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Zelensky: No Authorization to Use Long-Range Missiles Against Russia
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It appears that Ukraine's Western allies are walking a tightrope between militarily supporting Kyiv and avoiding direct escalation with Moscow, placing limits on Ukraine's military operations and rest

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that he has not yet received "authorization" from Washington and London to use long-range missiles against Russia, fearing it would "escalate" the situation.
Speaking to journalists on Friday evening, Zelensky stated, "The United States and the United Kingdom have not granted us permission to use these weapons on Russian territory," which is why Kyiv will refrain from doing so. He added, "I think they are afraid of escalation."
Ukraine has been seeking permission to strike deeper into Russian territory with long-range missiles, but Western leaders, particularly U.S. President Joe Biden, are concerned about Russia's potential response.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that such a decision would mean that "NATO member countries are in conflict with Russia."
On the other hand, Zelensky reported that military aid has "accelerated" since the beginning of September, as his forces continue to fight to slow down Russian advances in the east of the country. He added, "We are pleased and feel the impact of this support."
Delays in delivering Western aid, driven by political divisions, have left Ukraine's military short on ammunition and weapons. Ukraine remains heavily reliant on its allies to confront a larger and better-equipped Russian army.
In contrast, Zelensky criticized the peace initiative proposed by China and Brazil earlier this year. He said, "I don’t think it’s a real plan because I don’t see any specific actions or steps, just generalized measures. Generalizations always hide something."
China and Brazil had reiterated their support for "holding an international peace conference at an appropriate time, one that both Russia and Ukraine agree to, with equal participation from all sides and fair discussions of all peace plans."
Meanwhile, Serhiy Lysak, the governor of Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, reported on Saturday that a Russian missile strike on the city last night killed a 12-year-old boy and two women. He stated that three others were moderately injured and taken to the hospital. The women were aged 75 and 79. Lysak also noted that two buildings were destroyed, and 20 others were damaged.
Kryvyi Rih, located about 65 kilometers from the nearest Russian-controlled area, is a major steel-producing city that frequently comes under air raids.
In a related development, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that Russian forces launched three strikes on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, on Friday, injuring 14 people, including three children.
In response, Russia announced it had shot down 101 Ukrainian drones over its territory overnight, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. No casualties were reported, and the damage was minimal.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on Telegram, "Air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 101 Ukrainian drones." Fifty-three of them were shot down over the Bryansk region, where the governor reported no damage or injuries.
Eighteen drones were shot down over the city of Krasnodar, near the Black Sea's Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said that falling drone debris "caused a fire that spread to explosive objects" in the Tikhoretsk area. He added on Telegram that residents were evacuated, but no injuries were reported.
Levant - Agencies
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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