Connect with us

Politics

Ukraine updates: Russia says dozens of drones target Moscow

Published

on

Spread the love

The Kremlin said 70 Ukrainian drones were intercepted by Russian air defense in six regions. Meanwhile, the EU’s top diplomat vowed “unwavering” support for Kyiv after Donald Trump’s reelection.

 

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said Russia’s air defense destroyed dozens of Ukrainian drones heading for the capital region.

Three of Moscow’s airports, including Sheremetyevo International Airport, temporarily suspended operations amid the assault.

It was the largest attack on the capital since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it had downed 70 drones across six regions overnight.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military said its air defense downed 62 out of 145 Russian drones launched on its territory overnight — the most by Moscow in any nighttime attack.

Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said reports suggest North Korean troops were preparing for combat alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell made his first visit to Kyiv since Donald Trump’s US presidential election victory, promising Brussels’ “unwavering” support to Ukraine.

Here are the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine on Sunday, November 10:

Russia, Ukraine step up drone warfare

Russia and Ukraine have intensified drone attacks against each other, sending out unprecedented numbers of the uncrewed aircraft.

The Ukrainian port city of Odesa was the main target of Russia’s attacks.

Watch DW’s full report here:

Biden to lobby Trump administration to support Ukraine

US President Joe Biden will lobby the incoming Trump administration to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia, the White House’s national security adviser said on Sunday.

Biden and Trump will meet at the Oval Office next Wednesday to discuss the transition process.

“The President will have the chance to explain to [President-elect] Trump how he sees things, where they stand,” and talk to Trump about how he would take on these issues once in office, Jake Sullivan said in an interview on CBS show Face the Nation.

A key topic will likely be Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“President Biden will have the opportunity over the next 70 days to make the case to the Congress and to the incoming administration that the United States should not walk away from Ukraine, that walking away from Ukraine means more instability in Europe,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan also said the White House plans to spend its remaining $6 billion (€5.6 billion) of Ukraine funding before the end of Biden’s term in January.

The Biden administration’s prime goal was “to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position on the battlefield so that it is ultimately in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table,” Sullivan said.
https://twitter.com/FaceTheNation/status/1855650332505973110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1855650332505973110%7Ctwgr%5E0e0753e022fe2c3fcf78ebef34a309243103a249%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dw.com%2Fen%2Fukraine-updates-russia-says-dozens-of-drones-target-moscow%2Flive-70745418

Kremlin sees ‘positive signals’ from Trump’s election

The Kremlin said it sees “positive signals” from the election of Donald Trump as US president.

“During his campaign, Trump spoke of achieving things through deals, that he could make a deal that would lead to peace,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

“At least he is talking about peace. He’s not talking about confrontation, he’s not talking about wanting to deal Russia a strategic defeat. And that distinguishes him in a favorable way from the current administration.”

However, Peskov said that it is nevertheless hard to predict “to what extent he’s going to stick to statements that he made on the campaign trail.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously said he was “ready” to hold talks with Trump.

Putin finalizes North Korea defense deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed off on a landmark defense pact with North Korea, as reports suggest that Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to fight against Ukraine.

The Kremlin published the signed law ratifying the treaty on its website on Saturday evening.

Putin struck the deal during a visit to North Korea in June, which the Russian leader hailed as a “breakthrough document.”

The pact obliges both states to provide military assistance “without delay” in the case of an attack on the other.

It also commits them to cooperate to oppose Western sanctions and coordinate positions at the United Nations.

South Korea, Ukraine and the West have said that North Korea has deployed around 10,000 troops to Russia.

Ukraine’s top military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said Sunday that the North Korean soldiers were currently being readied for the front line, citing intelligence reports.

Zelenskyy says Russia carried out largest overnight drone attack since war began

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia fired 145 drones at Ukraine overnight, the most in any single night-time attack of the war so far.

“Last night, Russia launched a record 145 Shaheds and other strike drones against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said on social media.

He then noted how Russian forces had used more than 800 guided aerial bombs, around 600 strike drones, and nearly 20 missiles of various types on Ukraine over the past week.

He then called for Kyiv’s allies to increase supplies to help protect the country’s skies, in an apparent message to US President-elect Donald Trump who has vowed to reduce support to Ukraine and negotiate a speedy end to the war once he takes office in January.

“Such terror cannot be stopped with words, and the killing of children and the loss of loved ones cannot simply be forgotten,.” Zelenskyy said. “Security from terror is impossible without bold decisions — this is clear for every country. Without justice, there is no lasting peace, and it is quite realistic for Ukraine to achieve it.”

Russia claims control of eastern Ukraine’s Vovchenko

Russian forces captured the Ukrainian village of Vovchenko, the Defense Ministry in Moscow claimed.

“Units of the Centre armed group have liberated the town of Voltchenka,” the ministry said, using the Russian spelling of the Ukraine village Vovchenko.

It is not possible to verify the claim. Ukraine rarely admits any loss of territory until weeks afterward.

Vovchenko is located in the eastern Donetsk region, on the Vovcha River, around five kilometers (three miles) from the industrial city of Kurakhove.

Kurakhove has become the new Bakhmut, which Russia captured in May 2023 following a monthslong war of attrition.

Russia says it shot down 70 Ukrainian drones over 6 regions

Russia said it had downed 70 Ukrainian drones over six regions, including 34 around the Russian capital Moscow.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram that the attack had occurred between 7 am and 10 am local time on Sunday (0400 and 0700 GMT/UTC).

The other regions targeted were Tula, Bryansk, Kaluga, Oryol and Kursk regions, the ministry said.

The Moscow attack was the largest in the region since Russia began its offensive in Ukraine in 2022.

The drone strikes forced the temporary closure of three Moscow airports, injured a 52-year-old woman and set two homes on fire in a village in the Moscow region, officials said.

UK: Russia suffered 1,500 casualties a day in October

The United Kingdom’s chief of defense Admiral Tony Radakin said Russia was paying an “extraordinary price” for President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Radakin said Moscow’s forces suffered an average of around 1,500 dead and injured per day in Ukraine during October, telling the BBC that it was the worst month for losses since the conflict began.

“Russia is about to suffer 700,000 people killed or wounded — the enormous pain and suffering that the Russian nation is having to bear because of Putin’s ambition,” he said.

Radakin said that while Russia was making gains and putting pressure on Ukraine, the losses were “for tiny increments of land,” while the country’s huge increased defense spending was “an enormous drain” on the economy.

Ukraine says it downed 62 out of record 145 Russian drones

Ukraine’s air defense downed 62 out of the record 145 Russian drones launched overnight, the Ukrainian military said.

The air force said it lost track of 67 drones, adding that 10 drones left Ukraine’s airspace in the direction of Russia, Moldova and Belarus.

Russia shoots down several drones heading for Moscow, says mayor

Ukraine launched at least 34 drones targeting Moscow early on Sunday, forcing the temporary closure of the capital’s airports, Russian officials said.

Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said 12 of the drones were destroyed in the Ramenskoye and Kolomensky districts of the Moscow region, as well as in Domodedovo city, southwest of Moscow.

“At the moment, 32 drones flying to Moscow have been destroyed,” Sobyanin added, before another Russian official increased the number to 34.

“According to preliminary information, there is no damage or casualties at the site of the fall of the debris,” Sobyanin said on the Telegram messaging app. “Emergency services are on the sites.”

Ramenskoye, some 45 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of the Kremlin, was last targeted in Ukraine’s biggest attack on Moscow in September, when Russia destroyed 20 drones.

Rosaviatsia, Russia’s federal air transport agency, said on Telegram that temporary restrictions were introduced at Domodedovo and Zhukovo airports to protect civilian aircraft. Later, Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport also said it had temporarily stopped taking flights.

Russia’s Bryansk, Kaluga regions hit by Ukrainian drones

Several buildings caught fire in Russia’s Kaluga and Bryansk regions after overnight drone attacks by Kyiv’s forces, Russian regional governors said.

“Emergency services and firefighters are on the site,” Alexander Bogomaz, governor of the Russian border region of Bryansk, wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defense units had destroyed 23 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 17 over Bryansk.

Ukraine’s military wrote on Telegram that the drone strike caused a large fire and at least eight explosions.

Vladislav Shapsha, governor of the Kaluga region, which borders the Moscow region, said a non-residential building in the region was on fire following the drone strikes.

Ukraine has often said its drone attacks on Russian territory are aimed at infrastructure key to Moscow’s war efforts.

Two hurt in Russian air attack on Odesa, Kyiv says

At least two people were injured and buildings were damaged in an overnight Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s southern region of Odesa, Ukrainian officials said.

“The enemy has once again launched a massive attack on our region,” the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Odesa region said on its social media account.

The agency said garages with cars and property were on fire and that residential buildings and shops were damaged.

Oleh Kiper, governor of the region on the Black Sea coast, said, without providing further detail, that the attack caused some fires.

Video footage posted by the emergency services showed residents gathered in front of a building watching as firefighters combed through a pile of building debris.

Ukraine commander: North Korean troops nearing combat readiness

Reports suggest North Korean troops are preparing for combat alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, Kyiv’s top military commander said.

“We have numerous reports of North Korean soldiers preparing to participate in combat operations alongside Russian Forces,” Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Facebook.

He was speaking after a conversation with Christopher Cavoli, a senior US general who heads the US European Command.

Syrskyi said the situation in frontline sectors in the war against Russia remained “difficult and show signs of escalation.”

EU’s Borrell reaffirms support for Ukraine after Trump win

The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pledged “unwavering” support for Ukraine, on the first visit by a top Brussels official to Kyiv after Donald Trump’s win.

“The clear purpose of this visit is to express European Union support to Ukraine — this support remains unwavering,” Borrell told journalists.

“This support is absolutely needed for you to continue defending yourself against Russian aggression.”

During the US presidential election campaign, Trump cast doubt on maintaining US military and financial aid to Ukraine and said he could pressure both sides to cut a quick deal to end the war.

“Nobody knows exactly what the new administration is going to do,” Borrell said, pointing out that incumbent Joe Biden still has two months in the White House to make decisions.

The EU diplomat, who himself leaves office next month, called for additional weapons, training and more speedy deliveries to Ukraine from its allies.

Europe together has spent around $125 billion (€117 billion) on supporting Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion, while the United States alone has delivered more than $90 billion, according to a tracker from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW-Kiel).

mm/wmr (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)

Politics

We are in control of NNPP – Kwankwaso’s loyalists snub court ruling

Published

on

Spread the love

The faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) loyal to former presidential candidate Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has reiterated its claim to the party’s leadership despite a court ruling that dismissed its legal challenge.

The group, led by Dr Ajuji Ahmed, reaffirmed that it remains in charge of the NNPP’s operations, arguing that the recent verdict did not affect the existing leadership structure.

The party has been entangled in a leadership tussle since after the 2023 general elections, with two rival camps laying claim to its control, a situation that has triggered internal chaos—particularly in Kano State, where the NNPP holds executive power.

Last week, the Federal Capital Territory High Court struck out a suit filed by the Ajuji-led camp challenging the legitimacy of another faction headed by Chief Boniface Aniebonam and the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major.

The plaintiffs, including Dr Ajuji and 20 others, asked the court to stop officials from the opposing camp from convening meetings or organizing party conventions, arguing that they had been expelled.

But in his ruling, Justice M.A. Hassan declined jurisdiction, stating that matters concerning internal party disagreements, including leadership and membership disputes, fall outside the scope of judicial determination.

“The position of the law, as upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, is clear: courts do not adjudicate on matters that fall within the internal affairs of a political party, except in cases relating to the nomination of candidates for elections,” Justice Hassan ruled.

The judgment did not clarify which faction holds legitimate authority, thereby prolonging the party’s leadership crisis.

Aniebonam’s camp claims victory

Members of the Aniebonam-led faction welcomed the court’s decision as validation of their leadership.

Factional Secretary Oginni Olaposi described the verdict as a win for internal party democracy.

“This verdict affirms the legitimacy of the NNPP leadership under Dr. Agbo Major and reestablishes the authority of our Board of Trustees, led by Chief Boniface Aniebonam. It sends a strong message that party matters should be resolved internally,” Olaposi said.

Segun Fiki, legal counsel to the defendants, echoed this stance.

“The court has spoken clearly—this matter is non-justiciable. The legitimate leadership of the NNPP has been affirmed and we now expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to formally recognise and engage with the party’s duly elected officials,” he said.

Kwankwaso camp dismisses claims of legitimacy

In a swift response, the Kwankwaso camp warned against misinterpreting the court’s decision.

Barrister Ladipo Johnson, spokesperson for the Ajuji-led faction, accused expelled members of spreading misinformation.

“Quite expectedly, some of the defendants in the suit—who remain expelled from the party—have rushed to misinform Nigerians by twisting the judgement. Contrary to their false claims, there was no pronouncement conferring legitimacy or authority on any so-called Board of Trustees,” Johnson asserted.

He maintained that the expulsion of Boniface Aniebonam, Agbo Major, Olaposi Oginni, and others—previously upheld by a Federal High Court on April 18, 2024—remains in force.

Referencing constitutional and electoral provisions, Johnson emphasized that leadership legitimacy rests with the body recognized by INEC.

“If you check with INEC or visit its portal, you won’t find the names of Boniface Aniebonam, Major Agbo, Olaposi Oginni, or their allies listed as members of the NNPP’s NWC,” he said.

“The judgment in question did not issue any directive to INEC or disturb the current status of the NNPP. The party’s management remains firmly under the leadership of Dr Ajuji Ahmed,” he added.

Continue Reading

Politics

IMO DEPUTY SPEAKER, IWUANYANWU DONATES 500 CAPACITY TOWN HALL BUILDING TO NWANGELE COMMUNITY, SALUTES GOV. UZODIMMA FOR ENABLING PROJECTS EXECUTION

Published

on

Spread the love

IMO DEPUTY SPEAKER, IWUANYANWU DONATES 500 CAPACITY TOWN HALL BUILDING TO NWANGELE COMMUNITY, SALUTES GOV. UZODIMMA FOR ENABLING PROJECTS EXECUTION

Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Nwangele LGA, Imo State.

As part of his renewed commitment to translate effective representation to tangible dividends of democracy, doubling his efforts toward community development through the spread of people -oriented projects in line with the 3R blueprint of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Shared Prosperity Administration: Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly; the member representing Nwangele Constituency, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Ksc, was on Sunday, April 6, 2025, recorded yet another milestone as he officially donated a 500 capacity state -of-the arts furnished town hall building project to Amuzi village in Dim-na-Nume Isu Community, Nwangele LGA, Imo State, amid commendations by the people.

Speaking during the official handover of the building project to the Chairman of Amuzi village—Mr. Obinna Otuonye, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, Ksc, accompanied by the Executive Chairman of Nwangele Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Paul Duru, alongside the retinue of his colorful entourage, thanked the leadership and members of the community for their show of love, support and solidarity over the years as he has always won elections in a landslide at their pilling units, reassuring them of his commitment to keep bringing developmental projects not just in Amuzi village as their illustrious son in government, but across the various wards in Nwangele LGA.

Obviously elated for fulfilling his promises of building a befitting town hall project for Amuzi village and also facilitating the construction of over 3km NNDC motorable road project, Iwuanyanwu maintained that community services and development are the hallmarks of his late father, Chief Sir Ignatius Chyna Iwuanyanwu; affirming that he would also have done same if he were still alive today.

In his own words, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu stated; “ I am here today to thank you for your show of love to me since my sojourn in Nwangele polotics. You have always demonstrated your unflinching support to our great party, APC, and our performing govenror, His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodimma.

During the last election in this polling unit where I recorded a landslide victory for my position and that of the Imo State govenrorship, I saw the despair, neglected, and abandoned of this townhall and promised to build a brand new one for you after the election. Today, it is a promise made and also a promise kept.

Let me quickly use this opportunity to thank our dear governor, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma —for always putting Nwangele LGA in his developmental considerations and choice of political appointments. I also wish to thank our illustrious son and apex leader, my political benefactor, High Chief Johnbosco Chukwuma Ozigbu, Ph.D (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga), for always standing by me and supporting our shared commitment in the development of Nwangele Constituency.

In his note of appreciation to the Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, National Chairman of Amuzi Village, Mr. Obinna Otuonye, eulogized his performance index for not just being the member representing Nwangele Constituency, but also as a proud son of Amuzi who always brings back home the largesse of government to his people through developmental projects.
According to him, he feels very fulfilled that such befitting townhall building project was executed during his tenure; including the NDDC road construction. Reassuring the commitment of Amuzi people and the entire Nwangele LGA to keep supporting the political aspirations of their son, Amara Iwuanyanwu, who they unanimously prayed God to give him a higher position in due time.

In the same vein, a 75 year old community leader and home-chairman of Amuzi Village, Mr. Meshach Iheanyi Alimnor, poured out his heart in appreciation for the befitting townhall donated to the village by Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu even as he prayed God to protect him and his family in all they do as he has continued to make Amuzi people and Ndi Nwangele proud as their state representative.

Majority leader of Nwangele Legislative Council and member representing Dim-na-Nume Isu Ward, Hon. Kelechi Mark- Oparaocha said by always fulfilling his promises to Nwangele people, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu has shown capacity in leadership, sincerity of purpose and political sagacity, a true reflection of his late father’s drive for community development and selfless services to his people, a virtue and legacy which the state lawmaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, is tenaciously upholding dearly.

Savvy, proactive, politically productive and development- driven, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu since the inception of office in 2019 has given impressive outing with a proven record of his breathtaking achievements scorecard in youths development programs, practical empowernments, construction of water boreholes, donation of vehicles, free distribution of refrigerators with start-ups capital for small business owners, facilitating NDDC road construction, installation of solar street lights and political appointments in government, as he consistently demonstrates unwavering commitment to the development of the entire Nwangele State Constituency.

Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Media Consultant|Newspaper Columnist|Public Analyst|PR-Expert

 

Continue Reading

Politics

Wike, others planning extend Rivers six months emergency rule – Suspended Commissioner, Gbali

Published

on

Spread the love

The suspended Commissioner for Youth Development in Rivers State, Chisom Gbali, on Monday accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and his cohorts of plans to extend the state of emergency in the state.

Gbali said Wike and his cohorts are planning to create problems that would lead to President Bola Tinubu extending the state of emergency in the state.

The president had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Sim Fubara following intelligence report of militants planning to attack oil installations.

Tinubu also suspended Fubara for six months while appointing a sole administrator to preside over the state.

His pronouncement was due to the face-off between Wike and Fubara that affected the state House of Assembly but the Supreme Court had intervened recently.

However, appearing on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Gbali said the body language of the Sole The Administrator suggest a calculated effort to extend the situation beyond six months.

According to Gbali: “We are in the same wave length, that’s actually the calculated attempt I was talking about. There is a plan to extend it and even incite problem before the end of these six months, they want to incite problem that would make the president make another pronouncement.

” And of course you know that if there is any extension whatsoever, it calls for the end of the administration, so if you see the school of thoughts in politics that they call body language, if you see the body language you will know that this is a calculated attempt.

“They are setting aside all the subsisting projects, suspending boards and parastatals but for someone that was sent to restore peace, till now all we are seeing is different.

“They even planned to install a sole administrator at the local government level. these are there calculated attempts.

“The current minister of the FCT and his cohorts, the assembly members, former chairmen whose tenure elapsed, that’s the people i’m talking about, we know them. The issue of Rivers State is between the former governor and the current governor.

“All these things are geared towards 2027 and we are dazzled that his excellency will be meddling in this kind of matter when there are so many areas that have more pressing needs, people are dying everyday and there is no state of emergency but in Rivers where we never had hurt they did.”

Continue Reading

Trending