Putin raises stakes in peace talks with boast of Oreshnik missiles in Belarus | EUROtoday

Russia boasted it had deployed nuclear-capable missiles inside Belarus on Tuesday as Vladimir Putin sought to escalate tensions over Ukraine – simply as peace talks seemed to be gaining momentum.

The intermediate-range Oreshnik missiles can attain speeds of as much as Mach 10 and are resistant to interceptions, in accordance with Putin; Russia’s missile forces chief, Sergei Karakayev, beforehand claimed the weapons “can strike targets across the entire territory of Europe”.

Tensions between the nations have soared after Russia accused Ukraine of attacking Putin’s private residence with 91 drones.

Volodymyr Zelensky known as the claims a “complete fabrication” meant to undermine the most recent US-brokered negotiations.

open picture in gallery

Russia threatened retribution in response to the alleged assault, with international minister Sergei Lavrov calling the motion “state terrorism”, including: “Such reckless actions will not go unanswered.”

But Russia has failed to supply proof of the assault and is underneath rising stress to take action.

“I don’t think there should be any evidence if such a massive drone attack is being carried out, which, thanks to the well-coordinated work of the air defence system, was shot down,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned on Tuesday.

The Kremlin dodged inquiries by saying that the investigation into the wreckage was within the fingers of the Ministry of Defence.

Germany echoed Ukraine’s concern that the Russian claims might be used as a pretext for additional escalation.

open picture in gallery

Donald Trump expressed help for Putin amid the allegations, saying he had been left “very angry” by the alleged assault.

He had expressed optimism earlier within the week, suggesting that discussions with Mr Zelensky on Sunday had been “positive” and “terrific”, with “a lot of progress” made.

Mr Zelensky mentioned on Tuesday that Ukraine was dedicated to persevering with talks on methods to finish the warfare, including that he was prepared to satisfy Putin in any format.

Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk instructed a authorities assembly: “Peace is on the horizon, there is no doubt that things have happened that give grounds for hope that this war can end, and quite quickly, but it is still a hope, far from 100 per cent certain.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who was additionally a part of the most recent discussions, tempered his enthusiasm and known as for a simple strategy from all sides. “Now we need transparency and honesty from everyone – including Russia,” he wrote on X on Tuesday.

open picture in gallery

Despite Russia’s shows of energy, new knowledge launched by the BBC revealed that the nation’s navy losses are at a document excessive for the virtually four-year battle.

The report discovered that there have been 40 per cent extra obituaries for troopers revealed in Russia in 2025 than in 2024. They had been in a position to affirm the names of round 160,000 individuals who have been killed in complete.

Experts consider that determine is effectively under the true variety of deaths, which they are saying might be between 243,000 and 352,000.

Russia continues to assault Ukraine’s infrastructure with strikes on civilian port infrastructure. One individual was wounded after a civilian ship and amenities had been broken within the Black Sea ports of Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk, in accordance with Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba.

“This is yet another targeted attack by Russia on civilian port infrastructure,” Mr Kuleba continued. “The enemy is trying to disrupt logistics and complicate shipping.”

Ukrainian authorities condemned Russia after authorities reopened the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol this week, three years after a Russian airstrike on the constructing which was reported to have killed tons of of individuals.

The theatre was destroyed when it was hit by a Russian airstrike in March 2022.

An investigation by the Associated Press discovered proof that 600 individuals had been killed inside and out of doors of the constructing.

The Ukrainian City Council known as the occasion to rejoice its opening “singing and dancing on bones”.