The Chhattisgarh

Tag: russia

  • Moscow Attackers Had Escape Window Ready On Ukrainian Side, Claims Putin | world news

    New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday claimed that the Moscow City Hall attackers were trying to flee to Ukraine and alleged that some people tried to assist the assailants from the other side of the border.

    In his address to the nation, Putin claimed that 4 attackers were detained while they were moving towards the Ukraine border and a window was prepared for their escape. However, Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack.

    “They tried to hide and moved towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them from the Ukrainian side to cross the state border,” Putin said.

    Putin said 11 people had been detained, including the four gunmen. Putin further said that the Russian agencies would do everything to identify the assailants and find out those who have organized this attack and punish them.

    “All the perpetrators, organizers and those who ordered this crime will be justly and inevitably punished. Whoever they are, whoever is guiding them,” Putin said. “We will identify and punish everyone who stands behind the terrorists, who prepared this atrocity, this strike against Russia, against our people.”

    Vladimir Putin said a day of mourning would be observed on March 24.

    Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 133 and over 120 people were reported to be wounded after a group of gunmen attacked Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow on Friday. The ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.

  • PM Modi Dials Vladimir Putin, Congratulates Russian President On Re-Election |

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin via telephone on Wednesday, extending warm congratulations on his re-election to the presidency. The conversation, laden with goodwill, also marked a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to strengthening the enduring bond between the two nations. During their dialogue, Prime Minister Modi conveyed sincere wishes for the peace, progress, and prosperity of the Russian people. Both leaders, recognizing the significance of their nations’ alliance, pledged concerted efforts to bolster the ”Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership” between India and Russia in the forthcoming years. Their discussions encompassed a comprehensive review of ongoing collaborative endeavours and included exchanges of perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual concern.

     

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. PM congratulated him on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation and conveyed his best wishes for peace, progress and prosperity of the… pic.twitter.com/BeJx0EfXJc
    — ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2024

     

    India’s Stance on Russia-Ukraine Conflict

    A pivotal segment of their discourse centred on the persistent Russia-Ukraine conflict, where Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s steadfast advocacy for dialogue and diplomacy as the primary means for resolution. The commitment to open channels of communication underscores India’s principled approach toward fostering stability and harmony on the global stage. Sharing insights from his conversation with President Putin, Prime Minister Modi took to X to convey their mutual dedication. He tweeted, “Spoke with President Putin and congratulated him on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation. We agreed to work together to further deepen and expand the India-Russia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership in the years ahead.”

     

    Spoke with President Putin and congratulated him on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation. We agreed to work together to further deepen and expand India-Russia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership in the years ahead. @KremlinRussia
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2024

     

    Russian Presidential Election

    Putin’s resounding victory in the presidential elections, as reported by Russia’s TASS agency, underscored a significant mandate from the electorate. Securing an overwhelming 87.17% of the votes, based on the processing of 70% of the electoral protocols, Putin reaffirmed his position as the nation’s leader. The runner-up, Communist Party candidate Nikolai Kharitonov, garnered 4.1% of the votes, while Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party secured third place with 4.8%.

     Remote Electronic Voting

    A notable development in this election cycle was the utilization of remote electronic voting, marking a progressive stride in the electoral process. Implemented for the first time, this method witnessed widespread participation, with nearly 94% turnout on the federal platform and a significant turnout in Moscow, where approximately 3.7 million electronic ballots were issued.

    Putin’s Presidential Legacy

    Vladimir Putin’s re-election adds another chapter to his enduring legacy in Russian politics. Having served four terms as President since his initial election in 2000, Putin’s tenure has been marked by both domestic and international complexities, shaping Russia’s trajectory on the global stage.

  • Russia Votes For Presidential Elections, Polling Stations Open In Far East |

    Moscow: Voting for presidential elections will take place in Russia from March 15-17. Polling stations have already opened in Russia’s Far Eastern regions, particularly the easternmost Kamchatka and Chukotka, TASS reported.

    Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov became the first regional head to cast his vote. People across Russia ate voting to elect their President for the next six years. For the first time, the people of Donbass and Novorossia will vote for the Russian presidential elections.

    It is the first time that the latest technologies tested during earlier lower-level polls–a three-day voting period and a remote vote–will be used during the presidential elections.

    The candidates who are contesting for top state post in the 2024 election are Vladislav Davankov, Russia’s incumbent President Vladimir Putin, Leonid Slutsky and Nikolay Kharitonov.

    New People’s Party has nominated Vladislav Davankov, with Putin being a self-designated candidate. Leonid Slutsky of the LDPR party and Nikolay Kharitonov are also in fray from the Communist Party of Russia, according to TASS

    At the very start of the presidential race, as many as 33 people, including nine contenders from parties and 24 independent contenders, planned to contest for Russia’s top state post. Among them, only 15 people submitted the documents needed to be registered as candidates.

    Only 11 candidates remained in the presidential race when the deadline for submitting documents expired on January 1. Eventually, only four candidates were registered.

    It is the first time that the presidential polls in Russia will be conducted over three days. According to Russian Central Election Commission Chair Ella Pamfilova, the people liked this format as it gives them more opportunity to cast votes in the presidential polls, TASS reported.

    Over 94,000 polling stations will be open in Russia from 8 am (local time) to 8 pm (local time). Except several regions abroad, the voting will formally end on March 17 at 9 pm (local time) when polling stations in Kaliningrad will close.

    As many as 295 polling stations will open in 144 foreign nations and on the territory of Baikonur space centre, which Russia has leased from Kazakhstan. The exact timeframe of the vote will differ from nation to nation. Thailand will be the first nation where polling stations will open at the Russian Consulate General in Phuket.

    Also, during the presidential elections, people will have the option to cast their vote electronically. Online voting is available in 29 regions, including Moscow. People were asked to submit applications to cast their ballots online from January 29 to March 11, TASS reported.

    More than 4.7 million people applied to vote online. People will get to know about the results of the online vote on March 17 from 10 pm (local time) to 11 pm (local time).

    So far, Putin has served four terms as Russian President. He was elected Russian President in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, 2012, and 2018, Al Jazeera reported. If he wins, Putin will serve another six years, due to constitutional amendments that have expanded the term. This would mark his fifth term. He can then be re-elected again in 2030 for a sixth term.

  • ‘Doing Our Best To Bring Them Back’: MEA On Indians Duped In Russia |

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday assured that it is actively involved in efforts to assist Indian nationals who have been deceived into working with the Russian Army. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underscored the government’s commitment to bringing these individuals back home and ensuring their safety.

    Working With The Russian Govt: MEA

    Jaiswal highlighted that the Indian government has taken a firm stance on the matter and is pursuing swift action against agents and entities responsible for recruiting Indian citizens under false pretences. The MEA has engaged with the Russian government, urging them to facilitate the prompt release of the duped Indian nationals.

    “Several Indian Nationals have been duped to work with the Russian Army. We have strongly taken up the matter with the Russian government for the early discharge of such Indian nationals. Strong action has been initiated against agents and unscrupulous elements who recruited them on false pretexts and promises.”

     

    #WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “Several Indian nationals have been duped to work in the Russian army. We have strongly taken up the matter for the early discharge of such Indian nationals. Strong action has been initiated against agents who recruited them on… pic.twitter.com/4o9Puxxm9Y


    — ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2024

     

    CBI Probing Human Trafficking Network

    Recent actions by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have resulted in the busting of a major human trafficking network. Through coordinated efforts and extensive investigations, incriminating evidence has been gathered, leading to the registration of cases against multiple agents involved in illicit recruitment.

    Concerned About The Well-Being Of Affected Individuals: MEA

    Expressing concern for the safety and well-being of the affected individuals, Jaiswal cautioned Indian nationals against succumbing to offers from deceptive agents promising support jobs with the Russian Army. He emphasized the inherent risks associated with such arrangements and reiterated the government’s commitment to facilitating the safe return of those involved.

    The MEA remains in constant communication with Russian authorities, advocating for the swift release and repatriation of the duped Indian nationals. Efforts are underway to locate and assist approximately 20 individuals who have reached out to the MEA seeking assistance in this regard.

    The CBI’s investigation revealed a widespread human trafficking network operating across multiple cities in India. Victims were lured through various means, including social media platforms and local contacts, with promises of lucrative jobs abroad. However, they were ultimately coerced into combat roles in the Russia-Ukraine war zone, endangering their lives.

    Ongoing Investigation And Appeal To The Public

    The investigation into this trafficking operation is ongoing, with additional victims being identified. The public has been urged to exercise caution and vigilance, avoiding false promises of employment from dubious recruitment agencies and agents. Certain suspects have been detained for questioning, and the CBI continues its efforts to ensure justice for the victims, the MEA officials added.

  • Russia’s Vladimir Putin Warns Of Nuclear War If NATO Troops Are Sent To Ukraine | world news

    New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin warned NATO nations on Thursday (February 29) that they could trigger a nuclear war if they deployed troops to Ukraine, saying that Russia needed to fortify its western military district in response to Finland and Sweden joining the Atlantic alliance. . The United States and major European allies this week ruled out sending ground forces to Ukraine, following France’s suggestion of the option. Putin delivered the caution during his annual speech to Russia’s lawmakers and other members of the country’s establishment.

    The war in Ukraine has caused the worst crisis in Moscow’s ties with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Putin has already warned of the perils of a direct clash between NATO and Russia, but his nuclear caution on Thursday was one of his most blunt. Speaking to lawmakers and other members of the country’s elite, Putin, 71, reiterated his claim that the West was intent on weakening Russia, and he implied that Western leaders did not grasp how risky their intervention could be in what he portrayed as Russia’s own domestic affairs.

    He preceded his nuclear caution with a specific reference to an idea, proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, of European NATO members sending ground troops to Ukraine – a suggestion that was swiftly dismissed by the United States, Germany, Britain and others.

    “(Western nations) must understand that we also have weapons that can strike targets on their territory. All this really risks a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the annihilation of civilization. Don’t they understand that?!” said Putin.

    Ahead of a March 15-17 presidential election when he is sure to be re-elected for another six-year term, he praised what he said was Russia’s greatly modernized nuclear arsenal, the largest in the world.

    “Strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness,” he said, noting that new-generation hypersonic nuclear weapons he first mentioned in 2018 had either been deployed or were at a stage where development and testing were being finished.

    Visibly furious, Putin suggested Western politicians remember the fate of those like Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler and France’s Napoleon Bonaparte who had unsuccessfully invaded Russia in the past.

    “But now the consequences will be far more dire,” said Putin. “They think it (war) is a cartoon,” he said, accusing Western politicians of forgetting what real war meant because they had not faced the same security challenges as Russians had in the last three decades.

    Russian forces now had the upper hand on the battlefield in Ukraine and were advancing in several places, Putin said. Russia must also increase the troops it has deployed along its western borders with the European Union after Finland and Sweden decided to join the NATO military alliance, he added.

    The veteran Kremlin leader rejected Western suggestions that Russian forces might go beyond Ukraine and attack European countries as “nonsense”. He also said Moscow would not repeat the mistake of the Soviet Union and allow the West to “drag” it into an arms race that would consume too much of its budget.

    “Therefore, our task is to develop the defence-industrial complex in such a way as to enhance the scientific, technological and industrial potential of the country,” he said.

    Putin said Moscow was open to discussions on nuclear strategic stability with the United States but implied that Washington had no genuine interest in such talks and was more focused on making false claims about Moscow’s alleged aims.

    “Recently there have been more and more unfounded accusations against Russia, for example that we are allegedly going to deploy nuclear weapons in space. Such innuendo… is a ploy to draw us into negotiations on their terms, which are favorable only to the United States,” he said.

    “…On the eve of the US presidential election, they simply want to show their citizens and everyone else that they still rule the world.”

  • US President Joe Biden Says Vladimir Putin Responsible For Navalny’s Death world news

    WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden said that he is “outraged” by the reported death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. He blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Navalny’s death. In his remarks on Navalny’s death, Biden said, “Reports of his death if they’re true and I have no reasons to believe that they’re not – Russian authorities are going to tell their own story but make no mistake Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death. Putin is responsible. What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putin’s brutality no one should be fooled not in Russia not at home not anywhere in the world.

    Outspoken Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, Putin’s most formidable domestic opponent, fell unconscious and died on Friday, according to state media reports. “Putin does not only target citizens of other countries as we’ve seen what’s going on Ukraine right now he also inflicts terrible crimes on his people and as people across Russia and around the world are mourning Navalny today because he was so many things that Putin Wasn’t,” he added. He said Navalny “bravely stood up to the corruption the violence and all the bad things that the Putin government was doing.”

    Biden stated that Navalny could have lived safely in exile. However, he returned to Russia knowing that he would likely be imprisoned or even killed if he continued to work. Putin praised Navalny for being the powerful voice for the truth even in prison. Biden said that like millions of people around the world, “I’m literally both not surprised and outraged by the reported death of Alexei Navalny. He bravely stood up to the corruption the violence and all the bad things that the Putin government was doing. In response, Putin had him poisoned, he had him arrested. He had him prosecuted for fabricated crimes. He sentenced him to prison he was held in isolation. Even all that didn’t stop him from calling out Putin’s lies.”

    The US President said that Navalny was a powerful voice for the truth even in prison and did not fear returning to Russia. “Even in prison, he was a powerful voice for the truth which is kind of amazing when you think about it and he could have lived safely in exile after the assassination attempt on him in 2020which nearly killed him I might add and but he was traveling outside the country at the time. Instead, he returned to Russia knowing he’d likely be imprisoned or even killed if he continued his work but he did it anyway because he believed so deeply in his country, in Russia,” he added.

    Calling him “brave, principled and dedicated to building a Russia where the rule of law existed and where it applied to everybody,” Biden said Navalny believed in Russia, a cause worth fighting for. In his remarks, he offered condolences to Navalny’s family. Biden called for providing funding for Ukraine so that it can defend itself “against Putin’s vicious onslaughts and war crimes.” He stressed the need to reject the statements made by former US President Donald Trump that he said invited Russia to invade NATO allies if they were not paying.

    He said, “Now as I’ve said before and I mean this in a literal sense history is watching the House of Representatives the failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten it’s going to go down on the pages of history. ” “It is, it’s consequential and the clock is ticking and this has to happen. We have to help now you know we have to realize what we’re dealing with with Putin all of us should reject the dangerous statements made by the previous president that invited Russia to invade our NATO allies if they weren’t paying,” Biden added.

    Asked whether Navalny was assassinated, Biden said, “We don’t know exactly what happened, but there’s no doubt that the death of Navalny was the consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did.” Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in prison, Al Jazeera reported on Friday, citing state media. The death of the jailed Russian opposition leader, 47, has been reported by state media which further cited the prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets region where he had been serving his sentence.

    Al Jazeera cited a statement put out by state media quoting the prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets region which said that Navalny “felt bad” after a walk and lost consciousness “almost immediately.”

  • Russian Opposition Leader And Vladimir Putin Critic Alexei Navalny Dies In Prison | world news

    MOSCOW: In a shocking political development, Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a known critic of President Vladimir Putin, has tragically passed away while in prison. The announcement, made by the country’s prison service on Friday, has sent shockwaves across the nation and the international community, raising serious questions about political motivations and accountability. Navalny, a prominent figure known for his relentless criticism of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a lengthy sentence under harsh conditions when news of his death broke. His imprisonment has long been viewed as politically motivated, with many attributing it to Putin’s desire to silence dissent and quash opposition voices.

    Details surrounding Navalny’s death remain murky, with the Kremlin stating it has no information on the cause. This lack of transparency only adds to the suspicion surrounding the circumstances of his passing, fueling speculation of foul play and potential state involvement.

    Throughout his career, Navalny emerged as a vocal advocate for democracy and transparency in Russia. His fearless activism and relentless pursuit of justice garnered widespread support both domestically and internationally, making him a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism.

    Navalny’s demise comes amid a backdrop of ongoing persecution by the Russian government. His previous brushes with death, including a near-fatal poisoning in 2020, underscore the grave risks faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo in Putin’s Russia.

    Despite facing constant threats and intimidation, Navalny remained steadfast in his commitment to exposing corruption and holding those in power accountable. His legacy as a fearless dissident and champion of democracy will endure, inspiring future generations to continue the fight for a free and just society.

    Meanwhile, President Putin’s grip on power shows no signs of loosening. With aspirations for a fifth term in office, he has cemented his status as one of Russia’s longest-serving leaders, wielding unprecedented control over the country’s political landscape.

    As the world mourns the loss of Alexei Navalny, calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into his death grow louder. The international community must demand accountability and justice for this tragic loss, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

  • Plane Carrying 65 Ukrainian POWs Crashed; All Aboard Dead, Says Russia world news

    MOSCOW: A military transport plane that Russia said was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war crashed Wednesday in a Russian region near Ukraine. All aboard were killed, according to the governor. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the crash in the Belgorod region. Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov didn’t specify how many people were on the plane or who they were.

    The Associated Press could not confirm who was on board, and Ukrainian officials cautioned against sharing unverified information. Russian state agency news RIA Novosti, citing the ministry, reported that the POWs were being transported to the border region for a prisoner exchange. Footage of the crash posted on social media showed a plane falling from the sky in a snowy, rural area, and a massive ball of fire erupting where it apparently hit the ground.

    Firefighters, ambulances and police rushed to the site of the crash in the Korochansky district of Belgorod, state news agency Tass said, citing a local emergency services official. Two senior Russian lawmakers alleged, without providing evidence, that the plane was brought down by missiles launched by Ukrainian forces.

    Shortly before the crash, Vyacheslav Gladkov, Belgorod’s governor, said on his Telegram channel that a “missile alert” had been triggered in the region and warned residents to take shelter. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said it was looking into the crash but did not immediately provide any information. Instead, it cautioned against sharing “unverified information.” “We emphasize that the enemy is actively conducting information special operations against Ukraine aimed at destabilizing Ukrainian society,” it said in a statement on Telegram.

    A special military commission was on the way to the crash site, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, which said that, in addition to the POWs, three people accompanying them and six crew were on board. Speaking on his morning call with reporters, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said he could not comment on the crash as he did not have enough information about it. The plane is designed to airlift troops, cargo, military equipment and weapons. It can carry up to 225 troops, according to Russia’s military export agency.

    The Russian air force has suffered a string of crashes that some observers have attributed to a higher number of flights amid the fighting in Ukraine. Seven hundred days after the Kremlin’s forces rolled into Ukraine, the 1,500-km (930-mile) front line largely static amid icy weather. As both sides seek to replenish their weapons stockpiles, the war has recently focused on long-range strikes.

    Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a major Russian missile attack on Tuesday had killed 18 people and injured 130. The barrage, employing more than 40 ballistic, cruise, anti-aircraft and guided missiles hit 130 residential buildings in three Ukrainian cities, “all ordinary houses,” Zelenskyy said on X, formerly Twitter.

    Russia’s onslaught, which included targets in the capital Kyiv and second-largest city Kharkiv, was the heaviest in weeks and lent weight to Zelenskyy’s appeals for Western allies to provide more military aid. “This year, the main priority is to strengthen air defense to protect our cities and towns, as well as defend frontline positions,” Zelenskyy said on X late Tuesday.

    Analysts say Russia stockpiled missiles to pursue a winter campaign of aerial bombardment, while Ukraine has sought to strike inside Russia with new types of drones. Russia may have employed decoy missiles in Tuesday’s attack in an effort to open up holes in Ukraine’s air defenses, a US think tank said. The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said Moscow is likely trying to acquire more ballistic missiles from foreign countries, including Iran and North Korea, because they may be more effective in some circumstances.

    A further barrage of Russian S-300 missiles struck residential districts of Kharkiv late Tuesday, injuring nine people and damaging residential buildings, regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Russia denies its forces strike civilian areas, although there is substantial evidence to the contrary. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said that air defenses shot down four Ukrainian drones over the Oryol region of western Russia early Wednesday.

    Oryol Mayor Yuri Parakhin said that several drones were downed over the city. He said there were no casualties, but windows were shattered in several apartment buildings in the city. Another Ukrainian drone was downed early Wednesday over the Belgorod border region, according to regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. He said there were no casualties or damage. Ukraine’s allies have promised to keep sending military aid packages, even though their resources are stretched. Help from the United States, by far Ukraine’s single biggest provider, has also hit political snags. The German defense ministry announced Wednesday that it plans to send six SEA KING Mk41 multi-role helicopters to Ukraine.

  • Afghanistan Claim Indian Passenger Plane Crash In Badakhshan; GoI Says Route Not Of Indian Aircrafts

    As of now, official sources have not provided information on casualties or the cause of the crash.

  • ‘Wish Our Friends Every Success…’: Russian President Putin On Lok Sabha Polls 2024

    Putin also said that Russia is gratified that despite the global turmoil, the relationship between New Delhi and Moscow has been progressing incrementally.