Russia launches barbaric missile strike on Kyiv as Putin axes ‘Butcher of Mariupol’

Russia sends stark nuclear warning to the West as tensions rise

The Kremlin has said it has no plans to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and its allies, but warned the West not to test its patience.

“We will do everything to prevent the development of events according to the worst scenario, but not at the cost of infringing on our vital interests,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, reports Reuters.

“I do not recommend that anybody doubt our determination and put it to the test in practice,” she added.

Nato allies send over 1,500 combat vehicles to Ukraine

Nato has sent 1,550 armoured vehicles and 230 tanks to Ukraine, the alliance’s chief has revealed.

“In total we have trained and equipped more than nine new Ukrainian armoured brigades. This will put Ukraine in a strong position to continue to retake occupied territory,” Jens Stoltenberg said.

Stoltenberg described this aid as “unprecedented” but wanred the Kremlin that Nato would not “underestimate” Russia.

Russia ‘welcomes’ call between President Zelensky and Xi Xinping

The Kremlin is said it “welcomes” Wednesday’s call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A spokesperson for the Russian government said it supports any moves that could lead to peace in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added Russia knows what the two leaders talked about during their call, which was reportedly the first between the pair since Putin’s invasion last year.

Russian relations with Europe at ‘lowest possible level’

Russia’s relations with Europe are at their “lowest possible level” the Kremlin has said.

These comments come after a slew of Russian diplomates were expelled from countries across Europe.

Among others, Moldova, Sweden and Norway have all expelled Russian diplomates in recent days.

Kremlin officials warned there would be consequences to these decisions.

Russian foreign minister accuses US of ‘destroying globalisation’

At the UN summit in New York this week, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has accused America of “destroying globalisation”.

Lavrov accused the International Monetary Fund of working for the “achievement of the goals of the United States and their allies including goals of a military nature.”

He also said the US took “the path of destroying globalisation, which for many years they have raised up as the highest benefit of all humanity”.

He added: “The western colleagues have long found it inconvenient to reach agreement through [the] universal format such as the United Nations for ideological, justified polices to undermine multilateralism and abandonment of democracy.”

Russia bombards Bakhmut as Kremlin anticipates counteroffensive

Russian forces have “pounded” the eastern city of Bakhmut as the Kremlin anticipates an incoming Ukrainian counteroffensive, Reuters reports.

This week has seen Russian make two failed advances into villages to the northwest of the city, the report adds.

At least a dozen areas were hit by Russian fire.

Russian attacks kill seven civilians on Wednesday

Russian strikes killed seven civilians on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has said.

Kremlin missiles struck at least nine regions, hitting 147 settlements with various weapons.

Among the attacks was a missile strike on Mykolaiv, which killed one and injured at least 23, including a child.

ISW says chances of Putin backing down ‘less than zero’

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) claimed that the chances of Vladimir Putin backing down, even if Ukraine is successful in its much-anticipated counteroffensive this spring, are “less than zero”.

In an update, the ISW said: “Senior US and EU officials assess that Russian President Vladimir Putin would remain unwilling to negotiate in response to a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive.”

Celeste Wallander, US assistant defence secretary, said there is “very little evidence” to suggest Putin would alter his strategy of subjugating Ukraine “politically, if not fully militarily.”

Russian losses near 190,000 as fighting rages on

Russian losses have continued to soar this week, as Putin’s war in Ukraine rages in.

The Kremlin suffered 510 casualties yesterday, according to Ukraine’s military.

This brings total Russian losses to an estimated 188,920.

Russian attacks kill seven civilians on Wednesday

Russian strikes killed seven civilians on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has said.

Kremlin missiles struck at least nine regions, hitting 147 settlements with various weapons.

Among the attacks was a missile strike on Mykolaiv, which killed one and injured at least 23, including a child.

Russia ‘welcomes’ call between President Zelensky and Xi Xinping

The Kremlin is said it “welcomes” yesterday’s call between  Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A spokesperson for the Russian government said it supports any moves that could lead to peace in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added Russia knows what the two leaders talked about during their call, which was reportedly the first between the pair since Putin’s invasion last year.

Kremlin dismisses claims

The Kremlin has dismissed claims Vladimir Putin is using lookalikes and body doubles to protect himself from danger as “lies” in a deranged rant.

A new statement from Vladimir Putin’s mouthpiece also rubbishes accusations that Russia’s 70-year-old leader spends most of his days cowering in a nuclear bunker as his failing war in Ukraine rages on.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a propaganda-filled speech: “You have probably heard that he [Putin] has very many doubles who work instead of him while he sits in a bunker. Yet another lie.

“You see yourselves what our president is like: he always was, and is now, mega-active – those who work next to him can hardly keep up with him. His energy can only be envied. His health can, God willing, only be wished for. Of course, he doesn’t sit in any bunkers. This is also a lie.”

It comes amid multiple reports claiming the Russian tyrant is remaining isolated due to claims he is suffering from cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

Ukraine fears that Russia is pushing Belarus to get involved in fighting

Ukraine is raising concerns about how Belarusians were called to attend military training and fears that Russia will urge its close ally to take direct part in fighting, AP reports.

An engineer summoned for military training in Minsk, Ruslan, told AP: “Russian troops are already in Belarus, and I see the country gradually being turned into a military barracks.

“Everybody fears that they won’t allow Belarusians to keep watching the war from a distance for too long.”

Russian losses near 190,000 as fighting rages on

Russian losses have continued to soar this week, as Putin’s war in Ukraine rages in.

The Kremlin suffered 510 casualties yesterday, according to Ukraine’s military.

This brings total Russian losses to an estimated 188,920.

Pentagon leaker could still have information to threaten national security, prosecutors claim

Federal prosecutors have warned that the man suspected of leaking a slew of sensitive military documents in the US could threaten national security once again if he is released from jail.

Justice Department lawyers said on Wednesday that Jack Teixeira, 21, could still access the sensitive information he leaked.

“There simply is no condition or combination of conditions that can ensure the Defendant will not further disclose additional information still in his knowledge or possession,” prosecutors wrote.

“The damage the Defendant has already caused to the US national security is immense. The damage the Defendant is still capable of causing is extraordinary.”

Wagner boss’ claims about suspending artillery fire was a ‘joke’

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group boss has claimed he was joking when he said his fighters would pause artillery fire in Bakhmut for visiting US journalists.

In an audio message he claimed the mercenary group had decided to suspend fire so “American journalists can safely film Bakhmut and go home”.

Moments later Mr Prigozhin said: “Guys, this is military humour. Humour, and nothing more. It was a joke.”

Zelensky and Xi call sparks Russian reaction

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed he had a “long and meaningful” conversation with Chinese president, Xi Jinping, which sparked a response from Russia.

According to Chinese state media, the two sides exchanged views on China-Ukraine relations and the Ukraine war.

In response to the phone call between Volodymyr Zelensky and Xi Jinping, Moscow has claimed that Kyiv is undermining peace efforts, according to a report in Agence France-Presse.

The Russian foreign ministry said: “The Ukrainian authorities and their western minders have already shown their ability to mess up any peace initiatives.

“We see a broad consonance in our approach and in the provisions in the paper [published by China].”

Pictured: Putin ‘assassination attempt’

Kyiv ‘tries to kill Putin with kamikaze drone’

Ukraine tried to assassinate Vladimir Putin using a drone packed with explosives, it’s been claimed.

The wreckage of one of Kyiv’s drones was discovered just a few miles from Moscow earlier this week and it’s believed it either overflew or was circling the Russian capital.

The UJ-22 drone was found in woods in the Noginsk area and its location is closer to Moscow than any previously disclosed Ukrainian attack drone. 

Police said it was stuffed with 17kg of Canadian M112 explosive charges.

But it’s now been claimed the drone was on a mission to kill Vladimir Putin, who was on a visit to a newly built industrial park just a few miles away on Sunday.

The claim has been made by in a by Ukrainian activist Yuriy Romanenko who tweeted “our intelligence officers received information about Putin’s trip to the industrial park in Rudnevo”.

Russia rejects US request to visit Gershkovich

A bid by the US embassy to visit the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovichhas been rejected by Russia’s ministry of defence.

The decision was made as a result of the US’s failure to process visas for “representatives from the journalistic pool” of the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.

“It was particularly emphasised [to the US diplomat] that such sabotage, intended to prevent normal journalistic work, would not go unanswered,” the foreign ministry said in its statement.

At least 23 injured in overnight strike on Mykolaiv

President Zelensky has shared a video of the aftermath of a Russian strike on Mykolaiv.

The attack killed at least one person and has injured 23, including a child.

Zelensky said: “The country-invader never ceases to prove that the main goal of this war is terror and the destruction of Ukrainians and everything Ukrainian.

“At night, Russia shelled Mykolaiv with four Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea. High-precision weapons were aimed at private houses, a historic building and a high-rise building.

“At the moment, it is known about 1 killed and 23 wounded, including a child. Eternal memory to the deceased and speedy recovery to the wounded.”

Russia sends stark nuclear warning to the West as tensions rise

The Kremlin has said it has no plans to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and its allies, but warned the West not to test its patience.

“We will do everything to prevent the development of events according to the worst scenario, but not at the cost of infringing on our vital interests,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, reports Reuters.

“I do not recommend that anybody doubt our determination and put it to the test in practice,” she added.