WASHINGTON: The United States will sell Ukraine up to $138 million worth of equipment to maintain and upgrade its HAWK air defense systems to help defend against Russian drone and cruise missile attacks, a US State Department official told Reuters on Tuesday.
The US began shipping HAWK interceptor missiles to Ukraine in 2022 as an upgrade to the shoulder-launched Stinger air defense missile systems — a smaller, shorter-range system.
Since then, Ukraine has received several air defense systems, including the US-made Patriot system.
Tuesday’s emergency foreign military sale is worth as much as $138 million, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Although Ukraine has run out of many sources of US funds, Kyiv was given a grant of $300 million in foreign military financing as part of the annual defense spending bill recently signed into law. The grant money will be used to pay for the equipment, which includes engineering and integration for communications and refurbishment of HAWK fire units.
In addition, the sale includes missile recertification components for older units, tools, test and support equipment, spare parts and more.
The sale will require temporary-duty travel to Europe of an estimated five US government employees and 15 contractor representatives to support training and sustainment, the official said.
Presidential drawdown authority had been used previously to transfer HAWK equipment to Ukraine. That provision allows the United States to transfer defense articles and services from American stocks quickly without congressional approval in response to an emergency.
The MIM-23 HAWK — a name that began life as an acronym for “Homing All the Way Killer” — was first introduced in the 1950s as the US military sought ways to defeat raids by high-flying strategic bombers. It was upgraded over the years to deal with jamming and other countermeasures, and eventually exported to more than a dozen countries, according the US Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command.
US to sell to Ukraine $138 million in HAWK air defense upgrades
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US to sell to Ukraine $138 million in HAWK air defense upgrades
- The grant money will be used to pay for the equipment, which includes engineering and integration for communications and refurbishment of HAWK fire units
War ignited record-breaking wildfires in Ukraine last year, scientists say
Ukraine has around 10 million hectares, or 100,000 sq km of forest
BRUSSELS: Last year was Ukraine’s worst year for wildfires in more than three decades of record-keeping, as shelling along front lines in the war with Russia triggered an unprecedented number of blazes, scientists said.
Forest fires in Ukraine in 2024 burnt more than twice the area destroyed by fire in the entire 27-country European Union in 2024, the EU’s Joint Research Center — its independent science research service — said in a report published this week.
Satellite data showed nearly 9,000 fires torched a total of 965,000 hectares in Ukraine in 2024. Ukraine has around 10 million hectares, or 100,000 sq km (38,610 sq miles), of forest. Around a third of the area burned last year was farmland.
For comparison, the EU member state with the most land burnt last year was Portugal, which lost 147,000 hectares — its worst annual total since 2017.
The JRC said satellite data showed the fires were concentrated in Ukraine’s east, in areas apparently in close proximity to front lines of the war.
Ukrainian forests have incurred severe damage as both Russian and Ukrainian armed forces blast thousands of shells at each other every day, shredding the earth.
Maksym Matsala, a forest researcher at Sweden’s University of Agricultural Sciences, said the main cause was artillery and falling shells igniting fires.
He said the jump in fires last year was partly because of a large build-up of dead and damaged trees since Russia’s invasion in 2022, which had created plentiful fuel for fires during extremely dry weather in 2024.
“If war is continuous, then sooner or later there will be a lot of inaccessible areas and a lot of areas with accumulating dead wood,” Matsala told Reuters.
Ukraine’s forests are also riddled with land mines and unexploded ordnance that can detonate during fires — making it impossible for firefighters to control the flames.
The EU data only goes back to 2020, but when cross-checked with data from researchers at Ukraine’s National University of Life and Environmental Sciences, 2024 was the worst year for forest fires in Ukraine since at least 1990.
Climate change is exacerbating wildfires by increasing the hot and dry conditions that help them spread faster, burn longer and rage more intensely, scientists say. Hotter weather saps moisture from vegetation, turning it into dry fuel.
Ukraine’s fires mostly occurred during summer, when this kind of fire-prone weather is more frequent.
Ethiopia to name new head of Tigray interim administration: PM
- The region still suffers from the aftermath of a brutal two-year conflict, ended by a 2022 peace deal in Pretoria that established the interim administration
- Although the guns have fallen silent, a failure to fully implement the terms of the Pretoria agreement has fuelled divisions within the Tigrayan political elite
ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia said Wednesday it will appoint a new head of the interim administration in northern Tigray region, where months of tensions between rival factions have threatened a fragile peace agreement.
The region still suffers from the aftermath of a brutal two-year conflict, ended by a 2022 peace deal in Pretoria that established the interim administration.
The war was one of the deadliest in recent decades, claiming roughly 600,000 lives and pitting Tigrayan rebels against federal forces, supported by local militias and the Eritrean army.
"The federal government, taking into account the realities on the ground, is taking action... in order to extend the mandate of the interim government" by one year, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed posted on X, adding that the administration had been "unable to complete its essential tasks within the given timeframe".
Writing in Tigrinya, he said it had "become necessary to appoint a new head of the interim administration" in Tigray to replace Getachew Reda, but did not specify a timetable for replacing him.
Getachew did not respond to AFP's request for comment.
The current tensions in Tigray stem from an internal power struggle between Getachew and Debretsion Gebremichael, head of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
"If the transition is well managed, it is an opportunity to emerge from the crisis we are in," Wondimu Asamnew, a close associate of Debretsion, told AFP.
"The two years of Getachew Reda's governance have been symbolised by crises and clashes, we now need a stable government," he added.
Although the guns have fallen silent, a failure to fully implement the terms of the Pretoria agreement has fuelled divisions within the Tigrayan political elite.
Armed supporters of Debretsion took over the municipality in Adigrat, Tigray's second-largest town near the Eritrean border, this month, ousting the mayor appointed by Getachew.
Debretsion's faction seized control of Mekele's town hall to reinstate its chosen mayor, as well as the local radio station.
Kjetil Tronvoll, a Horn of Africa specialist and professor at Oslo New University College, said he was unsurprised by the changes.
Getachew's faction "had gradually lost control" over the administration, he said, noting that "his powerbase had waned".
"Abiy Ahmed has been closely observing the evolution of the power struggle," he told AFP.
With the initial mandate of the interim administration expiring, "it was opportune for the federal government to let Getachew go", he added.
The African Union, whose headquarters are in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, has expressed "deep concern" over renewed tensions in the region.
Similarly, the United States, Britain and the European Union also urged all stakeholders to "de-escalate and engage in urgent dialogue".
Bangladesh’s Yunus heads to China for first state visit
- Yunus to seek investment in healthcare and dedicated Chinese Economic Zone
- Visit comes amid strained relations with another regional superpower, India
Dhaka: The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, departed on Wednesday for China, where he will meet President Xi Jinping and also mark his first bilateral state visit since assuming the role of chief adviser, his office said.
Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and economics professor, will address the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan, southern China — an annual conference focusing on the changing role of Asia — from where he will travel to Beijing.
His bilateral with Xi is scheduled for Friday, marking their first meeting since Yunus assumed office in August 2024.
“The main focus of this visit is to boost economic cooperation … We are expecting that a number of (memoranda of understanding) will be inked during this visit. The MoUs will cover mostly the areas of economic cooperation,” Azad Majumder, Yunus’ deputy press secretary, told Arab News.
“One of the main focuses of discussion will be bringing more investments from China in our dedicated Chinese Economic Zone.”
Munshi Faiz Ahmad, Dhaka’s former envoy to Beijing, said it was significant that Yunus was choosing China for his first state visit, especially as relations with another regional superpower, India, have soured since the change in government.
India was a close ally of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. She has also sought refuge in New Delhi after deadly protests that unseated her last year. Until now, India has not responded to Bangladesh’s request to send her home for trial.
The situation opens the door for China — India’s key rival — to expand its footprint.
“For our interim government, this China visit is very significant. It’s the first bilateral visit to any country by Prof. Yunus as the chief adviser,” Ahmad said.
“It’s an opportunity for Bangladesh to boost the relationship with China and explore new areas of cooperation …. It’s an issue of mutual benefit for Bangladesh and China.”
Yunus’ office said he will also seek Chinese investment in healthcare and the establishment of a large hospital in Bangladesh to reduce the trend of medical tourism abroad.
Many Bangladeshis have sought treatment in neighboring India, but it has lately become difficult to obtain Indian visas.
“It has been reported that China is interested in providing a grant of $138 million for building medical facilities. If that proposal moves forward, it will be a good thing. There is a ready opportunity for China, as India is not issuing enough visas for Bangladeshis now. A lion’s share of our medical tourism can be shifted to China,” Humayun Kabir, former Bangladeshi ambassador to the US, told Arab News.
“There are opportunities to attract more investments from China. Our government is very eager in this regard. We have dedicated an economic zone for Chinese investors … Secondly, we are in need of budget support at this moment. If China provides some financial assistance, it would be of great help. Our previous regime also sought this support, but it didn’t materialize.”
Indonesia braces for annual Eid exodus as 146 million travel home
- More than 33 million people are traveling by private car, with peak traffic expected on Friday
- Over 164,000 transportation, security personnel have been deployed to oversee their safety
Jakarta: Indonesian authorities are bracing for the annual homecoming rush, as 146 million people — more than half the population — head to their hometowns for the Eid Al-Fitr holidays.
Locally known as “mudik,” the Eid exodus is one of the world’s greatest seasonal migrations, with travelers braving enormous traffic jams, thousands of kilometers and exhaustion to make it home for the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
“Our preparations for mudik are final, we are always working to improve our synergy across different departments, and we have come up with the best plans. Now it’s time to monitor the implementation,” Pratikno, coordinating minister for human development and cultural affairs, said at a press conference on Wednesday.
About 33 million people are expected to use private cars this year, according to a survey conducted by the transportation ministry. Nearly 25 million people will be using buses, while over 23 million others are traveling by trains.
More than 164,000 transportation and security personnel are being deployed across 2,835 locations in Indonesia to oversee the safety of the travelers.
Authorities are expecting the exodus to peak on Friday, when around 12 million people will hit the road at the last minute to reach their hometowns for the first day of Eid.
“We’ve received reports that the number of travelers is increasing, now six days before Eid, and especially on highways, there is already a 7 percent increase,” National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said.
Mudik is often associated with hours of traffic jams, especially on the main island of Java, where the top four mudik destinations are located: Central Java, East Java, West Java and Yogyakarta.
“We are advising travelers to make the most use of incentives from the government, especially those who are traveling back to their hometowns … so that they can travel ahead and help scatter the flow of traffic,” Prabowo said.
The incentives include discounted prices for highway fees and various modes of transportation for early travelers, as well as free travel programs from regional governments.
Authorities have also prepared military helicopters and ambulances to help evacuate the wounded in case of traffic incidents.
“Besides our officers, the military will also deploy nine Hercules military planes,” Indonesian Military Chief Agus Subiyanto said. “Should it be needed, we have prepared helicopters and ambulances, as well as excavators, fire trucks and tow trucks.”
Each year, hundreds of people die on the road during the Eid exodus. More than 4,500 accidents were recorded last year, claiming the lives of at least 507 people.
Heightened security measures along Indonesia’s main roads will be in place until the end of the long holiday on April 8.
Russia launches drone attack on Ukraine port providing access to Black Sea, officials say
- The US reached separate deals on Tuesday with Ukraine and Russia to pause their attacks over the Black Sea
- The mayor of Mykolaiv said there were emergency power outages early on Wednesday in the city
Russia launched an overnight drone attack on the Ukrainian port of Mykolaiv, which provides the country with access to the Black Sea, and struck Kryvyi Rih in what Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday was the war’s biggest drone attack on the city.
The United States reached separate deals on Tuesday with Ukraine and Russia to pause their attacks over the Black Sea and against each other’s energy targets, but it was not clear when and how the deals would come into force.
The mayor of Mykolaiv said there were emergency power outages early on Wednesday in the city, following a report by the region’s governor that seven drones were destroyed overnight over the region.
It was not immediately clear whether the power cuts were precautionary or a result of the overnight attack on Mykolaiv.
Russia also attacked the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, igniting fires and damaging buildings but causing no deaths, the head of the city’s military administration said.
The Ukrainian military said its air defense units had shot down 56 of 117 drones launched by Russia in the overnight attack. It noted that 48 drones were lost, referring to the Ukrainian military’s redirecting them with electronic warfare.
“Apparently, this is how the occupiers ‘want peace’,” Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the military administration, wrote on the Telegram messaging app, describing it as the war’s biggest drone attack on the city. “Most importantly, there were no deaths or injuries.”
Reuters could not independently verify the reports from Mykolaiv and Kryvyi Rih. The size of the attack on Kryvyi Rih and what was targeted there were not immediately clear.
Vilkul had reported at least 15 explosions in Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown and a frequent target of Russian attacks.
There was no immediate comment from Russia, but the Russian defense ministry said that its air defense units destroyed nine Ukrainian drones overnight, including two over the waters of the Black Sea.
