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Ukrainian drone blows up Russian supersonic bomber

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In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, a Ukrainian drone strike has reportedly obliterated a prominent Russian long-range bomber, signaling a new level of engagement in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

Images shared on social media platforms and analyzed by BBC Verify appear to depict a Tupolev Tu-22 engulfed in flames at the Soltsy-2 airbase, located to the south of St. Petersburg.

While Moscow asserts that the drone was indeed struck by small-arms fire but only managed to “damage” one of its aircraft, Ukraine has refrained from commenting on the incident.

Russian power

The Tupolev Tu-22, capable of reaching twice the speed of sound, has been extensively utilized by Russia to carry out attacks on Ukrainian cities, making it a high-value target for Ukrainian forces.

The Russian Ministry of Defence issued a statement, confirming that the incident occurred around 10:00 Moscow time (08:00 BST) on Saturday at a military airfield in the Novgorod region, where Soltsy-2 is situated. According to the Russian MoD, the “copter-type UAV” was detected by the airfield’s observation post and subsequently engaged with small-arms fire. The statement maintained that while one airplane was damaged, there were no casualties as a result of the attack. Additionally, it mentioned that a fire in the airfield’s parking area was swiftly extinguished.

Moscow’s denials

Contrary to Moscow’s account, images circulating on the Telegram social media platform portrayed a substantial fire consuming an aircraft that exhibited the distinctive nose cone of the Tu-22.

While the destruction of a single aircraft may not significantly diminish Moscow’s current fleet of 60 Tu-22 bombers, this operation underscores Kyiv’s growing capacity to target Russian territory deeply. In recent months, Kyiv has employed numerous fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles to strike Moscow, a journey spanning several hundred miles. Soltsy-2, the site of the attack, is approximately 400 miles (650km) from the Ukrainian border.

Ukrainian tools

However, the Russian MoD’s description of the drone as a “copter-type UAV” suggests it may have been a relatively inexpensive, commercially available device launched at short range.

The Tu-22, commonly referred to as “Backfire” by NATO, is a Cold War-era swing-wing supersonic bomber. Modern variants such as the Tu-22M3 can reach speeds of Mach 2 (2,300km/h or 1,430mph) and carry payloads of up to 24,000kg, including conventional bombs and guided missiles. These bombers have been deployed in various conflicts, including Syria, Chechnya, Georgia, and most recently, Ukraine.

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Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing immediately

Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety

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Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety

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In Short:
– Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, risking global tensions and retaliation from other nations.
– Proliferation concerns are rising as nuclear states modernise arsenals and the New START Treaty nears expiration.
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately, aiming to align with testing programs from other countries according to the conversation.Resuming explosive nuclear tests would likely trigger retaliatory responses from nuclear-armed nations like Russia and China, worsening the arms race and increasing global risks.

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The potential for worldwide radioactive fallout remains high, even for underground tests. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by 187 states, prohibits such testing, yet the US remains a signatory without ratification, bound not to violate the treaty’s intent.

Nuclear weapon testing, once crucial for understanding weapon effects and military planning, has diminished. Since World War II, nuclear tests have largely focused on developing new designs. Significant environmental and health concerns led to a moratorium on atmospheric testing in the early 1960s and the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963.

Many countries, including the US, stopped explosive testing in the 1990s. Technological advancements allowed nations to develop nuclear weapons without the need for actual explosions.

Proliferation Risks

Nuclear proliferation continues, with all nine nuclear-armed states investing heavily in modernising their arsenals. This raises concerns about lowered thresholds for using such weapons.

Recent conflicts involving nuclear threats have escalated, and the number of nuclear weapons operationally available has begun to rise again. Russia has tested advanced nuclear weapons, while China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities.

The New START Treaty, which confines the nuclear capabilities of the US and Russia, is set to expire soon, with no successor treaty negotiations underway.

The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight this year, highlighting the heightened dangers facing the world today.

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US–China trade talks are a handshake, not a deal

Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.

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Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.


Presidents Trump and Xi extend their tariff truce in an informal meeting, with US cuts and Chinese promises on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.

Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX cautions this is unofficial and deeper issues between the two super powers remain.

#USChina #TradeTruce #Tariffs #GlobalMarkets #Soybeans #RareEarths #UnofficialDeal #TickerNews


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Markets cautious as rate cut hopes fade

Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.

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Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.


Central banks pull back on rate cut expectations as tech stocks wobble and inflation pressures persist. Markets adjust cautiously to the Fed’s new tone.

#Markets #Fed #InterestRates #Inflation #TechStocks #CapitalMarkets #TickerNews #Economy #FinancialUpdate


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