A furious Russia has vowed to respond to president Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russia with US-supplied longer-range missiles, saying Washington is adding “fuel to the fire” of the war as it clocked its 1,000th day today.
“It is obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends to take steps, and they have been talking about this, to continue adding fuel to the fire and provoking further escalation of tensions around this conflict,” spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Mr Peskov referred journalists to Vladimir Putin’s previous remarks where the Russian president said such a move “will mean Nato countries – the US and European countries – are at war with Russia”.
This comes as Kyiv crossed the grim mark of 1,000 days of war today since Russia’s full-scale invasion, with weary troops battling on numerous fronts, Ukrainian cities besieged by frequent drone and missile strikes, and officials preparing for Donald Trump to reclaim the White House in January.
Military losses have been catastrophic, although they remain closely guarded secrets. Public Western estimates based on intelligence reports vary widely, but most say hundreds of thousands have been killed or wounded on each side.
Key Points
- Furious Kremlin – and Trump allies – attack Biden’s ‘escalation’ of Ukraine war
- Ukraine mark 1,000 days since Russian invasion
- Biden approves Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia for first time
- British government refuses to reveal if it will follow US missile ban lift
Moscow warns the US over allowing Ukraine to hit Russian soil with longer-range weapons
03:26
Arpan Rai
The Kremlin warned that president Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russia with US-supplied longer-range missiles adds “fuel to the fire” of the war and would escalate international tensions even higher.
The Kremlin was swift in its condemnation. “It is obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends to take steps, and they have been talking about this, to continue adding fuel to the fire and provoking further escalation of tensions around this conflict,” spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Mr Peskov claimed that Western countries supplying longer-range weapons also provide targeting services to Kyiv. “This fundamentally changes the modality of their involvement in the conflict,” he said.
Mr Peskov referred journalists to a statement from president Vladimir Putin in September in which he said allowing Ukraine to target Russia would significantly raise the stakes.It would change “the very nature of the conflict dramatically,” Mr Putin said at the time. “This will mean that Nato countries — the United States and European countries — are at war with Russia.”
US says to announce additional support for Ukraine in coming days
03:15
Arpan Rai
The US will announce additional security assistance for Ukraine in coming days, the US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said as the United Nations marked 1,000 days since Russia’s invasion of the country.
Ms Thomas-Greenfield said supporting Ukraine in the US Congress and beyond could not and should not be a partisan issue, and that standing up for democracy and human rights was “above petty politics” and would outlast any one leader.
Ukrainians mark 1,000 days since Russian invasion
03:09
Arpan Rai
Ukraine marked 1,000 days today since Russia’s full-scale invasion, with weary troops battling on numerous fronts, Kyiv besieged by frequent drone and missile strikes, and officials preparing for Donald Trump to reclaim the White House in January.
In a boost for the beleaguered country, US president Joe Biden gave the green light for US missiles to be used against targets deeper inside Russia, potentially limiting its options to launch attacks and supply the front.
But the dramatic shift in policy may be reversed when Mr Trump returns to the White House in January, and military experts cautioned that it would not be enough on its own to change the course of the 33-month-old war.
Thousands of Ukrainian citizens have died, over 6 million live as refugees abroad and the population has fallen by a quarter since Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion by land, sea and air that began Europe’s biggest conflict since the Second World War.
Military losses have been catastrophic, although they remain closely guarded secrets. Public Western estimates based on intelligence reports vary widely, but most say hundreds of thousands have been killed or wounded on each side.
Tragedy has touched families in every corner of Ukraine, where military funerals are commonplace in major cities and far-flung villages, and people are exhausted by sleepless nights of air raid sirens and anguish.
Now the return of Mr Trump, who has vowed to end the fighting quickly – without saying how – calls into question the future of US military aid and the united Western front against Mr Putin, and raises the prospect of talks to end the war.
Russia's amendments to nuclear doctrine are drawn up, Kremlin says
02:56
Arpan Rai
Changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine have been drawn up and just need to be formalised, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s press secretary, told the TASS state news agency in remarks published today.
“They have already been practically formulated. They will be formalised as necessary,” TASS cited Mr Peskov, a close aide of Vladimir Putin, as saying.
Editorial | At last Biden is taking real steps to help Ukraine – but is it too little too late?
02:47
Andy Gregory
“What took you so long, Joe?” President Biden’s belated decision to allow Ukrainian armed forces to deploy a key US-supplied missile system deeper into Russian territory will be a welcome boost to morale in Kyiv, as well as being of some material help. It should also prompt the British and French to follow suit and to generally encourage other allies to boost their support for Ukraine.
However, it is painful to reflect on how much more effective this change in tactics would have been had the move been made, say, a year or two ago. In hindsight, President Vladimir Putin’s veiled threats about escalation proved to be empty – and now no one thinks he’s about to bomb New York, Paris or London in revenge for the West giving the Ukrainians more firepower.
As it is, in the dying days of the Biden administration, it seems unlikely to be the kind of “game changer” that President Zelensky and his long-suffering people have been virtually begging from the West since the earliest days of this conflict.
Read The Independent’s full editorial here:
Watch: Boris Johnson says Trump won’t embarrass himself by letting Putin win in Ukraine
01:44
Andy Gregory
UK to provide £7.5m for new attack and surveillance drones in Ukraine
00:41
Andy Gregory
Allies must “come together” to back Ukraine and ensure Vladimir Putin “does not succeed”, the Defence Secretary warned as Britain announced further military aid for Kyiv on the 1000th day of the war.
The UK will provide £7.5m for new attack and surveillance drones, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday. It will be invested through the drone coalition, with other allies providing an additional £16m –including £10m from Germany, £3m from Canada, and £3m from Luxembourg.
This brings the total fund to £67m, including a total of £15m from the UK, the Ministry of Defence said.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “The UK has stood side by side with our Ukrainian allies since day one of Putin’s illegal, full-scale invasion – leading international support, training 50,000 recruits and supplying weapons, drones and other crucial military kit.
“1,000 days after Putin initiated his full-scale invasion, our commitment to Ukraine remains ironclad. President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people will have our fullest support for as long as it takes.
UK ‘will never let up’ in backing Ukraine, says Lammy
Monday 18 November 2024 23:42
Andy Gregory
The UK will “never let up” in backing Ukraine, foreign secretary David Lammy has said, as the war entered its 1,000th day.
As questions linger over whether the UK could follow the US in allowing Kyiv to use British-supplied missiles to hit targets within Russia, Mr Lammy warned that faith in international law may “never return” unless Vladimir Putin fails.
Addressing delegates at a UN Security Council session in New York, Mr Lammy said: “Unless Putin fails, we could plunge into a world where the principles inscribed in the UN charter will have lost their meaning.
“Unless Putin fails, others will be inspired to wage imperialist wars of conquest. Unless Putin fails, our faith in international law may never return. Unless Putin fails, each of our borders will be less safe.
“If anyone (is) doubting Putin’s intent, this weekend’s massive missile attack on Ukraine and its energy infrastructure should serve as a reminder Putin wants to plunge Ukraine into darkness.”
Latest pictures from Odesa
Monday 18 November 2024 22:00
Rachel Hagan
Zelensky visits the frontline towns of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk
Monday 18 November 2024 21:40
Rachel Hagan
Volodymyr Zelensky visited the embattled towns of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk on Monday, as their Ukrainian defenders attempt to hold back the Russian onslaught.
In Pokrovsk, Mr Zelensky visited the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade and awarded medals to soldiers. He then oversaw the construction of trenches and “defensive structures” at an unspecified location in Donetsk.
My Zelensky then headed to the city of Kupiansk, which last week repelled a major Russian attack when two tank convoys attempted to gain a foothold in the city.
Filming himself outside a large Kupiansk sign, Mr Zelensky paid tribute to Ukrainian soldiers, saying “the strength of our entire Ukrainian army is the people who serve”.
Tear gas used on Ukraine battlefield, chemical weapons agency finds
Monday 18 November 2024 21:20
Rachel Hagan
The world’s chemical weapons watchdog said on Monday that it discovered indications of tear gas in samples collected last month on the frontline with Russia in Ukraine’s central-east Dnipropetrovsk area.
The employment of riot control agents like tear gas as a form of warfare is outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention, a non-proliferation treaty monitored by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Ukraine had requested assistance from the agency, which sent a team. The committee was not tasked with assigning culpability, but Ukraine and the United States have said Russia illegally used tear gas to clear trenches.
Tear gas is not fatal, although it does cause temporary discomfort to the eyes and respiratory system.
OPCW’s team reviewed digital files, received first-hand witness accounts, and tested three samples from a trench along the frontline with Russian troops, it said in an executive summary.
Analysis of samples conducted by two independent laboratories indicates that “both the grenade collected from the trench and the soil sample collected from the dark splatter next to it contained the riot control agent 2-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile, known as CS”, it said.
The findings are expected to be discussed at a meeting of the OPCW’s 193 member states in The Hague next week
German position unchanged on long-range missiles for Ukraine, Berlin says
Monday 18 November 2024 21:00
Rachel Hagan
Germany is sticking with its decision not to provide long-range missiles to Ukraine, a German government spokesperson said on Monday.
A spokesperson told a regular news conference in Berlin: “The chancellor’s decision is unchanged.”
Ben Wallace adds to criticism of Scholz-Putin call, saying Putin will be ‘laughing'
Monday 18 November 2024 20:40
Rachel Hagan
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace has added to the criticism of Olaf Scholz’s call with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Mr Wallace said Mr Scholz made the West look weak and “emboldened” Russia. He said “Putin is laughing” at the German leader, who he said had been “manipulated” by the Russian president to “exactly where he wants him”.
He continued: “No Taurus but huge amounts of humiliation. I think Scholz is probably best suited to chairing a sub committee of a local council rather than running a government.”
Lithuania’s Gabrielius Landsbergis, who is one of the EU’s most outspoken foreign ministers, said it was difficult for him to understand why the call had happened.
He said: “I’m not in principle against any calling or reach-out, but it has to come from a position of strength, not from the position of weakness, because if it does, then Russians will abuse it. And they clearly are doing exactly that, with massive new rocket barrages against Ukraine’s civil infrastructure, against energy. So what does it help? Why are we doing this?”
During their one-hour conversation on Friday, the German chancellor urged Putin to remove his soldiers from Ukraine. Russia then launched its worst attack on Ukraine in months over the weekend, killing at least seven people and causing the country to implement statewide electricity rationing.
US diplomat says North Korean troops fighting for Russia is a ‘minor development’
Monday 18 November 2024 20:20
Rachel Hagan
A former US special representative for Ukraine negotiations has said North Korean troops sent to support Russia in the war is “fairly minor.”
Kurt Volker was asked about the recent deployment on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and said this is a “fairly minor thing” given all the support North Korea has provided Russia.
He noted that most of Russia’s artillery munitions have come from North Korea.
He said: “Russia burns through anywhere from 1200-1500 troops a day, so 12,000 North Korean troops will replace 12,000 Russian soldiers in a couple of weeks.”
Poland says US decision on arms may be decisive for Ukraine
Monday 18 November 2024 20:00
Rachel Hagan
Andrzej Duda, the president of Poland, said Monday that a US decision to permit Ukraine to deploy American-made weaponry to launch an attack deep into Russia might be a turning point in the conflict.
“This decision was very necessary ... Russia sees that Ukraine enjoys strong support and that the West’s position is unyielding and determined. It’s a very important, potentially decisive moment in this war,” Duda told journalists.
He also expressed disdain for German chancellor Olaf Scholz’s phone conversation with Russian president Vladimir Putin last Friday and attacked Germany for stating that it would not align its strategy with the United States.
“Germany may be looking for opportunities, as the German press indicates, to reach some agreement with Russia in order to return to energy contracts and to be able to buy energy resources from Russia again,” Duda said.
“Russia is brutally attacking Ukraine, and one of the leaders of the free world, one of the leaders of the West, a large European country, the strongest economy in Europe, is in talks with the aggressor. I absolutely believe that it was a mistake on the international political front.”
Turkey’s proposal for peace in Ukraine would delay Kyiv’s accession to Nato
Monday 18 November 2024 19:40
Rachel Hagan
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, intends to put up a new “peace deal” for the war in Ukraine that would postpone Kyiv’s accession to Nato for ten years and freeze the fighting along the present lines.
Bloomberg quoted Turkish officials at the G20 conference in Rio de Janeiro as saying that Mr Erdogan wants to establish a demilitarised zone in the Donbas region that is patrolled by “international troops.”
Officials from Ukraine have consistently stated that they will not accept a peace agreement that cedes Ukrainian land.
Since Rusaia invaded Ukraine, Mr Erdogan has been among the few heads of a Nato member state to keep in touch with the Kremlin.
In April 2022, unsuccessful peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow were held in Turkey.
What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile? The British weapon Ukraine wants to hit Russia
Monday 18 November 2024 19:20
Rachel Hagan
Russia says Biden ‘adding fuel to the fire'
Monday 18 November 2024 19:00
Rachel Hagan
The Kremlin said on Monday that if the United States allowed Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike far into Russia then it would lead to a rise in tension and deepen the involvement of the US in the conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the outgoing administration of Joe Biden was throwing “oil on the fire” and he reiterated earlier warnings from Russian president Vladimir Putin saying that any strikes on Russian soil using US weapons would be interpreted as direct Nato involvement.
In response to a question from Tass at his regular press briefing, Mr Peskov said Russia was only aware of the apparent decision by the Biden administration from reporting in western media.
He said if western weapons are fired deep into Russia, it would not be Ukraine doing the targeting “but those countries which gave permission.”
EU should allow Ukraine to strike inside Russia, foreign policy chief says
Monday 18 November 2024 18:40
Rachel Hagan
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday said he hoped that EU members could agree to allow Ukraine to use arms to strike inside Russia.
He said before a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels: “I’ve been saying once and again that Ukraine should be able to use the arms we provided to them, in order to not only stop the arrows but also to be able to hit the archers.
“I continue believing this is what has to be done. I’m sure we will discuss once again. I hope member states will agree on that.”
'Putin’s forces in Russia will finally face long-range missiles - Ukraine has to hit them hard and fast’
Monday 18 November 2024 18:20
Rachel Hagan
Shadow defence secretary urged UK to follow in America’s footsteps
Monday 18 November 2024 18:00
Rachel Hagan
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge pressed the Government to follow in America's footsteps and allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russian territory.
In the Commons, Mr Cartlidge said: "We welcome very strongly the decision by the United States to permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Kursk. I know he doesn't want to go into operational detail, I understand that, but can I assure him of our support if he now follows through in relation to storm shadow, as we believe he should.
"But does he agree with me there will be those who talk about escalation, but the only escalation that matters here is 10,000 North Korean troops on the ground, supporting Russia in their illegal war?"
Defence Secretary John Healey replied: "The shadow secretary of state is right, the one person responsible for escalation in this conflict is President Putin. The one side that has been escalating in recent moths is Russia."
He added: "This is a very serious development that I'm discussing with the US defence secretary and will be doing so this evening with the Ukrainian defence secretary as well."
UK refuses to comment on whether it will allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles from the UK in Russia
Monday 18 November 2024 17:40
Rachel Hagan
Defence Secretary John Healey would not be drawn on whether the Government will allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles from the UK inside Russian territory, in line with its US ally.
Mr Healey said: “I will not compromise operations, security and comment on details of long-range systems today. The Prime Minister has been clear, as I do to the House today, that we must double down on the support for Ukraine, give Ukraine the support it needs, and do so for as long as it takes.
“And in doing so we will continue our close co-operation with the US and allies in providing that support to Ukraine.”
This came in response to chairman of the defence committee Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, who argued that Ukraine is “fighting and defending itself with one hand tied behind its back”.
He said: “Given the continuous bombing of Ukrainian communities by Russia, and given that we’ve got thousands of North Korean troops fighting against our ally, in our continent, will Ukraine now be allowed to use those storm shadow missiles? Obviously within the confines of international law.
“Or are are we expecting Ukraine to continue fighting and defending itself with one hand tied behind its back and to keep those storm shadows in safe storage?”
Slovak leader Fico says allowing long-range strikes against Russia is major escalation
Monday 18 November 2024 17:20
Rachel Hagan
Slovak prime minister Robert Fico strongly opposed US decision to allow Ukraine use long-range weapons in strikes against Russia, saying it aimed to thwart or delay peace negotiations.
"This is an unprecedented escalation of tensions, a decision that thwarts hopes for the start of any peace talks and an end to the mutual killing of Slavs in Ukraine," Fico said in a statement.
Moscow warns of 'radical' change if Ukraine strikes deep inside Russia
Monday 18 November 2024 17:01
Rachel Hagan
Russia’s foreign ministry warned on Monday that Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles to attack Russian territory, with assistance from the United States and allies, would represent a dramatic escalation of the conflict.
The ministry stated that such a move would fundamentally alter the essence of the war and elicit “an adequate and tangible” response from Russia.
50,000 Ukrainian troops trained by UK since 2022, government says
Monday 18 November 2024 17:00
Rachel Hagan
Defence Secretary John Healey told the Commons: “Tomorrow marks the bloody milestone of 1,000 days since [Vladimir] Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine began. The UK continues to be united for Ukraine and this Government continues to step up support for Ukraine.
“As part of this, I can confirm today that 50,000 Ukrainian troops have now been trained through Operation Interflex, that’s the UK-led multinational training programme, which I’ve now extended to run throughout 2025.”
Operation Interflex launched in June 2022 and is the successor to Operation Orbital, the British Army’s previous training programme in Ukraine.
A UK-led operation has trained 50,000 Ukrainian troops since 2022, the Government has said.
Ukraine should be able to use UK-supplied missiles ‘as it sees fit’, Tory MP says
Monday 18 November 2024 16:16
Rachel Hagan
Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale argued that Ukraine should be able to use UK-supplied missiles “as it sees fit”.
Sir Roger, who represents Herne Bay and Sandwich, said: “Will the United Kingdom, preferably in tandem with our European colleagues, make necessary bilaterally with United States, align with the United States, in permitting Ukraine to use the missile defence system that we have supplied as it sees fit in its own defence?”
Defence minister Maria Eagle replied: “We intend to align with our allies in making sure that Ukraine can make use of the capabilities that’s been offered by those who have committed support to that country in its fight.”
Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale argued that Ukraine should be able to use UK-supplied missiles “as it sees fit”.
Kremlin responds after Biden approves Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles in Russia
Monday 18 November 2024 15:39
Rachel Hagan
Dramatic escalations from Russia are unlikely, analyst says
Monday 18 November 2024 15:22
Rachel Hagan
Escalation risks from Russia in response to the US’ missile decision are a threat but dramatic provocations are unlikely given Russia’s current tactics and ongoing efforts to influence international support for Ukraine, an analyst has said.
Military sciences director Matthew Savill of the defence think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) said Russia’s rhetoric has been predictably severe, warning of a “new spiral of tension.” But he suggested this is more likely an effort to deter international support for Ukraine rather than a signal of imminent direct confrontation.
Savill pointed out that for the past two years, Russian officials have consistently labeled US and other Western support for Ukraine as “direct involvement” and deemed it “unacceptable.”
He added that Russia has already intensified its assaults, targeting Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure, particularly the power grid, alongside conducting sabotage operations.
These actions suggest that while the risk of escalation remains, much of Russia’s “blood-curdling Russian claims are more about signalling than representative of a huge jump in risk.” This is particularly true given Russia’s existing involvement of foreign actors, like North Korea, and its use of Iranian drones to strike Ukraine.
Hungarian minister calls US missile decision ‘astonishingly dangerous’
Monday 18 November 2024 14:45
Rachel Hagan
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has described the US’ missile decision as “astonishingly dangerous.”
Hungary is one of the only nations to still buy Russian gas and Mr Orban makes frequent statements sympathetic to Moscow and Vladimir Putin.
He said: “The military mainstream has made a last, desperate attack on the new reality. These forces do not even seem to be avoiding the worst: expanding the war in Ukraine to global proportions.”
Putin ally threatens use of ‘new’ weapons against Ukraine
Monday 18 November 2024 14:25
Rachel Hagan
An ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin has vowed to employ “new” military systems against Ukraine if Kyiv uses American long-range missiles to attack Russia.
The head of Russia’s lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, said that Kyiv has already used long-range missiles to hit Russian targets but did not elaborate on the weaponry.
Mr Volodin went on to say that Ukraine’s continued deployment of the weapons would “completely destroy Russian-American relations.”
Mr Putin previously warned that allowing Kyiv to fire long-range missiles at targets inside Russia would constitute Nato’s direct involvement in the conflict.
Donald Trump Jr accuse Biden of trying to start WWIII
Monday 18 November 2024 14:02
James Liddell
Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump Jr have accused President Joe Biden of trying to start World War III after he gave Ukraine the green light to use US-supplied long-range supersonic missiles to strike inside Russia for the first time.
The Biden administration’s granting of Kyiv’s request to use the ATACMS missiles outside of its own borders marks a change in stance in the president’s final days in office, before President-elect Donald Trump – who has indicated he will limit US support for Ukraine – returns to the White House in January.
The MAGA representative and Donald Trump’s eldest son lashed out at Biden’s decision in fiery posts on X.
“On his way out of office, Joe Biden is dangerously trying to start WWIII by authorizing Ukraine the use of U.S. long range missiles into Russia,” Greene, who is among the Republicans who want to cut US aid to Ukraine, posted on Sunday.
“The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives,” Trump Jr said.
UK announces new sanctions against Iran for aiding Russia in Ukraine war
Monday 18 November 2024 13:49
Rachel Hagan
In reaction to Iran’s delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia, Iran Air, the country’s flag carrier, will have its assets frozen.
The Russian cargo ship PORT OLYA-3 has been sanctioned for transferring missiles from Iran to Russia, and the shipping company Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines has also been sanctioned for its involvement in moving Iranian military equipment.
Foreign secretary David Lammy is expected to address the new sanctions as he speaks at the United Nations Security Council in New York on Monday.
He is expected to say: “Alongside our international partners, we were clear that any transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia would face a significant response.
“We reiterate our call on Iran to cease its support for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine which continues to bring devastation to the Ukrainian people. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
British government refuses to reveal if it will follow US missile ban lift
Monday 18 November 2024 13:33
Rachel Hagan
A Downing Street spokeswoman refused to say whether its ongoing support for Ukraine would include allowing UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to be fired at targets in Russia.
“So, our support in Ukraine is ironclad and will continue on that basis. But as to the specifics of the support that we provide ... we won’t get into speculation or a commentary on operational discussions.
“It also remains the case that no war was ever won with one single piece of kit.”
The UK will ‘double down’ to ensure Ukraine is gets ‘support that it needs for as long as it needs'
Monday 18 November 2024 13:30
Rachel Hagan
The UK will “double down” to ensure Ukraine is “provided with the support that it needs for as long as it needs”.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “In recent days we’ve seen (Vladimir) Putin reach new depths of depravity, systematically attacking energy infrastructure, depriving families from warmth and light, and killing civilians through drone and missile attacks in what is an ongoing illegal war.”
Downing Street said the UK Government wanted to put Ukraine in the “strongest possible position going into the winter to defend its sovereign territory”.
Further deaths in Odesa
Monday 18 November 2024 13:18
Rachel Hagan
We reported earlier on the strike in Odesa and now the casualty figures have gone up.
In a short statement on Telegram, Odesa’s police force says ten people are now confirmed to have been killed following a Russian missile attack.
Of these, they say that seven are “policemen”, another is a medic, and two were “local residents”.
Another 39 people have been injured with “varying degrees of severity” including four children and 14 law enforcement officers, the police force adds.
What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile? The British weapon Ukraine wants to hit Russia
Monday 18 November 2024 13:00
Rachel Hagan
Joe Biden’s green light, according to US officials, for Ukraine to use US-made long-range missiles to target inside Russia opens the door for the UK to authorise the use of Britain’s own long-range Storm Shadow missiles into Russia.
Storm Shadow is an Anglo-French cruise missile with a maximum range of around 155 miles (250km). The French call it Scalp. After launch, the weapon, equipped with its navigation system, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking on to its target using an infra-red seeker. On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target.
Ukraine brings back long rolling power cuts after major Russian strike
Monday 18 November 2024 12:45
Rachel Hagan
Ukrainians in the Black Sea port city of Odesa on Monday morning had been without power for 24 hours and further cuts were planned across the country after a massive Russian missile strike over the weekend damaged energy infrastructure.
Russia unleashed its largest missile attack on Ukraine in almost three months on Sunday, killing seven people and further hobbling an already damaged energy system.
"The situation is most difficult in Odesa and Odesa district. Unfortunately, it is not yet technically possible to supply power to the critical infrastructure in the Kyivskyi and Primorskyi districts of the city," power distributor DTEK wrote on the Telegram messenger.
Russia has attacked the Odesa region for months, hitting port and energy infrastructure.
Russian forces capture village in eastern Ukraine, RIA reports
Monday 18 November 2024 12:30
Rachel Hagan
Russian forces have taken control of the village of Novooleksiivka in eastern Ukraine‘s Donetsk region, the RIA state news agency reported on Monday, citing the Defence Ministry.
Reuters could not independently confirm the battlefield report.
Zelensky condemns ‘barbaric’ Russian strike on Odesa
Monday 18 November 2024 12:21
Tom Barnes
Ukranian president Volodymur Zelensky has condemned Monday’s Russian strike on Odesa, which has killed at least eight people, including one child.
Mr Zelensky said the only way to “stop this terror” was to elimnate Russia’s ability to launch attacks, following US president Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russia with US-supplied long-range missiles.In a statement posted to X, Mr Zelensky added: “Today, Russia struck Odesa with a missile—deliberately targeting a residential area.
“As a result of this barbaric act, innocent lives were lost, and many people were injured—lives that could have been saved if we had the capability to destroy Russian launch systems, supply chains, arsenals, and war factories at their source.
“It is not just defense; it is justice—the right way to protect our people. Any nation under the attack would act this way to defend its citizens. We must do the same, together with our partners. Russia must be left with no capacity for terror. The time to act is now.”
The only way to truly stop this terror is to eliminate Russia’s ability to launch attacks. And this is absolutely realistic.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 18, 2024
Today, Russia struck Odesa with a missile—deliberately targeting a residential area. As a result of this barbaric act, innocent lives were lost, and many… pic.twitter.com/5Isl7F3hxV
Turkey’s proposal for peace in Ukraine would delay Kyiv’s accession to Nato
Monday 18 November 2024 12:15
Rachel Hagan
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, intends to put up a new “peace deal” for the war in Ukraine that would postpone Kyiv’s accession to Nato for ten years and freeze the fighting along the present lines.
Bloomberg quoted Turkish officials at the G20 conference in Rio de Janeiro as saying that Mr Erdogan wants to establish a demilitarised zone in the Donbas region that is patrolled by “international troops.”
Officials from Ukraine have consistently stated that they will not accept a peace agreement that cedes Ukrainian land.
Since Rusaia invaded Ukraine, Mr Erdogan has been among the few heads of a Nato member state to keep in touch with the Kremlin.
In April 2022, unsuccessful peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow were held in Turkey.
Poland says US decision on arms may be decisive for Ukraine
Monday 18 November 2024 11:48
Rachel Hagan
Andrzej Duda, the president of Poland, said Monday that a US decision to permit Ukraine to deploy American-made weaponry to launch an attack deep into Russia might be a turning point in the conflict.
"This decision was very necessary ... Russia sees that Ukraine enjoys strong support and that the West's position is unyielding and determined. It's a very important, potentially decisive moment in this war," Duda told journalists.
He also expressed disdain for German chancellor Olaf Scholz’s phone conversation with Russian president Vladimir Putin last Friday and attacked Germany for stating that it would not align its strategy with the United States.
"Germany may be looking for opportunities, as the German press indicates, to reach some agreement with Russia in order to return to energy contracts and to be able to buy energy resources from Russia again," Duda said.
"Russia is brutally attacking Ukraine, and one of the leaders of the free world, one of the leaders of the West, a large European country, the strongest economy in Europe, is in talks with the aggressor. I absolutely believe that it was a mistake on the international political front."
Russian missile attack kills at least 8 people, including one child
Monday 18 November 2024 11:30
Rachel Hagan
A Russian missile attack has killed at least 8 people and injured 18 in Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa on Monday, local governor Oleh Kiper said.
One child is among the victims while four people are in serious condition, Kiper said on the Telegram messenger.
US diplomat says North Korean troops fighting for Russia is a ‘minor development’
Monday 18 November 2024 11:27
Rachel Hagan
A former US special representative for Ukraine negotiations has said North Korean troops sent to support Russia in the war is “fairly minor.”
Kurt Volker was asked about the recent deployment on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and said this is a “fairly minor thing” given all the support North Korea has provided Russia.
He noted that most of Russia’s artillery munitions have come from North Korea.
He said: “Russia burns through anywhere from 1200-1500 troops a day, so 12,000 North Korean troops will replace 12,000 Russian soldiers in a couple of weeks.”
Ben Wallace adds to criticism of Scholz-Putin call, saying Putin will be ‘laughing'
Monday 18 November 2024 11:18
Rachel Hagan
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace has added to the criticism of Olaf Scholz’s call with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Mr Wallace said Mr Scholz made the West look weak and “emboldened” Russia. He said “Putin is laughing” at the German leader, who he said had been “manipulated” by the Russian president to “exactly where he wants him”.
He continued: “No Taurus but huge amounts of humiliation. I think Scholz is probably best suited to chairing a sub committee of a local council rather than running a government.”
Lithuania’s Gabrielius Landsbergis, who is one of the EU’s most outspoken foreign ministers, said it was difficult for him to understand why the call had happened.
He said: “I’m not in principle against any calling or reach-out, but it has to come from a position of strength, not from the position of weakness, because if it does, then Russians will abuse it. And they clearly are doing exactly that, with massive new rocket barrages against Ukraine’s civil infrastructure, against energy. So what does it help? Why are we doing this?”
During their one-hour conversation on Friday, the German chancellor urged Putin to remove his soldiers from Ukraine. Russia then launched its worst attack on Ukraine in months over the weekend, killing at least seven people and causing the country to implement statewide electricity rationing.
German position unchanged on long-range missiles for Ukraine, Berlin says
Monday 18 November 2024 11:07
Rachel Hagan
Germany is sticking with its decision not to provide long-range missiles to Ukraine, a German government spokesperson said on Monday.
A spokesperson told a regular news conference in Berlin: “The chancellor’s decision is unchanged.”
Ukraine using French missiles inside Russia an ‘option'
Monday 18 November 2024 11:04
Rachel Hagan
Ukraine’s use of French long-range missiles to strike military targets inside Russia is an “an option”, the foreign minister said on Monday
Jean-Noel Barrot said president Emmanuel Macron had made it clear in May that such missiles could be used in certain cases.
He said upon arrival in Brussels for a meeting of foreign affairs ministers: “You heard President Macron in Meseberg on May 25, where we openly said that it was an option that we would consider, if we had to authorise strikes on targets from which the Russians attack Ukrainian territory. So, nothing new under the sun.”
Russia says Biden ‘adding fuel to the fire'
Monday 18 November 2024 09:40
Rachel Hagan
The Kremlin said on Monday that if the United States allowed Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike far into Russia then it would lead to a rise in tension.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the outgoing administration of Joe Biden was adding fuel to the fire and seeking to escalate the conflict in Ukraine.
He also said if western weapons are fired deep into Russia, it would not be Ukraine doing the targeting “but those countries which gave permission.”
Ukraine use of French long-range missiles 'an option that we would consider'
Monday 18 November 2024 09:37
Rachel Hagan
France signalled on Monday that allowing Kyiv to strike military targets inside Russia remained an option on the table.
The country has already provided long-range missiles to Ukraine.
Jean-Noël Barrot, minister for Europe and foreign affairs of France, told journalists ahead of an EU ministers’ meeting in Brussels: “We openly said this was an option that we would consider if it was to allow to strike a target from where Russia is currently aggressing Ukrainian territory. So nothing new on the other side.”
EU should allow Ukraine to strike inside Russia, foreign policy chief says
Monday 18 November 2024 09:00
Rachel Hagan
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday said he hoped that EU members could agree to allow Ukraine to use arms to strike inside Russia.
He said before a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels: "I've been saying once and again that Ukraine should be able to use the arms we provided to them, in order to not only stop the arrows but also to be able to hit the archers.
"I continue believing this is what has to be done. I'm sure we will discuss once again. I hope member states will agree on that."
Shadow defence secretary hails Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles in Russia
Monday 18 November 2024 08:36
Rachel Hagan
The shadow defence secretary has welcomed the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike inside of Russia.
James Cartlidge told Sky News: "I welcome it very strongly. I think it's important, and I hope it is a precursor to the UK granting full autonomy on use of Storm Shadow (missiles)."
Mr Cartlidge said it was "the right time" for permission to be granted for the weapons and said the Conservatives had been calling for the move since the summer.
He added: "Obviously these are complex matters. On this we had to move with the Americans, so I welcome the fact that the President has given this steer, and I hope it now leads to the UK doing the same."
North Korea may deploy 100,000 troops to Russia as Kim pushes military to prepare for war
Monday 18 November 2024 08:15
Namita Singh
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has urged the country’s military to enhance its combat readiness, amid growing speculation that Pyongyang may send up to 100,000 troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, reported state media KCNA on Monday.
Mr Kim’s comments were made during a military conference in Pyongyang on Friday, where he addressed battalion commanders and political instructors. According to KCNA, he called for bolstering both political and military strength to ensure the nation’s armed forces are equipped to handle the challenges of war.
“He ardently called upon all the participants to go all out for bringing about substantial and fundamental improvement in improving their capabilities for fighting an actual war,” the KCN
