Ukrainian prisoners of war held in the Russian-backed self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics number about 8,000, Luhansk official Rodion Miroshnik was quoted by TASS news agency as saying on Thursday.
“There are a lot of prisoners. Of course, there are more of them on the territory of Donetsk People’s Republic, but we also have enough, and now the total number is somewhere in the region of 8,000. That’s a lot, and literally hundreds are being added every day,” Miroshnik said.
Reuters was not able to verify the report.
8,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Luhansk, Donetsk: Separatists’ official
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8,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Luhansk, Donetsk: Separatists’ official

- Ukrainian prisoners of war held in the Russian-backed self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics number about 8,000
Russia becomes first country to recognize Taliban government of Afghanistan

- Russian foreign ministry says Moscow will support Kabul in counterterrorism and combating drug crime
- The Taliban administration in Kabul calls it a ‘courageous step’ that will serve as an example for others
MOSCOW: Russia said on Thursday it had accepted the credentials of a new ambassador of Afghanistan, making it the first nation to recognize the Taliban government of the country.
In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow saw good prospects to develop ties and would continue to support Kabul in security, counterterrorism and combating drug crime.
It also saw significant trade and economic opportunities, especially in energy, transport, agriculture and infrastructure.
“We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields,” the ministry said.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said in a statement: “We value this courageous step taken by Russia, and, God willing, it will serve as an example for others as well.”
No other country has formally recognized the Taliban government that seized power in August 2021 as US-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war.
However, China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Pakistan have all designated ambassadors to Kabul, in a step toward recognition.
The Russian move represents a major milestone for the Taliban administration as it seeks to ease its international isolation.
It is likely to be closely watched by Washington, which has frozen billions in Afghanistan’s central bank assets and enforced sanctions on some senior leaders in the Taliban that contributed to Afghanistan’s banking sector being largely cut off from the international financial system.
COMPLEX HISTORY
Russia has been gradually building relations with the Taliban, which President Vladimir Putin said last year was now an ally in fighting terrorism.
Since 2022, Afghanistan has imported gas, oil and wheat from Russia. The Taliban were outlawed by Russia as a terrorist movement in 2003, but the ban was lifted in April this year.
Russia sees a need to work with Kabul as it faces a major security threat from militant groups based in a string of countries from Afghanistan to the Middle East.
In March 2024, gunmen killed 149 people at a concert hall outside Moscow in an attack claimed by Daesh.
US officials said they had intelligence indicating it was the Afghan branch of the group that was responsible.
The Taliban say they are working to wipe out the presence of Daesh in Afghanistan.
Western diplomats say the Taliban’s path toward wider international recognition is blocked until they change course on women’s rights.
The Taliban have closed high schools and universities to girls and women and placed restrictions on their movement without a male guardian.
The administration in Kabul says it respects women’s rights in line with its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Russia has a complex and bloodstained history in Afghanistan. Soviet troops invaded the country in December 1979 to prop up a Communist government, but became bogged down in a long war against mujahideen fighters armed by the United States.
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev pulled his army out in 1989, by which time some 15,000 Soviet soldiers had been killed.
Stranded UK F-35 jet becomes unexpected star in Indian tourism campaign

NEW DELHI: India’s southern state of Kerala has found a unique ambassador to promote its coconut palm-lined beaches, backwaters and vibrant culture to tourists — a British F-35 fighter jet that has been stranded there since mid-June.
The Royal Navy aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at the airport of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on June 14 and has been grounded ever since, despite efforts to repair it. An AI-generated image of the stealth aircraft parked on the tarmac surrounded by coconut trees has gone viral after it was shared by Kerala’s Tourism Department on Wednesday.
“This was part of our tourism campaign. It has been one of the most innovative and eye-catching ones ... It’s all in good humor and creativity,” Biju K., Kerala’s tourism secretary, said.
In the viral social media post, originally created by entertainment website The Fauxy, the jet can be seen giving the state of Kerala five golden stars, calling it “an amazing place.”
“I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend,” the image quotes the jet as saying.
“Though tourism is under the government, it has moved out of government space in promoting the destination,” said Roy Mathew, director of Stark Communications, the tourism department’s brand promotion agency.
Kerala is among India’s most popular tourist destinations, and markets itself with the tagline “God’s own country.” Last year, 22.2 million tourists visited the state.
It boasts natural beauty along India’s south-western coastline and a rich heritage of classical dances, temple festivals and vibrant cuisine.
The Indian Air Force said last month it would help in the repair and return of the F-35, which made an emergency landing on June 14 when it was flying over the Arabian Sea off Kerala’s coast.
A British High Commission spokesperson told Reuters the UK had accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The jet will be moved to the hangar once engineering teams arrive from the UK with specialist equipment, the spokesperson added.
The Royal Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said in Parliament on Monday that a Royal Air Force crew were in Thiruvananthapuram and working with Indian counterparts.
Germany to seek direct contact with Taliban on deportations

- German interior minister says he wants direct contact with the Taliban to ensure criminals can be deported back to Afghanistan
BERLIN: Germany’s interior minster on Thursday said he wanted direct contact with the Taliban authorities in a bid to enable criminals to be deported back to Afghanistan.
“I envision us making agreements directly with Afghanistan to enable deportations,” Alexander Dobrindt said in an interview with Focus magazine.
Berlin currently has only indirect contact with the Taliban through third parties, an arrangement Dobrindt said “cannot remain a permanent solution.”
Germany stopped deportations to Afghanistan and closed its embassy in Kabul following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
But a debate over resuming expulsions has flared as migration becomes a key issue amid the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Twenty-eight Afghan nationals who had been convicted of crimes were deported in August last year after Germany’s previous government carried out indirect negotiations with the Taliban.
No further deportations have taken place. But the debate has continued to rage, especially since a series of deadly attacks last year blamed on asylum seekers — with several of the suspects from Afghanistan.
Germany’s new government, a coalition between the conservative CDU/CSU and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), has promised to expel more foreign criminals alongside a crackdown on irregular migration.
Dobrindt also said he was in contact with authorities to enable deportations to Syria, which have been suspended since 2012.
Longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad was toppled in December. The country is now under the control of Islamist leaders, some of whom were once linked with the Al-Qaeda jihadist network.
Germany has made tentative contact with the new authorities and has sent several delegations to Damascus for talks.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz this week said he believed “deportations to Syria are possible today, given the current circumstances and situation.”
Austria on Thursday deported a Syrian convict back to Syria, becoming the first EU country to do so officially in recent years.
Modi pushes further India-Africa cooperation on Ghana visit

- Narendra Modi: ‘Over 200 projects across the continent enhance connectivity, infrastructure and industrial capacity’
- Modi noted that the African Union had been admitted as a permanent member to the G20 while India held the rotating presidency
ACCRA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday outlined plans for deeper ties between his country and Africa, as New Delhi increasingly vies for a stronger economic presence on the continent along with China and Russia.
In a speech to Ghana’s parliament, Modi highlighted a major rail project that opened in the west African nation last year, financed by the India Export-Import Bank.
He also underlined his country’s expanding diplomatic development and business footprint in Africa.
“Over 200 projects across the continent enhance connectivity, infrastructure and industrial capacity,” Modi said. On the political front he welcomed “the establishment of Ghana-India Parliamentary Friendship Society in your parliament.”
Modi’s visit is the first to Ghana by an Indian leader in three decades.
But India’s rival China remains the most important backer of infrastructure across the continent, a position only strengthened as the United States and other Western powers slash aid programs.
In a meeting Wednesday, Modi and Ghanaian President John Mahama agreed to deepen security and mining ties.
In November 2024, the Indian prime minister visited Nigeria, discussing trade and security at a time when Indian companies had expressed interest in investing in Nigerian industries including steel.
The Indian prime minister also on Thursday called for a greater global diplomatic role for both his country and Africa, warning that “the world order created after the Second World War is changing fast.”
Modi noted that the African Union had been admitted as a permanent member to the G20 while India held the rotating presidency of the bloc.
Progress on worldwide challenges including climate change, diplomacy, “terrorism” and pandemics “cannot come without giving voice to the Global South,” he added.
India, the world’s most populous country and a nuclear-armed power, has close ties with Russia but is often in rivalry with China.
Resource-rich Ghana is Modi’s first stop in a tour that will take the Indian premier to four other countries in Africa, the Caribbean and South America.
The visit to Accra came as he made his way to Brazil for a summit of the BRICS group of emerging economies on Sunday and Monday.
Highlighting his own country’s economic development aspirations to become a “developed nation by 2047,” Modi said “India remains a committed partner in Africa’s development journey.”
US recalls top diplomat in Colombia for ‘urgent consultations’

- Bruce said the United States “is pursuing other measures to make clear our deep concern”
- Petro claimed a far-right “leader,” had spoken to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
WASHINGTON: The United States recalled its top diplomat in Colombia on Thursday for “urgent consultations” and expressed “deep concern” over the relationship between the two countries.
Charge d’affaires John McNamara was being recalled “following baseless and reprehensible statements from the highest levels of the Government of Colombia,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
Bruce did not specify what the offending remarks were.
In addition to McNamara’s recall, Bruce said the United States “is pursuing other measures to make clear our deep concern over the current state of our bilateral relationship,” without detailing the actions.
She stressed, however, that Colombia remains an “essential strategic partner” despite Washington’s “policy differences with the current government.”
“We are committed to close cooperation on a range of shared priorities, including regional security and stability,” Bruce added.
Colombia’s leftist President Gustavo Petro accused the United States and “right-wing extremists” last month of plotting to overthrow him.
Without providing further details, Petro claimed a far-right “leader,” who he did not identify, had spoken to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Colombia leftist government also recently refused a US request to extradite two prominent guerrilla leaders wanted by Washington for drug trafficking.
Colombia was until recently one of the United States’ closest partners in Latin America.