Russia-Ukraine war – live: F-16 fighter jets expected on the battlefield this summer as Putin lands in Vietnam

F-16 fighter jets are expected to be on the battlefield in Ukraine by this summer, a Dutch air force commander has said.

Gen Arnoud Stallmann, speaking in front of two disused F-16s in a military hangar in the Netherlands, said that after a series of delays, everything was “lining up” to see the US-made jets in Kyiv’s hands by this summer.

The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Norway have pledged around 80 F-16s to Ukraine between them. Kyiv has long called for the fighter jets, seeing them as vital to countering threats such as Russia’s recent use of deadly glide bombs, capable of levelling whole buildings.

It comes as Russian leader Vladimir Putin has arrived in Vietnam on the second-leg of his overseas tour, having visited North Korea yesterday.

Putin is scheduled to meet Vietnam’s most powerful politician, the communist party’s general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the new president To Lam and other officials, in the capital of Hanoi later today.

The Russian president’s last visit to Vietnam was in 2017. The pair have had diplomatic relations since 1950.

Key points

• New Russian-North Korean pact includes mutual defence clause, says Vladimir Putin

• Ukraine will finally use F-16 jets this summer, says Dutch commander

• Photos: Putin and Kim Jong-un’s friendship during latest North Korea visit

• Putin insists new military pact with North Korea is peaceful

• Red carpet, warm hugs, Aurus Limousine: Putin’s welcome in North Korea

• Ukraine says Russia ‘beheaded’ its soldier and starts probe

Russian interference in UK general election will likely ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

11:17 , Tom Watling

Russian interference in UK election may ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

South Korea says will reconsider providing weapons to Ukraine, Yonhap says

11:04 , Tom Watling

South Korea has said it will review the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine, Yonhap news reported, citing an official after the leaders of North Korea and Russia signed a pact pledging mutual defence in the event of war.

In an official statement released on Thursday, Seoul also condemned the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed by the leaders of North Korea and Russia this week, saying it violates United Nations sanctions.

“The government clearly emphasizes that any cooperation that directly or indirectly helps North Korea increase its military power is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and is subject to monitoring and sanctions by the international community,” the presidential office said in a statement, adding that such violation would worsen Seoul’s relations with Moscow.

North Korea and Russia revived an agreement made during the Cold War era when their leaders met in Pyongyang this week, and agreed to provide military assistance if they are ever attacked.

Ukrainian soldiers explore captured Russian tank

10:45 , Tom Watling

Ukrainian soldiers have been pictured exploring a Russian main battle tank in the eastern Donetsk region after capturing the vehicle this month.

The Soviet-era T-62 had been retrofitted with anti-drone protection to cope with the constant threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the frontline, a phenomena of this war.

We have some more footage of alleged Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries

10:30 , Tom Watling

Earlier, we reported that Ukrainian sources claimed responsibility for explosions at fuel depots in several regions of Russia.

Below, we have some more footage of the fires, as well as some maps detailing the location of the alleged strikes.

Fires at two Russian fuel depots after drone attacks by Ukraine's SBU, source says

10:15 , Tom Watling

Ukrainian drone attacks conducted by the SBU security agency caused fires at fuel depots in the Russian regions of Tambov and Adygeyea early on Thursday, a Kyiv intelligence source told Reuters.

Russian officials said earlier that fires had broken out at two fuel depots after suspected drone attacks.

The Ukrainian source said the depots supplied the Russian military and that the strikes aimed to reduce their resources.

Putin in Vietnam, seeking to strengthen ties in Southeast Asia while Russia's isolation deepens

10:00 , Tom Watling

Putin in Vietnam, seeking to strengthen ties in Southeast Asia while Russia's isolation deepens

Russia obliterates front-line Ukraine towns by retrofitting bombs and expanding its air base network

09:45 , Tom Watling

Russia obliterates front-line Ukraine towns by retrofitting bombs and expanding its air base network

EU countries agree 14th package of sanctions against Russia - diplomats

09:30 , Tom Watling

EU countries agreed a 14th package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine, diplomats have said, including a ban on transshipments of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Belgium, which holds the European Union presidency until July 1, said on the X platform that the package “maximises the impact of existing sanctions by closing loopholes”.

Russian attacks cut power for over 218,000 Ukrainians, ministry says

09:15 , Tom Watling

Russian attacks on energy infrastructure cut power for over 218,000 consumers across Ukraine for a time on Thursday morning, according to Ukraine‘s energy ministry.

Russia used drones and missiles to target energy infrastructure in four Ukrainian regions overnight, causing significant damage to a thermal power plant.

Power was restored for most consumers, the ministry added.

Photos show aftermath of Russian glide bomb attack in Kharkiv

09:00 , Tom Watling

At least one person was killed and another injured after Russia forces fired a glide bomb at the village of Vilkhivka to the west of Kharkiv city on Thursday.

Putin and Kim Jong-un exchange gifts including luxury limousine and hunting dogs

08:45 , Tom Watling

Putin gifts Kim Jong-un new limousine, dagger and tea set

We have some more photos of Putin’s trip to North Korea

08:30 , Tom Watling

Good morning.

We have some more of the latest photos coming from North Korea as Vladimir Putin spends time with the country’s dictator Kim Jong-un.

Putin signed a mutual defence agreement on June 19 with North Korea's Kim, who offered his "full support" on Ukraine.

Ukraine will finally use F-16 jets this summer, says Dutch commander

08:10 , Arpan Rai

The much anticipated F-16 fighter jets will fly in Ukrainian skies at some point this summer, a Dutch air force commander said, reported The Guardian.

Ukraine is waiting for over 60 US-made F-16 fighter jets in a commitment made by Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway to help it fend off Russian attacks and dozens of Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing training to fly the warplanes.

“Around this summertime, it is all lining up,” said Gen Arnoud Stallmann from inside a hangar at a military base inside the rural south of the Netherlands.

This is despite Vladimir Putin’s warning that Moscow could consider launching strikes at facilities in Nato countries if they host the warplanes used in Ukraine.

“F-16s are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, and we will also need to take that into account while organising our combat operations,” Putin had said.

Ukraine launches a national sexual assault registry for victims of Russian forces

07:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Authorities in Ukraine have created a national registry to document cases of sexual violence allegedly committed by Russian forces, a senior prosecutor told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Viktoriia Litvinova, the country’s deputy prosecutor general, said that the registry was created out of a pilot project that had already resulted in the convictions of five people in absentia. She declined to comment on details of the cases.

“We used to have to visit territories where hostilities are taking place ourselves,” she said. “But now people – individuals who have experienced sexual abuse – are seeking us out for information.”

Ukraine launches a national sexual assault registry for victims of Russian forces

Russian attack damages energy infrastructure in four parts of Ukraine

06:34 , Arpan Rai

A Russian attack overnight damaged energy infrastructure in four Ukrainian regions this morning, the Ukrainian energy ministry said on Telegram.

The energy ministry said the attack injured three workers at one of the impacted energy facilities and cut power for some consumers.

Wider impact of the attacks on the power supply in Ukraine are not immediately clear.

Treasury sanctions network connected to separatist Bosnian leader

06:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A network of people and firms that support the sanctioned president of Bosnia’s Serb-run portion, Milorad Dodik, has been hit with a new round of sanctions.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on Tuesday designated two people and seven companies that provide revenue for Dodik and his family, including his son Igor Dodik.

Treasury says Dodik used his presidency to direct government contracts to a network of private companies that he and his son oversee.

Treasury sanctions network connected to separatist Bosnian leader

Photos: Putin and Kim Jong-un's friendship peaks during latest North Korea visit

05:41 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s latest meeting in Pyongyang saw their mutual interest in expanding their economic and military cooperation and display a united front against Washington.

As the two leaders sat down, Kim Jong-un echoed Putin’s statement explicitly linking their deepening ties to fighting the “hegemonic and imperialist” policies of the West and the United State in particular, including its support for Ukraine.

This visit could result in deadly implications for Ukraine which finds itself under relentless shelling from Russian forces, using ammunition provided by North Korea. Their liason can be dangerous for the West and especially Ukraine.

EU Commission to impose tariffs on Ukrainian egg imports

05:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The European Commission will introduce tariffs on Ukrainian egg imports within the next two weeks after a previously agreed annual threshold level for those imports has been reached, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The Commission took the same decision on Tuesday regarding oat imports from Ukraine.

Following Russia‘s invasion in 2022, the country has benefited from a special mechanism put in place to boost trade flows with the EU, it’s most important export market. The EU, however, set maximum import volumes after farmer protest across the bloc smashed cheap Ukrainian imports as unfair competition. (

Putin now reaches Vietnam for talks, to meet top leaders

04:53 , Arpan Rai

Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived in Vietnam early today for talks with the country’s Communist leaders on the final stop of his two-nation tour of Asia after concluding a defence pact with North Korea.

This is the third foreign visit by Mr Putin, after China and North Korea, since he took the presidential office in March.

Putin’s aircraft touched down at Hanoi’s airport, where he was met on a red carpet by Vietnamese deputy prime minister Tran Hong Ha and top party diplomat Le Hoai Trung.

Putin is due to meet Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, state president To Lam and prime minster Pham Minh Chinh. Although both North Korea and Russia face international isolation, Vietnam has built careful alliances with the United States and the European Union.

“President Putin’s visit to North Korea and Vietnam is to demonstrate that Western attempts to isolate Russia are not working and that Russia has partners in Asia,” said Carl Thayer, an expert on Vietnam security at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra.

However, ahead of his visit, Putin thanked the Southeast Asian Communist-ruled country for supporting “a pragmatic way to solve the crisis” in Ukraine.

Nato chief warns on Putin, Kim Jong-un’s ‘authoritarian’ deal

04:36 , Arpan Rai

Russia’s new defensive pact with North Korea shows increasing alignment among authoritarian powers and underscores the importance of democracies presenting a united front, the head of Nato said.

Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a deal with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un that included a mutual defence pledge, a move that overhauls Moscow’s policy towards Pyongyang.

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said North Korea had provided “an enormous amount of ammunition” to Russia while both China and Iran were supporting Moscow militarily in its war against Ukraine.

“We need to be aware that authoritarian powers are aligning more and more. They are supporting each other in a way we haven’t seen before,” he told a panel discussion during an official visit to Ottawa.

“When they are more and more aligned - authoritarian regimes like North Korea and China, Iran, Russia - then it’s even more important that we are aligned as countries believing in freedom and democracy,” he said.

The growing closeness between Russia and other Asian nations means it is all the more important that Nato works with allies in the Asia-Pacific, he said, adding this was why leaders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea had been invited to a Nato summit in Washington next month.

North Korea and Russia sign a deal on immediate military assistance in event of war

04:11 , Arpan Rai

Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin upgraded their bilateral ties to a new high as they signed a fresh agreement of “immediate military assistance” in the event of war during the Russian president’s visit to North Korea.

The new agreement between Russia and North Korea reached by their leaders at a Pyongyang summit requires both countries to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance in the event of war, North Korean state media today.

In the new agreement, Russia and North Korea have inked assistance on security, trade, investment, cultural and humanitarian ties. Outside observers said it could mark the strongest connection between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency today reported the language of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. The agency said Article 4 of the agreement states that if one of the countries gets invaded and is pushed into a state of war, the other must deploy “all means at its disposal without delay” to provide “military and other assistance.”

Putin and Kim Jong-un sign defence pact in case of attack on Russia or North Korea

Fire at drone-hit Russian oil depot rages for second day

04:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A blaze caused by a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil terminal in southern Russia has been raging for more than a day and a half despite the efforts of firefighters, the regional governor said on Wednesday.

Several oil storage tanks in the town of Azov caught fire after a drone attack early on Tuesday that a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters was conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Vasily Golubev, governor of the Rostov region, wrote on Telegram that emergency services had been unable to extinguish the flames as of Tuesday afternoon as the second storage tank had been depressurised.

Azov has two oil product terminals, DonTerminal and Azovproduct, which handled a total of about 220,000 tons of fuel for export during the period from January to May 2024.

Ukraine has often said that targeting Russia‘s energy, military and transport infrastructure undermines Moscow’s war effort.

Russian court sentences US soldier to nearly 4 years on theft charges

03:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A court in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok on Wednesday sentenced an American soldier arrested earlier this year to three years and nine months in prison on charges of stealing and threats of murder, Russian news reports said.

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, flew to Vladivostok, a Pacific port city, to see his girlfriend and was arrested after she accused him of stealing from her, according to U.S. officials and Russian authorities.

Russian state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti reported from the courtroom in the Pervomaisky District Court in Vladivostok that the judge also ordered Black to pay 10,000 rubles ($115) in damages. Prosecutors had asked for Black to be sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.

Russian court sentences US soldier to nearly 4 years on theft charges

Ukraine launches a national sexual assault registry for victims of Russian forces

02:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Authorities in Ukraine have created a national registry to document cases of sexual violence allegedly committed by Russian forces, a senior prosecutor told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Viktoriia Litvinova, the country’s deputy prosecutor general, said that the registry was created out of a pilot project that had already resulted in the convictions of five people in absentia. She declined to comment on details of the cases.

“We used to have to visit territories where hostilities are taking place ourselves,” she said. “But now people – individuals who have experienced sexual abuse – are seeking us out for information.”

Ukraine launches a national sexual assault registry for victims of Russian forces

White House ‘comfortable’ with its nuclear position after Nato chief suggests increase in deployed weapons

01:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The White House has said it is “comfortable” how its nuclear weapons are placed in the wake of comments from Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg suggesting members of Nato are considering increasing the number of nuclear weapons deployed to counter an increased threat from Russia and China.

Addressing reports at a White House Briefing, spokesperson John Kirby declared that the US are “comfortable” with their “strategic deterrent posture”.

Asked about Mr Stoltenberg’s comments, Mr Kirby said: “We don’t talk about nuclear posture with any specificity - and I’m certainly not going to start doing that here from the podium.

Washington reacts to Nato chief on possibility of readying more nuclear weapons

Estonia convicts a university professor from Russia of spying for Moscow

Thursday 20 June 2024 00:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A university professor was jailed Tuesday in Estonia after being found guilty of spying for Russian military intelligence, part of a campaign of sabotage, electronic warfare and information gathering that Estonian officials blame on Moscow.

Viacheslav Morozov, a Russian citizen who taught at Estonia’s country’s most prestigious university, was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for undermining the security of the Baltic state during the 14 years he operated in the country until his arrest in January.

Estonian officials are extremely hawkish about the threat from Russia and have convicted a number of people of spying for Russia in recent years. Harju County Court in the Estonian capital said Morozov collected information about Estonia’s defense and security policy and the people and infrastructure related to it.

Estonia convicts a university professor from Russia of spying for Moscow

Treasury sanctions network connected to separatist Bosnian leader

Wednesday 19 June 2024 23:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A network of people and firms that support the sanctioned president of Bosnia’s Serb-run portion, Milorad Dodik, has been hit with a new round of sanctions.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on Tuesday designated two people and seven companies that provide revenue for Dodik and his family, including his son Igor Dodik.

Treasury says Dodik used his presidency to direct government contracts to a network of private companies that he and his son oversee.

Treasury sanctions network connected to separatist Bosnian leader

Russia sentences US soldier Gordon Black to nearly four years in penal colony

Wednesday 19 June 2024 22:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Russian court sent an American soldier to three years and nine months in a penal colony for stealing and threatening murder, state news media reported.

Gordon Black, 34, was detained in Vladivostok in Russia’s far east on 2 May. He was there to see Alexandra Vashchuk, a woman he believed to be his girlfriend, and was arrested after being accused of assaulting her and stealing 10,000 rubles (£90) from her, according to state news agency TASS.

He “forcefully grabbed the girl by the neck, which she perceived as a real threat to her life”, and then stole money from her wallet, the prosecutor said.

Russia sentences US soldier Gordon Black to nearly four years in penal colony

Russian interference in UK general election will likely ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

Wednesday 19 June 2024 21:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian interference in the UK general election will likely “ramp up dramatically” over the next fortnight, the chair of the United States senate intelligence committee has warned.

Washington has witnessed “egregious efforts” by Moscow to interfere in the democratic process across the globe, similar to those alleged in the 2016 US presidential election, said Mark Warner.

The senior senator, who is regularly briefed on secret US intelligence, said he had been closely monitoring the situation in the UK, adding: “I think the next big test of the state of play will be the British elections in a few weeks.”

Russian interference in UK election may ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

Putin’s best friend routine with Kim Jong-un is a clear and present danger to the WestThe Russian president is desperate for ammunition for his invasion of Ukraine, forcing him to turn to another international pariah for help, writes Kim Sengupta

Wednesday 19 June 2024 20:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Russian president is desperate for ammunition for his invasion of Ukraine, forcing him to turn to another international pariah for help, writes Kim Sengupta:

Putin’s friendship with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is a clear danger to the West

Thales to create joint venture with Ukraine to boost military supplies

Wednesday 19 June 2024 19:43 , Andy Gregory

French multinational Thales has signed three deals with Ukraine including one announcing an intention to create a joint venture in the country that will boost delivery of military gear, the defence company has announced.

“Domains of cooperation include Electronic Warfare, Tactical Communications, Air Defence Systems and radars, as well as Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” it added.

Besides the planned joint venture and another deal to help Ukraine cut repair times of electronic warfare gear, Thales also inked a deal with Ukraine’s FRDM aiming to co-develop and manufacture a drone system capable of releasing munitions.

Fire at drone-hit Russian oil depot rages for second day

Wednesday 19 June 2024 19:13 , Reuters

A blaze caused by a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil terminal in southern Russia has been raging for more than a day and a half despite the efforts of firefighters, the regional governor has said.

Several oil storage tanks in the town of Azov caught fire after a drone attack early on Tuesday that a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters was conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Vasily Golubev, governor of the Rostov region, wrote on Telegram that emergency services had been unable to extinguish the flames as of Tuesday afternoon as the second storage tank had been depressurised.

Azov has two oil product terminals, DonTerminal and Azovproduct, which handled a total of about 220,000 tons of fuel for export during the period from January to May 2024.

Ukraine has often said that targeting Russia’s energy, military and transport infrastructure undermines Moscow’s war effort.

Putin praises Vietnam for ‘balanced’ stance on Ukraine war

Wednesday 19 June 2024 18:44 , Andy Gregory

Vladimir Putin praised Vietnam for its “balanced” stance on the Ukraine war and listed progress on payments, energy and trade in an opinion piece published on Wednesday in the newspaper of Vietnam’s Communist Party.

In the piece timed for Mr Putin’s state visit to Vietnam, he applauded the Communist-ruled country for supporting “a pragmatic way to solve the crisis” in Ukraine, in comments published in the Nhan Dan newspaper.

France’s far-right Bardella backtracks on past pledge to pull out of Nato command

Wednesday 19 June 2024 18:15 , Andy Gregory

The far-right leader angling to become prime minister after France’s upcoming parliamentary election has backtracked on his party’s previous promise to pull out of Nato’s strategic military command.

National Rally president Jordan Bardella said he “doesn’t plan to question the commitments France has made on the international stage” if voters give his far-right party a majority that enables him to lead a new government, in what would be an awkward power-sharing arrangement with President Emmanuel Macron.

Referring to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Mr Bardella said at the Eurosatory arms trade show outside Paris: “France mustn’t leave Nato’s military command while we are at war, because it would considerably weaken France’s responsibility on the European scene and, obviously, its credibility with regard to its allies.”

The comments pulled back from a campaign promise made by his party in its manifesto for the 2022 French presidential election, which stated: “The priority will be to leave the integrated Nato command.”

Pyongyang decked out with Putin portraits and Russian flags

Wednesday 19 June 2024 17:47 , Andy Gregory

Editorial | The Putin-Kim bromance is a dangerous liaison

Wednesday 19 June 2024 17:20 , Andy Gregory

There was a time, many decades ago, when an audience between the leaders of Russia and North Korea was a genuine meeting of ideological minds. Stalinism bound Kim il-Sung, grandfather of Kim Jong-un, to his sponsors and counterparts in the Kremlin and, it is fair to say, without the substantial military assistance given to the elder Kim and his comrades during the Korean war, the so-called Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) would not exist today.

Much has changed geopolitically since then, and relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have waxed and waned accordingly. Today, with Vladimir Putin’s first visit to the unpredictable hermit kingdom in a quarter of a century (when the then freshly minted President Putin met Mr Kim’s father), their renewed friendship is based less on sentiment and Marxist-Leninism than on cold calculations of common advantage.

They are both heavily sanctioned international pariahs, both enemies of the West. They share an uneasy relationship with China, which, because of its huge economic power, military prowess and status as a superpower, is more dominant neighbour than dependable friend.

The Putin-Kim bromance is a dangerous liaison, not just for South Korea, Japan and other regional powers, but for the rest of the world, and, indeed, the protagonists themselves.

Read The Independent‘s full editorial below:

The Putin-Kim bromance is a dangerous liaison

Full report: Ukraine launches a national sexual assault registry for victims of Russian forces

Wednesday 19 June 2024 16:53 , Andy Gregory

Authorities in Ukraine have created a national registry to document cases of sexual violence allegedly committed by Russian forces, a senior prosecutor has said.

Viktoriia Litvinova, the country’s deputy prosecutor general, said that the registry was created out of a pilot project that had already resulted in the convictions of five people in absentia.

“We used to have to visit territories where hostilities are taking place ourselves,” she said. “But now people – individuals who have experienced sexual abuse – are seeking us out for information.”

Litvinova said 303 cases of conflict-related sexual violence had been registered since the start of the full-scale invasion in early 2022, with 112 involving male and 191 involving female victims. Some of the victims have suffered from multiple assaults, she said.

Derek Gatopoulos has the full report:

Ukraine launches a national sexual assault registry for victims of Russian forces

ICYMI: Putin and Kim Jong-un urge each other to get in car first during North Korea visit

Wednesday 19 June 2024 16:25 , Andy Gregory

Russian chess grandmaster cites ‘bitter regret’ over US delays on Ukraine

Wednesday 19 June 2024 16:03 , Andy Gregory

Russian chess grandmaster and political activist Garry Kasparov has expressed “bitter regret” at the impact of delays in US weapons shipments to Ukraine, and in allowing them to be used to strike selective targets on Russian soil.

Sharing satellite images relating to Ukraine’s improved results in its defence of Kharkiv against a renewed Russian offensive in the region, he wrote: “As usual with US policy toward Ukraine, good news comes with bitter regret. The months of delays on aid by the GOP House & limits on weapons by the Biden WH [White House] put Ukrainian blood on their hands.”

Vast majority of Russian forces stationed near Finland border relocated to Ukraine, intelligence source says

Wednesday 19 June 2024 15:44 , Andy Gregory

Around 80 per cent of Russian forces and equipment in garrisons and military bases near Finland’s border have been relocated to Ukraine, Finland’s public broadcaster Yle reports, citing a senior Finnish military intelligence source.

Bases in other parts of Russia are equally empty, except for in the Moscow region where more forces remain stationed, the broadcaster cites an intelligence source as saying.

Prominent analyst Phillips P. O’Brien, of the University of St Andrews, suggested the claims – which appeared to be backed up with satellite imagery – undermined one of Russia’s main justifications for its war in Ukraine.

Analysis | Trump will find a new reality in east Asia if he enters White House

Wednesday 19 June 2024 15:27 , Andy Gregory

Our world affairs editor Kim Sengputa writes:

Putin has a lot to thank North Korea for in the Ukraine conflict.

As Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary stressed last month, North Korean munition and missiles (along with Iranian drones) have enabled Russian forces “to get back on their feet”. South Korean authorities have charted the sending of more than three million rounds of 152mm artillery shells and more than 500,000 rounds of 122mm multiple rocket launchers in six months.

Russia has secured a military ally and a source of weapons supply at a time when relations with the West have plummeted to the coldest point since the Cold War itself. North Korea is taking a big step in aligning itself so closely with Putin.

Donald Trump, whose own attempted rapprochement with Kim Jong-un failed, will find a new reality in east Asia and beyond, if and when he gets back to the White House.

Read the full piece here

EU to introduce tariffs on Ukrainian egg imports after farmer protests

Wednesday 19 June 2024 15:10 , Andy Gregory

The European Commission will introduce tariffs on Ukrainian egg imports within the next two weeks after a previously agreed annual threshold level for those imports has been reached, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The Commission took the same decision on Tuesday regarding oat imports from Ukraine.

Following Russia’s invasion in 2022, the country has benefited from a special mechanism put in place to boost trade flows with the EU, it’s most important export market.

But the EU was forced to set maximum import volumes after farmer protests across the bloc criticised cheap Ukrainian imports as unfair competition.

Watch: US secretary of state labels Vladimir Putin 'desperate' over North Korea trip

Wednesday 19 June 2024 14:51 , Andy Gregory

Two killed in Ukrainian shelling of Donetsk, Russian-backed officials claim

Wednesday 19 June 2024 14:30 , Andy Gregory

A man and a woman were killed by Ukrainian shelling of Donetsk on Wednesday morning, the city’s Russian-appointed mayor, Alexei Kulemzin, has claimed.

Two other people, including a child, were wounded and in a serious condition, Denis Pushilin, the Russian-appointed governor claimed.

Ukraine launches drive to document cases of sexual violence by Russian forces

Wednesday 19 June 2024 14:13 , Andy Gregory

Ukrainian authorities have created a national registry to document cases of sexual violence allegedly committed by Russian forces, a senior prosecutor said.

Viktoriia Litvinova, the country’s deputy prosecutor general, said that the registry was created out of a pilot project that had already resulted in the convictions of five people in absentia, relating to sexual assault allegations in areas attacked or occupied by Russian forces, in Kyiv, Kherson and Chernihiv.

She said: “We used to have to visit territories where hostilities are taking place ourselves. But now people – individuals who have experienced sexual abuse – are seeking us out for information.”

Ms Litvinova said 303 cases of conflict-related sexual violence had been registered since the start of the full-scale invasion in early 2022, with 112 involving male and 191 involving female victims. Some of the victims have suffered from multiple assaults, she said.

The initiative was announced on the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence, and has received assistance from UN agencies and several Western governments.

Putin visit is foreign leader’s first to North Korea since Covid pandemic

Wednesday 19 June 2024 13:49 , Kim Sengupta

The meeting in Pyongyang this week is the first time that Kim Jong Un has hosted a foreign leader since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Putin’s visit, his first to the country for 24 years, is one of the rare occasions he has ventured outside Russia since the invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

Analysis | Putin’s best friend routine with Kim Jong-un is a clear and present danger to the West

Wednesday 19 June 2024 13:22 , Andy Gregory

Our world affairs editor Kim Sengupta writes:

Kim Jong-un is not new to striking up sudden friendships with the world’s powerful leaders. There were the memorable times with Donald Trump after the exchange of letters described as “beautiful” by the US president, followed by tender moments in meetings which were supposed to reshape geopolitics.

Nothing much came from the sessions of mutual admiration, apart from a temporary suspension by North Korea of ballistic missile building and deep apprehension from America’s allies in the region that Trump may do a deal with Kim jeopardising their security. That did not materialise in the end, to much relief.

Now Kim has a new bestie, Vladimir Putin, and this presents a clear and present danger to the West and its allies.

Putin’s friendship with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is a clear danger to the West

Full report: Russian interference in UK election could ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

Wednesday 19 June 2024 13:02 , Andy Gregory

Russian interference in the UK general election will likely “ramp up dramatically” over the next fortnight, the chair of the United States senate intelligence committee has warned.

Read more in this report:

Russian interference in UK election may ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

Russia says it has wide scope to retaliate over plan to seize income from its assets

Wednesday 19 June 2024 12:29 , Andy Gregory

Russia has “significant amounts” of Western assets and property that it could target in retaliation if the West seizes income from Russian assets, foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has threatened.

At last week’s Italy summit, G7 leaders agreed to use interest from Russian assets frozen in the West to provide a $50 billion loan to Ukraine.

Russia says the action is illegal and will rebound against the West by undermining confidence in the global financial system.

“Our country has significant amounts of Western funds and property that are under Russian jurisdiction; all of this may be subject to Russian retaliatory policies and retaliatory actions,” Ms Zakharova told reporters.

“Of course, no one will disclose the nature of these retaliatory actions to you. But the arsenal of political and economic countermeasures is wide.”

France’s far-right leader Bardella says he backs Ukraine’s right to defend itself

Wednesday 19 June 2024 12:15 , Andy Gregory

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has insisted that he backs Ukraine’s right to defend itself but that – if elected prime minister in France’s upcoming elections– he would not provide Kyiv with missiles to strike Russia’s territory.

Mr Bardella, whose National Rally party is leading in opinion polls ahead of the looming election, also said he would standby France’s commitments to the Nato military alliance.

“I wish for Ukraine to have at disposal the ammunition and equipment it needs to hold the front, but my red line will not change, which is sending equipment that could have consequences of escalation in eastern Europe,” Mr Bardella told reporters at the Eurosatory arms fair near Paris.

“And so I don’t plan to send, especially, long-range missiles or other weapons that will allow Ukraine to strike the Russian territory. My position has not changed and will not change – it’s about support for Ukraine and avoiding all risks of escalation in the region. And I think the risk of escalation is of course real.”

Even if the RN was to run France’s government, Emmanuel Macron would remain as president, and the head of France’s army. But the constitution also gives the prime minister a role in terms of defence, with parliamentary backing also needed to secure future aid for Ukraine.

Putin drives Kim in Russian-built limousine

Wednesday 19 June 2024 11:49 , Andy Gregory

Vladimir Putin has driven North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a luxury Russian-built Aurus limousine during his visit to Pyongyang, Russian state TV reported.

Mr Putin presented Kim with an Aurus limousine, a tea set and an admiral’s dirk, Russia’s state news agency Tass quoted a Kremlin aide as saying.

North Korean-Russian relations reach ‘new, high level of alliance’, says Kim Jong Un

Wednesday 19 June 2024 11:12 , Andy Gregory

Relations between North Korea and Russia had risen to “a new, high level of alliance”, dictatorial leader Kim Jong Un has said.

At the summit with Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang, Mr Kim said a new strategic partnership pact signed by the two leaders marked a significant and historic moment in the countries’ relations.

Russia-North Korea pact includes mutual defence clause, says Putin

Wednesday 19 June 2024 10:39 , Andy Gregory

The strategic partnership pact signed today by Russia and North Korea includes a mutual defence clause under which each country agrees to help the other repel external aggression, Russian president Vladimir Putin said.

“The comprehensive partnership agreement signed today provides, among other things, for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement,” Mr Putin was quoted as saying by state news agency Tass.

Russia has suffered missile attacks within its own territory following its full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022.

Russian-North Korean partnership is defensive in nature, Putin says

Wednesday 19 June 2024 10:37 , Andy Gregory

Vladimir Putin said a parnership agreement he signed with Kim Jong Un on Wednesday was defensive in nature, Russian state news agency TASS said.

Following talks which Mr Putin said had covered security and international issues, the Russian president was quoted as telling reporters that North Korea had a right to defend itself.

Putin trip to Vietnam completes visits by ‘Big Three’ for Hanoi, says analyst

Wednesday 19 June 2024 09:54 , Andy Gregory

Vietnam has its reasons to risk the ire of diplomatic partners such as the US and EU with Vladimir Putin, an analyst has said.

“Hanoi wants Putin to come for several reasons,” Ian Storey, a senior fellow at the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute told Reuters. “First, to demonstrate that Vietnam pursues a balanced foreign policy that does not favour any of the major powers.”

Vietnam pursues what it calls “bamboo diplomacy”, maintaining good relations with world powers, despite those powers’ animosity toward one another.

Noting that US president Joe Biden visited Vietnam followed by Chinese president Xi Jinping a few months later, Mr Storey said: “Putin’s visit will complete leadership visits by the ‘Big Three’.”

Russian court sentences US soldier to nearly 4 years on theft charges

Wednesday 19 June 2024 09:35 , AP news wire

A court in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok has sentenced an American soldier arrested earlier this year to three years and nine months in prison on charges of stealing and threats of murder, Russian news reports said.

Staff Sgt Gordon Black, 34, flew to Vladivostok to see his girlfriend and was arrested after she accused him of stealing from her, according to US officials and Russian authorities.

Russian state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti reported from the courtroom that the judge also ordered Black to pay 10,000 rubles (£95) in damages. Prosecutors had asked for Black to be sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.

Black’s sentencing further complicates US relations with Russia, which have grown increasingly tense as the fighting in Ukraine continues.

Russian court sentences US soldier to nearly 4 years on theft charges

Watch: Kim Jong-un greets Putin on red carpet as he makes first trip to North Korea in 24 years

Wednesday 19 June 2024 09:19 , Andy Gregory