RUSSIA UNLEASHES MASSIVE DRONE AND MISSILE BARRAGE ON KYIV, INCLUDING RARE ORESHNIK HYPERSONIC STRIKE, KILLING AT LEAST FOUR AND INJURING DOZENS. (PHOTO).

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 Russia unleashes massive drone and missile barrage on Kyiv, including rare Oreshnik hypersonic strike, killing at least four and injuring dozens Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks in months on Kyiv and surrounding areas, unleashing hundreds of drones and missiles in an overnight barrage that killed at least four people and injured more than 80, Ukrainian officials said. Authorities reported widespread damage across the capital region, including destroyed residential buildings, damaged schools, and strikes on infrastructure as emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish fires and clear rubble. Officials said the assault included the use of an Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which was fired near the capital and marked only the third known deployment of the system in the war since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. The missile, which is believed to have a long range and potential nuclear capability, was part of a larger wave of roughly 90 missiles and ...
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TRUMP ALLY PRINCE SENT MEN, DRONES TO HELP CONGO'S ARMY SECURE STRATEGIC TOWN. (PHOTO).

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 Trump ally Prince sent men, drones to help Congo's army secure strategic town


Blackwater founder Erik Prince deployed a private security force to operate drones and help Democratic Republic of Congo's army secure the strategic city of Uvira against Rwanda-backed rebels, four people briefed on the mission said, Reuters reported.


The AFC/M23 rebels briefly seized the city on the border with Burundi in December in a major blow to ongoing U.S. and Qatar-backed peace negotiations. They withdrew after Washington threatened to retaliate.


Prince, a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump and who founded the now defunct private security firm Blackwater, had been hired by the government in Kinshasa to help secure and improve tax revenue collection from Congo's vast mineral reserves.


However, the operation to help elite forces recapture Uvira from AFC/M23 rebels is the first known involvement of Prince's private security forces on the frontline in Congo, widening his role in the decades-long conflict.


US OFFERS HELP IN EXCHANGE FOR MINERALS ACCESS


One of the sources, a senior security official in Congo, said the presence of U.S.-linked contractors would likely act as a deterrent to AFC/M23 forces, which may be unwilling to risk direct confrontation with Prince's personnel.


The U.S. has offered Congo support brokering an end to the conflict in return for access to the nation's critical mineral resources.


While it is not clear whether the involvement of Prince on Congo's frontlines was endorsed by Washington, the operation to help the Kinshasa government retake Uvira followed U.S. calls for the rebels to withdraw.


The U.S. State Department said it did not hold any contracts with Prince or any of his companies.


The Congolese security official said the operation is "in line with the minerals-for-security deal".


Prince's team in Congo deployed to Uvira at Kinshasa's request, one of the sources said, to bolster their efforts at a critical time. The team has since withdrawn and returned to its primary mission, which is improving revenue collection from mining.


“They needed help recapturing Uvira and pulled in every resource they could. Focus is back on the tax police project now,” said the person briefed on the operation.


Another source said Prince's team may continue to deploy to the frontline when requested by Kinshasa.


One of the sources said Prince’s contractors provided drone support to Congolese special operations forces and the army against M23 rebels in Uvira and the South Kivu highlands. The sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.


ISRAELIS IN CONGO WITH A TRAINING MANDATE


Prince's contractors operated in coordination with Israeli advisers who were involved in training two Congolese special forces battalions on day and night operations, according to a fifth source briefed on the operation.


"Their mandate (the Israelis) is training only," one of them said, without elaborating further on why the Israelis had joined the operation.


Fighting in the decades-long conflict flared early last year, with M23 fighters making rapid gains in the east, which is rich in tantalum, gold, lithium and other minerals.


The United Nations and Western powers say Rwanda backs M23, even exercising over the group, though Rwanda denies this.


Rwanda and Congo signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement in June last year. However, the accord did not involve the AFC/M23.

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