Free Republic

Ukraine has received only about 600 advanced interceptor missiles for the MIM-104 Patriot air defense system during the entire course of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian officials told The New York Times. Dmytro Lytvyn, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said Kyiv had received roughly that number of interceptor missiles over four years of war. Ukraine has repeatedly urged Western partners to provide additional Patriot systems and interceptor missiles as Russia continues to launch large-scale missile strikes targeting cities and critical infrastructure. The Patriot system remains among the few air defense platforms capable of reliably intercepting advanced ballistic missiles, including...

The South African Ambassador to France has died after falling from the 22nd floor of a Paris hotel, French media reported today (Tuesday). Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa's body was found near the Hyatt Hotel at Porte Maillot. The prosecutor's office stated that Mthethwa had booked a room on the hotel's 22nd floor and that the room's secure window was forced open. The case is currently being investigated as a suicide. Mthethwa's wife reported him missing after receiving what the prosecutor's office called a "disturbing message" from him. .....

Vladimir Putin today vowed to back Iran and condemned 'groundless' aggression against its ally after the U.S. joined Israel in striking nuclear facilities on Sunday. 'This is an absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran,' Putin told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who travelled to Moscow seeking support in mediation. Putin called recent strikes 'unjustified' and added that Russia was 'making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people.' Araghchi on Monday thanked Putin for condemning U.S. strikes on Iran, telling him Russia stood on 'the right side of history'.