Russia and China agreed to deepen security cooperation across Eurasia to oppose US and Western influence. According to Lavrov, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed such a move, and the two countries agreed to "start a dialogue with the involvement of our other like-minded people on this issue."

China and Russia agree to boost ties in opposition to West

Russia has reportedly asked Kazakhstan to supply it with petrol as Ukrainian attacks on its refineries force it to import gasoline. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine war: War forces Russia to import gasoline

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The Russian air force is increasing its use&nbsp;of updated Soviet-era weaponry, adapted for modern warfare, to bombard Ukrainian forces, devastate towns, and gain a battlefield edge for Moscow.

“The experience of the past months and weeks shows that the enemy has significantly increased aircraft activity, using guided air bombs that destroy our positions,” Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky said.

The guided weapons, often called "glide bombs," are outdated projectiles traditionally released from Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft directly onto targets. With the addition of inexpensive pop-out wings and a satellite navigation system, these once "dumb bombs" can now be deployed by Russian bombers far beyond the front line, beyond the reach of Ukraine's air defence systems.

The glide bombs have a capacity ranging from 500 kilogrammes to 1.5 tonnes of explosives and can travel over 60 kilometres, creating craters up to 20 metres&nbsp;wide and 6 metres deep.

They are highly destructive, leading Ukrainian analysts associated with Deep State, a group affiliated with the defence ministry, to describe them as a weapon against which Kyiv's forces have&nbsp;“practically no countermeasures.”

Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba told the&nbsp;Financial Times&nbsp;that his country’s soldiers “are being massively, and I would say even routinely, attacked by guided aerial bombs that wipe out our positions”.

Ukrainian defence officials report that Russians have launched approximately 3,500 of these guided aerial bombs at Ukraine this year alone, marking a sixteenfold increase from 2023.

In the third week of March alone, Russia “launched over 700 guided aerial bombs”, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Ukraine requires a substantial increase in modern air defence systems to counter these threats. According to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the rise in glide-bomb attacks highlights the scarcity of air defence weaponry. Delays in European military aid and a stalled $US60 billion package from the US Congress have contributed to this shortage.

During the final week of March, Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, experienced two attacks from "unified multipurpose" glide bombs, which can travel up to 90 kilometres. This marked the city's first encounter with aerial bombs, rather than missiles or drones, since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Since the invasion in February 2022, the Russian air force has played a minor role. The conflict has mainly involved ground battles, resembling a blend of World War I-style trench warfare with modern drone technology.

However, as the fighting has stabilised in recent months, the air war over Ukraine has intensified. In March, Russia launched several&nbsp;cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukrainian energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. These strikes caused prolonged power outages in Kharkiv and endangered hydroelectric power plants in Kaniv and Zaporizhzhia.

At the same time, Kyiv targeted several oil refineries and a drone factory deep within Russia, along with warships and command facilities of the Russian Black Sea fleet in Crimea.

Experts believe that Russia's air force is now taking on a crucial role, shifting the momentum of the war in its favour. This shift is attributed to the development and deployment of glide bombs.

In a recent assessment, the Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian military effectively used&nbsp;"mass glide-bomb strikes" during the seizure of Avdiivka in mid-February.

Hundreds of glide bombs destroyed the town in the Donetsk region, compelling Ukrainian troops to withdraw.

“These bombs completely destroy any position. All buildings and structures simply turn into a pit after the impact of just one,” Egor Sugar, a Ukrainian soldier who fought in Avdiivka, wrote on X. “And they drop 60-80 on us in one day.”

The leader of the armed forces attributed the use of glide bombs as a significant factor in his decision to order troops to withdraw from Avdiivka. This retreat marked Moscow's first significant battlefield victory in almost a year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-help-hundreds-of-angry-russians-in-orsk-demand-compensation-after-floods-destroys-their-homes-709266">Also read |&nbsp;'Putin help': Hundreds of angry Russians hold rare protest after floods destroy over 10,000 homes</a>

<h2>Large-scale manufacturing</h2>

Currently, Russia is increasing the production of glide bombs and modernising the 500-kilogramme FAB-500 and the 1500-kilogramme FAB-1500 bombs.

Earlier this month, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited a factory in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where he examined production facilities.

The defence ministry said the factory had “increased the production of FAB-500 aerial bombs many times over [and] doubled the production of the FAB-1500”.

Also watch |&nbsp;Russia's Glide bombs add to firepower advantage, know all about these bombs

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russias-glide-bombs-add-to-firepower-advantage-know-all-about-these-bombs-709474/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Yet, Western experts and even prominent pro-Kremlin military bloggers on Telegram, who run channels devoted to Russia's air force, have voiced doubts regarding the FAB-3000.

Several have called&nbsp;it as impractical since it can only be transported by Tupolev Tu-22M bombers.

(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.

&nbsp;

The Russian air force is increasing its use of updated Soviet-era weaponry, adapted for modern warfare, to bombard Ukrainian forces, devastate towns, and gain a battlefield edge for Moscow.

The Russian air force is increasing its use of updated Soviet-era weaponry, adapted for modern warfare, to bombard Ukrainian forces, devastate towns, and gain a battlefield edge for Moscow. “The experience of the past months and weeks shows that the enemy has significantly increased aircraft activity, using guided air bombs that destroy our positions,” Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky said. The guided weapons, often called "glide bombs," are outdated projectiles traditionally released from Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft directly onto targets. With the addition of inexpensive pop-out wings and a satellite navigation system, these once "dumb bombs" can now be deployed by Russian bombers far beyond the front line, beyond the reach of Ukraine's air defence systems. The glide bombs have a capacity ranging from 500 kilogrammes to 1.5 tonnes of explosives and can travel over 60 kilometres, creating craters up to 20 metres wide and 6 metres deep. They are highly destructive, leading Ukrainian analysts associated with Deep State, a group affiliated with the defence ministry, to describe them as a weapon against which Kyiv's forces have “practically no countermeasures.” Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba told the Financial Times that his country’s soldiers “are being massively, and I would say even routinely, attacked by guided aerial bombs that wipe out our positions”. Ukrainian defence officials report that Russians have launched approximately 3,500 of these guided aerial bombs at Ukraine this year alone, marking a sixteenfold increase from 2023. In the third week of March alone, Russia “launched over 700 guided aerial bombs”, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Ukraine requires a substantial increase in modern air defence systems to counter these threats. According to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the rise in glide-bomb attacks highlights the scarcity of air defence weaponry. Delays in European military aid and a stalled $US60 billion package from the US Congress have contributed to this shortage. During the final week of March, Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, experienced two attacks from "unified multipurpose" glide bombs, which can travel up to 90 kilometres. This marked the city's first encounter with aerial bombs, rather than missiles or drones, since the start of the full-scale invasion. Since the invasion in February 2022, the Russian air force has played a minor role. The conflict has mainly involved ground battles, resembling a blend of World War I-style trench warfare with modern drone technology. However, as the fighting has stabilised in recent months, the air war over Ukraine has intensified. In March, Russia launched several cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukrainian energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. These strikes caused prolonged power outages in Kharkiv and endangered hydroelectric power plants in Kaniv and Zaporizhzhia. At the same time, Kyiv targeted several oil refineries and a drone factory deep within Russia, along with warships and command facilities of the Russian Black Sea fleet in Crimea. Experts believe that Russia's air force is now taking on a crucial role, shifting the momentum of the war in its favour. This shift is attributed to the development and deployment of glide bombs. In a recent assessment, the Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian military effectively used "mass glide-bomb strikes" during the seizure of Avdiivka in mid-February. Hundreds of glide bombs destroyed the town in the Donetsk region, compelling Ukrainian troops to withdraw. “These bombs completely destroy any position. All buildings and structures simply turn into a pit after the impact of just one,” Egor Sugar, a Ukrainian soldier who fought in Avdiivka, wrote on X. “And they drop 60-80 on us in one day.” The leader of the armed forces attributed the use of glide bombs as a significant factor in his decision to order troops to withdraw from Avdiivka. This retreat marked Moscow's first significant battlefield victory in almost a year. Also read | 'Putin help': Hundreds of angry Russians hold rare protest after floods destroy over 10,000 homes Large-scale manufacturing Currently, Russia is increasing the production of glide bombs and modernising the 500-kilogramme FAB-500 and the 1500-kilogramme FAB-1500 bombs. Earlier this month, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited a factory in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where he examined production facilities. The defence ministry said the factory had “increased the production of FAB-500 aerial bombs many times over [and] doubled the production of the FAB-1500”. Also watch | Russia's Glide bombs add to firepower advantage, know all about these bombs Yet, Western experts and even prominent pro-Kremlin military bloggers on Telegram, who run channels devoted to Russia's air force, have voiced doubts regarding the FAB-3000. Several have called it as impractical since it can only be transported by Tupolev Tu-22M bombers. (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.

Explained | How are Russia’s low-cost glide bombs changing the nature of the war in Ukraine?

The Russia's use of glide bombs is adding to the country's fires advantage as it attempts to make a breakthrough in the lines of Ukrainian defenders. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: Russian Glide bombs add to firepower advantage | WION Fineprint

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a significant ally of Joe Biden, sent a letter to President Obama and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday on behalf of dozens of congressional Democrats requesting an end to arms supplies to Israel. Watch to know more.

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Russia's Glide bombs add to firepower advantage, know all about these bombs

The Russia-Ukraine war is intensifying. A range of lethal weapons are deployed in Ukraine. Russia is using 1,500-kilogram FAB Russian glide bombs. Are FAB glide bombs proving to be a game-changer? Watch this video to find out.

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Russia said that a Ukraine drone attack hit the Moscow-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned against such attacks. Watch in for more details!

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that his war-torn nation could run out of air defence missiles if Russia keeps up its intense long-range bombing campaign. Watch in for more details!

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The US House of Representatives' Speaker, Mike Johnson, declared on Sunday that following the Easter break, which ends on April 9, he will offer a package providing more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine for consideration. Watch in for more details!

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is sounding the alarm over his country's worsening situation on the battlefield. Zelensky said that Ukraine will run out of air defense missiles if Russia continues to Pound the nation with its long range missiles. Watch in for more details!

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According to a Ukrainian government minister cited on Monday, Ukraine has requested Elon Musk's SpaceX Aerospace firm to take action to stop Russia from using its Starlink terminals for communications in territories that are under Moscow's control. Watch to know more.

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that the country could run out of air defence missiles if Moscow continues its ongoing war campaign comprised of long-range bombing attacks. Zelensky's claim was cited as the starkest warning till date about the deteriorating situation for Ukraine amid expanding Russian advantages over and beyond the frontline of war now in its third year.&nbsp;

"If they keep hitting [Ukraine] every day the way they have for the last month, we might run out of missiles, and the partners know it," Zelensky said on Ukrainian television.

The Ukrainian president said that while Ukraine had enough air defence stockpiles for the immediate crisis posed by ongoing Russian offensive, it was still making difficult choices about what to protect.

<h2>Zelensky says Ukraine needs more Patriot missiles</h2>

Zelensky&nbsp;pressed for more Patriot missiles from the United States, the air defence systems that have been proven vital during Russian attacks comprising of ballistic and hypersonic missiles.&nbsp;

Zelensky said that 25 systems would be needed to cover the country completely.&nbsp;

The Ukrainian president claimed that there are not enough ammunition in the country for a counter-offensive against Russia.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: Ukrainian troops undergo training in Germany

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"We don’t have shells for counter-offensive actions. As for the defence – there are several initiatives, and we’re receiving weapons," he added.

In a departure from his demand for aid, this time around, Zelensky said that Kyiv would agree for a US aid package in the form of a loan.

"We will agree to any options," he said, adding that the key thing was that the aid arrived "the sooner, the better".

Meanwhile, Russia launched fresh attacks in Ukraine with drones and missiles, killing at least eight people in Kharkiv.

Russia reportedly&nbsp;attacked with 32 Iranian-made Shahed drones and fired six missiles, according to the air force commander.&nbsp;

The Kharkiv region’s governor, Oleh Syniehubov, said that the missile strikes on the city had damaged homes, a petrol station, a kindergarten, a cafe, a shop and cars.

On the other hand, Ukrainian drone attack on the Morozovsk airbase in Russia’s Rostov Oblast killed or injured 20 airfield personnel and destroyed six Russian warplanes, as well as badly damaging eight others, according to Ukrainian officials on Friday.

Russian defence officials, however, said they intercepted more than 40 Ukrainian drones and only a power substation was damaged in the barrage.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that the country could run out of air defence missiles if Moscow continues its ongoing war campaign comprised of long-range bombing attacks.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that the country could run out of air defence missiles if Moscow continues its ongoing war campaign comprised of long-range bombing attacks. Zelensky's claim was cited as the starkest warning till date about the deteriorating situation for Ukraine amid expanding Russian advantages over and beyond the frontline of war now in its third year. "If they keep hitting [Ukraine] every day the way they have for the last month, we might run out of missiles, and the partners know it," Zelensky said on Ukrainian television. The Ukrainian president said that while Ukraine had enough air defence stockpiles for the immediate crisis posed by ongoing Russian offensive, it was still making difficult choices about what to protect. Zelensky says Ukraine needs more Patriot missiles Zelensky pressed for more Patriot missiles from the United States, the air defence systems that have been proven vital during Russian attacks comprising of ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Zelensky said that 25 systems would be needed to cover the country completely. The Ukrainian president claimed that there are not enough ammunition in the country for a counter-offensive against Russia. Also watch | Russia-Ukraine war: Ukrainian troops undergo training in Germany × "We don’t have shells for counter-offensive actions. As for the defence – there are several initiatives, and we’re receiving weapons," he added. In a departure from his demand for aid, this time around, Zelensky said that Kyiv would agree for a US aid package in the form of a loan. "We will agree to any options," he said, adding that the key thing was that the aid arrived "the sooner, the better". Meanwhile, Russia launched fresh attacks in Ukraine with drones and missiles, killing at least eight people in Kharkiv. Russia reportedly attacked with 32 Iranian-made Shahed drones and fired six missiles, according to the air force commander. The Kharkiv region’s governor, Oleh Syniehubov, said that the missile strikes on the city had damaged homes, a petrol station, a kindergarten, a cafe, a shop and cars. On the other hand, Ukrainian drone attack on the Morozovsk airbase in Russia’s Rostov Oblast killed or injured 20 airfield personnel and destroyed six Russian warplanes, as well as badly damaging eight others, according to Ukrainian officials on Friday. Russian defence officials, however, said they intercepted more than 40 Ukrainian drones and only a power substation was damaged in the barrage. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine's air defence missiles could be over soon, claims Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday (Apr 7) said that if the US Congress does not approve military assistance, then Kyiv would lose the war against Russia.

"It is necessary to specifically tell Congress that if Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war," Zelensky said during a video meeting of the Kyiv-organised fundraising platform United24.

He said that it would be extremely difficult for Ukraine to survive Moscow's offensive without US aid.

"If Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked," he added.

For months, Republicans in Congress have been blocking military aid worth tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine.

It has been two years since Russia launched its offensive against Ukraine.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-troops-terrified-as-russia-intensifies-use-of-chemical-weapons-report-708653">Ukrainian troops terrified as Russia intensifies use of ‘chemical weapons’: Report</a>

<h2>Russian strike on Gulyaipole kills 3</h2>

Ukraine on Sunday said that a Russian strike on the town of Gulyaipole in the southern Zaporizhzhia region claimed the lives of three people.

"Two men and a woman died under the rubble of their own private house, which was hit by a Russian shell," the head of the region, Ivan Fedorov, said on social media.

The officials, according to the news agency AFP, said that another civilian, who was a woman, was killed in the city of Kupiansk, in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

"A woman died under the rubble in an apartment on the fourth floor of a high-rise building," Ukraine's state emergency services said, adding that it was a residential building.

Authorities in Kharkiv said that Russia launched another attack on Sunday (Apr 6) which injured at least five civilians.

Meanwhile, Moscow said that Ukraine struck the dome above a shutdown reactor at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear station on Sunday, said the plant's Russian-installed administration.

The plant had earlier also reported attacks by Ukrainian drones.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that it had been informed by the Russian-run plant that a drone had exploded at the site and the information was "consistent" with IAEA observations.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said both sides should refrain from actions which "jeopardise nuclear safety".

(With inputs from agencies)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday (Apr 7) said that if the US Congress does not approve military assistance, then Kyiv would lose the war against Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday (Apr 7) said that if the US Congress does not approve military assistance, then Kyiv would lose the war against Russia. "It is necessary to specifically tell Congress that if Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war," Zelensky said during a video meeting of the Kyiv-organised fundraising platform United24. He said that it would be extremely difficult for Ukraine to survive Moscow's offensive without US aid. "If Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked," he added. For months, Republicans in Congress have been blocking military aid worth tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine. It has been two years since Russia launched its offensive against Ukraine. Also read: Ukrainian troops terrified as Russia intensifies use of ‘chemical weapons’: Report Russian strike on Gulyaipole kills 3 Ukraine on Sunday said that a Russian strike on the town of Gulyaipole in the southern Zaporizhzhia region claimed the lives of three people. "Two men and a woman died under the rubble of their own private house, which was hit by a Russian shell," the head of the region, Ivan Fedorov, said on social media. The officials, according to the news agency AFP, said that another civilian, who was a woman, was killed in the city of Kupiansk, in the northeastern Kharkiv region. "A woman died under the rubble in an apartment on the fourth floor of a high-rise building," Ukraine's state emergency services said, adding that it was a residential building. Authorities in Kharkiv said that Russia launched another attack on Sunday (Apr 6) which injured at least five civilians. Meanwhile, Moscow said that Ukraine struck the dome above a shutdown reactor at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear station on Sunday, said the plant's Russian-installed administration. The plant had earlier also reported attacks by Ukrainian drones. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that it had been informed by the Russian-run plant that a drone had exploded at the site and the information was "consistent" with IAEA observations. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said both sides should refrain from actions which "jeopardise nuclear safety". (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine would lose war against Russia if US Congress blocks military aid, says Zelensky

The US House of Representatives' Speaker, Mike Johnson, declared on Sunday that following the Easter break, which ends on April 9, he will offer a package providing more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine for consideration.

Kyiv willing to accept loan from US: Report

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