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Ukraine news – live: Putin amassing 500,000 troops for major new offensive, says minister

Vladimir Putin has mobilised nearly 500,000 troops to attack Ukraine in a renewed offensive marking the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine war, Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said.

Mr Putin had asked for 300,000 Russian men to be enrolled in a general mobilisation in September, but Mr Reznikov told the French BFM network last night that the actual number of conscripts deployed to fight in Ukraine could be much more.

Volodymyr Zelensky further asserted this claim and said that Ukraine is seeing “a certain increase in the occupier’s offensive actions at the front — in the east of our country.”

The situation is becoming even more severe, he said in his nightly address yesterday.

Russian forces have now surrounded the embattled eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, a Moscow-backed leader in the Donetsk region has claimed.

Bakhmut and villages on its southern approaches in Donetsk are coming under renewed heavy Russian fire, Ukrainian army chiefs said late on Tuesday.

Key points

  • Nearly 500,000 troops likely in major new Russian offensive

  • Boris Johnson condemns decision not to give Ukraine fighter jets

  • Netanyahu would consider Ukraine-Russia mediator role if asked

  • Russia faced with battle for ‘every metre’ in eastern Ukraine

  • Ukraine responding to Russia’s revenge attempt, says Zelensky

Nearly 500,000 troops likely in major new Russian offensive, says Ukrainian defence minister

03:41 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putin is likely preparing a major new offensive and could strike Ukraine around the one-year anniversary of the war on 24 February, Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said in his latest remarks.

Russia has amassed nearly 500,000 troops for the attack, Ukrainian intelligence indicates.

Mr Reznikov said that Russia has many more new troops than just their officially announced count of 300,000 from the first wave of mobilisation in September.

“Officially they announced 300,000 but when we see the troops at the borders, according to our assessments it is much more,” he told the French BFM network.

Moscow could “try something” to mark the invasion’s first year on 24 February, the minister added, suggesting a grim new chapter in the continuing war.

However, he added that Ukrainian commanders and forces will move to “stabilise the front and prepare for a counter-offensive” ahead of the anticipated Russian advance.

Mr Reznikov said he has “faith that the year 2023 can be the year of military victory,” and that the Ukrainian forces “cannot lose the initiative” they have gained in recent months.

Russia marks 80 years since Stalingrad victory

09:50 , Liam James

Russia is today marking 80 years since the Soviet army won at Stalingrad in a pivotal battle against the Nazis.

The battle, fought between 1942 and 1943 and estimated to have claimed 2 million casualties, is widely seen as the moment when the Nazi forces that had captured most of Europe were finally forced onto the defensive.

A military parade was held for the anniversary in the southern Russian town where fighting centred, since renamed to Volgograd.

Russian troops dressed in historical uniforms march in a military parade for the 80th anniversary of Stalingrad in Volgograd (AFP/Getty)
Russian troops dressed in historical uniforms march in a military parade for the 80th anniversary of Stalingrad in Volgograd (AFP/Getty)
Servicemen ride in a military pickup adorned with the letter V, a tactical insignia of Russian troops in Ukraine, during the Stalingrad parade (AFP/Getty)
Servicemen ride in a military pickup adorned with the letter V, a tactical insignia of Russian troops in Ukraine, during the Stalingrad parade (AFP/Getty)
A giant statue of “Mother of the Homeland” is seen atop the memorial site on Mamayev Hill illuminated for marking the 80th (AP)
A giant statue of “Mother of the Homeland” is seen atop the memorial site on Mamayev Hill illuminated for marking the 80th (AP)

Russian arms trade suffering in war, says MoD

09:23 , Liam James

Russia is losing face in the international arms trade as it is keeping the new munitions for its war in Ukraine, Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

In a daily intelligence update on the conflict, the MoD said: “When faced with conflicting demands, Russia will almost certainly prioritise deploying newly produced weapons with its own forces in Ukraine over supplying export partners.”

The Russian arms industry is also likely facing a shortage of components for building in-demand equipment such as armoured vehicles, attack helicopters and air defence systems and it may have to breach existing international contracts for repairs and parts supplies, the MoD said.

In 2016-2020, the latest period for when data is available, Russia was the world’s second largest arms exporter, behind the US, and accounted for 20 per cent of global weapons sales, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Its biggest customers were India, China, Algeria and Egypt.

Ukraine hails French gift of radar as 'cherry on the cake'

08:41 , Liam James

Ukraine’s defence minister said Ukrainian lives will be saved by a sophisticated air-defence radar that France is supplying and which is powerful enough to spot incoming missiles and exploding drones in the skies over all of Ukraine’s capital and its surrounding region.

The minister, Oleksii Reznikov, was so enthusiastic about what he called Ukraine’s new “electronic eyes” that he quickly coined a nickname for the Ground Master 200 radar – the “Grand Master.”

Speaking through an interpreter at a handover ceremony for the radar with his French counterpart, Mr Reznikov described the French-made GM200 as a “very effective” improvement for Ukraine’s network of about 300 different types of air-defense radars.

Thales, the manufacturer, says the radar detects and tracks rockets, artillery and mortar shells, missiles, aircraft, drones and other threats.

A Ground Master 200 at the Thales radar factory in Limours, France (Reuters)
A Ground Master 200 at the Thales radar factory in Limours, France (Reuters)

People trapped under rubble in Kramatorsk, says Zelensky

07:36 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky says a Russian ballistic missile attack has led to civilian injuries and deaths, with some residents still trapped under the rubble, in Donetsk’s northern city Kramatorsk.

“Kramatorsk. Russian terrorists have hit the city with a ballistic missile leading to civilian casualties. Some people are still under the rubble. No goal other than terror. The only way to stop Russian terrorism is to defeat it. By tanks. Fighter jets. Long-range missiles,” Mr Zelensky said, as he shared photos of the site of the missile attack.

No 10 still ruling out sending fighter jets

07:01 , Katy Clifton

Downing Street was yesterday continuing to rule out supplying Ukraine with British fighter jets despite Boris Johnson backing the move.

Asked about the former prime minister’s trip to the US, Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister welcomes all colleagues’ backing for Ukraine and is pleased the former prime minister is continuing his staunch support of the United Kingdom’s efforts to help Ukraine secure a lasting peace.”

But he said that Mr Johnson is “acting in his own capacity and not on behalf of the UK Government”.

Asked about Mr Johnson’s jet call, the official said: “It’s currently not practical to send UK jets, we will continue to work closely with the Ukrainians to understand their needs and how allies can further support them.

“Given the complexity of UK fighter jets and the length of time required to train them we do not currently think it is practical to do so.”

Former Wagner commander says 'sorry for fighting in Ukraine’

06:38 , Arpan Rai

A former commander of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group who fled to Norway is apologising for fighting in Ukraine.

“Many consider me to be a scoundrel, a criminal, a murderer,” 26-year-old Andrei Medvedev said. “First of all, repeatedly, and again, I would like to apologise, and although I don’t know how it would be received, I want to say I’m sorry,” he said.

“I want to explain that I am not that person. Yes, I served in Wagner. There are some moments (in my story) that people don’t like, that I joined them at all, but nobody is born smart,” the former Russian trooper, who is now seeking asylum in Norway, said.

He crossed the Russian-Norwegian border last month after he witnessed the killing and mistreatment of Russian prisoners taken to Ukraine to fight for Wagner.

Mr Medvedev said he fled over the Arctic border, climbing through barbed-wire fences and evading a border patrol with dogs, hearing guards firing shots as he ran through a forest and over the frozen river that separates the two countries.

A proxy group waging war for Russia, Wagner has been locked in a bloody battle of attrition in Ukraine‘s eastern Donetsk region.

Russian arms dealer, son and front firms sanctioned by US

06:22 , Arpan Rai

A Russian arms dealer, his son, a group of front companies across Asia, Europe and the Middle East and their leadership have become the latest target for the US sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, officials announced yesterday.

Russian arms dealer Igor Zimenkov, his son and companies connected to “the Zimenkov network” in Singapore, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Israel, among other countries, were identified by the Treasury department’s office of foreign assets control for financial penalties.

Roughly 22 people and organizations related to a sanctions evasion network supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex were named in Wednesday’s news release.

Russian arms dealer, son and front firms hit with sanctions

Billionaire’s home searched in Ukraine

06:01 , Katy Clifton

Security services searched the home of one of Ukraine‘s most prominent billionaires yesterday, moving against a figure once seen as Volodymyr Zelensky’s sponsor in what the authorities called a wartime anti-corruption purge.

The action, days before a summit with the European Union, appears to reflect determination by Kyiv to demonstrate that it can be a steward of billions of dollars in Western aid and shed a reputation as one of the world’s most corrupt states.

Photos on social media appeared to show tycoon Ihor Kolomoiskiy dressed in a sweatsuit and looking on in the presence of an SBU security service officer at his home. Reuters could not immediately verify the images’ authenticity.

In a statement that did not name Kolomoiskiy, the SBU published the same photos, but with the person’s face blurred.

The SBU said it had uncovered the embezzlement of more than $1 billion at Ukraine‘s biggest oil company, Ukrnafta, and its biggest refiner, Ukrtatnafta. Kolomoiskiy, who has long denied wrongdoing, once held stakes in both firms, which Zelenskiy ordered seized by the state in November under martial law.

Kolomoiskiy could not immediately be reached for comment.

Russia’s invasion to continue despite longer-range rockets from US – Moscow

05:56 , Arpan Rai

The Kremlin has said that longer-range rockets from the United States will escalate the conflict but not change its course.

“The special military operation will continue,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, using Russia’s term for its invasion.

Russia and Ukraine are believed to be readying their troops for new offensives and Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov has warned that a Russian push could begin as soon as 24 February.

“We keep telling our partners that we have to be ready for this, as quickly as possible. And that’s why we need weapons,” Mr Reznikov told France’s BFM TV.

Germany needs new tanks quickly, says Pistorius: ‘Don’t care about money'

05:20 , Arpan Rai

German defence minister Boris Pistorius has said that country needs to quickly order new Leopard tanks to replace those going to Ukraine.

He added that he did not care where the money to replace these Leopard tanks came from.

“For me, the crucial fact is that we have to order new tanks, not in a year but swiftly so that production can begin,” Mr Pistorius said on a visit to a tank battalion in the western town of Augustdorf that was chosen to supply 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv.

“Where the money will come from? Let me casually put it like this: Frankly, I don’t care. It is essential that we can provide them (the tanks) quickly,” Pistorius added.

ICYMI: Russia wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine without Brexit, suggests top MEP

05:01 , Katy Clifton

Zelenskiy says battle getting 'severe’ in east

04:48 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the situation on the frontlines in eastern Ukraine “has become tougher” in a sombre assessment in his nightly address.

“There is a certain increase in the occupiers’ offensive actions at the front – in the east of our country. The situation is becoming even more severe,” he said.

Mr Zelensky added: “We have steadfastly gone through all this time, from February to February. The enemy is trying to gain at least something now to show on the anniversary of the invasion that Russia allegedly has some chances.

“In such circumstances, we all need to be especially united, especially focused on the national interest, and, as a result, especially resilient. I am confident that we will stay like that,” he said.

Brexit allowed UK to ‘do things differently’ in supporting Ukraine, says Johnson

04:35 , Arpan Rai

Brexit allowed the UK to “do things differently” when it came to providing weapons to Ukraine in its battle against invading Russian forces, former prime minister Boris Johnson has said.

Without Britain’s exit from the European Union, he argued that providing Ukrainian armed forces with anti-tank missiles would not have happened.

Mr Johnson made the comments following a speech at the Atlantic Council in Washington today.

Read the full story here:

Brexit allowed UK to ‘do things differently’ in supporting Ukraine, says Johnson

UK: Fighter jets not an immediate solution

04:01 , Katy Clifton

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said providing fighter planes was “not an immediate solution” for Ukraine in the war against Russia because of the time involved with training Kyiv pilots.

Oliver Dowden was asked what he made of former prime minister Boris Johnson urging the UK Government to commit to providing Ukraine with fighter jets.

The Cabinet minister told ITV’s Peston programme: “I certainly think that we need to be resolute in supporting our Ukrainian allies.

“Now, I think it is a bit premature to start talking about jets and everything else, but of course we don’t rule anything off the table.

“There’s training times and so on associated with that, so it is not an immediate solution, no.”

Johnson criticises Sunak decision not to give Ukraine fighter jets

03:01 , Katy Clifton

Russia ‘may stop officials taking holidays abroad'

02:01 , Katy Clifton

Russian legislators will discuss a request by one of Vladimir Putin’s closest allies to ban officials from taking foreign holidays during wartime, state media has cited a senior parliamentarian as saying.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the powerful Wagner Group private army, said it was unacceptable that officials and parliamentarians were vacationing in countries hostile to Russia.

Vasily Piskaryov, head of the committee on security and anti-corruption in the State Duma or lower chamber of parliament, said legislators would take a look at whether changes should be made.

“This initiative ... certainly deserves attention,” Tass cited him as telling reporters. Prigozhin made the request in a letter to Piskaryov that the Wagner Group made public.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP)

Brexit behind UK’s tank pledge, Johnson says

01:00 , Katy Clifton

Without Brexit, the UK would not have delivered the next generation light anti-tank weapons to Ukraine, according to former prime minister Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson, taking questions after a speech at the Atlantic Council in Washington, US, said: “I seriously think that it was in part because of Brexit that we were able to take a decision and to have an approach that was very distinct from the old EU approach, which was by the way all governed by the fabled Normandy Format which was agreed in Normandy in 2014.

“For reasons that are now obscure to me, the British government decided they did not want to be involved in this. France and Germany led it, that was the EU framework.

“If we’d stuck with that, I don’t believe we would have delivered the NLaws and I think we would have taken a very different approach, to be perfectly frank.

“I think because of Brexit we’ve been able to do things differently and I hope in a way that has been useful to Ukraine.”

Mr Johnson used his speech to call for Kyiv to be admitted to both Nato and the European Union.

Zelensky: I’ll make as many personnel changes as necessary

00:01 , Katy Clifton

Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will make as many personnel changes as necessary to fight corruption and stressed the need for the defence ministry to be honest.

“Unfortunately, in some areas, the only way to guarantee the rule of law is to change the leadership ... there will be as many changes as is necessary,” he said in a video address.

Police earlier raided an influential billionaire’s home in what a Zelensky ally touted as a sweeping clamp down on corruption.

Zelensky at a news briefing in Odesa on Monday (Reuters)
Zelensky at a news briefing in Odesa on Monday (Reuters)

Johnson says taking back bridge would be ‘game over’ for Putin

Wednesday 1 February 2023 23:00 , Katy Clifton

Providing Ukraine with the weapons to take back the so-called “land bridge” invaded by Russian forces would be “game over” for Russian president Vladimir Putin, Boris Johnson has said.

The former prime minister, asked after a speech at the Atlantic Council in Washington, US, what land bridge he had been referring to, said: “This is the area, as it was, between Mariupol, between Donbas and the Crimea that Putin has taken, that long strip of land that basically prevents the Ukrainians from reaching the Azov Sea. That’s the area.

“If they take that back — which they can and they have a plan — if they can take back Melitopol and Berdyansk and Mariupol, get back those areas, it is game over for Putin. That’s what needs to happen.”

We need new tanks, says German defence minister

Wednesday 1 February 2023 22:05 , Jane Dalton

Germany needs to order new Leopard tanks quickly to replace those going to Ukraine, defence minister Boris Pistorius has said, adding he did not care where the money came from.

“For me, the crucial fact is that we have to order new tanks, not in a year, but swiftly, so that production can begin,” he told reporters on a visit to a tank battalion in the western town of Augustdorf, which has been chosen to supply 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv.

“Where will the money come from? Let me casually put it like this: Frankly, I don’t care. It is essential that we can provide them (the tanks) quickly,” Mr Pistorius said.

He aims to accelerate arms procurement and ramp up ammunitions supplies in the long term after almost a year of arms donations to Ukraine has depleted German military stocks.

Boris Pistorius, right, sits on a Leopard 2 tank (AP)
Boris Pistorius, right, sits on a Leopard 2 tank (AP)

Why Russia’s economy is still growing despite sanctions

Wednesday 1 February 2023 21:20 , Jane Dalton

ICYMI: Experts say the effect of sanctions seems less strong than the West had hoped. William Mata reports:

Are sanctions working? Why Russia’s economy continues to grow

Top tax officials and ex-minister investigated

Wednesday 1 February 2023 20:35 , Jane Dalton

Raids have also been carried out at Ukraine’s tax office, targeting top tax and customs officials, and on the home of an influential former interior minister.

It comes two days before Kyiv hosts a summit with the European Union at which it wants to show western allies it is cracking down after years of chronic corruption.

The government sees Friday’s summit as key to its hopes of one day joining the bloc.

In a political shake-up, more than a dozen officials quit or were sacked last week.

Former interior minister Arsen Avakov told Ukrainian media that investigators also searched his house following a helicopter crash last month in which his successor, Denys Monastyrsky, died.

Mr Avakov quit in 2021 after a scandal-ridden tenure.

‘Embezzlement’ scheme uncovered, say police

Wednesday 1 February 2023 19:45 , Jane Dalton

Ukraine’s police and security services say they have uncovered a scheme to embezzle more than $1bn at oil producer Ukrnafta and oil refinery Ukrtatnafta, companies that billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky used to partly own.

In a fresh wave of high-profile anti-corruption raids, officials raided the powerful oligarch’s home, as well as those of other incumbent and former top officials.

Kolomoisky, who could not be reached for comment, has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Ukraine billionaire among those targeted in fresh anti-corruption raids

UK refusal to send warplanes could change, defence chief hints

Wednesday 1 February 2023 19:00 , Jane Dalton

A Royal Air Force chief has suggested the UK’s refusal to provide Ukraine with fighter jets could change.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston told the Commons Defence Committee: “I think the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State yesterday were very clear on where we stand on fast jets at this stage.

“But these are things that, the course of the invasion - of the brutal invasion and Ukraine’s heroic defence and how we have supported them - that has been an evolutionary process and I look to the future and we should be ready for any outcomes.”

He declined to say what air power the RAF could make available to Ukraine.

US president Joe Biden said on Monday he would not send warplanes to Kyiv.

Russian arms dealer, son and front firms hit with sanctions

Wednesday 1 February 2023 18:16 , Jane Dalton

The US has imposed sanctions on a Russian arms dealer, his son, a group of front companies across Asia, Europe and the Middle East and their leadership, in an effort to curb Russia’s access to weapons:

Russian arms dealer, son and front firms hit with sanctions

Billionaire’s home searched in 'financial crime’ probe

Wednesday 1 February 2023 17:45 , Jane Dalton

Ukrainian state security officials have searched the home of billionaire businessman Ihor Kolomoisky, in what is reported to be an investigation into possible financial crimes.

A senior governing party official confirmed Kolomoisky’s home had been searched - as well as that of a former interior minister - but did not state the reason for the search.

Photographs circulating on social media appeared to show Kolomoisky, dressed in a sweatsuit, looking on in the presence of at least one SBU officer inside a large wooden home. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the images.

Kolomoisky is one of Ukraine‘s richest men and a one-time ally of Volodymyr Zelensky, who launched a crackdown on wealthy businessmen known as “oligarchs” in late 2021 - before Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Kolomoisky, who is from the central city of Dnipro and owns an array of assets including one of Ukraine’s most influential television channels, backed Zelenskiy’s election campaign in 2019.

Latvia threatens Olympic boycott if Russians compete

Wednesday 1 February 2023 17:10 , Jane Dalton

Latvia has threatened to boycott next year’s Paris Olympics if Russian athletes are allowed to take part during the war in Ukraine and is calling on other countries to form a coalition to pressure international sports bodies:

Latvia threatens Olympic boycott if Russians compete

Putin slates shelling of Russian regions

Wednesday 1 February 2023 16:39 , Jane Dalton

Vladimir Putin has said Russia’s military must stop the shelling of Russian regions from Ukrainian territory, which he said had left many people homeless or without power.

Mr Putin was addressing a government meeting about restoring destroyed housing and infrastructure in regions of southwest Russia that border Ukraine.

“Of course, the priority task is to eliminate the very possibility of shelling. But this is the business of the military department,” he said in remarks published on the Kremlin website.

Ukraine does not claim responsibility for strikes in Russian territory but has described them as “karma” for Moscow’s invasion, which has razed Ukrainian cities and systematically targeted the country’s energy infrastructure, leaving people frequently without power and water in the depths of winter.

Putin cited the Russian regions of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk, as well as Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed in 2014, as areas where housing had been damaged or destroyed.

People were facing “very acute” problems, and repairs and compensation were needed, he said.

“Many people found themselves in a difficult situation, lost their homes, were forced to move to relatives or to temporary places of residence, faced interruptions in the supply of water, heat, and electricity,” he said.

Russians ‘take’ eastern city, Kremlin-backed chief claims

Wednesday 1 February 2023 15:42 , Jane Dalton

A Kremlin-backed regional leader in Donetsk claims the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut has been surrounded by Russian forces, Reuters news agency reported.

“Bakhmut is now operationally surrounded, our forces are closing the ring around the city,” said Yan Gagin, an aide to Denis Pushilin — the Russia-backed leader of the illegally annexed Donetsk region.

Gagin claimed that fighting was now taking place for control of the Chasiv-Yar-Bakhmut highway.

Ukraine’s military leadership said there had been no let-up with Russian offensive operations, but spoke of heavy losses Russian forces were incurring in their battle for the town.

No 10 snubs Johnson over call for jets

Wednesday 1 February 2023 15:02 , Jane Dalton

Downing Street has again ruled out supplying Ukraine with British fighter jets, despite Boris Johnson’s backing the idea.

Asked about the former prime minister’s attacks on the government for not sending jets, Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister welcomes all colleagues’ backing for Ukraine and is pleased the former prime minister is continuing his staunch support of the United Kingdom’s efforts to help Ukraine secure a lasting peace.”

But he said that Mr Johnson was “acting in his own capacity and not on behalf of the UK Government”.

The official said: “It’s currently not practical to send UK jets: we will continue to work closely with the Ukrainians to understand their needs and how allies can further support them.

“Given the complexity of UK fighter jets and the length of time required to train them we do not currently think it is practical to do so.”

Battle for Bakhmut rages under Russian shelling

Wednesday 1 February 2023 14:45 , Jane Dalton

Troops are fighting building to building in Bakhmut for gains of barely 100 metres a night, and the city was coming under constant Russian shelling, according to Ukrainian battleground reports.

Bakhmut came under renewed fire, as did the villages of Klishchiivka and Kurdyumivka on its southern approaches, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said late last night.

Russian forces also tried to advance on Avdiivka, the second focal point of Russian attacks in Donetsk region and Lyman, a town further north that was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in October, the military said. Further west, Russia fired on Vuhledar and a half dozen other towns and villages, it said.

A Ukrainian serviceman looks on in Bakhmut, Donetsk (Reuters)
A Ukrainian serviceman looks on in Bakhmut, Donetsk (Reuters)

Belarus says it has control of Russian nuke launchers

Wednesday 1 February 2023 14:15 , Liam James

Belarus said its armed forces are now in autonomous control of Russian-supplied nuclear-capable Iskander mobile guided missile systems after completing training in Russia as well as exercises on home soil.

The missiles are capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 310 miles, Minsk’s defence ministry said.

Russian forces used Belarus as a launch pad for their abortive attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, in February last year, and a recent flurry of joint military activity in Belarus has fanned speculation that Moscow may be leaning on Minsk to join its war in Ukraine – something Minsk has ruled out.

The Iskander-M, codenamed “SS-26 Stone” by Nato, replaced the Soviet “Scud”. Its range reaches deep into Belarus’s neighbours Ukraine and Nato member Poland, whose relations with Belarus are badly strained

Biden may head to Europe this month, says Polish president

Wednesday 1 February 2023 13:45 , Liam James

Polish president Andrzej Duda said US oresident Joe Biden will probably visit Central Europe in February but added he did not know which countries of the region he would be visiting.

“The president will most likely be coming to our part of Europe in February,” Mr Duda said during a press conference in Riga, Estonia, on Wednesday.

“Our part of Europe means Central Europe ... this is an area stretching from Romania to Estonia. It is very difficult for us to answer where the president will be coming in detail, we do not have such information.”

Duda speaks in Riga today (AFP/Getty)
Duda speaks in Riga today (AFP/Getty)

Russian journalsit sentenced for speaking out on Ukraine

Wednesday 1 February 2023 13:15 , Liam James

A Moscow court has sentenced a Russian journalist to eight years in prison on charges of disparaging the military, the latest move in the authorities’ relentless crackdown on dissent.

Alexander Nevzorov, a television journalist and former legislator, was convicted on charges of spreading false information about the military under a law that was adopted soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine.

The law effectively exposes anyone critical of the Russian military action in Ukraine to fines and prison sentences of up to 15 years.

Nevzorov was accused of posting “false information” on social media about the Russian shelling of a maternity hospital in the Sea of Azov port of Mariupol. Moscow has fiercely denied its involvement.

The reporter, who moved abroad after the start of the Ukrainian conflict, had no immediate comment on the verdict.

Turkey happy with Finland’s Nato bid but not Sweden’s

Wednesday 1 February 2023 12:49 , Liam James

Turkey looks positively on Finland’s application for Nato membership, but does not support Sweden’s bid, Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan said today.

“Our position on Finland is positive, but it is not positive on Sweden,” Mr Erdogan said of their Nato applications in a speech to his AK Party deputies in parliament.

Sweden and Finland applied last year to join the trans-Atlantic defence pact after Russia invaded Ukraine, but faced unexpected objections from Turkey and have since sought to win its support.

Ankara wants Helsinki and Stockholm in particular to take a tougher line against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is considered a terror group by Turkey and the European Union, and another group it blames for a 2016 coup attempt.

The three nations reached an agreement on a way forward in Madrid last June, but Ankara suspended talks last month as tensions rose following protests in Stockholm in which a far-right Danish politician burned a copy of the Muslim holy book, the Koran.

Ukraine ‘hopes war will be over by time Eurovision 2023 takes place’

Wednesday 1 February 2023 11:58 , Liam James

Ukraine is hoping that the war will be over in May so citizens can travel to see the Eurovision Song Contest, a manager at the country’s public broadcaster said.

The Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC) is also advising the BBC and Liverpool on how to create the right “vibe” for the international music event when the UK city plays host in May.

Oksana Skybinska, an activity manager from the international co-operation department at the UA:PBC, told the PA news agency on Tuesday that she “really hopes” no other country is put in a similar situation due to an invasion.

When asked if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or other political figures would be attending Eurovision, she said: “For today’s ceremony, the mayor of Kyiv has prepared a video message, a welcome message, on behalf of the previous host city of Kyiv (who) hosted the contest in 2017.”

Ukraine ‘hopes war will be over by time Eurovision 2023 takes place’

Corruption blitz continues with raid on one of Ukraine’s wealthiest men

Wednesday 1 February 2023 11:33 , Liam James

Security officials have raided the homes of one of Ukraine’s richest men and a former interior minister, a top governing party official said.

David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People party’s parliamentary faction, said there were also searches at Ukraine‘s Tax Office and that the management team of the Customs Service would be dismissed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky last week announced a crackdown on corruption in the Ukrainian government ranks.

Watch: Boris Johnson says warplanes needed in Fox News interview

Wednesday 1 February 2023 10:56 , Liam James

Former British prime minister Boris Johnson criticised the decision of his successor Rishi Sunak and US president Joe Biden to deny Ukraine fighter jets.

Mr Johnson spoke to Fox News in the US earlier:

Kremlin says US rockets will ‘escalate’ Ukraine war

Wednesday 1 February 2023 10:24 , Liam James

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that longer-range rockets reportedly included in an upcoming package of military aid from the United States to Ukraine would escalate the conflict but not change its course.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told reporters that there were no plans for Russian president Vladimir Putin to hold talks with US president Joe Biden.

The US package of military aid, worth $2.2bn ($1.8bn), is expected to include longer-range rockets for the first time, two US officials briefed on the matter told Reuters.

Such rockets would allow Ukraine – which has said it plans to retake all of its territory by force, including annexed Crimea – to strike deeper into Russian-held territory.

Boris Johnson criticises Rishi Sunak decision not to give Ukraine fighter jets

Wednesday 1 February 2023 09:29 , Sam Rkaina

Boris Johnson has condemned Rishi Sunak’s decision not to send fighter jets to Ukraine, as he urged western leaders to “give them what they need”.

The former Tory prime minister suggested that it would “save time” if the UK and its allies gave Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces the fighter jet aircraft they had asked for now.

“This is not the moment to delay any support to Ukraine, this is the moment to double down on our support. Give them what they need,” Mr Johnson told Fox News.

Click here for the full story.

Boris Johnson (Fox News)
Boris Johnson (Fox News)

Russian forces are encircling Ukrainian city of Bakhmut - Moscow-installed official

Wednesday 1 February 2023 08:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian forces are encircling Bakhmut and are battling to take control of the highway that connects the city to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar, a Russian-installed official in eastern Ukraine said on Wednesday.

“Bakhmut is now operationally surrounded, our forces are closing the ring around the city,” said Yan Gagin, an aide to senior Russian-installed official Denis Pushilin.

“Fighting for control of the Chasiv Yar-Bakhmut highway is now underway,” Gagin said on state television.

Reuters could not independently verify his assertions.

Russia claims to have taken control of several locations around Bakhmut, where its troops and mercenaries from the Wagner group have been locked in a battle of attrition with Ukrainian forces for months.

Russian journalist sentenced in absentia to eight years in jail for 'fake news'

Wednesday 1 February 2023 08:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Prominent Russian journalist Alexander Nevzorov was sentenced in absentia to eight years in jail by a Moscow court on Wednesday after it found him guilty of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army, state media reported.

Investigators opened a case against Nevzorov last year for posts on social media in which he accused Russia‘s armed forces of deliberately shelling a maternity hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, an assertion Moscow said was false.

Nevzorov’s wife wrote on Instagram in March that she and her husband were in Israel.