International

Russians point fingers after deadliest Ukraine attack

Published

4 years ago

January 4, 2023

Local military commander's wife Yekaterina Kolotovkina was among mourners in the centre of Samara

The deaths of dozens of Russian soldiers in a new year missile strike on a building in occupied eastern Ukraine have prompted recriminations among critics of the Russian military.

Russia’s defence ministry has so far conceded that 63 people were killed in the Ukrainian attack on Makiivka at around midnight on New Year’s Eve.

One commander’s wife accused the West of trying to destroy Russia.

But elsewhere military leaders were accused of incompetence.

Ukraine says as many as 400 people were killed or wounded at Makiivka, and numbers into the hundreds have been given by Russian nationalists on social media.

However, there is no way of verifying how many soldiers were killed when US-made Himars missiles hit a vocational college packed with conscripts. Ammunition was also being stored close to the site, which was reduced to rubble.

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Whatever the number, this is the highest number of deaths acknowledged by Russia since it invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Rallies were held in several cities in Russia’s south-western region of Samara, where governor Dmitry Azarov said many of the conscripts had lived.

The biggest commemoration took place in the city of Samara itself, with at least 200 people taking part. Other official events were held in the industrial city of Tolyatti and in Syzran and Novokuybyshevsk.

No criticism was reported at the Samara rally, where the main remarks came from Yekaterina Kolotovkina, who said “neither we nor our husbands wanted war; the entire West united against us to eliminate us and our children”.

Hers was very much an official voice as her husband, Lt Gen Andrei Kolotovkin, commands the 2nd Guards Combined Arms Army based in Samara.

The commander’s wife remarks prompted anger on social media with independent journalist Dmitry Kolezev pointing out that her husband did not die in Makiivka.

“Could we have at least some evidence?” he asked, in response to her claim that the West intended to kill Samara’s children. Another blogger condemned her comments as a “pack of lies”.

The governor of Samara met defence ministry officials in Moscow on Tuesday and was expected to visit some of the wounded in hospital in the city of Rostov-on-Don the next day.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s armed forces said they killed 500 Russian troops in another attack on New Year’s Eve, on a village in the occupied southern region of Kherson.

There was no independent verification of the attack at Chulakivka, some 20km south of the River Dnipro.

Russian forces retreated across the Dnipro in November and Ukrainian officials have posted video of a flag being hoisted on an island between the eastern and western banks of the river.

Ukraine’s southern military command has warned that it is too early to talk of Velyky Potyomkinsky island being completely liberated.

Commander in chief Valerii Zaluzhny said on Monday that Ukraine had liberated 40% of the territories seized by Russia since last February, and 28% of all territories occupied by Russia since 2014.

BBC

International

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

Published

7 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Trends Admin

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

At least 21 children and a teacher have been killed after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, north-western Pakistan, triggering an emergency rescue operation as authorities searched for people feared trapped beneath the rubble.

The incident occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in the Dir Colony area of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The victims were pupils attending the school when the roof gave way, according to reports citing local officials and hospital authorities.

More than 40 people were reportedly injured in the collapse, with several taken to hospital for treatment. Some of the injured were said to be in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase as rescue efforts continued.

Mohammad Asim, a spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital, confirmed that children and a teacher were brought to the facility after the incident. Early reports said the children killed were all aged 13 or younger.

Emergency responders, including personnel from Rescue 1122, were deployed to the scene to remove debris, search for survivors and transport injured pupils to medical facilities. Rescue workers continued to check the wreckage for anyone who might still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

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The cause of the collapse had not been established at the time of reporting. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the condition of the school building and whether construction and safety standards were observed.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the strength of the families affected by the tragedy.

The disaster has renewed concerns about building safety and construction standards in Pakistan, where structural collapses have repeatedly caused deaths and injuries. Poor construction materials and weak enforcement of safety regulations have been cited in reports on previous incidents, although the cause of the Peshawar collapse remains unconfirmed.

In June 2026, a roof collapse at a tutoring centre in Lahore killed at least 14 children. The recurring incidents have intensified calls for stricter inspections of educational facilities and stronger enforcement of building regulations to protect pupils and school staff.

Authorities are expected to establish what caused the latest collapse and determine whether any safety breaches contributed to the tragedy.

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

International

Nigeria Secures UN Human Rights Council Seat With 172 Votes

Published

1 day ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria Secures UN Human Rights Council Seat With 172 Votes

Nigeria has secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) after receiving 172 votes in an election by the UN General Assembly, earning the country a three-year term on the international body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide.

The election was held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Nigeria will serve on the 47-member council from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.

Nigeria was among 15 countries elected to the council for the new term. The other successful candidates included Zambia, Ghana, Burundi, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Nepal, Moldova and Ukraine.

Among the African candidates, Zambia received 177 votes, Ghana secured 173, Nigeria obtained 172, while Burundi received 160 votes.

The election gives Nigeria an opportunity to participate in international deliberations on human rights standards, alleged violations and measures aimed at improving the protection of fundamental freedoms across the world.

However, the process has attracted criticism from human rights organisations because the election was uncontested. Regional groups nominated exactly as many candidates as there were available seats, meaning there was no competitive ballot among rival candidates within the respective groups.

The UN Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body based in Geneva, Switzerland. Established in 2006, it is mandated to address human rights violations, promote respect for fundamental freedoms and make recommendations to governments and the international community.

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The council comprises 47 member states elected by the UN General Assembly through a secret ballot. Its seats are allocated among five regional groups to ensure geographical representation, and members serve staggered three-year terms.

The body examines human rights situations in individual countries, conducts its Universal Periodic Review of UN member states and considers complaints and reports concerning alleged abuses. It can also appoint independent experts, establish commissions of inquiry and authorise fact-finding missions to investigate serious allegations.

Although the council plays an important role in international human rights oversight, it does not operate as a criminal court and cannot independently impose criminal sentences on individuals accused of abuses.

Nigeria’s election comes amid continuing international scrutiny of human rights conditions in several countries, including concerns about police conduct, accountability, freedom of expression and the treatment of vulnerable groups.

The selection of countries with contested human rights records has been criticised by advocacy organisations, which argue that uncontested elections can weaken accountability and reduce pressure on candidates to demonstrate their commitment to protecting fundamental rights.

The criticism has also raised questions about how elected countries will use their positions on the council to address allegations of abuses and support international human rights standards.

For Nigeria, membership offers a platform to contribute to debates on issues such as unlawful killings, torture, discrimination, the rights of women and children, freedom of expression and the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.

The country will also be expected to participate in council sessions, consider resolutions and engage with other member states on international human rights concerns.

Nigeria’s three-year membership begins in January 2027. Its performance on the council will be watched alongside its domestic human rights record, including how authorities address allegations of misconduct and strengthen accountability and protection for citizens.

The election is therefore both a diplomatic achievement for Nigeria and an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to the principles the council was established to uphold.

Nigeria Secures UN Human Rights Council Seat With 172 Votes

International

Houthi Missile Targeting Riyadh Shot Down as Debris Injures Four, Damages 15 Homes

Published

1 day ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Houthi Missile Targeting Riyadh Shot Down as Debris Injures Four, Damages 15 Homes

Saudi Arabia’s air defences have intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh, as debris from earlier missile interceptions injured four people and damaged about 15 residential homes in the Saudi capital.

The developments were announced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, amid escalating attacks involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi armed group.

Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government, confirmed that a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh had been intercepted and destroyed.

Saudi authorities subsequently lifted danger warnings issued for Riyadh and Al-Kharj Governorate through the country’s National Early Warning Platform, indicating that the immediate threat covered by those alerts had passed.

The missile interception came after loud explosions were heard over Riyadh late on Tuesday as Saudi air defences engaged incoming aerial threats.

According to the Saudi Civil Defence, debris from two previously intercepted cruise missiles fell on residential areas, injuring four people and causing material damage to approximately 15 homes.

The injured comprised two women, a man and a child. Authorities said the debris caused limited damage to the affected properties, while images released by Saudi officials showed damage inside residential buildings.

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Emergency services responded to the incident, and the relevant authorities implemented established safety procedures. The four injuries were attributed to falling missile fragments rather than a direct impact from the intercepted missiles.

The latest interception was part of a broader series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting threats over Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom, including Dhahran and Al-Kharj.

Saudi officials also reported that three drones had been destroyed north of Riyadh on Tuesday.

In a separate incident, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry confirmed that an administrative building belonging to state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, was struck on Tuesday evening, causing what authorities described as a limited fire.

The ministry said there were no casualties from the fire. Reports indicated that the building was part of the Aramco headquarters complex, which houses offices associated with the company’s extensive oil and energy operations.

The Houthis have claimed attacks against Saudi strategic and energy facilities, including Aramco installations and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The latest developments have raised further concerns about the security of civilian areas and critical infrastructure across the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond to attacks against its territory. The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, condemned the attacks and reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to protecting its security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The renewed confrontation has also prompted military action by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. On Tuesday, the coalition announced operations targeting facilities it said were being used to support Houthi attacks. It issued warnings urging civilians to stay away from designated locations.

The Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, have said their attacks are retaliation for Saudi military operations against them. The conflict has intensified after years of intermittent fighting and has increased concerns about the potential impact on regional stability, energy supplies and international shipping.

The latest missile interception in Riyadh underscores the continuing threat posed by missiles and drones in the conflict. Although the ballistic missile targeting the capital was destroyed, falling debris from earlier interceptions demonstrated the risks to residents even when air defences successfully engage incoming weapons.

Saudi authorities have not reported further casualties from the latest ballistic missile interception. The situation remains tense as the kingdom continues to monitor and respond to incoming aerial threats.