News
Ukraine captures Russian tank battalion commander [Photos]
According to reports, Ukrainian soldiers have apprehended a Russian commander.
On Saturday, the Ukrainian military made the claim.
Additionally, the military supplied photographic evidence of the commander and chief of staff of Russia’s 35th Motor Rifle Brigade’s tank unit following his detention.
Major Schetkin Leonid Petrovich of the Russian Armed Forces was photographed in Ukrainian custody, together with his photo identification, military insignia, and other personal possessions, and the photographs were supplied by Ukraine’s Operational Command North.
The Ukrainian military stated that Petrovich was apprehended during an attack on a Russian tank unit by Ukrainian forces, which Petrovich “miraculously survived.”
Ukraine has now seized the highest-ranking officer from the Russian military captured.
The Ukrainian military posted a video to social media showing multiple burnt tanks in the aftermath of a strike.
On Thursday, the top Ukrainian commander wrote in a statement that “Russian invaders” from Russia’s 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade surrendered to “Ukrainian defenders.”
“Russian invaders, facing the total resistance of Ukrainian defenders, surrender themselves to captivity. Under Chernihiv, a whole intelligence unit of 74 motorcycle rifle brigade surrendered,” the Ukrainian commander stated, adding that the Russian soldiers “thought they would return home” and that they were “collecting information” instead of fighting.
During a press briefing, Ukraine Ambassador Markarova also confirmed the surrender, saying the Russian troops “didn’t know that they were brought to Ukraine to kill Ukrainians. That they thought they were doing something else there.”
As of Saturday, Ukraine claimed to have imprisoned 200 Russian servicemen, claiming the Russian troops surrendered because they did not anticipate Ukraine putting up a fight.
Ukraine stated on Sunday that it had killed 4,300 Russian servicemen in the first three days of the war, destroyed 27 airplanes, 26 helicopters, 146 tanks, and 706 armored vehicles, among other things.
As of Saturday, Ukraine’s health minister said that invading Russian soldiers had killed 198 Ukrainians, including three children, and wounded another 1,000.
According to United Nations authorities, more than 150,000 Ukrainians have fled the country, and an estimated 4 million more could do so if the war continues.
On Saturday, the US Department of Defense stated that it had detected “more than 250 Russian missile launches, principally short-range ballistic missiles” in the preceding 24 hours. Additionally, it stated that more than half of Russia’s 150,000 troops amassed surrounding Ukraine had been mobilized within the country, with the remainder awaiting deployment along the country’s borders.
President Joe Biden authorized $350 million worth of US military hardware to Ukraine on Friday, including anti-armor, small guns, various ammunition, body armor, and similar equipment. The new installment brings the US’s total security assistance to Ukraine to $1 billion in the last year alone.
Over the weekend, Germany also provided Ukraine with anti-tank grenade launchers and stinger missiles.
Erosion: Oyo to benefit from European Investment Bank intervention
Oyo State has been listed among the Twenty-three beneficiaries of the European Investment Bank’s intervention in addressing the challenges of erosion and land degradation control in Nigeria.
The intervention project is under the auspices of the European Investment Bank-assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).
In a statement by Bukola Bakare, Director, Press & Public Relations,
Ministry of Information and Orientation,
Oyo State, said the National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks made this known on Tuesday in Ibadan when he led the Federal Project Management Unit delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde in his office.
The National Project Coordinator disclosed that the courtesy visit was part of the Federal Project Management Unit team to Oyo State scoping mission to evaluate the State’s readiness as a crucial step towards disbursement and project implementation take off.
According to Engr. Yalaks, the Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the climate Adaptation: Erosion and Watershed succeeding the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project (Newmap) to address the issue of land degradation in a targeted subwatershed, improve livelihood, and promote Environmental resilience for sustainable development.
He added that the project is supported by the European Union and oversees by the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) with implementation by the twenty three (23) participating States including Oyo State.
Briefing the Governor on the pre requisite requirements, Yalaks commended Governor Makinde led administration for his approval and release of 500 million naira as counterpart fund and other important pre requisite requirements which secured the State as one of the 23 States for the EIB intervention.
His words, “I’m happy to announce to you that Oyo State has met 100% percent legitimate criteria to attract the funding.”
He confirmed that after conducting an assessment of the prioritized sites which are threat to lives and infrastructural development. They are therefore considered as candidate sites in line with the conditions precedence of the EIB.
Welcoming the FPMU delegation on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal highlighted some of the achievements of Engr. Seyi Makinde in demonstrating the highest level of political will to tackle environmental challenges in the state.
He expressed optimism about the project’s potential for success and assured the team of the state’s unwavering support.
“We are already on course and it is an irreversible course, we cannot go back, all the requests you have demanded from us as the state government, we will fulfil. We need to put more efforts in terms of making this partnership a workable one”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources Arch. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola commended Engr. Seyi Makinde for his leadership quality in chosen the prioritized sites in Eruwa, Igbeti, Ibadan and most especially the gully erosion site within the Ladoke Akintola University(LAUTECH) Ogbomoso which is currently a threat to infrastructural development, added that the State is ready for full project implementation take off.
Present at the visit were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, State Project Coordinator, Barr. Tayo Ayoade and members of the State Project Management Unit of NEWMAP.
President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday, paid a condolence visit to Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, following the passing of his mother, Hajiya Sarafa’u Umaru, who died on March 23, 2025, at the age of 93.
During the visit, Senator Lawan expressed his deep sorrow over the loss, describing Hajiya Sarafa’u as a woman of “great virtue, kindness, and wisdom,” whose life left an indelible mark on her family and community.
“It is with a heavy heart that I stand here today to commiserate with His Excellency, Governor Radda, and the entire family over the loss of their beloved matriarch.
“Hajiya Sarafa’u was a pillar of strength and devotion, and her legacy lives on through the exemplary leadership of her son, who continues to serve Katsina State with passion and humility,” Lawan said.
The former Senate President explained that his absence during the initial mourning period was due to his participation in an executive course at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States.
However, he emphasized the importance of personally conveying his sympathies upon his return.
“I regret that I could not be here earlier, but I felt it necessary to come in person to offer my condolences and stand in solidarity with the Governor and the people of Katsina during this difficult time,” he added.
Amid restraint order slammed on the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, rtd from appointing sole administrators of the 23 Local Government Council Areas, he has approved the appointment of the administrators for the council areas.
CAPITAL POST gathered that a Federal High Court sitting in Portharcourt on Tuesday restrained the Sole Administrator from appointing Council executives.
The order was issued by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity.
Ibas also approved the reconstitution of the board of agencies of State government including the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC which he dissolved upon his assumption as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The development was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
The statement said the appointments take immediate effect.
Mr Okroiyobi Animete was appointed as administrator for Abua/Odual LG, Mr Goodluck M Iheanacho for Ahoada East LG, Mr Promise Jacob for Ahoada West LG, among others.
The statement read, “His Excellency, The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
“He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended.
“All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”
FULL LIST OF Rivers LG administrators
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