Connect with us

Published

on

Russian reports that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has begun are being used to distract from Russian losses in Bakhmut, the Ukrainian deputy defence minister has said.

The comments from deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar come after Moscow said it had thwarted a major Ukrainian assault in the south of Ukraine‘s Donetsk region.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces ‘probing’ Russia’s defences for weaknesses

Posting on the Telegram messaging app, Ms Maliar said that Ukrainian forces were “shifting to offensive actions” in some areas along the frontline but dismissed suggestions that this was part of a major operation.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Russia ‘thwarts’ Ukraine offensive

“Why are the Russians actively releasing information about a counteroffensive? Because they need to divert attention from the defeat in the Bakhmut direction,” she wrote.

Russian sources are reporting that Ukraine has launched attacks around specific settlements in Donetsk
Image:
Each point that fighting is said to have taken place to the south west of Bakhmut, according to a Russian blogger

Earlier on Monday, the Russian defence ministry claimed that forces had pushed back a “large scale” assault at five points in the Donetsk region.

The region was illegally annexed by Russia last year but is only partially controlled by Moscow.

Ukraine has been probing, but the counteroffensive hasn’t properly begun


John Sparks - Africa correspondent

John Sparks

International correspondent

@sparkomat

We’ve been waiting for months for a Spring offensive that now seems to be shifting to the summer.

We expect a major military engagement from the Ukrainians to recapture territory currently occupied by the Russians and we’ve all got a stake in it.

The West has helped to build up Ukraine’s military arsenal, it’s helped with training and intelligence, and so anticipation here and everywhere else is fever pitch.

It seems that level of anticipation is also being felt in Russia where today the defence ministry claims the beginning of the counteroffensive.

However, whether we’ve seen the beginning of the counteroffensive is subject to much speculation and debate.

Experts we’ve spoken to have pointed to a range of military engagements, right along the 1,000km long frontier, suggesting that at this point in time the Ukrainians are probing.

They’re looking for weaknesses in Russian defences, but haven’t begun the counteroffensive properly.

Proof of that may be found in the fact that we haven’t seen any proof of any new Western armaments being used in combat – for example the Challenger tank, nor is there proof of a major thrust by the Ukrainians on the frontline.

What we do know is that the Russians are well dug in, they’ve prepared multiple defensive lines, with the deployment of land mines and anti-tank traps.

It will be a major challenge for the Ukrainians to make the sort of advances that they were able to accomplish in their last counteroffensive.

The pressure is on Ukraine, expectations have risen along with the help that they’ve received and they will need to make significant and substantial progress to avoid having to open up talks with Putin.

Defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov claimed 250 Ukrainian personnel were killed, and 16 Ukrainian tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles and 21 armoured combat vehicles were destroyed.

Read more:
Has Ukraine launched a large-scale offensive? Here’s what the evidence shows

Russia claims it has thwarted major Ukrainian offensive
Arms contract shows Iran has sold Russia ammunition for Ukraine war, says security source

Drone footage also allegedly showed the destruction of Ukrainian equipment.

Ukrainian military vehicle being hit during a combat in Ukraine. Pic: Russian defence ministry via AP
Image:
A Ukrainian military vehicle allegedly being hit. Pic: Russian defence ministry via AP

The head of Russia’s private military, the Wagner Group, also claimed that Ukrainian forces have retaken part of a settlement north of Bakhmut – two weeks after the group spearheaded the successful assault on the eastern city, after the longest battle of the war.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Why hasn’t the spring offensive started yet?

Calling it a “disgrace”, Yevgeny Prigozhin said Kyiv’s forces had retaken the area of Berkhivka.

He urged leaders within Russia’s military, including defence minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, to come to the frontline.

“Come on, you can do it!” He wrote on Telegram. “And if you can’t, you’ll die heroes.”

Ukraine’s Ms Maliar said the area around Bakhmut remained the “epicentre” of fighting and that the Ukrainian military was “moving along a fairly wide front”.

Meanwhile on Monday, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the country’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, during his second visit to Kyiv.

James Cleverly shakes hands with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Pic: AP
Image:
James Cleverly shakes hands with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Pic: AP

The pair discussed how the UK can continue to best support Ukraine, from the battlefield to banking guarantees, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The visit comes amid preparations for the Ukraine recovery conference in London later in June, which will focus on boosting the nation’s economy.

Continue Reading

World

Musk sued over buying Twitter shares at artificially low prices by US finance regulator

Published

on

By

Musk sued over buying Twitter shares at artificially low prices by US finance regulator

Elon Musk is being sued for failing to disclose his purchase of more than 5% of Twitter stock in a timely fashion.

The world’s richest man bought the stock in March 2022 and the complaint by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said the delay allowed him to continue buying Twitter stock at artificially low prices.

In papers filed in Washington DC federal court, the SEC said the move allowed Mr Musk to underpay by at least $150m (£123m).

The commission wants Mr Musk to pay a civil fine and give up profits he was not entitled to.

In response to the lawsuit a lawyer for the multi-billionaire said: “Mr Musk has done nothing wrong and everyone sees this sham for what it is.”

An SEC rule requires investors to disclose within 10 calendar days when they cross a 5% ownership threshold.

The SEC said Mr Musk did not disclose his state until 4 April 2022, 11 days after the deadline – by which point he owned more than 9% of Twitter’s shares.

More on Elon Musk

Twitter’s share price rose by more than 27% following Mr Musk’s disclosure, the SEC added.

Mr Musk later purchased Twitter for $44bn (£36bn) in October 2022 and renamed the social media site X.

Read more: Majority of public says Musk having a negative impact on British politics

Since the election of Donald Trump, Mr Musk has been put in charge of leading a newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

The president-elect said the department would work to reduce government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies.

Continue Reading

World

Hamas accepts Gaza peace deal as Israeli official says agreement is close but ‘not there yet’

Published

on

By

Hamas accepts Gaza peace deal as Israeli official says agreement is close but 'not there yet'

US president-elect Donald Trump has suggested Israel and Hamas could agree a Gaza ceasefire by the end of the week.

Talks between Israeli and Hamas representatives resumed in the Qatari capital Doha yesterday, after US President Joe Biden indicated a deal to stop the fighting was “on the brink” on Monday.

A draft agreement has been sent to both sides. It includes provisions for the release of hostages and a phased Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza.

Qatar says Israel and Hamas are at their “closest point” yet to a ceasefire deal.

Two Hamas officials said the group has accepted the draft agreement, with Israel still considering the deal.

An Israeli official said a deal is close but “we are not there” yet.

More than 46,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its ground offensive in the aftermath of the 7 October attacks, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Read more:
What’s in the proposed deal?

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on beachfront cafe in Deir Al-Balah.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on beachfront cafe in Deir al Balah. Pic: Reuters

Biden hails possibility of agreement

President Biden said it would include a hostage release deal and a “surge” of aid to Palestinians, in his final foreign policy speech as president.

“So many innocent people have been killed, so many communities have been destroyed. Palestinian people deserve peace,” he said.

“The deal would free the hostages, halt the fighting, provide security to Israel, and allow us to significantly surge humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians who suffered terribly in this war that Hamas started.”

Qatari mediators have sent Israel and Hamas a draft proposal for an agreement to halt the fighting.

Analysis:
Deal might be close, but there are many unanswered questions

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a speech at the State Department in Washington, U.S. January 13, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Image:
Pic: Reuters

Trump: ‘We’re very close’

President-elect Donald Trump has also discussed a possible peace deal during a phone interview with the Newsmax channel.

“We’re very close to getting it done and they have to get it done,” he said.

“If they don’t get it done, there’s going to be a lot of trouble out there, a lot of trouble, like they have never seen before.

“And they will get it done. And I understand there’s been a handshake and they’re getting it finished and maybe by the end of the week. But it has to take place, it has to take place.”

Read more:
Pope Francis honoured by Joe Biden
Donald Trump’s inauguration 2.0

President-elect Donald Trump talks to reporters after a meeting with Republican leadership at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Image:
Pic: AP

Israeli official: Former Hamas leader held up deal

Speaking on Tuesday as negotiations resumed in Qatar, an anonymous Israeli official said that an agreement was “close, but we are not there”.

They accused Hamas of previously “dictating, not negotiating” but said this has changed in the last few weeks.

Yahya Sinwar was the main obstacle for a deal,” they added.

Sinwar, believed to be the mastermind of the 7 October attacks, led Hamas following the assassination of his predecessor but was himself killed in October last year.

Under Sinwar, the Israeli official claimed, Hamas was “not in a rush” to bring a hostage deal but this has changed since his death and since the IDF “started to dismantle the Shia axis”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Biden: ‘Never, never, never, ever give up’

Iran ‘weaker than it’s been in decades’

Yesterday, President Biden also hailed Washington’s support for Israel during two Iranian attacks in 2024.

“All told, Iran is weaker than it’s been in decades,” the president said.

Mr Biden claimed America’s adversaries were weaker than when he took office four years ago and that the US was “winning the worldwide competition”.

“Compared to four years ago, America is stronger, our alliances are stronger, our adversaries and competitors are
weaker,” he said.

“We have not gone to war to make these things happen.”

The US president is expected to give a farewell address on Wednesday.

Continue Reading

World

Gaza ceasefire: What does the draft agreement say and how many hostages would be released?

Published

on

By

Gaza ceasefire: What does the draft agreement say and how many hostages would be released?

A draft ceasefire deal on the table between Israel and Hamas would see 33 hostages set free and a phased withdrawal of IDF forces from parts of Gaza.

President Joe Biden said an agreement to stop the fighting was “on the brink” and high level negotiations between the two sides resumed in Qatar on Tuesday.

The deal would see a number of things happen in a first stage, with negotiations for the second stage beginning in the third week of the ceasefire.

It would also allow a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has been devastated by more than a year of war.

Details of what the draft proposal entails have been emerging on Tuesday, reported by Israeli and Palestinian officials.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza hold photos of their loved ones during a protest calling for their return, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Image:
Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages hold photos of their loved ones during a protest on 8 January. Pic: AP

Hostages to be returned

In the first stage of the potential ceasefire, 33 hostages would be set free.

These include women (including female soldiers), children, men over the age of 50, wounded and sick.

Israel believes most of these hostages are alive but there has not been any official confirmation from Hamas.

In return for the release of the hostages, Israel would free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

People serving long sentences for deadly attacks would be included in this but Hamas fighters who took part in the 7 October attack would not be released.

An arrangement to prevent Palestinian “terrorists” from going back to the West Bank would be included in the deal, an anonymous Israeli official said.

Read more:
A timeline of events since the 7 October attacks
The hostages who still haven’t returned home

Smoke billows as buildings lie in ruin in Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
Smoke billows as buildings lie in ruin in Beit Hanoun in Gaza. Pic: Reuters

Phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza

The agreement also includes a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, with IDF troops remaining in the border perimeter to defend Israeli border towns and villages.

Security arrangements would be implemented at the Philadelphi corridor – a narrow strip of land that runs along the border between Egypt and Gaza – with Israel withdrawing from parts of it after the first few days of the deal.

The Rafah Crossing between Egypt and Gaza would start to work gradually to allow the crossing of people who are sick and other humanitarian cases out of Gaza for treatment.

Unarmed North Gaza residents would be allowed to return to their homes, with a mechanism introduced to ensure no weapons are moved there.

“We will not leave the Gaza Strip until all our hostages are back home,” the Israeli official said.

What will happen to Gaza in the future?

There is less detail about the future of Gaza – from how it will be governed, to any guarantees that this agreement will bring a permanent end to the war.

“The only thing that can answer for now is that we are ready for a ceasefire,” the Israeli official said.

“This is a long ceasefire and the deal that is being discussed right now is for a long one. There is a big price for releasing the hostages and we are ready to pay this price.”

The international community has said Gaza must be run by Palestinians, but there has not been a consensus about how this should be done – and the draft ceasefire agreement does not seem to address this either.

In the past, Israel has said it will not end the war leaving Hamas in power. It also previously rejected the possibility of the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited governing powers in the West Bank, from taking over the administration of Gaza.

Since the beginning of its military campaign in Gaza, Israel has also said it would retain security control over the territory after the fighting ends.

Continue Reading

Trending