Bangladesh Opens Trial of Deposed Ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

In Bangladesh, the trial of ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina begins amid rising political tensions. Meanwhile, Ukraine reports a successful drone attack destroying over 40 Russian jets. This significant military operation, overseen by President Zelensky, marks a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict. Concurrently, Russia launches a record number of drone strikes aimed at Ukraine.

Bangladesh is making headlines as the trial of deposed ex-Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, is officially underway. This comes after a period marked by political tensions and public uproar regarding past governance and actions that led to her expulsion from power. Hasina, who once led the country as its 10th Prime Minister, is now facing serious charges that could significantly shape the future of Bangladeshi politics. Her legal representation has signaled plans to contest the charges vigorously.

Turning to dramatic events abroad, a Ukrainian drone assault reportedly destroyed over 40 Russian fighter jets deep within Russian territory, according to the Security Service of Ukraine on Sunday. This ambitious operation was said to have been put in motion over a year and a half by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky himself, which indicates a level of operation planning and timing not often seen in the ongoing conflict.

In a statement detailing the operation, which involved 117 drones, Zelensky specified that the attacks were orchestrated from a location adjacent to local FSB headquarters. The complexities of the operation, termed “extremely complex” by military insiders, included smuggling advanced FPV drones into Russia, where they were covertly placed in mobile wooden houses before deployment to strike targets.

Social media has been abuzz with footage that suggests drones launched from inside these containers despite last-ditch efforts by Russian personnel to intercept or halt their progress. The strikes hit a combination of aircraft, including A-50 and Tu-95 bombers, which Russia has regularly utilized to bomb Ukraine, leading to significant strategic losses for the Russian military, as mentioned in unofficial reports.

The operation, codenamed “Web,” is said to have dismantled approximately 34 percent of Russia’s fleet of air missile carriers, with damages theorized to be around $7 billion—although these figures remain unverified. Following these developments, Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the attacks that compelled firefighting efforts on military bases all the way in the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions. Additionally, disruptions were reported in the Far East and western regions of Russia.

In the midst of the drone strikes, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was made aware of the operation while visiting Nellis Air Force Base. Officials mentioned that the US had not been informed in advance about the unfolding strike, suggesting a notable increase in the sophistication of Ukraine’s military actions.

On that same day, Russia’s top investigative agency reported incidents of explosions linked to the collapse of two bridges and train derailments in western Russia, resulting in seven fatalities. Though officials have remained vague regarding the cause of these blasts, interestingly, terms like “explosions” were deleted from subsequent communications, leading to speculation over a cover-up or miscommunication about the exact events.

As tensions escalated, Zelensky confirmed the dispatch of a delegation to Istanbul for direct peace talks with Russia. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is set to lead the talks where discussion surrounding a long-awaited memorandum from Moscow is on the agenda. Ukrainian leadership continues to stress their commitment to sovereignty and the necessity of securing peace.

Meanwhile, at the same time, Russian forces are intensifying efforts against Ukraine with record high numbers of drone strikes—472 reported on Sunday, marking the greatest assault since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. They also launched several missiles, with a tragic outcome reported as at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in an attack on an army training unit. The unit was positioned at a considerable distance from front line hostilities, underscoring the pervasive threat posed by Russian drones.

In summary, both the unfolding legal battles of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh and the military developments between Ukraine and Russia illustrate significant turning points. The drone strike success underscores a major tactical achievement for Ukraine, while the ongoing conflict and the loss of life highlight the persistent volatility and the urgent need for diplomatic engagement. The high-stakes peace talks in Istanbul could set a critical trajectory for future relations between the two nations, framing the wider geopolitical landscape.

Original Source: www.arabnews.pk