Chinese drones in the skies of Taiwan increase tension in the region

As many as 30 unarmed drones buzzed over two islands near the coast of China. These islands belong to Taiwan and most of these aerial vehicles were either civilian, or unidentified. Garrison of Taiwanese soldiers stationed on the rocky outcrops appeared to be the targets. In the initial stages, the Taiwanese soldiers ignored them. However, when the frequency of flights increased, the soldiers fired warning shots and shot down one of them into the sea. This added to the tensions between the two sides. China continues to claim that Taiwan, even though self-governed, is its territory. The presence of Chinse military in the Taiwan Strait has increased. They are flying jets and sailing ships closer to the island. The intention could be to test the defenses of Taiwan, thereby raising the risk of conflict. Chinese Drones: The latest irritant buzzing Taiwan’s defenses. As an analyst explains - “China is using such harassment to increase pressure, deliberately raising tensions around Taiwan. Don’t assume that a civilian drone has nothing to do with military purposes.”

It remains to be seen how Taiwan responds to future Chinese drone flights that might enter its airspace. In addition, whether it can deter Beijing without provoking conflict. China could be using the military drones to gather intelligence. It might be making use of the civilian drones for domestic propaganda purposes in order to undermine the image of Taiwan and mount a campaign of intimidation and psychological warfare. President Tsai Ing-wen has made it clear to China that the military of Taiwan will “not provoke disputes, and we will exercise self-restraint, but it does not mean that we will not counter.” She said this in a recent speech on the Penghu Islands in the Taiwan Strait.

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Taiwan shoots down civilian drone near China

Tension between Taiwan and China heightens as Taiwan shit down a drone off the coast of China. It flew over a Taiwanese-controlled island. Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang described it as an appropriate action in spite of repeated warnings. It seems the unidentified civilian drone entered the airspace of Taiwan. The incident happened near the outlying Kinmen islands very close to Xiamen city of China. Taiwan’s military confirms that it shot down the drone after it entered restricted airspace near the tiny Shiyu (Lion) islet. It later crashed into the sea. The Premier of Taiwan told media persons that Taiwan had repeatedly issued warnings and “asked them not to encroach on our doorstep.” However, they ignored the warnings. As a result, the military shot it down in self-defense. The Premier added that China should exercise restraint. In his words - “We will never provoke, and we will do the most appropriate thing to protect our land and our people.” Taiwan premier says drone shot down near China was ‘appropriate’. The foreign ministry of China accused Taiwan of trying to increase tension.

The Kinmen Defense Command mentioned that in spite of firing flares and warning shots, the drone maintained its position. The drone was meant for “civilian” use. There is no mention of its recovery or how it was brought own. Taiwan occupies three of the islands off the coast of the Chinese port city of Xiamen. Incidents of drones hovering over these islands had increased. The Taiwanese military says there have been hundreds of aerial incursions by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone. These have taken place so far this year. Tension between Taipei and Beijing went up following the recent visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China responded by conducting live-fire military drills for more than a week in the waters around the island. President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan gave orders to the military to take “strong countermeasures” against what she termed Chinese provocations.

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Advantage Ukraine as Russia unable to build on the initial advances

It is the 27th day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The resistance offered by Ukrainian troops have forced the invaders to rethink their strategies. Russia continues to bombard cities in Ukraine destroying buildings, infrastructures and loss of lives. Its forces continue to lay siege to the city of Mariupol while their troops and artillery are on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv. However, Ukraine remains in control of Kharkiv even as the Russians are in Odessa. These details are provided by The BBC

The war between Ukraine and Russia has been going on for more than three weeks. That must be a worry for Russia. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) feels the failure to capture major cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa could lengthen the war. In fact, it could go on for many more days and have serious repercussions. The BBC says the resistance of Ukraine has compelled the Russians to modify their approach. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirms this. They would now become more aggressive and try to destroy the cities with corresponding increase in civilian casualties.


Incidentally, those who have drawn up the plan to take over Kyiv probably did not bother to get the lowdown on the local topography. In order to take over the capital the Russians have to cross the Irpin River. The terrain is of marshlands and bogs and those have thwarted the advances of the Russians. Many of their vehicles have run out of fuel.



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Ukraine peace deal in jeopardy again with fresh bombings and 11 dead

#artemivsk #kramatorsk #ukraine #smerch #minsk Consequent to fresh bombings, Petro Poroshenko, the president of Ukraine has warned that such bombings in the east of the country is likely to put the impending ceasefire in danger as reported in news.sky.com dated 14 February 2015.
As per reports, at least 11 people have been killed and dozens wounded in the last 24 hours and the ceasefire agreed upon in Minsk on Thursday would take effect at 10pm UK time.
It seems a shell landed in a school yard in the eastern Ukrainian town of Artemivsk which is under control of the government forces on Friday – it resulted in the death of one child and two adults. In Kramatorsk, the Russian multiple rocket launch system Grad, or Smerch, has killed three civilians.
Moreover, Ukraine and Russian-backed rebels continued to fight across the eastern part of the country in spite of the new peace deal that was brokered by Germany and France in Minsk.
Information released by a Ukrainian military spokesman is that 11 soldiers had been killed and 40 wounded in the past 24 hours.

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