All articles tagged with #defense ministry
Unverified reports say Damir Davydov, head of Russia’s Main Missile and Artillery Directorate, was killed in a Balashikha car bombing near Moscow; authorities opened a criminal case, but Meduza notes the information could not be independently confirmed, amid a context of prior Balashikha attacks and related 2025 court actions.
A Chinese military court convicted former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu of bribery; both received suspended death sentences with a two-year reprieve, no parole, and lifelong political rights stripped plus asset confiscation, with Li also found guilty of offering bribes. The reprieve is typically commuted to life imprisonment after the period.
A Chinese military court sentenced ex-defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery (Li’s case included both accepting and offering bribes). Such sentences are commonly commuted to life, reflecting President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption purge and moves to consolidate loyalty within the top ranks, including a dramatically downsized Central Military Commission. Li Shangfu has since been replaced by Dong Jun as defense minister; the broader political motive remains to strengthen Xi’s control, with unclear policy disagreements shaping the cases.
China’s Defense Ministry dismissed talk that a PLA Navy promo video signals China’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, saying carrier development is evaluated based on national security needs and tech progress. Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang noted the prom/s recruitment name “He Jian” is a homophone for “nuclear vessel,” and urged caution about interpreting the video, framing the matter as speculation rather than a confirmed program.
Viral photos showing four soldiers from Ukraine’s 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade gaunt and exhausted prompted a Defense Ministry response. The ministry said the brigade commander has taken personal control to address extreme supply issues on a hard-fought Kharkiv front (Kupyansk area), stressing that while logistics are complicated, this is a battlefield reality rather than negligence. Food and water are often delivered on foot or by drone, with ammunition priorities sometimes delaying sustenance and creating deadly trade-offs for frontline troops.
A January 2020 Venezuelan Defense Ministry memo obtained by POLITICO shows Caracas planned to purchase a ballistic missile system from Iran for more than $400 million, detailing funds routed through state-owned companies and missiles to be operated from Venezuelan naval platforms; the plan progressed further than previously known but was blocked under U.S. pressure and ultimately did not result in weapons delivery, with analysts debating how extensive the Iran–Venezuela ties actually were.
The Kremlin dismissed a CSIS estimate that Russian casualties in Ukraine reach 1.2 million as unreliable, saying casualty figures should come from Russia's Defense Ministry; CSIS cites about 325,000 Russian killed and 875,000 wounded or missing, Ukraine losses at 100,000–140,000 killed with 460,000–500,000 wounded/missing, and the broader toll includes civilian deaths; Russia last disclosed battlefield losses in 2022.
Ukraine's new Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov says about 2 million people are evading mobilization and 200,000 soldiers are AWOL, highlighting a severe manpower shortage as Ukraine pushes army reforms, improves front-line infrastructure, and fights corruption.
China protested US Defense Secretary Hegseth's speech at the Singapore defense forum and chose not to send its top military diplomat, marking a departure from tradition and signaling frustration with US-China tensions over Taiwan and regional security issues.
Italy's defense ministry has admitted that Hezbollah staged an attack on a UNIFIL base in Lebanon, which was initially blamed on the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The incident involved rocket fire that hit the base, but an IDF review later determined Hezbollah was responsible. The attack did not result in serious injuries, and UNIFIL confirmed the strikes were likely carried out by non-state actors within Lebanon.
Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow and five other Russian regions, with 84 drones intercepted by Russian air defenses. The attack injured one person and temporarily halted operations at three airports. This marks the most significant drone assault on Moscow since the start of the conflict over two years ago.
In a significant shake-up of Russia's defense ministry, President Vladimir Putin has ousted long-time Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and arrested several senior officials under an anti-corruption campaign. This move comes amid Russia's recent military successes in Ukraine and is seen as part of Putin's strategy to streamline the ministry and ensure victory. The changes also reflect the lingering influence of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late Wagner Group leader, who had criticized the ministry's corruption and inefficiency.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported that Russian forces suffered their highest monthly casualties in May since the invasion began, with 38,940 Russian fighters lost. Daily Russian casualties reportedly exceeded 1,000, peaking at 1,740 in a single day. While these figures are difficult to verify independently, the British Defense Ministry also noted significant Russian losses, attributing them to aggressive but costly tactics. The conflict has intensified in regions like Donetsk and Kharkiv, with both sides experiencing heavy losses.
A series of arrests of top Russian military officials on corruption charges has raised questions about President Vladimir Putin's control over the Defense Ministry, potential turf battles between military and security services, and the broader implications for Russia's governance. The arrests, which include high-ranking figures like former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, come amid increased defense spending due to the war in Ukraine and suggest a crackdown on "egregious" corruption. Analysts speculate that the new defense minister, Andrei Belousov, may be clearing out his predecessor's associates and signaling a shift in how defense funds are managed. The situation could lead to more arrests and potential instability within the system, which is deeply rooted in corruption.
Russia has arrested Lieutenant-General Vadim Shamarin, the fourth senior military officer to face fraud charges in a month, for allegedly accepting a large bribe to award state contracts. The Kremlin denies a military purge, stating the arrests are part of ongoing anti-corruption efforts.