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Showing posts from September, 2022

Ukraine weapons: What military equipment is the world giving?

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IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES Six months since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, international leaders have been expressing their solidarity with Ukraine and reiterating their support. Large amounts of military equipment have been given to Ukraine by more than 30 countries, but in some areas Ukrainian troops have been heavily out-gunned. Which countries are giving the most? In terms of overall spending, the US has committed to providing far more than any other individual country. The UK and Poland have pledged the second and third largest amounts. The US has  announced new assistance worth about $3bn (£2.5bn)  - the single largest package since Russia's invasion. And the UK has also  pledged to give a further £54m ($64m)  in military aid to Ukraine. President Zelensky has appealed for more funding, and has said the monthly cost of defence for Ukraine was about $5bn (£4.1bn). What are the key systems? Military professionals say success on the battlefield requires a huge rang...

Nord Stream 1: Russia shuts major gas pipeline to Europe

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  IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES Russia has completely halted gas supplies to Europe via a major pipeline, saying repairs are needed. The Russian state-owned energy giant, Gazprom, said the restrictions on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline would last for the next three days. Russia has already significantly reduced gas exports via the pipeline. It denies accusations it has used energy supplies as a weapon of war against Western countries. The Nord Stream 1 pipeline stretches 1,200km (745 miles) under the Baltic Sea from the Russian coast near St Petersburg to north-eastern Germany. It opened in 2011, and can send a maximum of 170 million cubic metres of gas per day from Russia to Germany. The pipeline was shut down for 10 days in July - again for repairs, according to Russia - and has recently been operating at just 20% capacity because of what Russia describes as faulty equipment. The president of Germany's network regulator has said the country will be able to cope - if Russia resumes deliv...