Ukraine news LIVE — Evil Putin faces ‘extremely large losses’ as Kremlin plots new wave of missile strikes
THE Kremlin could be facing over "100,000" losses before Christmas, according to steadfast Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Speaking in his nightly address, Mr Zelensky warned that despite massive losses, the Kremlin is still attempting to advance.
: "Despite extremely big Russian losses, the occupiers are still trying to advance in the Donetsk region, gain a foothold in the Luhansk region, move in the Kharkiv region, they are planning something in the south."
He added Russia could be set to “lose a hundred thousand of its soldiers...and only God knows how many mercenaries,” by the end of the year.
This comes as experts warn Putin could be set to begin a new wave of missile strikes across Ukraine in the coming days, targeting the country's ability to produce electricity this winter.
Read our Ukraine-Russia live blog for the latest updates.
Ukraine welcomes the UK Foreign Secretary
Minister of Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba has welcomed James Cleverly in Kyiv, as the UK Foreign Secretary visits the country.
Taking to Twitter, Kuleba wrote: “I welcomed my British counterpart and Ukraine’s true friend @JamesCleverly in Kyiv. I am grateful for his brave visit and the UK’s steadfast support during this difficult times.
“Our shared goal is Ukraine’s victory which will restore security and stability in Europe and beyond.''
Power cuts persist in Kyiv
Much of Ukraine still remains without heat or power after Russian air attacks on its energy grid earlier this week.
Posting on Telegram, Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko said: “A third of the houses in Kyiv already have heat. Specialists continue to restore heating in the capital.
“Half of consumers are still without electricity. During the day, energy companies plan to connect electricity for all consumers alternately – for 3 hours.”
Russia passes law banning promotion of ‘LGBT propaganda’
Yesterday, the Russian parliament passed a law that bans the promotion of “LGBT propaganda” to people of all ages.
The third and final reading of the law expands an existing ban which previously applied to just children.
The fine will be up to 400,000 roubles ($6,600) for individuals and up to 5 million roubles ($82,100) for legal entities.
Foreigners could also face 15 days of arrest and subsequent expulsion from the country if found to be to promoting homosexuality online, in film, in books, in advertising or in public.
Wakefield volunteers heading to Ukraine to deliver Christmas gifts
A group of volunteers from Wakefield are heading to Lviv to deliver Christmas gifts to children, the .
They will be heading to Ukraine just 10 days before Christmas dressed in Santa outfits to distribute all the donations they are collecting.
Donations will go to a children’s hospital currently housing people that have lost their homes as a result of the war.
James Cleverly says the UK is supporting Ukraine 'with action - not just words'
After announcing that the UK has offered a package of “hands-on” support to help Ukraine through the winter, The Foreign Secretary has taken to Twitter to confirm his plans.
Sharing a picture shaking hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Cleverly wrote: “President @ZelenskyyUa, the UK is supporting you with action - not just words.
“I made you that promise today. The UK intends to keep it.''
The UK will send 35 more emergency vehicles, including 24 ambulances and six armoured vehicles, to the country.
The Foreign Secretary also announced a further £3 million for the rebuilding of local infrastructure including schools and shelters, as well as additional funding to support survivors of sexual assault.
NATO vows to help Ukraine 'for as long as it takes'
According to the alliance’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, NATO is determined to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian attacks for “as long as it takes”.
Stoltenberg also added that NATO will help the war-torn country transform its armed forces into a modern army will match up to Western standards.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Romania next week, Stoltenberg urged countries that are willing, either individually or in groups, to continue providing air defence systems and other weapons to Ukraine.
NATO as an organization does not supply weapons.
Stoltenberg said: “NATO will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will not back down,''
“Allies are providing unprecedented military support, and I expect foreign ministers will also agree to step up non-lethal support.''
Russian strikes damage a hospital in Zaporizhzhia overnight
The region’s governor, Oleksandr Starukh has confirmed that Russian strikes in Zaporizhzhia last night have damaged a hospital.
He added that no one was injured in the attack, but dozens of windows have been broken.
The attacks come as Russia’s latest bombardment to shut down all of Ukraine’s nuclear plants – one of which is located in Zaporizhzhia.
'Fearless, freedom loving women of Ukraine' on the front line
Taking to Twitter, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence have today shared a photograph of one of the many women on Ukraine's front line.
Alongside the photo, the Ministry of Defence wrote: “Kateryna, a UAV operator of the 79th Air Assault Brigade. Fearless, freedom loving women of Ukraine are on the front line to protect Europe against terrorist regime.''
They also credited Kate Geraghty.
Volodymyr Zelensky calls on Europeans to remain united
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Europeans to remain united against Russia's war and to severely limit the price for Russian oil, according to Reuters.
In an address via a live video link to a conference in Lithuania, Zelensky said: "There is no split, there is no schism among Europeans and we have to preserve this. This is our mission number one this year.''
He added: "Europe is helping itself. It's not helping Ukraine to stand against Russia, this is helping Europe to stand against Russian aggression.''
European Union governments remained split on Thursday over what level to cap Russian oil prices at to curb Moscow's ability to pay for the war.
Zelensky called on the EU leaders to settle on the lowest proposal of $30.
Ukraine Ministry of Defence shares video of troops as winter sets in
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine have shared a video of troops this morning, as they make their way through icy conditions.
In the video, soldiers can be seen walking through the snow as winter sets in and cold conditions hit the country.
Alongside the footage, The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine wrote: “Another day starts. Let’s begin.''
Bodies of two men killed by Russian troops exhumed in Kharkiv Oblast
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the bodies of two men killed by Russian troops near a forest in Podoly, Kharkiv Oblast, were exhumed yesterday.
The two men had reportedly been killed in September, when the region was still under Russian occupation.
Irish Taoiseach SLAMS Russia for strikes on critical infrastructure
Russian strikes on infrastructure in Ukraine is making life "uninhabitable" for people in the country, the Irish Taoiseach has said.
Micheal Martin said the the attacks on the country's energy network is "terrorising" civilians in Ukraine.
Russia has been attacking the power grid and other facilities with missiles and exploding drones for weeks.
Mr Martin met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday.
The two leaders discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine.
"We discussed a range of issues, obviously the broader geopolitical situation in Europe and the war on Ukraine, and the appalling, horrific attacks on the people of Ukraine over the last number of weeks," Mr Martin said after the meeting.
"Particularly the attacks on the critical infrastructure, on energy, and terrorising of civilians within Ukraine.
"Clearly with the objective of making life uninhabitable for Ukrainians. I think it's shocking. From our perspective, that's a war crime in terms of the singular focus on the people."
BERLIN, GERMANY â FEBRUARY 22: Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin addresses a joint press conference, held with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (not pictured), following talks at the Chancellery on February 22, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by John Macdougal-Pool/Getty Images)Credit: Getty Putin to meet mothers of soldiers fighting in Ukraine, says Kremlin
President Vladimir Putin will on Friday meet the mothers of soldiers fighting in Ukraine, the Kremlin said, as the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two grinds into its 10th month.
The war in Ukraine has killed and wounded tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides, according to the United States, and the Russian invasion has triggered the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile crisis.
Hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers have been sent to fight in Ukraine - including some of the more than 300,000 reservists who were called up as part of a mobilisation announced by Putin in September.
"On the eve of Mother's Day, which is celebrated in Russia on the last Sunday of November, Vladimir Putin will meet with the mothers of servicemen participating in the special military operation," the Kremlin said in a statement.
The Kremlin said Putin would meet with mothers of reservists called up to fight as well as professional soldiers of the armed forces.
'Global food security is in all our interests' says UK Government
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said: "I am pleased the UK government can support President Zelensky's work to help Ukraine's grain reach some of the poorest and most vulnerable nations in the world.
"Global food security is in all our interests - and helping Ukraine's farmers and agricultural sector to continue producing and exporting food in these most difficult of circumstances is vital for that security."
James Cleverly announces more ambulances for Ukraine during visit
James Cleverly has offered a package of "hands-on" support to help Ukraine through the winter while on a visit to the war-torn nation.
The Foreign Secretary was due to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit, which comes days after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak travelled to Kyiv.
Mr Cleverly announced the practical support as Ukraine's power grid and other critical infrastructure has been pounded by Russian strikes, causing blackouts and leaving millions without heat, power or water as temperatures plummet.
The UK will send 35 more emergency vehicles, including 24 ambulances and six armoured vehicles, to the country.
The Foreign Secretary also announced a further £3 million for the rebuilding of local infrastructure including schools and shelters, as well as additional funding to support survivors of sexual assault.
Mr Cleverly said: "As winter sets in, Russia is continuing to try and break Ukrainian resolve through its brutal attacks on civilians, hospitals and energy infrastructure. Russia will fail.
"The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. I have today announced a package of hands-on support for our Ukrainian friends in their fight, from ambulances to crucial support for survivors of the sexual violence carried out by the Russian military.
"I've seen here first-hand how the UK's efforts are helping brave citizens to resist and rebuild. Our support will continue for as long as it takes for this remarkable country to recover."
Almost 5,600 Ukrainian civilians killed since invasion began, report claims
Almost 5,600 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia’s brutal invasion began, according to a report by the Kyiv Independent.
Specifically, Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion has reportedly left 5,595 non-combatants dead.
440 of these casualties are children, the piece claims.
Russia passes law banning promotion of ‘LGBT propaganda’
On Thursday, the Russian parliament passed a law that bans the promotion of “LGBT propaganda” to people of all ages.
The third and final reading of the law expands on an existing ban which previously applied to just children.
The fine will be up to 400,000 roubles ($6,600) for individuals and up to 5 million roubles ($82,100) for legal entities.
Foreigners could also face 15 days of arrest and subsequent expulsion from the country if found to be to promoting homosexuality online, in film, in books, in advertising or in public.
Ukraine pays tribute to famed ballet dancer who lost his life fighting Russia
This week, Ukrainians paid tribute to Vadym Khlupyanets, a ballet dancer who died resisting Putin’s brutal invasion.
Taking to Twitter, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence penned a touching tribute.
The tweet read: “Vadym Khlupyanets, a ballet dancer of the Kyiv Operetta Theater, died in the battle for freedom and independence of Ukraine.
“He traded the stage for trenches so that millions of people would never lose their free lives to authoritarianism. Eternal glory!”
Zelensky slams Russia following mass missile strikes
Speaking to the Financial Times on Thursday, Ukraine’s President Zelensky spoke of the crippling missile strikes his country has faced in recent weeks.
On Thursday alone, Ukraine was left in total darkness following Russia’s strategic attack on energy infrastructure.
“It was the kind of incident that hasn’t happened for I don’t know how many years, maybe 80, 90 years: a country on the European continent where there was totally no light,” he told the FT.
“The state superbly fought back. Energy workers, the state emergencies’ ministry, deminers, everyone worked to fix and restore power and provide at least a bit of water.
“This is a war about strength, about resilience, it is about who stands stronger.”
British MoD releases statement on Russian missile strikes
The British Ministry of Defence on Thursday condemned the mass missile strikes committed by Russia in Ukraine yesterday morning.
The statement revealed that Russia is deliberately targeting medical facilities with its attacks.
Taking to Twitter, the MoD said: “Russia is using Iranian drones to strike the Ukrainian electrical grid and are likely targeting medical facilities, making life even tougher for Ukrainians facing a harsh winter.
“Despite this bombardment, the Ukrainian military have neutralised the majority of attacks.”
Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi nuclear plant reconnected to grid following Russian strikes
Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi nuclear plant has been reconnected to the national grid.
The power station was disconnected following a wave of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure on Thursday morning.
Ukrainian authorities slowly reconnected the national grid throughout the day.
Putin readying another wave of mobilisation, reports claim
Putin looks set to order a “second wave of mobilisation” after Russian forces have faced heavy losses on the battlefield in Ukraine.
According to an advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin plans to draft “500,000-700,000” Russians into the army.
Anton Gerashchenko said: “Russia is getting ready for 2nd wave of mobilisation in January. The plan is to draft 500,000-700,000. The 300,000 drafted before – already killed/wounded/demoralised.”
It comes as Sergei Surovikin, dubbed “General Armageddon” by the Russian media due to his ruthlessness, is under increasing pressure to justify his retreat from Kherson last week.
Surovikin called for the retreat, arguing it would allow the Kremlin to save valuable equipment and manpower. However, Russian losses continue to mount, passing 85,000 this week, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.
Almost 5,600 Ukrainian civilians killed since invasion began, report claims
Almost 5,600 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia’s brutal invasion began, according to a report by the Kyiv Independent.
Specifically, Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion has reportedly left 5,595 non-combatants dead.
440 of these casualties are children, the piece claims.