Ukraine-Russia war news: Putin’s weary forces make first gains in 3 WEEKS as Wagner mercenaries CAPTURE huge power plant

Destruction in Zatoka

The Russian Ministry of Defence has shared footage from Zatoka following a missile strike.

The video shows the devastation and destruction that has been caused by the "terrorist state".

UK's Ministry of Defence map update

The UK's Ministry of Defence have released their latest intelligence update.

The map below shows the situation on the ground within Ukraine.

UK's Ministry of Defence latest update

Russia has claimed to have hit a "Ukrainian warship and a stockpile of anti-ship missiles" despite their being no "indication that such targets were at the location" according to the UK's Ministry of Defence.

The MoD said: "On 24 July 2022, Russian cruise missiles hit the dock-side in Ukraine’s Odesa Port.

"The Russian MoD claimed to have hit a Ukrainian warship and a stockpile of anti-ship missiles.

"There is no indication that such targets were at the location the missiles hit.

"Russia almost certainly perceives anti-ship missiles as a key threat which is limiting the effectiveness of their Black Sea Fleet."

Russian cruise missile strikes

The Ukrainian military on Tuesday reported Russian cruise missile strikes in the south and that Ukrainian forces had hit enemy targets.

Serhiy Bratchuk, a spokesman from the military administration in Odesa, told a Ukrainian television channel that a missile fired from the direction of the Black Sea had struck the region, but gave no information on casualties.

East of Odesa along the Black Sea coast, port infrastructure at Mykolaiv was damaged by an attack, according to the mayor Oleksandr Senkevich.

Doomsday weapon

The Poseidon nuclear drone that can trigger tsunamis

• Putin’s massive Poseidon drone will carry a two-megaton nuclear weapon
• It could be in regular operation this year
• Putin said the weapon was designed so Russia could destroy enemy naval bases
• If deployed underwater, it could cause a tsunami as big as 300ft
• It will travel at speeds of 60-70 knots underwater in a specially built submarine
• The weapon was unveiled by Vladimir Putin during his State of the Nation address on March 1, 2018
• Experts have warned the damage could match Japan’s 2011 tsunami when 20,000 people died

Sam Ryder reminds fans that Eurovision 'is still Ukraine's party'

Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder reminded fans that next year's competition will still be "Ukraine's party" following the announcement that it will be held in the UK in 2023.

The British singer said his "heart was heavy" knowing that the world-famous song contest could not be held in Ukraine but was quick to add that the UK would be part of a group of "loving facilitators".

Organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), previously decided the event could not be held in war-torn Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

This was despite Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra triumphing at this year's competition in Turin, Italy.

"Hey friends, just a couple of thoughts," Ryder said in an Instagram video.

"It's Ukraine's party, we're just inviting them to throw it at our house.

"I know how much it meant to Kalush and the Ukrainian delegation that it would be held at home in Ukraine next year. I'm not the only one whose heart is heavy knowing that that can't be the case at this moment in time.

He added: "We know how to throw a party here in the UK and our excitement is outshone only by our focus on that one sole objective to hold space and be on hand to help wherever needed to host an event that celebrates Ukrainian culture, history and music and to stand in solidarity with the rest of the globe shining a unified light.

"The rest of us are just loving facilitators and there is no doubt in my mind that we will all come together in the spirit of unity that Eurovision has always been about to celebrate the wonderful people of Ukraine."

China developing nuclear drone torpedo to match Putin’s Doomsday Poseidon nuke

The fearsome nuclear drone torpedoes would be able to fire swarms of devastating torpedoes across the entire Pacific Ocean.

Beijing scientists claim the new torpedo could be mass-produced, allowing it to be fired from virtually any warship or submarine.

Chinese news sources brag that the new torpedoes would be an improvement on Russia‘s underwater Poseidon nuclear drone, which Putin first flaunted back in 2018.

The Poseidon was hailed by the Kremlin as the world’s first nuclear-propelled underwater drone.

It is designed to bypass US missile defences and attack coastal targets by using its cobalt warhead to generate a 300ft radioactive tsunami, according to the .

In January this year, it was reported that the Belgorod, Vlad’s 600ft “city killer” nuke submarine will be primed for war this year.

Click here to read more.

Britain calls fighting in Donbas ‘inconclusive’

The fighting is still ongoing in Donbas and Kherson.

British military intelligence’s updated bulletin said: “At least 300 damaged vehicles were present, including main battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers and general support trucks,” as reported by Reuters.

Putin ‘was replaced by BODY DOUBLE’ for Iran talks

Putin, 69, bounced along the red carpet with his arm hanging limp by his side after shuffling down the steps of his presidential jet.

But the animated warmonger – who is rumoured to have Parkinson’s or terminal cancer  – appeared to walk faster than usual, and seemed more alert than in previous public appearances and footage, Ukrainian sources said.

Major General Kyrylo O. Budanov told Ukraine’s 1+1 news channel he was sceptical about Putin’s energetic appearance – in a nod to reports the president may already be using body doubles and pre-recorded appearances to hide his poor health.

“I will only hint,” Budavov said in the interview.

“Please look at the moment of Putin’s exit from the plane. Is it Putin at all?”

Click here to read more.

Consultant uses artistic talent to raise medical funds for Ukraine

A hospital consultant who took up oil painting to relax during the pressures of the Covid pandemic is now selling her creations to raise funds for Ukraine.

Dr Jennifer Elder, a consultant respiratory physician at the Ulster Hospital, uses the scenery of the Co Down coast to inspire her pictures.

Dr Elder, together with other doctors from across the UK, have joined MAU (Medical Aid Ukraine) which raises funds to send essential health supplies to Ukraine.

Equipment and ambulances donated to the cause are now in active use in Ukrainian hospitals and fundraising by MAU totals almost £100,000.

Dr Elder, who was born in Scotland but has lived in Co Down for the last 19 years, said her artwork has been inspired by beauty spots such as Strangford Lough, Murlough and Tobermory.

She said: “I am a respiratory doctor first and foremost but one who now breathes art – there are many things that make us feel alive and, for me, painting is one of them.

“I started to paint during lockdown as a way of escaping, after long days working in a Covid-19 high dependency ward.

“All of us experience hundreds of different lights and moods in a day, which I hope I have captured in my paintings.

“It is one of the reasons why I started to paint.”

The UK is to host Eurovision contest next year

2023’s competition will be hosted by the UK on behalf of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won this year’s competition, however organisers agreed it would not be safe to host the show in Ukraine next year.

The BBC said it will hold the “glorious Ukraine at it’s heart.”

US ‘seriously considering’ declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism

According to the Kyiv Independent, the United States are on the verge of declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.

According to the report: “U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said on July 24 that Washington was looking into the decision, but it has to be ‘carefully analyzed in accordance with American law.’ ”

This comes just hours after the Russian government admitted to bombing the Ukrainian port of Odesa.

Catch all the most important live updates

Stick with The Sun to get all the most important updates about Ukraine.

Readers are given updates every 30 minutes, with breaking news posted straight away.

Odesa official slams Russia for ‘lying’ after port bombing

Oleksiy Goncharenko, an official working in Odesa, has accused Russia of ‘lying’ after they denied launching missiles at the port of Odesa.

“They are lying all the time. Four missiles, the most powerful and the most precise of all Russian missiles, attacked Odesa,” Goncharenko told Al Jazeera from Washington, DC.

“It is clear who did it. Russia doesn’t want any grain deal. They want as much chaos as possible,” he said.

“They want people starving in North Africa and the Middle East and other regions. They want people to suffer and have social unrests and hunger riots. That’s why immediately after they signed the deal, they started to disrupt it,” he added.

HMS Portland’s fearsome arsenal

RAF fighter jets have been forced to intercept Russian warships close to the UK 136 times since 2005.

The HMS Portland has a crew of 180 and a top speed of 28 knots (32mph).

Among its fearsome arsenal are 32 Sea Ceptor anti-air missiles, eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, a 4.5in naval gun, two 30mm guns and two Miniguns.

The Severodvinsk and Vepr are both armed with Kalibr cruise missiles.

It follows reports that the Royal Navy is developing drones to hunt for Russian submarines to free up pilots for other missions.

Russian oligarchs’ citizenship bids scrutinised in Portugal

Portugal is exploring the citizenship applications of two Russian oligarchs – one of whom is under US sanctions, the Government has said.

Al-Jazeera reports that Russian-Israeli diamond oligarch Lev Leviev and Russian property developer God Nisanov are the latest high-profile Russians known to have applied for citizenship in Portugal.

The two men’s citizenship applications are “pending analysis”, Portugal’s Justice Ministry said in a statement, without giving further details

Russia’s losses as of July 24

Russian losses are approaching 40,000, report the Kyiv Independent.

On top of this, the country has lost 221 planes and 1,708 tanks.

This comes after the world watched in shock as Russia attacked the port city of Odesa just days after the two nation’s held positive talks.

Gazprom to cut Nord Stream 1, days after returning gas supplies

The major European supply line from Russia has been halted once again.

Energy supplier Gazprom said pipeline work repairs are needed, and that production will be reduced to just 20 per cent.

It is thought this cut will make it difficult for the EU to find an alternative ahead of winter, as gas supplies are stored for when temperatures dip.

Gas use will need to be cut by at least 15 per cent over the coming months to make up for it, reported the BBC.

Ukrainian grain exports are expected to restart 'within days'

Ships containing grain are projected to leave ports for the Black Sea very soon, according to Ukrainian officials.

Reportedly, now that Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN have signed a deal to kick start grain exports, the wheels could finally be set in motion.

It is estimated that around 20 million tonnes of grain are trapped.

Putin ‘was replaced by BODY DOUBLE’ for Iran talks

Putin, 69, bounced along the red carpet with his arm hanging limp by his side after shuffling down the steps of his presidential jet.

But the animated warmonger - who is rumoured to have Parkinson's or terminal cancer  - appeared to walk faster than usual, and seemed more alert than in previous public appearances and footage, Ukrainian sources said.

Major General Kyrylo O. Budanov told Ukraine's 1+1 news channel he was sceptical about Putin's energetic appearance - in a nod to reports the president may already be using body doubles and pre-recorded appearances to hide his poor health.

"I will only hint," Budavov said in the interview.

"Please look at the moment of Putin's exit from the plane. Is it Putin at all?"

Click here to read more.

Britain calls fighting in Donbas 'inconclusive'

The fighting is still ongoing in Donbas and Kherson.

British military intelligence's updated bulletin said: "At least 300 damaged vehicles were present, including main battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers and general support trucks," as reported by Reuters.

Ukraine's weapons make strong advances against Russia

Weapons sent from the west have given power back to Ukraine.

Himars weapons, reportedly destroyed 50 Russian ammunition depots in just one month.

Ukraine hopes first grain shipment under UN-brokered deal will be this week

Ukraine said on Monday it hoped a U.N.-brokered deal aimed at easing global food shortages by resuming grain exports from the Black Sea region would start being implemented this week.

A senior government officials told a news conference he hoped the first grain shipment under the deal would be from the port of Chornomorsk on Wednesday.

Catch all the most important live updates

Stick with The Sun to get all the most important updates about Ukraine.

Readers are given updates every 30 minutes, with breaking news posted straight away.