A group of fraudsters tried to obtain insurance payments by staging a bear attack on a car. Using a bear costume and special devices, they caused $142,000 in damage.
An unusual fraud was uncovered in Los Angeles: a group of suspects tried to pretend that their cars were damaged by a bear, UNN reports citing Bild.
Details
Surveillance footage shows a bear allegedly breaking into a Rolls-Royce Ghost, leaving scratches and tears in the leather seats and dashboard. However, it was actually part of a cunning insurance fraud plan.
According to the California Department of Insurance, the four suspects are charged with conspiracy and insurance fraud. To create the illusion of animal attacks, the defendants used a bear costume and a meat grinder that mimicked bear claws.
In the United States, it is indeed possible to insure a car against animal attacks, which is often used in areas where bears are found. In California, such cases are not uncommon – and insurance companies sometimes cover losses from damage caused by wild animals.
However, the fraudsters overestimated their plan: suspicion was aroused by similar claims filed with different insurance companies with the same dates and place of the incident. After analyzing the video, a wildlife expert confirmed that the "bear" was actually a man in a suit.
The costume and artificial claws were found in the suspects' house. The damage from their actions is estimated at 142 thousand dollars.
Ukraine’s sovereign bonds rose in price after Donald Trump’s win in the U.S. presidential elections as investors expect a quicker end to the war, the Financial Times reported on Nov. 14.
Over the past month, the country's dollar-dominated bonds have risen 12%, FT reported, as investors anticipate Trump will push for a ceasefire that could jumpstart Ukraine's recovery and ability to repay its creditors.
The outlet pointed out that the jump in Ukrainian bonds began in mid-October when markets began to believe in a Trump victory.
Trump has pledged to end the war within "24 hours," sparking fears he might push Ukraine toward painful territorial concessions to achieve a quick peace deal.
The rise in price follows an agreement reached in September between Ukraine and its creditors to restructure more than $20 billion in international debt. The deal shrank Ukraine's state debt by $9 billion, allowing it to avert default and helped its economy stay afloat amid Russia's full-scale war.
The country's bond maturing in 2036 rose from 44 to 49 cents on the dollar in the past month, FT reported. GDP-warrants, a growth-related fixed-income instrument, also jumped to a record high following Trump’s election since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
The FT also reported that a bond owned by Ukraine's state-owned grid operator Ukrenergo rallied more than 160% to 67 cents on the dollar. Bloomberg reported last week that Ukrenergo announced it would suspend bond payments on its dollar-denominated notes that mature in 2028 and would seek a restructuring agreement with creditors.
Not all investors are so bullish about Ukraine's recovery prospects. Portfolio Manager at Federated Hermes Mohammed Elmi told the FT that "There is still a significant amount of unanswered questions” about the country's future after any potential negotiated settlement.
More than 40 residents of the village of Olgovka, Kursk region, recorded a video message to Putin calling for an end to the war. The refugees lost their homes due to the Ukrainian army offensive and complain about insufficient payments to rent a new place.
Refugees from the village of olgovka in the Kursk region have appealed to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to “end this damn war.” Residents of the village complain that the war has left them homeless, and that they have been evacuated and do not have enough money from the authorities to rent a house.
This was reported by the Russian media, UNNreported.
Details
We have been in hell for three months, where do we turn, where do we find salvation? We are asking you to end this damn war that has claimed many innocent lives. We want our children to see a peaceful sky, not to listen to the missile warning. Please understand this situation and listen to the residents of the border area. We do not tolerate all this by choice
– the residents asked.
More than 40 people took part in the video message. In the video, residents of Olgovka also say that they lost everything and were left homeless when the Ukrainian army began its offensive. In the evacuation, they do not have enough payments from the authorities to rent housing, and many are not ready to hire refugees.
The IDPs also said that some of their fellow villagers who did not evacuate were killed or went missing.
Addendum Addendum
On August 6, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an offensive in the Kursk region, including the Defense Forces entering the village of Olgovka, but later the Russian military regained control of it.
Recall
South Korea's intelligence agency confirms that North Korean soldiers are already participating in combat operations against the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region alongside Russian soldiers.
Gas prices in Europe hit a one-year high after OMV warned of a possible supply disruption from Russia. The Austrian company received 230 million euros in arbitration against Gazprom and plans to deduct them from its accounts.
European gas prices reached their highest level in a year on Thursday after Austrian group OMV warned of a possible disruption in supplies from Russia, the Financial Times reports, UNN writes.
Details
European benchmark gas futures on the TTF rose 5 percent to 46 euros per megawatt hour in early trading in Amsterdam before falling slightly.
The jump came after OMV warned late Wednesday night of a "possible gas supply shutdown" from Russia after the Vienna-based energy and chemicals group received €230 million in an arbitration award against Gazprom.
OMV complained about "irregular" gas supplies from the Russian company to Germany before the supply was completely cut off in September 2022.
OMV said it would "set off" the awarded amount from its accounts under the contract with Gazprom with "immediate effect". However, it warned that its move could lead to a "deterioration of the contractual relationship".
Europe's gas market has become sensitive to supply disruptions since Russia began cutting supplies to Europe in 2021 before its invasion of Ukraine. In recent years, events that disrupt or threaten to disrupt global gas supplies have led to sharp price fluctuations in Europe.
Austria and Slovakia continue to receive Russian gas via Ukraine under a transit agreement that expires at the end of the year. This route is one of the two Russian routes through which gas flows to Europe and accounts for about 5 percent of the EU's annual gas imports.
Analysts warn that the volumes transiting through Ukraine could be cut almost in half if Gazprom stops supplying due to OMV's decision, and the market will know about it in a week.
Tom Marzec-Mancer, head of gas analytics at ICIS, a consulting company, said that Gazprom's customers usually pay for deliveries on the 20th of the month.
"OMV may withhold the next payment, which will be about 213 million euros, but this could prompt Gazprom to immediately terminate the contract," he warned.
The announcement comes at a time when cold weather has set in and demand for heating gas has increased; according to industry data provider Gas Infrastructure Europe, EU gas storage facilities have had net withdrawals for 10 consecutive days.
OMV added that it will be able to fulfill its supply contracts because it has diversified its gas supplies by refusing to rely on Russian gas. Austrian Energy Minister Leonora Gevessler also wrote on social network X that OMV's actions "do not pose a direct threat to our security of supply.
However, she warned: "It is clear that a sudden interruption of supply could cause tensions in gas markets.
SPP, Slovakia's largest energy supplier, also said on Wednesday that it had signed a "short-term pilot contract for the supply of natural gas" with Azerbaijan's state oil and gas company Socar ahead of the expiration of its transit agreement with Ukraine.
"SPP supports the continuation of gas transportation through Ukraine as it is the most cost-effective solution for our customers," the statement said. – "However, due to the high risk of disruption of gas supplies through the eastern branch, we are taking steps to ensure the safe delivery of gas to our customers.
Gas production in Ukraine increased by 6% this year – NaftogazNov 14 2024, 08:05 AM • 13958 views
Manchester United have reportedly identified (another) ‘first player of the Ruben Amorim era’ at Old Trafford, and are ‘confident’ of beating Manchester City to the punch.
Amorim’s arrival as Erik ten Hag’s permanent successor has inevitably set the rumour mill turning ahead of the January transfer window, despite reports suggesting he will have limited funds to spend amid the Red Devils’ concerns over breaching FFP regulations.
Barcelona’s Andreas Christensen, Juventus’ Danilo, Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku and even Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala have all been tipped to be the Portuguese manager’s ‘first signing’, with Viktor Gyokeres only avoiding that label because Amorim himself ruled out a January move.
Now TBR claim United are ‘confident’ if signing Rosenbord teenager Sverre Nepal.
The 17-year-old has already made 58 appearance for the Norwegian side, contributing 12 goals and 11 assists from central midfield.
United have been ‘determined to beat Manchester City to Nypan’ and ‘they’re now confident’ of doing that following Amorim’s arrival.
Nypan is available for around £10m, though add-ons could take the deal closer to £20m, and the report claims Rosenborg have ‘told Nypan to begin choosing his next club once their season finishes in early December’.
The report adds:
‘United are working to try and conclude a deal, with Nypan’s camp set to sit down and assess their options.
‘United are confident, they have been tracking the young Norwegian talent since he was 14/15-years-old, and he has been visited more than once.
‘However, the club knows the fact that they’ve not tied him down yet has left the door open to others.
‘Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Aston Villa have all had contact with Nypan’s representatives in recent months.
‘They are also joined by Man City’s owners the City Football Group and also BlueCo – Chelsea’s parent company.
‘Both clubs would prefer to see Nypan start his senior career away from England before eventually moving to the Premier League.’
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Nypan would be competing with Manuel Ugarte for a spot in midfield should he make the move to United, and Amorim will be hoping to get the best out of the Uruguayan midfielder, who made his name under him at Sporting before moving to PSG and then United in the summer.
Other Sporting stars may well follow, but as Amorim pointed out after agreeing his United contract, a move for star striker Gyokeres may have to wait.
“I can’t make fun of it, right now, it was hard for me to leave, if I start joking about this Gyokeres situation I’ll get in trouble,” Amorim said on TNT Sports. “This is my city, this is my country, so I’ll respect it.
“Viktor has to stay until the end of the season, and then his life maybe is going somewhere else.”
Rukh defender Oleksiy Sych received his debut call-up to the Ukrainian national team. Dynamo's Oleksandr Tymchyk left the team's camp before the matches against Georgia and Albania in the League of Nations.
Another change in the Ukrainian national football team ahead of the November matches in the League of Nations. Lviv Rukh defender Oleksiy Sych received his debut call-up, while Dynamo Kyiv defender Oleksandr Tymchyk was forced to leave the blue-and-yellows' Turkish training camp, the UAF reported on Thursday, UNN reports.
Details
"The coaching staff of the national team decided to call up the absolute debutant of the blue and yellows – back of Lviv's Rukh Oleksiy Sych," the UAF reported.
Instead, Dynamo Kyiv defender Oleksandr Tymchyk left the blue-and-yellow team's camp.
Addendum
In Turkey, our team will be preparing until November 15, when they will leave for Batumi.
On November 16, the 5th round of the group stage match between Georgia and Ukraine in the B1 quartet will take place at the local Adjara Bet Arena (starting at 19:00 Kyiv time).
The next day, November 17, the Ukrainian national team will move to Tirana.
On November 19, the final match of the 6th round of the group stage in the B1 Albania-Ukraine quartet will take place at the local Air Albania Stadium (starting at 21:45 Kyiv time).
Final matches of the Nations League 2024/2025: how the national team of Ukraine is preparing for the matchesNov 13 2024, 12:16 PM • 15125 views
The hacker group INC Ransomware has hacked and encrypted the files of the Hungarian Defense Procurement Agency. The attackers are demanding $5 million in ransom and have already published some of the secret military documents on the darknet.
The hackers demanded a ransom of five million dollars from the Hungarian state for not publishing the data. Subsequently, screenshots of classified military information appeared on the darknet.
He writes UNN with a link to Hang.hu and 444.hu.
The Defense Procurement Agency (VBÜ) has been attacked by hackers who have encrypted the files of the state-owned company responsible for defense and security procurement for the Hungarian military and law enforcement agencies. The hackers demanded a ransom of five million dollars to unlock them, otherwise they will be made public.
But later, it was reported that dozens of screenshots of illegally obtained materials had already been published, which may have been done by hackers to emphasize the request.
We are talking about highly sensitive materials, defense procurement, internal correspondence, and the real capabilities of the Hungarian armed forces. Based on the wide range of activities and the number of employees (97 people), it is clear that the documents already made public are only a small part of what the blackmailers got their hands on, but there are several among them that are sensitive from the point of view of military and national security
, – 444.hu writes.
The Ministry of Defense acknowledged the attack, but according to the government's earlier announcement, no sensitive data about the military structure was leaked.
It is also noted that the attack took place in October 2024.
The attack was probably carried out using ransomware, Hang portal quoted IT security expert Ferenc Fresch as saying. He was the first to post information about the hacker attack on his Facebook page.
It is indicated that INC Ransomware attacked, downloaded and encrypted the entire contents of the file server of the Defense Procurement Agency.
Microsoft detects large-scale phishing attack from Russian hackers Midnight BlizzardOct 30 2024, 08:00 AM • 14899 views
Before the election, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said he had "little appetite" for further military aid to Ukraine. While the sentiment is somewhat understandable, it misses a critical point: the nature of warfare has fundamentally changed over the past year, and Ukraine’s aid no longer needs to be a one-way street. Ukraine can now offer its expertise and technology to the U.S. in return.
Ukraine possesses the world’s most advanced tactical unmanned and autonomous weaponry, along with the hard-won experience to deploy it in the world’s most sophisticated battle space. The technology and training Ukraine can offer far outweigh the value of the aid Johnson is hesitant to provide. He may be missing the deal of the century.
"The technology and training Ukraine can offer far outweigh the value of the aid Johnson is hesitant to provide. He may be missing the deal of the century."
It is becoming increasingly clear to the American defense establishment just how dramatically unmanned and autonomous systems (UAS) warfare has shifted the battlefield — and how precarious the U.S. security posture is as a result.
Former U.S. General David Petraeus and former U.S. Army special-operations commander Andy Yakulis note that the pace of drone operations in Ukraine "highlights the urgency with which the U.S. must overhaul its defense system, from operational concepts, structures, and training to weapons systems, procurement, and manufacturing." Recognition of the problem is widespread, but systematic solutions to address the problem are slow in coming.
Matthew Rose and Kathryn Levantovscaia of the Atlantic Council say that "Despite the rapid evolution of drone technology over the last two decades, the United States military did not release its first Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Strategy until 2021, and it’s vastly insufficient to address the new security challenges afoot."
Opinion on Capitol Hill is much the same — staffers warn that the U.S. has a serious problem on its hands and is “way behind the curve” in addressing the unmanned threat.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is leading the charge. By necessity, it has become the world’s preeminent developer in this new battle space, only whiskers ahead in a breakneck race with Russia. Both sides have adapted unmanned systems in ways thought inconceivable just a few short years ago.
Ukraine is on track to produce 1.2 million drones this year, with plans to grow toward 4 million annually. Although security restrictions make it difficult to say for certain, this likely surpasses U.S. Defense Department acquisitions by orders of magnitude. The number of drone manufacturers in Ukraine has increased from seven in 2022 to over 100 in 2024.
Ukraine’s rapid research and development cycle, built upon a decentralized “levée en masse” production system, allows it to lead the global UAS market and deliver innovative solutions to the battlefield at an astonishing rate.
Ukrainian reconnaissance drones are seen during test flights prior to being sent to the front line in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, on Aug. 2, 2022, amid Russia's war against Ukraine. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)
The pace of this development is only accelerating. Ukraine is rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and sensor technologies, swarm technology, and the integration of computer vision and real-time data processing, as well as diversifying its UAS portfolio with specialized developments drones for carriers, targets, electronic warfare, and kamikaze attacks.
In short, Ukraine has earned its fearsome reputation for multi-domain drone operations, and it’s time for the U.S. to fully embrace this fact. Ukrainian technical creativity has reshaped modern warfare, and the U.S. defense establishment should be eager to exchange some of its war materiel for the tactical lessons Ukraine has learned.
Other global actors have already recognized the strategic potential of partnering with Ukraine’s defense sector. Prominent players like U.S.-based Skydio, Germany’s Quantum-Systems, and Turkey’s Baykar have quickly set up offices or drone manufacturing plants in Ukraine. They understand, as American politicians do not, that Ukraine is the new global center for technical innovation.
Vast, well-funded military-industrial complexes like in the U.S. are predictably slow to adapt to new realities. Russia, China, and the U.S. must now reckon with the fact that their expensive, high-tech weapons systems — the result of decades of acquisition — are vulnerable to relatively inexpensive systems.
Ukraine’s naval drones, which cost just $200,000 each, have already destroyed two dozen Russian warships in the Black Sea, forcing Russia to retreat from the Crimean coast. Estimates suggest the Russian Army has lost approximately 9,000 tanks, 18,000 armored vehicles, 20,000 artillery systems, 369 aircraft, 329 helicopters, and over 700,000 personnel — many of these losses due to drone attacks. In October alone, Ukraine’s UAS "destroyed or damaged" over 52,000 Russian targets, including 129 artillery systems, 221 pieces of radio equipment, and more than 4,000 Russian troops.
Ukrainian drone strikes have also targeted over 30 oil refineries, reducing Russian crude processing capacity by as much as 14.5%. Ukrainian drone swarms have played key roles not only in standoff attacks on oil refineries and military bases but also in Ukraine’s successful incursion into the Kursk oblast. It has become a joke among Ukrainians that while Russia “shoots down all incoming drones,” the "falling debris" is bleeding its war machine dry.
But if U.S. defense planners believe Russia will remain passive or static in its response, they are in for a rude awakening. Russia has been investing in domestic drone production since 2008 and announced plans this year to ramp up production by nearly tenfold to 1.4 million units.
While Russia’s reliance on foreign components and its failure to implement decentralized production models give Ukraine an advantage, it remains a formidable competitor in the drone space. Its partnerships with Iran, North Korea, and possibly China mean there’s no time to waste for the U.S.
"While Russia’s reliance on foreign components and its failure to implement decentralized production models give Ukraine an advantage, it remains a formidable competitor in the drone space."
The pace of technological development on the Ukrainian battlefield is pushing both sides to innovate rapidly. Russians continue to try to replicate Ukraine’s drone technologies and tactics, motivating Ukrainians to develop even more sophisticated innovations. This accelerated arms race demands that the U.S. stay updated on developments such as "dragon drones" that release molten thermite on enemy positions and the Palianytsia, a hybrid rocket-drone with a long-range strike capability of 435 miles (700 km).
Ukraine still desperately needs key investments in its defense sector and continued military aid, while the U.S. must learn to operate effectively in the newest battle domain. As Ukraine seeks foreign capital for its military-defense complex, Russia’s attacks persist, fueled by fresh transfers from North Korea and Iran. As these autocratic nations push the world toward potential conflict, it’s vital for the U.S. and Ukraine to work out bilateral defense arrangements that serve both countries' vital interests.
This two-way partnership would be relatively simple to establish: Ukraine can already supply tens of thousands of the most advanced First-Person-View (FPV) attack drones to the U.S. Defense Department, along with training from some of the world’s most skilled drone pilots. Many of these courses can be taught virtually, allowing Ukrainian instructors to continue fighting while sharing tactical and technical updates with their American counterparts.
The initiative has strong political backing. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks’ Replicator Initiative aims to equip operational units with "tens of thousands" of drones by next year. Outsourcing this monumental acquisition to Ukraine would be a straightforward proposition, provided red tape is eliminated in the national interest. After all, Ukraine is the best place to buy drones right now — not only are they the most advanced, but they’re also comparatively cheap.
Allied weapons have given Ukraine the time to build its defense frameworks, and it is now developing new technologies and tactics at a rapid pace. Ukraine can now offer the U.S. a tremendous asset in exchange for the aid it has received: deep, relevant experience in the world’s most advanced battle space. Now that the election is over, sending Ukraine the weapons and funds it needs in exchange for cutting-edge technology, tactics, and training is a bargain Speaker Johnson would be foolish to ignore.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.
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The advisor to the head of the OP criticizes the Western media for publications about forcing Ukraine to unfavorable negotiations with russia. Podolyak believes this is an incentive for the aggressor and a humiliation of international law.
Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Presidential Office, noted that Western media often publish stories about scenarios where the Ukrainian side is forced to negotiate peace with russia on terms unfavorable to Ukraine. He called it an incentive for russia to continue its aggression. UNN writes about this with a link to the advisor's post on the X network.
Forcing Ukraine to negotiate on any unfavorable terms (as the Western media constantly report) looks extremely strange
– the post says.
In his opinion, in this way they are trying to force Ukraine to give up resistance and do not discuss real scenarios for forcing russia, which is the aggressor, to stop this aggression and pay the maximum financial and legal price for the aggression.
What kind of absurd "moral imperative" is this – peace only at the expense of the victim, the country that was attacked. And at the expense of openly encouraging the aggressor to continue aggression, because there will be no cost for aggression? Where does this come from? And why should this strange construction lead to peace, and not to increased aggression and the ultimate humiliation of international law?
– He added.
Recall
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready to consider real peace proposals from other countries. He called on Western officials to openly discuss the idea of exchanging territory for NATO membership.
As reported by The Telegraph, Donald Trump may call on European and British troops to provide an 800-mile (1,200-kilometer) buffer zone between the russian and Ukrainian armies as part of a plan to freeze the war between the two countries.
Ukraine expects further US leadership in achieving a just peace – SibigaNov 9 2024, 04:15 PM • 21401 view
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
