PUTIN's separatist leaders demand that four Russian-held regions of Ukraine are annexed after gaining "99%" of the votes in "SHAM" referendums.
Moscow-installed officials in the regions are now claiming almost total support among those who took part after Russian sources earlier reported that 99% of voters want to join Putin's regime.
The ballots closed yesterday in Donetsk and Lugansk in the east and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south, as Putin desperately attempts to consolidate his gains in Ukraine.
President Zelensky has today slammed the results of these so-called referendums, stating: “This farce in the occupied territory cannot even be called an imitation of referendums.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on the EU to impose "extremely serious" sanctions on Russia.
Read our Ukraine-Russia live blog below for the latest updates…
- Henry Moore
President Zelensky dismisses referendum results as Russia claims 99%
President Zelensky has slammed the results of "sham" referendums taking place across Ukraine, as Russian sources claim 99% of citizens voted in favour of joining Putin's regime.
These results have been widely dismissed by the democratic west.
Today, Zelensky slammed these sham results.
“This farce in the occupied territory cannot even be called an imitation of referendums,” he said.
- Henry Moore
UK’s MoD release latest intelligence update
The UK’s Ministry of Defence has released its latest intelligence update today.
The Ministry claimed that Russia is positioning and preparing a more “substantive defence” as Ukrainian units are making “slow advances”.
The MoD added: “Heavy fighting also continues in the Kherson region where the Russian force on the right bank of the Dnipro remains vulnerable.
“Russia continues its grinding attempts to advance near Bakhmut in the Donbas even while it faces severe pressure on its northern and southern flanks.
“This is likely due to political pressure as Russia is using forces that could otherwise reinforce the other flanks.”
- Henry Moore
Zelensky and Truss in talks following sham referendums
As the UK economy experiences further turbulence, Liz Truss has spoken with Ukraine's President Zelensky.
Taking to Twitter, he highlighted Britain's support for Ukraine and called for further aid.
A statement from Number 10 said: "The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenskiy this afternoon to underline the UK’s steadfast support in light of Russia’s sham referendums in Ukraine.
"The Prime Minister made clear that the UK would never recognise Russian attempts to annexe sovereign territory. She reiterated that Ukraine could depend on the UK’s support until President Putin was defeated.
"President Zelensky updated the Prime Minister on the current military situation and welcomed her strong backing, including at the UN General Assembly last week."
- Henry Moore
President Zelensky vows to protect annexed Ukrainian regions
The steadfast President of Ukraine has slammed the sham referendums that took place in Russian-occupied regions this week.
“We will act to protect our people: both in the Kherson region, in the Zaporizhzhia region, in the Donbas, in the currently occupied areas of the Kharkiv region, and in the Crimea,” he said in a video posted on Telegram.
The EU has already launched fresh sanctions against Russia in response to these false elections.
- Henry Moore
EU launches fresh wave of sanctions on Russia
Following the "sham" referendums that took place in Ukraine this week, the EU has announced a fresh wave of sanctions to "make the Kremlin pay."
"We do not accept the sham referenda and any kind of annexation in Ukraine, and we are determined to make the Kremlin pay for this further escalation," Ursula von der Leyen told reporters.
These new sanctions impose further trade restrictions and target a slew of new individuals.
- Henry Moore
President Zelensky brands Russian referenda ‘illegal’
Taking to Twitter, the steadfast Ukrainian President condemned the “sham” referenda enacted by Russia in Ukraine this week.
Zelensky deemed these votes “illegal.”
The leader also revealed he has been discussing battlefield developments with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
- Henry Moore
What you need to know about Putin's 'sham' referendums
Yesterday, Russia concluded "sham" referendums in four captured Ukrainian regions, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
These votes have largely been condemned by the West, with all authorities agreeing that results will be falsified.
Below, is an official video by the UK government explaining these so-called referendums.
- Henry Moore
Russia warns American involvement in Ukraine is 'extremely dangerous'
A Kremlin spokesperson has issued a warning to the West, stating the US is close to "becoming a party to the conflict".
“More and more, the American side is getting into this conflict, getting closer to becoming a party to the conflict, which is extremely dangerous,” Dmitry Peskov said.
This comes just days after White House officials said Ukraine would be able to use weapons provided by the US in the regions annexed by Russia.
- Henry Moore
US embassy urges Russians to leave 'immediately'
The US embassy in Russia has urged US-Russian nationals to leave the country immediately, stating Putin may force them to join the army.
"Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ US citizenship, deny their access to US consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual nationals for military service," the embassy statement reads.
Putin hopes to raise an additional 300,000 troops for his bloodthirsty war in Ukraine, a policy that has caused thousands of fighting-age men to flee the country.
- Henry Moore
Draft papers handed to men fleeing Russia
Draft papers will be handed to men fleeing Russia via the Georgian border, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
This comes as thousands of Russians attempt to flee Putin’s regime, following the announcement of his partial mobilisation policy.
Putin hopes to draft a staggering 300,000 extra soldiers in the coming weeks, a policy that has caused mass protests throughout Russia.
- Louis Allwood
Ukrainian forces 'moving in the right direction'
Ukrainian forces have managed to capture Russian machinery and equipment whilst their counter offensive continues.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence have released a video showing the moment a captured Russian T-80U tank operated by the Ukrainian servicemen tows a captured Russian Msta-B 152 mm howitzer in the Kharkiv region.
- Louis Allwood
German navy is helping out with the investigation
Germany's Defence Minister has confirmed that their navy is helping out with the investigation into the Nord Stream gas line leaks.
Christine Lambrecht said that those involved with causing it to leak need to be identified.
Lambrecht said in a statement: "The presumed sabotage of the Baltic Sea pipelines is yet another reminder that we are dependent on critical infrastructure, underwater too."
- Louis Allwood
Putin being watched 'more closely'
One US official, who has access to intelligence on Moscow’s nuclear forces, told Politico: "We’re watching it more closely."
There are other subtle signs Putin might be getting ready to hit the nuke button.
Intelligence officers will be looking at whether units with the means of delivering small nukes start behaving unusually by pulling back some forces or equipment, but not others.
"We might think, ‘huh that’s a little bit different from the way they normally operate," the official said.
"They are sending in this one unit, but pulling everybody else back. That’s really different. That’s strange'."
- Louis Allwood
UK's MoD intelligence map update
According to the MoD Ukraine has pressed its offensive operations in the north-east of the country over the last few days.
They have also confirmed that units are making slow advances on at least two axes east from the line of the Oskil and Siverskyy Donets rivers, where forces had consolidated following their previous advance earlier in the month.
- Louis Allwood
'Those responsible will be held fully accountable'
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that the Nordstream sabotage will need to face "thorough investigation".
He said: "Nordstream sabotage acts appear to be an attempt to further destabilize energy supply to EU.
"We need an urgent and thorough investigation.
"Those responsible will be held fully accountable and made to pay.
"Our efforts to diversify energy supply away from Russian gas continue."
- Louis Allwood
Russia claims to have won 'sham referendums'
Putin's puppet officials declared 99.23 per cent approval after all votes were counted in Donetsk, in the far east, while the figure was 98.42 per cent in neighbouring Luhansk.
In the southern region of Kherson – where there has been a major fightback in recent weeks – officials claimed 87.05 per cent voted to join Russia.
And in Zaporizhzhia some 93 per cent of residents were allegedly in favour.
- Louis Allwood
Zelensky vows Ukraine will retake land
In an address shortly after results from the sham votes were released, Zelensky said: "We will act to protect our people: both in the Kherson region, in the Zaporizhia region, in the Donbass, in the currently occupied areas of the Kharkiv region, and in the Crimea.
"This farce in the occupied territory cannot even be called an imitation of referendums.
"And as for the front, I will say it briefly and for now without details, although they will be good: we are moving forward and liberating our land"
- Louis Allwood
Ukraine's MoD confirm '400 Russians eliminated'
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence have released their latest figures on Russian losses.
A further 400 Russian troops have been eliminated according to Ukrainian officials taking the total to 58,150.
They have also lost a further six tanks and eight armoured vehicles.
- Louis Allwood
Ukraine 'is winning' this war
Zelensky has confirmed that Kozacha Lopan has been "liberated" during Ukraine's counteroffensive.
He added that "dark times" are now behind the loacals of Kozacha Lopan.
Zelensky said: "Story of one of the front-line villages: Kozacha Lopan. It has been occupied in first hours of Russian invasion and liberated only during Kharkiv counteroffensive.
"Dark times are behind for locals, Ukraine is winning, freedom is everything."
- Louis Allwood
UK's MoD release latest intelligence update
The UK's Ministry of Defence have released their latest intelligence update today.
The Ministry claimed that Russia are positioning and preparing a more "substantive defence" as Ukrainian units are making "slow advances".
The MoD added: "Heavy fighting also continues in the Kherson region where the Russian force on the right bank of the Dnipro remains vulnerable.
"Russia continues its grinding attempts to advance near Bakhmut in the Donbas even while it faces severe pressure on its northern and southern flanks.
"This is likely due to political pressure as Russia is using forces that could otherwise reinforce the other flanks."
- Joseph Gamp
Russian state TV warns defectors of traps
Since Vladimir Putin mobilised 300,000 troops, many Russian men have been fleeing the country in fear of conscription.
There have been reports of protests and violent demonstrations, including one man who set himself on fire and nearly 3,000 arrests.
The Daily Beast's Julia Davis tweeted how Russian propaganda TV has warned the state will be planning "various traps" to capture those attempting to evade conscription.
- Joseph Gamp
New Italian prime minister pledges support to Ukraine
Ukraine can count on the support of Italy's new government, Giorgia Meloni said in a message to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"You know that you can count on our loyal support for the cause of freedom of Ukrainian people. Stay strong and keep your faith steadfast!" Meloni tweeted in English late Tuesday.
She was responding to a message sent by Zelensky congratulating her on her Brothers of Italy party's historic victory in general elections on Sunday.
"We appreciated Italy's constant support for Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression. We are counting on a productive partnership with the new Italian government," he had tweeted in Italian.
- Joseph Gamp
Ukraine says it will 'never agree to Russian ultimatums'
Ukraine has blasted Russian-staged votes in four Ukrainian regions on becoming part of Russia as"null and worthless".
Kyiv said it would press on with efforts to liberate Ukrainian territory occupied by Russian forces.
Urging its international partners to impose tough new sanctions on Moscow and provide Kyiv with more military aid, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "Ukraine will never agree to any ultimatums."
- Joseph Gamp
Kyiv urges 'significant' military aid boost after annexation votes
Kyiv is urging the West to "significantly" increase its military aid to Ukraine after pro-Kremlin authorities in four Moscow-held regions of Ukraine declared victory in annexation votes.
The foreign ministry said in a statement: "Ukraine calls on the EU, NATO and the Group of Seven to immediately and significantly increase pressure on Russia, including by imposing tough sanctions and significantly increase their military aid to Ukraine."
- Henry Moore
Russians flock to Montenegro as they flee Putin’s brutal mobilisation policy
Russian men are fleeing to Montenegro, as they desperately try and avoid Putin’s new partial mobilisation policy.
Alexander, 30, told Reuters in Montenegro: “This is not our war.
“We are attacking our neighbours, brothers, we are trying to occupy territories that are not ours. I definitely will not fight for that, let alone die for it.
“I am afraid many more will leave unless they [Russian government]finally shut borders. I am afraid we will have no friends left in Russia,” he added.
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