ Avangard but a major Russian military shipbuilding company and a high-tech defense electronics manufacturer. Watch | Russia-Ukraine War: More than 50 Western countries promise more weapons for Ukraine One of the documents shows that in the four years ending 2020, Russian customers purchased $41.5 million worth of equipment. Reuters couldn't determine Extreme's total sales to sanctioned or military firms because it wasn't clear if transactions other than those involving MMZ Avangard had been recorded under cover names. In its statement to Reuters, Extreme said it doesn't report country specific revenue. In Russia, Extreme maintained contacts with its customers in order to help design complex networks that expand over time, according to two of the people familiar with the matter. Each customer or potential buyer had its own account manager at the company and was listed on internal sales records. Actual sales, though, were done through authorized intermediaries. Extreme, in its statement to Reuters, said it rarely provided direct installation services. It said it had no such contracts with DEMZ or MMZ Avangard. In its statement, Extreme said it has a "firm policy" not to work with sanctioned entities, but added it isn't always notified of the end customer, especially when its products are sold through so-called "stocking" distributors that hold an inventory. Extreme named one of those distributors as RRC and said it believed RRC was "complicit" in the scheme to supply MMZ Avangard. RRC and its Cyprus parent, BD Enterprise Networking didn't respond to messages from Reuters seeking comment. For Russian military companies, Extreme equipment had a strong selling point, the three people familiar with the shipments said: Unlike larger rivals, Extreme doesn't require service subscriptions and frequent software updates. "It is absolutely autonomous," one of the people said of the equipment. "It works without a license and you don't even need to be connected to the internet." This means, another person said, that "you don't need to fear that your system will go dark because someone in the U.S. decided to disconnect you." Extreme said that the "autonomous model" is not unique to the company, but acknowledged it has become relatively rare. It was no secret in Russia that MMZ Avangard used Extreme equipment. In late 2019, the missile manufacturer issued a tender through Russia's online public procurement platform, saying it needed spare parts for the Extreme computer networks it possessed. Extreme didn't dispute this but said it wouldn't necessarily be aware of such a tender. A few months before, in the summer of 2019, an intermediary had contacted Extreme's representative office in Russia, asking for advice on a network upgrade for the missile company, the documents show. "We are working on a solution for the customer, MMZ Avangard," an employee of the intermediary wrote in a June 28, 2019, email to an Extreme system engineer. "I was told that I could seek your help." As soon as its equipment arrived in Moscow, Extreme dispatched a staff engineer to MMZ Avangard's offices to help ensure a smooth installation, one of the people familiar with the shipments said. In its statement to Reuters, Extreme said it had no records of an Extreme employee installing equipment at MMZ Avangard. When it came to processing MMZ Avangard's purchasing orders, the missile maker's name didn't appear on Extreme's books. Instead, Extreme's Moscow employees recorded the orders as having been placed by a company called OOO DEMZ, according to emails and sales records, as well as three people familiar with the matter. "It was necessary to use a cover because the Russian company is blacklisted in the U.S.," one of the people familiar with the shipments said. It has been illegal for U.S. companies to do business with MMZ Avangard since July 2014, when the U.S. Treasury Department listed its parent company, Almaz-Antey, as a "blocked" entity. The Treasury declined to comment for this story. MMZ Avangard began buying products from Extreme in December 2017 and was disguised under the DEMZ cover in Extreme business records from that date, according to emails and other documents seen by Reuters. The most recent transaction using the DEMZ cover that Reuters identified was in September 2021. In total, the records show that Extreme shipped goods worth about $645,000 in this way during that period. Extreme, in its statement, said it now believes that its equipment may have been acquired through a "front company." Extreme confirmed that the DEMZ account listed product purchases for approximately $645,000. DEMZ is a small company based in Dmitrov, a city 50 miles north of Moscow. Russian corporate records list Vladimir Markov as its general director. Reached by phone, Markov said that DEMZ, which made tools for railcar maintenance, ceased all operations in 2016. The executive said he had never heard of Extreme or of DEMZ buying Extreme equipment for itself or on behalf of others. The apparent ruse was a shallow one. Purported executives for DEMZ, listed in the Extreme customer records seen by Reuters, were actually employees of the missile maker who had provided their MMZ Avangard email addresses. They even included the Avangard email addresses when they applied for access to an Extreme customer service portal. One of these people declined to comment. The other couldn't be reached. Some of the documents also listed mmza.ru - MMZ Avangard's domain name - as DEMZ's purported web address. On the last day of 2019, as a "DEMZ" order was winding through Extreme's approval system, an Extreme sales manager working in North Carolina emailed RRC, the Russian distributor, with a question about the domain name: "Can you tell me what the relationship is between DEMZ and mmza.ru?" An employee of the distributor responded that mmza.ru was "the customer's" domain. The employee didn't elaborate. A subsequent message indicates that the sale went through. Extreme, in its statement, did not address questions about MMZ Avangard staff registering for access to online support, and an Extreme sales manager raising questions about the web domain. Nearly a year later, dealing with another set of "DEMZ" orders, an employee from Extreme's in-house compliance desk in Ireland spotted the mmza.ru domain in the sales paperwork and researched it. "This link," the compliance team employee said in a Nov. 11, 2020, email, "goes directly to https://mmzavangard.ru/ which is a defense contractor seemingly [sic] to specialize in ground to air missile systems, we need to further review before we can make a decision." Extreme, in its statement, also did not address questions about this email. Good news The Extreme compliance employee instructed the Russia office to have "DEMZ," the purported customer, fill out a form to certify there was no military end-user, that the equipment would not be resold for any military purpose, and that it would not be transferred to any sanctioned company. Less than a week after the message from the Extreme compliance employee, a two-page letter seen by Reuters attested that the end-user was not sanctioned, and would not use Extreme's equipment in a way banned by U.S. law. Bearing an illegible signature and a blue "DEMZ" stamp, the document was sent to Extreme's compliance desk, according to one of the people familiar with the matter. DEMZ's business, according to the purported self-declaration, had nothing to do with sophisticated missiles. Rather it was "components for the Metalworking of country houses." DEMZ never made such components and was out of business at the time of the letter, according to former director general Markov. "Just heard back from our supply team for the DEMZ orders," emailed the North Carolina manager on Nov. 25 "with some good news." The sales could go through. "Thank you," Extreme's Vienna-based regional director for Northern and Eastern Europe wrote. U.S. export control specialists told Reuters self-declarations can be useful in determining whether a client is legitimate. However, upon coming across a red flag, "you stop or put on hold the transaction," said James Fuller, a former special agent with the U.S. Department of Commerce. "You don't offer an avenue to provide more false information, or suggest some kind of workaround." Extreme in its statement to Reuters confirmed that its internal compliance officer had requested and received the self-declaration. The company added that it has "other screening processes to check for red flags." Shipbuilding In Russia, Extreme supplied IT equipment to other military companies, according to the business documents seen by Reuters and the people familiar with the matter. One of them was United Shipbuilding Corp. The company has headquarters in St. Petersburg and operates a host of Russian shipyards, making everything from frigates to submarines to mine sweepers. Like MMZ Avangard, United Shipbuilding has been listed as a "blocked" entity by the U.S. Treasury since July 2014. Also read | US National Security strategy: China, Russia seen as threats, India as partner Another one was Concern Morinformsystem-Agat, a manufacturer of radar and other military electronics systems. According to the documents, including a July 2020 public tender, and one of the people familiar with the matter, Agat was relying on equipment from Extreme for some of its systems, which were then fitted on United Shipbuilding warships. Extreme told Reuters it had no records of selling products to United Shipbuilding or Agat. The Russian companies did not respond to requests for comment. United Shipbuilding is clearly described as an Extreme customer in email correspondence. In April 2020, an intermediary contacted Extreme's office in Moscow to submit the plan the intermediary had sketched out to modernize United Shipbuilding's data center. A Russia-based engineer from Extreme responded the next day, pointing to a few items that could be removed from the proposed design. "Apart from that, it's all correct," the Extreme engineer wrote in the email. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

How a US firm supplied networking technology to maker of feared Russian missiles

President Vladimir Putin has said that he's prepared to resume gas supplies to Europe via a link of the Germany-bound Nord Stream 2 pipeline under the Baltic Sea. He added that&nbsp; "international terrorism" was to blame for leaks on the Nord Stream pipelines connecting Russia and Europe, which would be advantageous to the United States, Poland, and Ukraine.

"Russia is ready for the start of deliveries. The ball is in the EU's court. If they want to, then the taps can be turned on, and that's that," Putin said.&nbsp;

There is no doubt that this is an act of international terrorism... the geopolitical significance of the remaining gas systems is increasing -- they pass through Poland... Ukraine... and the United States, of course, which can now supply energy resources via high prices," Putin said in&nbsp;a televised address to representatives of Russia's energy sector on Wednesday.Following the Nord Stream leaks, NATO declared the occurrences an act of "sabotage" on Tuesday and said it has increased naval deployments to safeguard its infrastructure in the Baltic and North Seas.&nbsp;

The G7 leaders expressed their "deeply&nbsp;trouble" over the Nord Stream leaks in a statement on Tuesday, adding that they "strongly condemn any deliberate disruption of critical infrastructure."&nbsp;

On Monday, Sweden said it would not let Russia participate in a current investigation into breaches in the Nord Stream gas pipeline, but noted that Moscow might conduct its own checks.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-breathtaking-images-from-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-2022-524779">In pics: Breathtaking images from wildlife photographer of the year 2022</a>

Geopolitical concerns have been centred on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which link Russia to Germany. Russia stopped gas supplies to Europe in what is believed to be retribution for Western sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

The pipes were carrying gas before they were apparently sabotaged, but they are not now in use. The Baltic Sea is home to all four leaks, which were found two weeks ago and are all located close to the Danish island of Bornholm.&nbsp;

Swedish&nbsp;Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson made her comments following demands from Russia to be included in investigations into the suspected sabotage.

(with inputs from agencies)

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President Vladimir Putin has said that he's prepared to resume gas supplies to Europe via a link of the Germany-bound Nord Stream 2 pipeline under the Baltic Sea.

President Vladimir Putin has said that he's prepared to resume gas supplies to Europe via a link of the Germany-bound Nord Stream 2 pipeline under the Baltic Sea. He added that "international terrorism" was to blame for leaks on the Nord Stream pipelines connecting Russia and Europe, which would be advantageous to the United States, Poland, and Ukraine. "Russia is ready for the start of deliveries. The ball is in the EU's court. If they want to, then the taps can be turned on, and that's that," Putin said. There is no doubt that this is an act of international terrorism... the geopolitical significance of the remaining gas systems is increasing -- they pass through Poland... Ukraine... and the United States, of course, which can now supply energy resources via high prices," Putin said in a televised address to representatives of Russia's energy sector on Wednesday.Following the Nord Stream leaks, NATO declared the occurrences an act of "sabotage" on Tuesday and said it has increased naval deployments to safeguard its infrastructure in the Baltic and North Seas. The G7 leaders expressed their "deeply trouble" over the Nord Stream leaks in a statement on Tuesday, adding that they "strongly condemn any deliberate disruption of critical infrastructure." On Monday, Sweden said it would not let Russia participate in a current investigation into breaches in the Nord Stream gas pipeline, but noted that Moscow might conduct its own checks. Also Read: In pics: Breathtaking images from wildlife photographer of the year 2022 Geopolitical concerns have been centred on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which link Russia to Germany. Russia stopped gas supplies to Europe in what is believed to be retribution for Western sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The pipes were carrying gas before they were apparently sabotaged, but they are not now in use. The Baltic Sea is home to all four leaks, which were found two weeks ago and are all located close to the Danish island of Bornholm. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson made her comments following demands from Russia to be included in investigations into the suspected sabotage. (with inputs from agencies)

Putin says he is ready to resume gas supplies, blames 'international terrorism' for Nord Stream leaks

As Russia continues to pound Ukrainian cities with missiles in the aftermath of the Kerch bridge explosion, France has said it will deliver radar and air defence systems to Ukraine in the coming weeks.

As Russia continues to pound Ukrainian cities with missiles in the aftermath of the Kerch bridge explosion, France has said it will deliver radar and air defence systems to Ukraine in the coming weeks. Reportedly, French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron in an interview with a local news channel made the announcement. "This is a new phase of bombing coming from land, sea, air and drones against essential infrastructure and civilians," said Macron before adding, "We're going to deliver... radars, systems and missiles to protect them from these attacks." The French PM added that France is also willing to send six Caesar mobile artillery units to Ukraine. The French PM also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin must 'return to the table' to discuss peace between the two warring nations. "Today, first of all, Vladimir Putin must stop this war, respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and come back to the table for talks," As reported extensively by WION, the NATO allies on Wednesday pledged to provide a new air defence system to Ukraine. Germany said that it has sent the first of four IRIS-T air defence systems to Kyiv, with the country’s defence minister Christine Lambrecht calling it a "very important support for Ukraine in the fight against missile attacks" Read more: US, Germany promise to rush air defence systems to Ukraine as Russia pounds missiles A day before the NATO pledge, Zelensky had made an impassioned speech at the emergency G7 meeting. “I am asking you to strengthen the overall effort to help financially with the creation of an air shield for Ukraine. Millions of people will be grateful to the Group of Seven for such assistance,” said the Ukrainian leader. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already threatened more 'severe' attacks on Ukraine. Putin issued the warning in televised comments addressed to his security council. "Let there be no doubt," Putin said, "if attempts at terrorist attacks continue, the response from Russia will be severe." Read more: Putin warns of more 'severe' attacks as Russian missiles pound Ukraine Russia's missile strikes across Ukraine on Monday were the first major military response from Russia after the explosion on the Kerch bridge. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

France to deliver air-defence systems to Ukraine in the coming weeks: Macron

US has pledged more aid to Ukraine than all EU members combined. The defence ministry of Ukraine has demanded more weapons from France. Molly Gambhir tells you about the latest developments.

WION Fineprint | US overtakes Europe in pledging arms to Ukraine

A Kremlin adviser said on Wednesday that Moscow hopes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would "formally" offer to facilitate talks with Ukraine at an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"The Turks are offering their mediation. If any talks take place, then most likely they will be on their territory: in Istanbul or Ankara," Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters in Moscow.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Erdogan "will probably propose something officially," he continued, at their Thursday discussions in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. 
&nbsp; 
Turkey, a NATO member that has maintained its neutral stance throughout the Ukrainian war, enjoys cordial ties with both of its Black Sea neighbours, Russia and Ukraine, and has abstained from supporting Western sanctions on Moscow.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"Turkey on principle does not join the illegal sanctions of the West. And this position of Turkey gives an additional impetus for the expansion of trade and economic cooperation," Ushakov said. 
&nbsp; 
In March, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his Ukrainian colleague Dmytro Kuleba met in person for the first high-level discussions to take place since Moscow pushed soldiers into Ukraine. Turkey has previously served as the venue for negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. 
&nbsp; 
Peace talks have subsequently stopped, and when the Kremlin said that it had seized four Ukrainian provinces, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine declared he would not have discussions with Putin.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-intensifies-security-ahead-of-20th-ccp-congress-arrests-over-14-million-criminals-524783">China intensifies security ahead of 20th CCP congress, arrests over 1.4 million ‘criminals’</a> 
&nbsp; 
Ushakov told reporters when asked about Zelensky's promise, "I would like to tell him: never say never."&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
With Moscow and Kyiv, Turkey and the UN-mediated a historic agreement that set aside three ports for Ukraine to deliver desperately needed food supplies over a Russian embargo.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
However, Russia has criticised the agreement, stating that its own exports had suffered and asserting without supporting data that the majority of supply was made to Europe rather than to developing nations where grain was most needed. 
&nbsp; 
(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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A Kremlin adviser said on Wednesday that Moscow hopes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would "formally" offer to facilitate talks with Ukraine at an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan.

A Kremlin adviser said on Wednesday that Moscow hopes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would "formally" offer to facilitate talks with Ukraine at an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan. "The Turks are offering their mediation. If any talks take place, then most likely they will be on their territory: in Istanbul or Ankara," Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters in Moscow. Erdogan "will probably propose something officially," he continued, at their Thursday discussions in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Turkey, a NATO member that has maintained its neutral stance throughout the Ukrainian war, enjoys cordial ties with both of its Black Sea neighbours, Russia and Ukraine, and has abstained from supporting Western sanctions on Moscow. "Turkey on principle does not join the illegal sanctions of the West. And this position of Turkey gives an additional impetus for the expansion of trade and economic cooperation," Ushakov said. In March, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his Ukrainian colleague Dmytro Kuleba met in person for the first high-level discussions to take place since Moscow pushed soldiers into Ukraine. Turkey has previously served as the venue for negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. Peace talks have subsequently stopped, and when the Kremlin said that it had seized four Ukrainian provinces, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine declared he would not have discussions with Putin. Also Read: China intensifies security ahead of 20th CCP congress, arrests over 1.4 million ‘criminals’ Ushakov told reporters when asked about Zelensky's promise, "I would like to tell him: never say never." With Moscow and Kyiv, Turkey and the UN-mediated a historic agreement that set aside three ports for Ukraine to deliver desperately needed food supplies over a Russian embargo. However, Russia has criticised the agreement, stating that its own exports had suffered and asserting without supporting data that the majority of supply was made to Europe rather than to developing nations where grain was most needed. (with inputs from agencies)

Moscow believes Turkish president Erdogan will 'officially' offer Ukraine mediation

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.

Media reports have suggested that Tesla CEO Elon Musk spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin before tweeting his 'peace plan', last week. The billionaire,&nbsp;however, denied the media reports saying, he spoke to the Russian president 18 months ago.

The alleged conversation between Musk and Putin was reported by&nbsp;Ian Bremmer in an email sent to Eurasia Group subscribers. Bremmer claims that he met Musk two weeks ago and that the&nbsp;Tesla boss told him that Putin would accomplish his goals 'no matter what'.

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elon musk told me he had spoken with putin and the kremlin directly about ukraine. he also told me what the kremlin’s red lines were.
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/ianbremmer/status/1579941475613229056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Musk apparently added that Putin was 'prepared to negotiate' if Ukraine recognised&nbsp;Moscow’s annexation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. However, if Kyiv refused, a nuclear strike was on the card to which Musk allegedly replied,&nbsp;“everything needed to be done to avoid that outcome.” No, it is not. I have spoken to Putin only once and that was about 18 months ago. The subject matter was space," Musk replied to a netizen's question if the report was true.&nbsp;

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No, it is not. I have spoken to Putin only once and that was about 18 months ago. The subject matter was space.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1579879154463690752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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As reported by WION, in a Twitter poll last week, Musk listed conditions that he believed can end the war in Ukraine and then asked the people in the four regions of Ukraine, where the annexation referendums were held, to vote on their feelings towards the voting process.

Musk tweeted a list of conditions for bringing “peace” in Ukraine which included – “redoing the elections in regions recently annexed by Russia under United Nations supervision, recognising Russia's annexation of Crimea, assuring water supply to Crimea, and ensuring Ukrainian neutrality.”

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Ukraine-Russia Peace: 
 
- Redo elections of annexed regions under UN supervision. Russia leaves if that is will of the people. 
 
- Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev’s mistake). 
 
- Water supply to Crimea assured. 
 
- Ukraine remains neutral.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1576969255031296000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-faces-criticism-after-twitter-poll-on-how-the-russia-war-should-end-522197">Read more:&nbsp;Twitter war: Musk holds poll on how Russia-Ukraine conflict should end, Zelensky retorts</a>

The post was met with severe criticism across the board with&nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky leading the charge. He took to Twitter and conducted a poll of his own.&nbsp;

“Which @elonmusk do you like more? one who supports Ukraine, or supports Russia," Zelensky tweeted.

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Which <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> do you like more?
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1577006943499350016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Similarly,&nbsp;Ukraine's ambassador to Germany, Andrij Melnyk gave a rather 'diplomatic' reply to Musk.&nbsp;

"F**k off is my very diplomatic reply to you," Melnyk tweeted.

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Fuck off is my very diplomatic reply to you <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a>
— Andrij Melnyk (@MelnykAndrij) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelnykAndrij/status/1576977000178208768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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After Musk's opinion, Moscow came out with a statement and praised Musk for his ideas.&nbsp;

"It is very positive that somebody like Elon Musk is looking for a peaceful way out of this situation," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moscow-lauds-elon-musk-after-his-twitter-poll-on-ukraine-522442">Read more: Moscow lauds Elon Musk after his Twitter poll on Ukraine</a>

"Compared to many professional diplomats, Musk is still searching for ways to achieve peace. And achieving peace without fulfilling Russia's conditions is absolutely impossible," he added.&nbsp;

(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. Media reports have suggested that Tesla CEO Elon Musk spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin before tweeting his 'peace plan', last week. The billionaire, however, denied the media reports saying, he spoke to the Russian president 18 months ago. The alleged conversation between Musk and Putin was reported by Ian Bremmer in an email sent to Eurasia Group subscribers. Bremmer claims that he met Musk two weeks ago and that the Tesla boss told him that Putin would accomplish his goals 'no matter what'. elon musk told me he had spoken with putin and the kremlin directly about ukraine. he also told me what the kremlin’s red lines were. — ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) October 11, 2022 × Musk apparently added that Putin was 'prepared to negotiate' if Ukraine recognised Moscow’s annexation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. However, if Kyiv refused, a nuclear strike was on the card to which Musk allegedly replied, “everything needed to be done to avoid that outcome.” No, it is not. I have spoken to Putin only once and that was about 18 months ago. The subject matter was space," Musk replied to a netizen's question if the report was true. No, it is not. I have spoken to Putin only once and that was about 18 months ago. The subject matter was space. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 11, 2022 × As reported by WION, in a Twitter poll last week, Musk listed conditions that he believed can end the war in Ukraine and then asked the people in the four regions of Ukraine, where the annexation referendums were held, to vote on their feelings towards the voting process. Musk tweeted a list of conditions for bringing “peace” in Ukraine which included – “redoing the elections in regions recently annexed by Russia under United Nations supervision, recognising Russia's annexation of Crimea, assuring water supply to Crimea, and ensuring Ukrainian neutrality.” Ukraine-Russia Peace: - Redo elections of annexed regions under UN supervision. Russia leaves if that is will of the people. - Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev’s mistake). - Water supply to Crimea assured. - Ukraine remains neutral. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2022 × Read more: Twitter war: Musk holds poll on how Russia-Ukraine conflict should end, Zelensky retorts The post was met with severe criticism across the board with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky leading the charge. He took to Twitter and conducted a poll of his own. “Which @elonmusk do you like more? one who supports Ukraine, or supports Russia," Zelensky tweeted. Which @elonmusk do you like more? — Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 3, 2022 × Similarly, Ukraine's ambassador to Germany, Andrij Melnyk gave a rather 'diplomatic' reply to Musk. "F**k off is my very diplomatic reply to you," Melnyk tweeted. Fuck off is my very diplomatic reply to you @elonmusk — Andrij Melnyk (@MelnykAndrij) October 3, 2022 × After Musk's opinion, Moscow came out with a statement and praised Musk for his ideas. "It is very positive that somebody like Elon Musk is looking for a peaceful way out of this situation," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Read more: Moscow lauds Elon Musk after his Twitter poll on Ukraine "Compared to many professional diplomats, Musk is still searching for ways to achieve peace. And achieving peace without fulfilling Russia's conditions is absolutely impossible," he added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Elon Musk denies reports alleging that he spoke to Vladimir Putin before tweeting his peace plan