Militaries of the world

Ukrainian special forces operating inside Russian-occupied Crimea were behind an attack on a military base there, Sky News understands. Russia' s defence ministry said that a fire broke out after several explosions at a temporary ammunition storage facility in the Dzhankoi area of north Crimea at around 4.15am BST (6.15am local time). Pictures show fire and smoke shooting into the sky above the site near the village of Maiske in the early hours of Tuesday. Putin accuses the West of 'creating NATO system'; follow live Ukraine updates Sky News understands that the strikes were the work of Ukrainian special forces operating inside the territory, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. It comes after Russia accused Ukrainian "saboteurs" of carrying out the attack. Sky News correspondent in Odesa, Alistair Bunkall, said: "I think what is clear is there is at least one - if not two - Ukrainian special forces groups operating with Ukraine sympathisers in Crimea to disrupt … [Read more...] about Ukrainian special forces behind attack on ammunition storage site in Crimea, Sky News understands

Three Britons have pleaded not guilty to mercenary charges at a Russian-backed separatist court in Ukraine. John Harding, Andrew Hill and Dylan Healy are among a group of five European men on trial in a court administered by Kremlin-backed separatists in the city of Donetsk. Mr Harding, Vjekoslav Prebeg, who is Croatian, and Mathias Gustafsson, a Swede, who were captured in and around the port city of Mariupol, could face a possible death sentence under the laws of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. Russia leaves thousands of troops 'stranded' in tactical withdrawal - live updates All five men pleaded not guilty to charges of mercenarism and "undergoing training to seize power by force", Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported. The next court hearing in their case is scheduled for October, the Interfax news agency reported, citing a statement by the separatists' court. Mr Healy, 22, who was in Ukraine as an aid worker, was seized at a checkpoint … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Briton who faces death penalty pleads not guilty to mercenary charges in Russian-backed separatist court

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails The Government is working up a fresh package of cost-of-living support for the next prime minister to consider when they take office, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has said. Simon Clarke argued it is “absolutely right” for the new leader to consider “these options in the round” when they take the reins, suggesting they should steer clear of announcing “new uncosted policies” during the election period. It comes after frontrunner Liz Truss – who has Mr Clarke’s backing – hit out at “bizarre” proposals to agree help for rising energy bills with the Government and her rival Rishi Sunak before the contest is over. Mr Sunak said he would welcome a meeting to agree emergency support ahead of the winter, but Ms Truss branded the proposal a “kangaroo committee” at Tuesday’s leadership hustings in … [Read more...] about Ministers working on fresh cost-of-living support package to put to new PM

Marhenets, Ukraine — It was a sweet little room, really. One of those cozy kitchen-dining rooms. The stovetop and oven were a little outdated, the countertop a bit tired and the wooden cabinets maybe could have used a lick of paint. But the top floor apartment faced a grand square in central Marhenets, with a view of the Cultural Palace next door and the fields beyond. What a view. Bright summer afternoon sunlight poured into the room. It was easy to imagine the meals, the laughter and joy shared between family members and friends in that room. There was a warmth about the place. A smiling woman, maybe in her early 70's, invited us in. She was sweeping up dust from the gaping, 25-foot hole in her wall left by a Russian rocket that tore her home and her life to pieces a few nights before. She warned us not to get too close to the edge. Not only was the entire wall missing, but so was much of the floor. What was left crumbled below our feet as plaster, from what was left of … [Read more...] about Residents living in the shadow of Ukraine’s embattled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant face nightly Russian bombardment

Days of widespread drug cartel arson and shootings in four states last week have left Mexicans asking why the drug cartels exploded and what do they want. The attacks killed 11 people , including a young boy and four radio station employees who were randomly shot on the streets of the border city of Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, on Thursday. Two days earlier, more than two dozen convenience stores owned by a well-known national chain were set ablaze in the northern state of Guanajuato. Cars and buses were commandeered and burned in neighboring Jalisco state . And two dozen vehicles were hijacked and set on fire in cities on the California border Friday. This past weekend, the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana instructed its employees "to shelter in place until further notice" because of the violence. The federal government deployed soldiers and National Guard troops to calm residents' fears, but the outbursts of violence raised questions about President Andrés … [Read more...] about Week of widespread drug violence shows power of Jalisco cartel’s “vast empire” in Mexico