Author: M Barbu

Ukraine-Russia Updates: Staff at Europe’s Largest Nuclear Plant in Ukraine Now Under Russian Orders

Russia orders ceasefires in Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Sumy for civilian evacuation

The Russian military has ordered a ceasefire in the cities of Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Sumy from 10 A.M. (0700 GMT) so that residents can leave via humanitarian corridors, the Russian military has said.

The ceasefire came at the request of French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, the military said.

War’s End in Kyiv

I am under no illusions that President Vladimir Putin will ever negotiate terms of peace, at least not in good faith. Nor will he ever admit defeat in Ukraine. I would say he has a spartan view of war (“Come back with your shield or on it”) except that it denigrates the Spartans to compare them to the Russian president. The Spartans did their own fighting, while Putin phones in his kill orders from the safety of a gilded villa.

Russia and Iran Militias Clash in Qamishli

On Thursday, the city of Qamishli, north of Hassakeh, witnessed an intense security alert of the Russia-backed National Defense Forces militia and pro-Iran militias affiliated with the IRGC. This came after armed clashes took place between the two sides.

U.S., Russia Allies Witness Friction in Northeast Syria

Syrian government forces used automatic weapons to attack a military checkpoint in the village of Kozliya in the northern countryside of al-Hassakeh governorate. The outpost was run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is backed by the Washington-led International Coalition.

The attack resulted in the death of a government officer and soldier and two SDF fighters.

Iran Supplies Allied Militias with Quality Weapons in Syria Desert

Zaman al-Wasl learned that Iran supplied allied militias in Syria, particularly the Syrian desert with quality weapons, including anti-armor machine guns amid mounting attacks by the Islamic State on Wednesday.
A well-informed source told Zaman al-Wasl that the IRG delivered advanced weapons to its points and to the Afghan Fatemiyoun militia based in the Palmyra and Arak desert in the eastern countryside of Homs province.