Ukraine war – live: Russian warplane accidentally fires on own city, destroying buildings and wounding two

A Russian supersonic warplane accidentally fired upon its own city of Belgorod near Ukraine late last night, causing a large blast and damaging buildings.

“As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition,” the defence ministry said, reported Tass news agency. It is not immediately clear what kind of weapon was fired from the supersonic warplane.

Local authorities confirmed two women were injured in the incident and some buildings have been damaged.

The Russian city of Belgorod lies just across the border from Ukraine and has previously seen misfiring of weapons by Russia.

On the battlefield, a video has been shared by Ukrainian battalion DaVinci Wolves showing an armed fight from trenches in Bakhmut between its soldiers and Russian troops.

The 11-minute long video captures scenes from the bloodied battle with bullets being fired into dug up trenches as the soldiers fire back on Russian positions.

Key Points

• Blinding flash over Kyiv as Nasa denies involvement

• Russian ships ‘plotting sabotage in the North Sea’

• Nato chief in Ukraine for first time since invasion

• Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato, says Stoltenberg

Two injured after Russia warplane accidentally fires into city near Ukraine

04:01 , Arpan Rai

At least two people have been injured after a Russian warplane accidentally fired a weapon into its own city of Belgorod near Ukraine late last night, causing an explosion and damaging buildings, the Russian defence ministry said.

“As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition,” the defence ministry said, reported Tass news agency. It is not immediately clear what kind of weapon was fired from the supersonic warplane.

A large blast was reported by local authorities in Belgorod, just across the border from Ukraine.

Two women have been injured in the blast and some buildings have been damaged, regional governor said.

Officials have launched a probe into the accidental firing.

Video footage from the site showed piles of concrete on the street, several damaged cars and a building with broken windows. One shot showed what appeared to be car upside down on the roof of a store.

In pictures: Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg destroyed Russian military vehicles

04:00 , Emily Atkinson

G7 nations mulls near-total ban on exports to Russia

03:52 , Arpan Rai

The Group of Seven (G7) countries are thinking of imposing a near-total ban on exports to Russia, sources in the Japanese government said, reported Kyodo news agency.

Japanese chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the government was aware of a news report that the US and Ukraine’s allies are considering “an outright ban on most exports to Russia”.

But he refrained from commenting on exchanges among G7 countries and like-minded nations about possible further sanctions against Russia.

“What is important for ending Russian aggression as soon as possible is that G7 remains united for severe sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine,” the official told a press briefing.

G7 nations are discussing the idea of all-out ban on exports to Russia before a summit meeting in Japan next month, Bloomberg reported.

China not fanning Ukraine situation, says Chinese foreign minister

03:46 , Arpan Rai

China is not inflaming the situation in Ukraine, the country’s foreign minister Qin Gang said today.

The Chinese minister said that Beijing will continue to advocate peaceful resolution of international disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.

He added that Beijing has no intention to engage in a major power competition, but it opposes attempts to build walls and barriers to interrupt international supply chains.

Mr Qin was speaking at the Lanting Forum in Shanghai.

Hungary adds honey, other products to Ukraine import ban

03:00 , Emily Atkinson

Hungary will add honey and certain meat products to a list of food items it has temporarily banned from being imported from Ukraine in an effort to relieve market pressures on Hungarian farmers, a government minister said Thursday.

Along with honey and meat, Hungary’s government has banned the import of 25 Ukrainian products including grains, oil seeds, flour, and cooking oil until June 30, minister Gergely Gulyás told a news conference. The government will also require shipments of those products coming from third countries to be monitored as they enter Hungary to make sure they aren’t coming from Ukraine, he said.

More on this here:

Hungary adds honey, other products to Ukraine import ban

Macron 'discussed Ukraine, China and Sudan with Biden’

02:00 , Emily Atkinson

French president Emmanuel Macron discussed topics including Ukraine, China and Sudan during a phone call on Thursday with US president Joe Biden, the Élysée office said .

“At a time when Ukraine continues to be a victim of Russian aggression, the two presidents exchanged views on the recent developments on the ground as well as support given to help the Ukraine war effort. They reaffirmed their determination to keep up this support for the long-term,” added the Élysée.

Lockheed and Rheinmetall to develop German version of HIMARS rocket launchers

01:00 , Emily Atkinson

Arms makers Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall will team up to develop a German rocket artillery system, a weapon in the same category as the HIMARS rocket launchers Lockheed has been supplying to Ukraine.

HIMARS is a missile launcher mounted on a truck that can fire multiple guided missiles in quick succession. Missiles supplied to Ukraine have a range of up to 50 miles (80 km) and Ukrainian forces have had great success using them to target Russian positions.

Rheinmetall and Lockheed said in a statement they had signed a memorandum of understanding and that the new weapon would integrate existing German components.

“The combination of proven capabilities and comprehensive know-how of Lockheed Martin with the expertise of Rheinmetall on the production side will provide unique opportunities for both sides,” Rheinmetall Chief Executive Armin Papperger said.

The agreement provides the chance to secure key technological know-how and significant added value for Germany, he added.

“Lockheed Martin is looking forward to the cooperation and the optimisation of our joint resources to meet the immediate needs for deterrence,” said Paula Hartley, Lockheed’s vice president of tactical missiles.

Kyiv says it terminates land lease deal with Russian Embassy

Friday 21 April 2023 00:00 , Emily Atkinson

Kyiv has terminated the Russian Embassy’s deal to lease land in the capital and wants the property to be returned to the Ukrainian state, mayor Vitali Klitschko has said.

Ukraine broke off relations with Russia after the February 2022 invasion. There are no Russian diplomats in the embassy building, which lies to the west of the city centre.

“Today, Kyiv city council terminated the land lease agreement with the embassy of the aggressor-state - Russia,” Klitschko wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

“It also appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine regarding the return of the property of the ‘diplomatic establishment’ of the Russian barbarians to the Ukrainian state,” he said.

In response, Russia’s RIA news agency cited a Moscow source as saying that if Ukraine did nationalise the embassy building, Kyiv would automatically lose ownership rights to its diplomatic missions in Russia.

White House says no determination on Wagner being 'foreign terrorist' group

Thursday 20 April 2023 23:00 , Emily Atkinson

The US has made no determination the Russian private military Wagner Group is a “foreign terrorist organisation” despite its ongoing actions in Ukraine, White House spokesperson John Kirby has said.

“We’ve made no such determination, and I have nothing for you to preview for you on that,” Kirby told reporters at a White House briefing.

He added the paramilitary group was continuing to try to take control of the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, and was continuing to “throw a lot of prisoner bodies at that fight.”

Lavrov in Havana on drive to shore up support

Thursday 20 April 2023 22:00 , Emily Atkinson

Russia’s foreign minister met with Cuban counterpart and president in Havana today,the latest in a series of visits to shore up support among Russia’s closest allies in Latin America.

Serigei Lavrov told reporters that Russia and Cuba, both facing sanctions from the United States, understood one another.

“We cannot agree that the world should continue to live permanently according to these American ‘rules,’” Lavrov said in the televised conference.

“Tensions are being escalated in the international arena, and the West’s attempts to dictate its will and ignore the legitimate positions of others not only persist, but are growing.”

Cuba, which has been under a US economic embargo since shortly after Fidel Castro´s 1959 revolution, has repeatedly expressed support for Russia in Ukraine and a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

“I do not believe that Putin provoked the conflict with Ukraine,” president Miguel Diaz-Canel told Arab news outlet Al Mayadeen in March, referring to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

He characterised Cuba’s relationship with Russia as “magnificent.”

Large blast reported in Russian city close to border with Ukraine

Thursday 20 April 2023 21:49 , Emily Atkinson

A large blast rocked a street in the Russian city of Belgorod, which lies just across the border from Ukraine, late on Thursday but there were no initial reports of injuries, local authorities said.

Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, announcing a state of emergency, said on Telegram that there was a crater measuring 20 metres across (65 feet) on one of the main streets in the city. He did not say what the cause was.

Video footage from the site showed piles of concrete on the street, several damaged cars and a building with broken windows. One shot showed what appeared to be car upside down on the roof of a store.

Watch: Zelensky visits 'post-apocalyptic' Avdiivka frontline

Thursday 20 April 2023 21:30 , Emily Atkinson

Lavrov to meet UN chief on Monday

Thursday 20 April 2023 21:00 , Emily Atkinson

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov will hold a meeting with UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres in New York on Monday, UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said.

The diplomat said earlier this week that Lavrov and Guterres would discuss the Black Sea grain deal.

Russia’s ad campaign to recruit more soldiers after losses in Ukraine invasion: ‘Be a man’

Thursday 20 April 2023 20:00 , Emily Atkinson

Russia’s military has launched a video campaign to lure more professional soldiers to fight in Ukraine – by challenging potential applicants to be “a real man” and swap civilian life for the battlefield.

The ad, set to stirring music, follows a report from British military intelligence that suggest Moscow is seeking to recruit up to 400,000 professional soldiers – on a volunteer basis – to bolster its forces in Ukraine.

The advert has so far been released on major Russian social networking sites.

Andrew Osborn reports from Moscow:

Russia’s ad campaign to recruit more soldiers after Ukraine losses: ‘Be a man’

Thursday 20 April 2023 19:30 , Emily Atkinson

Servicemen belonging to the assault brigade “Spartan” of National Guard of Ukraine take part in military exercises in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.

Zelensky says now is the time for Ukraine to joint Nato as alliance chief visits Kyiv

Thursday 20 April 2023 19:00 , Emily Atkinson

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has told Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg that it is time to let his country into the alliance – during Mr Stoltenberg’s first visit to Kyiv since Russia‘s invasion began.

Mr Stoltenberg said that “rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family... is in Nato”, inviting Mr Zelensky to a Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July. The Ukrainian president said that he believed the summit could be “historic” but that his nation needs a roadmap to membership.

“There is no objective barrier to the political decision to invite Ukraine into the alliance and now, when most people in Nato countries and the majority of Ukrainians support Nato accession, is the time for the corresponding decisions.” Mr Zelensky said.

Chris Stevenson reports:

Zelensky says now is the time for Ukraine to joint Nato as alliance chief visits Kyiv

Biden and EU’s von der Leyen discuss her Beijing trip in call

Thursday 20 April 2023 18:30 , Emily Atkinson

US president Joe Biden held a call on Thursday with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and discussed her recent trip to Beijing, the White House said.

The two leaders discussed “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the White House said in a statement, which added that they also spoke about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and efforts to transition to clean technology.

The European Commission president visited China earlier this month to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Russia finishes surprise inspection of Pacific Fleet

Thursday 20 April 2023 18:00 , Emily Atkinson

Moscow has finished a surprise inspection of its Pacific naval fleet, Russia’s defence ministry says.

All the troops of the Pacific Fleet involved in the surprise inspection were returning to their bases, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the drills involved over 25,000 servicemen, 89 planes and helicopters, 167 ships, including 12 submarines.

“The surprise inspection confirmed the high readiness of the forces to repel the aggression of a possible enemy from the ocean and sea,” it said in a statement.

The drills came amid heightened tension in the Asia-Pacific region, as the United States and South Korea conducted joint air exercises following an intercontinental ballistic missile test by North Korea

Zelensky to address Mexican congress today

Thursday 20 April 2023 17:30 , Liam James

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will address Mexico’s congress today by video, as he seeks support to defend against the Russian invasion.

The Mexican government has said it wants to remain neutral in the conflict, and some supporters of Ukraine have criticised leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for taking issue with European arms shipments to Kyiv.

Still, Mexico has voted alongside the United States and other Western countries on a number of major UN resolutions critical of Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

More Patriot missile systems arrive in Ukraine

Thursday 20 April 2023 16:59 , Liam James

More American-made Patriot missiles have arrived in Ukraine, according to the country’s defence minister.

The US agreed in October to supply the surface-to-air systems, which can target aircraft, cruise missiles and shorter-range ballistic missiles which Russia has used to bombard residential areas and the Ukrainian power grid.

Defence minister Oleksi Reznikov tweeted: “Today, our beautiful Ukrainian sky becomes more secure.”

Mr Reznikov thanked the United States, Germany and the Netherlands, without saying how many missile systems had been delivered or when they arrived. Germany yesterday confirmed it had delivered Patriots.

Nasa says mysterious flash over Ukraine was not caused by its satellite

Thursday 20 April 2023 16:20 , Liam James

Nasa has said the strange flash of light seen over Kyiv was not caused by one of the space agency’s satellites scheduled to crash on Earth, as has been claimed by Ukraine’s military administration (Vishwam Sankaran writes).

Kyiv’s city military administration head Serhii Popko said citing “preliminary data” that a mysterious bright flash of light spotted in the sky over the city at about 10pm local time on 19 April was from falling Nasa satellite debris.

The city then turned on its air raid alert to prevent casualties from any of the suspected falling debris, but “air defence was not in operation,” Mr Popko noted.

“According to preliminary information, this phenomenon was the result of a Nasa space satellite falling to Earth,” he said in a post on Telegram.

Nasa says mysterious flash over Ukraine was not caused by its satellite

Ukrainian troops accused of treason over unauthorised mission

Thursday 20 April 2023 15:53 , Liam James

A number of Ukrainian troops have been accused of treason for giving away information during an unauthorised mission that enabled Russia to attack a military airfield, Ukraine‘s SBU security agency said on Thursday.

The SBU said in a statement that the servicemen had attempted, “without coordination with the relevant state authorities”, to seize a Russian plane last July after its pilot said he would defect.

During the “special operation”, they revealed details about the location of Ukrainian air force personnel and aircraft that made it possible for Russia to carry out a successful missile strike on the Kanatove airfield in central Ukraine, it said.

A Ukrainian commander was killed, 17 other personnel were wounded, two fighter jets were destroyed and the airstrip, buildings and equipment suffered significant damage, the SBU said in the statement posted on the Telegram messaging app.

The SBU did not say how many service personnel were involved, or identify them, but said they were accused of treason and abuse of their position.

Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre looks east

Thursday 20 April 2023 15:24 , Liam James

Much like the Russian government, the Bolshoi Theatre, home to two of the world’s greatest opera and ballet companies, is being shunned by the West over Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine and looking east to China instead.

The Bolshoi’s director, Vladimir Urin, told a news conference in Moscow to announce its 2023/24 programme that he was saddened by the loss of what had been regular creative cooperation with Western theatre companies and artists.

“I’m deeply convinced ... that only culture and art can truly help nations to understand each other,” he said. “Even in the complicated and difficult kind of situation that we have in the world now.”

The Bolshoi ballet is already set to go to China in July, and Urin said detailed discussions were underway about both the ballet and the opera going in 2024.

But he said the reasons for this were not financial, and that it was a myth that overseas tours brought in significant revenue.

“It’s more a question of image, of sharing the things we know how to do ... it’s about creativity, more than anything.”

Switzerland adds Wagner to sanctions list after criticism

Thursday 20 April 2023 15:00 , Liam James

Switzerland will add the private military Wagner Group and news agency RIA FAN to its list of sanctions against Russia, the government said today, after international criticism of its response to the Ukraine invasion.

The changes take effect from 4pm UK time, it added.

Switzerland has been under pressure to step up opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. EU member countries have expressed frustration that Bern has not authorised them to send Swiss-made weaponry to Ukraine, and Financial Times reports that the G7 privately rebuked Swiss leaders for failing to close loopholes which have allowed Russians to avoid sanctions.

Blinding flash over Kyiv as Nasa denies involvement

Thursday 20 April 2023 14:51 , Emily Atkinson

A blinding flash that illuminated the night sky above Kyiv has led to widespread confusion and speculation about what caused it.

Video clips posted on social media showed the sky over the Ukrainian capital suddenly illuminated by a bright light late on Wednesday. In one clip, a flaming object appeared to be crashing to the ground.

Kyiv authorities said an unknown aerial object had fallen from the sky at around 10pm local time on Wednesday, forcing them to announce an air alert in Kyiv and the surrounding region.

“After verification and clarification, the information regarding the possible use of enemy aircraft or an air strike with missile weapons was not confirmed,” the Kyiv City Military Administration wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Andriy Yermak, head of president Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, jokingly posted an emoji of a UFO.

One theory, that the flash was caused by a falling US satellite, was ruled out by NASA. Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, suggested a meteorite may have entered Earth’s atmosphere.

He said the Ukrainian air force, in charge of air defences, was not involved.

Germany in talks to buy Israeli missile defence system

Thursday 20 April 2023 14:30 , Liam James

Israel is in advanced negotiations with Germany to sell its Arrow-3 missile defence system, Israel’s Defence Ministry said today.

Germany has ramped up its military spending – a decision prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Arrow-3 is designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside of the earth’s atmosphere.

It is the top layer of Israel’s missile defense array, which extends from Iron Dome that intercepts short-range rockets to Arrow-3’s long-range missiles that destroy any non-conventional warheads at a safe altitude.

Talks with the German defence ministry have been accelerated and the aim is to export the system in the near future, said Israel’s Defense Ministry.

Poland pushes for broader ban on Ukraine imports

Thursday 20 April 2023 14:10 , Liam James

Milk, poultry and other food products should be included on a list of Ukrainian imports to be temporarily banned by the European Union, the Polish agriculture minister said.

“We discussed our proposals, our list is much wider – milk, poultry meat, honey,” Robert Telus told a news conference.

European trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis discussed the plans on Wednesday with ministers from Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, as well as with Ukrainian counterparts.

The five European Union nations have imposed import bans to protect their markets from an influx of cheaper supplies due to logistical issues stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Nato chief in Ukraine for first time since invasion

Thursday 20 April 2023 13:35 , Liam James

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Ukraine for the first time since last year’s invasion by Russia.

Pictures of Mr Stoltenberg paying tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv’s St Michael’s Square were published by local media before he met President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato, says Stoltenberg in Kyiv visit

Thursday 20 April 2023 13:09 , Liam James

Ukraine’s future lies in Nato, the Western military alliance’s chief Jens Stoltenberg said during his first visit to the country since Russia’s invasion 14 months ago.

“Let me be clear: Ukraine’s rightful place is in the euro-Atlantic family. Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato. And over time, our support will help you to make this possible,” Mr Stoltenberg told reporters during a joint press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv.

He pledged continued military support for Ukraine, saying that, so far, Nato allies had trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops and provided €65bn (£57bn) of military aid alone.

“Nato stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes,” Mr Stoltenberg stated, before inviting Mr Zelensky to the Nato summit in Vilnius in July.

Nord Stream no longer a danger to ships, says Denmark

Thursday 20 April 2023 12:00 , Liam James

The Nord Stream pipeline leaks are no longer dangerous to ships, the Danish Energy Agency said nearly seven months after a series of explosions damaged the major undersea gas conveyors.

Officials recommended Denmark’s maritime authority lift its sailing restrictions.

Investigations into the suspected sabotage of the pipelines, which run from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, have yet to find a culprit.

Kremlin ‘launches overhaul’ of security services

Thursday 20 April 2023 11:25 , Liam James

The Kremlin’s main intelligence arm, the Federal Security Service (FSB), appears to be conducting a large-scale overhaul of police and other domestic security bodies, the Institute for the Study of War reports in its latest update.

Russian state-controlled news agency Tass reported yesterday that the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) have been conducting mass checks at an MVD office in Moscow and several Moscow district police offices for the past several weeks due to “the leakage of data from Russian security forces at the request of Ukrainian citizens.

The ISW writes: “Another Russian source noted that the FSB and MVD have already detained police officers as part of this investigation.

“Russian outlets reported that the suspected police officers leaked personal data on Russian security forces to external individuals, some of whom are Ukrainian citizens.”

Mysterious light thought to be satellite flashes over Kyiv

Thursday 20 April 2023 10:41 , Liam James

People living in Ukraine and beyond took to social media to share and discuss a mysterious beam of light seen over the sky in Kyiv last night.

The incident has sparked curiosity in a city that has become used to looking to the skies in fear of a more obvious threat – Russian missile strikes.

Locals said the authorities had to sound an air raid alert over Kyiv for the first time in days yesterday after the incident.

Russian ships ‘plotting sabotage in the North Sea’

Thursday 20 April 2023 09:52 , Liam James

Russian “ghost ships” are mapping offshore wind turbines, underwater data cables and other pieces of infrastructure in the North Sea – in preparation for a campaign of sabotage in the event of conflict with the West, according to a new investigation.

Moscow is alleged to have has deployed ships to carry out underwater surveillance and map key sites for possible disruption to European communications and energy supplies – infrastructure that is sometimes shared with Britain – according to a report by public broadcasters in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

Up to 50 suspected Russian “spy ships” are said to have been identified sailing through the waters around the four nations and Britain. The investigation suggests that the ships, officially fishing trawlers or research vessels, often switch off their automatic identification system (AIS) transponders, rendering them invisible to conventional tracking. Their whereabouts must be monitored through other techniques such as sonar, satellite imagery or patrol boats.

Click here for the full story:

Russian ships ‘plotting sabotage in the North Sea’

Denmark and Netherlands to donate 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine

Thursday 20 April 2023 08:46 , Liam James

Denmark and the Netherlands will jointly donate 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the two countries said on Thursday.

The Leopard 2A4 tanks, which will be bought from a third party and refurbished, are expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2024, they said in a joint statement.

“It is absolutely crucial for the hope of a peaceful and secure Europe that we do not let the Ukrainians fight the battle alone,” Denmark’s acting Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

Ukraine received its first deliveries of Western tanks a few weeks ago, with Britain sending Challenger 2s and Germany sending Leopard 2s.

Ukrainian defence minister asks for ‘Nato-style fighter jets'

Thursday 20 April 2023 07:48 , Arpan Rai

Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov has reiterated his administration’s plea this morning to seek modern fighter jets to fight against Russia’s “barbaric tactics”.

“Our top priority is to quickly build a multi-level air defence/anti-missile defence system. Patriots, IRIS-T, NASAMS, and MiG-29 are the most recent, but not the final, steps towards this goal. Given the Kremlin’s barbaric tactics, we need NATO-style fighter jets,” he said this morning.

He added: “We’ve heard ‘no, it’s impossible’ a lot. But I have seen firsthand how the impossible can become possible. We will never forget how, thanks to the compassion and assistance of our friends, we were able to keep the lights and heat on in our homes last winter.”

This comes as Ukraine is thought to be days away from beginning its spring counteroffensive, while Russia pushes to capture Bakhmut and other sectors in the eastern part of the country.

Putin evolves military group after heavy losses, claims UK

Thursday 20 April 2023 06:57 , Arpan Rai

Russia has likely formed a new group of forces which was visited by Vladimir Putin on Tuesday after possibly facing heavy losses, the British defence ministry said.

It referred to the press release by the Kremlin on Mr Putin’s visit to southern Ukraine.

“Using the Russian spelling of Ukraine’s Dnipro river, the release described the president as having visited the ‘Dnipr Group of Forces’,” the ministry said.

It noted that this is one of the first references to the existence of a Dnipr Group of Forces (DGF).

“Russia uses the term ‘group of forces’ in a specific way, indicating a large, task-organised operational formation,” the MoD said.

“Early in the invasion, the Russian force was organised into groups of forces each aligned to their home military districts in Russia, for example, the Western and Central Groups of Forces. The existence of an apparently new DGF suggests that the original force organisation has evolved, probably due to heavy losses,” it said.

The defence ministry has said that DGF’s mission is likely to defend the southern sector of the occupied zone, and especially the south-western flank which is currently marked by the Dnipro river.

In photos: Ukraine frontline near Bakhmut

Thursday 20 April 2023 06:57 , Arpan Rai

Videos showing unexplained beam of light over Kyiv flood social media

Thursday 20 April 2023 06:29 , Arpan Rai

People living in Ukraine and beyond took to social media to share and discuss videos of the mysterious beam of light seen over the sky in Kyiv last night.

The incident has sparked curiosity in a city that has become used to looking to the skies in fear of a more obvious threat – Russian missile strikes.

Locals said the authorities had to sound an air raid alert over Kyiv for the first time in days yesterday after the incident.

“Something happened in Kyiv sky tonight. The whole city is at a loss, what it was. UFO” said the Ukrainian ambassador to Austria.

“Update: NASA says not its satellite. Appears to have been a meteor falling over Kyiv last night,” Ukraine-based journalist Christopher Miller said today.

Russia's Bolshoi ballet drops 'Nureyev' after 'LGBT propaganda' law

Thursday 20 April 2023 06:00 , Emily Atkinson

Moscow’s Bolshoi theatre has dropped a contemporary ballet about the legendary Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev from its repertoire following the expansion of a ban on “LGBT propaganda”.

A law passed in November not only widened an existing prohibition on material considered to promote an LGBT lifestyle but also restricts the “demonstration” of LGBT behaviour.

This makes any portrayal of homosexuality - such as Nureyev’s relationships with men after his defection from the Soviet Union in 1961, which the ballet touches on - almost impossible.

The ballet, choreographed by Kirill Serebrennikov, has had a troubled history in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has long promoted conservative values as part of a nationalist agenda backed by the Russian Orthodox Church.

It premiered in December 2017, several months late, after the then-culture minister reportedly called it gay propaganda, and has not been performed since 2018. Performances scheduled for 2022 were abruptly cancelled after Serebrennikov publicly blamed Russia for the conflict in Ukraine.

“‘Nureyev’ was removed from the repertoire in connection with the law ... where issues related to the promotion of ‘non-traditional values’ are stipulated absolutely unequivocally,” Vladimir Urin, general director of the Bolshoi, told a news conference on Wednesday.

US sending $325m in more military aid to Ukraine

Thursday 20 April 2023 05:51 , Arpan Rai

The US is sending Ukraine about $325m in additional military aid, including an enormous amount of artillery rounds and ammunition as the launch of the spring offensive against Russian forces approaches, the Pentagon said yesterday.

The US has declined to say exactly how much munitions will be sent to Ukraine, but the latest package resembles other recent deliveries, which included rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, and howitzers, as well as an array of other missiles and anti-tank ammunition.

It will all be pulled from Pentagon stocks, so it can go quickly to the front lines.

Read the full story here:

US sending $325 million in more military aid to Ukraine

Mozart's Requiem to raise funds for charity’s ‘amazing’ work in Ukraine

Thursday 20 April 2023 05:00 , Emily Atkinson

A former opera singer has organised a Mozart requiem to raise funds for a charity which provides medical professionals with the skills to work in hostile environments after being inspired by its “amazing” founder’s work.

Fiona MacDonald, a trustee of the Wilfred Owen Association and founder of military charity Bravehound, alongside members of McOpera – a collective of musicians from the Scottish Opera Orchestra – are to hold the requiem at 6pm on April 30 at Glasgow Cathedral, with funds raised going towards the David Nott Foundation’s work in Ukraine.

Mozart requiem to raise funds for charity’s ‘amazing’ work in Ukraine

Mysterious flash of light over Kyiv sparks rumours of aliens, UFO

Thursday 20 April 2023 04:39 , Arpan Rai

Speculations were rife in Ukraine after the night sky of the war-hit nation saw a flash of mysterious lights, prompting chatter of UFOs and aliens on social media.

Preliminary visuals showed the sky suddenly illuminated by a bright light, while another clip showed a flaming object crashing to the ground.

Shortly after, people took to social media to share several memes about aliens and unidentified flying objects.

The Kyiv city military administration said it was a crashing Nasa satellite based on preliminary information.

The Ukrainian air force, responsible for trying to down missiles and drones fired by Russia, said a satellite or a meteorite could be responsible.

“Please do not use official air force symbols to create memes for the enemy to enjoy!” it said in a message.

Minutes earlier, presidential adviser Andriy Yermak had posted an emoji of a UFO.

However, Nasa denied the reports of a crashing satellite and said that there appeared to be some confusion over an earlier announcement the agency had made about bringing a retired satellite out of orbit in the early hours yesterday morning Kyiv time.

Russia controls about 88% of Bakhmut — intelligence assessment

Thursday 20 April 2023 04:24 , Arpan Rai

The intelligence estimates show Russia controls about 87.9 per cent of Bakhmut as the battle for the mining city with little strategic value continues.

This comes as the Ukrainian general staff said that there is hevy fighting underway within Bakhmut with the Ukrainian forces repelling Russian ground attacks southwest of the town in Stupochky.

In the past day, Ukrainian and Russian troops engaged in 34 combat clashes in Bakhmut, the Ukrainian eastern group of forces spokesperson Colonel Serhiy Cherevaty said.

While Russian milbloggers have claimed that Wagner group is making significant progress in the urban warfare points, the US-based think-tank points out that the ground advances are not 90 per cent as claimed by Donetsk People’s Republic advisor Yan Gagin.

It is likely that Russian forces are using FAB air-dropped bombs to destroy Ukrainian fortified areas in Bakhmut, as claimed by a Russian milblogger.

The battle for Bakhmut — spanning about nine months now — is the longest and the bloodiest battle in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, dubbed “meat-grinder” which has witnessed heavy casualties on both sides.

In pictures: Zelensky visits troops in northwestern Ukraine

Thursday 20 April 2023 04:00 , Emily Atkinson

Zelensky to address Mexico’s Congress today

Thursday 20 April 2023 03:54 , Arpan Rai

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is set to virtually address Mexico’s Congress today, said two people familiar with the matter.

The speech is due to take place around midday today, sources said.

Mr Zelensky has continued his outreach efforts with allies to seek arms aid as it fights off Russian invasion.

He will address the lower house of Congress on an invite from a congressional friendship group between Mexico and Ukraine, according to the sources. There are other similar groups in the Mexican Congress, including one for Russia.

Mexico’s government has said it takes a neutral position on the war, even as some supporters of Ukraine have criticised the country’s leftist president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for taking issue with European arms shipments to Kyiv.

However, Mexico has voted alongside the United States and other Western powers on a number of major UN resolutions.

EU is still largest importer of Russian oil due to loophole in sanctions, report claims

Thursday 20 April 2023 03:00 , Emily Atkinson

The European Union is still the largest importer of oil products from Russia among the countries that have imposed some of the strictest sanctions on Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine, new data has revealed.

It is because the EU indirectly imported oil from countries that have become the main buyers of energy from Moscow undermining its own sanctions.

Five “laundromat” countries that export Russian crude to the EU were identified by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) in its new report.

Shweta Sharma reports:

EU is still largest importer of Russian oil due to loophole in sanctions, report says

Watch: Russian spy vessel in North Sea approached by Danish journalists

Thursday 20 April 2023 02:00 , Emily Atkinson

Ukraine's top prosecutor speaks of 'evil' Russian atrocities

Thursday 20 April 2023 01:00 , Emily Atkinson

Russia’s invading forces are deliberately using rape, torture and kidnapping to try and sow terror among civilians in Ukraine, the top prosecutor in Ukraine told U.S. lawmakers in graphic testimony Wednesday.

Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said that nearly 80,000 cases of war crimes have been registered in Ukraine since the war began in February 2022.

More on this story here:

Ukraine's top prosecutor speaks of 'evil' Russian atrocities

European Commission could enforce Ukrainian grain imports ban in five states

Thursday 20 April 2023 00:00 , Emily Atkinson

The European Commission aims to enforce a ban of Ukrainian imports of grains and oilseeds until 5 June in five EU states neighbouring Ukraine provided the states withdraw individual bans they have enforced, Romania’s agriculture minister said.

“The measure can be taken within 48 hours after states withdraw their unilateral measures,” minister Petre Daea told reporters late on Wednesday after talks with European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and ministers from Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Further talks will follow.

The four countries have all banned Ukrainian grain imports as central and eastern European states come under domestic pressure to shield local farmers. Romania has introduced restrictions but stopped short of a ban.

Biden to host Spain's leader at White House

Wednesday 19 April 2023 23:00 , Emily Atkinson

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will visit US president Joe Biden on 12 May, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced on Wednesday.

The leaders will coordinate on issues including climate change and expanded cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean, as Spain prepares to take on the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, she said.

“The two leaders will review our efforts as Nato allies and close partners to strengthen our bilateral defense relationship, transatlantic security, and economic prosperity,” Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

“They will discuss our unwavering support for Ukraine and our efforts to impose costs on the Kremlin as Russia continues its brutal war of aggression.”

Moldova summons Russian envoy to expel member of embassy

Wednesday 19 April 2023 22:00 , Emily Atkinson

Moldova has summoned the Russian ambassador to declare a member of embassy staff persona non grata, prompting Moscow to complain.

Government press secretary Daniel Voda told reporters the decision was connected to the actions of embassy staff towards Moldovan border guards who denied entry to a regional Russian politician at Chisinau airport this week.

Moldova, which applied to join the European Union last year alongside its neighbour Ukraine, has repeatedly accused Russia of trying to destabilise the country, something Moscow denies.

Moldova told Russian politicians not to meddle in its internal affairs on Monday after barring Rustam Minnikhanov, governor of Russia’s Tatarstan region. Police said he aimed to bolster support for a pro-Russian candidate standing in a regional election.

Russian ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov said he had not received answers to why the embassy employee was being kicked out and why Minnikhanov had been barred.

“We consider these actions to be unfriendly steps towards our country,” he told reporters.

US sending $325 million in more military aid to Ukraine

Wednesday 19 April 2023 21:00 , Emily Atkinson

The US is sending Ukraine about $325 million in additional military aid, including an enormous amount of artillery rounds and ammunition as the launch of the spring offensive against Russian forces approaches, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

The U.S has declined to say exactly how much munitions will be sent to Ukraine, but the latest package resembles other recent deliveries, which included rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, and howitzers, as well as an array of other missiles and anti-tank ammunition. It will all be pulled from Pentagon stocks, so it can go quickly to the front lines.

More on this story here:

US sending $325 million in more military aid to Ukraine

Italian judges face disciplinary action over Russian fugitive

Wednesday 19 April 2023 20:00 , Emily Atkinson

Italy’s justice minister has begun disciplinary action against three judges who granted house arrest to a Russian businessman facing extradition to the US who later escaped and fled to Russia, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter have told Reuters.

Artem Uss was due to face charges in the US for shipping oil from Venezuela in breach of sanctions, and for bank fraud.

The suspect left his home in Basiglio, on the outskirts of Milan, last month one day after a Milan court had agreed to transfer him to the US. His electronic tag did send out an alarm but Uss had fled by the time police reached the property.

Italian Minister Carlo Nordio, according to the sources, accused the Milan appeals court judges of “gross and inexcusable negligence” for granting the suspect house arrest last November despite opposition from the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Prosecutors, the sources said, had pointed out the deep financial resources of the suspect, who is the son of the Krasnoyarsk regional governor, and the real danger of flight.

Wednesday 19 April 2023 19:15 , Emily Atkinson

Sports shoes and flowers line the front of the Angels of Sports exhibition with portraits of Ukrainian athletes, who were killed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv.

UK says Russian hackers aim to attack key infrastructure

Wednesday 19 April 2023 18:30 , Emily Atkinson

Russian hackers are seeking to “disrupt or destroy” Britain’s critical infrastructure and not enough is being done to stop them, U.K. government officials said Wednesday.

Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre issued an official threat notice to operators of Britain’s electricity, water and other critical systems, telling them to boost their defenses.

“I don’t think we are yet doing enough to protect our infrastructure from the cyber threats emerging from Russia-aligning groups,” the center’s chief, Lindy Cameron, said.

More on this story here:

UK says Russian hackers aim to attack key infrastructure

US announces new military aid package for Ukraine

Wednesday 19 April 2023 17:46 , Emily Atkinson

The United States has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine to help the Ukrainian military in its war against Russia.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the package will include more ammunition and artillery rounds. It is the 36th security package since the war began in February 2022, she told reporters.

US-made patriot guided missiles arrive in Ukraine

Wednesday 19 April 2023 17:10 , Emily Atkinson

Ukraine‘s defence minister said his country has received the US-made Patriot surface-to-air guided missile systems it has long craved, and which Kyiv hopes will help shield it from Russian strikes during the war.

Oleksii Reznikov said in a tweet: “Today, our beautiful Ukrainian sky becomes more secure because Patriot air defence systems have arrived in Ukraine.”

Ukrainian officials have previously said the arrival of Patriot systems, which Washington agreed to send last October, would be a major boost and a milestone in the war against Moscow’s full-scale invasion.

The Patriot can target aircraft, cruise missiles and shorter-range ballistic missiles.

US 'looking forward to Sweden becoming Nato member before July summit’

Wednesday 19 April 2023 16:40 , Emily Atkinson

The US defence secretary said the country is looking forward to welcoming Sweden as a member of Nato before the alliance’s upcoming summit in July.

During a visit to Sweden on Wednesday, Lloyd Austin also said he would encourage Turkey and Hungary to ratify Stokholm’s accession to the defence bloc.

Along with Finland, Sweden applied to join ato in May last year. Finland’s application was processed in record time and it became the 31st member of the alliance earlier this month – more than doubling Nato’s border with Russia.

Sweden’s accession has been held up by Turkey and Hungary, who have yet to ratify Sweden as a member.

“We look forward to soon welcoming Sweden as the 32nd (member of Nato). To be clear, we look forward to that to happen before the summit in July,” Austin told a news conference.

“We encourage our allies, Turkey and Hungary, to ratify Sweden’s accession as soon as possible.”

Ukraine's military accuses Russia of 'provocation' over Bakhmut incident

Wednesday 19 April 2023 16:14 , Emily Atkinson

A Ukrainian military spokesperson has accused Moscow of a “provocation” after Russian proxy forces said Ukrainian forces had blown up four buildings in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, killing 20 civilians.

Russia’s state-run TASS news agency quoted an unnamed source in the Russian-backed “power structures” of Ukraine‘s eastern Donetsk region as saying Ukrainian forces had blown up the buildings as they pulled back from the outskirts of Bakhmut.

“This is another Russian information provocation with the goal of ... distracting (attention) from the crimes of the Wagner terrorist organisation,” Serhiy Cherevatyi, a military spokesperson, told Reuters, referring to the Wagner private military company fighting alongside Russian forces.

“Ukrainian service members absolutely adhere to all rules and doctrines of war fighting (and) never violate either national nor international law, especially regarding civilians.”

Putin: Goods deliveries to regions annexed by Russia are ‘problematic’

Wednesday 19 April 2023 15:53 , Emily Atkinson

Vladimir Putin has conceded that delivering goods to regions of Ukraine that Russia unilaterally annexed last year was “problematic”, and has ordered the government to address the problem.

Putin visited Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine‘s Luhansk and Kherson regions on Monday, according to the Kremlin.

The Russian ships accused of plotting sabotage in the North Sea

Wednesday 19 April 2023 15:38 , Emily Atkinson

Russia is developing plans to sabotage wind farms, gas pipelines and power cables in the North Sea, according to a joint investigation.

Public broadcasters in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland report that Russia has deployed a fleet of ships to carry out underwater surveillance and map key sites for possible disruption to European communications and energy supply.

The boats are disguised as fishing trawlers and research vessels but are feeding information to the Kremlin which could be used to paralyse Nordic countries in the event of conflict between Russia and the West, intelligence sources are cited as saying.

My colleague Liam James has the details:

The Russian ships accused of plotting sabotage in the North Sea

Cyprus says will not tolerate sanctions-busting amid scrutiny

Wednesday 19 April 2023 15:26 , Emily Atkinson

Cyprus says it will not tolerate any deviation from EU sanctions on Russia, and said it was in touch with the UK and US after a number of its nationals were blacklisted last week as sanctions-busting enablers.

Britain sanctioned two Cypriots, and the US about a dozen Cypriots or dual-nationals on 12 April for alleged ties to people facing sanctions or entities sanctioned over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

It alarmed Cyprus, which has a thriving services industry in part built on hosting an extensive network of businesses with links to Russia and a past reputation of light-touch regulation.

Cyprus has asked both the UK and the US for additional information to pass on to its own law enforcement agencies for assessment, officials said.

“The credibility of our country must be safeguarded and no deviation from EU sanctions will be tolerated,” government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said.

Romania to seal and monitor Ukraine grain in transit

Wednesday 19 April 2023 15:04 , Emily Atkinson

Romania will seal and monitor Ukrainian grain cargoes transiting the country and conduct quality controls on food products at border checkpoints, the agriculture ministry announced, while stopping short of banning imports.

On Wednesday, Bulgaria joined Poland, Hungary and Slovakia in temporarily banning Ukrainian grain imports as central and eastern European states come under domestic pressure to shield local farmers.

In Romania, Agriculture Minister Petre Daea held talks over video link with his Ukrainian counterpart Mykola Solsky and asked him to “quickly identify solutions to restrict grain and oilseeds exports to Romania”. The two will meet in Bucharest on Friday.

Russian foreign minister says US ‘cheats more often than it keeps promises'

Wednesday 19 April 2023 14:32 , Liam James

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that “the United States can cheat at any moment,” claiming Russia had experienced this when the Western military alliance Nato expanded eastward.

“I want to emphasise that everyone knows very well that the United States can cheat at any moment, and much more often they cheat than they keep their own promises, their own proposals,” Mr Lavrov said as he addressed a press conference following talks with Venezuelan foreign minister Yvan Gil Pinto.

The pair held talks in Caracas hours after the Russian minister arrived in the country in the second stop of a tour of four Latin American nations. Both men vowed continued support for each other’s country and condemned the economic sanctions Washington has imposed on them.

“We fully support the position of our Venezuelan friends,” Mr Lavrov said. “It is their country ... and we are going to support it in any way so that the Venezuelan economy becomes an independent economy from the pressures of the United States and other western actors.”

Zelensky meets troops on Belarus border

Wednesday 19 April 2023 14:01 , Liam James

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he had visited the border with Belarus and Poland, where he praised the work of border guards.

“It is an honour for me to be here today to thank our border guards for protecting the state border,” he wrote under video footage showing him meeting and addressing border guards.

Ukrainian troops have been conducting military exercises at the border with Belarus after fears were raised over President Alexander Lukashenko’s assistance to the Russian invasion, including potentially allowing Russian troops to enter the invasion from his territory.

Last month, Russian president Vladimir Putin said he was stationing tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Bulgaria brings ban on Ukraine grain imports

Wednesday 19 April 2023 13:45 , Liam James

Bulgaria introduced a temporary ban on Ukraine grain imports, Radio Bulgaria reported on its website quoting caretaker prime minister Galab Donev.

Sofia would follow Poland and Hungary in bringing bans on Ukrainian imports to protect their local markets after an increase in supply from Kyic depressed prices in neighbouring countries.

“Over the past year, a significant amount of food has remained in the country and disrupted food chains,” the report quoted Mr Donev as saying.

“We are forced to adopt this national measure because the European authorities are still considering an adequate measure.”

The European Union is preparing €100m (£88m) of compensation for farmers in countries bordering Ukraine and plans to introduce restrictions on imports of Ukrainian cereals, a European Commission spokesperson saidtoday.

Russian opposition leader loses appeal against jail term

Wednesday 19 April 2023 13:15 , Liam James

Jailed Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin lost his appeal against an eight-and-a-half year prison sentence for discrediting the Russian army, according to a correspondent in the court.

Mr Yashin was jailed in December over charges of spreading false information about the military – a new offence added to the country’s criminal law after Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine.

The former municipal deputy of Moscow’s charges related to a series of posts about the murder and torture of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha.

Ukraine says it has received Patriot missile systems

Wednesday 19 April 2023 12:45 , Liam James

Ukraine’s defence minister confirmed Kyiv had received Patriot air defence systems.

Oleksi Reznikoz said the surface-to-air missile systems made Ukrainian skies more secure, after Kyiv’s air force earlier this week warned the country could lose control of its skies as soon as next month.

“Our air defenders have mastered them as fast as they could. And our partners have kept their word,” Mr Reznikov wrote on Twitter.

Mr Reznikov thanked Germany’s defence minister. Germany earlier said it had delivered Patriot systems with missiles to Ukraine.

Russia-linked hackers want to ‘destroy’ UK, Tory minister warns

Wednesday 19 April 2023 12:15 , Liam James

Britain is facing cyber threats from Russia-aligned groups who want to “to disrupt or destroy” critical infrastructure, senior Tory minister Oliver Dowden is warning (Adam Forrest writes).

The Cabinet Office minister will use a speech in Belfast to say Russia hackers are “ideologically motivated, rather than financially motivated” and have begun to target the UK this year.

Mr Dowden is set to confirm on Wednesday that the National Cyber Security Centre is issuing an “official threat notice” to operators of the UK’s critical national infrastructure.

The minister will reveal that in the last few months several Russia-aligned groups have focused on the UK – with Mr Dowden warning that “ideological” motivation means that they are less likely to show restraint.

Click here for the full story:

Russia-linked hackers want to ‘destroy’ UK, Tory minister warns

Jailed Russian opposition leader has appeal heard in Moscow

Wednesday 19 April 2023 11:50 , Liam James

Ilya Yashin, a jailed Russian opposition leader, has had an appeal against his sentence heard in a Moscow court.

In December, Mr Yashin was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison on charges of spreading false information about the military – a new offence added to the country’s criminal law after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine.

The former municipal deputy of Moscow’s charges related to a series of posts about the murder and torture of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha.

On Monday, a Russian court convicted top opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr of treason for publicly denouncing the invasion of Ukraine and sentenced him to 25 years in prison.