News
Baltic States Officially Cut Energy Ties with Russia, Connect to European Grid
The Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have officially disconnected from Russia’s electricity grid and are now fully linked to the European power system, marking a historic milestone in their energy independence.
The transition, which took place on Sunday, April 7, sees the Baltic nations receiving electricity via Finland, Sweden, and Poland, cutting their last remaining reliance on Russian energy. The shift is being hailed as a major geopolitical and symbolic move, further severing ties with Moscow.
A Historic Break from Russian Influence
The disconnection came after decades of dependence on Russian-supplied electricity, a legacy of their Soviet past. The move aligns the Baltic region more closely with the European Union and strengthens its resilience against potential Russian energy coercion.
“We did it!” Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs declared in a celebratory post on social media platform X.
A special ceremony in Vilnius, Lithuania, was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the presidents of Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, highlighting the significance of the transition for the region and Europe as a whole.
Step-by-Step Disconnection from Russia
On Saturday evening, power transmission lines between the Baltic states and Russia, including links to Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, were switched off in stages.
- Lithuania was the first to disconnect, marked by a symbolic countdown on a 9-meter-tall clock in central Vilnius.
- Latvia followed shortly after.
- Estonia completed the process a few minutes later.
In recent years, 16 power lines connecting the Baltics to Russia and Belarus had already been dismantled as part of the region’s gradual integration into the European electricity network. New infrastructure, including underwater cables in the Baltic Sea, has been developed to ensure a stable power supply from the EU.
Geopolitical Tensions and Energy Security
The disconnection comes against the backdrop of strained relations between the Baltic states and Russia, particularly following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Baltic nations, all NATO members, have long advocated for reducing dependence on Russian energy to enhance security.
In 2024, the three countries formally notified Moscow and Minsk of their plan to leave the Russian grid, taking precautions to avoid any potential hostile response from Russia or Belarus.
With this latest move, the Baltics have fully integrated into the EU’s energy system, reinforcing their independence and ensuring greater stability in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
News
Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”
Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.
The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.
The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.
PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.
News
Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.
Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.
The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.
There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.
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