an Iranian observation satellite launched by Moscow, a nuclear power plant bombed again

by time news

► Putting an Iranian satellite into orbit by Russia

Iran’s Khayyam observation satellite was launched on Tuesday (August 9th) from Kazakhstan and the Baikonur Cosmodrome, according to a live broadcast from the Russian space agency Roscosmos. It aims in particular to “watch the country’s borders”improve agricultural productivity, control water resources and natural disasters, according to the Iranian Space Agency.

The launch of this satellite is causing concern, with some Western officials fearing that Moscow will use it to support its offensive in Ukraine. For the United States, the Iranian space program is intended for more military than commercial purposes, while Tehran assures that its aerospace activities are peaceful and in accordance with a resolution of the Security Council of the UN.

► Nearly 80,000 Russian soldiers killed or injured according to the United States

Nearly 80,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, Pentagon number three Colin Kahl said Monday, stressing that the targets announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin have not yet been achieved. Russian forces also lost « 3 000 or 4 000 » armored vehicles, and may lack precision-guided missiles, including air-to-surface and sea-to-surface missiles, he added.

“It’s quite remarkable considering that the Russians failed to achieve any of Vladimir Putin’s goals at the start of the war”, continued the American official. Colin Kahl acknowledged that the Ukrainian forces had also suffered heavy losses, without quantifying them. kyiv reported at least 10,000 dead and 30,000 wounded in its troops.

According to a military source who requested anonymity, the Ukrainian army, which was strong with 170,000 active soldiers and 100,000 reservists at the start of the war on February 24, has been reinforced to reach 300,000 to 350,000 soldiers. .

► The site of a nuclear power plant again bombed

The site of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporijjia, the largest in Europe, which fell into the hands of Russian soldiers in early March, was bombed for the second time on the night of Saturday to Sunday August 7, after the bombings on Friday. Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Sunday of attacking them.

The occupation authorities of the city of Energodar indicated that “the shrapnel and rocket engine fell 400 meters from a working reactor”adding that this strike had “damaged” administrative buildings and affected “a spent nuclear fuel storage area”.

“Any attack on nuclear power plants is suicidal”said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday morning August 8 in Tokyo. “I hope these attacks will end. At the same time, I hope that the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency, editor’s note) will be able to access the central de Zaporijjia.

In this context, Russia has suspended US inspections of its missile bases, as provided for in the New Start nuclear disarmament treaty signed with the United States in 2010.

► One billion US and 4.5 billion from the World Bank for Ukraine

The Pentagon announced on Monday a new tranche of military aid to Ukraine, for an amount of nearly one billion euros, which includes in particular additional missiles for the American Himars precision artillery systems.

This new tranche of aid also provides for the dispatch of additional short- and medium-range missiles for the NASAMS air defense systems, as well as Javelin anti-tank missiles.

The World Bank also announced on Monday additional aid of about 4.5 billion euros for Ukraine, thanks to funds provided once again by the United States, to help the government cope with the “urgent needs caused by the war”.

You may also like

Leave a Comment