Ukraine news - live: Putin launches major new offensive amid fighter jet talks

Russian forces are trying to break through Ukraine’s defences with a major new offensive in the eastern town of Kreminna, the regional governor for Luhansk has warned.

Moscow’s troops are trying to make advances west with a “maximum escalation” of fighting in the region’s snowy terrain, with a spike recorded in both shooting and shelling, governor Serhiy Haidai said. He said this has been without any success for Russia so far.

Overnight strikes have also been launched on Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv. Air raid alert sirens were activated in several parts of the war-hit country early today.

The war in Ukraine has clocked 352 days today at a time when Volodymyr Zelensky is going to his European allies and asking them to supply fighter jets and more heavy weaponry to his country.

Mr Zelensky spoke in Brussels yesterday, and said he has heard from several European Union leaders at the summit who said they were ready to provide Kyiv with aircraft, hinting at what would be one of the biggest shifts yet in Western support for Ukraine.

Key Points

• Zelensky says some European leaders ready to give aircraft

• Ben Wallace issues warning over jets

• ‘Ex-comedian in a green shirt’: Russia lashes out at ‘pompous’ Zelensky

• A victorious Ukraine will be part of European Union, says Zelensky

• Russia hits out at ‘pompous’ president Zelensky

• What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?

Putin ‘massing 1,800 tanks and 700 aircraft’ for new Ukraine assault

13:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia is massing around 1,800 tanks, 700 aircraft and 500,000 men for a new assault on Ukraine, ‘which will start in just 10 days’, it has been warned.

Ukraine has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is stocking up on weapons and ammunition in preparation for a massive new offensive in the coming weeks.

There are now fresh fears that the despot will launch an attack that will coincide with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022.

Read more here:

Russia ‘massing 1,800 tanks and 700 aircraft’ for new Ukraine assault

Group of 35 countries 'wants Russia and Belarus banned from Olympics’

16:00 , Emily Atkinson

A group of 35 countries including the US, Germany, France, Britain and Japan have unanimously agreed to demand that Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from the 2024 Olympics, the Lithuanian sports minister said on Friday

With war raging in Ukraine, the Baltic States, Nordic countries and Poland had called on international sports bodies to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in the Olympics.

Ukraine has threatened to boycott the games if Russian and Belarusian athletes compete and Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk has said Russians will win “medals of blood, deaths anxd tears” if allowed to compete.

“We are going in the direction that we would not need a boycott because all countries are unanimous,” Jurgita Siugzdiniene said.

Switzerland rejects Spain's request to send Swiss-made anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine

15:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Switzerland said on Friday it has rejected a request from Madrid to allow Spain to re-export Swiss-made anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine.

Spain made the request in January to allow it to send two 35mm anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine.

Switzerland has previously vetoed requests from Denmark and Germany who wanted to send Swiss-made armoured vehicles and ammunition to help Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Switzerland’s War Materials Act does not allow the export of war materials if the destination country is involved in an internal or international armed conflict.

However, the issue of weapons deployment is becoming a sensitive topic in neutral Switzerland, with the population increasingly in favour of the current restrictions being lifted.

Politicians have also launched a campaign for the law to be altered, with the issue being discussed by parliament.

“Spain’s request for a waiver of the non-re-export obligation was examined in the light of the same criteria as an export of war material from Switzerland,” the government said on Friday.

“The requests were therefore answered in the negative.”

Moldovan government quits amid economic turmoil

15:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Moldova’s pro-Western government resigned on Friday after a turbulent 18 months in power marked by economic turmoil and the spillover effects of Russia‘s war in neighbouring Ukraine.

President Maia Sandu accepted Prime Minister’s Natalia Gavrilita’s resignation and nominated 48-year-old presidential aide and former interior minister Dorin Recean to replace her.

Recean, who is expected to quickly win parliamentary approval, said he would press on with Moldova’s bid to join the European Union and revive the economy

“The new government will have three priorities: Order and discipline, a new life and economy, and peace and stability,” Recean, a defence adviser to Sandu and secretary of Moldova’s security council, told a news briefing.

His challenges include dealing with what Moldova portrays as attempts by Russia to destabilise the tiny former Soviet republic of 2.5 million people which borders Ukraine and NATO and EU member Romania.

Russia, which has troops in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transdniestria, has bristled at the possibility of former Soviet republics joining the EU.

Tensions rose further on Friday when Chisinau said a Russian missile had violated Moldovan airspace before hitting Ukraine, and summoned Russia‘s ambassador to protest.

The foreign ministry condemned “the latest unfriendly actions and statements against Moldova” and said they were “absolutely unacceptable.”

Zelensky tells countries to ban Russian athletes from Olympics

14:35 , Jane Dalton

President Zelensky took part in an online meeting with 35 international ministers to discuss demands that Russian and Belarusian athletes be banned from the 2024 Olympics, a Lithuanian government spokesman has said.

He said that Mr Zelensky’s message to participants was that principles of neutrality cannot apply to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Moldovan prime minister resigns, government collapses

14:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Moldova’s government collapsed Friday as pro-Western Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita resigned, adding to a series of crises that have gripped the small nation since Russia invaded its neighbor, Ukraine.

Gavrilita told a news conference that the “time has come for me to announce my resignation” and said no one expected her government, elected in the summer of 2021, “would have to manage so many crises caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine.”

Gavrilita’s premiership was marked by a long string of problems. These include an acute energy crisis; skyrocketing inflation; and several troublesome incidents such as missiles from the war in neighboring Ukraine traversing its skies.

A new government will be nominated by President Maia Sandu and then needs to be approved by Moldova’s 101-seat parliament.

When Vladimir Putin is expected to launch ‘unstoppable’ nuclear Satan-2 missile

13:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The dates that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to launch an ‘unstoppable’ nuclear Satan-2 missile have been revealed.

The tyrant is tipped to be readying the missile to shock the West, as he plans to test launch his 208-tonne hypersonic Satan-2 apocalypse missile within days.

The firing of the explosive, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, may coincide with the anniversary of the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022.

When Vladimir Putin is expected to launch ‘unstoppable’ nuclear Satan-2 missile

Ukraine says Russian missiles over Moldova

13:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said several Russian missiles had flown over Moldova and NATO member Romania on Friday, and that they were a challenge to the military alliance and collective security.

“The enemy launched at least 70 rockets in another massive attack (on Ukraine) this morning,” Zelensky said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app.

“Several Russian missiles passed through the airspace of Moldova and Romania. These missiles are a challenge to NATO and collective security. This is terror that can and must be stopped.”

Ukraine says it shot down 61 of 71 missiles Russia fired in latest attacks

12:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia launched 71 cruise missiles at Ukraine on Friday and 61 of them were shot down, Ukraine‘s air force said.

“As of 11:30 a.m., the enemy had launched 71 X-101, X-555 and Kalibr missiles. The air defence forces, Air Force and other components of the Ukrainian Defence Forces destroyed 61 enemy cruise missiles,” it said on the Telegram messaging app.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said earlier on Friday that Russia had fired more than 50 missiles at Ukraine and most of them were shot down.

“Russia cannot accept failures and therefore continues to terrorise the (Ukrainian) population. Another attempt (on Friday) to destroy the Ukrainian energy system and deprive Ukrainians of light, heat, and water,” Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.

The Air Force said Russia had used eight Tu-95MS strategic bombers, and that they had fired X-101 and X-555 missiles from the Caspian Sea and the city of Volgodonsk in Russia.

Russian forces also launched Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles from ships in the Black Sea, it said.

Germany: delivering fighter jets to Ukraine not an issue for us right now

11:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sending fighter jets to Ukraine is not an issue for Germany right now, spokespersons for the defence and foreign ministries said on Friday.

“That is not an issue for us,” a Defence Ministry spokesperson told a regular government news conference in Berlin. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson added: “This is not a debate at the moment.”

Ukraine‘s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy this week asked Western allies to provide Kyiv with advanced aircraft to defeat Russia‘s invasion, though it is not yet clear how many countries are willing to do so or when they could deliver the fighters.

Romania's defence ministry says Russian missile flew 35 kms northeast of its border

11:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Russian missile launched off a ship near Crimea on Friday crossed into Moldovan airspace before hitting Ukraine, some 35 kms northeast of NATO state Romania’s border, the Romanian defence ministry said.

“The Romanian Air Force’s surveillance system detected on Friday an air target, most likely a cruise missile launched from a Russian ship in the Black Sea near the Crimean Peninsula,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The closest the target trajectory got to Romania’s airspace was recorded by the radar at roughly 35 kms northeast of the border.”

Ukraine‘s top general said two Kaliber missiles launched from the Black Sea had entered Moldovan airspace, then flew into Romanian airspace, before entering Ukraine.

Ten Russian missiles shot down over Ukrainian capital Kyiv - mayor

10:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukraine shot down 10 Russian missiles over the capital Kyiv on Friday, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

“There is damage to power grids. There are no casualties. Energy workers are working to restore the network,” Klitschko wrote on the Telegram messaging app, quoting the Ukrainian military.

When Vladimir Putin is expected to launch ‘unstoppable’ nuclear Satan-2 missile

10:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The dates that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to launch an ‘unstoppable’ nuclear Satan-2 missile have been revealed.

In a shocking new revelation, the tyrant is tipped to be readying the missile to shock the West, as he plans to test launch his 208-tonne hypersonic Satan-2 apocalypse missile within days.

The firing of the explosive, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, may coincide with the anniversary of the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022.

When Vladimir Putin is expected to launch ‘unstoppable’ nuclear Satan-2 missile

Watch live: Russian anti-war journalist Marina Ovsyannikova holds press conference

10:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Russian anti-war journalist Marina Ovsyannikova is holding press conference which you can watch live here:

Live: Russian anti-war journalist Marina Ovsyannikova holds press conference

Putin missiles hit cities across Ukraine as ground offensive begins

10:02 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia unleashed a new wave of missile strikes on critical infrastructure in Ukraine on Friday, causing explosions in the capital Kyiv and hitting cities across the country.

At least 17 missiles hit the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia in an hour in the heaviest attack since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, local officials said.

Several energy facilities in eastern, southern and western Ukraine were hit, disrupting the power supply, national grid operator Ukrenergo said after overnight drone and missile strikes on power stations and transmission facilities.

“The air alert will be long,” said Maksym Marchenko, regional governor of the southern region of Odesa. “Please do not ignore the air alert sirens, and go to the shelters.”

The new Russian attacks followed a rare trip abroad this week by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that included talks with European Union leaders in Brussels aimed at securing more weapons for Ukraine including fighter jets.

At least three explosions shook Kyiv and the surrounding region, with officials saying air defence systems were in operation in the capital and in other parts of the country.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, IAEA head discuss Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station

09:22 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia‘s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Friday discussed nuclear safety issues with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi during his visit to Moscow.

The two men paid particular attention to the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in southern Ukraine, the TASS news agency reported.

Explosions in Kyiv as Ukraine's power grid hit by Russian missiles

08:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Several explosions could be heard in Kyiv as officials reported high-voltage facilities across Ukraine being hit by Russian missile attacks on Friday morning.

Ukraine‘s power grid operator Ukrenergo said that several facilities in eastern, southern and western Ukraine had been hit, causing disruption to power supply.

Reuters journalists heard at least three explosions in Ukraine‘s capital city, Kyiv.

The mayor of eastern Ukraine‘s largest city, Kharkiv, confirmed an infrastructure facility there had been hit and warned of possible power outages as a result.

Ukrenergo said Russia attacked Ukraine‘s grid overnight with drones and missiles, targeting power stations and transmission facilities.

Moscow, which launched an invasion of Ukraine nearly a year ago, has waged a campaign of massed missile strikes targeting Ukraine‘s critical infrastructure since last October.

Ukrainian power grid hit by Russian missiles -Ukrenergo

08:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Several high-voltage facilities across Ukraine were hit by Russian missile attacks on Friday morning, Ukraine‘s state grid operator said.

Grid operator Ukrenergo said that several facilities in eastern, southern and western Ukraine had been hit, causing disruption to power supply.

Belarus says Poland closing border crossing point is 'catastrophic' decision

08:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Belarus on Friday slammed a decision by Poland to close a border checkpoint between the two countries as “catastrophic”, saying it could lead to a “collapse” on both sides of the border.

Poland said on Thursday, citing security concerns, it would close a key border crossing into Belarus at Bobrowniki, starting at 12 p.m. local time (1100 GMT) on Friday, driving already hostile relations between the two countries to a new low.

Minsk criticised the decision on Thursday, but went further in a statement on Friday, calling the move irrational and dangerous.

“The actions of the Polish authorities could lead to a collapse on both sides of the border,” Belarus’ border committee said in a statement shared on social media.

Poland has become a key refuge for opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko and Warsaw has become one of Kyiv’s staunchest supporters since Belarus’ main ally Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

After the closure comes into force, only two of six major land crossing points along the two countries’ 400-km (249 mile) border will be open, Belarus’ border force said in a statement.

“With the closure of another Polish checkpoint, the situation will become catastrophic,” Belarus’ border force added, pointing to already existing long lines at border crossings. “The load on the remaining two checkpoints will critically increase”.

Minsk also said it believed the decision was purposefully designed to “further aggravate the situation at the border and limit citizens’ travel.”

Relations were further strained on Wednesday when a journalist of Polish origin was sentenced to eight years in prison by a Belarusian court in a trial Warsaw says was politically motivated.

Air raid alert declared across Ukraine

07:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

An air raid alert was declared in all of Ukraine on Friday as officials warned of potential Russian missile strikes, urging residents to take shelter.

“There is a big threat of the missile attack. I want to stress again - do not ignore the air alert sirens,” said Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv city military administration.

Nearly 20 rockets expected to strike Ukraine - report

07:07 , Arpan Rai

An air alert has been activated throughout Ukraine as about 20 rockets are expected, governor of Mykolaiv region Vitalii Kim said.

Russia attacks Zaporizhzhia 17 times in an hour - official

06:56 , Arpan Rai

Russian forces have targeted energy infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia early today, striking the city 17 times in an hour, Zaporizhzhia city council secretary Anatolii Kurtiev said.

The major city, which houses Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, was included in an air raid alert across the country this morning.

“General air raid alert over Ukraine. This follows another night with attacks by drones and missiles in several regions, including Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro,” said reporter Emmanuelle Chaze said.

How fighter jets could tilt the balance of the war

06:46 , Arpan Rai

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky embarked on a trip around Europe this week to urge his partners into encouraging steps towards the supply of fighter jets.

Britain, which less than a fortnight ago appeared to rule out sending either of its active models of warplane, was the first stop and prime minister Rishi Sunak welcomed his counterpart from Kyiv with a pledge to train Ukrainian pilots to fly Nato-compatible aircraft.

Then came Paris where Mr Zelensky met French president Emmanuel Macron and German president Olaf Scholz. France had earlier signalled a willingness to supply jets, while Germany had rejected Kyiv’s pleas and criticised what he called a “constant competition to outbid each other when it comes to weapons systems”.

Here we take a look at what planes are available and how they could help Ukraine’s defence.

The fighter jets that could help win the battle for Ukraine’s skies

Macron weighs kicking Putin out of French Legion of Honor

06:28 , Arpan Rai

French president Emmanuel Macron pinned the Grand Cross of the Légion d’Honneur medal on Volodymyr Zelensky’s chest after the two met in the French presidential palace yesterday amid calls from some French legislators and activists to rescind Putin’s award because of the war.

Mr Macron said that the move to bestow Mr Zelensky with the medal was meant to show France’s “immense” recognition for Ukraine‘s valour since Russia invaded it a year ago.

Mr Macron didn’t rule out stripping Mr Putin of the Légion d’Honneur bestowed by then-president Jacques Chirac in 2006.He said that such a decision “has serious meaning, and it should be taken at the right moment.’’ He noted that he has rescinded the Légion d’Honneur in the past.

Read the full story here:

Macron weighs kicking Putin out of French Legion of Honor

Long-awaited new Russian offensive has ‘definitely’ begun – official

05:53 , Arpan Rai

The governor of the Donetsk region says he believes new fighting in eastern areas that broke out yesterday represents the start of a much-anticipated new Russian offensive.

On being asked if he agreed that Russian forces had launched their full-scale onslaught, governor Pavlo Krylenko said: “Yes, definitely.”

Officials in Kyiv have for some time predicted a fresh military offensive from Russia to try and make new territorial gains around the one year anniversary of the initial invasion, in mid-to-late February.

Krylenko said “the enemy’s forces and means” were escalating in intensity daily around eastern towns like Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Vuhledar.

Russian forces launch major offensive in eastern Ukraine’s Luhansk

05:03 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putin’s soldiers are advancing in eastern Ukraine using relentless shelling and shooting in its pursuit of the first major territorial advantage in six months, officials have said.

Russian forces launched a series of overnight strikes and knocked out power supplies in parts of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, local officials said today.

“The occupiers hit critical infrastructure. There were about 10 explosions,” Kharkiv governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram. “In some regions, there are power cuts. Emergency services are on site.”

It is not immediately clear if the attacks have led to casualties.

Additionally, Moscow’s troops are trying to advance west with “maximum escalation” in the region’s snowy terrain with a spike recorded in shooting and shelling, Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai said last night, adding that this has been without any success for Russia so far.

France not ruling out fighter jets for Ukraine

04:14 , Arpan Rai

French president Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out sending fighter jets to Ukraine at some point, but added that the embattled nation needed more immediate military firepower.

“I exclude absolutely nothing,” Mr Macron said on being asked about the possibility of sending jets at the end of a summit of EU leaders, attended by Volodymyr Zelensky.

But he added that the top priority for Ukraine’s allies at the moment is to help Ukraine in the weeks and months ahead, and fighter jets could not be delivered in that timeframe and it would take time to train Ukrainian pilots to fly them.

The priority should be placed on giving Kyiv items such as artillery, which had proven to be effective and on which Ukrainian forces were already trained.

Mr Macron added that it might be necessary to intensify delivery of such items and Ukraine’s allies would examine this possibility in the coming days.

The ever-moving goalposts around sending military jets to Ukraine

03:46 , Arpan Rai

Ukraine says it needs fighter jets from the West to help it win the war – in Zelensky’s words, as inscribed on the fighter ace helmet presented to the speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle: “We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it.”

In recent weeks, Western governments – after some delays and with caution – have committed vast amounts of munitions, missiles, air defence systems, artillery, armoured vehicles, drones and battle tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces. These are much better deployed, and safer from attack, if they can be deployed with the additional advantage of air superiority.

The Ukrainian air force is relatively small compared with Russia, and equipped with Soviet-era MiG jets. Hence the clamour for better equipment. Put crudely there isn’t much point in sending the most advanced and expensive tanks in the world, such as American Abrams and German Leopards, if the Russians can destroy them at will.

Sean O’Grady explains here:

Analysis: The ever-moving goalposts around sending military jets to Ukraine

Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants

03:30 , Joe Middleton

Some of Nato’s European members may feel safer letting America take the lead when it comes to sending military jets to Ukraine, writes Kim Sengupta.

Analysis: Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants

Air raid sirens fill Ukraine

03:21 , Arpan Rai

The air raid alert has gone off in many Ukrainian regions, reported The Kyiv Independent amid attacks from Russian forces.

Officials said that the alerts were also sounded in many Ukrainian oblasts and in the city of Kyiv early today.

Russian forces are striking the besieged city this morning, Kharkiv oblast governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Olympic president accuses Ukraine of ‘defamation’ in dispute over Russian and Belarusian athletes

02:30 , Joe Middleton

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has called on Ukraine to drop threats of a boycott of the 2024 Olympics over the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Ukraine hopes to secure widespread international support for a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes after the IOC opened the door for them to compete as neutrals in Paris.

Athletes from Russia and neighbouring Belarus, which aided Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago, have been banned from many international competitions since.

Olympic president accuses Ukraine of ‘defamation’ in dispute over Russian athletes

ICYMI: PMQs: Rishi Sunak hints at future proscription of Wagner Group mercenaries

01:30 , Joe Middleton

No 10 admits ‘escalatory’ risk in sending fighter jets to Ukraine after Russia threats

00:30 , Joe Middleton

Rishi Sunak’s government has admitted there is a potential risk of escalation as it considers sending fighter jets to Ukraine, Downing Street has said.

The prime minister said warplanes were now “part of the conversation” as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had heard from several European leaders that they were ready to provide Kyiv with aircraft.

Mr Zelensky gave no further details about the pledges – that came at a EU summit in Brussels – but appeared optimistic about the prospect of jets being delivered, having spent the last couple of days on a mini European tour to bolster support. The Ukrainian leader asked for “powerful English planes” during a visit to the UK.

No 10 admits ‘escalatory’ risk in sending fighter jets to Ukraine

Russian diplomat says ties with US in 'unprecedented crisis'

Thursday 9 February 2023 23:30 , Joe Middleton

Russia-U.S. relations are in a state of “unprecedented crisis” without any sign of improvement, a senior Russian diplomat said Thursday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov argued that the White House’s emphasis on increasing weapons supplies to Ukraine to ensure Russia’s defeat leaves no room for diplomacy.

“I don’t see any prospect for a productive political and diplomatic process,” Ryabkov said at a briefing. “We have a very deep and unprecedented crisis in Russia-U.S. relations. The Biden administration has driven them into a deadlock.”

Russian diplomat says ties with US in 'unprecedented crisis'

US government map shows areas most at risk of being targeted in nuclear war

Thursday 9 February 2023 22:30 , Joe Middleton

A map showing the areas of the US that may be targeted in a nuclear war originally issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2015 is making the rounds again amid the Russian war in Ukraine.

The map indicates that areas such as Montana and North Dakota may be vital to strike US forces.

The map outlines possible targets in every US state, mostly located in the east, but also along the Californian coast.

US government map shows areas most at risk of being targeted in nuclear war

‘Powerful English planes’: The fighter jets that could help win the battle for Ukraine’s skies

Thursday 9 February 2023 21:30 , Joe Middleton

Kyiv’s push for war planes took a positive turn this week and several models of aircraft could be on the table, as Liam James reports.

The fighter jets that could help win the battle for Ukraine’s skies

ICYMI: The full exchange: Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer 'united' over Ukraine victory during PMQs

Thursday 9 February 2023 20:30 , Joe Middleton

Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants

Thursday 9 February 2023 19:34 , Joe Middleton

Some of Nato’s European members may feel safer letting America take the lead when it comes to sending military jets to Ukraine, writes Kim Sengupta.

Analysis: Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants

ICYMI: Zelensky: MPs showed strong British character and embodied spirit of these great islands

Thursday 9 February 2023 18:56 , Joe Middleton

Putin claims Russia economy will grow this year, despite sanctions

Thursday 9 February 2023 18:02 , Joe Middleton

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Russia’s economy had overcome the worst effects of sanctions and was expected to show modest growth this year.

“For many of those who tried and are trying to create problems for us, it was a surprise how effectively we are countering the threats in the economy and in certain sectors of production,” Putin said in televised remarks with officials.

“International institutions have to acknowledge that not only has Russia coped with the shocks that were expected ... slight growth is expected in the Russian economy this year.”

Putin did not give a specific forecast for Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in his remarks.

Russia’s economic landscape has been severely impacted after a range of Western sanctions following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Initial expectations of a double-digit economic slump in 2022 proved overblown, but analysts still predict a drop in Russia’s GDP of 2% in 2023, after an estimated 2.5% slide in 2022.

Additional reporting by Reuters

‘Ex-comedian in a green shirt’: Russia lashes out at ‘pompous’ Zelensky

Thursday 9 February 2023 17:19 , Joe Middleton

Russia have lashed out at Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky – calling his visit to the UK to ask for further support against Moscow’s invasion “pompous”.

Addressing MPs in Westminster, Mr Zelensky urged Britain to send advanced jets imminently and provide “wings for freedom”.

The Russian embassy in London responded by attacking the Ukrainian president for being “the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe”.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports.

‘Ex-comedian in a green shirt’: Russia lashes out at ‘pompous’ Zelensky

Zelensky says some European leaders ready to give aircraft

Thursday 9 February 2023 16:27 , Joe Middleton

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that had heard from several European Union leaders at a summit that they were ready to provide Kyiv with aircraft, hinting at what would be one of the biggest shifts yet in Western support for Ukraine.

Zelensky gave no further details about the pledges and there was no immediate confirmation from any European countries.

But his remarks came amid signs during a European tour that countries were closer to lifting one of the main taboos in military aid for Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine.

“Europe will be with us until our victory. I’ve heard it from a number of European leaders ... about the readiness to give us the necessary weapons and support, including the aircraft,” Zelensky told a news conference.

But he did not name the countries.Just before, his chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on social media that the question of long-range weaponry and fighter jets for Ukraine had been resolved and details would follow. He later edited his post to say the issue “may be resolved”.

Slovakia to get German air defence systems to cover Ukraine border

Thursday 9 February 2023 16:02 , Emily Atkinson

Germany will donate two close-range MANTIS air defence systems to Slovakia which will use them to protect its eastern border with Ukraine, the Slovak defence ministry said on Thursday.

Nato member Slovakia has boosted its air defences with the help of several Patriot systems operated by Nato allies after donating its ageing S-300 system to Ukraine last year, and has sought to get additional equipment.

The automated, stationary MANTIS systems made for the German army serve to protect limited areas such as bases.

“(MANTIS) will strengthen protection of the eastern border with Ukraine, secured by forces and means of the Slovak armed forces,” the ministry said in a statement.

Each has up to eight turrets, two sensor units and a control centre. It can protect from incoming rockets, drones, artillery and mortar shells.

Slovakia has supported Ukraine with arms supplies including heavy equipment, and its eastern town of Michalovce hosts a German centre for servicing German equipment delivered to Ukraine.

Russia ‘ready to work on Zaporizhzhia nuclear safety zone'

Thursday 9 February 2023 15:45 , Emily Atkinson

Russian nuclear energy firm Rosatom says it is ready to continue work on creating a safety zone around Ukraine‘s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, after officials from the company met with UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi.

“In this regard, (Rosatom CEO) Alexey Likhachev expressed the readiness of the Russian side to continue work on the implementation of the IAEA Director General’s initiative,” it said.

Russian forces seized the plant in early March, soon after invading neighbouring Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of firing around it near the front lines, drawing condemnation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Russia accuses Nord Stream blast investigators of cover-up

Thursday 9 February 2023 15:31 , Emily Atkinson

Russia’s foreign ministry has accused Europe of trying to hide the results of their investigations into last year’s blasts on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, charging them with covering up who was to blame.

“The investigation is being carried out in such a way that... the remains are literally and figuratively left in the water,” Deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko said, according to the state-run RIA news agency.

The blasts, which are being investigated by Swedish and Danish authorities, could put three of Nord Stream 1 and 2’s four undersea lines permanently out of use.

Moscow had asked Stockholm to be allowed to join the investigation, but both Sweden and Denmark rejected the idea of Russian participation.

Construction of Nord Stream 2, designed to carry Russian gas to Germany, was completed in September 2021. Berlin shelved its certification just days before Moscow invaded Ukraine in February.

Watch: Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ‘not unprovoked’

Thursday 9 February 2023 15:15 , Emily Atkinson

Russia 'set to intensify attacks on Ukraine’

Thursday 9 February 2023 15:00 , Emily Atkinson

Russia looks poised to step up its offensive against Ukraine in the year-long war, Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday.

“We are working with Ukraine to help it to defend itself from this attack which it seems is about to intensify today and in the coming days,” Crosetto said at a news conference in Rome.

Wallace appears to suggest Ukrainian pilots would complete training in UK ‘post-conflict’

Thursday 9 February 2023 14:41 , Emily Atkinson

Ben Wallace appeared to suggest that Ukrainian air force pilots would only complete their training in the UK “probably post-conflict”.

The defence secretary, speaking at a joint UK-Italy ministerial press conference in Rome, said: “Britain’s position on some capability (on fighter planes) is nothing to do with trying to cause problems or challenges.

“It is fundamentally that some of our equipment is solely sovereign. Challenger tanks - I don’t have to ask permission of another country to send them, I can just make a decision in collaboration with my Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister.

“They are British sovereignty, so it just quicker rather than... if you were to talk about Typhoon fighter jets, there are four nations in that. But also Britain hasn’t said it is necessarily going to send fighter jets to Ukraine.

“What it has said is we’re going to start training to improve the resilience of Ukraine, probably post-conflict, which is no different from what we were doing in 2015 where Britain, Sweden, Canada, America were training the Ukrainians to form their defence.

“That’s not new. All of us on this platform know that over the last year, we shouldn’t rule anything in and we shouldn’t rule anything out.”

‘Ex-comedian in a green shirt’: Russia lashes out at ‘pompous’ Zelensky

Thursday 9 February 2023 14:20 , Emily Atkinson

Russia has lashed out at Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky – calling his visit to the UK to ask for further support against Moscow’s invasion “pompous”.

Addressing MPs in Westminster, Mr Zelensky urged Britain to send advanced jets imminently and provide “wings for freedom”.

The Russian embassy in London responded by attacking the Ukrainian president for being “the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe”.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports:

‘Ex-comedian in a green shirt’: Russia lashes out at ‘pompous’ Zelensky

SpaceX limits Starlink use in Ukraine, company president says

Thursday 9 February 2023 14:10 , Emily Atkinson

SpaceX has limited the use of its satellite internet service Starlink in Ukraine over concerns the technology had been “weaponised”.

SpaceX president Gwynne Sholtwell said that Ukraine’s military will be unable to use the space-based internet to control drones in the region during the country’s war with Russia.

Starlink, which has provided Ukraine’s military with broadband communications in its defence against Russia’s military, was “never never meant to be weaponized,” Ms Shotwell said during a conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

SpaceX limits Starlink use in Ukraine, company president says

Zelensky: Ukraine intercepted plans to destroy Moldova

Thursday 9 February 2023 13:50 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that his country has intercepted plans by Russian secret services to destroy Moldova

Speaking to European Union leaders in Brussels, Zelensky said he recently told Moldovan President Maia Sandu about the alleged scheme.

“I have informed her that we have intercepted the plan of the destruction of Moldova by the Russian intelligence,” Zelensky said through a translator.

Zelenskyy: Ukraine intercepted plans to destroy Moldova

In pictures: Zelensky addresses European Parliament in second international trip since Russia’s invasion

Thursday 9 February 2023 13:30 , Emily Atkinson

Watch: Macron presents Legion of Honour medal to Zelensky during Paris visit

Thursday 9 February 2023 13:10 , Emily Atkinson

Ben Wallace issues warning over jets

Thursday 9 February 2023 12:50 , Emily Atkinson

There will be no immediate transfer of UK fighter jets to Ukraine, Ben Wallace was cited as saying as president Volodymyr Zelensky continues his tour of Europe in a push for air cover.

Mr Zelensky started his surprise trip in London on Wednesday with a rousing speech to parliament urging the UK and allies to provide “wings for freedom”.

Despite Rishi Sunak saying nothing was “off the table”, the defence secretary told the BBC that gifting any fighter jets would potentially take months.

Mr Wallace explained the UK would instead focus on using alternative methods of providing air cover to Ukraine, such as long range missiles and drones.

Putin says Russia should become centre of drone development

Thursday 9 February 2023 12:45 , Emily Atkinson

Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia should build a system for developing drones, and that the country should be a “source of technology and competence”.

Russian forces have made extensive use of drones, including those purchased from Iran, during their ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.

Russia ‘destroys four artillery depots in Donetsk’

Thursday 9 February 2023 12:25 , Emily Atkinson

Russia’s defence ministry has said that its forces were continuing offensive operations in Ukraine‘s Donetsk region and had destroyed four artillery depots.

In its daily briefing, the ministry said it had also destroyed a U.S.-made radiolocation system and an M109 Paladin artillery system.

Putin says foreign companies suffering major losses since leaving Russia

Thursday 9 February 2023 12:05 , Emily Atkinson

Vladimir Putin has said that foreign companies were suffering big losses as a result of leaving the Russian market amid Western sanctions.

Speaking at a meeting with senior officials broadcast on state television, the Russian president said that the potential for domestic business expansion was “colossal”, and that Russia had not lost out from the departure of the foreign businesses.

No free Europe without free Ukraine, says Zelensky

Thursday 9 February 2023 11:57 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy told EUn leaders in Brussels there was no free Europe without free Ukraine.

“Europe should not have gray zones, our whole continent should be open to European destiny,” My Zelensky told the 27 national EU leaders gathered for a summit in Brussels ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion against Ukraine. “Unity of Europe is fundamental to security.”

“Free Europe cannot be imagined without free Ukraine,” he said. “Europe is free, Europe will be free and Europe is united.”

Rheinmetall 'in talks with Kyiv about Panther battle tanks’

Thursday 9 February 2023 11:45 , Emily Atkinson

German arms maker Rheinmetall wants to deliver its latest tank models to Ukraine, including Panther battle tanks, chief executive Armin Papperger told Handelsblatt business daily on Thursday.

“Ukraine is interested in the Lynx and the Panther - the most modern infantry fighting vehicles and battle tanks,” he was quoted as saying, adding there were already talks with Kyiv.

The German government would have to approve any export of Panther tanks, which were developed in Germany, reported the paper.

US and France to hold Nato drills in Romania

Thursday 9 February 2023 11:25 , Emily Atkinson

US and French troops forming part of a Nato battlegroup in Romania are set to hold a military exercise to test the 30-nation alliance’s eastern flank defences.

It comes as Russia’s full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine nears its one-year anniversary.

Thursday’s joint combat drills at the Black Sea training range in Capu Midia, dubbed Eagle Royal 23, will involve some 350 multinational battlegroup troops, who will practice firing live ammunition.

Romania’s defence ministry said that the goal of the drills - held between 2 February to 10 February - is to test Nato’s “interoperability of artillery systems” in a fictitious Article 5 collective defence scenario on the alliance’s south-eastern territory.

Nato’s Article 5 is central to its founding treaty. The clause requires every alliance member to come to the assistance of any ally asking for it. Article 5 has been invoked only once – by the US in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in 2001.

Kremlin dismisses claims Putin was involved in MH17 downing

Thursday 9 February 2023 11:05 , Emily Atkinson

The Kremlin has dismissed the findings of international prosecutors investigating the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) who said they had found “strong indications” of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s involvement in the incident.

The prosecutors said on Wednesday at The Hague they had found “strong indications” that Putin had approved the use of Russian BUK missile systems that were used to shoot down the plane over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

In Moscow’s first reaction to their claim, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia “could not accept” the results of the investigation since it took no part in the process. He also said the investigators had not publicly presented supported evidence.

MH17 was shot down by a Russian BUK missile system as it flew over eastern Ukraine from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew, including 196 Dutch citizens.

A victorious Ukraine will be part of European Union, says Zelensky

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:44 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he believed his country would join the European Union after emerging victorious from its war with Russia.

He made his remark during an address to the European Parliament in Brussels. Ukraine became a candidate to join the EU last June but the process of joining the 27-nation bloc takes several years.