Ukraine-Russia war – latest: Putin vows to respond on border if Nato troops deployed to Finland

Russia will strengthen its military presence on its western border if Nato troops are deployed to Finland, the deputy foreign minister has said.

Alexander Grushko’s comments came after Nato confirmed that the Nordic country would officially become a member of the military alliance on Tuesday.

“We will strengthen our military potential in the western and northwestern direction, “Mr Grushko told RIA. In the event that the forces and resources of other NATO members are deployed in Finland, we will take additional steps to reliably ensure Russia’s military security.”

Earlier the Kremlin saiid it would move its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus near the country’s border with Nato allies in a move that will further escalate tensions between the Kremlin and the West.

Boris Gryzlov, Russia’s ambassador to Belarus, announced the move on Sunday, saying it formed part of broader plans to “ensure security”. A storage facility would be completed by 1 July, he added, without saying exactly where it would be.

Key Points

• Wagner’s Prigozhin says Russian flag raised in Bakhmut

• Zelensky says Bakhmut fight ‘particularly hot’

• Russia to bring nuclear weapons near Belarus borders with Nato

• Pro-Putin military blogger killed in St Petersburg cafe explosion

• Six killed and eight wounded in heavy shelling near Bakhmut

• Zelensky condemns Russia’s UN Security Council presidency as ‘absurd and destructive'

Wagner raised ‘flag over some kind of toilet’, says Ukraine

04:56 , Arpan Rai

Denying Wagner’s claims over the capture of Bakhmut, Ukraine’s military has said that the fighting is still raging around the city council building as well as in other nearby towns.

This comes just hours after the Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said that his forces have raised a flag over the city’s administrative building in an unverified claim.

“Bakhmut is Ukrainian and they have not captured anything and are very far from doing that,” said Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for the eastern military command.

“They raised the flag over some kind of toilet. They attached it to the side of who knows what, hung their rag and said they had captured the city. Well good, let them think they’ve taken it,” Mr Cherevatyi told Reuters.

The Ukrainian armed forces general staff said in an evening statement that 45 enemy attacks had been repelled in total in the last 24 hours, with Bakhmut at the “epicentre of operations” along with the cities of Avdiivka and Maryinka further south.

Putin responsible for Finland’s ‘historic’ accession to Nato, says alliance chief

11:07 , Emily Atkinson

President Vladimir Putin is responsible for Nato’s ‘historic’ enlargement, the defence bloc’s secretary-general said ahead of Finland’s accession to the alliance later today.

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg also said the military alliance would ensure that Sweden will also become a full-fledged member, having made its bid to join Nato alongside Finland in May last year.

“(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin had as a declared goal of the invasion of Ukraine to get less Nato,” he told reporters ahead of a meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers.

“He is getting exactly the opposite... Finland today, and soon also Sweden will become a full-fledged member of the alliance,” he said.

Russian defence minister says Finland joining Nato raises risk of conflict

10:53 , Emily Atkinson

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu has said that Finland’s accession to the Nato military alliance and the bloc’s move to boost its own combat-readiness increased the risk of conflict.

Shoigu also said that some Belarusian military jets were now capable of carrying nuclear warheads and that Iskander rocket systems had been transferred to Belarus, which could be used to carry conventional or nuclear missiles.

Lithuania bans Russians from purchasing real estate

10:38 , Emily Atkinson

Lithuania’s parliament has moved to ban Russian nationals from purchasing real estate in the Baltic country, citing risks to national security.

The ban, which will be in place until 2024, would not apply to Russians who are granted residency in the country.

Russia claims it has accepted over 5 million refugees from Ukraine

10:21 , Emily Atkinson

Russia has accepted more than 5 million refugees from Ukraine‘s Donbas region, including 730,000 children, since February 2022, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights has claimed.

Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian commissioner for children’s rights, said that the children came with their parents or guardians.

She told a Moscow news conference her commission was not aware of a single case of a child from eastern Ukraine being separated from their blood relatives and being transferred to a foster home.

Lvova-Belova was responding to allegations from the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) which on March 17 issued arrest warrants for her and President Vladimir Putin for the war crime of unlawfully deporting children from areas of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces.

Lvova-Belova said the allegations were false.

US and EU 'to discuss curbing European energy dependence on Russia’

10:08 , Emily Atkinson

The United States and the European Union are exploring ways to further reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy, US secretary of state Antony Blinken has said.

“Russia’s weaponization of energy is underscoring the urgency of that task and an opportunity to accelerate our progress (in the global clean energy transition),” Blinken told reporters after a meeting with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Brussels.

“We will focus on how we can further reduce European dependence on Russian energy and boost the Euro-Atlantic region’s clean energy production,” he said.

Russian children's commission dismisses ICC war crime allegations

09:53 , Emily Atkinson

Russia’s commission for children’s rights, whose boss was accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) alongside Vladimir Putin of war crimes in Ukraine, said on Tuesday that the ICC’s allegations were unclear.

It said in a statement it had also not received any documents about the case from the ICC, whose jurisdiction Russia does not recognise.

China has 'moral duty' to contribute to peace in Ukraine, EU's Borrell says

09:42 , Emily Atkinson

China has a moral duty to contribute to the establishment of peace in Ukraine, and must not support the aggressor in the war started by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Union’s top diplomat said on Tuesday.

“China has a moral duty to contribute to a fair peace, they cannot be siding with the aggressor,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels.

Finland to officially join Nato today

08:41 , Emily Atkinson

Today is the day that Finland finally joins Nato.

A ceremony, the main proceedings of which begin at 2pm, will see Finland’s blue and white flag raised among those of its partners outside the alliance’s Brussels headquarters.

It falls on Nato’s very own birthday, the 74th anniversary of the signing of its founding Washington Treaty on 4 April 1949. It also coincides with a meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers.

What can we expect from the day?

10am: Doorstep statement by Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg

10.10am: Ministers’ arrivals and doorstep statements

11.30am: Joint statement from Mr Stoltenberg and the minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine (Dmytro Kuleba)

12.30pm: Joint statement of from Mr Stoltenberg and the US secretary of state (Antony Blinken)

2pm: Brief press point by the Mr Stoltenberg and the Finnish president Sauli Niinistö.

2.35pm: Ceremony for Finland’s accession to Nato

3pm: Meeting of the Nato-Ukraine Commission with Finland and Sweden

What does Finland’s accession mean for the alliance?

Finland has a 1,300km (810 miles) border with Russia, meaning Nato’s direct frontier with Russia will roughly double in length.Its membership, first sought in May last year, was ratified by Turkey last week, lifting the last hurdle to accession. Tuesday will mark the first enlargement of the defence bloc since North Macedonia joined in 2020.

Moscow immediately responded by pledging to boost troop numbers in its western and northwestern regions.

For more on this, read our story here.

Putin ally accuses Western leaders of having blood on their hands

08:09 , Emily Atkinson

Russia’s parliament speaker says that Western leaders have blood on their hands for supporting Ukraine‘s president and that support has led to the creation of a “terrorist state” in Europe’s centre.

Vyacheslav Volodin, an ally of president Vladimir Putin, said that the killing of prominent war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in St Petersburg over the weekend was a “terrorist act” committed by Kyiv.

“The support of Washington and Brussels for the Kyiv authorities has led to the creation of a terrorist state in the centre of Europe,” Volodin said on the Telegram messaging app.

“The blood of the dead and wounded is on the hands of (US president Joe) Biden, (president Emmanuel) Macron, (German chancellor Olaf) Scholz and other heads of state who support the Zelensky regime.”

German insurers renew cover for blast-damaged Nord Stream gas link

07:50 , Katy Clifton

German insurers Allianz and Munich Re have renewed cover for the damaged Russia-controlled Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, five sources with knowledge of the matter said, indicating that its revival has not been ruled out after an alleged sabotage attack.

Insurance by two of Germany’s biggest companies is critical for any long-term future of the pipeline, which was the main route for Russian gas to Europe for a decade before the blast last September.

Munich Re, Allianz and Germany’s chancellery declined to comment, while the economy ministry said insurance was not part of the support the government had in the past provided for the pipeline.

Russia has a 51% stake in Nord Stream 1 through a subsidiary of state-owned energy group Gazprom.

Some of Nord Stream’s German shareholders favour at least preserving the damaged pipeline in case relations with Moscow improve, two people familiar with the matter said separately.

Russia claims ‘terrorist state’ made in Europe

07:20 , Katy Clifton

Russia’s parliament speaker has accused Western leaders of having blood on their hands for supporting Ukraine‘s Volodymyr Zelensky and that support has led to the creation of a “terrorist state” in Europe’s centre.

Vyacheslav Volodin, an ally of president Vladimir Putin, made the unverified claim that the killing of prominent war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in St Petersburg over the weekend was a “terrorist act” committed by Kyiv. Ukraine has denied any involvement.

“The support of Washington and Brussels for the Kyiv authorities has led to the creation of a terrorist state in the centre of Europe,” Volodin said on the Telegram messaging app.

“The blood of the dead and wounded is on the hands of Biden, Macron, Scholz and other heads of state who support the Zelensky regime.”.

Putin looking to replace Wagner in Ukraine war – MoD

06:55 , Arpan Rai

Russia is likely seeking to sponsor and develop alternative private military companies (PMCs) to eventually replace the Wagner Group PMC in its significant combat role in Ukraine, the British defence ministry has said today.

“This takes place in the context of the high-profile feud between the Russian ministry of defence and Wagner Group. Russia’s military leadership likely wants a replacement PMC that it has more control over,” the defence ministry said in its latest intelligence update.

It added that no other known Russian PMC currently approaches Wagner’s size or combat power.

“Russia likely sees continued utility for PMCs in Ukraine because they are less constrained by the limited pay levels and inefficiency which hamper the effectiveness of the regular army,” the ministry said.

It added: “Russia’s leadership probably believe heavy casualties amongst PMCs will be better tolerated by Russian society compared to regular military losses.”

Ukraine's frontline troops 'ready' for counteroffensive

06:19 , Arpan Rai

Military commanders say Ukraine’s much-awaited spring counteroffensive is not far off, with newly delivered and deployed Western tanks, hardware and freshly trained soldiers in place.

But Kyiv’s focus for now remains on holding ground in the city of Bakhmut and bleeding Russian forces in the meantime.

“People are ready for the counteroffensive, all we are waiting for is marching orders and details on which direction we should go forward on – Bakhmut, Soledar or anywhere else,” said a 35-year-old soldier of a tank brigade near Bakhmut, who used the nom-de-guerre Polyot.

Lying on the edge of a chunk of Donetsk province under Russian control, Bakhmut had a population of 70,000 before Moscow invaded Ukraine in February last year.

Russian forces, bogged down in a war of attrition after a series of setbacks, are seeking a victory from their winter offensive but have suffered huge casualties around Bakhmut.

Suspect or patsy? The woman Russia claims blew up pro-Putin blogger with bomb hidden in statuette

06:00 , Joe Middleton

Russian authorities have claimed that a woman has admitted to planting a bomb in a St Petersburg cafe that killed a pro-Putin military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky and injured 30 others.

Darya Trepova, 26, was arrested on suspicion of murder after the explosion in Russia’s second-largest city on Sunday afternoon.

In a video released by the Russian interior ministry, Ms Trepova is heard admitting she handed over a statuette that later blew up. However, she does not say that she knew there would be an explosion, nor does she admit any further role.

The circumstances under which Ms Trepova made the confession are unclear, including whether she was under duress.

Woman ‘confesses’ to killing pro-Putin blogger with bomb hidden in golden statuette

Chaplains made part of Ukraine's military as war drags on

05:30 , Joe Middleton

To the haunting chants of a church choir in Kyiv’s 11th century Saint Sophia Cathedral, the first group of chaplains to join the Ukrainian military’s command structure graduated in a ceremony Saturday.

Although chaplains have ministered to Ukraine’s armed forces for years, they worked as embedded civilians rather than as officers. Now, they will sign contracts to serve in those armed forces, undergo a six-week training program and get inducted.

The first group of military chaplains to fall under this new system began training Feb. 20. In their new assignments, they won’t use weapons but are expected to know general military concepts and tactical medicine, Ukrainian authorities said.

Chaplains made part of Ukraine's military as war drags on

Ukrainian official offers plan for a Crimea without Russia

04:30 , Joe Middleton

A top Ukrainian official on Sunday outlined a series of steps the government in Kyiv would take after the country reclaims control of Crimea, including dismantling the strategic bridge that links the seized Black Sea peninsula to Russia.

Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, published the plan as Ukraine’s military prepares for a spring counteroffensive in hopes of making new, decisive gains after more than 13 months of war to end Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, but most of the world does not recognize it as Russian territory. The peninsula’s future status will be a key feature in any negotiations on ending the current fighting.

Ukrainian official offers plan for a Crimea without Russia

Russia launches 17 drones on Ukraine overnight, 14 drowned

04:23 , Arpan Rai

Russia flew 17 Iranian-made Shahed drones to attack Ukraine overnight, Ukraine‘s Air Force command said early today.

Of the total drones, 14 were destroyed by Ukraine’s air-defence systems.“In total, up to 17 launches of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) attacks were recorded, presumably from the eastern coast area of the Sea of Azov,” the command said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

The Black Sea port city of Odesa was also struck with a number of drones, the head of the regional military administration Yuriy Kruk said.

“As a result of the work of the air defence systems, there is damage,” the official said on the administration’s Facebook page.

He did not specify the extent of the damage.

More than 22,600 civilian casualties in Ukraine war – UN

03:59 , Arpan Rai

Ukraine has suffered more than 22,600 civilian casualties since the full-scale invasion by Russia, UN officials say.

An additional 765 civilian casualties have been recorded in March this year, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said.

The latest tally has pushed the total number of civilian casualties in Ukraine to 22,607, which includes 8,451 killed and 14,156 injured.

At least 149 people have been killed and 514 injured in explosive weapons attacks with effects on a wide area, while 29 have been killed and 73 have been injured in mines and explosive remnants.

Stating the the UN body believes the actual figures are considerably higher, amid intense hostilities in several parts pending corroboration, the OHCHR said: “This concerns, for example, Mariupol (Donetsk region), Lysychansk, Popasna, and Sievierodonetsk (Luhansk region), where there are allegations of numerous civilian casualties.”

Powerful earthquake strikes near Russia’s east coast

03:30 , Joe Middleton

An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale struck near the east coast of Kamchatka in far east Russia, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

The quake struck at a depth of 100km (62.13 miles), EMSC said.

Tremors were felt in the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at around 3.06pm local time (3.06 am GMT) on Monday.

Powerful earthquake strikes near Russia’s east coast

Zelensky to visit Warsaw to meet with Poles, Ukrainians

02:30 , Joe Middleton

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will pay a visit to Warsaw this week that will include talks with political leaders and a meeting with regular Ukrainians and Poles, Polish officials announced on Monday.

Zelensky will be accompanied by his wife, Olena Zelenska, for the visit, scheduled for Wednesday. It will begin with an official meeting at the Royal Castle between Zelenskyy and his host, Polish President Andrzej Duda.

Zelenskyy to visit Warsaw to meet with Poles, Ukrainians

Watch: Russian military blogger handed statue moments before cafe explosion

01:30 , Joe Middleton

Jailed US reporter's defense appeals his arrest

Tuesday 4 April 2023 00:30 , Joe Middleton

Lawyers for an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal arrested in Russia on espionage charges have appealed his arrest, a court in Moscow announced Monday.

Evan Gershkovich, 31, was detained last week in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city. It was the first time a U.S. correspondent had been detained on spying accusations since the Cold War. The Journal has said it “vehemently denies” the charges and demanded his release.

At a hearing Thursday, Moscow’s Lefortovsky District court quickly ruled that Gershkovich would be kept behind bars for two months pending the investigation.

Jailed US reporter's defense appeals his arrest

Oil producers' cuts could boost gasoline prices, help Russia

Monday 3 April 2023 23:30 , Joe Middleton

Major oil-producing countries led by Saudi Arabia said they’re cutting supplies of crude — again. This time, the decision was a surprise and is underlining worries about where the global economy might be headed.

Russia is joining in by extending its own cuts for the rest of the year. In theory, less oil flowing to refineries should mean higher gasoline prices for drivers and could boost the inflation hitting the U.S. and Europe. And that may also help Russia weather Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine at the expense of the U.S.

The decision by oil producers, many of them in the OPEC oil cartel, to cut production by more than 1 million barrels a day comes after prices for international benchmark crude slumped amid a slowing global economy that needs less fuel for travel and industry.

Oil producers' cuts could boost gasoline prices, help Russia

Video appears to show woman with box walking into cafe in Russia where blogger killed

Monday 3 April 2023 22:30 , Joe Middleton

Suspect in Russian military blogger's killing on wanted list

Monday 3 April 2023 21:30 , Martha Mchardy

Russian police on Monday were searching for a woman suspected of delivering a bomb that killed a well-known military blogger who fervently supported Moscow‘s war in Ukraine.

Russian officials said Vladlen Tatarsky, 40, was killed Sunday as he was leading a discussion at a cafe on the banks of the Neva River in the historic heart of St. Petersburg. Over 30 people were wounded by the blast, and 10 of them remain in grave condition, according to the authorities.

Russian news reports said the bomb was hidden in a bust of the blogger that the suspect had given to him as a gift just before the explosion.

Read the full story:

Suspect in Russian military blogger's killing on wanted list

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Ukraine

Monday 3 April 2023 21:07 , Joe Middleton

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Ukraine on Monday to underscore his support for Kyiv and said he would work towards Washington supplying F-16 fighter jets and long-range missiles for the country’s war against Russia.

Asked whether he would back providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets and long-range missiles Pompeo said: “Yes. And the training and the software and all the things needed to actually protect and defend your own land.”

Addressing an audience of Ukrainian lawmakers, government officials, representatives of the military, civil society activists and students, he said providing military support for Ukraine was in Washington’s best interests.

Pompeo’s comments coincide with discussion in the United States around how much further support should be given to Ukraine. Washington has already provided some $30 billion in military aid since the beginning of what Moscow calls its “special military operation”.

Pompeo, who also served as Director of the CIA, said Russian president Vladimir Putin should not be underestimated, adding that the Kremlin leader recognized “one thing and that is power and consistent resolve”.

Wtach: Finland to be officially confirmed as ‘full-fledged’ member, Nato announces

Monday 3 April 2023 20:30 , Martha Mchardy

With no peace in sight, NATO countries eye more Ukraine help

Monday 3 April 2023 19:30 , Martha Mchardy

Ukraine’s Western allies have sent the country 65 billion euros ($70 billion) in military aid to help thwart Russia’s full-scale invasion, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday, and with no peace negotiations on the horizon the alliance is gearing up to send more.

“We cannot allow Russia to continue to chip away at European security,” Stoltenberg told a news conference in Brussels, adding “there are no signs that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is preparing for peace. He is preparing for more war.”

NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday “will discuss how we can step up our support, including by continuing to strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces,” Stoltenberg said. “Our support is for the long-haul.”

Hanna Arhirova reports:

With no peace in sight, NATO countries eye more Ukraine help

Jailed US reporter's defense appeals his arrest

Monday 3 April 2023 18:30 , Martha Mchardy

Lawyers for an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal arrested in Russia on espionage charges have appealed his arrest, a court in Moscow announced Monday.

Evan Gershkovich, 31, was detained last week in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city. It was the first time a U.S. correspondent had been detained on spying accusations since the Cold War. The Journal has said it “vehemently denies” the charges and demanded his release.

At a hearing Thursday, Moscow’s Lefortovsky District court quickly ruled that Gershkovich would be kept behind bars for two months pending the investigation.

Read the full story:

Jailed US reporter's defense appeals his arrest

Oil producers’ cuts could boost gasoline prices and help Russia

Monday 3 April 2023 17:30 , Martha Mchardy

Major oil-producing countries led by Saudi Arabia said they’re cutting supplies of crude — again. This time, the decision was a surprise and is underlining worries about where the global economy might be headed.

Russia is joining in by extending its own cuts for the rest of the year. In theory, less oil flowing to refineries should mean higher gasoline prices for drivers and could boost the inflation hitting the U.S. and Europe. And that may also help Russia weather Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine at the expense of the U.S.

The decision by oil producers, many of them in the OPEC oil cartel, to cut production by more than 1 million barrels a day comes after prices for international benchmark crude slumped amid a slowing global economy that needs less fuel for travel and industry.

David McHugh reports:

Oil producers' cuts could boost gasoline prices, help Russia

Wimbledon drops ban on Russian and Belarusian players

Monday 3 April 2023 16:30 , Matt Mathers

Wimbledon has lifted a ban on Russian and Belarusian tennis players from competing at this summer’s championships, with the All England Club admitting it has been forced into an “incredibly difficult decision”.

Players from the two countries will be asked to sign declarations of neutrality and have been told they must not support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine if they are to compete.

The club’s decision sees Wimbledon fall back in line with the rest of the sport, where players from Russia and Belarus have been allowed to compete under neutral flags since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Oliver Browning reports:

Wimbledon drops ban on Russian and Belarusian players

Zelensky commemorates ordeal of villagers held captive in basement

Monday 3 April 2023 16:00 , Matt Mathers

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday paid tribute to the courage of nearly 400 residents of a village in north Ukraine who were held in a school basement under Russian occupation for 27 days before they were set free a year ago.

The Ukrainian leader travelled to Yahidne, where he gave an emotional speech recalling how villagers were kept captive in a space less than 200 square metres during the first month of Russia’s February 2022 invasion.

He said that 11 people died during the ordeal.

"These people somehow lived and waited for Ukraine in the dark," said Zelenskiy who appeared visibly moved on the anniversary. "They lived standing and sitting."

Mr Zelensky was joined on the visit to Yahidne, a village in Chernihiv region, by German vice-chancellor Robert Habeck and Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric.

Ukraine extends gas import deal with Slovak's Eustream

Monday 3 April 2023 15:30 , Matt Mathers

Ukraine’s state-run gas transit operator GTSO and Slovak operator Eustream have agreed to extend until 30 September a daily 42 million cubic meters (mcm) gas import route for Ukraine, GTSO said on Monday.

Eustream has provided the increased amount in line with an agreement reached in February 2022 to temporarily increase gas export capacity to Ukraine through the interconnection at Budince to 42 mcm.

Nato allies seek more support for Ukraine

Monday 3 April 2023 15:10 , Matt Mathers

Ukraine's Western allies have sent the country 65 billion euro (£57 billion) in military aid to help thwart Russia's full-scale invasion, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said.

With no peace negotiations on the horizon, Mr Stoltenberg said the alliance is gearing up to send more assistance.

"We cannot allow Russia to continue to chip away at European security," Mr Stoltenberg told a news conference in Brussels, adding "there are no signs that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is preparing for peace. He is preparing for more war".

Nato foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday "will discuss how we can step up our support, including by continuing to strengthen Ukraine's armed forces," Mr Stoltenberg said, adding: "Our support is for the long-haul."

Russia says it will strengthen military in northwest in response to Finland's NATO accession - RIA

Monday 3 April 2023 15:09 , Arpan Rai

Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko said Russia would strengthen its military capacity in its western and northwestern regions in response to Finland’s expected accession to Nato today, state-owned news agency RIA reported.

Alexander Grushko’s comments came after Nato confirmed that the Nordic country would officially become a member of the military alliance today.

“We will strengthen our military potential in the western and northwestern direction, “Mr Grushko told RIA. In the event that the forces and resources of other Nato members are deployed in Finland, we will take additional steps to reliably ensure Russia’s military security.”

US journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia appeals against detention

Monday 3 April 2023 14:30 , Matt Mathers

American Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested and charged with espionage in Russia last week, has appealed against his detention through his lawyers, Interfax news agency reported, citing the court.

Anthony Blinken, the US secretay of state, has demanded an end to the “unacceptable” detention of Mr Evan Gershkovich, who was taken into custody on espionage allegations by the Russian Federal Security Service on Wednesday while on assignment outside of Moscow.

“Secretary Blinken conveyed the United States’ grave concern over Russia’s unacceptable detention of a US citizen journalist,” the State Department said in a statement to the Journal.

“Secretary Blinken further urged the Kremlin to immediately release wrongfully detained US citizen Paul Whelan. The secretary and foreign minister Lavrov also discussed the importance of creating an environment that permits diplomatic missions to carry out their work.”

Antony Blinken calls on Russia to end ‘unacceptable’ detention of US reporter

Russia claims woman admits planting exploding statue that killed pro-Putin blogger

Monday 3 April 2023 14:05 , Matt Mathers

A woman has admitted to planting a bomb in a St Petersburg cafe that killed a pro-Putin military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky and injured 30 others.

Russian Darya Trepova, 26, was arrested for murder after the explosion in Russia’s second largest city on Sunday afternoon and in a video released by Russia interior ministry said she was responsible.

But unconfirmed Russian media reports said she had told investigators that she had been set up and had not known she was carrying a bomb.

Joe Middleton reports:

Russia claims woman admits planting exploding statue that killed pro-Putin blogger

Belarus Defence Ministry says combat readiness inspections have begun

Monday 3 April 2023 13:50 , Matt Mathers

Belarus' Defence Ministry said on Monday it had started combat readiness inspections of the armed forces, a latest round of military activity in the close Russian ally which has lent logistical support to Moscow's war in Ukraine.

In a statement published on Telegram, the ministry said the inspections would determine the capacity of military units to perform at "the highest levels of combat readiness".

A flurry of military drills in Belarus, which allowed Russia to use its territory to launch part of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has raised concerns in Ukraine that it might directly enter the war on Russia's side.

Minsk has denied any such plans, but warned that any incursions against Belarusian territory will invite a response.

NATO's Stoltenberg calls for immediate release of Wall St Journal reporter arrested in Russia

Monday 3 April 2023 13:30 , Matt Mathers

NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg on Monday called for the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich, a Moscow-based correspondent for the Wall Street Journal who was arrested by Russia's FSB security service on suspicion of spying.

Mr Gershkovich, 31, was taken into custody on espionage allegations by the Russian Federal Security Service on Wednesday while on assignment outside of Moscow.

The US State Department is requesting to perform a consular visit with the detained journalist. The Journal has denied that the 31-year-old was a spy of any kind.

Nato sees no change in Russian nuclear posture - Stoltenberg

Monday 3 April 2023 12:50 , Matt Mathers

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday the alliance had not seen any changes in Russia's nuclear posture since President Vladimir Putin's announcement that he would station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

"So far, we haven't seen any changes in their nuclear posture that requires any change, changing our nuclear posture," Stoltenberg told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Breaking: Finland to join Nato on Tuesday

Monday 3 April 2023 12:30 , Matt Mathers

Finland will join NATO on Tuesday, a step that will make Finland safer and the alliance stronger, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday.

"We will raise the Finnish flag for the first time here at NATO headquarters. It will be a good day for Finland's security, for Nordic security and for NATO as a whole," he told reporters in Brussels.

"Sweden will also be safer as a result."

ICYMI: Russia becomes president of UN Security Council despite Ukraine invasion

Monday 3 April 2023 12:15 , Matt Mathers

Russia has taken over as president of the UN Security Council despite its invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s foreign minister described the decision as indicative that “something is wrong” with international security structures.

Eleanor Noyce reports:

Russia becomes rotating president of UN Security Council despite Ukrainian invasion

Watch: Moment ‘female assassin delivers bomb hidden in gift’ that killed pro-Putin blogger

Monday 3 April 2023 12:00 , Matt Mathers

CCTV footage has emerged showing the suspected bomber carrying a box believed to have contained the device that killed a pro-Putin blogger in St Petersburg.

The seconds-long clip sees the blonde-haired woman, wearing a long brown coat and heeled ankle boots, enter through the glass doors at the front of the establishment. Her face is not shown.

The Kremlin claims the woman is Darya Trepova and has arrested her in connection with the incident:

Moment ‘female assassin delivers bomb hidden in gift’ that killed pro-Putin blogger

ICYMI: Zelensky to visit Warsaw

Monday 3 April 2023 11:45 , Matt Mathers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will pay a visit to Warsaw this week that will include talks with political leaders and a meeting with regular Ukrainians and Poles, Polish officials announced on Monday.

Zelensky will be accompanied by his wife, Olena Zelenska, for the visit, scheduled for Wednesday. It will begin with an official meeting at the Royal Castle between Zelenskyy and his host, Polish President Andrzej Duda.

Their talks will include security issues, regional politics, economic cooperation, historical matters lingering between the two neighbors as well as the transit of Ukraine's grain and other farm produce through Poland, according to Marcin Przydacz, the head of Duda's international office.

The talks will be followed by a meeting with the public, according to Duda's office.

Przydacz told radio broadcaster RMF FM that Zelensky will meet with Ukrainians and Poles at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, and that Zelenskyy says he wants to thank Poles for helping Ukrainians.

"We are preparing a number of elements that will give this visit a special character," Przydacz said.

Zelensky is also to hold talks with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki regarding regional security, the situation at the front, and bilateral cooperation including the situation at border crossings and with Ukrainian grain, according to Morawiecki aide Michal Dworczyk.

Kremlin says bombing was a ‘terrorist act'

Monday 3 April 2023 11:00 , Matt Mathers

The Kremlin said on Monday that the killing of prominent war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in St Petersburg was a “terrorist act” and cited Russia’s Anti-Terrorism Committee in claiming that there was evidence linking Ukraine to the assassination.

More than 30 people were wounded by the blast, and 10 of them remain in serious condition, according to Russian authorities.

The Russian Interior Ministry on Monday identified the suspected bomber as Darya Trepova, a 26-year-old St Petersburg resident who had been previously detained for taking part in anti-war rallies.