Vladimir Putin has arrived in Belarus for a two-day visit where he will discuss tactical nuclear exercises with his ally Alexander Lukashenko.
Russia has begun stationing its nuclear weapons inside Belarus, which borders Nato members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, since its war against Ukraine began.
The Belarus visit is part of a round of foreign tours Putin is conducting as he kicks off his fifth term in office, many of which involve drumming up support for his invasion of Ukraine. He and Lukashenko are expected to speak about the second phase of exercises with tactical nuclear weapons.
“Today and tomorrow we will be discussing all this, including issues of security to which we have devoted considerable attention,” Putin was quoted as saying. “There is a lot to talk about.”
Minsk is set to take part in the exercises, aimed at simulating preparations for the launch of the weapons, which are smaller nuclear warheads meant for use on battlefields.
Putin has just returned from China and is also expected in Uzbekistan on Sunday.
It comes as Kyiv’s forces struck the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula with a barrage of missiles and drones in the past 24 hours. Russia-backed local officials claim the strikes killed two in Simferopol, though there has been no independent confirmation.
Key Points
Putin reaches Belarus to discuss tactical nuclear weapon exercises
Two bystanders killed in Crimea, says Russia-backed official
Putin’s forces ‘kill seven’ in deadly Kharkiv attack
Biden urged to allow Ukraine to use US missiles to hit Russian territory
Kyiv ‘destroys Russian warship’ in Crimea
Two bystanders killed in Crimea, says Russia-backed official
06:05 , Arpan Rai
Two bystanders have been killed in the Crimea peninsula after a Ukrainian missile hit the region near Simferopol, a Russian-appointed official said.
Simferopol’s governor Sergei Aksyonov claimed that a Ukrainian missile had struck an empty building near Alushta on the peninsula’s Black Sea coast.
This comes amid a busy early morning in Crimea as Ukrainian military bloggers and unofficial media reported a number of targets had been hit throughout the peninsula.
Russia’s defence ministry has also claimed to have intercepted three ATACMS missiles over Crimea, without providing any evidence of the projectile. It said the military had destroyed three Ukrainian sea drones headed toward the peninsula.
Videos and photos of the incident have been shared by Krymsky Veter, an online news outlet dealing with Crimea, showing an explosion and fire in Alushta, and said ambulances were heading to the scene.
News outlet RBK-Ukraine reported, without citing a source, that explosions had occurred in three other centres and said targets could have included headquarters for the coast guard or intelligence centres.
Russian bloggers on the peninsula said they believed that not all incoming missiles had been intercepted.
Russia moves buoys separating river border with Estonia
05:37 , Barney Davis
Russian border guards have removed navigation buoys from the Estonian side of a river separating the two countries, the Baltic nation said on Thursday, adding that it would seek an explanation as well as a return of the equipment.
Some 24 out of 50 buoys recently placed on the Narva river to mark sailing routes were removed in the early hours of Thursday the Estonian police and border guard said in a statement.
Natural changes to the riverbed make it necessary to retrace shipping routes annually, the authority said, adding that the location of buoys between Russia and Estonia had been disputed since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Russian defence ministry earlier this week briefly published a proposal to revise Russia’s maritime border in the eastern Baltic Sea, but later deleted it from an official portal after creating concern among NATO members, including Estonia.
It was not immediately clear if the removal of buoys was related to any Russian Baltic Sea border plan.
The Estonian foreign ministry said it treated the removal as a provocative border incident and would demand an explanation as well as the return of the buoys immediately.
“This action by Russia, carried out in the shadow of the night, fits well within the broader pattern of Russia’s provocative behaviour, including on its borders with neighbours,” it said in a statement.
The Narva river runs from a lake between Russia and Estonia and ends up in the Gulf of Finland, part of the Baltic Sea.
South Korea and Japan roll out more sanctions over Russia-North Korea arms trade
05:34 , Arpan Rai
South Korea and Japan are sanctioning more individuals, organisations and ships related to Russia’s alleged procurement of weapons from North Korea.
The sanctions from Seoul target seven North Korean individuals and two Russian vessels over alleged arms trading in breach of UN Security Council resolutions.
South Korea said the Russian vessels transported military supplies in a large quantity of containers from North Korea to Russia.
Japan also announced sanctions on 11 organisations and one individual including what it said were Russian groups involved in military cooperation with North Korea that supports Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia’s procurement of arms from North Korea violates the relevant UN resolutions that completely prohibit the transfer of arms and related materials to and from North Korea,” Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a news conference.
North Korea has been accused by the US and South Korea of transferring weapons to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine. Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the accusations, but vowed last year to deepen military relations.
Putin reaches Belarus to discuss tactical nuclear weapon exercises
04:51 , Arpan Rai
Vladimir Putin reached Belarus for a two-day visit as part of several foreign tours to kick off his fifth term in office as he is set to discuss tactical nuclear exercises where Russia has now parked the weapons.
Minsk is set to take part in the exercises, aimed at simulating preparations for the launch of the weapons, which are smaller nuclear warheads meant for use on battlefields.
Upon arrival, Mr Putin said he had discussed issues of cooperation Belarus at a cabinet meeting in Moscow.
“Today and tomorrow we will be discussing all this, including issues of security to which we have devoted considerable attention,” Mr Putin was quoted as saying. “There is a lot to talk about. Everything is stable and going well for us.”
Discussions of the second phase of exercises with tactical weapons were also on the agenda.
“Part of this is the direct participation of our Belarusian friends and colleagues in the military sphere in these events.”
The Russian president traveled to China earlier this month, and is expected in Uzbekistan on Sunday. Earlier yesterday, the Russian president hosted Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the Kremlin.
Putin arrives in neighboring Belarus for a two-day visit with a key ally
Guerillas discover stash of Russian weapons in Yevpatoria
04:37 , Barney Davis
The ATESH guerrilla movement discovered a stash of Russian military equipment at a freight station in occupied Yevpatoria.
“In the course of reconnaissance, an agent of our movement discovered the unloading of an echelon of equipment at the Yevpatoria freight station. In the photo, you can see BMP-3 and a T-72 tank platoon,” the message says.
They added that railroad cars with ammunition were also unloaded along with the equipment.
“The occupiers are hiding behind civilian infrastructure, but we are tracking the movements of the Russian military. We know exactly where to strike and we share this information with the appropriate people,” ATES added.
China asks UK to stop making ‘groundless accusations’ after Shapps’s remark
04:16 , Arpan Rai
The Chinese embassy in the UK has asked London to stop making groundless accusations against China, and stop adding fuel to the fire on the Ukraine issue.
British defence minister Grant Shapps has accused Beijing of aiding Russia by providing or preparing to provide it with lethal aid for use by Moscow its war against Ukraine.
He told a conference in London that US and British defence intelligence had evidence that “lethal aid is now, or will be, flowing from China to Russia and into Ukraine, I think it is a significant development”.
Reacting to the statement today, a Chinese embassy spokesperson said the remarks “are completely out of nowhere”.
“We urge the UK to stop making groundless accusations against China, stop adding fuel to the fire on the Ukraine issue, seriously reflect on its role in international peace and security, and truly do something for world peace and justice,” the spokesperson said.
“On the Ukraine issue, China has always adhered to an objective and fair position, actively promoted peace talks, and promoted a political settlement,” the spokesperson commented.
“With regard to the export of military products, China has always adopted a prudent and responsible attitude and has consistently controlled the export of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations.”
Russia claims it controls more than half of Vovchansk near Kharkiv
03:59 , Arpan Rai
Russian forces now control more than half of the border town of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, claims Russia’s parliament deputy Viktor Vodolatskiy.
The claims were reported this morning by Russian news agency TASS.
He added that the Russian forces are next targeting the towns of Slavyansk, Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk.
Moscow’s propaganda claims have not been backed by experts monitoring the war.
Washington-based The Institute for the Study of War in its latest assessment overnight said that while Russian forces continued ground attacks in and around Vovchansk in the past 24 hours, there were no confirmed changes to the frontline.
“Russian milbloggers [military bloggers] claimed that Russian forces advanced up to 400 metres in depth within Vovchansk, but ISW has not observed visual confirmation of this claim,” it said in its assessment.
As Russia’s forces edge ever closer, Kharkiv’s mayor has a defiant message for Putin
03:00 , Barney Davis
Exclusive: Mayor of Kharkiv Igor Terekhov tells The Independent that Russian forces are trying to ‘destroy’ his city, home to some 1.4 million civilians.
Tom Watling has more here:
As Russia’s forces edge ever closer, Kharkiv’s mayor has a defiant message for Putin
Russian army loses 1,330 troops in Ukraine overnight – infographic
01:45 , Barney Davis
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported Russian losses overnight on Facebook.
They claimed the total combat losses of Russian troops in Ukraine from 24 February 2022 to 23 May 2024 amounted to about 497,700 people, including another 1,330 people overnight.
Number of injured at Kharviv factory reaches 20
Friday 24 May 2024 00:37 , Barney Davis
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Facebook that the number of people injured in Kharkiv as a result of Russian rocket fire has increased to 20.
“Kharkiv. The number of victims of the shelling has increased to 20,” the statement reads.
At least seven people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a Russian missile attack on Kharkiv, according to Kyiv officials.
A further two people remain missing after the attack, which saw Russian forces strike Ukraine’s second-largest city at least 15 times, Oleg Sinegubov said.
IMF give Ukraine $8bn since invasion
Thursday 23 May 2024 23:30 , Barney Davis
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal had a meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by IMF European Department Director Alfred Kamme after which he revealed the commitment the global capital organisation had made to the wartorn nation.
He said on Facebook: “In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has received 8 billion dollars from the IMF. The Foundation is one of our three largest donors and holds the framework of all assistance to Ukraine in the amount of over $120 billion.”
He added: “It will ensure that the IMF will remain a reliable partner of Ukraine in the future. We are extremely grateful for the trust and support in these difficult times.”
Number of Ukrainian refugees fleeing to UK drops
Thursday 23 May 2024 22:37 , Barney Davis
The latest migration figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the number of Ukrainians fleeing to the UK dropped dramatically last year.
Arrivals from Ukraine dropped from 98,000 in 2022 to 10,000 in 2023.
It came as The Independent revealed Ukrainian refugees fleeing the horrors of war to find sanctuary in British homes were sent to live with suspected gangsters under the government’s flagship Homes for Ukraine scheme.
People with suspected links to serious or organised crime were among those approved as hosts under the scheme, which was set up in 2022 to encourage warm-hearted homeowners to lend a spare room to those fleeing Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
In the worst cases, Ukrainian families and individuals “just disappeared”, according to one council worker, while others were forced to work for their hosts or were charged rent. In one stark example, a couple with a young child were sent to live with a convicted paedophile.
Glide bombs, missiles and drones: The aerial bombardment raining down on Ukraine’s troops around Kharkiv
Thursday 23 May 2024 21:30 , Alexander Butler
Glide bombs, missiles and drones rain down on Ukraine’s troops around Kharkiv
Putin continues his purge as top Russian army general arrested
Thursday 23 May 2024 20:30 , Alexander Butler
Putin continues his purge as top Russian army general arrested
Pictured: Workers carry the victim of a body after Russian shelling on Kharkiv
Thursday 23 May 2024 19:30 , Alexander Butler
13 children returned to Ukraine from Russia after mediation
Thursday 23 May 2024 18:30 , Barney Davis
Thirteen Ukrainian children returned on Thursday to their homeland from Russia and Moscow-occupied territories of Ukraine with the cooperation of Qatar, officials in Kyiv said.
“The children have already been met in their homeland,” Andriy Yermak, president’s chief of staff, said on Telegram.
Moscow handed over six children, aged between 6 and 17, Russia’s TASS news agency reported on Wednesday.
Ukraine’s human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets added that seven children had been brought back from Russian-occupied territories.
Kyiv says about 20,000 children have been taken from Ukraine to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of family or guardians. It calls this a war crime that meets the U.N. treaty definition of genocide. Moscow says it has protected vulnerable children from the war zone.
The International Criminal Court issued warrants for the arrest of President Vladimir Putin and children’s ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova on war crimes charges related to the abduction of Ukrainian children. The Kremlin rejects the allegations.
Russia says main power line to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant goes down
Thursday 23 May 2024 17:30 , Alexander Butler
Russia said on Thursday that the main power line supplying the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine had gone down, but that there was no threat to safety and the plant was being supplied via a backup line.
The six reactors at the Zaporizhzhia plant, held by Russia and located close to the front line of the conflict in Ukraine, are not in operation but it relies on external power to keep its nuclear material cool and prevent a catastrophic accident.
The Russian management said on their official channel on the Telegram app that the reasons for the outage, which had not caused any change in the radiation level, were being investigated.
Ukraine’s foreign minister blasts ‘heinous’ Kharkiv attack
Thursday 23 May 2024 16:30 , Alexander Butler
The Ukrainian foreign minister has slammed Putin’s “heinous” attack on Kharkiv which left seven people dead and injured dozens more.
Writing on X, Dmytro Kuleba said: “Russia struck Kharkiv and Lyubotyn with multiple missiles, leading to casualties and destruction.
“This heinous attack must remind everyone around the world that Ukraine still urgently needs seven “Patriot” systems. We are very grateful to Germany for announcing one additional system.
“But getting six more as soon as possible remains critical not only for Ukraine’s survival but for peace in Europe.”
Russia struck Kharkiv and Lyubotyn with multiple missiles, leading to casualties and destruction.
This heinous attack must remind everyone around the world that Ukraine still urgently needs seven “Patriot” systems. We are very grateful to Germany for announcing one additional… pic.twitter.com/wtJES3l370
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) May 23, 2024
Putin’s forces ‘kill seven’ in deadly Kharkiv attack
Thursday 23 May 2024 15:19 , Alexander Butler
At least seven people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a Russian missile attack on Kharkiv, according to Kyiv officials.
A further two people remain missing after the attack, which saw Russian forces strike Ukraine’s second-largest city at least 15 times, Oleg Sinegubov said.
Ukraine’s state railway company said several of its facilities had been damaged in the attack and a number of its employees had been injured.
UK police charge man with national security offences linked to Russia
Thursday 23 May 2024 15:04 , Alexander Butler
Howard Michael Phillips, 64, was charged on Thursday with an offence contrary to section 3 of the National Security Act – assisting a foreign intelligence service.
The Met said the country to which the charge relates is Russia. Phillips, of Harlow, in Essex, has been remanded in police custody and is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later on Thursday.
The Met said: “As part of the investigation, which is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, officers also searched an address in the Hertfordshire area and an address in the Essex area. Both searches are now complete.
Norway further tightens its restrictions on the entry of Russians
Thursday 23 May 2024 14:30 , Alexander Butler
Norway further tightens its restrictions on the entry of Russians
Russian army’s deputy chief arrested
Thursday 23 May 2024 13:20 , Alexander Butler
The deputy head of the Russian army’s general staff has been arrested after being accused of taking a large bribe, according to Russian media.
The arrest of Lieutenant-General Vadim Shamarin, confirmed to Russian news agencies by a military court, is the fourth detention of a high-ranking defence figure within a month.
There was no immediate word on how Shamarin pleaded. His home was reportedly searched in connection with the investigation and he has been placed in pre-trial detention for two months.
Zelensky slams ‘brutal’ Russian attack on Kharkiv
Thursday 23 May 2024 13:09 , Alexander Butler
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has slammed a “brutal” Russian attack on Kharkiv and Lyubotyn as carried out by “terrorists”.
Mr Zelensky said: “An extremely brutal Russian attack on Kharkiv and Lyubotyn. Russian terrorists are taking advantage of Ukraine’s lack of sufficient air defense protection and reliable capability to destroy terrorist launchers at their exact locations, which are close to our borders.
“And this weakness is not ours, but the world’s, which has not dared to deal with terrorists in the way they deserve for three years.”
An extremely brutal Russian attack on Kharkiv and Lyubotyn. According to preliminary data, Russia launched 15 missiles at once. Unfortunately, there are casualties. Emergency services have already arrived at the scene of the attacks, and all those injured will receive the… pic.twitter.com/ZFUJLIonpI
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 23, 2024
Moscow warns it will strike British targets if UK weapons used to hit Russia
Thursday 23 May 2024 13:06 , Alexander Butler
Moscow will strike British targets throughout Europe if UK weapons are used to strike Russian territory, the Kremlin warned.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said British sites within Ukraine’s territory and beyond would be hit in retaliation.
Moscow has already made the same warning earlier this month after David Cameron, the foreign secretary, said Ukraine had a right to use weapons provided by London to hit targets inside Russia.
The aerial bombardment raining down on Ukraine’s troops around Kharkiv
Thursday 23 May 2024 13:00 , Alexander Butler
Glide bombs, missiles and drones rain down on Ukraine’s troops around Kharkiv
China sending ‘lethal equipment’ to Russia for Ukraine war, Grant Shapps warns
Thursday 23 May 2024 12:00 , Alexander Butler
China is providing Russia with lethal aid for use in its war against Ukraine, Grant Shapps has warned.
The defence secretary suggested that British and US intelligence contradicts Beijing’s previous attempts to present itself as a moderating influence on Moscow and President Xi’s government is instead helping to arm Russia.
Mr Shapps used a speech at the London Defence Conference to reveal China’s collaboration as he argued Nato needs to “wake up” and bolster defence spending alliance-wide.
China sending lethal equipment to Russia for Ukraine war, UK defence secretary warns
Moscow will retaliate against Norwegian decision to ban Russian tourists, Kremlin says
Thursday 23 May 2024 11:13 , Alexander Butler
The Kremlin has said that it will retaliate against Norway’s decision to further restrict entry to Russian tourists, effectively banning all of them, describing it as “discriminatory.”
“Of course, such decisions cannot go unanswered. Of course, the decision is purely discriminatory,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
“We do not accept such decisions. We regret that the Norwegian leadership has chosen this way of worsening our bilateral relations, which have already been of poor quality recently, and not on our initiative.”
Russian citizens whose purpose is tourism and other non-essential travel will be rejected upon entry across the external border. Exceptions may be granted in cases such as visits to close family residing in Norway, the ministry said.
Ukrainian convicts sent to front line
Thursday 23 May 2024 10:36 , Alexander Butler
Ukrainian prisoners have been sent to the frontline in a move intended to bolster the country’s defences against Vladimir Putin.
The convicts, who applied for mobilisation, have been released on conditional early release to serve in Ukraine’s armed forces.
“The first convicts received conditional early release to serve in the Ukrainian Defense Forces. They were convicted of theft, but voluntarily applied for mobilization.
“They have the necessary level of physical fitness and have successfully passed the professional and psychological selection.
This is not only a new chance for them, but also a significant step towards strengthening our country’s defense capabilities,” Olena Shuliak, head of Zelensky’s party said.
The first convicts received conditional early release to serve in the #Ukrainian Defense Forces. They were convicted of theft, but voluntarily applied for mobilization, have the necessary level of physical fitness and have successfully passed the professional and psychological…
— Olena Shuliak (@OlenaShuliak) May 23, 2024
Russian attack on Ukraine’s Kharkiv kills two, injures at least seven, governor says
Thursday 23 May 2024 09:52 , Alexander Butler
A Russian attack on Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv killed two people and injured at least seven, local authorities said on Thursday.
The attack damaged transport and municipal infrastructure as well as a printing business, causing a fire, the mayor of Kharkiv and the region’s governor said.
Governor Oleh Syniehubov said Russian forces struck Kharkiv around 10 times. The attack also targeted Zolochiv and Liubotyn in the Kharkiv region, injuring at least two people in each town, he said.
The Russian forces used a guided bomb to attack Zolochiv, damaging a private residence and civilian infrastructure, according to preliminary information from Kharkiv’s regional police on the Telegram messaging app.
Kyiv ‘destroys Russian warship’ in Crimea
Thursday 23 May 2024 09:32 , Alexander Butler
Ukraine has claimed it destroyed the last Russian warship armed with cruise missiles that was stationed on the occupied peninsula of Crimea.
“According to updated information, the Ukrainian defence forces hit a Russian project 22800 Tsiklon missile ship in Sevastopol, on the night of 19 May,” the general staff said today.
The Ukrainian navy later said on X that the vessel had been “destroyed”.
Biden urged to allow Ukraine to use US missiles to hit Russian territory
Thursday 23 May 2024 09:31 , Alexander Butler
US president Joe Biden is being urged to allow American missiles used by Ukraine to be fired into Russian territory, according to officials.
The proposal, pressed by US secretary of state Antony Blinken after a visit to Kyiv last week, is being debated by the White House, the New York Times reported.
Mr Blinken’s pespective is said to have changed since Moscow opened up a new front in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, which is stretching Kyiv’s forces across the frontline.
Pictured: Ukrainian troops prepare Howitzer shells
Thursday 23 May 2024 09:19 , Alexander Butler
Norway to further restrict entry for Russian tourists
Thursday 23 May 2024 08:59 , Alexander Butler
Russian tourists trying to visit Norway will be rejected upon entry from the end of this month in a move, the country’s government announced.
Oslo tightened visa practices in the spring of 2022, after which tourist visas for Russians were largely not issued. The country also restricted entry to Russian cars in September 2023.
Russian citizens arriving in Norway for tourism and “other non-essential travel” will be rejected upon entry across the external border starting 29 May, the government said.
The ban applies both to Russians who managed to get a Norwegian tourist visa and to visas issued by other Schengen countries.
US questions UK claim China sending ‘lethal aid’ to Russia
Thursday 23 May 2024 08:34 , Alexander Butler
The United States has questioned Britain’s claim that China was providing “lethal aid” to help with Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
US security advisor Jake Sullivan said Washington had not seen evidence of weapon transfers after UK defence secretary Grant Shapps made the claim on Wednesday.
“We have not seen that to date. I look forward to speaking with the UK to make sure that we have a common operating picture,” Mr Sullivan said.
Previously, Mr Shapps said: “Today I can reveal that we have evidence that Russia and China are collaborating on combat equipment for use in Ukraine.”
Shapps warns lethal equipment being flown from China to Russia into Ukraine
Thursday 23 May 2024 08:30 , Arpan Rai
China is providing Russia with lethal aid for use in its war against Ukraine, Grant Shapps has warned.
The defence secretary suggested that British and US intelligence contradicts Beijing’s previous attempts to present itself as a moderating influence on Moscow and president Xi’s government is instead helping to arm Russia.
Mr Shapps used a speech at the London Defence Conference to reveal China’s collaboration as he argued Nato needs to “wake up” and bolster defence spending alliance-wide.
Shapps warns lethal equipment being flown from China to Russia into Ukraine
Putin lost more than 1,300 soldiers in the past 24 hours in Ukraine, says Kyiv
Thursday 23 May 2024 08:03 , Arpan Rai
Russia lost more than 1,300 soldiers and 11 tanks in the past 24 hours alone in Ukraine on several fronts, Ukrainian military officials said in a morning report.
The General Staff of the Ukraine’s Armed Forces provides running tallies of Russian losses on its Facebook page, and said this morning that in the past 24 hours 1,330 soldiers have been killed, while 27 armoured combat vehicles, 11 tanks and an aircraft have been destroyed.
According to Ukraine’s tally of dead Russian soldiers, Russia has lost more than 497,000 troops in the invasion since February 2022.
Russia does not provide its own death tolls and there was no immediate way of confirming Kyiv’s tally.
Shapps warns lethal equipment being flown from China to Russia into Ukraine
Thursday 23 May 2024 07:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
China is providing Russia with lethal aid for use in its war against Ukraine, Grant Shapps has warned.
The defence secretary suggested that British and US intelligence contradicts Beijing’s previous attempts to present itself as a moderating influence on Moscow and President Xi’s government is instead helping to arm Russia.
Mr Shapps used a speech at the London Defence Conference to reveal China’s collaboration as he argued Nato needs to “wake up” and bolster defence spending alliance-wide.
Shapps warns lethal equipment being flown from China to Russia into Ukraine
Russia claims it has destroyed 35 rockets, three drones launched by Ukraine
Thursday 23 May 2024 06:53 , Arpan Rai
Russia has said its air defence systems in the southern region of Belgorod destroyed three Olkha and 32 Vampire rockets in the early hours today.
Another three drones were also destroyed in the aerial attack, the Russian defence ministry said, blaming Ukraine.
The regional governor of Russia’s frontline city said earlier that no casualties were reported.
Russia begins nuclear drills in response to ‘provocative statements’
Thursday 23 May 2024 06:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Russia’s Defense Ministry has said it began a round of drills involving tactical nuclear weapons.
The exercises were announced by Russian authorities this month in response to remarks by senior Western officials about the possibility of deeper involvement in the war in Ukraine.
It was the first time Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, although its strategic nuclear forces regularly hold exercises.
Russia begins nuclear drills in response to ‘provocative statements’
Glide bombs, missiles and drones: The aerial bombardment raining down on Ukraine’s troops around Kharkiv
Thursday 23 May 2024 05:47 , Arpan Rai
Missiles, glide bombs – with attached wings or GPS – rockets and drones. This is the aerial bombardment raining down on Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, launched by Vladimir Putin’s forces from inside Russia.
It has been backed by a ground assault, as thousands of Moscow’s soldiers have poured across the border and tried to push towards the city of Kharkiv itself. The fiercest battles have focused on the town of Vovchansk, close to the border and around 40 miles from Kharkiv.
Russian forces initially overcame weak Ukrainian fortifications, penetrating a few miles and capturing two pockets with a total area of about 50 square miles.
They took a string of villages before Ukrainian reinforcements stemmed their advance.
On a visit by The Independent to the area, a Ukrainian army vehicle, with only three wheels, clattered to a halt on the road. As one of his comrades pulled out tools and started work repairing the vehicle, a soldier codenamed “American” explained what had happened to the wheel: “A Russian drone with a bomb spotted us on the road. We were racing as fast as possible but couldn’t outrun it. It dropped its bomb but luckily, it hit the asphalt, not us. But it still destroyed our wheel.”
Read more from Askold Krushelnycky’s ground report:
Glide bombs, missiles and drones rain down on Ukraine’s troops around Kharkiv
Blasts hit Russia’s Belgorod after missile attack warning
Thursday 23 May 2024 05:27 , Arpan Rai
A series of blasts could be heard in the Russian city of Belgorod after a missile attack warning this morning, Russia’s RIA news agency reported.
Belgorod, a frontline Russian city, has been under a series of Ukrainian attacks for months now and has seen heavy casualties.
Ukraine has launched frequent drone and shelling attacks on Belgorod and other Russian regions on its border.
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
