Russian flag carrier under scrutiny amid regional-security concerns
Ukrainian drones have struck a major Moscow oil refinery for the second time this week, producing large fires, black smoke and reports of at least 16–17 wounded. Russian air defences have shot down hundreds of incoming drones across multiple regions, closed Moscow airports and prompted threats of "massive" Russian retaliation.
Drones heading for Moscow have been intercepted, airports suspended briefly, and several Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted energy facilities and shipping near Crimea and Ukraine’s coast. The latest events come amid a wider exchange of strikes between Moscow and Kyiv.
A Boeing 737 cargo plane operated by Pakistan’s K2 Airways has disappeared after departing from Sharjah, UAE, en route to Karachi. Radar contact was lost as the aircraft rapidly descended. Rescue efforts are underway in the Arabian Sea. Investigators are examining navigation failures, potential mechanical issues, and the broader safety record of Pakistan’s aviation sector.
A privately operated K2 Airways cargo Boeing 737 disappeared after reporting a navigation failure while en route from Sharjah to Karachi. Wreckage has been recovered south of Ormara, but the five crew members remain missing as authorities coordinate ongoing search-and-rescue efforts amid rough seas.
A New York Times investigation shows Russian intelligence uses Tokyo as a base to acquire high-tech equipment for Moscow’s war, exploiting Japan’s lenient espionage laws and its robust tech sector. The operation centers on the 20th Directorate, with a cover as Aeroflot staff raising questions about Tokyo’s role in Russia’s intelligence network.