United News of Bangladesh

Serbia’s populist Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned Tuesday in an attempt to calm political tensions following weeks of massive anti-corruption protests over the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy. The canopy collapse in November, which killed 15 people in the northern city of Novi Sad, has become a flashpoint reflecting wider discontent with the increasingly autocratic rule of Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic. He has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms in Serbia despite formally seeking European Union membership for the troubled Balkan nation. “It is my appeal for everyone to calm down the passions and return to dialogue,” Vucevic told a news conference announcing his resignation. Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric also will step down on Tuesday, Vucevic said. Vucevic’s resignation could lead to an early parliamentary election. The resignation must be confirmed by Serbia’s parliament, which has 30 days to choose a new government or call a snap election. Pro-government media said President Vucic will attend a Cabinet session on Tuesday evening to decide whether a new prime minister-designate will be appointed or an early election called. Opposition parties have said they would insist on a transitional government that would create conditions for a free and fair election. Vucic's populists have faced accusations of irregularities during past elections. Serbian farmers support students in Belgrade blockade Vucevic became the prime minister in April 2024, after the Serbian Progressive Party won most votes in an election marred by tensions. “They (ruling party) have been in a free fall since the Novi Sad tragedy,” journalist Slobodan Georgiev said on N1 television, adding that Vucic was seeking a “buffer” with the prime minister's resignation. Vucic in the past had managed to cushion the impact of anti-government street protests, but the current student movement has garnered widespread support from all walks of life, including actors, farmers, lawyers and judges. On Monday, tens of thousands of people joined striking university students in a 24-hour blockade of a key traffic intersection in the Serbian capital. The students have been protesting for weeks, demanding accountability for the canopy collapse that critics have blamed on rampant government corruption. In another attempt to defuse tensions, Vucic, Vucevic and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic on Monday evening urged dialogue with the students, who have so far rebuffed such invitations. Vucevic said the immediate cause for his quitting was an attack on a female student in Novi Sad early Tuesday by assailants allegedly from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. Vucevic said that “whenever it seems there is hope to return to social dialogue, to talk ... it’s like an invisible hand creates a new incident and tensions mount again.” But the outgoing prime minister also said that the street protests “undoubtedly” have been organized from abroad “with an aim to directly jeopardize Serbia as a state.” Vucevic offered no evidence for his claims that echoed earlier similar statements by Vucic. “I can never justify or understand many of these protests, blockades of lives, of roads and the freedom of movement of other citizens,” he said. Serbia’s prosecutors have filed charges against 13 people, including a government minister and several state officials. But the former Construction Minister Goran Vesic has been released from detention, fueling doubts over the investigation’s independence.

Italy has sent 49 more migrants to Albania for processing following earlier court rejections, in a continuation of efforts to handle asylum applications, reports AP. An Italian navy vessel arrived in Albania on Tuesday with the migrants, who were intercepted in international waters, to have their asylum claims processed at designated centres in Albania. This marks the third attempt after previous setbacks in October and November, when Italian courts rejected the detention of two groups at the Albanian centres, which were established under a controversial agreement between Italy and Albania. The courts ruled that the migrants’ home countries were not deemed safe enough for them to face potential repatriation from these centres. Colombia agrees to take deported migrants after Trump tariff showdown: White House The cases are now being handled by the European Court of Justice, which has ruled that asylum seekers cannot undergo fast-track procedures leading to deportation if their home countries are not considered entirely safe. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for February 25. Italy’s government, led by Premier Giorgia Meloni, remains determined to reactivate the centres in Albania despite the court decisions. In late December, Italy’s highest court ruled that Italian judges could not override government policy in determining which countries are safe for migrant repatriation, though lower courts may still make case-by-case decisions. The migrants will be processed at a reception centre in Shengjin, a port city 66 kilometres northwest of Tirana, before being transferred to the Gjader accommodation centre, about 22 kilometres east. The agreement between Italy and Albania, which was signed in November 2023, permits up to 3,000 migrants intercepted by Italy's coast guard each month to be sheltered in Albania while their asylum claims are assessed. 71 Bangladeshis among 176 illegal immigrants held in Malaysia Under the deal, Italy will take in those granted asylum, while migrants whose claims are rejected will be deported directly from Albania. While the agreement has been praised by some countries facing high migrant arrivals, human rights advocates have voiced concerns about the potential implications of outsourcing the accommodation of asylum seekers to a non-EU country. So far this year, 3,704 migrants have arrived in Italy, more than double the number compared to the same period last year, which saw 1,305 arrivals. In total, 66,317 migrants reached Italy last year, a 58% decrease from the previous year. The majority came from Bangladesh, followed by Syria, Tunisia, and Egypt, according to Italy’s Interior Ministry.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Friday said he wants the European Union to intervene in a gas dispute his country has with Ukraine, a potential sign of friction in the bloc's upcoming discussions over renewing sanctions against Russia. Speaking on state radio, Orbán said that Ukraine's decision to cease transiting Russian gas into Central Europe through the Brotherhood pipeline had forced Hungary to turn to alternative routes, which raised energy prices. Meanwhile, he claimed EU sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine had cost Hungary 19 billion euros ($20 billion) since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. He did not cite how that sum was calculated. “It’s no good that we pay for the economic consequences of sanctions to help Ukraine while they turn around and mess with us,” he said of Kyiv's decision to allow a prewar transit deal with Russia to expire at the end of 2024. Belarus election likely extends Lukashenko's 30-year authoritarian rule Natural gas prices did spike at the beginning of the year following the expiration of Ukraine's transit contract with Russia, though an increase in liquefied natural gas shipments to Europe has kept prices fluctuating. As the EU prepares to renew sanctions on Moscow in the coming week — which requires unanimity among all the 27-member bloc’s leaders — Hungary has signaled it may use a veto to block the penalties. Orbán, considered to have the closest relationship with the Kremlin of any other EU leader, has long been a vocal opponent of EU sanctions against Moscow, though he has ultimately always voted for them. But following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump last week, Orbán has publicly demanded an end to sanctions, raising the possibility that he would veto the newest round which must be decided by Jan. 31. “The question of extending the sanctions is now on the agenda, and I pulled the handbrake and asked European leaders to understand that this cannot be continued," he said Friday. “It is not possible that Hungary will pay the price of the sanctions in this proportion.” Micheál Martin to return as Ireland's PM again “I told my (EU) colleagues to please understand that we are asking for help," he continued. "We ask that they be able to get the Ukrainians to restore the gas pipeline.” He also said he wanted guarantees that Ukraine would not stop transiting Russian oil into Hungary, which he said would pose a “serious risk” to the country.

The upcoming Belarusian election is set to extend the 30-year rule of Alexander Lukashenko, who is often referred to as "Europe's last dictator." In the 2020 presidential election, Lukashenko claimed an 80% victory, leading to accusations of fraud, widespread protests, and a brutal crackdown that saw thousands arrested, reports AP. To prevent a repeat of such unrest, Lukashenko has moved the 2025 election from August to the colder month of January, when protests are less likely. EU may suspend asylum for migrants 'weaponized' by Russia, Belarus With many of his political rivals either imprisoned or living in exile, the 70-year-old Lukashenko is poised for a seventh term, solidifying his position as the only leader most Belarusians have known since the Soviet Union’s dissolution. Belarus, once part of the Soviet Union, has a population of 9 million and is located between Russia, Ukraine, and NATO member states. Its close relationship with Russia and President Vladimir Putin has been central to Lukashenko’s rule, with Belarus providing military support, including allowing Russian forces to invade Ukraine in 2022 and hosting Russian nuclear weapons. Lukashenko first took office in 1994, capitalising on public frustration over the economic collapse following post-Soviet reforms. He has maintained power through heavy reliance on Russian subsidies and has drawn criticism for his authoritarian methods, including suppressing dissent and holding elections the West deems unfair. His admiration for the Soviet Union is evident, as he has reintroduced Soviet-era economic controls and sought to reduce the prominence of the Belarusian language in favour of Russian. While Lukashenko occasionally tried to ease repression to court Western approval, such gestures ended after the 2020 election, which was widely regarded as fraudulent. Following mass protests, authorities conducted a sweeping crackdown, arresting tens of thousands and closing independent media and NGOs, drawing sanctions from the West. Many opposition figures are either imprisoned or in exile, with Belarus reportedly holding around 1,300 political prisoners. Belarus says Wagner chief who staged mutiny is in Russia, raising questions about Kremlin's strategy Ahead of this election, Lukashenko moved the election date to January, citing the need to engage in "strategic planning," though critics argue it is to avoid protests in the winter. In an attempt to ease pressure, he pardoned 250 people deemed political prisoners but has continued to arrest those perceived as dissenters. Unlike the previous election, Lukashenko faces minimal opposition this time, as most challengers have been barred from running. Early voting began on Tuesday, with the election concluding on Sunday. Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has condemned the election as a farce and called for a boycott. Lukashenko’s ties to Russia have strengthened, with a December 2024 treaty allowing Russian nuclear weapons to be stationed in Belarus. This agreement, alongside Russia’s new nuclear strategy, places Belarus under Russia's nuclear umbrella, increasing its strategic importance amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

A teenager who fatally stabbed three young girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England has been sentenced to over 50 years in prison, reports AP. The judge described the crime as "extreme, shocking, and exceptionally serious." Rupert Murdoch’s UK tabloids apologize to Prince Harry in legal settlement Judge Julian Goose stated that 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana aimed to carry out a mass killing of "innocent, happy young girls" and had planned to murder as many as possible. However, as Rudakubana was under 18 at the time of the crime, a life sentence without parole could not be imposed. The judge ruled that Rudakubana must serve at least 51 years before being eligible for parole, emphasising that it is unlikely he will ever be released. The attack occurred in Southport in July, when Rudakubana was 17. He killed three girls, aged 6, 7, and 9, and injured eight other children and two adults. The incident horrified the nation, prompting street protests and a public inquiry into systemic failures, as the attacker had been flagged to authorities multiple times over his fixation on violence. Disruption in Court Rudakubana faced charges including three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, and possession of weapons and extremist materials. Although he pleaded guilty to all charges earlier in the week, he was absent during the sentencing. On the day of the hearing, he disrupted proceedings by claiming he felt ill, leading to his removal from the courtroom. The Attack The tragedy unfolded on the first day of summer vacation as young girls gathered to make bracelets and sing along to Taylor Swift songs. Armed with a large knife, Rudakubana stormed into the dance class and began stabbing the children and their teacher. One girl, stabbed 32 times, managed to survive. Tragically, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, lost their lives. The court was shown harrowing footage of the attack, evoking gasps and tears from those present. Victim Impact Statements Survivors and relatives shared the devastating impact of the attack. The dance teacher, Leanne Lucas, described her trauma and survivor's guilt, while a 14-year-old survivor spoke of enduring mental and physical scars. The parents of Alice Da Silva Aguiar expressed their anguish, saying their daughter's death had "shattered our souls." A Pattern of Violence Prosecutors revealed that Rudakubana had no clear political or religious motivation but harboured a longstanding obsession with violence. Authorities had flagged him multiple times for concerning behaviour, including carrying weapons, researching school shootings, and assaulting a classmate. Despite these warnings, the danger he posed was not fully recognised. Starmer pledges 100-year partnership with Ukraine National Reckoning The murders sparked days of anti-immigrant violence, fuelled by false claims that Rudakubana was a recently arrived asylum seeker. Born in Cardiff to Rwandan Christian parents, his motives remain unclear, though investigators found materials on topics like genocide and terrorism on his devices. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for legislative changes to address emerging threats posed by violent individuals acting independently. The government has announced a public inquiry to examine the systemic failures that allowed this horrific attack to occur.

Veteran politician Micheál Martin is poised to assume the role of Ireland's prime minister for a second time on Wednesday, as lawmakers are expected to formally endorse him as the leader of a coalition government, reports AP. This confirmation comes nearly two months after an election in which Martin’s Fianna Fáil party secured the most seats but fell short of a majority needed to govern independently. Ireland votes in tight parliamentary election Following weeks of negotiations, the long-established centre-right parties Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael reached an agreement to form a coalition with support from several independent lawmakers. As part of the arrangement, Martin, aged 64, will serve as taoiseach, or prime minister, for three years, with Fine Gael’s Simon Harris – the outgoing taoiseach – acting as his deputy. For the remainder of the five-year term, the two leaders will exchange roles. Members of both parties have approved the coalition agreement, and Martin is set to be formally endorsed by the Dáil, Ireland’s lower house of parliament, on Wednesday. Following this, President Michael D. Higgins will officially appoint him as prime minister, after which Martin will select his Cabinet. Spain, Norway and Ireland formally recognize a Palestinian state as EU rift with Israel widens In the election held on 29 November, Irish voters defied a global trend of ousting incumbent governments seen throughout 2024. Fianna Fáil won 48 of the 174 legislative seats, while Fine Gael secured 38. They garnered the necessary support to govern with backing from the largely conservative Regional Independent Group, which will receive two ministerial posts. Although Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael share broadly similar centre-right policies, their century-old rivalry dates back to opposing sides of Ireland’s civil war in the 1920s. The two parties first formed an alliance after the 2020 election, which ended in a near tie. This new coalition excludes the left-of-centre Sinn Féin, which will remain in opposition despite winning 39 seats. Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have consistently refused to collaborate with Sinn Féin due to its historical association with the Irish Republican Army during Northern Ireland’s decades of conflict. Bangladesh advocates for increased student admissions and IT professional recruitment in Ireland The incoming government faces significant challenges, including addressing Ireland’s acute housing crisis marked by rising homelessness, soaring rents, and property prices. Additionally, they must manage an increasing number of asylum-seekers. The cost of living, particularly the housing crisis, dominated the election campaign, with immigration emerging as a sensitive and complex issue in a country of 5.4 million people historically shaped by emigration.

Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, arrived in Kyiv on Thursday, pledging long-term security support for Ukraine, including a "100-Year Partnership" treaty set to be signed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This treaty will cover defence, science, energy, and trade, reports AP. UK's Starmer in Kyiv for security talks with Ukraine This unannounced visit marked Starmer's first trip to Ukraine since becoming Prime Minister in July, although he had visited in 2023 as opposition leader and met Zelenskyy twice in London. With the war entering its third year next month, Starmer's visit is part of a broader diplomatic push, coinciding with several other European officials' visits to Kyiv ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration. Upon arriving at Kyiv’s railway station on a cold morning, Starmer reiterated the need for continued support: “We’re a long way into this conflict. We mustn’t let up.” He later laid flowers at a war memorial and visited a burn treatment hospital. Meanwhile, Russian drone attacks caused minor damage in Kyiv, though Ukrainian air defences successfully downed the drones. The UK has committed over £12.8 billion ($16 billion) in military and civilian aid to Ukraine and has trained over 50,000 Ukrainian troops. Starmer is also set to announce an additional £40 million ($49 million) for Ukraine's postwar recovery. British PM's brother Nick Starmer dies However, the U.S.'s future support under Trump remains uncertain, as the president-elect has questioned the costs of aiding Ukraine and shown an interest in negotiating with Russia. This uncertainty has led Ukraine’s allies to intensify their support in anticipation of potential shifts in American policy. The 100-year pact aims to provide lasting security to Ukraine, preventing it from being vulnerable to Russian aggression, as seen in Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the 2022 invasion. The agreement includes collaboration on defence, particularly maritime security, drone technology, and tracking stolen Ukrainian grain. Starmer emphasized that the partnership not only serves the current moment but invests in the future, fostering technology, scientific progress, and cultural exchanges. He also stated that this partnership strengthens ties between the UK and Ukraine, which have only grown stronger since Russia’s invasion. There's no honeymoon for new UK leader Keir Starmer after a summer of unrest Zelenskyy and Starmer also planned to discuss France’s proposal for foreign troops to monitor a potential ceasefire. Zelenskyy has conditioned such a plan on a clear timeline for Ukraine’s NATO membership, a topic of contention with Trump, who has expressed support for Putin’s stance on NATO expansion. As the war nears its third year, both sides are intensifying their military efforts, with Ukraine pushing offensives in Russia’s Kursk region and Moscow continuing to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday his government will take the “strongest action possible” if Russia has harmed an Australian who was taken prisoner while fighting for Ukraine. Video posted on social media in December showed Oscar Jenkins, 32, dressed in a military uniform with his hands bound being questioned and struck by a Russian interrogator. Australian authorities were seeking comment from Russia on reports that the Melbourne school teacher had been killed since he became a prisoner of war. Albanese said Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials were seeking “urgent clarification” of Jenkins’ circumstances. “We call upon Russia to immediately confirm Oscar Jenkins’ status. We remain gravely concerned,” Albanese told reporters. “We will await the facts to come out. But if there has been any harm caused to Oscar Jenkins, that is absolutely reprehensible. And the Australian government will take the strongest action possible,” Albanese added. Jenkins had no previous military experience before joining the Ukraine defense forces early last year. While other Australians have been killed in combat in Ukraine, none has died in Russian captivity. Albanese did not elaborate on what action Australia might take if Jenkins has died. Monash University political scientist Zareh Ghazarian said the maximum extent of Australia’s response was likely to be expelling Russia’s ambassador, withdrawing the Australian ambassador from Moscow and imposing additional sanctions against Russia. Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who could become prime minister in elections due by May 17, said the Russian and Australian ambassadors should be sent home if the Russians killed Jenkins. “If there is confirmation that Oscar Jenkins has been killed, the government should take the strongest possible action and that is the ambassador should be withdrawn and that the ambassador here in Australia should be sent packing,” Dutton told reporters. Read: Iran denies plot to kill Trump, rejects U.S. assassination claims “We should send a very clear message to Russia and to other similarly minded regimes that Australians are sacrosanct, that they deserve to be protected by their government and if they’re harmed in this way and if they’re brutally executed, as seems to be the suggestion in this case, and we wait for confirmation, then there should be a strong reaction from the prime minister,” Dutton added. Australia’s military involvement in Ukraine has involved training missions, but no Australian combat troops have been involved in the war. Australia has been one of the most generous donors to the Ukraine war effort outside NATO. Three months ago, Australia announced it will give Ukraine 49 of its aging M1A1 Abrams tanks valued at 245 million Australian dollars ($152 million). The tanks brought the total value of Australia’s military assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion to over AU$1.3 billion ($804 million). Australian officials questioned Russian Ambassador Alexey Pavlovsky about Jenkins in the Australian capital Canberra on Monday. The Russian Embassy responded to a request for comment on Wednesday by referring The Associated Press to a press briefing given in Moscow by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Dec. 25. Read more: South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol arrested over martial law declaration Zakharova said the ministry was “checking information on the detained Australian citizen,” whom she described as a "mercenary." “We will certainly share any facts, if there are any,” Zakharova said. “Regarding the current and overall situation, the captured foreign mercenaries will be called to account. We regularly inform you about the mercenaries’ crimes and their punishment in accordance with the Russian legislation, especially when they are involved in acts of atrocity against civilians,” she added.

The Princess of Wales revealed Tuesday that her cancer is in remission after an emotional visit to the hospital where she received treatment last year. In a statement on social media, the princess offered her heartfelt thanks to those who helped her and husband Prince William navigate the treatment. She described her time as a patient as being "exceptional.'' “It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery,'' she wrote. ”As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.'' It was the first time the princess had offered any detail on her diagnosis. Earlier, she had simply said she had completed her chemotherapy, without offering any information on her prognosis for the future. Kate, as she is commonly known, conducted the solo engagement at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, a world-leading state-of-the art cancer center known for its pioneering research. She expressed her gratitude to the medical team for their support even as she spoke with other patients receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Read: Princess of Wales returns to public life after chemotherapy “It’s really tough,'' she said of chemotherapy. ”It’s such a shock.” During the visit, the princess shared her experiences with Katherine Field, 45. Gesturing to her arm and chest, she discussed the port mechanism used to deliver the drugs. “I got so attached to it,” Kate said, joking that she had been almost reluctant when told that she "you can have it taken out” now. Her Kensington Palace office stressed that she would continue to return to public-facing engagements, albeit gradually. The palace described the visit as reflecting her “own personal cancer journey.’’ The royal family was hard hit by health concerns last year, beginning with the announcement in January 2024 that the king would receive treatment for an enlarged prostate and Kate would undergo abdominal surgery. In February, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles was receiving treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. Six weeks later, Kate said she, too, was undergoing treatment for cancer, quieting the relentless speculation about her condition that had circulated on social media since her surgery. Read more: Kate, the Princess of Wales, makes first public appearance after cancer treatment She announced in September that she had completed chemotherapy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he has held further discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron about the possibility of Western troops deploying in Ukraine to safeguard any peace deal ending the nearly three-year war with Russia. Zelenskyy’s disclosure came before an official visit to Kyiv on Tuesday by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. He arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit following a meeting in Warsaw on Monday with his counterparts from France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Poland. Germany and the four other countries are Europe’s five top military spenders. Pistorius told German news agency dpa that his visit to Kyiv aims to underscore Germany’s strong support for Ukraine at a time when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s term beginning next week looks set to bring deep changes to Washington’s policy on the war. Pistorius said that his visit “is a signal that Germany, as the biggest NATO country in Europe, stands by Ukraine — not alone, but with the group of five and many other allies.” Trump has criticized the cost of the war for U.S. taxpayers through major military aid packages for Ukraine, and vowed to bring the conflict to a swift end. He also has made it clear that he wants to shift more of the Ukraine burden onto Europe. Macron prompted an outcry from other leaders, and he appeared isolated on the European stage, after his remarks almost a year ago floated the possibility of putting Western troops in Ukraine. Pistorius told reporters in Kyiv that the Warsaw meeting didn’t discuss Macron’s remarks about troop deployments. Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine needs security guarantees to bolster any peace agreement — an issue he said late Monday that he discussed with the French leader. “As one of these guarantees, we discussed the French initiative to deploy military contingents in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. “We considered practical steps for its implementation, possible expansion and involvement of other countries in this process.” Read: NKorean troops in Ukraine gain battlefield experience, cementing alliance with Russia Potentially sending European troops as peacekeepers to Ukraine is fraught with risk. Such a move may not deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again in the future, which is the fear of Ukrainian officials, and could drag European countries into a direct confrontation with Moscow. That, in turn, could pull NATO — including the United States — into a conflict. Russia’s bigger army has largely pinned Ukrainian forces on the defensive along the around 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line. Ukraine’s defenses are creaking in the eastern Donetsk region amid a Russian onslaught. Zelenskyy said Ukraine has more than 100 brigades on the battlefield and each of them requires equipment replenishment before potentially increasing the number of troops through a wider mobilization. Ukraine has built up a domestic arsenal of long-range drones and missiles that it uses to hit targets on Russian soil far behind the front line. The targets are usually infrastructure that supports the Russian war effort, such as arms depots, oil refineries and manufacturing plants. The Ukrainian General Staff on Tuesday claimed a series of successful attacks on three Russian regions and Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, reaching some 1,100 kilometers (almost 700 miles) into Russia. It said in a report that among the targets struck were an oil refinery and a fuel storage depot, a chemical plant producing ammunition, and two anti-aircraft missile systems. Russian authorities did not report any major damage or injuries from recent aerial attacks. The Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of firing six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles, six U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and 31 drones at Russia’s Bryansk region on the border with Ukraine. Read more: Ukraine claims to have captured 2 North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia All the missiles and drones were shot down by air defense systems, the ministry claimed in an online statement, but it said that the attack "will not go unanswered.” Russia has repeatedly threatened Ukraine and the West with retaliation for the use of Western-supplied longer-range weapons to strike Russian soil.