After Putin, Meloni says India can resolve Russia-Ukraine conflict
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday said countries like India and China could play a role in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Meloni’s remarks, made at the Ambrosetti Forum in northern Italy’s Cernobbio city on Saturday — where she also held a meeting with the visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — came less than 48 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin also highlighted India’s efforts in solving the ongoing crisis in the region. Key Points
The TribuneOf 69 Indians stuck fighting for Russia in Ukraine, at least 13 from Punjab & Haryana
Eight Indians have died during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian Embassy in India says it is working on discharge of Indian men ‘voluntarily’ contracted for military service. Key Points
ThePrintA den of spies: Vienna emerges as hub for Russian espionage
Moscow allegedly plotted to kill an investigative journalist in Austria. Now his home is protected by officers with submachine guns. Key Points
mintUkraine hits Russian oil facilities
In Kyiv’s ongoing effort to disrupt the Kremlin’s war machine, Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery and a fuel depot in Russian border regions,... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaCops search European Parl over suspected Russian interference
Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday that police carried out searches at the residence of an employee of the European... Key Points
The Tribune India
Ukraine claims downing Russian bomber, Moscow denies
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia intensified after Ukrainian forces today claimed shooting down a Russian strategic bomber. Later, Moscow said the plane crashed due to a malfunction. Key Points
India TodayChina pips India in buying sea-borne Russian crude
China imported 1.82 million barrels a day (mb/d) of Russian crude by sea in March, a third more than India's 1.36 mb/d, according to energy cargo tracker Vortexa. China also receives Russian oil through pipelines.India's monthly imports of seaborne Russian crude exceeded that of China for about one and a half years. In February, however, China's 1.3 mb/d of imports from Russia, marginally surpassed India's 1.27 mb/d. In March, the gap substantially widened. Key Points
Economic TimesPrigozhin is dead, but his troll farms are alive and peddling disinformation
Russian trolls farms linked to the mercenary chief are likely to continue peddling disinformation on the war in Ukraine and 2024 U.S. elections, according to new cybersecurity research. Key Points
mintRussia launches massive strike on Ukraine; One missile enters Polish airspace
Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a series of deadly aerial attacks, with Sunday's strikes also coming a day after the Russian military said it had seized the Ukrainian village of Ivanivske, west of Bakhmut. A militant attack on a Moscow concert hall on Friday that killed at least 133 people also became a new flashpoint between the two arch-rivals. Explosions in the capital. Air defence is working. Do not leave shelters, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko posted on Telegram early Sunday. Key Points
Economic TimesKremlin says 40 killed and more than 100 wounded in attack on Moscow concert hall
Several gunmen burst into a big concert hall on the edge of Moscow on Friday and sprayed visitors with automatic gunfire, injuring an unspecified number of people and starting a massive blaze in an apparent terror attack days after President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the raid, the worst terror attack in Russia in many years that came as the fighting in Ukraine dragged into a third year. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the attack as a “huge tragedy.” Key Points
Economic Times
US made 'rigorous' preparations for potential Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine in 2022: Report
US prepared for potential Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine in late 2022. Biden administration undertook meticulous preparations amid concerns over Russia's deployment of tactical nuclear weapons. The US engaged in rigorous planning to mitigate risks, including scenario assessments and diplomatic outreach to allies and Russia. Despite shifts in the conflict, US remains vigilant, recognising the possibility of escalating risks in the future. Key Points
Economic TimesCBI raids travel firms in 7 cities after reports of Indians being sent to Russia-Ukraine frontlines
A CBI statement says some people have been detained but doesn't specify how many. At least 35 were deceived into going to Russian frontlines under false promises of a job, it is learnt. Key Points
ThePrintCBI busts human trafficking network sending Indians to Russia-Ukraine war zone
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered a significant human trafficking network that deceived Indians into traveling to the war zone between Russia and Ukraine under the guise of providing lucrative jobs abroad. The agency is conducting searches at over 10 locations across seven cities as part of its investigation. This comes after the tragic death of Mohammed Afsan, a 30-year-old man from Hyderabad, who was misled into joining the Russian army and was killed in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Key Points
Economic TimesMan from Hyderabad, duped into fighting for Russia in Ukraine war dies; Embassy says 'will make efforts to
A 30-year-old man from Hyderabad, Mohammed Afsan, tragically died while fighting for Russia in the Ukraine conflict. Afsan was allegedly misled and forced to join the Russian Army. The Embassy of India in Russia is in touch with his family and Russian authorities to repatriate his remains. Efforts are also being made to discharge around 20 Indians working as support staff for the Russian army, who were similarly deceived into military service. Seven other young men from Punjab and Haryana have made a plea for assistance, claiming they were also deceived and deployed to Ukraine. Key Points
Economic TimesRussian activist Oleg Orlov gets 2.5 years in jail for criticising Ukraine war
Russian human rights campaigner, Oleg Orlov, who spoke out against the war in Ukraine was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison by a Moscow court for "repeatedly discrediting" the Russian military. Key Points
India Today
MEA reacts to reports of Indians with Russian Army seeking help for discharge
The MEA said several Indians have already been discharged. It said the early discharge of Indians from the Russian Army is a matter of top priority. | Latest News India Key Points
Hindustan TimesOn the run from Russia: the defector to Ukraine shot dead on the Costa Blanca
Maksim Kuzminov flew a Russian miltary helicopter to Ukraine. Armed with a new identity, he moved to a Spanish resort. Then he was killed in an underground car park Key Points
the GuardianUkraine says it struck big Russian steel plant on invasion anniversary
Plant is responsible for about 18 per cent of Russian steel output. Ukrainian drones hit a major Russian steel factory overnight, causing a large fire, a Kyiv... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaUkraine’s Military Spy Chief Says Russia Will Struggle to Keep Up the Fight
Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov said Russians ”don’t have the strength” to achieve the strategic goal of seizing two eastern Ukrainian regions this year. Key Points
mintIndia exported USD 6.65 bn oil products derived from Russian oil to sanctioning nations: Report
A European think-tank revealed that over one-third of India's oil product exports to the G7-led coalition countries came from Russian crude. While the coalition imposed price caps on crude but not on refined products, India's Jamnagar refinery, operated by Reliance Industries Ltd, played a significant role, exporting EUR 5.2 billion of oil products to the coalition. Despite restrictions on Russian crude, India imported EUR 3.04 billion of it to supply the sanctioned countries. Additionally, the Vadinar refinery, operated by Nayara Energy and partly owned by Rosneft, exported EUR 469 million of oil products to the coalition, with the USA being a major importer. Key Points
Economic Times
PRO-war Russian businessman to take over Danone's Russian assets -FT
A Russian businessman who flaunts his pro-war credentials on Instagram is planning to take over Danone's Russian assets for 17.7 billion roubles ($191.52 million), the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, months after Moscow seized temporary control. Key Points
Business TodayNavalny’s widow Yulia vows to continue his fight
The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Monday vowed to continue his fight against the Kremlin, while authorities denied his mother access... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaPutin critic Navalny dies in Russian jail; West outraged
Cause of death yet to be ascertained, no delay in treatment: Moscow. Alexei Navalny, one of Russian President Valdimir Putin’s fiercest critics, died on... Key Points
The Tribune India400 detained in Russia for attending events in memory of Navalny
More than 400 people have been detained at events across 32 Russian cities since the death of Alexei Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most... Key Points
The Tribune India