Ukraine Says Situation Unchanged in North after Prigozhin Flight to Belarus

 Ukrainian soldiers work during a combat operation on the frontline near Kreminna, Luhansk region, Ukraine, Thursday, June 8, 2023. (AP)
Ukrainian soldiers work during a combat operation on the frontline near Kreminna, Luhansk region, Ukraine, Thursday, June 8, 2023. (AP)
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Ukraine Says Situation Unchanged in North after Prigozhin Flight to Belarus

 Ukrainian soldiers work during a combat operation on the frontline near Kreminna, Luhansk region, Ukraine, Thursday, June 8, 2023. (AP)
Ukrainian soldiers work during a combat operation on the frontline near Kreminna, Luhansk region, Ukraine, Thursday, June 8, 2023. (AP)

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday the security situation in northern Ukraine was unchanged and under control after Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin flew into exile in Belarus.

Prigozhin flew from Russia to exile in Ukraine's northern neighbor on Tuesday following an aborted mutiny, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said fighters in Prigozhin's Wagner mercenary group would be offered the choice of relocating there.

"Wagnerites are in occupied territory in Ukraine - they were and are in the (eastern) Luhansk region," Zelenskiy told a press conference, confirming that some of the group's fighters remained on Ukrainian soil after fighting in the east.

Asked about the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus, he said: "I don't think this contingent will be very big."

"Our army believes that the situation in the north of our country is unchanged and is under our control," he said.



Austria to Purchase 12 Italian Fighter Jets

 Austrian Chancellor and head of People's Party (OeVP) Karl Nehammer looks on as he is on his way to coalition talks with the head of Social Democrats (SPOe) Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna, Austria, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
Austrian Chancellor and head of People's Party (OeVP) Karl Nehammer looks on as he is on his way to coalition talks with the head of Social Democrats (SPOe) Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna, Austria, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
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Austria to Purchase 12 Italian Fighter Jets

 Austrian Chancellor and head of People's Party (OeVP) Karl Nehammer looks on as he is on his way to coalition talks with the head of Social Democrats (SPOe) Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna, Austria, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
Austrian Chancellor and head of People's Party (OeVP) Karl Nehammer looks on as he is on his way to coalition talks with the head of Social Democrats (SPOe) Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna, Austria, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)

Austria plans to buy 12 Italian-made M-346 FA fighter jets to replace Saab 105 planes which it decommissioned at the end of 2020, the government said on Saturday.

Citing military sources, newspaper Krone said a letter of intent was due to be signed on Saturday with the Italian Defense Ministry for the planes made by Italy's Leonardo.

The contract is currently being negotiated with the Italian government, the Austrian Defense Ministry said, confirming the planned purchase of the aircraft.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said the deal showed the strength of cooperation between Italy and Austria.

"My special thanks go to (Italian) Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who made a significant contribution to the conclusion of this agreement," Nehammer said in a statement.

The total cost of the purchase has yet to be determined, but about 1 billion euros ($1.04 billion) has been budgeted for it, the newspaper said.

The jets will be used for pilot training, support for ground forces and air defense, the government said.