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.
Putin reportedly in talks with Iraqi leadership amid oil price cap discussion
Putin has reportedly shared a phone call with Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the new Iraqi prime minister, according to the state news agency TASS.
According to the Kremlin mouthpiece, Putin warned the leader that a price cap on Russian oil would have serious effects on the global energy market.
Yesterday, US President Joe Biden said talks of a cap on Russian oil are currently “in play” among western nations.
Russia passes law banning promotion of ‘LGBT propaganda’
Today, the Russian parliament has 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.
Ukraine pays tribute to famed ballet dancer who lost his life fighting Russia
Today, 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 today, Ukraine's President Zelensky spoke of the crippling missile strikes his country has faced in recent weeks.
This morning 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."
Over 47,000 Russian war crimes reportedly under investigation in Ukraine
According to a recent report from , over 47,000 Russian war crimes are set to be investigated in Ukraine.
This comes as the war enters its ninth month and just days after several "torture facilities" were discovered in the liberated city of Kherson.
Yesterday, a newborn baby was killed in a Russian strike on a maternity ward.
British MoD releases statement on Russian missile strikes
The British Ministry of Defence has this evening condemned the mass missile strikes committed by Russia in Ukraine this 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."
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.
Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi nuclear plant reconnected to grid following Russian strikes
Ukraine's Khmelnytskyi nuclear plant has been reconnected to the national grid this evening.
The power station was disconnected following a wave of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure this morning.
Ukrainian authorities are slowly reconnecting the national grid.
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 nine months ago today, 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.
Putin reportedly talks with Iraqi leadership amid oil price cap discussion
Putin has reportedly shared a phone call with Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the new Iraqi prime minister, according to the state news agency TASS.
According to the Kremlin mouthpiece, Putin warned the leader that a price cap on Russian oil would have serious effects on the global energy market.
Today, US President Joe Biden said talks of a cap on Russian oil are currently “in play” among western nations.
In pictures: Ukrainian troops celebrate after POW swap.
Today, 50 Ukrainian soldiers were released by Russia in a prisoner swap.
More details on today's prisoner swap revealed
Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, has outlined some more details regarding today's prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.
"We have managed to bring back 19 defenders of Mariupol ... as well as 15 prisoners (of war) from the Chornobyl nuclear power plant and seven from Zmiiny Island," he said via Telegram.
In total, both nations received 50 troops.
The war in Ukraine reaches its ninth month
Today marks the ninth month since Putin began his bloodthirsty invasion Ukraine.
Since the outset of Russia's war, the Kremlin has failed to achieve many of its strategic objectives, with the Ukrainian people remaining resolute.
This morning, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence took to Twitter to mark the date.
The First Lady of Ukraine slams Russia as ‘insane’ following maternity ward strike
Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, took to Twitter yesterday to slam Russia following a missile strike that reportedly killed a newborn baby in a Ukrainian maternity ward.
“RF crimes are insane,” she said.
“This night, maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia region became target. 2 days old boy died… Horrible pain.
“We will never forget and never forgive. My sincere condolences to the loved ones of the baby. Speedy recovery to the injured. Our hearts are with you.”
Russia blames Ukraine for Kyiv destruction
Russia has pinned the blame for this morning's destruction of civilian areas in Kyiv on Ukrainian defence missiles.
“I would like to emphasise that not a single strike was made on targets within the city of Kyiv,” Russia’s Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Igor Konashenkov, said in a daily video briefing.
“All the destruction announced by the Kyiv regime in the city was the result of the fall of missiles of foreign and Ukrainian air defence systems located in residential areas of the Ukrainian capital,” he said.
Ukraine and Russia agree latest prisoner swap
According to reports from the Guardian, Russia has freed a further 50 Ukrainian POWs in the country's latest prisoner swap.
Ukraine will also free 50 Russian captives.
Officials from both nations met in the UAE today in order to get the deal done.
Ukrainian grid reconnected following this morning's attacks
According to the Deputy Head of the President’s Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko, critical infrastructure has now been reconnected to the grid across Ukraine.
Households and businesses will follow.
This comes after this morning's attacks saw regions across Ukraine lose power following a series of Russian attacks.
In pictures: Kyiv residents line up for water following Russian attack
This morning saw Ukraine's capital Kyiv bombarded with Russian missiles, leaving approximately 70% of the city without critical infrastructure.
One of the necessities cut off by Russian strikes was the city's water supply, leading civilians to spend the morning lining up for water.
Russia turns its attention to Donetsk and Luhansk
According to today's update from the British Ministry of Defence, Russia has turned much of its attention to the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts in recent days, following their humiliating retreat from Kherson.
In a statement, the MoD said: "In the last two weeks, Russia has likely redeployed major elements of the VDV (airborne forces) to the Donetsk and Luhansk fronts in the Donbas.
"From September to October, most of the severely weakened VDV units were dedicated to the defence of Russian-held territory west of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast.
"Some VDV units have likely been reinforced with mobilised reservists. Although these poorly trained personnel will dilute VDV’s supposedly elite capability, Russia will likely still allocate these units to sectors deemed especially important.
"Potential operational tasks for the VDV include supporting the defence of the Kremina-Svatove area in Luhansk Oblast or reinforcing offensive operations against the Donetsk Oblast town of Bakhmut."
Ukraine at risk of 'nuclear and radiation catastrophe' amid Russian attacks on power station
Petro Kotin, head of nuclear power company Energoatom, has said Ukraine is at risk of "nuclear and radiation catastrophe," .
This comes as fears continue to grow surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which was disconnected from the national grid on Wednesday.
In a written statement, Kotin said: "There is a real danger of a nuclear and radiation catastrophe being caused by firing on the entire territory of Ukraine with Russian cruise and ballistic missiles, and a huge risk of damage to nuclear plants.
"Russia must answer for this shameful crime."
President Zelenskyy and Israel's President discuss deepening cooperation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he has spoken with the President of Israel Issac Herzog.
Today the Ukrainian President tweeted: ''I had a phone call with President of Israel Isaac Herzog. I hope for deepening Ukraine and Israeli cooperation after the formation of the government.
''I also briefed about the needs of our energy industry and invited to join the #GrainfromUkraine initiative.''
Russia passes law banning promotion of ‘LGBT propaganda’
Today, Russian parliament have passed a law that bans promoting “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, books, advertising or in public.
Zelensky brands Russia ‘terrorists and murderers’ following maternity ward attack
President Zelensky has slammed Russia, branding the country a “terrorist state” following an attack on a maternity ward that reportedly left a newborn baby dead yesterday.
“The terrorist state continues to fight against civilians and civilian objects,” Zelensky said
.“The enemy has once again decided to try to achieve with terror and murder what he wasn’t able to achieve for nine months and won’t be able to achieve. Instead, he will only be held to account for all the evil he brought to our country.”