Ukraine war - live: Russian official threatens Nato with WWIII if Kyiv joins

A top Russian official has warned the west that the admission of Ukraine to Nato could trigger World War 3.

“Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to a World War Three,” the deputy secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation told Tass on Thursday.

“Apparently, that’s what they are counting on - to create informational noise and draw attention to themselves once again.”

Alexander Venediktov also repeated a Russian position that the west, by helping Ukraine, indicated that “they are a direct party to the conflict”.

It comes after the UN General Assembly condemned Moscow’s attempted annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

Only four countries joined Russia in voting against the resolution - Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus. Thirty-five countries abstained from the vote, including Russia’s strategic partner China, while the rest did not vote.

Meanwhile, in Brussels, more than 50 Western countries met to pledge more military aid to Ukraine, especially air defence weapons, on the heels of heavy retaliatory strikes this week ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to an explosion on a bridge in Crimea.

Key points

• Russian missiles target Mykolaiv

• UN General Assembly denounces Russia’s ‘annexation’

• Putin: Russia can resume gas supplies via Nord Stream 2

• Crimea bridge allegations ‘nonsense’, says Ukraine after arrests

• Power out again at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Watch: Elon Musk removed from billboards thanking westerners for supporting Ukraine

08:09 , Emily Atkinson

UN general assembly condemns Russia annexation in ‘incredible’ vote

07:50 , Emily Atkinson

The UN has voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia’s annexations of four Ukrainian regions.

The resolution was supported by 143 countries, while 35 nations abstained. Meanwhile, five countries rejected the vote: Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Nicaragua.

Tweeting this morning, the chair of the defence select committee called the vote “incredible”.

“Further global isolation for Putin,” Tory MP Tobias Ellwood wrote. “Russia’s soft and hard power has collapsed. Russia has now lost any post-soviet ‘superpower’ status which Putin was so determined to redeem.”

We do not want a world war, says Macron

07:35 , Emily Atkinson

We do not want a world war, French president Emmanuel Macron has said after Russia threatented that the admission of Ukraine to Nato could result in a third global conflict.

Taking to Twitter last night, Mr Macron added: “We help Ukraine to resist on its soil, never to attack Russia. Vladimir Putin must end this war and respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

Russian troops attempting consolidate along new Mylove front

07:20 , Emily Atkinson

Vladimir Putin’s forces are likely attempting to consolidate along a new front line west of the village of Mylove in the Kherson region, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

“Heavy fighting continues along this line, especially at the western end where Ukrainian advances mean Russia‘s flank is no longer protected by the Inhulets River,” the MoD said in its intelligence update on Twitter.

Poland sees ‘no signs of any third-party interference’ in oil pipeline spill

07:05 , Namita Singh

The Polish operator of an oil pipeline says there are “no signs of any third-party interference” related to a leak in a pipeline that is the main source of crude oil from Russia to Germany.

Pern, the operator, said in a statement late Wednesday that its technical services had located the site of the spill after removing most of the contamination from the area.

“Based on first findings and the manner in which the pipeline was deformed, it appears that at this point there are no signs of any third-party interference,” Pern said. “However, more detailed analyses are underway to determine the cause of the incident and to repair the pipeline so that crude oil pumping can be restarted as soon as possible.”

Pern detected a leak in the Druzhba pipeline on Tuesday evening 70km from the central Polish city of Plock.

The Druzhba pipeline, which in Russian means “Friendship,” is one of the world’s longest oil pipelines. After leaving Russia, it branches out to bring crude to points including Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Austria and Germany.

The incident follows leaks late last month in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines running along the Baltic seabed, and amid an energy standoff between Russia and the West over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Denmark and Sweden say those natural gas pipelines were attacked with large amounts of explosives, and the discovery of another leak so soon in an oil pipeline had raised concerns.

AP

Explainer: Power cuts raise risk at Ukraine nuclear plant

06:44 , Namita Singh

A Ukrainian nuclear power plant that has been surrounded by Russian forces lost power Wednesday morning when a Russian missile damaged a distant electrical substation, increasing the risk of radiation disaster, according to the plant’s operator.

The power to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was restored about eight hours later, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.

But experts say the outage — the second one in five days — shows just how precarious the situation at Europe’s largest nuclear plant is. They say repeated power outages over short periods of time are only making the problem worse.

Read the report to find out about the risks:

EXPLAINER: Power cuts raise risk at Ukraine nuclear plant

Admission of Ukraine to Nato can lead to third world war, threatens Russian official

06:37 , Namita Singh

The admission of Ukraine to Nato could result in a third world war, the deputy secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Alexander Venediktov, told the state Tass news agency in an interview today.

“Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to a World War Three,” Tass cited him as saying.

“Apparently, that’s what they are counting on - to create informational noise and draw attention to themselves once again.”Mr Venediktov also repeated a Russian position that the West, by helping Ukraine, indicated that “they are a direct party to the conflict”.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky announced a surprise bid for fast-track membership of the Nato military alliance at the end of September, after president Vladimir Putin held a ceremony in Moscow to proclaim the four partially occupied regions as annexed Russian land.

Woman arrested for spitting at officer during protest over Ukraine war outside Russian embassy in Washington

06:30 , Namita Singh

Police arrested a woman on Monday for allegedly assaulting an officer during a protest outside of the Russian embassy in Washington, DC.

Demonstrators gathered outside of the embassy to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where Vladimir Putin’s forces have increased brutal shelling attacks on civilians and major metro areas as Russia’s suffered surprise military setbacks in its campaign.

One banner at the Monday event called out Russia for the “mass terror unleashed on innocent civilians”.

During the protest, a woman was filmed having a heated encounter with uniformed Secret Service agents on hand, who protect foreign diplomatic missions in the capital.

Read more in this report:

Woman arrested for spitting at officer during Ukraine war protest at Russian embassy

The forgotten Ukrainian refugees across the EU struggling for help

06:29 , Namita Singh

Countries across Europe have been accused of discriminating against non-Ukrainians who have fled Russia’s invasion, write May Bulman and Maud Jullien.

The forgotten Ukrainian refugees across the EU struggling for help

The forgotten Ukranian refugees that Britain won’t help

05:59 , Namita Singh

Non-Ukrainian nationals who escaped the same invasion have been cut out of the schemes offering sanctuary. Now they find themselves alone with nowhere to turn, reports our social affairs correspondent May Bulman.

They fled Putin’s war too – but Britain won’t help because of their nationality

Drone strikes hit critical infrastructure in Kyiv: Zelensky’s office

05:50 , Namita Singh

Critical infrastructure facilities were hit by drone strikes early today, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidential office said in a statement.

“Another attack by kamikaze drones on critical infrastructure facilities,” Mr Tymoshenko said on the Telegram messaging app.

Ukraine has reported a spate of Russian attacks with Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks. Iran denies supplying the drones to Russia, while the Kremlin has not commented.

UK to send anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine

05:49 , Namita Singh

The UK is to send air defence missiles to Ukraine to help it defend against Russian rockets.

The Amraam rockets will be the first to be donated by the UK that are able to shoot down cruise missiles

Hundreds of additional air defence missiles will be donated and a total of 18 more artillery guns and hundreds of aerial drones will also be sent over to Ukraine, defence secretary Ben Wallace announced.

My colleague Eleanor Sly reports:

UK to send anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine after wave of Russian rocket attacks

Explainer: US weapons systems Ukraine will or won’t get

05:38 , Namita Singh

Ukrainian leaders are pressing the US and western allies for air defense systems and longer-range weapons to keep up the momentum in their counteroffensive against Russia and fight back against Moscow’s intensified attacks.

Defense secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday said allies are committed to sending weapons “as fast as we can physically get them there.” And he said defense leaders meeting in Brussels are working to send a wide array of systems, ranging from tanks and armored vehicles to air defense and artillery.

But there are still a number of high-profile, advanced weapons that Ukraine wants and the U.S. won’t provide, due to political sensitivities, classified technology or limited stockpiles.

Read this report to find out about some of the weapons Ukraine will or won’t get:

EXPLAINER: US weapons systems Ukraine will or won't get

More than 50 countries pledge military aid to Ukraine

05:37 , Namita Singh

In Brussels, more than 50 Western countries met to pledge more military aid to Ukraine, especially air defence weapons, on the heels of heavy retaliatory strikes this week ordered by Russian president Vladimir Putin in response to an explosion on a bridge in Crimea.

Pledges from allies included an announcement by France that it would deliver radar and air defence systems to Ukraine in the coming weeks. Britain pledged air defence missiles, and Canada said it would provide artillery rounds among other supplies.

At the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said Russia’s latest attacks laid bare its “malice and cruelty” since invading Ukraine on 24 February. At least 26 people have been killed since Monday in Russian missile attacks across Ukraine.

Ukraine had shifted momentum since September with extraordinary gains, but would need more help, he said. “...We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that they have what’s required to be effective.”

Biden hails UN General Assembly vote condemning Russia’s annexation

05:19 , Namita Singh

US president Joe Biden hailed UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) overwhelming support condemning Russia’s “attempted illegal annexation” of four Ukrainian regions.

“The stakes of this conflict are clear to all, and the world has sent a clear message in response – Russia cannot erase a sovereign state from the map,” he said in a statement.

“Russia cannot change borders by force. Russia cannot seize another country’s territory as its own.”

Zelensky ‘grateful’ for UNGA resolution

05:15 , Namita Singh

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Twitter he was “grateful to 143 states that supported historic [UNGA] resolution ...(Russia’s) attempt at annexation is worthless.”

UN General Assembly denounces Russia’s ‘annexation’

04:55 , Namita Singh

The UN General Assembly voted to condemn Russia’s “Attempted illegal annexation” of four partially occupied regions in Ukraine.

About three-quarters of the 193-member General Assembly voted in favour of the resolution, deepening Russia’s international isolation.

Only four countries joined Russia in voting against the resolution - Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus. Thirty-five countries abstained from the vote, including Russia’s strategic partner China, while the rest did not vote.

Earlier in September, Russia has proclaimed the annexation of four partially occupied regions in Ukraine – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia – following “referendums”.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and its western allies denounced it as illegal and coercive.

Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the General Assembly ahead of the vote that the resolution was “politicised and openly provocative,” adding that it “could destroy any and all efforts in favour of a diplomatic solution to the crisis.”

Russian missiles target Mykolaiv

04:28 , Namita Singh

Russia has unleashed a barrage of missiles on the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, a day after the United Nations General Assembly condemned Moscow’s annexation of four areas.

“A five-storey residential building was hit, the two upper floors were completely destroyed, the rest – under rubble. Rescuers are working on the site,” Mayor Oleksandr Senkevich said in a social media post, adding the southern city was “massively shelled”.

A shipbuilding centre and a port on the Southern Bug river off the Black Sea, Mykolaiv has suffered heavy Russian bombardments throughout the war.

Shelling hits Kyiv region, says local administration

04:24 , Namita Singh

A settlement in the region of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv was hit by shelling early this morning, the region’s administration said on the Telegram messaging app.

“Rescuers are already working at the site,” the administration said, without providing further details on where the shelling took place.

Reuters was not able to immediately verify the report.

Why is Russia at war with Ukraine and what does Putin want?

Thursday 13 October 2022 00:03 , Eleanor Sly

Russia’s “special military operation” has been raging for almost eight months as the conflict records devastating casualties as well as the displacement of millions of Ukrainians.

President Vladimir Putin began the conflict by claiming Ukraine needed to be “demilitarised and de-Nazified.”

Ukraine has defied odds throughout the conflict and defended against Russian attacks with the help of western military aid. In recent weeks president Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces launched a major counter-offensive to retrieve the besieged city of Kharkiv but as Ukraine’s resistance grows, Mr Putin’s threats of escalating the conflict grow also causing concern globally of whether nuclear warfare will be unleashed.

Yellen says Russian oil price cap in $60 range would allow Moscow some profit

Wednesday 12 October 2022 23:32 , Eleanor Sly

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday that a price cap on Russian oil exports in the $60-a-barrel range should be sufficient to reduce Moscow’s energy revenues while still allowing profitable production.

Ms Yellen told an event at International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings that Russia has been willing to produce and sell oil in the $60 range over the past five to seven years.

“So certainly a price in that range would be sufficient to feel that Russia could profitably produce and sell oil,” Ms Yellen said, adding the United States and its Western allies were still discussing where to set the price for a capping mechanism. This will come into effect on 5 December.

What would happen if Belarus army join Russia in Ukraine war?

Wednesday 12 October 2022 22:46 , Eleanor Sly

Statements made this week by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have reignited fears that his army could join Russian forces in Moscow’s war against Ukraine, but the authoritarian leader appears reluctant to lend his troops to the effort, despite perceived pressure from Moscow.

Russia has already used Belarus, its longtime and dependent ally, as a staging ground to send troops and missiles into Ukraine.

Analysts say if Belarus’ small and inexperienced military gets involved, the additional troops could help Moscow cut off some key transportation corridors, but likely wouldn’t significantly boost Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s capabilities on the battlefield.

Read more here:

UN condemns Russia’s attempt to annex parts of Ukraine

Wednesday 12 October 2022 21:53 , Eleanor Sly

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly condemned Russia’s “attempted illegal annexation” of four partially occupied regions in Ukraine.

They called on all countries not to recognise the move and strengthened a diplomatic international isolation of Moscow since it began its invasion of its neighbour.

Three-quarters of the 193-member General Assembly - 143 countries - voted in favour of a resolution that also reaffirmed the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

“It’s amazing,” said Ukraine’s UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told reporters after the vote.

Only four countries joined Russia in voting against the resolution - Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus. Thirty-five countries abstained from the vote. These included Russia’s strategic partner China, while the rest did not vote.

“Today it is Russia invading Ukraine. But tomorrow it could be another nation whose territory is violated. It could be you. You could be next. What would you expect from this chamber?” Thomas-Greenfield told the General Assembly before the vote.

Woman arrested for spitting at officer during protest over Ukraine war outside Russian embassy in Washington

Wednesday 12 October 2022 21:10 , Eleanor Sly

Police arrested a woman on Monday for allegedly assaulting an officer during a protest outside of the Russian embassy in Washington, DC.

Demonstrators gathered outside of the embassy to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where Vladimir Putin’s forces have increased brutal shelling attacks on civilians and major metro areas as Russia’s suffered surprise military setbacks in its campaign. One banner at the Monday event called out Russia for the “mass terror unleashed on innocent civilians”.

During the protest, a woman was filmed having a heated encounter with uniformed Secret Service agents on hand, who protect foreign diplomatic missions in the capital.

Read more here:

Woman arrested for spitting at officer during Ukraine war protest at Russian embassy

Joe Biden warns of ‘consequences’ for Opec as it sides with Russia even as Saudi Arabia attempts de-escalation

Wednesday 12 October 2022 20:35 , Eleanor Sly

Joe Biden has warned of “consequences” for Saudi Arabia after the Opec+ group announced a cut to oil production, in line with Moscow’s wishes.

The 13-member Opec+ – a larger version of the organisation to include non-OPEC members that was formed in 2016 – said last week that it would cut its oil production by 2 million barrels per day in November, sending prices soaring ahead of winter.

The decision came in spite of US objections and a meeting between Mr Biden and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in July over the issue of global energy prices.

Gino Spoccia reports:

Joe Biden warns of ‘consequences’ for Opec as it sides with Russia

Iodine pills in short supply after Finland updates guideline

Wednesday 12 October 2022 20:10 , Eleanor Sly

Many Finnish pharmacies ran out of iodine tablets Wednesday, a day after the Nordic country’s health ministry recommended that households buy a single dose in a case of a radiation emergency amid increasing fears of a nuclear event due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“An accident at a nuclear power plant could release radioactive iodine into the environment, which could build up in the thyroid gland,” the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health said Tuesday.

Pharmacies in many locations in Finland reported Wednesday they had run out of iodine tablets as citizens rushed to purchase the medicine. Drug wholesale also said their were stockpiles emptied out.

Read more here:

Iodine pills in short supply after Finland updates guideline

Ukraine’s forgotten refugees: Lottery of rights across EU leaves thousands struggling for help

Wednesday 12 October 2022 19:40 , Eleanor Sly

The EU’s decision to offer unprecedented rights and freedoms to refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine less than a month after the war began was widely celebrated.

An exceptional measure known as the temporary protection directive, designed to provide immediate protection for at least one year in the event of a mass influx of refugees, was invoked by the EU on 4 March 2022 – for the first time in the bloc’s history.

It would mean that “all those fleeing the war” would be granted rights to schools, medical care and employment for one year, the European commission said.

“All those fleeing Putin’s bombs are welcome in Europe,” President of the commission Ursula von der Leyen proclaimed. German interior minister Nancy Faeser called the temporary protection plan “a paradigm shift” for the EU.

May Bullman and Maud Jullien report:

The forgotten Ukrainian refugees across the EU struggling for help

Biden global strategy tackles China, Russia, domestic needs

Wednesday 12 October 2022 19:08 , Eleanor Sly

The White House laid out a national security strategy Wednesday aimed at checking an ascendant China and a more assertive Russia even as it stressed that domestic investments are key to helping the US compete in the critical decade ahead.

The administration’s first national security strategy, a document required by statute, stresses the need for a foreign policy that balances the interests of global allies with those of middle-class Americans.

“We understand that if the United States is to succeed abroad, we must invest in our innovation and industrial strength, and build our resilience, at home,” the strategy states.

Biden global strategy tackles China, Russia, domestic needs

Over 50 countries promise weapons for Ukraine

Wednesday 12 October 2022 18:21 , Eleanor Sly

Over 50 Western countries have promised more weapons for Ukraine, in particular air defences following Russia’s most intense missile strikes since the war started in February.

At the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that Russia’s latest attacks had laid bare its “malice and cruelty” since it began its invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine had shifted momentum since September with extraordinary gains, but would is in need of more assistance, he said.

“These victories belong to Ukraine’s brave soldiers. But the Contact Group’s security assistance, training, and sustainment efforts have been vital,” Mr Austin explained.

Head of UN’s nuclear watchdog returns to Kyiv

Wednesday 12 October 2022 17:53 , Eleanor Sly

Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, tweeted a photo of himself returning to Kyiv following a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg which took place on Tuesday.

Belarus edges closer to joining the war

Wednesday 12 October 2022 17:34 , Eleanor Sly

A flurry of military activity in Belarus this week has caught the attention of Ukraine and the west, who have taken it as a potential sign that President Alexander Lukashenko may commit his army to support of Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.

Mr Lukashenko has ordered troops to deploy with Russian forces near to the Ukraine border, and his defence ministry says “combat readiness” drills are under way. On Tuesday, the interior ministry held exercises to eliminate “sabotage groups” near Yelsk, only 20 km (12 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has asked the Group of Seven (G7) countries to place an international observer mission near the border, while France warned Belarus it could face more Western sanctions if it deepened its involvement in Ukraine.

Belarus allowed itself to be used as a launchpad for Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine but has not joined the fighting directly. Analysts say Lukashenko would have no choice but to comply if Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded he enter the war, at a moment when Moscow is reeling from a series of defeats and facing unprecedented public criticism of its generals’ failings.

Reuters

Russia arrests eight over Crimea bridge attack as Putin again blames Ukraine

Wednesday 12 October 2022 17:03 , Eleanor Sly

Russia has arrested eight people over the explosion that damaged the Crimea Bridge at the weekend.

Those arrested include five Russians, three Ukrainians and an Armenian. Moscow has previously blamed Ukrainian secret services for the explosion.

On Wednesday, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said the explosion was organised Ukrainian military intelligence and its director, Kyrylo Budanov. The explosive device was moved from Ukraine to Russia via Bulgaria, Georgia and Armenia, the FSB claimed.

David Harding reports:

Russia arrests eight over Crimea bridge attack as Putin again blames Ukraine

Russian nuclear attack ‘would draw physical response’, says Nato official

Wednesday 12 October 2022 16:30 , Liam James

A Russian nuclear strike would change the course of the conflict and almost certainly trigger a “physical response” from Ukraine allies and potentially from Nato, a senior Nato official told Reuters.

Any use of nuclear weapons by Moscow would have “unprecedented consequences” for Russia, the official warned.

It would “almost certainly be drawing a physical response from many allies, and potentially from Nato itself”, he said.

The official added that Moscow was using its nuclear threats mainly to deter Nato and other countries from directly entering its war on Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier today said Western leaders were being “provocative” by using “nuclear rhetoric” regarding Russia.

US president Joe Biden yesterday said he thought it unlikely that Vladimir Putin would order a nuclear attack.

Putin undecided on G20 visit, says Kremlin

Wednesday 12 October 2022 15:57 , Liam James

The Kremlin said it still remained to be seen if Vladimir Putin would attend November’s G20 summit on the resort island of Bali.

“A large number of international forums are planned for November,” Mr Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

“If you are asking about the G20, then there is still a lot of time before the G20, as well as before other forums – we’ll wait and see,” Mr Ushakov said.

Joe Biden, asked if he would meet Mr Putin at the G20, said he did not see a good reason for a meeting with the Kremlin chief.

“It would depend on specifically what he wanted to talk about,” Mr Biden told CNN, adding that if Putin wanted to discuss the jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner then he would be open to talking.

Russia frittering away missile stocks it can’t replace – Nato

Wednesday 12 October 2022 15:32 , Liam James

Russia has depleted a significant proportion of its precision-guided missiles in its invasion of Ukraine and its industry cannot produce all kinds of ammunition and weapon systems due to Western sanctions, a senior Nato official said on Wednesday.

The official said he did not know how long it would take for Russia to mobilise the 300,000 troops Moscow is aiming for, and suggested it could take a few months.

An assessment by military observers the Institute for the Study of War concluded that Russia had diverted its dwindling missile stocks from strategically significant causes by taking aim at civilian areas of Ukraine’s cities rather than front line targets.

Turkish president expected to float peace ideas to Putin

Wednesday 12 October 2022 15:08 , Liam James

Vladimir Putin will meet Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for talks in Kazakhstan tomorrow, a meeting at which the Turks are likely to raise ideas for peace in Ukraine, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

“Now many say that the Turks are ready to come up with other initiatives in the context of the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict,” Mr Ushakov said.

“There are reports in the press that the Turkish side is putting forward specific considerations in this regard, I do not exclude that Erdogan will actively touch on this topic during the Astana contact. So a very interesting and, I hope, useful discussion awaits us.”

Turkey has been facilitating talks between the two sides and outside bodies such as the UN throughout the war.

Dutch to send £15m air defence missiles to Ukraine

Wednesday 12 October 2022 14:49 , Liam James

The Netherlands will deliver €15m (£13.1m) worth of air defence missiles to Ukraine in reaction to Russian air raids on Ukraine earlier this week.

“These attacks ... can only be met with unrelenting support for Ukraine and its people,” Defence minister Kasja Ollongren wrote in a letter to parliament.

Ukraine has been pleading with Western nations for air defence support after Moscow launched a wave of missile strikes on cities across Ukraine.

Nato members and allies are meeting today in Brussels to discuss additional support.

British businessman charged in US over Russian oligarch links

Wednesday 12 October 2022 14:25 , Liam James

A well-known British businessman has been arrested in the UK after being accused of helping a Russian oligarch to evade US sanctions.

Graham Bonham-Carter was arrested on Tuesday and is accused of funding properties bought by oligarch Oleg Deripaska as well as expatriating his art. He has denied this.

The US Department of Justice said the American government would seek Bonham-Carter’s extradition following the charge against him. Deripaska has previously been sanctioned by America.

The charges allege that Deripaska instructed Bonham-Carter to set up a company called GBCM Limited to manage his properties, two of which are in New York and one in Washington.

British businessman charged in US with helping Russian oligarch evade sanctions

‘They can just open the tap’: Putin says Russia can resume gas supplies via Nord Stream 2

Wednesday 12 October 2022 14:04 , Liam James

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Moscow was ready to resume gas supplies to Europe via the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Speaking at a Moscow energy forum, Putin said the gas could be supplied through one remaining part of the crucial energy pipeline.

But he added that it was up to countries in Europe to decide if they wanted resume supplies.

“Russia is ready to start such supplies. The ball is in the court of the EU. If they want, they can just open the tap,” said Putin.

Recent unexplained explosions damaged the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and one of the two links of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, causing a massive gas leak and taking them out of service.

‘They can just open the tap’: Putin says Russia can resume gas supplies to Europe

Watch: Family of three rescued from rubble in Zaporizhzhia

Wednesday 12 October 2022 13:45 , Liam James

Emergency services in Ukraine rescued a family trapped under the rubble of a destroyed building following a Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhia.

Footage shared on social media shows three people crawling to safety as officials clear a path through the debris around them.

Rockets partially destroyed a house and outbuildings in a village close to Zaporizhzhia, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. The account also confirmed that the family rescued did not require medical help.

Russian strikes only ‘strengthen allied resolve’

Wednesday 12 October 2022 13:27 , Liam James

Russian missile strikes on Ukraine have laid bare the “malice and cruelty” of its war and further united the international community to support Ukraine‘s military efforts to defend itself, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday.

Mr Austin, speaking at the start of a Ukraine-focused meeting at Nato headquarters, praised Ukraine‘s military gains since September, calling them “extraordinary” and saying they had changed the dynamics of the war.

“These victories belong to Ukraine‘s brave soldiers. But the Contact Group’s security assistance, training, and sustainment efforts have been vital,” Mr Austin said, addressing the gathering of defense leaders, including from Ukraine.

Reports of Russian missile strikes have come out of Ukraine for a third day, with the governor of Donetsk accusing Moscow of killing seven in an attack on a crowded market in the town of Avdiivka.

Russia arrests eight over Crimea bridge attack as Putin again blames Ukraine

Wednesday 12 October 2022 13:09 , Liam James

Russia has arrested eight people over the explosion that damaged the Crimea Bridge at the weekend (David Harding writes).

Those arrested include five Russians, three Ukrainians and an Armenian. Moscow has previously blamed Ukrainian secret services for the explosion.

On Wednesday, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said the explosion was organised Ukrainian military intelligence and its director, Kyrylo Budanov. The explosive device was moved from Ukraine to Russia via Bulgaria, Georgia and Armenia, the FSB claimed.

The FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, also said that it had prevented further Ukrainian attacks in both Moscow and the western Russian city of Bryansk. Later, Russian president Vladimir Putin repeated a claim that Ukraine’s special services were behind the attack.

Russia arrests eight over Crimea bridge attack as Putin again blames Ukraine

Signs of torture on bodies found in Ukraine town liberated from Russian forces

Wednesday 12 October 2022 12:45 , Liam James

Latest despatch from Kim Sengupta in Ukraine:

Two separate mass burials sites, for civilians and soldiers, have been found on the edge of the cemetery in Lyman, recently liberated from Russian forces. Some of the 78 remains recovered so far have signs of having met a violent end.

There are body parts, gunshot and shrapnel wounds, smashed ribs and skulls, severe deep cuts. Some of the dead are very young; one is a year-old baby girl buried with her parents.

Among the corpses taken out and zipped into black body bags are Ukrainian soldiers in torn and frayed combat uniforms. Some have signs of having been handcuffed and blindfolded and have bullet holes in their heads, according to officials.

Ukrainian authorities say they expect to find around 200 bodies at this burial site – one of several discovered in areas that had been occupied. The bodies of 534 civilians have been found in the area around Kharkiv alone. Serhii Bolnivov, the chief investigator of the region has claimed that ‘torture chambers’ have been found in “almost all large towns and cities where the Russian military units were based.”

Standing beside the graves here in Lyman, Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of civil and military administration in the Donetsk region, says there are visible signs of torture. “Some of the soldiers have tapes on their hands and over their eyes, there are trauma injuries to many of the other bodies,” he says. “But all the cases will need to be investigated thoroughly before we can establish the cause of death.

Signs of torture on bodies in Ukraine town liberated from Russian forces

Russian strike on crowded market kills seven – Ukraine

Wednesday 12 October 2022 12:28 , Liam James

At least seven people were killed and eight injured in a Russian strike on a crowded market in the town of Avdiivka in Donetsk, the regional governor said.

“The Russians struck the central market where many people were at that time,” Pavlo Kyrylenko said in a statement, adding that there was “no military logic” for such an attack.

Pictures shared by the Ukrainian official showed dead bodies and a buidling in flames. The Independent could not verify their authenticity.

Polish oil leak likely accident, say officials

Wednesday 12 October 2022 12:08 , Liam James

An oil leak on a pipeline carrying oil from Russia to Poland was most likely an accident, Polish officials said.

Polish pipe operator Pern said it detected a leak on the line last night. We reported this earlier [8.12].

The leak caused concern as it came weeks after attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines from Russia to Germany.

Why is Russia at war with Ukraine and what does Putin want?

Wednesday 12 October 2022 23:35 , Eleanor Sly

Russia’s “special military operation” has been raging for almost eight months as the conflict records devastating casualties as well as the displacement of millions of Ukrainians.

President Vladimir Putin began the conflict by claiming Ukraine needed to be “demilitarised and de-Nazified.”

Ukraine has defied odds throughout the conflict and defended against Russian attacks with the help of western military aid. In recent weeks president Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces launched a major counter-offensive to retrieve the besieged city of Kharkiv but as Ukraine’s resistance grows, Mr Putin’s threats of escalating the conflict grow also causing concern globally of whether nuclear warfare will be unleashed.

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Why is Russia at war with Ukraine and what does Putin want?

Desperate Russians fleeing Putin’s call-up orders sail to South Korea

Wednesday 12 October 2022 11:50 , Liam James

In a desperate bid to avoid being called up to fight in Ukraine, more than 20 Russians sailed in yachts from North Pacific ports to South Korea, but most have been refused entry, according to reports.

Hundreds of thousands of Russians are reported to have fled their homeland since Vladimir Putin ordered a military mobilisation last month in the face of losses on the frontline of his invasion.

Russians trying to avoid the draft have mostly crossed over to neighbouring countries such as Finland, Georgia and Kazakhstan.

This might be the most imaginative way anyone has tried to flee though.

Desperate Russians fleeing Putin’s call-up orders sail to South Korea