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Biden Stands by Choice to Provide Ukraine with Controversial Cluster Bombs

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US President Joe Biden has defended his controversial decision to supply cluster bombs to Ukraine, acknowledging it as a “very difficult decision” but emphasizing the urgent need for ammunition faced by the Ukrainian forces. While Ukraine’s leader praised the move as timely, criticism has arisen from human rights groups and certain Democrats. A Moscow envoy condemned the decision as cynical. Biden, ahead of a Nato summit, stated that he had consulted with allies regarding the decision.

Cluster bombs are internationally banned by over 120 countries due to their track record of causing civilian casualties. The decision to provide them to Ukraine has raised concerns due to the risk of unexploded bombs causing harm to civilians in the long term. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged the risk and explained that the decision was postponed as long as possible. Sullivan asserted that the cluster bombs provided by the US are safer compared to those used by Russia in the conflict, with a lower rate of unexploded bombs.

The decision bypasses US law prohibiting the use, production, or transfer of cluster munitions with a failure rate exceeding 1%. Earlier in the war, when allegations of Russia’s use of cluster and vacuum bombs surfaced, the US referred to it as a potential war crime. The UN human rights office called for an immediate halt to the use of such munitions in any location. The Russian ambassador to the US criticized Biden’s decision, highlighting the risk of civilians being harmed by failed submunitions for years to come.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for the military aid package worth $800 million provided by the US. He stated that it would bring Ukraine closer to victory and democracy over dictatorship. However, human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and the US Cluster Munition Coalition condemned the decision, citing the grave threat cluster munitions pose to civilian lives even after the conflict ends.

The response from US lawmakers on Capitol Hill has been mixed, with some Democrats considering the decision alarming and a mistake, while others, including Republican leaders, view it as a means to enhance Ukraine’s capability to counter Russian forces more effectively.

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Wagner Mercenaries in Russian Urban Areas Defy Putin’s Accusations of Rebellion

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Russian Private Military Contractor, Wagner Group’s Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin Claims Control of Military Sites in Rostov-on-Don, Defying President Putin’s Accusations of Betrayal

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group, has asserted that his mercenaries have taken over “all military facilities” in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don. Reports suggest that they have also been deployed in Voronezh, located further north, following Prigozhin’s threat to march on Moscow and remove Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu from power.

President Vladimir Putin has condemned these actions, referring to them as a “stab in the back” and vowing to punish those who have “betrayed” Russia. Security measures have been tightened in numerous regions, including Moscow.

The Wagner Group, known for its involvement alongside the regular Russian army in the conflict in Ukraine, has been experiencing increasing tensions with the military leadership over their differing approaches to the war. Prigozhin has been openly criticizing Russia’s military command in recent months.

The situation escalated dramatically after Prigozhin accused the Russian military of targeting his group’s base in Ukraine, a claim that Moscow denies.

Prigozhin insists that this is not a military coup, but rather an attempt to overthrow Russia’s military leadership. However, President Putin, in his address, described the situation as an act of “treason.”

While Prigozhin was not mentioned by name, President Putin warned that those who engaged in betrayal, armed rebellion, blackmail, or terrorist methods would face severe consequences under the law and before the Russian people.

In response, Prigozhin, for the first time directly criticizing the Russian leader, stated that his troops were “patriots of our motherland” and argued that President Putin was “profoundly mistaken” to accuse them of betrayal.

In a video shared on his Telegram channel, Prigozhin claimed that his fighters had entered Rostov-on-Don after crossing the border from Ukraine, asserting that his forces would eliminate anyone obstructing their path. However, the location and veracity of his claim regarding shooting down a Russian military helicopter that allegedly fired upon a civilian convoy remain unverified.

President Putin acknowledged the challenging situation in Rostov-on-Don, where Wagner forces reportedly control military installations. The city of Voronezh, en route to Moscow, is also said to be under their control, prompting the governor to initiate a “counter-terrorism operation.”

Previously, Prigozhin and President Putin had a close relationship. However, this latest challenge, combined with the complications arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has presented a headache for the Russian leader. Consequently, Putin has taken a firm stance, declaring “enough is enough.”

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Ukraine war: Mystery over Chechen commander reported wounded in Ukraine

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A senior Chechen commander and member of the Russian parliament, Adam Delimkhanov, has been reported wounded in Ukraine. Delimkhanov is a close ally of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Initially, Kadyrov described him as “incommunicado” and appealed to Ukrainian intelligence for help in finding him. Delimkhanov had previously commanded Chechen forces during Russia’s fight to seize the Ukrainian port of Mariupol in 2022.

Russian military TV channel Zvezda reported that Delimkhanov was “alive but wounded,” countering social media reports of his death. Ukrainian sources mentioned an unconfirmed attack on the Chechen Akhmat paramilitary in the city of Prymorsk, far from the front lines. However, fellow MP Dmitry Kuznetsov quoted Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who had spoken to Delimkhanov and confirmed that he was “alive and well.”

Ramzan Kadyrov offered a reward for help in finding Delimkhanov but later retracted his earlier comments, claiming his ally was “not even wounded” and accusing Ukrainians of spreading lies. Kadyrov released a video to support his claims, but inconsistencies were found, suggesting possible manipulation.

Delimkhanov debunked rumors about his health on social media, and on the following day, he reposted Kadyrov’s video. The Kremlin expressed concern over the reported injuries and awaited clarification on the situation. Another military figure, Maj Gen Sergei Goryachev, was also reportedly killed in a missile strike, but there has been no official confirmation.

Several Russian generals have been killed since the beginning of the invasion, but if Goryachev’s death is confirmed, he would be the first high-ranking military fatality in a year.

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Armenian economy minister submits resignation

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Armenian economy minister Tigran Khachatryan has submitted his resignation, amidst growing protest against the government’s decision to reach a peace agreement with Azerbaijan to end a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Mr. Khachatryan has not explained why he has filed his resignation in this manner. Many have expressed their shock in the development.

Armenia last week reshuffled its ministry. As a part of the reshuffle, the ministry got a new defence minister and minister of foreign affairs.

There are rumours that Mr. Khachatryan’s resignation has a clear link to the revamp the ministry experimented recently.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed territory located between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The region was controlled by ethnic Armenians. But the region is recognized as the territory of Azerbaijan.

The peace agreement has helped the European country of Azerbaijan to establish its control over the disputed territory.

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UN calls for measures to protest people stuck in conflict hit region sin Mozambique

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The United Nations has called for urgent intervention of the concerned to protect those who have been trapped in the conflict hit regions in the African country of Mozambique.

The Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique has been captured by Islamist militants. Beheadings and kidnappings have been reported from the region.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has warned that the population was in a desperate situation.

As per the statement made by the official, those who have been trapped in conflict-affected areas have barely any means of survival.

The officer has called on the Mozambican government to guarantee unhindered access for humanitarian agencies.

As many as 3,50,000 people have been displaced due to the conflict since the day the conflict broke out in the region.

It was at least three years before the conflict broke out.

The local population is desperately leaving the region for safer destinations. Around 14,000 people have fled by sea to the provincial capital, Pemba, so far.

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