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.
It comes as 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.
Meanwhile, Ukraine 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.
Key Points
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
Ukraine needs system to defend against Russia’s glide bombs, says Zelensky
Ukraine says it has downed another Russian warplane in Donetsk
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.
Ukraine says it has downed another Russian warplane in Donetsk
Thursday 23 May 2024 05:08 , Arpan Rai
Ukrainian forces have managed to down another Russian warplane in Donetsk’s Pokrovsk front, senior military officials said yesterday.
This is the fifth Russian Su-25 jet Ukraine claims to have shot down this month.
“According to the information available, Ukrainian troops destroyed a Russian Su-25 attack aircraft,” Ukraine’s General Staff of the Armed Forces said, refering to aerial combat between Russian forces and Ukraine’s air defence unit on the Pokrovsk front in the country’s east.
It added: “The number of attacks on the Pokrovsk front has risen to 25. In particular, the enemy is trying to break into our combat formations using assault groups and equipment. The situation remains tense, with nine combat clashes still ongoing.”
Ten wounded as Russia strikes cafe in Kharkiv
Thursday 23 May 2024 05:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A Russian airstrike on Ukraine‘s northeastern city of Kharkiv on Wednesday destroyed a cafe, damaged a nearby residential building and set a petrol station ablaze, and local officials said ten people were wounded, at least one severely.
“I’ve been left with nothing,” owner Vahe Ohandzhanian told Reuters in the ruins of his cafe, which had a large chunk torn out of it by the blast, scattering corrugated iron roof panels and bricks dozens of metres away.
A 12-storey high rise across the road had nearly all its windows blown out. About 50 metres away, a green trolleybus also had all its windows blown out and its rear side covered in a vast spatter of blood that pooled in a puddle on the asphalt.
Regional prosecutors said the trolleybus driver had both legs amputated. Russia had used a UMPB D-30 guided bomb launched from bordering Belgorod region, prosecutors added on Telegram.
Three more people were hospitalized, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Kharkiv, Ukraine‘s second largest city, and the surrounding region have been targeted by Russian attacks since the start of the full-scale war in 2022.
What we know about Russia’s 1,500kg ‘building destroyer’ glide bomb
Thursday 23 May 2024 04:39 , Arpan Rai
One year into its war on Ukraine, Russia started using a deadly new weapon that has since proved devastating for Ukrainian defensive positions on or near the frontline.
A conflict video from Krasnohorivka shows its effectiveness: a winged bomb that is seen hurtling towards a multi-storey building in this Ukrainian stronghold less than 20 miles from the eastern city of Donetsk.
The 1,500-kilogram explosive hits the structure, erupting into a fireball before engulfing the whole building in a plume of grey and black smoke.
The camera, filming from several hundred metres away, shakes as the ground beneath it rocks from the aftereffects of the explosion.
When the smoke subsides, the building has been completely destroyed.
Here’s all you need to know about the glide bombs:
The Russian glide bombs changing the face of the war in Ukraine
Ukraine needs system to defend against Russia’s glide bombs, says Zelensky
Thursday 23 May 2024 04:08 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine now needs to protect itself from Russia’s glide bombs, “ the main instrument” of Vladimir Putin’s aerial attacks, president Volodymyr Zelensky said last night as he issued a fresh plea seeking top-tier defence systems.
Ukraine is a long way from effectively countering these Russian bombs, Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address, even as he praised his country’s progress in developing electronic weaponry.
“There can be no alternative. Ukraine needs systems and tactics that will allow us to protect our positions, our cities and our communities from these bombs,” he said.
“This is now practically the main instrument of Russian terror and in the occupiers’ advances,” he said.
Mr Zelensky has long called for improved air defences as Russia intensifies its assaults on energy and other infrastructure.
Russia has hit schools, museums, universities, hospitals, maternity wards where no soldiers were present, killing thousands of civilians since its February 2022 invasion.
Earlier this month, Mr Zelensky said Russia had used more than 3,200 glide bombs against Ukrainian targets throughout April, along with more than 300 missiles and about 300 Shahed-type drones.
These bombs help Russia in bombarding Ukrainian cities, including those away from the war’s frontline, as they have a great destructive potential and pose fewer risks to air crews delivering them.
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia
Thursday 23 May 2024 03:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin committed Monday to keeping U.S. weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces one of its toughest moments against a renewed assault by Russia.
Austin and as many as 50 defense leaders from Europe and around the world were meeting Monday to coordinate more military aid to Ukraine, as Kyiv tries to hold off a Russian offensive in the northeast while launching its own massive assault on the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
“We’re meeting in a moment of challenge,” Austin said, noting that Russia’s new onslaught of Kharkiv showed why the continued commitment by the countries was vital to keep coming. Austin vowed to keep U.S. weapons moving “week after week.”
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia
Poland arrests sabotage suspects and warns of potential hostile acts by Russia
Thursday 23 May 2024 02:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that three people were recently arrested on suspicion of links to foreign-sponsored sabotage, adding to nine others already under arrest.
Tusk was speaking at a weekly news conference about what steps his government was taking to protect Poland against hostile activity, including incidents with suspected links to Russian intelligence services.
“Another three people were arrested” on Monday night, Tusk said, as he praised the efficiency of Poland’s national security services.
Poland arrests sabotage suspects and warns of potential hostile acts by Russia
Russian attacks on Ukraine power grid touch Kyiv with blackouts ahead of peak demand
Thursday 23 May 2024 01:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid in recent weeks have forced leaders of the war-ravaged country to institute nationwide rolling blackouts. Without adequate air defenses to counter assaults and allow for repairs, though, the shortages could still worsen as need spikes in late summer and the bitter-cold winter.
The Russian airstrikes targeting the grid since March have meant blackouts have even returned to the capital, Kyiv, which hadn’t experienced them since the first year of the war. Among the strikes were an April barrage that damaged Kyiv’s largest thermal power plant and a massive attack on May 8 that targeted power generation and transmission facilities in several regions.
In all, half of Ukraine’s energy system was damaged, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
Russian attacks on Ukraine power grid touch Kyiv with blackouts ahead of peak demand
G7 needs to stand united on Chinese overcapacity, French minister says
Thursday 23 May 2024 00:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The Group of Seven economic powers need to stand united in the face of China’s overcapacity in key industries such as electric car batteries, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Wednesday ahead of a meeting with his G7 counterparts.
Le Maire told journalists that the G7 also needed to forge a joint position on frozen Russian financial assets and that France was prepared to work on a U.S. proposal to use them to back a loan to Ukraine.
With the economic divergence between Europe and the United States growing, Le Maire also said that Europe needed to “awaken from its economic lethargy” and double its growth rate in the coming years.
UN Security Council rejects Russia-backed resolution on banning weapons in space
Wednesday 22 May 2024 23:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The United States said Monday that Russia last week launched a satellite that could be part of weaponizing space, a possible future global trend that members of the United Nations Security Council condemned even as they failed to pass a measure against it.
The Security Council resolution drafted by Russia rivaled one backed by the U.S. and Japan that failed last month. The rival drafts focused on different types of weapons, with the U.S. and Japan specifying weapons of mass destruction. The Russian draft discussed all types of weapons.
The U.S. and its allies said the language that the 15-member council debated on Monday was simply meant to distract the world from Russia’s true intention: weaponizing space.
UN Security Council rejects Russia-backed resolution on banning weapons in space
Shapps warns lethal equipment being flown from China to Russia into Ukraine
Wednesday 22 May 2024 22:00 , 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 is waging a shadow war on the West that needs a collective response, Estonian leader says
Wednesday 22 May 2024 21:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Perched on the open ramp at the rear of a British Chinook helicopter, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas flew home from the annual Spring Storm military exercises, pleased to see NATO allies cooperating. But she later said that other types of warfare were on her mind.
Her nation, which borders Russia, has seen a rise in sabotage, electronic warfare and spying — all blamed on Moscow.
As the war in Ukraine turns in Russia’s favor, defenses are being bolstered in the front-line nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in Finland and Poland.
Russia is waging a shadow war on the West that needs a collective response, Estonian leader says
Glide bombs, missiles and drones: The aerial bombardment raining down on Ukraine’s troops around Kharkiv
Wednesday 22 May 2024 20:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
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.
Askold Krushelnycky speaks to a soldier relocated from another part of the front line to hold back an attack by Russia – and local residents being forced to evacuate because of the brutal fighting:
Glide bombs, missiles and drones rain down on Ukraine’s troops around Kharkiv
Convoy of Ulez scrappage scheme vehicles arrives in Ukraine from London
Wednesday 22 May 2024 19:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A convoy of 20 vehicles donated to Ukraine through London’s Ulez scrappage scheme arrived on Tuesday.
More than 100 vehicles have been donated to the war-torn country through the Ulez programme since it began from 15 March – with around half being taken to the eastern European country.
British-Ukrainian Aid (BUAID), which is operating the scheme with Transport for London (TfL), said the vehicles will be used for humanitarian and medical purposes during Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. BUAID said a further 13 vehicles are en route to Ukraine.
Convoy of Ulez scrappage scheme vehicles arrives in Ukraine from London
Germany’s foreign minister visits Kyiv as Ukraine battles to hold off a Russian offensive
Wednesday 22 May 2024 18:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Germany’s foreign minister arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday in the latest public display of support for Ukraine by its Western partners, although deliveries of promised weapons and ammunition from NATO countries like Germany have been slow and have left Ukraine vulnerable to a recent Russian push along parts of the front line.
Annalena Baerbock renewed Berlin’s calls for partners to send more air defense systems, as Russia pounds Ukraine with missiles, glide bombs and rockets. Germany is the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the United States.
Ukraine’s depleted troops are trying to hold off a fierce Russian offensive along the eastern border in one of the most critical phases of the war, which is stretching into its third year.
Germany’s foreign minister visits Kyiv as Ukraine battles to hold off a Russian offensive
Zelensky says Western allies making decisions over Ukraine military aid ‘a year late’
Wednesday 22 May 2024 18:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has said that decisions on military aid from Western allies are late “by around a year” as his nation’s troops fight off an assault by Russian forces in the northeast region of Kharkiv.
Mr Zelensky was speaking as fresh US support is starting to arrive after a $61bn (£48bn) package was finally signed off by president Joe Biden in April after months of delay in the US Congress, with Kyiv’s forces severely outgunned.
He described the delivery of military aid, in particular of air defences like the Patriot systems Ukraine relies on heavily to fight off Russia’s invasion, as “one big step forward but, before that, two steps back”.
Zelensky says allies making decisions over Ukraine military aid ‘a year late’
Russia is using more Iranian drones to bomb Ukrainian civilians, says US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
Wednesday 22 May 2024 17:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has said that the Russian army is intensifying its use of Iranian drones to target civilian areas.
“The Kremlin continues to intensify its bombardment of Ukraine, using Russian missiles and Iranian drones to strike more civilian targets across Ukraine’s territory and to put more innocent civilians — Ukrainians in the crosshairs,” Mr Austin said at the Pentagon during his opening remarks at the 22nd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
This comes after the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash in a rural part of the country as they returned from a meeting on the border with Azerbaijan.
Russia bombing Ukrainian civilians with Iranian drones, says US
Kremlin says EU plan to take revenue from frozen Russian assets is still theft
Wednesday 22 May 2024 17:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Russia would regard the seizure of revenue from its frozen assets in the European Union as a violation of all norms of the global economic system, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
EU countries have formally adopted a plan to use windfall profits from Russian central bank assets frozen in the EU for Ukraine‘s defence, the Belgian government said this week.
The Group of Seven countries (G7) froze around $300 billion worth of Russian financial assets soon after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022. The EU expects the assets to yield about 15-20 billion euros ($16.30-$21.70 billion) in profits by 2027.
“…We can see they are being careful, they understand the potential danger of such decisions and the potential consequences for themselves which are inevitable. That is why they have gone for the smaller option (versus confiscating all assets),” Peskov told a news briefing.
“But even the smaller option is to us nothing less than expropriation.”
Peskov said that Moscow was still working on its response to such a move and would closely monitor its implementation.
Baltic Sea nations react warily to a reported Russian proposal to revise its maritime border
Wednesday 22 May 2024 16:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Leaders around the Baltic Sea reacted warily Wednesday to reports that Russia could revise the borders of its territorial waters in the region, with Lithuania‘s foreign minister calling it an “obvious escalation” that must be met with an “appropriately firm response.”
In a draft proposal reported by some Russian media, Russia’s Defense Ministry suggests updating the coordinates used to measure the strip of territorial waters off its mainland coast and that of its islands in the Baltic Sea. The existing coordinates were approved in 1985, the ministry says; adding they were “based on small-scale nautical navigation maps” and don’t correspond to the “modern geographical situation.”
It wasn’t immediately clear from the draft whether the proposed changes would shift the border or merely clarify it.
Baltic Sea nations react warily to a reported Russian proposal to revise its maritime border
Poland arrests sabotage suspects and warns of potential hostile acts by Russia
Wednesday 22 May 2024 16:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that three people were recently arrested on suspicion of links to foreign-sponsored sabotage, adding to nine others already under arrest.
Tusk was speaking at a weekly news conference about what steps his government was taking to protect Poland against hostile activity, including incidents with suspected links to Russian intelligence services.
“Another three people were arrested” on Monday night, Tusk said, as he praised the efficiency of Poland’s national security services. That brings the number of those under arrest to 12.
Poland arrests sabotage suspects and warns of potential hostile acts by Russia
Russia begins nuclear drills in response to ‘provocative statements’
Wednesday 22 May 2024 15:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that 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’
In pictures: Russia strikes Kharkiv
Wednesday 22 May 2024 15:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Here are some of the latest photos which show the aftermath of a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv, which destroyed a cafe, damaged a nearby residential building and set a petrol station ablaze.
Ten wounded as Russia strikes cafe in Kharkiv
Wednesday 22 May 2024 15:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A Russian airstrike on Ukraine‘s northeastern city of Kharkiv on Wednesday destroyed a cafe, damaged a nearby residential building and set a petrol station ablaze, and local officials said ten people were wounded, at least one severely.
“I’ve been left with nothing,” owner Vahe Ohandzhanian told Reuters in the ruins of his cafe, which had a large chunk torn out of it by the blast, scattering corrugated iron roof panels and bricks dozens of metres away.
A 12-storey high rise across the road had nearly all its windows blown out. About 50 metres away, a green trolleybus also had all its windows blown out and its rear side covered in a vast spatter of blood that pooled in a puddle on the asphalt.
Regional prosecutors said the trolleybus driver had both legs amputated. Russia had used a UMPB D-30 guided bomb launched from bordering Belgorod region, prosecutors added on Telegram.
Three more people were hospitalized, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Kharkiv, Ukraine‘s second largest city, and the surrounding region have been targeted by Russian attacks since the start of the full-scale war in 2022.
Russian attacks on Ukraine power grid touch Kyiv with blackouts ahead of peak demand
Wednesday 22 May 2024 14:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid in recent weeks have forced leaders of the war-ravaged country to institute nationwide rolling blackouts. Without adequate air defenses to counter assaults and allow for repairs, though, the shortages could still worsen as need spikes in late summer and the bitter-cold winter.
The Russian airstrikes targeting the grid since March have meant blackouts have even returned to the capital, Kyiv, which hadn’t experienced them since the first year of the war. Among the strikes were an April barrage that damaged Kyiv’s largest thermal power plant and a massive attack on May 8 that targeted power generation and transmission facilities in several regions.
In all, half of Ukraine’s energy system was damaged, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
Russian attacks on Ukraine power grid touch Kyiv with blackouts ahead of peak demand
G7 needs to stand united on Chinese overcapacity, French minister says
Wednesday 22 May 2024 14:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The Group of Seven economic powers need to stand united in the face of China’s overcapacity in key industries such as electric car batteries, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Wednesday ahead of a meeting with his G7 counterparts.
Le Maire told journalists that the G7 also needed to forge a joint position on frozen Russian financial assets and that France was prepared to work on a U.S. proposal to use them to back a loan to Ukraine.
With the economic divergence between Europe and the United States growing, Le Maire also said that Europe needed to “awaken from its economic lethargy” and double its growth rate in the coming years.
Russia is waging a shadow war on the West that needs a collective response, Estonian leader says
Wednesday 22 May 2024 14:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Perched on the open ramp at the rear of a British Chinook helicopter, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas flew home from the annual Spring Storm military exercises, pleased to see NATO allies cooperating. But she later said that other types of warfare were on her mind.
Her nation, which borders Russia, has seen a rise in sabotage, electronic warfare and spying — all blamed on Moscow.
As the war in Ukraine turns in Russia’s favor, defenses are being bolstered in the front-line nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in Finland and Poland.
Russia is waging a shadow war on the West that needs a collective response, Estonian leader says
Russia says Ukraine attacked minor facility at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Wednesday 22 May 2024 13:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A Ukrainian drone attacked a non-nuclear facility at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant on Wednesday, causing no critical damage, the plant’s Russian-installed management said.
Russian guided bombs hit residential area in Kharkiv injured nine
Wednesday 22 May 2024 13:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A Russian air attack on Ukraine‘s northeastern city of Kharkiv on Wednesday injured at least nine people, at least one severely, and set fire to a residential building, local officials said.
“One of the guided aerial bombs, according to preliminary data, hit a cafe. It is very close to a multi-storey residential building,” Serhii Bolvinov, head of the investigative department of the regional police, told national TV.
Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said a petrol station caught fire as a result of the attack as well.
Kharkiv, Ukraine‘s second largest city, and the surrounding region have been targeted by Russian attacks since the start of the war in 2022. Strikes have become far more intense in recent months, hitting civilian and energy infrastructure, and Russian forces have opened a new front north of the regional capital in recent weeks.
Moscow denies deliberately targeting civilians but thousands have been killed and injured in its 27-months-old invasion of Ukraine.
Zelensky says Western allies making decisions over Ukraine military aid ‘a year late’
Wednesday 22 May 2024 13:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has said that decisions on military aid from Western allies are late “by around a year” as his nation’s troops fight off an assault by Russian forces in the northeast region of Kharkiv.
Mr Zelensky was speaking as fresh US support is starting to arrive after a $61bn (£48bn) package was finally signed off by president Joe Biden in April after months of delay in the US Congress, with Kyiv’s forces severely outgunned.
He described the delivery of military aid, in particular of air defences like the Patriot systems Ukraine relies on heavily to fight off Russia’s invasion, as “one big step forward but, before that, two steps back”.
Read more here:
Zelensky says allies making decisions over Ukraine military aid ‘a year late’
Convoy of Ulez scrappage scheme vehicles arrives in Ukraine from London
Wednesday 22 May 2024 12:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A convoy of 20 vehicles donated to Ukraine through London’s Ulez scrappage scheme arrived on Tuesday.
More than 100 vehicles have been donated to the war-torn country through the Ulez programme since it began from 15 March – with around half being taken to the eastern European country.
British-Ukrainian Aid (BUAID), which is operating the scheme with Transport for London (TfL), said the vehicles will be used for humanitarian and medical purposes during Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. BUAID said a further 13 vehicles are en route to Ukraine.
Convoy of Ulez scrappage scheme vehicles arrives in Ukraine from London
Russian forces seize Klishchiivka in east Ukraine, Russian media say
Wednesday 22 May 2024 12:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Russian forces have taken over the village of Klishchiivka in Ukraine‘s eastern Donetsk region, close to the city of Bakhmut, Russian news agencies cited Russia‘s defence ministry as saying on Wednesday.
Ukraine‘s military reported earlier on Wednesday that it was repelling Russian attacks near the village, saying the situation was under control.
Kremlin says the West needs to engage in talks to defuse rising nuclear tensions
Wednesday 22 May 2024 12:02 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that “in-depth dialogue” was the way to reduce rising tensions between Russia and the West, including in the nuclear sphere, but that “the collective West” was refusing to engage despite the potential dangers.
Russia‘s war in Ukraine has seen East-West ties hit their most dangerous moment since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis and Russia‘s defence ministry said on Tuesday that its forces had started the first stage of exercises ordered by President Vladimir Putin to simulate preparation for the launch of tactical nuclear weapons.
Nuclear analysts say the exercises by Russia, the world’s biggest nuclear power, are designed as a warning signal by Putin to deter the West from wading more deeply into the war in Ukraine. Western countries have provided weapons and intelligence to Kyiv but have refrained from sending troops.
Responding on Wednesday to a question about the risk of a nuclear conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said escalating tensions in Europe and active conflicts in various global regions were undermining stability and predictability.
“The further escalation of these tensions is potentially dangerous, including in the nuclear sphere,” Peskov told a news briefing.
“The situation requires in-depth dialogue in order to use political and diplomatic methods to seek ways out of this tense situation. But in-depth dialogue among the main players is rejected by the countries of the so-called collective West,” he said.
Kremlin says EU plan to take revenue from frozen Russian assets is still theft
Wednesday 22 May 2024 11:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Russia would regard the seizure of revenue from its frozen assets in the European Union as a violation of all norms of the global economic system, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
EU countries have formally adopted a plan to use windfall profits from Russian central bank assets frozen in the EU for Ukraine‘s defence, the Belgian government said this week.
The Group of Seven countries (G7) froze around $300 billion worth of Russian financial assets soon after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022. The EU expects the assets to yield about 15-20 billion euros ($16.30-$21.70 billion) in profits by 2027.
“…We can see they are being careful, they understand the potential danger of such decisions and the potential consequences for themselves which are inevitable. That is why they have gone for the smaller option (versus confiscating all assets),” Peskov told a news briefing.
“But even the smaller option is to us nothing less than expropriation.”
Peskov said that Moscow was still working on its response to such a move and would closely monitor its implementation.
Lethal equipmnt flown from China to Russia and into Ukraine, Shapps reveals
Wednesday 22 May 2024 11:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Lethal equipment is being flown from China to Russia and into Ukraine, defence secretary Grant Shapps has said.
Speaking at the London Defence Conference, Mr Shapps said: “US and British defence intelligence can reveal that lethal aid is now flying from China to Russia and into Ukraine.
“I think it is a significant development and we should be concerned about that because in the earlier days of Putin’s war, China would like to present itself as acting as a moderating influence on Putin.
“That recent visit we saw, the I think 64% increase in trade that we’ve seen between the two countries, reveals that there is actually a much deeper relationship there.
“And this is new intelligence which leads me to be able to declassify and reveal this fact today. I think it’s quite significant.”
Mr Shapps renewed calls for an increase in Nato spending, saying the UK will “lead by example and do everything that we can to ensure our wake-up call is heard loud and clear”.
Russia hands six children over to Ukraine in deal brokered by Qatar, TASS says
Wednesday 22 May 2024 10:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Russia handed six children over to Ukraine on Wednesday in a deal brokered by Qatar, Russia‘s TASS news agency reported.
The children, aged between 6 and 17, reunited with their families in Qatar’s embassy in Moscow, TASS said.
Glide bombs, missiles and drones: The aerial bombardment raining down on Ukraine’s troops around Kharkiv
Wednesday 22 May 2024 10:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
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.
Askold Krushelnycky speaks to a soldier relocated from another part of the front line to hold back an attack by Russia – and local residents being forced to evacuate because of the brutal fighting:
Glide bombs, missiles and drones rain down on Ukraine’s troops around Kharkiv
At least seven wounded in Russian attack on Ukraine’s Chuhuiv, governor says
Wednesday 22 May 2024 09:53 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A Russian attack on the northeastern town of Chuhuiv in Ukraine‘s Kharkiv region wounded at least seven people on Wednesday morning, the governor said.
Russian forces attacked Chuhuiv with S-400 missiles, damaging a kindergarten and a private residence, according to preliminary information reported by the Kharkiv region’s police via the Telegram messaging app.
No children were hurt, and at least five of those wounded have received medical help, according to the governor’s statement.
Russian forces have intensified strikes on the northeastern region, targeting its energy and transport infrastructure with drones and missiles.
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