Ukraine news - live: Putin launches major new offensive amid fighter jet talks
Russian forces are trying to break through Ukraine’s defences with a major new offensive in the eastern town of Kreminna, the regional governor for Luhansk has warned.
Moscow’s troops are trying to make advances west with a “maximum escalation” of fighting in the region’s snowy terrain, with a spike recorded in both shooting and shelling, governor Serhiy Haidai said. He said this has been without any success for Russia so far.
Overnight strikes have also been launched on Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv. Air raid alert sirens were activated in several parts of the war-hit country early today.
The war in Ukraine has clocked 352 days today at a time when Volodymyr Zelensky is going to his European allies and asking them to supply fighter jets and more heavy weaponry to his country.
Mr Zelensky spoke in Brussels yesterday, and said he has heard from several European Union leaders at the summit who said they were ready to provide Kyiv with aircraft, hinting at what would be one of the biggest shifts yet in Western support for Ukraine.
Key Points
Zelensky says some European leaders ready to give aircraft
Ben Wallace issues warning over jets
‘Ex-comedian in a green shirt’: Russia lashes out at ‘pompous’ Zelensky
A victorious Ukraine will be part of European Union, says Zelensky
Russia hits out at ‘pompous’ president Zelensky
What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?
Russian forces launch major offensive in eastern Ukraine’s Luhansk
05:03 , Arpan Rai
Vladimir Putin’s soldiers are advancing in eastern Ukraine using relentless shelling and shooting in its pursuit of the first major territorial advantage in six months, officials have said.
Russian forces launched a series of overnight strikes and knocked out power supplies in parts of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, local officials said today.
“The occupiers hit critical infrastructure. There were about 10 explosions,” Kharkiv governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram. “In some regions, there are power cuts. Emergency services are on site.”
It is not immediately clear if the attacks have led to casualties.
Additionally, Moscow’s troops are trying to advance west with “maximum escalation” in the region’s snowy terrain with a spike recorded in shooting and shelling, Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai said last night, adding that this has been without any success for Russia so far.
France not ruling out fighter jets for Ukraine
04:14 , Arpan Rai
French president Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out sending fighter jets to Ukraine at some point, but added that the embattled nation needed more immediate military firepower.
“I exclude absolutely nothing,” Mr Macron said on being asked about the possibility of sending jets at the end of a summit of EU leaders, attended by Volodymyr Zelensky.
But he added that the top priority for Ukraine’s allies at the moment is to help Ukraine in the weeks and months ahead, and fighter jets could not be delivered in that timeframe and it would take time to train Ukrainian pilots to fly them.
The priority should be placed on giving Kyiv items such as artillery, which had proven to be effective and on which Ukrainian forces were already trained.
Mr Macron added that it might be necessary to intensify delivery of such items and Ukraine’s allies would examine this possibility in the coming days.
The ever-moving goalposts around sending military jets to Ukraine
03:46 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine says it needs fighter jets from the West to help it win the war – in Zelensky’s words, as inscribed on the fighter ace helmet presented to the speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle: “We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it.”
In recent weeks, Western governments – after some delays and with caution – have committed vast amounts of munitions, missiles, air defence systems, artillery, armoured vehicles, drones and battle tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces. These are much better deployed, and safer from attack, if they can be deployed with the additional advantage of air superiority.
The Ukrainian air force is relatively small compared with Russia, and equipped with Soviet-era MiG jets. Hence the clamour for better equipment. Put crudely there isn’t much point in sending the most advanced and expensive tanks in the world, such as American Abrams and German Leopards, if the Russians can destroy them at will.
Sean O’Grady explains here:
Analysis: The ever-moving goalposts around sending military jets to Ukraine
Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants
03:30 , Joe Middleton
Some of Nato’s European members may feel safer letting America take the lead when it comes to sending military jets to Ukraine, writes Kim Sengupta.
Analysis: Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants
Air raid sirens fill Ukraine
03:21 , Arpan Rai
The air raid alert has gone off in many Ukrainian regions, reported The Kyiv Independent amid attacks from Russian forces.
Officials said that the alerts were also sounded in many Ukrainian oblasts and in the city of Kyiv early today.
Russian forces are striking the besieged city this morning, Kharkiv oblast governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
Olympic president accuses Ukraine of ‘defamation’ in dispute over Russian and Belarusian athletes
02:30 , Joe Middleton
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has called on Ukraine to drop threats of a boycott of the 2024 Olympics over the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Ukraine hopes to secure widespread international support for a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes after the IOC opened the door for them to compete as neutrals in Paris.
Athletes from Russia and neighbouring Belarus, which aided Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago, have been banned from many international competitions since.
Olympic president accuses Ukraine of ‘defamation’ in dispute over Russian athletes
ICYMI: PMQs: Rishi Sunak hints at future proscription of Wagner Group mercenaries
01:30 , Joe Middleton
No 10 admits ‘escalatory’ risk in sending fighter jets to Ukraine after Russia threats
00:30 , Joe Middleton
Rishi Sunak’s government has admitted there is a potential risk of escalation as it considers sending fighter jets to Ukraine, Downing Street has said.
The prime minister said warplanes were now “part of the conversation” as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had heard from several European leaders that they were ready to provide Kyiv with aircraft.
Mr Zelensky gave no further details about the pledges – that came at a EU summit in Brussels – but appeared optimistic about the prospect of jets being delivered, having spent the last couple of days on a mini European tour to bolster support. The Ukrainian leader asked for “powerful English planes” during a visit to the UK.
No 10 admits ‘escalatory’ risk in sending fighter jets to Ukraine
Russian diplomat says ties with US in 'unprecedented crisis'
Thursday 9 February 2023 23:30 , Joe Middleton
Russia-U.S. relations are in a state of “unprecedented crisis” without any sign of improvement, a senior Russian diplomat said Thursday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov argued that the White House’s emphasis on increasing weapons supplies to Ukraine to ensure Russia’s defeat leaves no room for diplomacy.
“I don’t see any prospect for a productive political and diplomatic process,” Ryabkov said at a briefing. “We have a very deep and unprecedented crisis in Russia-U.S. relations. The Biden administration has driven them into a deadlock.”
Russian diplomat says ties with US in 'unprecedented crisis'
US government map shows areas most at risk of being targeted in nuclear war
Thursday 9 February 2023 22:30 , Joe Middleton
A map showing the areas of the US that may be targeted in a nuclear war originally issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2015 is making the rounds again amid the Russian war in Ukraine.
The map indicates that areas such as Montana and North Dakota may be vital to strike US forces.
The map outlines possible targets in every US state, mostly located in the east, but also along the Californian coast.
US government map shows areas most at risk of being targeted in nuclear war
‘Powerful English planes’: The fighter jets that could help win the battle for Ukraine’s skies
Thursday 9 February 2023 21:30 , Joe Middleton
Kyiv’s push for war planes took a positive turn this week and several models of aircraft could be on the table, as Liam James reports.
The fighter jets that could help win the battle for Ukraine’s skies
ICYMI: The full exchange: Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer 'united' over Ukraine victory during PMQs
Thursday 9 February 2023 20:30 , Joe Middleton
Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants
Thursday 9 February 2023 19:34 , Joe Middleton
Some of Nato’s European members may feel safer letting America take the lead when it comes to sending military jets to Ukraine, writes Kim Sengupta.
Analysis: Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants
ICYMI: Zelensky: MPs showed strong British character and embodied spirit of these great islands
Thursday 9 February 2023 18:56 , Joe Middleton
Putin claims Russia economy will grow this year, despite sanctions
Thursday 9 February 2023 18:02 , Joe Middleton
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Russia’s economy had overcome the worst effects of sanctions and was expected to show modest growth this year.
“For many of those who tried and are trying to create problems for us, it was a surprise how effectively we are countering the threats in the economy and in certain sectors of production,” Putin said in televised remarks with officials.
“International institutions have to acknowledge that not only has Russia coped with the shocks that were expected ... slight growth is expected in the Russian economy this year.”
Putin did not give a specific forecast for Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in his remarks.
Russia’s economic landscape has been severely impacted after a range of Western sanctions following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Initial expectations of a double-digit economic slump in 2022 proved overblown, but analysts still predict a drop in Russia’s GDP of 2% in 2023, after an estimated 2.5% slide in 2022.
Additional reporting by Reuters
‘Ex-comedian in a green shirt’: Russia lashes out at ‘pompous’ Zelensky
Thursday 9 February 2023 17:19 , Joe Middleton
Russia have lashed out at Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky – calling his visit to the UK to ask for further support against Moscow’s invasion “pompous”.
Addressing MPs in Westminster, Mr Zelensky urged Britain to send advanced jets imminently and provide “wings for freedom”.
The Russian embassy in London responded by attacking the Ukrainian president for being “the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe”.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports.
‘Ex-comedian in a green shirt’: Russia lashes out at ‘pompous’ Zelensky
Zelensky says some European leaders ready to give aircraft
Thursday 9 February 2023 16:27 , Joe Middleton
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that had heard from several European Union leaders at a summit that they were ready to provide Kyiv with aircraft, hinting at what would be one of the biggest shifts yet in Western support for Ukraine.
Zelensky gave no further details about the pledges and there was no immediate confirmation from any European countries.
But his remarks came amid signs during a European tour that countries were closer to lifting one of the main taboos in military aid for Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine.
“Europe will be with us until our victory. I’ve heard it from a number of European leaders ... about the readiness to give us the necessary weapons and support, including the aircraft,” Zelensky told a news conference.
But he did not name the countries.Just before, his chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on social media that the question of long-range weaponry and fighter jets for Ukraine had been resolved and details would follow. He later edited his post to say the issue “may be resolved”.
Slovakia to get German air defence systems to cover Ukraine border
Thursday 9 February 2023 16:02 , Emily Atkinson
Germany will donate two close-range MANTIS air defence systems to Slovakia which will use them to protect its eastern border with Ukraine, the Slovak defence ministry said on Thursday.
Nato member Slovakia has boosted its air defences with the help of several Patriot systems operated by Nato allies after donating its ageing S-300 system to Ukraine last year, and has sought to get additional equipment.
The automated, stationary MANTIS systems made for the German army serve to protect limited areas such as bases.
“(MANTIS) will strengthen protection of the eastern border with Ukraine, secured by forces and means of the Slovak armed forces,” the ministry said in a statement.
Each has up to eight turrets, two sensor units and a control centre. It can protect from incoming rockets, drones, artillery and mortar shells.
Slovakia has supported Ukraine with arms supplies including heavy equipment, and its eastern town of Michalovce hosts a German centre for servicing German equipment delivered to Ukraine.
Russia ‘ready to work on Zaporizhzhia nuclear safety zone'
Thursday 9 February 2023 15:45 , Emily Atkinson
Russian nuclear energy firm Rosatom says it is ready to continue work on creating a safety zone around Ukraine‘s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, after officials from the company met with UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi.
“In this regard, (Rosatom CEO) Alexey Likhachev expressed the readiness of the Russian side to continue work on the implementation of the IAEA Director General’s initiative,” it said.
Russian forces seized the plant in early March, soon after invading neighbouring Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of firing around it near the front lines, drawing condemnation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Russia accuses Nord Stream blast investigators of cover-up
Thursday 9 February 2023 15:31 , Emily Atkinson
Russia’s foreign ministry has accused Europe of trying to hide the results of their investigations into last year’s blasts on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, charging them with covering up who was to blame.
“The investigation is being carried out in such a way that... the remains are literally and figuratively left in the water,” Deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko said, according to the state-run RIA news agency.
The blasts, which are being investigated by Swedish and Danish authorities, could put three of Nord Stream 1 and 2’s four undersea lines permanently out of use.
Moscow had asked Stockholm to be allowed to join the investigation, but both Sweden and Denmark rejected the idea of Russian participation.
Construction of Nord Stream 2, designed to carry Russian gas to Germany, was completed in September 2021. Berlin shelved its certification just days before Moscow invaded Ukraine in February.
Watch: Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ‘not unprovoked’
Thursday 9 February 2023 15:15 , Emily Atkinson
Russia 'set to intensify attacks on Ukraine’
Thursday 9 February 2023 15:00 , Emily Atkinson
Russia looks poised to step up its offensive against Ukraine in the year-long war, Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday.
“We are working with Ukraine to help it to defend itself from this attack which it seems is about to intensify today and in the coming days,” Crosetto said at a news conference in Rome.
Wallace appears to suggest Ukrainian pilots would complete training in UK ‘post-conflict’
Thursday 9 February 2023 14:41 , Emily Atkinson
Ben Wallace appeared to suggest that Ukrainian air force pilots would only complete their training in the UK “probably post-conflict”.
The defence secretary, speaking at a joint UK-Italy ministerial press conference in Rome, said: “Britain’s position on some capability (on fighter planes) is nothing to do with trying to cause problems or challenges.
“It is fundamentally that some of our equipment is solely sovereign. Challenger tanks - I don’t have to ask permission of another country to send them, I can just make a decision in collaboration with my Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister.
“They are British sovereignty, so it just quicker rather than... if you were to talk about Typhoon fighter jets, there are four nations in that. But also Britain hasn’t said it is necessarily going to send fighter jets to Ukraine.
“What it has said is we’re going to start training to improve the resilience of Ukraine, probably post-conflict, which is no different from what we were doing in 2015 where Britain, Sweden, Canada, America were training the Ukrainians to form their defence.
“That’s not new. All of us on this platform know that over the last year, we shouldn’t rule anything in and we shouldn’t rule anything out.”
‘Ex-comedian in a green shirt’: Russia lashes out at ‘pompous’ Zelensky
Thursday 9 February 2023 14:20 , Emily Atkinson
Russia has lashed out at Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky – calling his visit to the UK to ask for further support against Moscow’s invasion “pompous”.
Addressing MPs in Westminster, Mr Zelensky urged Britain to send advanced jets imminently and provide “wings for freedom”.
The Russian embassy in London responded by attacking the Ukrainian president for being “the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe”.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports:
‘Ex-comedian in a green shirt’: Russia lashes out at ‘pompous’ Zelensky
SpaceX limits Starlink use in Ukraine, company president says
Thursday 9 February 2023 14:10 , Emily Atkinson
SpaceX has limited the use of its satellite internet service Starlink in Ukraine over concerns the technology had been “weaponised”.
SpaceX president Gwynne Sholtwell said that Ukraine’s military will be unable to use the space-based internet to control drones in the region during the country’s war with Russia.
Starlink, which has provided Ukraine’s military with broadband communications in its defence against Russia’s military, was “never never meant to be weaponized,” Ms Shotwell said during a conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
SpaceX limits Starlink use in Ukraine, company president says
Zelensky: Ukraine intercepted plans to destroy Moldova
Thursday 9 February 2023 13:50 , Emily Atkinson
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that his country has intercepted plans by Russian secret services to destroy Moldova
Speaking to European Union leaders in Brussels, Zelensky said he recently told Moldovan President Maia Sandu about the alleged scheme.
“I have informed her that we have intercepted the plan of the destruction of Moldova by the Russian intelligence,” Zelensky said through a translator.
Zelenskyy: Ukraine intercepted plans to destroy Moldova
In pictures: Zelensky addresses European Parliament in second international trip since Russia’s invasion
Thursday 9 February 2023 13:30 , Emily Atkinson
Watch: Macron presents Legion of Honour medal to Zelensky during Paris visit
Thursday 9 February 2023 13:10 , Emily Atkinson
Ben Wallace issues warning over jets
Thursday 9 February 2023 12:50 , Emily Atkinson
There will be no immediate transfer of UK fighter jets to Ukraine, Ben Wallace was cited as saying as president Volodymyr Zelensky continues his tour of Europe in a push for air cover.
Mr Zelensky started his surprise trip in London on Wednesday with a rousing speech to parliament urging the UK and allies to provide “wings for freedom”.
Despite Rishi Sunak saying nothing was “off the table”, the defence secretary told the BBC that gifting any fighter jets would potentially take months.
Mr Wallace explained the UK would instead focus on using alternative methods of providing air cover to Ukraine, such as long range missiles and drones.
Putin says Russia should become centre of drone development
Thursday 9 February 2023 12:45 , Emily Atkinson
Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia should build a system for developing drones, and that the country should be a “source of technology and competence”.
Russian forces have made extensive use of drones, including those purchased from Iran, during their ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.
Russia ‘destroys four artillery depots in Donetsk’
Thursday 9 February 2023 12:25 , Emily Atkinson
Russia’s defence ministry has said that its forces were continuing offensive operations in Ukraine‘s Donetsk region and had destroyed four artillery depots.
In its daily briefing, the ministry said it had also destroyed a U.S.-made radiolocation system and an M109 Paladin artillery system.
Putin says foreign companies suffering major losses since leaving Russia
Thursday 9 February 2023 12:05 , Emily Atkinson
Vladimir Putin has said that foreign companies were suffering big losses as a result of leaving the Russian market amid Western sanctions.
Speaking at a meeting with senior officials broadcast on state television, the Russian president said that the potential for domestic business expansion was “colossal”, and that Russia had not lost out from the departure of the foreign businesses.
No free Europe without free Ukraine, says Zelensky
Thursday 9 February 2023 11:57 , Emily Atkinson
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy told EUn leaders in Brussels there was no free Europe without free Ukraine.
“Europe should not have gray zones, our whole continent should be open to European destiny,” My Zelensky told the 27 national EU leaders gathered for a summit in Brussels ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion against Ukraine. “Unity of Europe is fundamental to security.”
“Free Europe cannot be imagined without free Ukraine,” he said. “Europe is free, Europe will be free and Europe is united.”
Rheinmetall 'in talks with Kyiv about Panther battle tanks’
Thursday 9 February 2023 11:45 , Emily Atkinson
German arms maker Rheinmetall wants to deliver its latest tank models to Ukraine, including Panther battle tanks, chief executive Armin Papperger told Handelsblatt business daily on Thursday.
“Ukraine is interested in the Lynx and the Panther - the most modern infantry fighting vehicles and battle tanks,” he was quoted as saying, adding there were already talks with Kyiv.
The German government would have to approve any export of Panther tanks, which were developed in Germany, reported the paper.
US and France to hold Nato drills in Romania
Thursday 9 February 2023 11:25 , Emily Atkinson
US and French troops forming part of a Nato battlegroup in Romania are set to hold a military exercise to test the 30-nation alliance’s eastern flank defences.
It comes as Russia’s full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine nears its one-year anniversary.
Thursday’s joint combat drills at the Black Sea training range in Capu Midia, dubbed Eagle Royal 23, will involve some 350 multinational battlegroup troops, who will practice firing live ammunition.
Romania’s defence ministry said that the goal of the drills - held between 2 February to 10 February - is to test Nato’s “interoperability of artillery systems” in a fictitious Article 5 collective defence scenario on the alliance’s south-eastern territory.
Nato’s Article 5 is central to its founding treaty. The clause requires every alliance member to come to the assistance of any ally asking for it. Article 5 has been invoked only once – by the US in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in 2001.
Kremlin dismisses claims Putin was involved in MH17 downing
Thursday 9 February 2023 11:05 , Emily Atkinson
The Kremlin has dismissed the findings of international prosecutors investigating the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) who said they had found “strong indications” of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s involvement in the incident.
The prosecutors said on Wednesday at The Hague they had found “strong indications” that Putin had approved the use of Russian BUK missile systems that were used to shoot down the plane over eastern Ukraine in 2014.
In Moscow’s first reaction to their claim, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia “could not accept” the results of the investigation since it took no part in the process. He also said the investigators had not publicly presented supported evidence.
MH17 was shot down by a Russian BUK missile system as it flew over eastern Ukraine from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew, including 196 Dutch citizens.
A victorious Ukraine will be part of European Union, says Zelensky
Thursday 9 February 2023 10:44 , Emily Atkinson
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he believed his country would join the European Union after emerging victorious from its war with Russia.
He made his remark during an address to the European Parliament in Brussels. Ukraine became a candidate to join the EU last June but the process of joining the 27-nation bloc takes several years.
Ukraine's Zelensky tells EU 'thank you' for its help
Thursday 9 February 2023 10:38 , Emily Atkinson
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked the European Parliament on Thursday for the help Ukraine has been receiving from the EU to defend itself against the Russian invasion.
Having won promises of Western battle tanks in recent weeks, Ukrainian officials are now focused on trying to secure the supply of longer-range rockets and fighter jets.
“Thank you,” Mr Zelensky told EU lawmakers, who gave him a long standing ovation.
Thursday 9 February 2023 10:31 , Emily Atkinson
EU lawmakers gave Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky a long standing ovation before he spoke to the assembly, cheering and applauding him, some of them wearing the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flags in ribbons clipped to their jackets.
Zelensky: Europe defending itself against ‘biggest anti-European force of the modern world’
Thursday 9 February 2023 10:25 , Emily Atkinson
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country together with Europe was “defending ourselves against (the) biggest anti-European force of the modern world.”
He made the remark during an address to the European Parliament in Brussels.
EU must quickly consider giving Ukraine jets, says EU parliament head
Thursday 9 February 2023 10:22 , Emily Atkinson
EU countries must quickly consider providing fighter jets to Ukraine, the head of the bloc’s parliament said on Thursday as she hosted president Volodymyr Zelensky, touring Europe to win more arms to fight against the Russian invasion.
Referencing the biblical fight between David and Goliath, European Parliament head, Roberta Metsola said in addressing Mr Zelensky in the chamber: “You need to win and now (EU) member states must consider quickly as the next step providing long-range systems and the jets that you need to protect your liberty.”
Kremlin says Ukrainians will suffer if Britain or allies send fighter jets to Kyiv
Thursday 9 February 2023 10:20 , Emily Atkinson
Ukrainians will be the ones that suffer if Britain or its western allies supply Kyiv with fighter jets, the Kremlin has warned.
Mr Zelensky started his surprise tour of Europe in London on Wednesday with a rousing speech to parliament urging the UK and allies to provide “wings for freedom”. He will attend a gathering of EU leaders today, where he is expected to reiterate the request.
But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that any delivery of advanced Nato-standard fighter jets would only bring pain and suffering to Ukrainians and criticised the alliance for taking a more “direct” role in the conflict.
“This is nothing more than the growing involvement of the United Kingdom, Germany and France in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” Mr Peskov told reporters.
“The line between indirect and direct involvement is gradually disappearing. One can only express regret in this regard, and say that such actions ... lead to an escalation of tension, prolong the conflict and make the conflict more and more painful for Ukraine,” he added.
Top military figures say it’s ‘unlikely’ UK will send fighter jets to Ukraine
Thursday 9 February 2023 10:15 , Emily Atkinson
Senior military and security figures have raised doubts about the likelihood that British fighter jets will send to Ukraine, despite Rishi Sunak saying nothing was “off the table”.
The prime minister said fighter jets were now “part of the conversation” after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky asked for “powerful English planes” during his historic visit to the UK.
But the idea has been met with scepticism. Former national security adviser Peter Ricketts said “it’s not going to work” because the RAF jets need “very specialized ground crews”.
Adam Forrest reports:
Top military figures say ‘unlikely’ UK will send fighter jets to Ukraine
Russia 'significantly steps up attacks in east Ukraine’
Thursday 9 February 2023 10:10 , Emily Atkinson
Russian forces have significantly stepped up attacks in eastern Ukraine and are trying to break through Ukrainian defences near the town of Kreminna, a regional governor said.
Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region, said Ukraine‘s military were holding their ground near Kreminna, which Russian forces have held for months, but said they needed more weapons and ammunition to hold out.
“I can confirm that there has been a significant increase in attacks and shelling. And it is in the direction of Kreminna that they are trying to build on their success by pushing through out defenders’ defences,” he told Ukrainian television.
“So far they have had no significant success, our defence forces are holding firmly there.”
Kreminna, which lies about 100 km (62 miles) northwest of the regional capital Luhansk, had a population of about 18,000 before Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24 last year.
Breaking through Ukrainian lines near Kreminna would take Russian forces a step closer to the much larger city of Kramatorsk.
“(We need) heavy equipment and artillery ammunition - then we will not only be able to maintain the defence, but also make a goodd counter-offensive operation,” Haidai said.
Netherlands 'not ruling out any kind of military support to Ukraine’
Thursday 9 February 2023 10:05 , Emily Atkinson
The Netherlands is not ruling out any kind of military support for Ukraine, Dutch PM Mark Rutte told reporters on Thursday ahead of an EU summit in Brussels.
“We have consistently said that we rule nothing out as long as there is not an Article Five situation between Nato and Russia”, he said.
Macron awards Legion of Honour to Ukraine’s Zelensky
Thursday 9 February 2023 10:00 , Emily Atkinson
President Emmanuel Macron has bestowed the Legion of Honour on Ukraine‘s leader Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Paris.
It is the highest award a French president can give to a counterpart, the Elysee Palace said in an overnight statement.
“A salute to Ukraine and its people. A salute to you, dear Volodymyr, for your courage and commitment,” Macron wrote on social media.
EU's Michel: Very important we increase our support to Ukraine
Thursday 9 February 2023 09:55 , Emily Atkinson
It is very important that the EU increases its support to Ukraine, European Council president Charles Michel said on Thursday ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will be attending as well.
Nato must act together on jets for Ukraine, says Polish PM
Thursday 9 February 2023 09:50 , Emily Atkinson
Any decision on supplying fighter jets to Ukraine must be taken by Nato as a whole and Poland will not be the first to supply such aircraft, the Polish prime minister has said.
“Our position is clear, we can only act within the entire formation of Nato,” Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters.
“We will not be the first ones to hand over the fighter jets, but we will respond positively, provided that those who have the most of these jets will be able to give them to Ukraine.”
Italy calls invitation of Zelensky to Paris ‘inappropriate’
Thursday 9 February 2023 09:45 , Emily Atkinson
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said the invitation of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to Paris, where he met French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz, was “inappropriate”.
“I believe our strength is community and unity .... but there are times when favouring internal public opinion risks being to the detriment of the cause, and this seems to me to be one of those cases,” she said in Brussels.
Ms Meloni will meet Mr Zelensky in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU leaders meeting, Italy’s foreign minister said late on Wednesday.
EU ‘to deliver more military support to Ukraine'
Thursday 9 February 2023 09:40 , Emily Atkinson
The European Union will deliver more military support to Ukraine, the EU’S foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reaffirmed to reporters on Thursday, as EU leaders arrived for a summit.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to lobby European leaders on Thursday at a summit in Brussels for more weapons in the fight against Russia and a quick start to EU membership talks for his country.
Russia hits out at ‘pompous’ president Zelensky
Thursday 9 February 2023 09:10 , Emily Atkinson
Moscow has attacked president Volodymyr Zelensky’s “hasty” visit to Europe.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the Russian embassy said: “Zelensky’s pompous solicitations about the values of ‘freedom’ and ‘human rights’, which Kyiv claims to be fighting for, were overtly hypocritical.”
It then mocked “the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe.”
“We would like to remind London: in the event of such a scenario, the death toll of yet another round of escalation, as well as its military-political consequences for the European continent and the whole world will be on the United Kingdom’s hands.
“Russia will know how to respond to any unfriendly actions by the British side,” it said.
Russia’s Wagner mercenaries 'halt prisoner recruitment campaign’
Thursday 9 February 2023 08:40 , Emily Atkinson
Russia’s Wagner mercenary group has stopped recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, Wagner’s founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Thursday.
“The recruitment of prisoners by the Wagner private military company has completely stopped,” Prigozhin said in a response to a request for comment from a Russian media outlet published on social media.
“We are fulfilling all our obligations to those who work for us now,” he said.
Wagner began recruiting prisoners in Russia’s sprawling penal system in summer 2022, with Prigozhin, a catering entrepreneur who served nine years in prison during the Soviet Union, offering convicts a pardon if they survived six months in Ukraine.
Wagner has not provided information on how many convicts joined its ranks, but Russian penal service figures published in November showed the country’s prison population dropping by over 20,000 between August and November, the largest drop in over a decade.
Russia urges international investigation into ‘US involvement in Nord Stream pipeline attack’
Thursday 9 February 2023 08:10 , Emily Atkinson
A blog by a US investigative journalist alleging the United States was behind the explosions that ruptured the Nord Stream gas pipelines should become the basis for an international investigation, Russia’s top lawmaker said on Thursday.
The White House on Wednesday dismissed the report, published by Seymour Hersh, which said an attack on the pipelines was carried out last September at the direction of US president Joe Biden.
“The published facts should become the basis for an international investigation, bringing Biden and his accomplices to justice,” Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the Russian State Duma, said.
Volodin said the United States should pay “compensation to countries affected by the terrorist attack.”
Moscow, without providing evidence, has repeatedly said the West was behind the explosions affecting the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines last September - multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects that carried Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
Zelensky tours Europe after urging UK to provide fighter jets
Thursday 9 February 2023 07:42 , Emily Atkinson
Volodymyr Zelensky is touring Europe after calling for fighter jets in the UK to help his country’s struggle against Russia’s invasion.
The Ukrainian president will join an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday to continue his push for more advanced weapons.
Starting his surprise trip in London on Wednesday, Mr Zelensky used a rousing speech to Parliament to urge the UK and Western allies to provide “wings for freedom”.
He then travelled to Paris to meet French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz, telling a press conference there is “very little time” to provide the weaponry.
He will be flying with Mr Macron to Thursday’s gathering of EU leaders.
Russia's Wagner stops hiring prisoners, says founder
Thursday 9 February 2023 06:48 , Arpan Rai
The chief of Russia’s Wagner Group mercenaries Yevgeny Prigozhin says a decision has been made to stop recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine.
“The recruitment of prisoners by the Wagner private military company has completely stopped,” the Russian proxy group’s head and a former prison convict himself said today.
“We are fulfilling all our obligations to those who work for us now,” he said.
In December, the US intelligence community said it believed that Wagner had 40,000 convict fighters deployed in Ukraine, making up the vast majority of the group’s personnel in the country.
Wagner has not provided information on how many convicts joined its ranks, but according to the Russian penal service figures published in November the country’s prison population dropped by over 20,000 between August and November, the largest drop in over a decade.
Intense Russian attacks pound Donetsk and Luhansk
Thursday 9 February 2023 05:57 , Arpan Rai
The Ukrainian military confirmed that Russian attacks remained intense yesterday in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Kyiv said that Moscow’s forces concentrated on the areas of Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut and Aviivka.
Air strikes and shelling also targeted the Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions in northern, northeastern and central Ukraine.
Moment Zelensky hugs BBC Ukraine reporter during press conference
Thursday 9 February 2023 05:23 , Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky hugged a reporter from BBC Ukraine as he took questions alongside Rishi Sunak yesterday.
“Greetings Mr President, I would really like to hug you, but I’m not allowed,” the correspondent said to Mr Zelensky.
“Why not, please, do give me a hug,” the Ukrainian leader responded, stepping off stage to embrace her, as others applauded.
The journalist then asked Mr Sunak if he thought the UK’s decision to send military jets to the war-torn nation was taking “too long”.
Watch the video here:
Moment Zelensky hugs BBC Ukraine reporter during press conference
Ukraine slams Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters for speech at UNSC
Thursday 9 February 2023 05:00 , Arpan Rai
A Ukrainian official has criticised the appearance of Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters at a UN Security Council meeting after Russia said it invited the musician to address the event remotely.
The 79-year-old said during his speech that he “condemned” the invasion of the country but also the “provocateurs” whose actions, he claimed, led to the Russian invasion.
Responding to this, the Ukrainian security council delegate Sergiy Kyslytsya criticised Waters as just a “brick in the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda”.
Ukraine criticises speech by Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters at UN Security Council
Sunak says ‘nothing off the table’ on sending fighter jets to Ukraine
Thursday 9 February 2023 04:48 , Arpan Rai
Rishi Sunak has said that “nothing is off the table” when it comes to the question of providing fighter jets to Ukraine.
The prime minister was speaking during a joint press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday and said sending warplanes was “part of the conversation” between the pair.
Mr Sunak told reporters during a press briefing at a Dorset military base: “When it comes to fighter combat aircraft, of course they are part of the conversation — indeed, we have been discussing that today and have been previously.
Read more here:
PM says ‘nothing off the table’ when it comes to sending fighter jets to Ukraine
What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?
Thursday 9 February 2023 04:32 , Arpan Rai
Downing Street has said that defence secretary Ben Wallace is considering what fast jets can be sent to Ukraine but it remains to be seen whether Kyiv will get the “powerful English planes” it wants.
These could be Typhoons – built by a British, German, Italian, Spanish and Austrian consortium; or F-35s – a joint project of the US, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Norway, Denmark and Canada – rather than alternative aircraft.
The warplanes the Ukrainians are most likely to get are American F-16s. This would make sense in terms of operational support and maintenance, and they are the type of plane the Ukrainians need, just as German Leopard 2s are the logical tanks for their army.
Read the full analysis by The Independent’s world affairs editor Kim Sengupta here:
What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?
Russia warns of ‘consequences for Europe and world’ if UK sends fighter jets
Thursday 9 February 2023 04:10 , Arpan Rai
Russia has issued a direct warning, stating that any move by the UK to send fighter jets to Ukraine would have consequences for both the continent and the rest of the world.
“Russia will find a way to respond to any unfriendly steps taken by the British side,” Russian news agency TASS quoted the Russian embassy in London as saying, adding that it warned such a move would have “military and political consequences for the European continent and the entire world”.
The warning came shortly after prime minister Rishi Sunak said that sending warplanes to Ukraine was “part of the conversation” between him and his Ukrainian counterpart in London, and that “nothing was off the table”.
Russia warns sending UK fighter jets to Ukraine will have ‘consequences’
Thursday 9 February 2023 03:37 , Arpan Rai
Good morning, welcome to our coverage of the Ukraine war on Thursday, 9 February.
