Russia has already transferred the first tactical nuclear weapons promised to Belarus, confirms Vladimir Putin

2023-06-17 00:12:51

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Russia has already transferred the first tactical nuclear weapons promised to Belarus, Vladimir Putin confirmed on Friday June 16. This operation will be completed by the end of the year, said the Russian president. “We don’t need to use nuclear weapons. It is theoretically possible, if there is a threat to the existence of the Russian state”, he also said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Air Force claims to have shot down 12 missiles over kyiv. Ukraine said on Friday it shot down 12 Russian missiles, including six hypersonic Kinjals, in the attack that targeted kyiv in the morning. Last month, the country had already twice announced the destruction of Kinjal hypersonic missiles. However, Moscow has always declared that these weapons are unstoppable – or almost – by anti-aircraft defense systems, because of their velocity. This new announcement could not be independently confirmed.

Russia admits a half-hearted retreat. The Russian army has acknowledged that fighting is underway for control of the localities of Rivnopil and Ourojaine, on the southern front in Ukraine, admitting half-word for the first time to have ceded territories. The day before, the Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Maliar, had claimed a “gradual but sure progress” of his troops.

An African mediation for peace. A delegation of African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, arrived in Ukraine on Friday. This mediation mission began its journey with a visit to Boutcha. Shortly after, anti-aircraft sirens followed by explosions sounded in kyiv, where African officials are due to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky during the day.