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Ukraine war latest: Russia claims Ukraine joining NATO ‘could lead to final collapse of European security system’
Russia’s Ministry of Defence hits out at plans for Ukraine to join NATO, calling them “short-sighted and simply dangerous”. Listen to a special episode of the Sky News Daily podcast on the Pentagon leaks as you scroll.
Saturday 22 April 2023 10:53, UK
Russia
Ukraine
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Key points
US to train Ukrainian troops to use its Abrams tanks View post
Spain has sent six of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine View post
Arrest in absentia of Bulgarian journalist Christo Grozev ordered by Moscow court View post
Zelenskyy: Ukraine ‘actively’ training new units and brigades View post
NATO allies agree Ukraine will become a member View post
What has Putin previously said about Ukraine joining NATO? View post
Read our special report: Taken at gunpoint – how 15 Ukrainian orphans escaped Russia, and the thousands left behind
Live reporting by James Robinson
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21m ago
05:47
Russia uses new batch of Iranian-made ‘kamikaze’ drones on Ukraine
Russian forces have used a new batch of Iranian-made “kamikaze” drones, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The Shahed drones – which get their name from the fact they detonate on impact – have been used for three consecutive days in Ukraine, the ISW reports.
Kyiv is one of the cities being targeted, for the first time in 25 days, according to the US research group.
The drones, which cost around $20,000 (£17,714) each, are often used in large swarms – making them difficult to shoot down.
You can read more about these drones and others being used in Ukraine by clicking here.
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1h ago
04:50
President Zelenskyy thanks Canada for military aid
President Zelenskyy has thanked his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau for providing additional military aid to Ukraine.
In a post on Twitter, he wrote: “Grateful to Justin Trudeau for additional package of military aid.
“Canada and Canadian people demonstrate that the free world stands strong with us, as we are protecting our country and shared values.
“Thank you, Canada, for ongoing support till our victory.”
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1h ago
04:10
Pictures show Ukrainian armoured vehicles moving towards front line town of Bakhmut
The city of Bakhmut, in the Donetsk region, has been at the centre of one of the bloodiest and hard-fought battles of Russia’s invasion.
The battle is currently taking place in the western area of the city, with Russian forces having advanced from the east.
Ukraine says Russian troops have made some advances, but insists the situation is under control.
Pictures here, taken on Friday, show Ukrainian servicemen being moved to the frontline in armoured vehicles to aid in the fighting.
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2h ago
03:56
Air defences activated in Russian-occupied territory of Crimea, says top official
Air defence systems in Ukraine have been activated, according to the head of the Russian-annexed region.
“Air defence forces worked in the sky over Crimea,” Sergei Aksyonov said on the messaging app Telegram.
“No damage or casualties. I ask everyone to remain calm and trust only trusted sources of information.”
He did not say what the target was or specify the location.
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2h ago
03:44
US Air National Guardsman accused of leaking classified documents posted sensitive information months earlier – reports
You may remember earlier this month the story of US Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who is facing an espionage charge in the US after sensitive documents were leaked to a small online gaming group.
Among the leaks were documents which showed Western special forces were operating in Ukraine, along with details of a planned counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces.
Friends have suggested Teixeira was attempting to show off by sharing the documents and that they were confined to a small private group.
A new report by the New York Times now claims that an online profile matching the 21-year-old’s was leaking classified documents to a much larger group in February 2022 – soon after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to the paper, the documents included details about Russian and Ukrainian casualties, activities of Moscow’s spy agencies and updates on aid being provided to Ukraine.
Teixeira, who was arrested last month, was charged with one count of violating the Espionage Act related to the unlawful copying and transmitting of sensitive defence material, and a second charge related to unlawful removal of defence material to an unauthorized location.
He could face more charges, legal experts have said.
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2h ago
03:17
Russia ‘struggling to maintain core narrative’ for Ukraine invasion, says MoD
The UK’s Ministry of Defence says Russia is “struggling to maintain its core narrative” for the invasion of Ukraine.
It said that Russia had attempted to justify its invasion by drawing comparisons with the Soviet experience with the Nazis in the Second World War.
But in its latest intelligence report, the MoD said cracks were beginning to appear in that narrative, with Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhin publically questioning whether there were “Nazis” in Ukraine.
The MoD also pointed to the cancellation of Russia’s annual Immortal Regiment marches – a major celebration of its home front during World War II – over concerns they may highlight the scale of losses it has suffered in Ukraine.
Russia says it has cancelled the marches on “safety” grounds, while Olga Baibulova, a spokesperson for the group behind the marches, claimed the traditional format was being “expanded in a way to celebrate the memory of heroes throughout the day.”
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3h ago
02:51
What can Ukraine realistically expect to achieve with its forthcoming offensive?
Ukraine will struggle to win the war despite its planned summer offensive, setting the grounds for potential peace negotiations, according to Sky News military analyst, retired air vice marshal Sean Bell.
He wrote: “The scene is set for a summer of offensive action, with both sides focused on different objectives.
“By the end of the summer, both sides will be exhausted, short of ammunition, and in dire need of a break – the conditions for negotiation.
“Having secured (most of) the Donbas, Russia could claim victory – at least to a domestic audience – having achieved the focus of his special military operation.
“The bigger challenge for Volodymyr Zelenskyy is to accept ceding territory. This is where American diplomacy will prevail.”
He continued: “The war that Ukraine will struggle to win, and Russia will struggle to lose – rumbles on. Expect diplomatic pressure to increase to find a negotiated solution, despite the implications.”
You can read his full analysis in the link below.
Ukraine will struggle to win the war and Russia will struggle to lose, increasing pressure for a negotiated solution
Sky News
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3h ago
02:37
Top US general says American tanks ‘will make a difference’ but are ‘no silver bullet’
American Abrams tanks “will make a difference” in Ukraine, according to the US’s top general.
However, Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said they will not be a “silver bullet”.
Speaking during a press conference in Germany on Friday, he said: “I’m biased, but I think the M1 tank’s the best tank in the world.
“I do think the M1 tank, when it is delivered, will make a difference.
“But I would also caution there’s no silver bullet in war.”
US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaking at a press conference in Germany on Friday
US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaking at a press conference in Germany on Friday
Reuters
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3h ago
02:25
Kremlin spokesperson says talk of Ukraine joining NATO is ‘dangerous and short-sighted’
Russia’s Ministry of Defence has hit out at talk that Ukraine could join NATO as “short-sighted and simply dangerous”.
The comments were made by the ministry’s spokesperson Maria Zakharova in a post on Friday.
“It could lead to the final collapse of the European security system,” she said on Telegram.
Her comments come after NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg confirmed all members of the alliance had agreed to allow Ukraine to join.
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3h ago
02:15
Good morning – here’s your early rundown
Hello and welcome back to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine.
Before we bring you the latest updates, here are the top stories from the past 24 hours:
The US has said it will start training Ukrainian troops to use its Abrams tanks in the coming weeks;
Spain has sent six of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, according to a naval monitoring website;
A Moscow court has ordered the arrest in absentia of Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev, according to RIA news agency;
Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko appeared to visit Bakhmut on Friday;
Zelenskyy said in his nightly address that Ukraine was “actively” training new units and brigades;
NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg confirmed on Friday that all members had agreed to allow Ukraine to join the alliance.
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13h ago
16:47
Spain sends Leopard tanks to Ukraine
Six Leopard 2A4 tanks have left Spain for Ukraine, according to a naval monitoring website.
The German-made tanks and armoured personnel carriers were driven onto a cargo vessel, Reuters witnesses said on Friday.
It is not clear when it is expected to arrive.
Spain’s defence minister Margarita Robles said earlier this month that Spain will send 10 Leopard 2A4 tanks (four are currently being repaired).
Spain has also trained 40 tank crew and 15 mechanics.
Ukraine has been relying on Soviet-era tanks and has appealed to the West for modern battle tanks to help it fight the Russians.
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14h ago
15:50
Pictures: Buildings damaged by shelling in Izium
These are the latest pictures from the outskirts of Izium in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.
Russian shelling has destroyed a number of buildings in the area.
The pictures were taken today but it is not clear when the buildings were damaged.
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14h ago
15:22
Russian court orders arrest in absentia of Bellingcat reporter Christo Grozev
A Moscow court has ordered the arrest in absentia of Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev, according to RIA news agency.
Mr Grozev’s reporting for Bellingcat news outlet has angered the Kremlin.
He has investigated the poisoning of Putin critic Alexey Navalny, and of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal.
RIA cited a law enforcement source as saying that he was accused of facilitating the escape of Roman Dobrokhotov, the editor of a Russian news outlet, who left Russia in 2021.
Mr Grozev keeps his whereabouts secret for safety reasons.
After the court order, Mr Grozev tweeted: “As Dobrokhotov said, ‘Why don’t they just poison us in absentia and just get it over with’.”
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15h ago
14:40
‘They didn’t even let me say goodbye’ – Sasha hasn’t seen his mother for almost a year
Our chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay has been hearing from 12-year-old Sasha.
Russian soldiers took him away from his mother in Mariupol almost a year ago and sent him to Russian-occupied territory in Donetsk.
He hasn’t seen his mother since.
You can read more of the story here:
Ukraine war: ‘They didn’t even let me say goodbye – it’s been almost a year since I last saw my mum, since I heard her voice’ | World News | Sky News
Sky News
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15h ago
14:15
Russian priest exchanged for Ukrainian POWs, report says
The Kyiv Independent is reporting that a Russian priest has been handed back to Russia in exchange for 28 Ukrainian prisoners of war.
The news outlet is citing the chief of Ukraine’s security service Vasyl Maliuk and an interview he did with Interfax Ukraine.
It also says that the cleric of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate had been convicted of collaboration.
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16h ago
13:49
‘Buzzing, shuffling and humming’: Former president Poroshenko visits troops
Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko appears to have been in or near Bakhmut today.
He has posted photos of some of the soldiers he met and he wrote: “In addition to the apocalyptic appearance of these positions, there is also a constant buzzing, shuffling and humming.
“Off camera, the guys share front-line stories – how many casualties, wounded, what kind of adrenaline they have and what they have to do in Bakhmut.
“Hugs, wished success and victories. And they will!”
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16h ago
13:20
Ukraine is ‘actively preparing new brigades and units’, Zelenskyy says
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given his evening address.
He mentions a meeting during the day with defence and intelligence officials and a conversation with the president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), who was visiting Kyiv.
Regarding the military meeting, he said: “We constantly and carefully analyse the course of hostilities, the hottest and all potentially dangerous areas.
“The frontline is priority number one.
“We are also actively preparing new brigades and units that will show themselves at the front.
“The issue of their provision, training, and integration into the overall defence plan – we add crucial details every time at the staff meetings.”
Regarding the talk with the president of the EBRD, he said: “Every investment now, every job saved or created in Ukraine, every implemented economic project is also protection.
“And when it comes to defence, speed is crucial.
“The attention of the EBRD was drawn, in particular, to the urgent needs for recovery, housing construction, and investment opportunities in Ukraine.
“To work with Ukraine and in Ukraine right now is to implement the very mission for which the EBRD was created.”
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18h ago
12:04
Russian official warns of ‘uncontrollable’ nuclear arms race
A Russian official warned on Friday of an “uncontrollable” arms race involving multiple nuclear powers.
“In essence, we are witnessing a missile arms race with consequences that are hard to predict,” Grigory Mashkov, ambassador-at-large, was quoted as saying by state media.
“Tens of billions of dollars are being invested in improving missile technology.
“This process is taking on an uncontrollable character.”
Mr Mashkov referred in a magazine interview to China’s rapid expansion of its missile systems and to the nuclear capabilities of Israel, India and Pakistan.
Atomic scientists said in January that the “Doomsday Clock” – a notional measure of the risk of mankind’s extinction – had ticked closer to midnight than ever before as a result of rising nuclear tensions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In February, Putin announced Moscow was suspending the New START treaty with the United States, which limits each side’s deployed nuclear warheads, saying Washington was trying to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia in Ukraine.
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18h ago
11:27
Medvedev: ‘Britain is our eternal enemy’
Dmitry Medvedev has responded to the sanctions the UK placed on five Russian nationals earlier today by calling Britain Moscow’s “eternal enemy”.
On the messaging app Telegram, the former Russian president branded the British monarchy “degenerate” and called past prime ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak “very bizarre creatures”.
Utilising trademark Kremlin diplomatic language, the deputy chairman of Putin’s Security Council signed off his message saying: “Britain was, is and will be our eternal enemy.
“In any case, until their impudent and disgustingly damp island goes into the abyss of the sea from the wave created by the latest Russian weapons system.
“Let it be, as the Beatles sang …”
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19h ago
10:53
Lloyd Austin: ‘Putin’s war is not the result of NATO enlargement, it is the cause of NATO enlargement’
The US secretary of defence took a swipe at the Russian leader in his remarks at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Speaking after a meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group, Lloyd Austin said Vladimir Putin made a “series of grave miscalculations when he invaded Ukraine more than a year ago”.
Mr Austin said: “He thought that Ukraine wouldn’t fight back, but Ukraine is standing strong with the help of its partners.
“Putin thought our unity would fracture, but Russia’s cruel war of choice has only brought us close together.
“I note that Finland, which has long taken part in this contact group is here today as a new NATO ally – I suspect that Sweden will soon follow.”
He added: “That makes something crystal clear – Putin’s war of choice is not the result of NATO enlargement, it is the cause of NATO enlargement.”
