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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv unveils Trident laser weapon as suspected assassin of Putin’s general arrested

Uzbek citizen held by Russia in connection with chemical weapons chief Igor Kirillov’s killing

Arpan Rai,Tom Watling
Wednesday 18 December 2024 08:21 EST
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Moment of Moscow explosion that killed Russian general Igor Kirillov

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Ukraine has unveiled a laser weapon capable of downing drones from more than a mile away in a bid to combat Russian aerial attacks.

Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky, the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said the laser would be capable of downing aircraft at distances of more than 2km.

“It really works; it really exists,” he said at the Europe Defence Industry conference,  adding that efforts are underway to scale up its capabilities.

The announcement comes after the UK announced a cutting-edge ‘Trident’ laser weapon earlier this year. They said at the time they would be sharing its prototypes with Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russia has detained an Uzbek citizen who investigators believe placed the bomb inside an electric scooter which killed General Igor Kirillov on the instructions of Ukraine’s security service, the Investigative Committee said today.

The senior Russian general was killed yesterday in Moscow and Ukraine claimed responsibility of the attack, calling Kirillov a “legitimate target”.

In response, Russia threatened the Ukrainian leadership with imminent revenge for what it described as a “cowardly and despicable strike”.

Watch: Starmer meets world leaders in Estonia as he visits troops

Watch: Starmer in Estonia as he visits troops serving on Russian border

Watch as Sir Keir Starmer met leaders of Baltic states in Estonia for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference on Tuesday, 17 December, before visiting British troops serving on Russia's border.

Tom Watling17 December 2024 20:00

UK imposes sanctions on trading firm for allegedly carrying illicit Russian oi

Britain has sanctioned 20 ships for allegedly carrying illicit Russian oil, its latest measures targeting Russia's so-called shadow fleet in response to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The British government also said in a statement that it had imposed sanctions on 2Rivers DMCC and 2Rivers PTE LTD, alleging they enabled the trading of Russian oil.

2Rivers said in a statement: "Coral/2Rivers Energy is deeply disappointed by the decision of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office (FCDO) to impose sanctions."

Jabed Ahmed17 December 2024 19:54

UK imposes sanctions on trading firm for allegedly carrying illicit Russian oi

Britain has sanctioned 20 ships for allegedly carrying illicit Russian oil, its latest measures targeting Russia's so-called shadow fleet in response to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The British government also said in a statement that it had imposed sanctions on 2Rivers DMCC and 2Rivers PTE LTD, alleging they enabled the trading of Russian oil.

2Rivers said in a statement: "Coral/2Rivers Energy is deeply disappointed by the decision of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office (FCDO) to impose sanctions."

Jabed Ahmed17 December 2024 19:52

Who was Igor Kirillov, Russian general killed by bomb in Moscow?

Who was Igor Kirillov, senior Russian general killed by bombing in Moscow?

Igor Kirillov was charged by Kyiv over use of banned chemical weapons in war

Tom Watling17 December 2024 19:00

Nuclear bunker sales increase, despite expert warnings they aren’t going to provide protection

Nuclear bunker sales increase, despite expert warnings they aren’t going to provide protection

Global security leaders are warning nuclear threats are growing as weapons spending surged to $91.4 billion last year

Tom Watling17 December 2024 18:00

Full report: Russian general killed in Moscow scooter blast by Ukrainian agents

Read the full report of today’s events from my colleague Tom Watling:

Russian general killed in Moscow scooter blast by Ukrainian agents

Ukrainian security services sources say Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was a completely legitimate target who was head of Russia’s nuclear, biological and chemical defence forces

Jabed Ahmed17 December 2024 17:23

Watch: Moment of Moscow explosion that killed Russian general Igor Kirillov

Moment of Moscow explosion that killed Russian general Igor Kirillov
Jabed Ahmed17 December 2024 17:16

Takeaways from the AP's reporting on nuclear bunkers

Takeaways from the AP's reporting on nuclear bunkers

Global security leaders are warning nuclear threats are growing as weapons spending has surged to $91.4 billion last year

Tom Watling17 December 2024 17:00

Poland will do everything to make Ukraine’s Nato membership possible, says PM

Poland will do everything in its power to make Ukraine's Nato membership a real possibility, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said after meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Lviv.

He added that Western countries must do everything to ensure that Ukraine emerges from the war with Russia without losses, with respect for its territory and borders, and with security for the future.

Jabed Ahmed17 December 2024 16:45

Ukraine’s scooter bomb assassination could change the war… but not for the reasons you might think

Ukraine’s scooter bomb killing could alter the course of the war

The audacious killing of Putin’s chemical weapons chief by Ukraine’s special forces – in the heart of Moscow – is a blow to the president’s personal prestige, designed to alter the roadmap to peace talks, says Mark Almond

Tom Watling17 December 2024 16:30

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