VLADIMIR Putin is ramping up attacks against civilians as he loses grip on his bloody invasion of Ukraine, according to intelligence chiefs.
The Ministry of Defence released a statement detailing Putin's aggressive change in the pattern of missile strikes on Ukrainians.
It is reported that Russian military efforts have increased attacks on civilians in the last week, with the aim to “undermine the morale of the Ukrainian people and government,” the MoD said.
And the head of the British Armed Forces, Admiral Sir Anthony Radakin, has claimed the Kremlin is "failing in military objectives"
Sir Tony continued: “He wanted to subjugate Ukraine; that’s not going to happen. He wanted to take control of the capital; we saw that was defeated earlier on. We saw that he wanted to weaken Nato. Nato is now much stronger, and we have Finland and Sweden joining.”
Read our Ukraine-Russia blog below for the latest updates…
- Henry Moore
Latest update on Russia's invasion of Ukraine
The British Ministry of Defence released the latest intelligence regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine this morning.
The newly released statement reads: "The command of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has almost certainly relocated its KILO-class submarines from their home port of Sevastopol in Crimea to Novorossiysk in Krasnodar Krai, southern Russia
"This is highly likely due to the recent change in the local security threat level in the face of increased Ukrainian long-range strike capability. In the last two months, the fleet headquarters and its main naval aviation airfield have been attacked.
"Guaranteeing the Black Sea Fleet’s Crimea basing was likely one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s motivations for annexing the peninsula in 2014. Base security has now been directly undermined by Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine."
- Henry Moore
UK intelligence says Russia is increasing attacks on civilians
The Ministry of Defence released a statement recently, showing an aggressive change in the pattern of missile strikes on Ukrainians.
It is reported that Russian military efforts have increased attacks on civilians in the last week.
This is thought to “undermine the morale of the Ukrainian people and government,” the MoD said.
It said: “Russia has launched several thousand long-range missiles against Ukraine since 24 February 2022.
“However, in the last seven days, Russia has increased its targeting of civilian infrastructure even where it probably perceives no immediate military effect.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Thirteen people have been killed by shelling in Donetsk
The Russian backed mayor confirmed the details of the shelling that occurred in the separatist region on Monday.
Alexei Kulemzin wrote via Telegram that 13 civilians including two children had been killed in the strike on Donetsk’s Kuybyshevsky district.
The Ukrainian army is still holding onto positions in Donetsk in the city’s outskirts.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
UK intelligence says Russia is increasing attacks on civilians
The Ministry of Defence released a statement recently, showing an aggressive change in pattern of missile strikes on Ukrainians.
It is reported that Russian military efforts have increased attacks on civilians in the last week.
This is thought to “undermine the morale of the Ukrainian people and government,” the MoD said.
It said: “Russia has launched several thousand long-range missiles against Ukraine since 24 February 2022.
“However, in the last seven days, Russia has increased its targeting of civilian infrastructure even where it probably perceives no immediate military effect.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
President Zelensky’s army closing in on key river in fight against the Russians
The Ukrainian President has vowed that his military will persist as they push forward to reclaim territory from Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Armed Forces said “have pushed across the Oskil. From yesterday, Ukraine controls the east bank.”
Luhansk govennor, Serhiy Gaidai, wrote on Telegram: “Luhansk region is right next door. De-occupation is not far away.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Boarder nations stop entry to Russian citizens
Countries near to Russia are refusing entry to Russians in act of support to Ukraine.
Even if Russian travellers carry a valid visa, they will not be admitted into Poland, Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania.
The ban was enforced on Monday, with the Lithuanian Interior Minister stating: “Russia is an unpredictable and aggressive state.
“Three-quarters of its citizens support the war. It is unacceptable that people who support the war can freely travel around the world, into Lithuania, the EU,” said Agne Bilotaite.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Russia’s ties with China an ‘unconditional priority’
A Russian security official has stated that Moscow’s strong ties with Beijing are a top goal.
The secretary of the national Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, said the “strengthening of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation with Beijing as an unconditional priority of Russia’s foreign policy.”
Patrushev also said to Guo Shengkun, a high up official of China’s Communist Party: "in the current conditions, our countries must show even greater readiness for mutual support and development of cooperation."
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Putin ‘failing on all his military objectives’ states UK military chief
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said that the Russian military does not have the resources or the man power to defeat Ukraine.
UK Intelligence said it is not known whether Russian military personnel are withstanding the Ukrainian counter attacks.
Sir Tony told the BBC: “At the very outset, we said that this was a strategic error by President Putin, and strategic errors lead to strategic consequences. And in this instance, it’s strategic failure.
“Putin is failing on all of his military strategic objectives. He wanted to subjugate Ukraine; that’s not going to happen.
“He wanted to take control of the capital; we saw that was defeated earlier on.
“We saw that he wanted to weaken Nato. Nato is now much stronger, and we have Finland and Sweden joining.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Russian popstar condemns war
Alla Pugacheva is one of Russia’s most famed popular singers.
Her husband, Maxim Galkin, a comedian, TV Presenter and singer is publicly ant-war and Pugacheva, in line with anti-war sentiments, asked Russian authorities to label her a foreign agent.
This came after they referred to her husband as one.
On social media, the singer labelled her husband “a true incorruptible Russian patriot, who wants… an end to our lads dying for illusory aims”.
She said her husband wanted nothing but “prosperity for his motherland, peace, free speech.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Russia urges UEFA to ban Ukraine manager
The manager of Ukraine’s men’s national football team has been accused of discrimination by Russia
Oleksandr Petrakov has been accused of failing to remain politically neutral.
According to the Guardian, Petrakov said: “I thought, if they come to Kyiv, I will pick up a weapon and defend my city.
“I am 64 but I felt it was normal to do this. I think I could take two or three enemies out.”
Now 65, it’s been reported that though he offered his services, he was advised that it may not be the best idea, due to his age and lack of military experience.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
US response depends on what Putin does
The US president was asked in an interview about what he’d say to Putin if he were planning on using nuclear weapons.
The West are reportedly concerned that, should Putin feel backed into a corner and worried he’ll lose, he may choose to use nuclear weapons.
Joe Biden said: “Don’t. Don’t. Don’t. It would change the face of war unlike anything since World War II.
“Russia would become more of a pariah in the world than they ever have been.
“Depending on the extent of what they do, will determine what response would occur.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could trigger a long term rise in grain prices
A new study has revealed that the war could have a knock on effect to prices, which may rise as much as seven per cent.
Researchers from the United States and Uruguay believe that the price rise could last as long as a year, it has been reported.
Prices will remain high as long as restrictions remain on exports, it has been said.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Ukraine claims back more
Russia invaded Ukraine in February, but Ukraine are rapidly gaining back land as they push Russia out.
It’s been reported that Ukraine has managed to gain back key land.
Ukraine forces claim to have regained control of the River Oskil on the front line of the war in north-east Ukraine.
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
Chilling winter expected for Ukraine as snowfalls on the mountains
Residents in the mountainous regions of Ukraine have reported heavy snow and chilly weather already.
One resident Tweeted that 40 centimetres of snow has fallen across the mountains.
Winter supplies are already being delivered to some homes.
It is not yet known the effects the blistering cold will have on Russia's invasion.
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
People 'crying' after Sviatohirsk liberation
A female soldier was pictured in combat gear, embracing an elderly woman.
In a touching Tweet, the photo was shared after the Donetsk region of Sviatohirsk was liberated in the north of Ukraine.
One replied: "I am in awe of the Brave Ukraine men and woman.
"The woman of all ages were allowed to leave, so many stayed to fight or help in other ways, what brave young woman doing their Country proud. Warrior woman."
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
Ukraine optimistic as West grows fearful of nuclear attack (2/2)
Ukraine have managed to take back areas of the country as Russia has been forced to retreat.
What happens if Putin decides to use nuclear weapons?
It would be would be viewed as an act of war against the US and NATO, which would result in many more sanctions and international punishments against the Russian ruler.
It’s thought that Russia still has more tanks and artillery that could outnumber it’s opponents by Spring.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made clear to his people that now is the time to cut Putin off in order to avoid Russia getting to that point.
At the moment, Russia still controls a fifth of Ukraine and is reportedly mobilising 137,000 additional troops.
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
Ukraine optimistic as West grows fearful of nuclear attack (1/2)
Ukraine have managed to take back areas of the country as Russia has been forced to retreat.
It’s thought that Russia was forced to retreat due to a lack of power, people and ammunition to keep up as the expectation of Ukraine‘s resistance was originally underestimated.
Ukraine has begun calling the displacement of Russia in the north-eastern areas as “de-occupation”, however as Russia’s pulled back, the West has grown more fearful of a nuclear attack.
Analyst Daniel Davis, a retired US army colonel, warned: “There is little he [Putin] won’t do when he feels it is necessary to win on the battlefield.”
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
Russia's much loved pop star condemns Ukraine invasion
Alla Pugacheva called Russian a "pariah" state.
The singer took to Instagram to share her views, after her husband Maxim Galkin, was accused of being a foreign agent after he publicly criticised the war.
She wrote: "I am in solidarity with my husband, an honest, decent, and sincere man, a true and incorruptible Russian patriot."
Alla and her family moved to Israel around the same time the invasion was made in February this year.
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
Russia's invasion of Ukraine could trigger a long term rise in grain prices
A new study has revealed that the war could have a knock on effect to prices, which may rise as much as seven per cent.
Researchers from the United States and Uruguay believe that the price rise could last as long as a year, it has been reported.
Prices will remain high as long as restrictions remain on exports, it has been said.
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
Russia rejects war crimes after more than 450 bodies were recovered
The bodies, found in a mass grave in Izyum, Kharkiv, presented signs of torture, said President Zelensky.
“Children and adults. Civilians and military. Tortured, shot, killed by shelling,” Mr Zelensky said.
“Even entire families are buried there: mother, father and daughter.”
Today the Kremlin have spoken out about these killings, calling it a "lie".
More updates are to come on the Russian response to the gruesome discovery.
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
Russian military strikes Zaporizhzhia district
In the early hours of the morning, the residential district came under fire from S-300 missiles, Ukrinform reported.
A total of 12 homes were destroyed as a result of the strikes, and an elderly woman was taken to hospital.
It has also been reported that healthcare facilities were under risk of losing power.
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
UK intelligence says Russia is increasing attacks on civilians
The Ministry of Defence released a statement recently, showing an aggressive change in pattern of missile strikes on Ukrainians.
It is reported that Russian military efforts have increased attacks on civilians in the last week.
This is thought to “undermine the morale of the Ukrainian people and government,” the MoD said.
It said: "Russia has launched several thousand long-range missiles against Ukraine since 24 February 2022.
"However, in the last seven days, Russia has increased its targeting of civilian infrastructure even where it probably perceives no immediate military effect."
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
Putin 'failing on all his military objectives' states UK military chief
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said that the Russian military does not have the resources or the man power to defeat Ukraine.
UK Intelligence said it is not known whether Russian military personnel are withstanding the Ukrainian counter attacks.
Sir Tony told the BBC: “At the very outset, we said that this was a strategic error by President Putin, and strategic errors lead to strategic consequences. And in this instance, it’s strategic failure.
“Putin is failing on all of his military strategic objectives. He wanted to subjugate Ukraine; that’s not going to happen.
“He wanted to take control of the capital; we saw that was defeated earlier on.
"We saw that he wanted to weaken Nato. Nato is now much stronger, and we have Finland and Sweden joining."
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
Russian proxy court sentences OSCE workers to 13 years in prison
The makeshift court in eastern Ukraine on Monday sentenced two former Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
They were sentenced to 13 years in prison by the breakaway Luhansk People’s Republic for “inhumane and repugnant” crimes.
Dmytro Shabanov and Maxim Petrov had been monitoring the war between pro-Russians and Ukrainians since 2014.
Both workers heard the verdict from behind black cages in the court room.
OSCE Secretary-General Helga Maria Schmid said the pair were “performing official duties” and demanded their “immediate and unconditional release”.
- Lauren Cole-Lomas
Russian military targets another nuclear power plant
A nuclear power plant was reportedly struck by missiles, causing damage, but the reactors are unharmed.
Strikes were made in the early hours of this morning to the Pivdennoukrainsk power plant, owned by Energoatom.
The plant is located in the country’s southern Mykolaiv region, with strikes made 300m from the reactors.
“A powerful explosion occurred just 300m from the SUNPP reactors. The shock wave damaged the NPP buildings as well as over 100 windows were broken,” the state agency said in a statement.
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