Russia junks U.S. reports on possible Ukraine offensive
The Hindu
Intel officials say Moscow is planning attack with 1,75,000 troops
Russia has dismissed new U.S. media reports about a possible Russian attack on Ukraine, accusing Washington of trying to aggravate the situation while blaming Moscow, the Kommersant newspaper said on Saturday, citing the Foreign Ministry.
The Washington Post cited officials and an intelligence document on Saturday as saying U.S. intelligence thought Russia could be planning a multi-front offensive on Ukraine as early as next year involving up to 175,000 troops.
“The (United) States is conducting a special operation to aggravate the situation around Ukraine while shifting the responsibility onto Russia,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by Kommersant.

The U.S. seized or intercepted three Venezuelan oil tankers — Skipper, Centuries, and Bella 1 — for carrying crude or trading with sanctioned entities. These ships are examples of the shadow fleet, showing how countries like Venezuela bypass sanctions, prompting the U.S. to order a physical blockade.












