Ukraine-Russia war: Russia conducts nuclear drills; Moscow reportedly trying to recruit US-trained Afghan commandos
The Ukraine-Russia war has not yet turned into a nuclear war. But that has not stopped Kremlin from conducting nuclear deterrence drills as the war it has created in Ukraine continues. Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw the training of Moscow's strategic deterrence forces on Wednesday, October 26.
In the latest: Russia conducted nuclear drills by launching test missiles. The drills are conducted to ensure the nation is able to respond well to nuclear threats.
- Last week, NATO also carried out its own drills in Belgium, the UK, and the North Sea. US President Joe Biden, on Wednesday, also warned Moscow against using nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war.
- On the other hand, Moscow and Kyiv are accusing each other of preparing to use 'dirty bombs'.
State of war: Several airstrikes were reported in Kyiv on Thursday morning. However, so far, no casualties have been reported.
- Ukraine says the fiercest of battles are being fought in the Donetsk region. Russian forces are trying to capture the key city of Bakhmut, but Ukrainian forces have held them off.
- Reports about the Russian military's state in the Kherson region say that the invading forces were struggling with surveillance and electronic warfare.
- Reportedly, the Russian forces were more or less wiped out in large numbers due to casualties, stress, and desertion.
- Russian forces are chaotically exiting Kherson and carrying out 'evacuations' of civilians. So far, nearly 70,000 civilians have left the region, according to a Kremlin-appointed leader.
War recruits: Russia's tactics for recruiting for the war have not fared well for the forces on the frontline. In the latest, reports say Russia is trying to recruit US-trained Afghan commandos to fight their war in Ukraine.
- On the other hand, Kremlin has acknowledged the deep-seated problems with new draftees. The new recruits with scant training and without enough equipment supply are dying like flies in the war.
- A Kremlin spokesperson acknowledged the lack of equipment supply and said that measures are already being taken to solve the issue and that it is yielding positive results.
On the other side: German carmaker Mercedes-Benz is planning to sell its assets in Russia to a local entity. The carmaker said that the sale is subject to the approval of all stakeholders.
- Carmakers Mercedes-Benz and Ford have already suspended their operations in Russia.
- American basketball star Brittney Griner remains imprisoned in Russia as a Russian court rejected her bail plea in a nine-year prison sentence. Moscow and Washington are holding prisoner swap talks.
- Kremlin says all such talks must be kept confidential. Griner was arrested at Moscow international airport for possessing cannabis oil.