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The Nordic Times

Polaris of Enlightenment

The Nordic Times

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https://nordictimes.com/world/russia-warns-of-radioactive-cloud-heading-for-the-eu/

World

Russia warns of “radioactive cloud” heading for the EU

The war in Ukraine

Updated June 8, 2023, Published May 20, 2023 – By Editorial staff
Two huge explosions took place just outside the city of Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine, where the UK is now feared to have secretly stored ammunition containing depleted uranium, which can be lethal to humans with prolonged exposure.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

According to former FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev, now Secretary of Russia's Security Council, a "radioactive cloud" is moving from Ukraine towards the EU. This follows suspicions that the UK secretly stored uranium shells in Ukraine that have now been detonated in Russian missile attacks. However, this has been dismissed as fake news in Poland.

Patrushev's statement comes in the wake of a major missile and drone offensive launched by Russia against Ukraine last weekend. However, these claims have been met with skepticism in Poland, where they are dismissed as fake news and misleading propaganda.

The Russian offensive resulted in several hits on various targets across Ukraine. These included a facility in Ternopil in western Ukraine reportedly used for the repair of military equipment. However, the most notable attack was on the city of Khmelnytsky, which was rocked by several very powerful explosions that were captured on video. During the explosions, a large mushroom cloud was observed outside the city.

 

Ukrainian news channels reported the same day that a "large weapons depot" had exploded. The unusual openness was interpreted as a sign that the news could no longer be concealed.

Russian media reported that the depot was one of several attacked during the raid, and Ukrainian channels added that Ukrainian drones had been sent against Russian arms depots in Russia.

Patrushev claims that British uranium shells, supplied to the Challenger 2 tanks sent to Ukraine, were stored in the depot. He believes that these shells, when destroyed, led to the formation of a 'radioactive cloud'. Furthermore, Patrushev claims that the easterly winds that have dominated Europe are now pushing this alleged cloud towards the EU.

However, according to the Polish Radiation Protection Authority, the increase in radiation levels over Poland is due to a weather front passing over the continent causing heavy rainfall.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/world/germany-donates-additional-millions-to-ukraines-energy-sector-despite-corruption-scandal/

World

Germany donates additional millions to Ukraine’s energy sector – despite corruption scandal

The war in Ukraine

Published today 2:34 pm – By Editorial staff
The Merz government continues to donate millions to Ukraine - despite the country's recurring and extensive corruption scandals.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Berlin is increasing its financial support to Ukraine's energy system with an additional €40 million – while a major bribery scandal rocks the country's state-owned energy company.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced on Tuesday that Berlin is allocating €40 million to help Ukraine meet its winter energy needs.

The purpose, he says, is to ensure that Ukrainian households and industries can continue to function despite the strains of war.

– Germany is helping Ukrainians survive another winter of war with an additional €40 million, Wadephul said in a statement, while noting that Germany has already spent around €9 billion in military support to Kiev this year.

Investigation into bribes at state nuclear power company

The announcement coincides with Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) launching a comprehensive investigation into what is described as a high-level criminal organization.

The organization is suspected of earning large sums through bribes and illegal contracts with the state-owned nuclear power company Energoatom.

So far, seven people have been charged, and according to Ukrainian media, businessman Timur Mindich is identified as one of the main suspects.

Mindich, who has close ties to President Volodymyr Zelensky and was previously his business partner, allegedly left the country shortly before his residence was searched by investigators.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claims that Western aid to Ukraine has largely been "stolen" due to widespread corruption.

Former American National Security Advisor Michael Waltz has similarly described Ukraine as "...one of the most corrupt countries in the world".

Volodymyr Zelenskyj
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky increasingly pressured by Ukraine's recurring corruption scandals. Photo: President Of Ukraine/Public Domain

Corruption continues - support likewise

Corruption has long been a pervasive problem in Ukraine. A survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) showed in September that 71 percent of the population feels that corruption has increased since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022.

Ukraine has implemented anti-corruption reforms since 2014 - including creating new institutions such as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NACP).

Despite the reforms, corruption remains a widespread problem in the country, particularly in certain sectors such as the energy sector. There is criticism that Western support risks ending up in corrupt structures.

Transparency International's latest corruption index places Ukraine at 105th out of 180 countries – better than Russia (154th), but far from EU levels. Despite this, Western countries continue to pour support into Kiev.

Germany's decision to increase its contributions thus raises questions about how the aid will be monitored and how effectively it is actually being used in a country still struggling with systemic corruption.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/denmark/copenhagen-to-become-hub-for-ukrainian-arms-exports/

Denmark

Copenhagen to become hub for Ukrainian arms exports

The war in Ukraine

Published November 4, 2025 – By Editorial staff
In September, a Ukrainian rocket fuel factory was established in Sønderjylland, Denmark – now the collaboration is taking another step with a weapons export office in the capital.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Ukraine plans to open two arms export offices in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Berlin, Germany, before the end of the year, despite expected Russian reactions. The aim is to finance domestic production of in-demand weapons systems by selling surplus production, confirms President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen welcomes the announcement, but Danish television channel TV 2's defense correspondent Anders Lomholt warns that the decision is not without risks for Denmark.

— Russia will definitely see it as a provocation. We saw very sharp reactions when it was decided to allow a Ukrainian factory near Vojens where they will manufacture rocket fuel, says Lomholt.

Denmark and Germany were selected due to their willingness to cooperate both at the state level and within the defense industry. The offices will promote exports of Ukrainian weapons that are not in high demand domestically, while the revenues will be used to purchase advanced American weapons systems.

— This is about weapons that we can afford to sell, so that we get money for our domestic production of things that we lack and that we don't have enough money for, says Zelensky.

Revenue finances US weapons

From the Russian side, there is according to the defense correspondent great dissatisfaction that Denmark is not only supporting Ukraine, but also actively promoting Ukrainian arms industry with massive weapons support.

Among the weapons that Ukraine continues to develop and export are the Flamingo and Ruta missiles. The money from exports will be used to purchase expensive American weapons systems such as Patriot missiles and the Tomahawk cruise missile, although the latter still lacks approval from the United States.

Zelensky also states that Ukraine aims to produce 600-800 interceptor drones per day by the end of November. These are used to fill gaps that have emerged due to a shortage of air defense systems.

— This is really very good news for Denmark and especially for our defense industry, that they now prioritize cooperating even more closely with Denmark, claims Troels Lund Poulsen

Today's announcement is the latest development in the increasingly deep cooperation between Denmark and Ukraine. In September, it was announced that a Ukrainian company will produce rocket fuel for the Ukrainian defense forces in Sønderjylland.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/germany-sends-patriot-systems-ukraine-wants-more/

World

Germany sends Patriot systems – Ukraine wants more

The war in Ukraine

Published November 4, 2025 – By Editorial staff
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing contracts for an additional 25 Patriot air defense systems. Each system costs approximately $1 billion.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Ukraine has received additional American-made Patriot air defense systems from Germany. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed this on Sunday.

The increasingly questioned and pressured president publicly thanked German Chancellor and former BlackRock executive Friedrich Merz for the delivery of new American air defense systems. The previous agreement between the countries has now been implemented, the president announced on Sunday.

"Our agreements have been fulfilled. More Patriots are now in Ukraine and being put into operation", he stated.

Ukraine has long demanded more advanced weapons from its Western allies, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and additional Patriot batteries. According to New York Times reporting in May, the country owned eight Patriot systems, but only six of these were operational.

"More systems needed"

Zelensky was clear that he wants even more weapon deliveries going forward.

"Of course, more systems are needed to protect key infrastructure sites and our cities across the entire territory of Ukraine, and we will continue working to obtain them – not only at the political level with states and leaders but also directly with manufacturers of all necessary air defense systems and missiles for them", the president continued.

Russia's Ministry of Defense claims to have destroyed approximately 40 Patriot launchers since 2023.

New contracts being prepared

US President Donald Trump has so far declined to deliver Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, but has instead urged NATO countries to purchase American weapons on Kiev's behalf. Moscow has consistently stated that no foreign support will change the battlefield situation in Ukraine's favor.

Last month, Zelensky said that Ukraine and the US are preparing a contract for 25 Patriot systems. He added that deliveries could take several years unless EU countries show "goodwill" by prioritizing Kiev or transferring systems they already own.

With a cost of approximately $1 billion per system, Ukraine hopes to finance the purchases through an EU loan backed by frozen Russian assets. Russia has, for its part, condemned all attempts to confiscate its assets as theft.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/russia-conducts-nuclear-drills-sweden-offers-gripen-jets-to-ukraine/

World

Russia conducts nuclear drills – Sweden offers Gripen jets to Ukraine

The war in Ukraine

Published October 22, 2025 – By Editorial staff
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy together with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during a visit to Saab in Linköping, Sweden, where a letter of intent regarding the export of around a hundred Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine was promised. Simultaneously, Russia conducted a large-scale nuclear weapons exercise, including the launch of a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Russia carried out a large-scale nuclear missile exercise on Wednesday, while Sweden signed a letter of intent to export Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. The announcement comes one day after the United States announced that a planned summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has been postponed.

The Kremlin released video footage showing Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov reporting to President Putin about the exercises. Russia launched missiles from ground-based platforms, submarines and aircraft, including intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. However, the missiles did not contain live nuclear warheads.

During critical phases of the Ukraine war, Putin has repeatedly reminded the world of Russia's nuclear capabilities as a warning to Kyiv and its Western allies. NATO also conducted nuclear deterrence exercises in October.

Sweden offers fighter jets

Sweden announced that the country has signed a letter of intent to export Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. The announcement comes as European governments intensify their efforts in the Ukraine war, which has now lasted three years and eight months.

Ukrainian pilots have been in Sweden to test the Gripen, a robust and cost-effective alternative to the American F-35.

— We have begun work to acquire Gripen and expect that the future contract will provide us with at least 100 such aircraft, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a visit to Swedish defense company Saab.

Kyiv aims to receive and begin using the aircraft as early as next year.

Summit postponed

After months of stalled diplomacy, Putin and Trump spoke last week and unexpectedly announced that they would hold a summit in Hungary within a couple of weeks. But after a phone call between the countries' foreign ministers, the White House announced that Trump has no plans to meet Putin "in the foreseeable future".

Trump explained that he did not want a "wasted meeting" – something the Kremlin said Putin also wants to avoid.

— The dates have not been set yet, but thorough preparation is needed, and that takes time, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The delay came after Russia reiterated to the United States its conditions for peace, including that Ukraine should hand over control of the entire Donbas region, according to three sources to Reuters. This represented a rejection of Trump's statement that both sides should stop at the current front lines.

Shares in European defense companies rose on news of the postponed summit. Most European governments strongly support Kyiv and have pledged to increase their military spending for the war.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com