Ukraine war latest: Iran ‘to build drone factory in Belarus’ to supply Russia; airline suspends flights to Moscow over attack risk
Officials from Iran and Belarus are believed to have discussed the initiative at a meeting in Tehran yesterday. And Turkmenistan’s flagship airline has paused flights to Moscow. You can listen to our podcast exploring a warning from Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Russia as you scroll.
Wednesday 2 August 2023 16:40, UK
LIVE
Russia
Ukraine
Why you can trust Sky News
Key points
Russian drones hit port and grain warehouses in Odesa View post
Turkmenistan suspends flights to Moscow over drone attacks View post
Wheat prices jump by 4% as concerns increase over supply View post
Poland to boost border troops after Belarus enters airspace View post
Wagner ‘poses no military threat to Poland’ – ISW View post
How are Ukrainian drones able to fly 500 miles to Moscow undetected? View post
Your questions answered: How would Trump affect the war if he wins US election? View post
Live reporting by Jack Parker and (earlier) Niamh Lynch
12m ago
11:40
Why is Putin hitting Ukrainian river ports?
Russian drones hit Izmail’s port on the Danube in the Odesa region last night, with around 40,000 tonnes of grain destroyed (see 2.35pm post).
Why is Vladimir Putin targeting Danube ports now?
Last month Russia pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal, under which grain could be safely exported from Ukrainian ports that had been blockaded by Russian forces after the invasion.
Since then Russia has increased its attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, including Odesa.
But military analyst Sean Bell says that it is not the only route to transport Ukrainian grain.
“Merchant ships have been making their way up the River Danube, running the blockade of Russia,” he says.
Ukraine’s Danube river ports accounted for about a quarter of grain exports before Russia pulled out of the Black Sea deal.
Mr Putin faces a choice, Bell says: “Do we attack international ships, which could escalate the whole conflict, or do you attack the Danube ports?”
The worry after the attack on Izmail last night, Bell says, is that “just across the river is Romania – a NATO country”.
Copy link
29m ago
11:23
Overnight Russian attack struck ‘less than 1km from NATO state’
We’ve been reporting all day on Russia’s attack on the Ukrainian port of Izmail overnight.
Ukraine says the attack destroyed almost 40,000 tonnes of grain that had been destined for China, Israel and African nations (see 2.35pm post).
Sky News has verified the location of that attack – and found it is within one kilometre of the border with Romania.
Crucially, Romania is a NATO member state. Under article five of the alliance’s treaty, an attack on one is considered an attack on all.
It’s not the first time missiles have strayed dangerously close to NATO territory, and even crossed it.
Last November, a missile hit a grain silo in the eastern Polish village of Przewodow, killing two people.
The Polish president later said it was an “unfortunate accident” and was most likely not fired by Russia.
But the episode exposed how risky attacks near borders can be.
Copy link
47m ago
11:05
In pictures: Putin awards Russian soldiers
We’ve had our latest glimpse of the Russian president in the Kremlin in the past hour.
Vladimir Putin was handing out awards to military personnel for their service in Ukraine, as well as to Russians accomplished in science, education, culture and industry.
In his opening address, Mr Putin praised the servicemen for their “devoted service to Russia”.
“You came to the frontline with a single goal,” he said, “to be with the fatherland and with your people in difficult times, to protect our ideals, culture, national interests, to defend the sacred right of people to live according to their own will […] which are based on doing everything in the name of one’s beloved country.”
Copy link
1h ago
10:43
Ukraine ‘tried to attack civilian ship’, says Russia
Russia has accused Ukraine of an attempted attack on the Black Sea – but details are pretty scant.
The Russian defence ministry says a Ukrainian naval drone was sent to attack a civilian transport ship early this morning.
State media says a Russian warship destroyed the drone.
Copy link
1h ago
10:33
Up to 50,000 Ukrainians have lost limbs during war so far
The number of amputations needed by Ukrainians is already on a level similar to the First World War.
Between 20,000 and 50,000 Ukrainians have had one or more limbs amputated in the 18 months since Russia invaded, according to The Wall Street Journal.
For context, during the four years of the First World War, 41,000 British and 67,000 German soldiers needed amputations.
The newspaper also gives a sense of how expensive prostheses are – some cost over £40,000.
Ukrainian authorities reportedly pay those wounded £18,000 to cover the cost – but many still find it difficult to afford treatment.
Some of those injured have had to travel abroad for treatment.
Oleksandr Fedun, 24, lost both of his legs while serving with Ukraine’s armed forces last year.
He was given prosthetic legs at a medical centre in the US state of Maryland in February.
Valentin from the town of Popasna in the Luhansk region underwent therapeutic exercises for his prosthetic leg in Germany.
Prosthetic therapy is also happening within Ukraine, of course. Dmytro required a single-limb amputation, and has been rehabilitating with specialist Maria in a clinic in Kyiv.
Copy link
1h ago
10:18
UK names new ambassador to Russia
The British government has appointed Nigel Casey as the UK’s new ambassador to Russia.
He will replace Dame Deborah Bronnert, who has served in Moscow since early 2020, this November.
Mr Casey served as the UK prime minister’s special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan until this year, and has previously held diplomatic posts in South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina and India.
Copy link
1h ago
10:07
Today so far
If you’re just joining us, it’s been a day full of updates on the use of drones in this war – here’s what you’ve missed:
Russia resumed their campaign of drone attacks on port and grain facilities in the Odesa region overnight. Ukraine says 40,000 tonnes of grain, destined for African countries, were destroyed;
23 drones were intercepted across Ukraine overnight, injuring six people. Kyiv was one of the cities that saw damage;
Recent drone attacks in Moscow have led Turkmenistan’s flagship airline to suspend flights to the Russian capital;
The Institute for the Study of War reports that Iran is looking to build drone factories in Russia and Belarus, after a meeting between defence officials yesterday;
Separately, satellite images suggest Wagner convoys are using old military storage facilities in Belarus, around 50 miles east of Minsk.
Copy link
2h ago
09:35
Almost 40,000 tonnes of grain damaged by drone strike on Izmail
Russian drone attacks in the early hours today damaged nearly 40,000 tonnes of grain, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister has said.
The grain was due to be delivered to China, Israel and countries in Africa.
“The Russians attacked warehouses and grain elevators” in the port of Izmail on the River Danube in southwestern Ukraine, Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Twitter.
Copy link
2h ago
09:21
UK’s biggest defence company reveals record order backlog as demand for weapons grows
BAE Systems has upgraded its projected earnings for this year by between 10% and 12% and revealed a record order backlog of £66.2bn.
The UK’s biggest defence company said its strong operational performance plus demand from customers – the biggest of which in order of size are the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia and Australia – meant its full-year results would be better than expected across the board.
The company pointed to increased global uncertainty driving military equipment orders to a record level.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, demand for weapons, ammunition and equipment has soared as Western allies support Ukraine and increase their own stocks, while in the Asia-Pacific region, growing threats are also driving defence spending.
The company makes submarines, fighter jets, combat vehicles and other kit.
Copy link
2h ago
09:05
The tense backdrop to Putin’s phone call with Turkey’s Erdogan
Military analyst Sean Bell has set out the tense background to Vladimir Putin’s phone call with the Turkish president today (see 11.52am post).
Ostensibly the call is about the Black Sea grain deal – brokered by Turkey that Russia pulled out of last month – but “there’s a lot behind the scenes”, Bell says.
The call would have been “interesting” because relations between Russia and Turkey “have been rather fraught of late”.
Turkey had been blocking Sweden’s path to NATO membership, but relented in recent weeks – a decision that would not have pleased Mr Putin, who doesn’t want the military alliance to expand.
Turkey also released Ukrainian prisoners that it was holding on behalf of Russia.
Now, Bell says, Turkey is “ramping up pressure to try and get this grain deal sorted”.
He also cast doubt on the Russian president’s proposed trip to Turkey, saying “we’ll wait to see if that actually comes about”.
Copy link
3h ago
08:44
Weapons companies scramble to find workers as demand soars in Ukraine
Companies producing arms in central Europe are scrambling to find new workers and entice retired staff to return as the war demand for weapons.
The arms industry in Poland and the Czech Republic has been churning out guns, shells and other military supplies at the fastest pace since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Companies have accelerated production to supply Ukraine and feed demand globally as countries boost defence spending.
The Czech Republic has sent military supplies worth £1.44bn to Ukraine in the first 12 months of the war.
But organisations are struggling to find workers in tight labour markets.
A RM-70 rocket launcher made by STV Group that was sent to Ukraine from the Czech Republic
A RM-70 rocket launcher made by STV Group that was sent to Ukraine from the Czech Republic
AP
One company – Czech ammunition and artillery shell producer STV Group – is building apartments for new employees and offering retired workers free canteen meals to share their expertise in a large-scale effort to find staff.
Polish military technology company WB Group started a large-scale campaign to hire women last year to staff assembly lines that previously comprised of mostly male workers.
The Czech government has also started discussions about employing some of the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees – most of whom are women and children – living in the country to help companies struggling to find workers.
Copy link
3h ago
08:20
Your questions answered: How would having Donald Trump as US president affect trajectory of war?
We’ve been putting your questions on the war to our experts and senior correspondents.
The latest comes from Leecross, who asks: How would having Donald Trump in charge of the United States affect how this war plays out?
Our US correspondent Mark Stone responds…
Donald Trump has repeatedly said he would end the Russian-Ukraine war in a matter of days. He has not spelt out how he would do that.
Given his unorthodox style, his impatience, his desire not to be seen to lose and his historic closeness to Vladimir Putin, there’s a concern among supporters of Ukraine that he would capitulate to the Russians to stop the fighting.
Would he somehow force Ukraine to give up significant portions of its own land to the Russians? This possibility raises questions. Would Ukraine’s government accept this? Would it embolden Russia longer term?
If Mr Trump did pursue a ceasefire this way, he would cast himself as a global peacemaker.
But in the longer term, what precedent would he have set? A green light for Russia to take what it wants? Remember too that Mr Trump has form in saying one thing but doing precisely the opposite when it comes to it.
Got a question? Submit it here…
Could Putin lose election? Why has he put nuclear weapons in Belarus? | Your war questions answered
Sky News
Copy link
3h ago
07:59
Russian navy starts drills in Baltic Sea
The Russia navy has started scheduled drills in the Baltic Sea.
More than 30 ships and boats, 20 support vessels and 20 aircraft are taking part in the drill, Russia’s defence ministry said this morning.
Around 6,000 navy servicemen are also involved in the military exercise.
Copy link
4h ago
07:29
Doctor killed in Kherson hospital attack named
Yesterday, we reported a doctor was killed in a Russian attack on a hospital in Kherson.
He has now been named as Dmytro Bily, an ear, nose and throat doctor.
He was killed on his first day of work after finishing his internship, the Ukrainian defence ministry said.
Dr Bily suffered fatal shrapnel injuries while a nurse was injured in the attack yesterday.
Copy link
4h ago
07:09
Operations suspended at Ukrainian port after drone strike
Industry officials said operations have been suspended at Izmail’s port after a Russian drone strike overnight (see 9.18am post).
The port on the Danube in southwestern Ukraine, just across the river from NATO member Romania, has served as the main alternative route out of Ukraine for grain exports since Russia backed out of the Black Sea grain deal two weeks ago.
Copy link
4h ago
06:52
Turkey’s Erdogan tells Putin he will engage in diplomacy to renew grain deal
An update on our post at 11.02am about Vladimir Putin’s phone call with the Turkish president.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the Russian leader that he would continue to engage in diplomacy to reinstate the Black Sea grain deal, his office said.
“President Erdogan expressed the importance of refraining from steps that could escalate tensions during the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasising the significance of the Black Sea initiative, which he described as a bridge of peace,” the statement said.
The leaders also agreed on Mr Putin paying a visit to Turkey in late August.
Copy link
5h ago
06:27
Satellite images track Wagner convoys in Belarus
A group that monitors military activity in Belarus has reported that old military storage facilities in Belarus have been used by Wagner convoys since the middle of last month.
By tracking satellite images, the Belarusian Hajun Project has tracked the convoys travelling to the village of Paplavy, around 53 miles (86km) east of Minsk.
The group also spotted developments in six areas within the old facility.
Read more below.
Copy link
5h ago
06:02
‘Russia will restore grain deal once its interests are upheld’ – Kremlin
The Kremlin has repeated its position that it is ready to restore the Black Sea grain deal once Russia’s concerns are adequately dealt with.
The comments come ahead of a call between Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, later today.
Turkey and the UN brokered the grain deal last summer.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Russia – and President Putin has said this 100 times already – is ready to immediately return to the deal itself… just the deal must be implemented in the part that concerns the Russian Federation. So far this has not been done.”
He added: “The West imposed sanctions against Russia without taking into account the needs of the world community for food, the UN General Secretariat is well aware of this.”
Moscow left the deal last month, complaining that the international community had failed to ensure that Russia could also freely export its grain and fertiliser as part of the agreement.
Copy link
6h ago
05:38
Turkmenistan suspends flights to Moscow over drone attacks
Turkmenistan’s flagship airline has suspended flights to Moscow, citing safety concerns after Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian capital.
“Due to the situation in the Moscow air zone, and based on a risk assessment in order to ensure flight safety, all Turkmenistan Airlines flights on the Ashgabat-Moscow-Ashgabat route will be suspended,” the airline said.
Turkmenistan Airlines said it would now fly instead to Kazan, a city about 440 miles (700km) east of Moscow.
Drone attacks prompted Vnukovo, one of Moscow’s four airports, to close briefly earlier this week.
Copy link
6h ago
05:12
Prisoners held in Russian camps in Ukraine were tortured and sexually violated, new report finds
Prisoners held in makeshift detention centres in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine were tortured and sexually violated, a team of international legal experts has said.
The Mobile Justice Team, established by the international humanitarian law firm Global Rights Compliance, has worked with Ukrainian war crimes prosecutors in the Kherson region since it was reclaimed in November after more than eight months under Russian control.
After analysing 320 cases and witness accounts at 35 locations in the region, 43% said they experienced torture in the detention centres, citing sexual violence as a common tactic imposed by Russian guards.
Plastic ties for torture and a broken chair inside a basement of an office building, where prosecutors say 30 people were held for two months during a Russian occupation
Plastic ties for torture and a broken chair inside a basement of an office building, where prosecutors say 30 people were held for two months during a Russian occupation
The torture techniques most commonly used were suffocation, waterboarding, severe beatings and threats of rape, the group’s report found.
At least 36 victims interviewed by prosecutors mentioned the use of electrocution during interrogations, including genital electrocution, as well as threats of genital mutilation.
One victim was forced to witness the rape of another detainee.
Military personnel were most likely to be subjected to torture by Russian guards, but law enforcement, volunteers, activists, community leaders, medical workers and teachers were also targeted.
Ukrainian authorities are reviewing more than 97,000 reports of war crimes and have filed charges against 220 suspects in domestic courts.
