WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Air defences down dozens of Ukrainian missiles in Moscow, widely separated Russian regions

Russian air defences destroyed or intercepted well over 100 Ukrainian drones far into the night over widely separated areas of Russia, including a swarm of drones repelled while headed for Moscow, officials said early on Wednesday.

The incidents were similar to waves of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow and other cities last week.

Russia in the past week also sent waves of drones to attack Ukrainian cities, including what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described as the launch of more than 900 drones over a three-day period ending early on Monday morning.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, writing in a series of posts on the Telegram messaging app, said Defence Ministry units had repelled 27 drones while they were travelling towards the Russian capital.

Sobyanin made no mention of casualties or damage, saying only that recovery teams were examining drone fragments at the sites where they hit the ground.

Russia's Defence Ministry had earlier said its units had downed 112 drones between 9 p.m. and midnight Moscow time. Fifty-nine of those drones were intercepted over the Bryansk region on the Ukrainian border, with other incidents occurring in five different regions.

The governor of Bryansk region reported no casualties, but said a house and six cars had been damaged in the attack.

In Smolensk region, near the Polish border, the regional governor said 11 drones had been downed, with no casualties.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that more than 900 missiles had been fired at Ukrainian targets over a three-day period ending early on Monday. The numbers tapered off on Monday night to Tuesday morning.

The three-night barrage struck a series of cities and included some of the biggest drone and missile attacks on Ukraine since Russia began its full-scale war in early 2022.

The strikes on Saturday night killed at least 12 people, Ukrainian officials said.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Kiev’s actions harming peace process – Kremlin

The recent rise in the number of Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil is detrimental to the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict between the two countries, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said.

Over the past week alone, Russian air defenses have downed 1,465 Ukrainian drones over territories outside the active conflict zone, the Defense Ministry in Moscow reported on Tuesday.

“At the very least, we can say that these actions by Kiev… are clearly at odds with the pursuit of the peace process,” Peskov told a press briefing shortly afterwards. “Of course we condemn these actions,” he said, adding that they “do not contribute to the advancement of the peace process.”

The Russian Defense Ministry stated on Tuesday that the “Kiev regime, supported by certain European countries, has taken a number of provocative steps aimed at disrupting the negotiation process,”which was initiated by Moscow earlier in May.

According to the ministry, there has been a spike in Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory involving drones as well as Western-made missiles. Military officials in Moscow estimated that between May 20 and May 27, air defense systems intercepted more than 2,300 Ukrainian UAVs, most of them operating outside frontline areas.

The ministry added that Russian forces retaliated with high-precision missile and drone strikes aimed “exclusively at Ukraine’s military and defense industrial facilities.”

The developments followed last week’s telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, which both leaders characterized as productive.

Earlier this month, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks since 2022 in Istanbul, Türkiye. The two sides agreed on a record prisoner swap and discussed a follow-up meeting. As part of the ongoing diplomatic process, Moscow has said it is working on a memorandum for settling the conflict, which will be presented to Kiev in the near future. It is expected to include Moscow’s key terms for a potential ceasefire, conflict settlement, and a timeline for an eventual peace agreement.

Reuters/RT

Ashton Jackson

Plenty of people love company-wide pizza parties and generous workplace vacation packages. Just don’t expect those kinds of perks to consistently motivate people to perform their best, says leadership and workplace researcher Zach Mercurio.

To feel like they matter at work, employees — perhaps surprisingly — prefer one factor over just about everything else, Mercurio says: a boss who’s good at making small talk. Not the superficial chatter that people use to cut awkward silences, but the meaningfully personal conversations that lead to small moments of connection, he explains.

“We’ve studied people for five years in numerous occupations, and we’ve asked them this question: When you feel that you matter, what’s happening at work?” says Mercurio. “Nobody yet has said, ‘When I got a promotion, when I got a pay raise, when I got employee of the month’ ... They’ve all talked about small interactions in which someone truly sees them, hears them, is there for them, and reminds them that they’re needed.”

Questions that show a sincere interest in the other person can help you build trust and a genuine workplace rapport, Mercurio says. This could be as simple as: “I know things are a little hectic this week. How are you holding up?” Or, “I heard your son graduated this week. Congratulations! How did you celebrate?”

Without casual opportunities for personal interaction, remote workers particularly feel increasingly disconnected and insignificant at work, Mercurio notes. The same is often true of workers in underappreciated positions like janitors, delivery drivers and public transportation operators, he adds.

“We’ve used technology to manage remote and hybrid work, so a lot of our interactions are more transactional than ever. We send updates via Slack or email,” says Mercurio. “But what can’t be an email is checking in on how you’re doing because your parents are in the hospital. [Or] resolving a conflict in their ways of working or checking in on how a project is going.”

How to be a better at small talk

If you want to avoid superficial small talk, “ask clear, open, exploratory questions,” Mercurio says. He offers these examples:

• “Hey, what has your attention today? Anything I can do to make this a better week for you?”
• “What’s the most interesting insight you heard in our team meeting?”
• “Got anything you’re working on that you need some extra help with?”

Avoid inquiries like “How are you today?”and “How was your weekend?” that can result in autopilot responses, author and keynote speaker Lorraine Lee wrote for CNBC Make It in February. Instead, try “conversational threading,” asking questions that encourage more substantial conversation, Lee wrote. For example: “What are you excited to be working on?” or “What was the highlight of your weekend?”

If you’re on the receiving end of an awkward small talk question, give an answer that prompts follow-ups. If someone asks where you’re from, don’t just say “California” — say something like, “I’m from Malibu, near the beach. My family and I used to go surfing on the weekends.”

Bosses especially should take advantage of these small moments to build connections with their employees, Mercurio says: As workplace trust dwindles across the U.S., the relationships you create at work can help you keep your employees productive and engaged.

“I encourage [leaders] to track your interactions with your team, for example, over the week,” he says. “When do you interact with them? Write down, what do you talk about? How much is this talk about what they do and what they can do for you, and how much of that time is spent talking about who they are and how they’re doing?”

CNBC

Nigeria's southeast region has suffered devastating economic and human losses totaling N7.6 trillion ($4.79 billion) and over 700 deaths during four years of sit-at-home protests enforced by the banned separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), according to a new intelligence report.

The comprehensive study by SBM Intelligence, titled 'Four Years of Disruption', reveals how what began as a symbolic protest demanding the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has evolved into a prolonged crisis marked by violence, economic collapse, and widespread fear across the predominantly Igbo region.

Economic Devastation Across Five States

The sit-at-home orders, which began in August 2021, have transformed Mondays into ghost days across Abia, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, and Anambra states. Streets remain empty and businesses shuttered, not merely from voluntary compliance but increasingly due to violent enforcement against those who attempt to defy the orders.

Micro-businesses have borne the heaviest burden, losing approximately N4.6 trillion annually, while transport operators forfeit between N10 billion and N13 billion every Monday when the shutdown is enforced. Major commercial centers, including Onitsha Main Market—one of Africa's largest trading hubs—have been repeatedly forced to close, resulting in massive transaction losses and financial strain for traders and consumers.

"The losses stem from widespread market closures, disrupted supply chains, and the inability of businesses, particularly SMEs, to operate effectively," the SBM report states. The impact spans both urban and rural areas, creating systemic disruptions to the region's economic foundation.

Rising Death Toll and Violence

The human cost has been equally staggering. SBM Intelligence documented 776 deaths and 332 violent incidents between 2021 and 2025, with Imo and Anambra states accounting for more than half of the fatalities. The deaths result from two primary sources: the killing of civilians who defied the stay-at-home orders and clashes between IPOB forces and Nigerian security personnel.

IPOB's armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), along with other criminal gangs claiming allegiance to the group, have been blamed for enforcing the orders through arson, kidnappings, looting, and targeted assassinations. These enforcement tactics have created what the report describes as "a climate of fear" throughout the region.

From Solidarity to Coercion

The sit-at-home protests initially launched as leverage to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who faces terrorism charges in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. IPOB, which campaigns for the secession of the southeast and has been labeled a terrorist organization by Nigerian authorities, suspended the weekly protests shortly after their inception, citing a "direct order" from Kanu and limiting them to days when their leader would appear in court.

However, various armed groups claiming IPOB allegiance and internal factions have continued enforcing the weekly shutdowns, launching attacks on government facilities and individuals perceived as pro-government. While compliance rates were initially high at 82.61% in 2021, surveys now reveal that actual support has plummeted to just 29%, with most compliance driven by fear rather than solidarity.

Denials and Government Response

An IPOB spokesperson denied the group's responsibility for the deaths, claiming "those causing the killings are the kidnappers and criminals recruited by government to blackmail and demonize IPOB." The group has also denied responsibility for recent high-profile attacks, including a 2021 prison assault and the murder of over 30 travelers earlier this month, despite police accusations.

Some state governments have attempted to restore normalcy through various measures. Enugu Governor Peter Mbah imposed penalties for compliance with the sit-at-home orders, contributing to a tentative return to normal activities in his state. Similar crackdowns and enforcement measures have been implemented in other states like Ebonyi.

Historical Context and Ongoing Impact

The current crisis echoes the region's turbulent past, particularly the civil war that engulfed the former Biafra region in the late 1960s, which claimed over one million lives. The persistent sit-at-home protests represent the latest chapter in ongoing tensions over marginalization and self-determination in Nigeria's southeast.

"Initially rooted in legitimate grievances over marginalisation and the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the movement has been hijacked by violence, criminality, and internal fragmentation, eroding public support and deepening instability," the SBM report concludes.

The four-year crisis has fundamentally disrupted education, governance, and livelihoods across the region, transforming a symbolic act of dissent into what researchers describe as "a protracted crisis with devastating socioeconomic and security consequences" for Southeast Nigeria.

An individual suspected to be a suicide bomber was killed on Monday in Abuja after an explosive device he was carrying detonated near the Mogadishu barracks. The blast, which occurred at a bus stop outside the barracks, also left one person injured.

The Nigerian Police Force confirmed they are investigating the incident. Their Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was dispatched to the scene, which was immediately cordoned off to allow for analysis and to ensure public safety. The Nigerian Army stated that the explosion took place outside their Mogadishu Barracks, a facility that also accommodates personnel from the air force and navy.

Military sources, who requested anonymity, indicated that the suspected bomber was killed by an explosive contained in a rubber can. Authorities including military personnel, the Department of State Services (DSS), police, and officers from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were at the scene taking inventory of the incident.

This event is not an isolated one in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as Abuja has a history of suicide bomb attacks. Notably, in 2011, a suicide car bombing at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Abuja resulted in at least 18 fatalities.

Dangote Industries Limited is positioning itself to become Nigeria's largest foreign exchange earner through an ambitious export expansion program that will include coal shipments and generate up to $7 million in daily revenue from fertiliser sales alone.

Company President Aliko Dangote outlined these plans during a strategic meeting with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) leadership in Lagos on Monday, emphasizing the transformative scale of operations his conglomerate intends to launch.

Massive Export Operations on the Horizon

The billionaire industrialist revealed that Dangote Industries will commence coal exports within weeks, adding to its existing cement export operations from the six-million-ton capacity facility in Itori. The company's export portfolio will expand dramatically to include fertiliser shipments of approximately eight cargo loads and refinery products totaling at least 25 million tons annually.

"When you talk about 16,000 tons of fertiliser, it's actually about $6.5 million to $7 million revenue that will be coming into the country on a daily basis," Dangote explained, projecting this revenue stream to materialize within two years.

The scope extends beyond fertiliser to include 600,000 to 700,000 metric tons of polypropylene exports annually, positioning the company as a major contributor to Nigeria's export economy.

Unprecedented Maritime Activity Expected

Dangote described the logistical magnitude of the planned operations, particularly at the Lekki facility, where approximately 240 crude oil tankers—each carrying one million barrels—will dock annually. Combined with product exports requiring over 600 additional vessels yearly, the operation represents unprecedented maritime activity for Nigerian ports.

"This is an operation that has never, ever been seen in the country," Dangote acknowledged, describing the venture as "a major challenge" that will require substantial infrastructure support.

Critical Infrastructure Needs

The industrialist emphasized that his company's success hinges entirely on port authority capabilities, warning that "our operations will sink if NPA doesn't give us the services we will be needing." He called for federal government support to equip the NPA with necessary infrastructure, including additional tugboats and specialized equipment.

Dangote pledged to advocate with government officials to ensure the port authority receives adequate federal assistance, recognizing that the authority cannot handle such massive operations with existing resources alone.

Economic Impact Projections

Dangote projected that his company's expanded operations would double Nigerian port activity within one to two years, fundamentally transforming the country's maritime economy. As the NPA's self-described "biggest customer," Dangote Industries' growth plans could significantly boost Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings and establish new benchmarks for industrial export operations in West Africa.

The discussions between Dangote and NPA leadership focused on collaborative strategies to deepen Nigeria's marine and blue economy sectors, with both parties committing to work together for national economic benefit.

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) opened the new week on a positive note, recovering from last week’s losses with a strong rebound on Monday. The market capitalisation rose by ₦539.98 billion to close at ₦69.3 trillion, up from ₦68.8 trillion on Friday, signalling renewed investor confidence.

The benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) climbed by 924.38 points, or 0.85%, to settle at 109,953.00, compared to 109,028.62 at the close of the previous trading session.

Monday’s rally was driven by gains in large and mid-cap stocks. Aradel Holdings Plc led the gainers, rising 9.98% to close at ₦505.90 per share. University Press Plc followed with a 9.86% gain to ₦4.79, while Associated Bus Company Plc and Linkage Assurance Plc added 8.43% and 8.16%, respectively, closing at ₦2.70 and ₦1.59 per share.

On the downside, Tripple Gee & Company Plc topped the losers’ chart with a 10% drop to ₦2.07. MRS Oil Nigeria Plc fell by 9.97% to ₦141.80, Chellarams Plc declined 9.96% to ₦10.58, and Union Homes REIT shed 9.95% to close at ₦45.70.

Trading activity saw 414.51 million shares exchanged across 19,775 deals, with a total market value of ₦11.09 billion. Compared to the previous session on Friday, May 23, volume fell by 35%, turnover dropped by 39%, but the number of deals rose by 24%, indicating increased investor participation despite lower volume and value.

Fidelity Bank Plc was the most traded stock by volume, recording 46.8 million shares. It was followed by Custodian & Allied Plc with 37.2 million shares, Access Holdings Plc with 35.9 million, and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc with 24.9 million shares.

Sectoral performance was largely positive. The NGX Oil & Gas Index led with a 3.02% gain, followed by the Consumer Goods Index at 2.2%, the Main Board Index at 1.12%, and the Top 30 Index at 0.65%. The Premium Board Index and the Pension Index also advanced by 0.33% and 0.29%, respectively.

So far in 2025, the All-Share Index has returned 6.83%, reflecting cautious optimism among investors navigating macroeconomic challenges, including interest rate fluctuations and currency volatility.

Nigeria's poultry industry is grappling with declining egg sales as economic pressures squeeze consumer purchasing power, forcing families to prioritize basic necessities over protein-rich foods despite eggs being the country's most affordable protein source.

The Poultry Association of Nigeria's Lagos State chapter has identified a combination of reduced consumer spending capacity, excessive retailer markups, and widespread economic hardship as the primary drivers behind the sector's current struggles.

Economic Reality Hits Protein Consumption

Mojeed Iyiola, chairman of PAN Lagos, emphasized that the challenge extends far beyond the poultry sector, reflecting broader economic difficulties affecting all consumer goods. Families are increasingly unable to meet their nutritional needs as household budgets stretch thin under economic pressure.

"Virtually all consumable goods are experiencing low patronage due to the low purchasing power in the economy," Iyiola explained during a weekend interview. "Perhaps salaries are insufficient to meet the nutritional demands of families, or other expenses take priority over purchasing eggs."

Despite widespread perception that eggs have become expensive, Iyiola maintained that they remain Nigeria's most cost-effective protein option, with farm gate prices holding steady at under N5,500 per crate.

Retailer Markups Compound Consumer Burden

The association has placed significant blame on middlemen and retailers who substantially inflate prices beyond reasonable profit margins. According to Iyiola, some retailers are adding profits of up to N1,000 per crate—far exceeding the recommended N100-200 markup.

"Retailers who buy eggs at N5,500 at the farm gate price are adding higher profits than normal for selfish gains," he said. "Some retailers sell a crate for as high as N6,000 or N6,500, thus making more profit than the poultry farmers who do all the work."

This pricing structure creates a disconnect between farm-level costs and consumer prices, contributing to the perception that eggs are unaffordable while farmers struggle with reduced sales volumes.

Production Costs Remain Challenging

The industry continues to face elevated production expenses, though farmers describe current input costs as manageable compared to previous periods. Lagos State government subsidies provided temporary relief, but that support program has been suspended, leaving producers hopeful for renewed assistance.

"The subvention we received from the Lagos State Government was temporary and helped us while it lasted, but it is currently on hold," Iyiola noted. "We are still expecting palliatives from the government to further cushion production expenses in the sector."

Sector-Wide Impact Beyond Local Markets

Joel Oduware, a poultry processor, highlighted the global nature of the economic challenges affecting the industry. Even typically strong demand periods, such as school resumptions, have failed to generate expected consumption increases.

"Despite schools resuming, we expected an increase in egg consumption compared to when they were on recess, but consumption remains low, especially in some northern states and other regions," Oduware observed.

The processor acknowledged that while price reductions might stimulate demand, any adjustments must account for production realities. "We could reduce the price of eggs somewhat instead of experiencing a constant glut in the sector. However, any price reduction must factor in production costs," he explained.

Industry Seeks Balance Between Affordability and Sustainability

The poultry sector finds itself caught between maintaining viable operations and addressing consumer affordability concerns. While eggs continue to offer exceptional nutritional value per naira spent, the combination of economic hardship and retail markup practices has created barriers to consumption that threaten the industry's stability.

The situation reflects broader challenges facing Nigeria's food system, where essential nutrients become increasingly inaccessible to ordinary families despite local production capacity. Industry leaders continue to advocate for government intervention and fairer retail practices to restore market balance and ensure protein security for Nigerian households.

South Africans welcomed President Donald Trump's highly critical Oval Office statements Wednesday about killings in the country, according to analysts. 

The President showed video clips and gave South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa a sheaf of news clippings he said show farm murders. 

Many believe this "ambush" by President Trump toward the South African leader is good for the country, because it throws a sharp light on the darkness that is the high level of killings in the country, and how President Ramaphosa’s government is said to be failing to adequately tackle it.

Approximately 6,953 people of all races were murdered in South Africa in just the last three months of 2024, according to police statistics. That is 76 people on average killed every day. 

Additionally, killers are literally getting away with murder. It was reported that between 2019 and 2022 only 12% of murder prosecutions resulted in a conviction.

"President Trump’s focus on violent crime in South Africa is a strong positive to emerge from the Oval Office meeting," analyst Frans Cronje told Fox News Digital.

Cronje, president of the Washington-based Yorktown Foundation for Freedom, added, "South Africa has averaged an intentional homicide rate of around 40 homicides per 100 000 residents since becoming a democracy in 1994."

He continued, "the global figure is nearer 4/100 000. More people are murdered in South Africa annually, with its population of just over 60 million, than across the entire Western world, with its population of almost a billion people."

At home, the South African government has been harshly and repeatedly criticized for not tackling violent crime effectively. 

Cronje said, "The South African government has failed the people of the country in not taking the blight of criminal violence seriously, and external U.S. pressure to address the violence as a precondition for any major investment treaties is pressure that domestic South African activists may employ to address their government's neglect."

Analyst Max Meizlish told Fox News Digital, "It’s clear that decades of corruption in South Africa have hollowed out the state’s ability to provide even the most basic services — from reliable water and electricity, to a functioning police force and equal protection under the law."

Meizlish, a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, added that in the election here last year, "the ANC lost its national majority for the first time since the end of apartheid." The African National Congress (ANC) government took power in 1994.

"The Ramaphosa government is devoting more time and resources to courting BRICS allies like China, Russia, and Iran, than to restoring order at home.

"President Trump is right to demand change from Ramaphosa on everything from land reform and human rights abuses to South Africa’s growing alignment with America’s adversaries," he stated.

Perhaps off script, right inside the Oval Office last Wednesday, Zingiswa Losi, president of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, spoke out about other serious crimes going virtually unchecked. "There is no doubt about it that we are a violent nation," she told President Trump and the others crammed into the room. She added, "if you go into the rural areas where (there is a) Black majority, you would see women, elderly, being raped, being killed, being murdered." 

Losi continued, "And the problem in South Africa, it is not necessarily about race, but it is about crime. And we think that we are here to say, how do we both nations work together to reset, to really talk about investment … to really address the levels of crime that we have in our country. "

Sources say that after previously refusing to let Elon Musk bring his Starlink satellite communications system into South Africa, citing the need for local partial ownership, Ramaphosa and his advisors have now realized that Starlink’s data services could help bring greater security, particularly to rural areas of the country.

In crime statistics for the first three months of this year released on Friday, which critics say are not verified independently, the Police Minister claimed five of the six people killed on farms were Black, and one was White. 

However, with little effective police protection in the cities, and even less in the rural areas, a Black farmer’s comment sums up the worries of many South Africans today. Standing at the funeral of a rural White farmer, he said to an Institute of Race Relations representative "Although he’s White, we don’t look at the color. We are doing the same thing. Next time it’s going to be me."

Fox News Digital reached out to the South African government for comment, but they did not respond.

Fox News

Hamas-led groups execute four for looting aid trucks amid some Gaza dissent

Hamas has executed four men for looting some of the aid trucks that have begun entering Gaza, sources familiar with the incident said on Monday, as a clan leader in southern Gaza issued a challenge to the militant group over guarding the convoys.

One source said the four were involved in an incident last week when six security officials were killed by an Israeli airstrike as they were working to prevent gang members from hijacking aid trucks.

"The four criminals, who were executed, were involved in the crimes of looting and causing the death of members of a force tasked with securing aid trucks," one of the sources told Reuters.

Seven other suspects were being pursued, according to a statement issued by an umbrella group identifying itself as the "Palestinian Resistance".

Humanitarian assistance began trickling into Gaza last week after Israel yielded to international pressure and lifted a blockade it imposed in early March that has left half a million people facing starvation, according to a global hunger monitor.

Aid groups have said that deliveries have been hampered by looting, but they have blamed Israel for creating a situation in which hundreds of thousands of people have been driven to desperation by the blockade.

Israel has accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies, and the issue of control over the aid trucks has been hotly disputed.

Israeli military officials say the security teams put in place by Hamas are there to take delivery of the supplies not to protect them, but it has provided no evidence of Hamas looting since it eased its blockade last week.

Hamas, which took power in Gaza in 2007, has long cracked down hard on signs of dissent among Palestinians in Gaza but it has faced sizeable protests in recent months over the war and faced challenges to its control by armed groups of looters, some of whom it has punished by shooting them in the legs in public.

Yasser Abu Shabab, a leader of a large clan in the Rafah area, now under full Israeli army control, said he was building up a force to secure aid deliveries into some parts of the enclave. He published images of his armed men receiving and organising the traffic of aid trucks.

Hamas, which is unable to operate in the Rafah area where Abu Shabab has some controls, has accused him of looting international aid trucks in previous months and maintaining connections with Israel.

On a Facebook page in his name Abu Shabab denies that he has acted as an alternative to the government or other institutions and rejects accusations of looting.

On the page Abu Shabab is described as a "grassroots leader who stood up against corruption and looting" and who protected aid convoys.

But a Hamas security official called Abu Shabab a "tool used by the Israeli occupation to fragment the Palestinian internal front".

Asked if the U.N. was working with Abu Shabab, a spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA said it did not pay anyone to guard aid trucks.

"What we do is talk to communities regularly, build trust and engage with the authorities on the urgent need for more aid to come in through more routes and more crossings," the spokesperson said.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Moscow was ‘forced’ to start military operation against Kiev – Putin

Russia was left with no choice but to launch its military operation in Ukraine because of the continued persecution of the people of Donbass by Kiev following the 2014 Western-backed Euromaidan coup, President Vladimir Putin has said. 

During a meeting with a group of businessmen in the Kremlin on Monday, Putin said that Moscow could not ignore the plight of Russian-speakers in the neighboring country. He reiterated Russia’s position that the ongoing conflict stems from the turbulent events in Kiev in early 2014 when initially peaceful protests spiraled into riots and clashes with police, which led to the ouster of democratically elected President Viktor Yanukovich. The anti-Yanukovich forces included ultranationalist groups like Pravy Sektor (Right Sector) and the Svoboda (Freedom) party. 

“You need to understand that we weren’t the ones who orchestrated the coup in Ukraine,” Putin said. “[The West] has always told us that there should be democracy and elections… but they carried out a coup – a bloody one, in fact – as if it were normal. They later went on to suppress the Donbass, killing people with helicopters and jets.” 

“They practically forced us into doing what we’re doing today, and now they’re trying to blame us for it,” the president said.

The coup in Kiev sparked counterprotests and more riots, including a deadly clash in Odessa in May 2014, where 48 people were killed. The largely Russian-speaking regions of Donetsk and Lugansk rejected the Euromaidan and voted for independence from Ukraine. The new government in Kiev responded by sending troops in the spring of 2014 and repeatedly shelling and bombing Donetsk and other Donbass cities.

Ukraine later refused to implement the UN-backed 2014-2015 Minsk accords, which would have granted autonomy to Donetsk and Lugansk. EU officials, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, acknowledged later that Kiev had used the pause in the fighting to rebuild its army and economy. Ukraine also adopted several laws since 2014 aimed at restricting the use of Russian language in the public sphere.

Putin cited Ukraine’s failure to respect the Minsk accords and the attacks on the rights of Russian-speakers as “the root causes” of the conflict, describing Kiev’s actions as “genocide.” 

He has since demanded that Ukraine drop its plans to join NATO in favor of becoming a permanently neutral state, and recognize Crimea and four other former Ukrainian regions as part of Russia. 

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukrainian governor says Russian forces capture four villages in Sumy

The governor of Ukraine's Sumy region on the Russian border said on Monday that Russian forces had captured four villages as part of an attempt to create a "buffer zone" on Ukrainian territory.

Russia's military and Russian military bloggers have in recent days reported captured villages in Sumy, which has come under frequent Russian air strikes for months.

Sumy Region Governor Oleh Hryhorov, writing on Facebook, listed four villages inside the border that he said were now held by Russian forces -- Novenke, Basivka, Veselivka and Zhuravka. He said their residents had long been evacuated.

"The enemy is continuing attempts to advance with the aim of setting up a so-called 'buffer zone,'" he wrote.

Ukrainian forces, he said, "are keeping the situation under control, inflicting precise fire damage on the enemy".

Hryhorov said fighting was continuing around other villages in the area, including Volodymyrivka and Bilovodiv -- two settlements that Russia's Defence Ministry had earlier on Monday said were now held by Moscow's forces.

Russian reports in recent days had said that Moscow's forces had taken control of villages in the region.

Ukraine's State Emergency Services reported that one person was killed on Monday when Russian forces shelled an area of Sumy region west of the captured villages.

Sumy region is opposite Russia's Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces launched a large cross-border incursion last August. Moscow says Ukrainian troops have been ousted from Kursk, but Kyiv says its forces are still active there.

Ukraine's popular military blog DeepState had said at the weekend that Russian forces had for the first time "been able to take up positions" along a line of border villages.

A Russian missile strike on the region's main city, also called Sumy, killed 35 people on Palm Sunday last month.

DeepState on Monday said Russian forces had launched attacks further east near Vovchansk in Kharkiv region, where it had launched an earlier incursion in May 2024.