Ukraine war – latest: Russian forces using ‘Frankenstein’ tanks; Putin ally reacts after his mother’s sanctions are dropped
Wagner group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin claims his fighters have taken control of eastern Bakhmut after months of intense fighting; the UK MoD says Russian planners are stuck with a “dilemma” over where to focus their manpower. Listen to the Ukraine War Diaries while you scroll.
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Wagner claims to have taken control of eastern Bakhmut View post
Putin’s forces using ‘Frankenstein’ tanks View post
Russian planners are facing a dilemma, says UK MoD View post
More than 120 bodies still not identified in destroyed city View post
Dominic Waghorn: The Nord Stream whodunnit is important for all of us – here’s why View post
Deborah Haynes: UK set to publish ‘refresh’ of major defence and security review ahead of budget View post
Live reporting by Katie Williams, with Alex Rossi in Ukraine and Diana Magnay in Moscow
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6h ago
15:15
That’s all from our live coverage for tonight
We’ll have more Ukraine news and updates for you tomorrow.
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6h ago
15:10
UN trade official to meet with Russia over Black Sea grain deal
UN trade official Rebeca Grynspan is to meet senior Russian officials in Geneva next week to discuss the continuation of the Black Sea grain deal.
Earlier we reported that Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an extension to the agreement, which allows Ukraine to export grain from its blockaded Black Sea ports and permits Russia to export food and fertilisers.
The UN chief stressed the importance of the initiative for global food security and food prices.
Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said Ms Grynspan’s trip to Geneva will be “the next step”, and the body will see “whether anything further is needed than that”.
“The secretary-general will continue to do all he can to remove obstacles to the export of Russian fertilizers.”
The 120-day deal, initially brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July and extended in November, will be renewed on 18 March if no party objects.
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6h ago
15:00
Fireworks and water cannons during protests against ‘foreign agents’ bill
Following on from our last post, some pictures have emerged from the scene of the protests in Georgia’s capital of Tbilsi.
Fireworks exploded outside the city’s parliament building as protesters attempt to break through barrier constructions.
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds which are rallying against a draft law on “foreign agents”.
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7h ago
14:35
Tear gas reportedly used on protesters during second day of clashes in Georgia
Tear gas has reportedly been sprayed over protesters during a second day of rallying outside parliament in the Georgian capital Tbilisi.
Thousands of people staged another day of protests against a proposed “foreign agents” law today, with police using water cannons and stun grenades to push back a group who broke through a metal barrier near the parliament building.
Videos from the scene have also been posted on Twitter in the last hour.
Protests erupted in the ex-Soviet country last night after the first reading of a controversial draft law that would require some organisations receiving foreign funding to register as “foreign agents”.
Critics say it signals an authoritarian shift, with fears that it follows a model of a controversial law in Russia that has already imposed harsh rules on organisations and people with foreign links.
It could also impede the country’s hopes of closer ties with the EU.
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7h ago
14:00
Russian ‘selling Jagermeister imported from China’ amid sanctions from West
Much has been made of China’s continued assistance to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.
As detailed in our 15.40 post, the US believes Beijing is still cooperating with Moscow in a bid to challenge the United States.
Among the less well-documented forms of assistance in the face of international sanctions appears to be through the export of certain liquors – including German digestif Jagermeister, which has purportedly found its way to a store in the Russian capital via China.
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8h ago
13:30
Russia’s tactic in eastern Ukraine is to ‘advance where they can’, says regional governor
Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the eastern Luhansk region, has given his view on what he thinks the Russian tactic in the Donbas is – to advance where they can.
“They understand that they are not able to make any rapid advance, so they have one tactic – they advance where they can,” he said.
Ukrainian troops near Bakhmut
Ukrainian troops near Bakhmut
“If they see that there is any success somewhere, they throw all the reserves into it.”
Russia is continuing to push forward into the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which make up the Donbas in the east of Ukraine.
At the moment, the battle is fiercest around the city of Bakhmut, with Wagner Group mercenaries today claiming they had seized control of it.
However, Ukraine has not confirmed this is the case.
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8h ago
13:00
‘They are made of steel’: Ukraine pays tribute women of country
Events have been taking place across the world today to mark International Women’s Day.
Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister, Emine Dzheppar, has used the occasion to offer her tribute to women’s contribution to the country’s war efforts.
“They are made of steel and empower our society for further achievements,” she says.
“Every day Ukrainian women bring our victory closer.”
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9h ago
12:30
Wagner Group boss responds after his mother, 83, wins rare appeal against EU sanctions
The mother of the mercenary Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has won a legal bid to overturn European Union sanctions against her.
A court ruled there was no proof Violetta Prigozhina bore responsibility for his actions.
The decision in her favour is a rare example of an individual successfully contesting EU sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The EU has imposed the measures on nearly 1,700 people and entities.
It came as her son claimed new advances for his men on behalf of Russia in a brutal battle for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
With aggressive PR, foul language and frequent trips to the front lines, the shaven-headed Mr Prigozhin has become one of the most visible faces of the war, recruiting thousands of prisoners to fight for Wagner and feuding openly with the defence ministry over ammunition supplies.
But the EU’s second highest court said the EU had failed to provide proof of the mother’s role in his actions, and her blacklisting was “based solely on their family relationship”.
However, an EU spokesperson said the court ruling only concerned a sanctions listing from 23 February last year – and that a 14 September decision to renew the designation was still in force.
Ms Prigozhina therefore remains subject to an asset freeze and travel ban, the spokesperson said, adding that the bloc was analysing the ruling and its implications.
Mr Prigozhin, who enjoys jousting with the media, responded with characteristic irony and defiance when asked about today’s ruling.
“Unfortunately, I am on a business trip in the territory of Donbas,” he said through his media service, hours after having himself filmed in front of a tank with explosions ringing in the background.
He said his mother had fought the case on her own, and he had no plans to contest sanctions against himself and Wagner.
“I’m not about to challenge them and I believe that at the moment they are imposed with full justification,” he added.
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9h ago
12:00
Why is Bakhmut so important?
Defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke explains why Bakhmut – the scene of prolonged and brutal fighting – is so significant.
He says “things are getting critical now” – and outlines why NATO says the battle to secure control of the city could be a pivotal point in the war.
Professor Clarke says that while its loss may be politically awkward for Ukraine, Kyiv “shouldn’t worry too much” about the military consequences.
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10h ago
11:40
NATO allies have supplied £133bn in aid to Ukraine
Members of the North Atlantic Alliance have provided Ukraine with upwards of £133bn in aid since the war with Russia erupted a year ago, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said today.
This includes around £57bn in military aid alone, he added.
Mr Stoltenberg today emphasised the need for allies to increase ammunition production, in a bid to replenish stockpiles depleted by this aid.
“NATO allies have signed contracts… with the defence industry to ramp up production given the long-term demand signals, and several NATO allies have also gone into joint projects or procurement of different types of ammunition but also warehousing for ammunition,” he said.
Earlier, we reported that Mr Stoltenberg had warned Bakhmut may fall “in the coming days” despite Russian forces suffering big losses.
Speaking to journalists before a meeting of EU defence ministers in Stockholm today, Mr Stoltenberg said “what Russia lacks in quality, they’re trying to make up in quantity”.
“They have suffered big losses, but at the same time, we can not rule out that Bakhmut may eventually fall in the coming days.”
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10h ago
11:20
EU chief warns against jumping to conclusions over Nord Stream leak reports
Josep Borell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, has today warned against jumping to conclusions after new reports emerged about last year’s Nord Stream gas pipeline leak.
The new reports alleged that intelligence reviewed by US officials indicated a pro-Ukrainian group was behind the incident.
“I am not afraid of the truth. Any truth. But we are talking about… speculations,” he told reporters today after a meeting of EU defence ministers in Stockholm.
He added that investigations are still under way in Sweden, Denmark and Germany.
“As long as investigations are ongoing, we cannot draw definitive conclusions. I have to wait for having a clear understanding for what has [been] happening,” Mr Borrell said.
He was echoed by Sweden’s defence minister Pal Jonson.
“As long as that [investigation] process is ongoing, I don’t want to jump into any kind of conclusions as to the attribution. I want to wait until the inquiry is finished.”
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10h ago
11:00
‘Justice will come’ – Ambassador’s promise to the women of Ukraine
The British ambassador to Ukraine has shared a message to women affected by Russia’s invasion to mark International Women’s Day.
Mel Simmons says women have been raped, sexually assaulted and put through filtration camps at the hands of Russian soldiers.
“They have endured some of the worst of what any women anywhere have had to endure,” she adds.
“To all those people, the message is that: justice will come.”
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General has previously confirmed 156 cases of sexual violence against women in areas occupied by the Russians – but that is likely the tip of the iceberg.
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11h ago
10:40
Putin ‘has likely calculated his best option is to prolong the war’
Vladimir Putin likely believes prolonging the war will be the “best pathway” to getting what Russia wants, according to US intelligence agencies.
In a report tied to an annual hearing on worldwide threats to US security, the intelligence firms said Moscow’s military will need years of rebuilding because of its losses in Ukraine.
They said Moscow is therefore more reliant on its nuclear, cyber and space programmes.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines – the main intelligence adviser to President Joe Biden – described “a grinding, attritional war” in Ukraine and said US intelligence does not foresee the Russian military recovering enough this year to make major territorial gains.
The report warned there is “real potential” for Russia’s military failures in Ukraine to hurt Russian President Vladimir Putin’s domestic standing, raising the potential for escalation.
It also offered assessments on China’s likely moves, saying Beijing will maintain its cooperation with Russia to continue trying to challenge the United States, despite international concerns about the invasion of Ukraine.
The intelligence firms said China will keep working diplomatically, defensively, and economically with Moscow.
They added that this will be despite a “global backlash” and limited public support.
Ms Haines said China remains America’s “unparalleled priority”.
The report largely focused on threats from China and Russia, assessing that China will continue using its military and other assets to intimate rivals in the South China Sea.
The report said Russia probably does not seek conflict with the US and NATO, but the war in Ukraine carries “great risk” of that happening.
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11h ago
10:20
Ukraine needs one million rounds of ammunition ‘as soon as possible’
Ukraine’s defence minister has said his army needs one million rounds of ammunition “as soon as possible” to deter Russian forces and launch a counteroffensive.
Speaking to reporters before a European Union meeting in Stockholm, Oleksii Reznikov said Ukraine requires one million 155-millimetre and 105-millimetre shells, which would cost around €4bn (£3.56bn).
Estonia has proposed a plan for EU countries to jointly secure the rounds of ammunition – a plan Mr Reznikov said he supported.
He explained Ukraine needs 90,000 to 100,000 artillery rounds per month in order to beat Vladimir Putin.
He also called for air defence systems and tanks to be considered priorities as well.
“Priority number one is air defence systems — and also ammunition, ammunition, and again ammunition,” so that Ukraine can be ready for a counteroffensive, he said.
Mr Reznikov said time is a decisive factor that can save lives, therefore “we need to move forward as soon as possible”.
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11h ago
10:00
Ukrainian troops cling to positions on Bakhmut frontline
Ukrainian defenders are holding onto their positions in Bakhmut despite Russia apparently being on the cusp of seizing it.
Vladimir Putin’s troops have been encroaching on the city in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region for weeks, and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned earlier that it could fall “in the coming days”.
Today, more photos have emerged from the frontline of the battle for Bakhmut – the scene of intense fighting and heavy losses for months.
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12h ago
09:43
Ukraine is going though ammunition faster than it can replenish it – and it’s becoming a major problem
Ukrainian soldiers are being forced to cut back significantly on the amount of artillery shells being fired – but they are still going through stocks faster than the West can produce or supply them.
Shells are therefore becoming more expensive, and arms manufacturers want large orders with guaranteed money if they are to increase production.
EU defence ministers are meeting in Stockholm today to address the issue, which includes considering proposals to order and purchase up to one million shells for Ukraine using the bloc’s budget.
The purchase would cost an estimated €4bn.
Last month, EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell said delivering ammunition to Ukraine was the “most urgent issue”, adding: “If we fail on that, the result of the war is in danger.”
Ukraine’s defence minister Oleksii Reznikov made similar comments in a letter leaked to the Financial Times, saying his army’s efforts to hold back Russian attacks in the Donbas region are being hampered by a lack of ammunition.
He said Ukraine needs, at a minimum, 250,000 artillery shells a month.
Currently, Ukrainian forces are firing about 120,000 a month – about a fifth of the rounds they would ordinarily use.
However, a senior European official told The New York Times that EU countries can only produce 650,000 shells a year.
The US has sent Ukraine about one million 155-millimeter artillery shells from its stocks, but it too is trying to increase production.
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12h ago
09:27
Russia using ‘Frankenstein’ tanks due to losses in Ukraine
Russia is using “Frankenstein” tanks during its invasion of Ukraine due to losing a massive number of armoured vehicles, a Ukrainian news outlet has reported.
According to the Kyiv Post, the Kremlin’s forces have already lost as many as 1,700 tanks in Ukraine.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence has previously said this includes vehicles from the 1st Guards Tank Army – an elite fighting force, which is now being equipped with 60-year-old T-62 tanks.
In a bid to battle against the significant losses, some desperate Russian commanders appear to be improvising tanks from spare parts to fill the gap the gap in their armoury, the Kyiv Post said.
Images on social media have appeared to show tanks and other Russian vehicles fitted with overhead cages and naval turrets.
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a British military analyst, told the news site that Islamic State fighters had fielded similar vehicles in the Middle East.
“The fact that a supposed first-world army is cobbling together different bits of kit not dissimilar to terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIS hopefully shows the perilous state of the Russian army,” he said.
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12h ago
09:15
NATO chief warns Bakhmut may fall ‘in the coming days’
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has warned that Bakhmut may fall “in the coming days” despite Russian forces suffering big losses.
Speaking to journalists before a meeting of EU defence ministers in Stockholm today, Mr Stoltenberg said “what Russia lacks in quality, they’re trying to make up in quantity”.
“They have suffered big losses, but at the same time, we can not rule out that Bakhmut may eventually fall in the coming days.”
The NATO chief underlined that Moscow’s seizure of Bakhmut would not necessarily mark a turning point in the war.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this week that his troops will continue to defend the besieged eastern city in the face of intense Russian pressure and heavy losses.
Yesterday, he warned that it would be an “open road” for Russia to other cities in the Donetsk region if it were to capture Bakhmut.
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12h ago
09:00
UN secretary-general and Zelenskyy call for Black Sea grain deal extension
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have called for the continuation of the Black Sea grain deal.
They want an extension to the agreement, which allows Ukraine to export grain from its blockaded Black Sea ports and permits Russia to export food and fertilisers.
Mr Zelenskyy said the sea grain deal is necessary for the world, following discussions with Mr Guterres in Kyiv.
The UN chief also stressed the importance of the initiative, saying: “Exports of Ukrainian and Russia food and fertiliser are essential to global food security and food prices.”
The 120-day deal, initially brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July and extended in November, will be renewed on 18 March if no party objects.
But Moscow says complications to its own agricultural exports must be removed before it lets the deal continue.
