DefenceTalkRussia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday accused Western politicians of fixating on nuclear war, one week after Moscow launched the invasion of Ukraine. “It’s clear that World War Three can only be a nuclear war,” Lavrov said in an online interview with Russian and foreign media. “I would like to point out that it’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russias-lavrov-accuses-west-of-fixating-on-nuclear-war-78244/

DefenceTalkThe Swedish Armed Forces said Wednesday that four Russian fighter jets had entered Sweden’s air space to the east of the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. While Russian incursions of the Nordic nation’s airspace happen fairly regularly, Wednesday’s event was treated with increased scrutiny given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Against the background of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/four-russian-fighter-jets-violate-swedish-airspace-military-78231/

DefenceTalkFrom wars in Chechnya to Syria, Vladimir Putin has overseen military campaigns that have inflicted vast and often indiscriminate damage on civilian infrastructure, raising fears he might repeat the tactics in Ukraine, observers say. With his latest invasion seen by Western officials as going more slowly than expected, they see him turning increasingly to the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/previous-wars-point-to-putins-tactics-in-ukraine-78227/

DefenceTalkRussian airborne troops landed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Wednesday, the Ukrainian army said, adding that there were immediate clashes. “Russian airborne troops landed in Kharkiv… and attacked a local hospital,” the army said in a statement on messaging app Telegram. “There is an ongoing fight between the invaders and the Ukrainians.” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-airborne-troops-land-in-ukraines-second-city-kharkiv-army-78213/

DefenceTalkThe Kremlin said Wednesday that a Russian delegation was ready to continue peace talks with Ukraine as Moscow’s invasion of the pro-Western country entered its seventh day. “Our delegation will be ready to continue talks,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Moscow’s delegation expected the talks to resume Wednesday evening. He said that President […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-ready-to-continue-talks-with-ukraine-wednesday-evening-kremlin-78210/

DefenceTalkRussia’s air force still does not enjoy total superiority in the skies above Ukraine despite its overwhelming numerical advantage, part of the reason for the army’s slow progress on the ground, experts say. According to strategic intelligence research service Janes, Russia’s air force comprises 132 bombers versus none for Ukraine, 832 fighter jets against 86 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/low-profile-russian-air-force-puzzles-western-experts-78196/

DefenceTalkSwedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said Tuesday her government wanted to boost the country’s military capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the “general threat level” had increased. “Sweden’s defensive capabilities need to be strengthened, the rearmament needs to be brought forward,” Andersson said during a televised speech to the nation. “Sweden should have a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-to-boost-defences-after-russias-ukrainian-invasion-78193/

DefenceTalkRussia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked a change of mindset among Finnish citizens and politicians towards joining NATO, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Tuesday. “The views of citizens are certainly changing and I believe those of the parties and their members are also changing,” due to the deteriorating security environment, Marin said. She was […]https://www.defencetalk.com/finlands-view-on-joining-nato-is-changing-says-pm-78190/

DefenceTalkA huge Russian military convoy stretching some 40 miles was spotted Monday by a US satellite imaging company just north of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, which has already repulsed several assaults. Satellite photos provided by Maxar, a US company, showed that the convoy — which had been massing since Sunday — had mushroomed to more […]https://www.defencetalk.com/vast-russian-army-convoy-spotted-north-of-kyiv-78182/

DefenceTalkUS officials on Monday called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order to mobilize his nuclear forces “dangerous” but said they had not seen any indication of any change in the country’s strategic threat. Officials also said that Russian troops in Ukraine continue to move ahead slowly, hampered by fuel supply issues, and downplayed reports that the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-studying-putin-nuclear-order-78179/