DefenceTalkThe Russian navy “repelled” a drone attack on the port of Sevastopol in Moscow-annexed Crimea early Wednesday, officials said. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said two women, who shot down two of the three drones, will be awarded and given cash bonuses. The peninsula, seized by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, is home to Moscow’s Black […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-navy-repelled-drone-attack-on-crimea-port-79968/

DefenceTalkFew expect Chinese President Xi Jinping’s diplomacy to yield breakthroughs on the Ukraine war. But in Washington, there are fears Beijing may succeed elsewhere — in winning credibility on the world stage. Xi pushed forward positions on Ukraine during two days of talks in Moscow, a week after China announced the restoration of ties between […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-diplomatic-offensive-lays-down-new-challenge-for-us-79957/

DefenceTalkIran has finalized a deal to buy Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, state media reported, as defence cooperation between the two countries deepens. The air force of sanctions-hit Iran has an ageing fleet of aircraft and has struggled to acquire spare parts to keep its warplanes in the air. In a statement to the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-says-deal-reached-to-buy-russian-su-35-fighter-jets-79934/

DefenceTalkChina is playing an increasingly prominent role on the sidelines of Russia’s war in Ukraine as the conflict drags on into its second year. From a “position paper” on resolving the war to allegations that Beijing may be mulling arms to Russia and meeting with close Moscow allies, here is a rundown of China’s growing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/what-is-chinas-game-plan-in-ukraine-79917/

DefenceTalkUkraine’s head of military intelligence has brushed aside claims that China is considering furnishing arms to Russia, telling US media that he saw no “signs that such things are even being discussed”. Senior US officials have said as recently as Sunday that they were “confident” China was considering providing lethal equipment to Moscow, with a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-intel-chief-sees-no-signs-china-plans-to-arm-russia-79905/

DefenceTalkFinland, which has one of Europe’s longest borders with Russia, on Tuesday kicks off a parliamentary debate aimed at accelerating the country’s bid to join NATO, increasing the likelihood it will leave neighbor and military partner Sweden behind. Spooked by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden dropped their decades-long policies of military non-alignment and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/finland-moves-closer-to-joining-nato-without-sweden-79901/

DefenceTalkThe head of Algeria’s army hosted Russia’s top security official on Monday to discuss boosting their military ties, the defence ministry in Algiers said. General Said Chengriha said the visit of National Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev reflected both countries’ “firm desire to strengthen their historic and strategic partnership… in particular in the area of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/algeria-and-russia-aim-to-boost-military-ties-79909/

DefenceTalkRussian lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously approved the suspension of Moscow’s participation in the New START arms treaty, which President Vladimir Putin announced a day earlier. New START, the last nuclear arms control pact between Russia and the United States, commits them to limiting their stockpile of nuclear warheads. The backing by both chambers of Russia’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-deputies-back-putin-over-nuclear-arms-treaty-79888/

DefenceTalkSouth Africa’s military on Wednesday defended its decision to host controversial naval exercises jointly staged with Russia and China and coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. Originally slated to start last week, the exercise dubbed Mosi-II kicked off on Wednesday along South Africa’s eastern coast. But coming on the eve […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-africa-army-defends-naval-drills-with-russia-79883/

DefenceTalkThe United States on Sunday accused China of considering arming Russia in its war against Ukraine, ratcheting up tensions as the conflict hits its one-year mark this week. Secretary of State Antony Blinken leveled the allegations as US-Chinese relations have been further tested by Washington’s shooting down this month of what it said was a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-says-china-mulling-arming-russia-in-ukraine-war-79879/