Russia has hit out at the US for its decision to send long-range missiles to Ukraine for the first time, claiming the move increases the risks of a direct conflict between Nato and Moscow. Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Tuesday that the Ukrainian military used the US-supplied ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) for the first time this week and struck two Russian military airfields. Western backers of Ukraine have been reluctant to provide long-range munitions since Vladimir Putin launched his invasion in February last year, fearing that their use against targets within Russia would represent an escalation of the conflict. But Ukraine has repeatedly argued that it needs long-range missiles and other more powerful equipment like fighter jets in order to defend itself against attacks launched from military facilities deep inside Russia. The GPS-guided missiles used this week destroyed nine military helicopters at Russian bases in the east of the country, Ukrainian officials said. Russia’s ambassador to America, Anatoly Antonov, threatened Washington over what he said was the secret delivery of weapons on Wednesday. "The consequences of this step, which was deliberately hidden from the public, will be of the most serious nature," Mr Antonov said on Telegram. "Washington is consistently pursuing a policy of completely curtailing bilateral relations. The United States continues to push for a direct conflict between Nato and Russia.” Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday confirmed the use of ATACMS and said the weapon systems have “proven themselves”. “Today, special thanks to the United States. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented,” he said. "They have performed very accurately. ATACMS have proven themselves," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address. The White House also officially acknowledged the delivery of the missiles. “We believe these ATACMS will provide a significant boost to Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities without risking our (US) military readiness,” said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces said they conducted the night time attack and hit targets in Berdyansk and Luhansk. Russia suffered the loss of an air defence system, other equipment and dozens of troops, it said, adding that some people were also injured. “The ammunition depot in Berdyansk detonated until 4am. The detonation in Luhansk continued until 11am,” Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said in a statement. “Losses in the enemy’s manpower amount to dozens of dead and wounded. Bodies are still being pulled from the rubble.” ATACMS are long-range guided missiles with a specialist GPS system designed to hit targets with precision, able to carry cluster munitions to deliver hundreds of bomblets rather than a single warhead. The variant provided to Ukraine has a lower range than the maximum that it is capable of, according to the Associated Press, amid fears over its use in Russian territories. Meanwhile, Russia’s defence ministry said it destroyed 28 Ukrainian drone attacks over its western territories. Ukrainian forces launched drones over Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions, and over the Black Sea, it said in a statement. Two civilians were killed and four more were injured after an apartment block was pounded in an attack for which Russian and Ukrainian armies traded blame. Yuriy Malashko, governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, said that eight apartment buildings were damaged in what he said was a Russian missile attack. "Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the site," Anatoliy Kurtiev, secretary of the Zaporizhzhia city council, said on Telegram. Read More The US quietly delivered new long-range missiles to Ukraine. Why the sudden secrecy over aid? For the first time, Ukraine has used US-provided long-range ATACMS missiles against Russian forces Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin’s forces suffer blow as helicopters destroyed by missile strikes, says Kyiv

Adin Ross had previously shown interest in knowing more about Lil Tay and her life when her death hoax spread like wildfire in August

The former Navy SEAL who claims to have shot and killed Osama bin Laden has been arrested in Texas. Robert O’Neill, 47, was booked into jail in Frisco on Wednesday and released later that day on a $3,500 bond, reported The Dallas Morning News. He was charged with a Class A misdemeanour of assault causing bodily injury and a Class C misdemeanour charge of public intoxication. Mr O’Neill was a member of SEAL Team 6 during the famed 2011 mission and subsequently claimed that he had fired the shots which killed the al Qaeda leader and September 11 mastermind at his Pakistan compound. Mr O’Neill had been in the Dallas area to record a podcast at a cigar lounge, according to The New York Post. It is not Mr O’Neill’s first run-in with law enforcement. In 2016, he was arrested in Montana on suspicion of driving under the influence after police said they found him asleep in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with the engine still running, reported The Montana Standard. He blamed a prescription sleeping pill that he told officials he took to deal with insomnia and prosecutors dropped the charges. He was instead charged with negligent endangerment and the prosecution was deferred while he underwent treatment. Mr O’Neill, who is from Montana, was banned from flying on Delta Air Lines after he posted a photo of himself without a mask, when it was still required because of Covid-19. He first made his claim that he was the person who killed Osama bin Laden in a 2014 interview with The Washington Post. The US government has never confirmed nor denied his claim, and different accounts of the operation have clouded who actually pulled the trigger. Some in the special operations community have criticised Mr O’Neill for breaking the code of silence associated with Naval Special Warfare. The official version of events will likely not be de-classified for decades. Read More Plea negotiations could mean no 9/11 defendants face the death penalty, the US tells families Afghanistan is moving into a darker future – and we are letting it happen A top lawyer’s son, a FBI raid and ‘weapons of mass destruction’: How a Philly teen allegedly turned ‘aspiring terrorist’

Teoscar Hernández homered twice and drove in six runs as the Seattle Mariners matched a franchise record with seven home runs in a 15-2 rout of the Kansas City Royals

F1 returns to the Circuit of the Americas this weekend for the US Grand Prix – and the fifth sprint weekend of the season. Max Verstappen sealed the 2023 world title last time out in Qatar and also claimed his 14th grand prix victory of the season. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was driver of the weekend, however, winning the sprint race and coming second in the grand prix on Sunday. PREVIEW: Daniel Ricciardo must prove he still belongs on the F1 grid Lewis Hamilton had a weekend to forget, crashing into Mercedes team-mate George Russell, while the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were among the chasing pack. Lando Norris finished third to secure a double podium for McLaren. Verstappen won a thrilling race at COTA last year, edging out Lewis Hamilton who has still not won a race since the 2021 season. Hamilton is, however, a five-time winner at the circuit. Charles Leclerc grabbed pole for Sunday’s grand prix after qualifying on Friday. Follow live updates from the United States Grand Prix with The Independent Read More Daniel Ricciardo must prove he still belongs on the F1 grid Charles Leclerc grabs pole position as Max Verstappen rages in Austin Max Verstappen fumes with Red Bull team towards end of US qualifying

Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney say they will not get bored at Wrexham as they build a “sustainable business” at the newly-promoted club. Wrexham ended a 15-year absence from the English Football League last month as the two actors’ investment in the Welsh club paid handsome dividends. The pair took over the club from the Wrexham Supporters Trust in February 2021 and have invested heavily on infrastructure and strengthening manager Phil Parkinson’s squad since, with some reports suggesting an outlay of over £10million. “I find it fascinating there are people who assume this could ever be boring in any stretch of the imagination,” said McElhenney, speaking on the Fearless in Devotion podcast. “The things we have done and felt in the last two-and-a-half years just don’t exist in our worlds – or any world that I can think of. “So getting bored would never be on the list of things that would happen.” “But I also think about any cynicism or criticism that we might get, that is simply by nature just not creative in any way or helpful in any way, is generally just a reflection of how someone is feeling about themselves or something they may have gone through in their life.” Reynolds has made it clear that he wants to take Wrexham to the Premier League and admitted that his involvement in football has become an “addiction”. Getting bored would never be on the list of things that would happen Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney He said: “We don’t pretend it’s just salad days ahead. It’s a journey. “It’s making sure that no matter what we do as stewards of this club we are avoiding stasis or backtracking at all cost. “That can sometimes happen, at least from when I’ve observed other clubs, you can get in this cycle where you’re just keeping your head above water. “So we always want to be on that inexorable march forward, not just as a club but as a community, and Rob and I love Wrexham about as much as two human beings could love anything on this planet.” Wrexham are expected to strengthen again this summer in order to make a League Two promotion challenge next season. Reynolds and McElhenney insist they were serious over their failed bid to lure former Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale out of retirement to play for Wrexham, but are adamant they will not be “writing cheques to keep the business of the club afloat”. McElhenney said: “From the beginning we’ve been talking about what our short-term strategy is and what our long-term strategy is because we’ve always said we want to build a sustainable business. “We look at the entire club as a massive investment – an investment in the club, town and future. “And neither one of us wants to put ourselves or the club in a position where any one of us are just writing cheques to keep the business of the club afloat. “Everything we’ve done since we’ve come in is to ensure no matter who comes in – and hopefully it’s us for the rest of our lives – we are building a sustainable business. Whatever that might mean in the future, who’s to say?” Deadpool star Reynolds said he was contemplating Wrexham’s future within hours of them capturing the National League title. Reynolds said: “Almost the next day I was so excited to dig in to what’s next for the club, which I’m proud to say and deeply regretful to say because I should have enjoyed that moment, which I did. “But I’m so excited to repeat that feeling as much as possible and just grow, grow, grow as big as we can possibly get and continue to deliver. “The great moments we’ve had so far do not exist without the bad. That’s football. “It’s a heart-breaking sport and I’m addicted to it now and you have to have both.” Read More Ben Foster set for talks on Wrexham future as retirement decision looms Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson named National League manager of the season Why Wrexham? How Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney came to buy a club they’d never heard of Wrexham to play US women in seven-a-side tournament Ben Foster set for talks on Wrexham future as retirement decision looms Notts County back in EFL with sub goalkeeper Archie Mair the shoot-out hero Notts County boss Luke Williams looking to end emotional season with Wembley win

'CBS Mornings' host Tony Dokoupil has confirmed the safety of his children and ex-wife who were stuck in Israel

Christian Pulisic scored twice as the United States beat Mexico 3-0 on Thursday to set up a CONCACAF Champions League final showdown with Canada after a stormy battle that saw...

Japan moves to reform its sex assault laws, finally recognising consent.

Madonna was placed on a breathing tube for at least one night, but currently, she is alert and improving

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 24, 2023--

Two months after cyclonic downpours flooded the town of Catacaos in northern Peru, dozens of inhabitants lie sick and dying of dengue, a disease carried...