VLADIMIR Putin faces "catastrophic consequences" if he uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine, the US has warned.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has vowed the US will "respond decisively" if the Russian leader followed through with a nuke warning he made on Wednesday during the Ukraine war.
Sullivan told NBC's "Meet the Press" program:"If Russia crosses this line, there will be catastrophic consequences for Russia. The United States will respond decisively."
He did not describe the nature of the planned US response but did detail how the nation has privately "spelled out in greater detail exactly what that would mean" to Moscow.
Putin made the nuclear threat in an address last week and claimed he had “various weapons of destruction” at his disposal – before adding he was not “bluffing”.
Read our Ukraine-Russia live blog below for the latest updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Putin grants Edward Snowden citizenship
American whistleblower Edward Snowden has been granted citizenship by Russia.
Snowden fled the US after leaking files that exposed vast surveillance by the US National Security Agency.
- Joseph Gamp
Zelensky says around 50 Ukrainian soldiers killed every day
Approximately 50 Ukrainian troops die every day, Zelensky told Ouest-France newspaper.
This comes as Ukraine continues its counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region.
This comes as Ukrainian reports say Russian losses have surpassed 57,000.
- Joseph Gamp
In pictures: Rescuers search through rubble in Izium, Kharkiv
The images below show volunteers scouring wreckage in Izium, Ukraine.
The rescuers search for bodies of people, killed during Russia’s attack among the remains of a building in the town, based in the Kharkiv region of the country.
Residents of Izium have recently been liberated after a six month occupation
Credit: Reuters Credit: Reuters
- Joseph Gamp
Putin crony Medvedev warns West nuclear threat ‘is not a bluff’
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday that Moscow has the right to defend itself with nuclear weapons if it is pushed beyond its limits and that this is “certainly not a bluff”.
Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, also warned that Moscow has the right to respond “without much consultation”, as tensions rise with the West over referendums held in large swathes of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.
- Joseph Gamp
Russian combat losses continue to mount as protests rock Putin’s regime
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, Russian combat losses have surpassed 57,000.
This comes as over 300,000 Russian reservists are called to join the war, sparking protests throughout Putin’s regime.
Images from across Russia show citizens resisting this new brutal policy.
- Joseph Gamp
Voting to wrap up in Russia-held areas of Ukraine
The final day of voting is taking place in Russian-held regions of Ukraine today.
Citizens are voting on a referendum that is expected to serve as a pretext for their annexation by Moscow.
But the move has been branded a sham by Kyiv and its Western allies.
The five-day voting, in which residents are asked whether they want their regions to become part of Russia, has been anything but free or fair.
Tens of thousands of residents had already fled the regions amid the war, and images shared by those who remained showed armed Russian troops going door-to-door to pressure Ukrainians into voting.
The balloting on Tuesday was held at polling stations.
The Kremlin is expected to move immediately to absorb the regions once the voting is over, with President Vlaidmir Putin expected to declare their incorporation into Russia later this week.
Russian media also speculated that Putin may follow up on last week's order of partial mobilization by declaring martial law and shutting the nation's borders for all men of fighting age.
- Joseph Gamp
Kazakhstan to ensure safety of Russians fleeing draft
Kazakhstan will ensure the care and safety of Russians fleeing a "hopeless situation," the president of the Central Asian country said on Tuesday, as Russian men fled the military call-up.
"Recently we've had many people from Russia coming here," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. "Most of them are forced to leave because of the hopeless situation.
"We must take care of them and ensure their safety."
- Henry Moore
‘There is no way out’ Zelensky tells Russian soldiers in stark warning
In his nightly address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Russian troops “there is no way out.”
“Do not submit to criminal mobilisation. Flee. Or surrender to Ukrainian captivity at the first opportunity,” he said.
This comes as Russia begins its partial mobilisation policy, calling an extra 300,000 troops to Ukraine.
- Henry Moore
Recruitment officer shot as protests against partial mobilisation rage on
Reports have emerged that a Siberian enlistment officer has been shot, as protests continue across Russia in response to Putin’s brutal mobilisation policy.
In footage shared online, a reported recruit approaches the officer, before shooting him at point-blank range.
According to information shared on Telegram, the recruitment officer is alive but seriously wounded.
- Henry Moore
Russian reservists arrive in Ukraine
According to the Ministry of Defence, Russian reservists forced to join Putin’s army have begun arriving in Ukraine.
A statement released yesterday reads: “The initial tranches of men called up under Russia’s partial mobilisation have started arriving at military bases. Many tens of thousands of call-up papers have already been issued.
“Russia will now face an administrative and logistical challenge to provide training for the troops.
“Unlike most Western armies, the Russian military provides low-level, initial training to soldiers within their designated operational units, rather than in dedicated training establishments.
“Typically, one battalion within each Russian brigade will remain in garrison if the other two deploy and can provide a cadre of instructors to train new recruits or augmentees. However, Russia has deployed many of these third battalions to Ukraine.
“Many of the drafted troops will not have had any military experience for some years.
“The lack of military trainers, and the haste with which Russia has started the mobilisation, suggests that many of the drafted troops will deploy to the front line with minimal relevant preparation. They are likely to suffer a high attrition rate.”
- Henry Moore
British military chief meets with Russian officials
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, met with the Russian Defence Attache yesterday.
The meeting saw the two nations discuss “military channels of communication…for the purposes of risk and escalation management.”
This comes amid fears in Europe of Russian nuclear strikes, following Putin’s veiled threats last week.
- Henry Moore
Around 50 Ukrainian soldiers are killed every day, Zelensky reports
Approximately 50 Ukrainian troops die every day, Zelensky told Ouest-France newspaper.
This comes as Ukraine continues its counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region.
This comes as Ukrainian reports say Russian losses have surpassed 57,000.
- Henry Moore
The Netherlands to increase Ukrainian aid
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has confirmed that the Netherlands will increase its aid for Ukraine in the coming months.
“We are stepping up our support for Ukraine. More weapons, more sanctions, and more isolation for Russia,” he said.
“Protecting Europe is crucial for our security,” the PM concluded.
- Henry Moore
Russia school shooting leaves 13 dead, including seven children
The death toll has risen to 13 people, including seven children, after a man opened fire on Monday at his former school in central Russia, authorities said.
The attack was the latest in a series of school shootings that have shaken Russia in recent years and came with the country on edge over efforts to mobilise tens of thousands of men to fight in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the “inhuman terrorist attack” in the city of Izhevsk, the Kremlin said, adding that the shooter “apparently belongs to a neo-fascist group”.
According to investigators, the attacker “was wearing a black top with Nazi symbols and a balaclava” when his body was discovered.
He was later identified as a local man born in 1988, who graduated from this school.
Investigators have said two security guards and two teachers were among the victims, while the attacker “committed suicide”.
- Henry Moore
Putin grants Edward Snowden citizenship
American whistleblower Edward Snowden has been granted citizenship by Russia.
Snowden fled the US after leaking files that exposed vast surveillance by the US National Security Agency.
- Henry Moore
US announces a further $450million in aid to Ukraine
Antony Blinken has announced a further wave of financial aid as the US looks to support Ukraine in its battle against Russia.
These new funds look to aid civilians in the wartorn country.
“The U.S. will provide an additional $457.5 million in civilian security assistance to save lives and bolster the capacity of our Ukrainian law enforcement and criminal justice partners,” Blinken said.
- Henry Moore
Russians flood into Finland as they look to flee mobilisation
The head of Finland’s border guard has said over 8,000 Russians crossed into the country over the weekend, as they desperately flee Putin’s brutal new policy.
The dictator has called on 300,000 reservists to join his bloodthirsty war in Ukraine, causing mass protests throughout Russia.
According to the report, 8,314 Russians crossed into Finland, over double the numbers seen last week.
- Henry Moore
‘There is no way out’ Zelensky tells Russian soldiers in stark warning
In his nightly address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Russian troops “there is no way out.”
“Do not submit to criminal mobilisation. Flee. Or surrender to Ukrainian captivity at the first opportunity,” he said.
This comes as Russia begins its partial mobilisation policy, calling an extra 300,000 troops to Ukraine.
- Henry Moore
Recruitment officer shot as protests against partial mobilisation rage on
Reports have emerged that a Siberian enlistment officer has been shot, as protests continue across Russia in response to Putin’s brutal mobilisation policy.
In footage shared online, a reported recruit approaches the officer, before shooting him at point-blank range.
According to information shared on Telegram, the recruitment officer is alive but seriously wounded.
- Henry Moore
Russian reservists arrive in Ukraine
According to the Ministry of Defence, Russian reservists forced to join Putin’s army have begun arriving in Ukraine.
A statement released today reads: “The initial tranches of men called up under Russia’s partial mobilisation have started arriving at military bases. Many tens of thousands of call-up papers have already been issued.
“Russia will now face an administrative and logistical challenge to provide training for the troops.
“Unlike most Western armies, the Russian military provides low-level, initial training to soldiers within their designated operational units, rather than in dedicated training establishments.
“Typically, one battalion within each Russian brigade will remain in garrison if the other two deploy and can provide a cadre of instructors to train new recruits or augmentees. However, Russia has deployed many of these third battalions to Ukraine.
“Many of the drafted troops will not have had any military experience for some years.
“The lack of military trainers, and the haste with which Russia has started the mobilisation, suggests that many of the drafted troops will deploy to the front line with minimal relevant preparation. They are likely to suffer a high attrition rate.”
- Henry Moore
British military chief meets with Russian officials
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, met with the Russian Defence Attache today.
The meeting saw the two nations discuss "military channels of communication…for the purposes of risk and escalation management."
This comes amid fears in Europe of Russian nuclear strikes, following Putin's veiled threats last week.
- Henry Moore
Around 50 Ukrainian soldiers are killed every day, Zelensky reports
Approximately 50 Ukrainian troops die every day, Zelensky told Ouest-France newspaper.
This comes as Ukraine continues its counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region.
This comes as Ukrainian reports say Russian losses have surpassed 57,000.
- Henry Moore
The Netherlands to increase Ukrainian aid
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has confirmed that the Netherlands will increase its aid for Ukraine in the coming months.
"We are stepping up our support for Ukraine. More weapons, more sanctions, and more isolation for Russia," he said.
"Protecting Europe is crucial for our security," the PM concluded.
- Henry Moore
Russia school shooting leaves 13 dead, including seven children
The death toll has risen to 13 people, including seven children, after a man opened fire Monday at his former school in central Russia, authorities said.
The attack was the latest in a series of school shootings that have shaken Russia in recent years and came with the country on edge over efforts to mobilise tens of thousands of men to fight in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the “inhuman terrorist attack” in the city of Izhevsk, the Kremlin said, adding that the shooter “apparently belongs to a neo-fascist group”.
According to investigators, the attacker “was wearing a black top with Nazi symbols and a balaclava” when his body was discovered.
He was later identified as a local man born in 1988, who graduated from this school.
Investigators have said two security guards and two teachers were among the victims, while the attacker “committed suicide”.
- Henry Moore
Putin grants Edward Snowden citizenship
American whistleblower Edward Snowden has been granted citizenship by Russia.
Snowden fled the US after leaking files that exposed vast surveillance by the US National Security Agency.
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