US Military Officials in Russia-Belarus War Games
U.S. military officers observed joint war games between Russia and Belarus on Monday and were told by Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin that they could look at “whatever is of interest for you”.
Russia and Belarus began the “Zapad-2025” exercise at training grounds in both countries on Friday at a time of heightened tension with NATO, two days after Poland shot down Russian drones that crossed into its airspace.
The attendance of the Americans at a training ground in Belarus was presented by the country’s defence ministry as a surprise.
Russia Says Its War against NATO
The European Union’s foreign policy chief on Sunday accused Moscow of “reckless escalation” after a Russian drone flew through Romania’s airspace, the second incursion over a NATO country in less than a week. Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace last week, prompting NATO to scramble fighter jets to shoot some of them down. That incident drew condemnation from Western officials who called it an escalation of the war in Ukraine. Taken together, the episodes further underscore how drones are making the Ukraine war felt outside the country’s borders.Romania, a NATO member, had said late Saturday that its air force had detected a Russian drone in the country’s air space. Its Defense Ministry said in a statement that the country had deployed two F-16 aircraft shortly after 6 p.m. local time to monitor Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian infrastructure near the Romanian border. About 20 minutes later, they detected the drone in Romanian airspace.NATO is de facto involved in this war. NATO is providing direct and indirect support to the Kiev regime. It can be said with absolute certainty that NATO is fighting against Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
China Backs Russia
China on Monday described as a “typical act of unilateral bullying” and “economic coercion” the US call to G7 and NATO countries to impose tariffs against Beijing and others importing Russian oil, as it threatened countermeasures if Washington’s call is heeded.
China’s rejection of the US push came even as the Chinese and US delegations reconvened in Spain on Monday for the second day of their talks on economic and trade issues.
At a regular news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China’s normal economic and energy cooperation with countries around the world, including Russia, is legitimate, lawful, and above reproach.
He made the remarks when asked to comment on reports that the US has asked G7 and NATO members to collectively impose additional tariffs on China for purchasing Russian oil to pressure Beijing to play a role in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine Strikes Russia
Ukraine launched a large attack with at least 361 drones targeting Russia overnight, sparking a brief fire at the vast Kirishi oil refinery in Russia’s northwest, Russian officials said on Sunday, reporting no injuries. Russia’s defence ministry said at least 361 drones had been shot down by Russian air defence systems, including four guided aerial bombs and a U.S.-made HIMARS missile. It did not give details about the location of the attacks.
While Ukraine has repeatedly struck oil refineries and other Russian energy infrastructure, its target Sunday was particularly significant. Kirishi is the only major oil refinery in northwestern Russia, and it is one of the country’s largest, producing things like motor fuel, paraffin and roofing materials.
Surgutneftegaz’s Kirishinefteorgsintez refinery, one of the top two refineries in Russia, was among the targets attacked by Ukrainian drones, Russian officials said.
FAQs
Q1. Has war between Russia-Ukraine ended?
A1. No. The war between Russia-Ukraine has not ended.
Q2. How many countries Russia has violated airspace?
A2. Poland and Romania have claimed that Russia has violated airspace.