分类： world

MOSCOW, Sept 18 (Reuters) – Russia’s Foreign Ministry has vehemently rejected a report from Yale’s School of Public Health, labeling it as anti-scientific propaganda filled with baseless claims and dubious data. The report, published earlier this week, alleged that over 210 sites in Russia are being used for the forced re-education of Ukrainian children, including military training and drone manufacturing, as part of a large-scale deportation program. Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokesperson, dismissed the findings during a press briefing, questioning the methodology and integrity of the data collection. She specifically criticized Yale’s estimate that 35,000 Ukrainian children had been illegally deported or displaced, calling it ‘fake fabrications’ and accusing the institution of failing to verify its claims. Zakharova further suggested that the report was part of a broader Western propaganda campaign aimed at justifying the seizure of Russian assets. Ukraine, however, maintains that over 19,500 children have been forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus, a violation of the Geneva Conventions. Zakharova noted that the only official list of children provided to Russia contained 339 names, shared during negotiations in Istanbul in June 2025. The escalating dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West over the treatment of Ukrainian children amidst the conflict.

In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Thursday that Ukrainian forces have successfully reclaimed seven settlements in the eastern Donetsk region. Speaking during a visit to the front lines, Zelenskiy emphasized that the counteroffensive has disrupted Russia’s plans for a full-scale offensive operation. ‘Our forces are depriving the occupier of the opportunity to carry out their long-planned offensive,’ he stated in a video address. Since the operation began, Ukrainian troops have regained control of 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) and cleared over 170 square kilometers of Russian presence, including nine additional settlements. The President did not specify the exact start date of the operation but highlighted the intense fighting in areas such as Dobropillia and Pokrovsk, where Russian forces had made rapid advances in mid-August. The Donetsk region, partially occupied by Russia, remains a focal point of the conflict, with Moscow demanding Kyiv’s withdrawal as a precondition for any peace settlement. Tragically, a Russian guided bomb strike on Thursday killed five civilians in Kostiantynivka, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Dobropillia. Russian forces have reportedly advanced to within 8 kilometers of the city, a critical logistics hub for Ukrainian defenses. The battlefield situation remains fluid, with Reuters unable to independently verify the latest developments in the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In a significant move to bolster regional security, Ukraine and Poland have announced a joint initiative to counter drone threats, following a recent incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace. Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal revealed the collaboration during a press conference in Kyiv on Thursday, alongside his Polish counterpart, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. The partnership will focus on training Polish troops and engineers in advanced drone interception techniques, leveraging Ukraine’s expertise in combating massed Russian drone attacks. Shmyhal emphasized that the training would encompass the entire ‘ecosystem’ of drone defense, from electronic jamming to deploying interceptor drones. Ukraine will also share its systems for tracking Russian aerial targets with Poland, enhancing early detection capabilities. The joint exercises will take place at a training ground in Lipa, southern Poland. This initiative comes after more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace on September 9-10, prompting NATO jets to intercept them. While Russia claimed the drones were targeting Ukraine, the incident has heightened concerns in Warsaw about Moscow’s intentions. Ukraine’s layered defense system, which includes interceptor drones, heavy machine guns, and electronic warfare, has proven effective against Russian drone swarms, offering a cost-efficient solution compared to traditional missile interceptions.

Poland has reported a surge in drone activity near its border with Belarus, intensifying tensions in the region. The announcement came on Thursday, September 18, 2025, following the closure of several border crossings due to ongoing military exercises involving Belarus and its ally, Russia. The ‘Zapad’ (West) war games, which concluded recently, had already raised alarms when approximately 21 Russian drones breached Polish airspace on September 9-10. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski, who assumed office in July 2025, stated that the border would remain closed until the situation stabilizes. ‘Last night, the Border Guard observed increased activity by Belarusian and Russian drones attempting to cross Polish airspace,’ Kierwinski said. ‘The situation on the Polish-Belarusian border remains very, very tense.’ While no Polish intervention or drone shootdowns were reported, the heightened activity underscores the strained relations between Poland and Belarus. Belarus has deepened its alliance with Russia, particularly since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, allowing Russian troops to transit through its territory. Poland, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, has already closed four of its six road border crossings with Belarus, along with three rail crossings for freight. The ongoing friction continues to strain regional security and diplomatic relations.

In a significant development, European Union climate ministers are poised to confirm on Thursday that the bloc will fail to meet a global deadline for setting new emissions reduction targets. This delay stems from internal disagreements among EU governments, casting a shadow over the EU’s leadership in global climate action. The missed deadline could undermine the bloc’s credibility as it prepares to join other major powers at the United Nations General Assembly next week, where updated climate plans are expected to be presented ahead of the COP30 climate talks in November. While major emitters like China are anticipated to meet the deadline, and Australia has already announced its target, the EU’s internal discord highlights the challenges of aligning ambitious climate goals with economic and geopolitical realities. EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra defended the bloc’s efforts, stating, “If you zoom out, you can find that we continue to be amongst the absolutely most ambitious on the global stage.” However, the EU’s inability to agree on new targets for 2035 and 2040 has sparked criticism. Germany, France, and Poland have called for further discussions on the 2040 goal at an October summit, delaying progress on both targets. As a temporary measure, EU ministers will attempt to draft a “statement of intent” outlining their climate ambitions. A draft of this statement, previously reported by Reuters, suggests the EU aims to reduce emissions by 66.3% to 72.5% by 2035. Despite the setback, the bloc remains committed to finalizing its 2035 target before COP30. Finnish Climate Minister Sari Multala emphasized, “It is hard for us to require the others, our international partners, to do the same if we don’t deliver ourselves.” The EU’s traditional role as a climate leader is under strain due to rising concerns over the costs of climate measures and competing priorities such as defense and industrial spending. Divisions among member states are further exacerbated by differing views on the European Commission’s proposal to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040. While countries like Spain and Denmark advocate for stronger climate action, citing extreme weather events and energy security, others like the Czech Republic and Italy oppose the ambitious targets, citing potential harm to industries. This internal conflict underscores the complexities of balancing environmental goals with economic and political pressures in a rapidly changing world.

In his first major interview since assuming the papacy in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV emphasized his commitment to continuing the policies of his predecessor, Pope Francis, while steering clear of radical changes to Catholic doctrine. The interview, conducted in late July for a forthcoming biography, revealed Leo’s cautious approach to contentious global and ecclesiastical issues. The Pope, the first American to hold the position, reiterated Francis’ inclusive stance toward LGBTQ+ Catholics and women’s roles in the Church but stopped short of endorsing same-sex marriage or female ordination. He also addressed the Church’s ongoing sexual abuse scandals, stressing the need to support victims while acknowledging concerns about false allegations. On the international front, Leo expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but avoided labeling Israel’s actions as genocide. He also discussed the Vatican’s financial challenges, noting improvements but acknowledging lingering issues. Leo’s reserved style contrasts with Francis’ outspokenness, reflecting his focus on maintaining unity within the Church.

In a recent development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, asserted that Russian troops are advancing on multiple fronts in Ukraine. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that the heaviest fighting is concentrated around Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub in the Donetsk region. Gerasimov claimed that Russian forces are making significant progress in the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, as well as in the northeastern city of Kupiansk and the eastern town of Yampil. He emphasized that Ukrainian forces, despite deploying their most elite units, have been unable to halt the Russian advance. However, these claims contrast sharply with statements from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Ukrainian military officials. Zelenskiy, in an interview with Sky News, stated that recent Russian offensives have largely failed, with Ukrainian forces successfully repelling attacks near Pokrovsk and Kupiansk. A Ukrainian military spokesperson also reported that a Russian attempt to advance on Kupiansk resulted in numerous Russian soldiers being captured. The conflicting narratives highlight the ongoing intensity and complexity of the conflict, with both sides presenting divergent accounts of the battlefield situation.