28.03.2024

Putin Orders Massive Snap Military Drills

President Vladimir Putin has ordered snap military drills involving 150,000 personnel and hundreds of aircraft and naval vessels to ensure «security in Russia’s southwest,» the Defense Ministry said Friday.

«In accordance with the decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces snap exercises are being conducted by troops of the Southern and Western military districts,» Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was quoted as saying in a statement.

The drills involve nearly 150,000 personnel including airborne troops and marine infantry of the Northern and Pacific Fleets, the Defense Ministry said.

The exercises also involve more than 400 aircraft and over 100 vessels and will be conducted in the Black and Caspian Seas, among other places.

The drills aim to test the Russian army’s readiness to ensure «security in Russia’s southwest where a serious threat of terrorism remains» as well as prepare for the Caucasus-2020 war games, the Defense Ministry said.

Earlier this month Putin, 67, oversaw a controversial vote that amended the Constitution to allow him to serve two more six-year terms after his mandate expires in 2024.

Russian Hackers Trying to Steal Coronavirus Research, UK Says

Britain’s cybersecurity agency on Thursday accused a hacking group it said «almost certainly» operates as part of Russian intelligence services of trying to steal research into potential coronavirus vaccines.

The National Cyber Security Centre said the attacks by the group APT29 were ongoing but targets have so far included UK, U.S. and Canadian vaccine research and development organizations.

«The NCSC assesses that APT29, also named the Dukes or Cozy Bear, almost certainly operate as part of Russian Intelligence Services,» it said, adding that the United States and Canada shared this view.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab expressed outrage at the findings, which were published alongside an advisory on how organizations can help protect themselves from cyber attacks.

«It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic,» he said.

«While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behaviour, the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health.

«The UK will continue to counter those conducting such cyber attacks, and work with our allies to hold perpetrators to account.»

The NCSC said that government, diplomatic, think-tank, healthcare and energy groups were mainly being targeted, in a bid «to steal valuable intellectual property.»

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