51 h. ago The myriad countries arming Russia and Ukraine – and the billions it costs

As Donald Trump suggests he could send Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine, The Independent takes a look at which countries are the key military backers behind war in Europe

Economics

53 h. ago The myriad of countries arming Russia and Ukraine – and the billions it costs

As Donald Trump suggests he could send Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine, The Independent takes a look at which countries are the key military backers behind war in Europe

Economics

5 d. ago Germany floats return to conscription if volunteer plan fails

Berlin aims to more than double army reserves in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Events

6 d. ago Putin hardliners call for Russia to 'take up arms' for Iran after US strikes

Vladimir Putin has been told Russia must send military support for Tehran following the US attacks on Iran nuclear sites overnight, with Russians urged to be ready for world war

Politics

1 week ago British Army's £2bn gunships ready to protect NATO allies from Russia

Apache helicopters take part in live-fire exercise in Europe for the first time

Economics

1 week ago Operation Spiderweb: how Ukraine's drone attack could reshape warfare – video explainer

On 1 June, Ukraine launched a daring attack on Russian military bases, inflicting billions of dollars of damage using inexpensive drones in a secret operation codenamed Spiderweb. Smuggling 117 drones into Russian territory over 18 months, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, proved he still had cards to play in the war. The Guardian's Russian affairs reporter, Pjotr Sauer, explains how the daring operation will make military commanders across the world rethink national securityOperation Spiderweb: a visual guide to Ukraine’s destruction of Russian aircraft‘He’s a bulldog’: the man behind the success of Ukraine’s Operation SpiderwebUkraine launches major drone attack on Russian bombers, security official says Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Britain has escalated the global nuclear arms race – and is bringing us closer to armageddon | Simon Tisdall

The UK’s strategic defence review risks normalising nuclear warfare. Don’t believe the PR hype: these weapons are immoral, irrational and catastrophicPlans by Keir Starmer’s government to modernise and potentially expand Britain’s nuclear weapons arsenal, unveiled in the 2025 strategic defence review (SDR), seriously undermine international non-proliferation efforts. They will fuel a global nuclear arms race led by the US, China and Russia. And they increase the chances that lower-yield, so-called tactical nukes will be deployed and detonated in conflict zones.This dangerous path leads in one direction only: towards the normalisation of nuclear warfare.Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentator Continue reading...

Sport

3 w. ago Europe's armies are blocked from preparing to face Russia because of EU eco laws which force the military to hit recycling quotas, limit carbon emissions and avoid upsetting wildlife

Regulations on the protection of birds, reducing of waste and lowering emissions have hindered the ability for European countries to prepare to defend their countries.

Events

3 w. ago Putin urged to use nukes as Russia reels from Ukraine 'Pearl Harbour' attack

Ukrainian drones obliterated more than $7 billion worth of Russian bombers in a 'Pearl Harbour' style attack, leading some in Russia to call for Putin to unleash nuclear weapons

Politics

3 w. ago Operation Spiderweb: a visual guide to Ukraine’s destruction of Russian aircraft

In a spectacular attack planned over 18 months, Ukrainian agents moved drones and explosives deep inside Russia to strike four airbasesA Ukrainian drone attack has destroyed billions of dollars worth of Russian aircraft stationed at bases across the country, including at locations as far away as Siberia, in what Kyiv claims is its longest-range assault of the war.The spectacular operation, known as Spiderweb, was prepared in secret over 18 months. Ukraine’s agents moved short-range drones and explosives inside Russia before they were launched remotely for a coordinated strike on Sunday that was intended to strike at Moscow’s air superiority. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine delegation arrives in Istanbul for talks with Russian officials following drone attack in Siberia – Russia

Second round of peace talks follows Kyiv drone attack on Russian air bases A Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Istanbul for talks with Russian officials with a meeting planned for Monday afternoon, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry said.The two sides are set to hold their second round of direct peace talks since 2022, but are still far apart on how to end the war amid an increase in fighting.Ukraine said on Sunday it had destroyed Russian bombers worth billions of dollars as far away as Siberia, in its longest-range assault of the war. In a spectacular claim, Ukraine said it had damaged $7bn worth of Russian aircraft parked at four airbases thousands of kilometres (miles) away, with unverified video footage showing aircraft engulfed in flames and black smoke. A source in the Ukrainian security services (SBU) said the strikes hit 41 planes that were used to “bomb Ukrainian villages”.Several Russian and Ukrainian media outlets reported that Ukraine had carried out the ...

Events

3 w. ago Nato must brace to be attacked by Putin warns Germany's defence chief

Germany's defence chief has starkly warned that NATO should be prepared for a possible attack by Russia in the next four years. 

Events

3 w. ago Britain MUST be ready for war: Starmer vows to reverse 'hollowing out' of armed forces with weapons drive

As the government prepares to launch its long-awaited defence review tomorrow, the PM has pledged action to make UK forces 'more lethal than ever'.

Events

4 w. ago How the West is 'fuelling' Putin's war in Ukraine by spending billions on Russian oil and gas

Vladimir Putin 's regime is still raking in huge profits from its hydrocarbon exports to the EU - even as its brutal assault on Ukraine enters a fourth year.

Politics

4 w. ago Russia accuses ally Serbia of betrayal for supplying arms to Ukraine: ‘Stab in the back’

Russia has criticized Serbia for exporting arms to Ukraine, saying it’s a stab in the back by its traditional Slavic Balkan ally

Politics

4 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Flood of North Korean arms to Russia, say US, Japan and others

20,000 cargo containers of ammo, shells, missiles and gear sent, says watchdog replacing UN panel scuppered by Moscow. What we know on 1,192North Korea has supplied to Russia as many as nine million rounds of artillery and rocket launcher ammunition, as well as at least 100 ballistic missiles along with self-propelled artillery guns and long-range multiple rocket launchers, according to the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, a group comprising 11 UN members. The shipments have enabled Russia to increase attacks against civilian targets, and there have been 20,000 containers of the gear transferred by Russian cargo ships, in violation of UN sanctions. The monitoring group comprises the US, South Korea, Japan, and eight other UN member states. It was set up after Russia and China cooperated to scrap an official security council panel that did the job.The multilateral group has said in its first ever report that Russia is helping North Korea improve its missiles’ guidance systems ...

Events