Ukraine said on Sunday (Nov 12) that three Russian officers in the Moscow-controlled city of Melitopol were killed in a blast triggered by "local resistance movements" on Saturday.

Ukraine said on Sunday (Nov 12) that three Russian officers in the Moscow-controlled city of Melitopol were killed in a blast triggered by "local resistance movements" on Saturday. The explosion occurred at the headquarters of the occupation authorities. In a post on Telegram, the intelligence service of Ukraine's defence ministry said, "At least three officers of the Russian guard were eliminated, as a result of the revenge action carried out by representatives of the local resistance movement." According to a report by the news agency AFP, a source said that the attack on the headquarters was carried out during the meeting of the (Russian Security Service) FSB and (Russian National Guard) Rosgvardia. Blast heard in all corners of city Melitopol is located in Zaporizhzhia and is one of the four regions that Russia claims to have annexed without fully controlling them. Before Russia launched a war against Ukraine in February last year, Melitopol had a population of around 150,000 people. Ukrainian forces have been launching offensive operations in Melitopol and other directions. On Saturday evening, Melitopol's exiled mayor said that residents reported an "explosion, which was heard in all corners of the city" and police cars speeding through the city. Russia renews missile attacks on Kyiv In other news from the Ukraine war, Russia on Saturday launched a missile attack in Ukraine's capital city of Kyiv and the surrounding region for the first time in more than seven weeks. Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, said a Russian ballistic missile was launched toward the capital at about 8 am (0600 GMT). "After a long pause of 52 days, the enemy has resumed missile attacks on Kyiv," Popko said, adding the missile failed to reach the capital as air defenders shot it down. Popko said there were no casualties or major damage. (With inputs from agencies) 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.

Ukraine war: Three Russian military officers killed in Melitopol explosion, says Kyiv

The so called 'nuclear briefcase' that accompanies Russian President Vladimir Putin was caught on camera on Wednesday (Oct 18) as the president headed to a meeting after his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The briefcase can be used to order a nuclear strike by the Russian president. The nuclear briefcase is rarely filmed.

After his meeting with Xi, as Putin walked to another meeting, he was surrounded by security officers and was followed by two Russian naval officers in uniform. Each of these officers carried a briefcase. One of these was the actual nuclear briefcase.

The briefcase is traditionally carried by Russian naval officers. The briefcase is known as the "Cheget". It is named after Mount Cheget in the Caucasus Mountains.

"There are certain suitcases without which no trip of Putin's is complete," the Kremlin correspondents of state news agency RIA said in a post on Telegram under the footage.

In another clip, Putin walks out of a meeting in Beijing with the naval officers again filmed just a few paces from Putin who grins as he walks down some stairs.

The President of the United States also has such a device. It is called the 'nuclear football'. The satchel contains the codes the US president can use to authorise nuclear missiles in case he is not at the White House.

Tensions between Russia and the US are on the rise in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Even China is seeking to bolster its nuclear arsenal. US-China relations are strained as well.

Watch | China Belt &amp; Road summit kicks off: Xi delivers keynote address, warns against decoupling from China

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On Tuesday, the Russian parliament took first steps towards revoking ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Its top lawmaker has even warned US that Russia may even abandon the pact altogether.

<h2>What is in the briefcase?</h2>

The "Cheget" is essentially a secure communication tool that enables Russian president a link to his military top brass and through them, to the rocket forces. via the highly secret "Kazbek" electronic command-and-control network.

Russia's defence minister has such a briefcase with him. Reuters said that Russian chief of general staff may also have been given a nuclear briefcase.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-praises-dear-friend-xi-in-beijing-summit-invites-world-to-invest-in-northern-sea-route-648185">Putin praises 'dear friend' Xi in Beijing summit, discusses Middle East and Ukraine</a>

Footage shown by Russia's Zvezda television channel in 2019 showed what it said was one of the briefcases with an array of buttons.

According to Zvezda, there is a white 'launch' button and a red "cancel" button and the briefcase is activated by a special flashcard.

(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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The so called 'nuclear briefcase' that accompanies Russian President Vladimir Putin was caught on camera on Wednesday (Oct 18) as the president headed to a meeting after his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The so called 'nuclear briefcase' that accompanies Russian President Vladimir Putin was caught on camera on Wednesday (Oct 18) as the president headed to a meeting after his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The briefcase can be used to order a nuclear strike by the Russian president. The nuclear briefcase is rarely filmed. After his meeting with Xi, as Putin walked to another meeting, he was surrounded by security officers and was followed by two Russian naval officers in uniform. Each of these officers carried a briefcase. One of these was the actual nuclear briefcase. The briefcase is traditionally carried by Russian naval officers. The briefcase is known as the "Cheget". It is named after Mount Cheget in the Caucasus Mountains. "There are certain suitcases without which no trip of Putin's is complete," the Kremlin correspondents of state news agency RIA said in a post on Telegram under the footage. In another clip, Putin walks out of a meeting in Beijing with the naval officers again filmed just a few paces from Putin who grins as he walks down some stairs. The President of the United States also has such a device. It is called the 'nuclear football'. The satchel contains the codes the US president can use to authorise nuclear missiles in case he is not at the White House. Tensions between Russia and the US are on the rise in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Even China is seeking to bolster its nuclear arsenal. US-China relations are strained as well. Watch | China Belt & Road summit kicks off: Xi delivers keynote address, warns against decoupling from China × On Tuesday, the Russian parliament took first steps towards revoking ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Its top lawmaker has even warned US that Russia may even abandon the pact altogether. What is in the briefcase? The "Cheget" is essentially a secure communication tool that enables Russian president a link to his military top brass and through them, to the rocket forces. via the highly secret "Kazbek" electronic command-and-control network. Russia's defence minister has such a briefcase with him. Reuters said that Russian chief of general staff may also have been given a nuclear briefcase. Also Read | Putin praises 'dear friend' Xi in Beijing summit, discusses Middle East and Ukraine Footage shown by Russia's Zvezda television channel in 2019 showed what it said was one of the briefcases with an array of buttons. According to Zvezda, there is a white 'launch' button and a red "cancel" button and the briefcase is activated by a special flashcard. (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 ×

Putin filmed with 'nuclear briefcase' being carried by Russian officers in China

Russian government officials have been banned from bringing their iPhones to cabinet meetings and using them for official work purposes amid allegations that the U.S.-made smartphones are equipped with spying technology. 
 
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) recently reported the discovery of "anomalies" in certain iPhones used in Russia, including devices used by members of the country's diplomatic missions. The FSB attributed these anomalies to "malicious software" associated with surveillance operations conducted by American intelligence services, reported the Moscow Times.

<h2>FSB claims Apple's privacy policy inaccurate, alleges collaboration with NSA</h2>

The presence of the detected malware has led the FSB to assert that Apple's proclaimed user privacy policy does not align with reality. The agency suggests that the situation indicates close collaboration between Apple and the US&nbsp;National Security Agency (NSA).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-to-cut-small-number-of-jobs-in-some-corporate-retail-teams-report-578799">Apple is planning to cut small number of jobs in some teams: Report</a>

<h2>30% of Russian presidential administration employees still use iPhones</h2>

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has disclosed that around 30 per cent of employees in the Russian presidential administration continue to use iPhones for personal communication, even as concerns regarding the security of these devices persist.

Earlier this year, fears of potential espionage led to a ban on Kremlin staff involved in President Vladimir Putin's 2024 re-election campaign from using iPhones. The prohibition was reported by the Kommersant daily in March and was implemented following a deliberation at a seminar near Moscow, with the final decision resting in the hands of Sergei Kiriyenko, the Kremlin's first deputy chief of staff.

The Kremlin maintains the belief that iPhones are more susceptible to hacking and espionage by Western specialists when compared to other smartphone brands. This perception has had an impact on the choices made by Russian officials and managers at state-owned enterprises regarding the use of iPhones.

Also watch |&nbsp;iPhones barred in Putin's office

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However, despite these concerns and restrictions, a significant number of Russian officials and managers from state-owned enterprises were observed using iPhones during the recent St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This observation highlights the existence of varying practices and viewpoints on the matter of iPhone security within the Russian establishment.

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Russian government officials have been banned from bringing their iPhones to cabinet meetings and using them for official work purposes amid allegations that the U.

Russian government officials have been banned from bringing their iPhones to cabinet meetings and using them for official work purposes amid allegations that the U.S.-made smartphones are equipped with spying technology. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) recently reported the discovery of "anomalies" in certain iPhones used in Russia, including devices used by members of the country's diplomatic missions. The FSB attributed these anomalies to "malicious software" associated with surveillance operations conducted by American intelligence services, reported the Moscow Times. FSB claims Apple's privacy policy inaccurate, alleges collaboration with NSA The presence of the detected malware has led the FSB to assert that Apple's proclaimed user privacy policy does not align with reality. The agency suggests that the situation indicates close collaboration between Apple and the US National Security Agency (NSA). Also read | Apple is planning to cut small number of jobs in some teams: Report 30% of Russian presidential administration employees still use iPhones Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has disclosed that around 30 per cent of employees in the Russian presidential administration continue to use iPhones for personal communication, even as concerns regarding the security of these devices persist. Earlier this year, fears of potential espionage led to a ban on Kremlin staff involved in President Vladimir Putin's 2024 re-election campaign from using iPhones. The prohibition was reported by the Kommersant daily in March and was implemented following a deliberation at a seminar near Moscow, with the final decision resting in the hands of Sergei Kiriyenko, the Kremlin's first deputy chief of staff. The Kremlin maintains the belief that iPhones are more susceptible to hacking and espionage by Western specialists when compared to other smartphone brands. This perception has had an impact on the choices made by Russian officials and managers at state-owned enterprises regarding the use of iPhones. Also watch | iPhones barred in Putin's office However, despite these concerns and restrictions, a significant number of Russian officials and managers from state-owned enterprises were observed using iPhones during the recent St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This observation highlights the existence of varying practices and viewpoints on the matter of iPhone security within the Russian establishment. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russian officials barred from bringing iPhones to cabinet meetings: Report

The United States imposed sanctions on Friday on Russian officials who supplied turbines to a power plant in annexed Crimea, as well as several &quot;ministers&quot; from the breakaway region in eastern Ukraine.

The turbines were built by German engineering giant Siemens for delivery to Russia but were later sent to Crimea -- which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed in 2014 -- by its Russian partner.

No US action has been taken against the Munich-based firm, which says it was not aware the equipment would be diverted and attempted to sue the Russian state energy firm for breach of contract.

Only a handful of Russian allies have recognized Moscow&#39;s claim on Crimea, which has not been recognized by the United Nations and which Ukraine, the United States and most of the world reject.

Washington has an existing sanctions law to punish officials and public and private entities who assist in the Russian intervention in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, and regularly updates its blacklist.

On Friday, it was the turn of senior Russian officials involved in the transfer of the turbines, and also several &quot;ministers&quot; from two pro-Russia breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine.

The so-called Donetsk People&#39;s Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People&#39;s Republic (LPR) rule chunks of eastern Ukraine controlled by the pro-Moscow separatists since a revolt in early 2014.

The West says the separatists are directly backed by Russian forces, who send personnel and weapons, funding and supplies and have allegedly conducted cross-border operations and shelling.

Moscow denies this and has reacted with fury to increased sanctions.

Russia&#39;s foreign ministry said the &quot;absurd sanctions campaign has not succeeded and will not lead to any results.&quot;

&quot;If the American authorities prefer to break economic ties... with Russia, it is their right, as it is ours to reserve the right to a response.&quot;

- Fighting continues -

&quot;The US government is committed to maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to targeting those who attempt to undermine the Minsk agreements,&quot; Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

Under the Minsk agreements, the first of which was signed in 2014, Russia and Ukraine are supposed to support a ceasefire, withdraw heavy weapons and foreign forces, and support electoral reform.&nbsp;

But fighting has continued to greater and lesser degrees, and US officials accuse Vladimir Putin&#39;s Kremlin of pulling the strings.&nbsp;

&quot;Those who provide goods, services, or material support to individuals and entities sanctioned by the United States for their activities in Ukraine are engaging in behavior that could expose them to US sanctions,&quot; Mnuchin warned.

The Donetsk ministers of information, industry, finance, foreign affairs, state security and tax and Lugansk&#39;s economic development, labor and energy ministers were added to the US blacklist.

Among the Russians added were Andrei Cherezov, deputy minister of energy, along with senior public and company officials involved in the transfer of the turbines to occupied territory.

Several Russian companies were also designated for operating in Crimea, including Technopromexport -- the subsidiary of state conglomerate Rostec that was unsuccessfully sued by Siemens.

A spokesman for Rostec told the Interfax news agency: &quot;We&#39;re used to living under sanctions. It&#39;s just a shame that pressure, and not dialogue, has become the main instrument of foreign relations.&quot;

The persons and entities listed cannot do business with Americans -- effectively excluding them from the US financial system -- and any assets they hold under US jurisdiction can be frozen.

COMMENTSSeparately, the United States also condemned Russia&#39;s ratification of an agreement to set up a joint military force with the Georgian region of South Ossetia, which is also under occupation.

&quot;We do not recognize the legitimacy of this so-called &#39;treaty,&#39; which does not constitute a valid international agreement,&quot; State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Washington has an existing sanctions law to punish officials and public and private entities who assist in the Russian intervention in Crimea and eastern Ukraine

The United States imposed sanctions on Friday on Russian officials who supplied turbines to a power plant in annexed Crimea, as well as several "ministers" from the breakaway region in eastern Ukraine. The turbines were built by German engineering giant Siemens for delivery to Russia but were later sent to Crimea -- which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed in 2014 -- by its Russian partner. No US action has been taken against the Munich-based firm, which says it was not aware the equipment would be diverted and attempted to sue the Russian state energy firm for breach of contract. Only a handful of Russian allies have recognized Moscow's claim on Crimea, which has not been recognized by the United Nations and which Ukraine, the United States and most of the world reject. Washington has an existing sanctions law to punish officials and public and private entities who assist in the Russian intervention in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, and regularly updates its blacklist. On Friday, it was the turn of senior Russian officials involved in the transfer of the turbines, and also several "ministers" from two pro-Russia breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine. The so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) rule chunks of eastern Ukraine controlled by the pro-Moscow separatists since a revolt in early 2014. The West says the separatists are directly backed by Russian forces, who send personnel and weapons, funding and supplies and have allegedly conducted cross-border operations and shelling. Moscow denies this and has reacted with fury to increased sanctions. Russia's foreign ministry said the "absurd sanctions campaign has not succeeded and will not lead to any results." "If the American authorities prefer to break economic ties... with Russia, it is their right, as it is ours to reserve the right to a response." - Fighting continues - "The US government is committed to maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to targeting those who attempt to undermine the Minsk agreements," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. Under the Minsk agreements, the first of which was signed in 2014, Russia and Ukraine are supposed to support a ceasefire, withdraw heavy weapons and foreign forces, and support electoral reform. But fighting has continued to greater and lesser degrees, and US officials accuse Vladimir Putin's Kremlin of pulling the strings. "Those who provide goods, services, or material support to individuals and entities sanctioned by the United States for their activities in Ukraine are engaging in behavior that could expose them to US sanctions," Mnuchin warned. The Donetsk ministers of information, industry, finance, foreign affairs, state security and tax and Lugansk's economic development, labor and energy ministers were added to the US blacklist. Among the Russians added were Andrei Cherezov, deputy minister of energy, along with senior public and company officials involved in the transfer of the turbines to occupied territory. Several Russian companies were also designated for operating in Crimea, including Technopromexport -- the subsidiary of state conglomerate Rostec that was unsuccessfully sued by Siemens. A spokesman for Rostec told the Interfax news agency: "We're used to living under sanctions. It's just a shame that pressure, and not dialogue, has become the main instrument of foreign relations." The persons and entities listed cannot do business with Americans -- effectively excluding them from the US financial system -- and any assets they hold under US jurisdiction can be frozen. COMMENTSSeparately, the United States also condemned Russia's ratification of an agreement to set up a joint military force with the Georgian region of South Ossetia, which is also under occupation. "We do not recognize the legitimacy of this so-called 'treaty,' which does not constitute a valid international agreement," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

US slaps new sanctions on Russian officials over Crimea

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Ukraine war: Three Russian military officers killed in Melitopol explosion, says Kyiv

Putin filmed with 'nuclear briefcase' being carried by Russian officers in China

Russian officials barred from bringing iPhones to cabinet meetings: Report

US slaps new sanctions on Russian officials over Crimea