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.
Olena Zelenska slams Russia’s use of ‘sexual violence’ in Ukraine
Speaking in London on Monday, the Ukrainian First Lady spoke out against Russia’s use of sexual violence in Ukraine.
“Sexual violence is the most cruel, most animalistic way to prove mastership over someone,” she said.
“And for victims of this kind of violence, it is difficult to testify in war times because nobody feels safe.
“This is another instrument that they’re using as their weaponry. This is another weapon in their arsenal in this war and conflict.
“That’s why it’s extremely important to recognise this as a war crime and to hold all of the perpetrators accountable.”
In pictures: Olena Zelenska visits Downing Street
The First Lady of Ukraine visited Downing Street on Monday, as she continued her tour of London.
She was greeted by Rishi Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty, and together they decorated the Downing Street Christmas tree.
Ms Zelenska is set to address MPs later today.
Russia has launched ‘16,000 missiles’ at Ukraine since invasion began
According to Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Oleksii Reznikov, the Kremlin has launched over 16,000 missiles at the country since its invasion began.
The official declared that a staggering 97% of Russia’s targets are civilian, with 12,300 of these shells hitting “suburban areas and villages.”
“We are fighting against a terrorist state. Ukraine will prevail and will bring the war criminals to justice,” Mr Reznikov said.
Russia using ‘winter as weapon’, NATO chief claims
According to reports from Al Jazeera, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has accused Putin of using “winter as a weapon ” in Ukraine.
“Doing that when we enter winter demonstrates that President [Vladimir] Putin is now trying to use … the winter as a weapon of war against Ukraine,” he reportedly said.
This comes as Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian infrastructure in a bid to destroy the country’s ability to produce energy.
Ukraine reports 329 children have gone missing since Russia’s invasion began
According to new data from the prosecutor general’s office of Ukraine, 329 children are currently missing in the country.
Meanwhile, 12,034 young Ukrainians have been forced to leave the nation and a further 7,819 have been found.
“Data on affected children as of November 28, 2022: 329 are missing, 12,034 – deported, and 7,819 – found,” a statement on Telegram said.
Situation in Mykolaiv and Kherson 'dire', claims UN
United Nations' spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric has warned the humanitarian situations in the cities of Mykolaiv and Kherson are "dire."
Both cities have been subject to massive Russian bombing campaigns in recent weeks, often being left without power and water.
"The situation with water, heating and electricity, however, remains dire, although the electricity supply is gradually being restored," the spokesman said.
Jersey charity sends Christmas aid to Ukraine
A Jersey charity which has raised £5,000 in extra funding for those living in poverty in Romania, will also send aid to Ukraine, the BBC reports.
Mustard Seed received more than £24,000 in donations for its Christmas Appeal, as well over 3,000 shoeboxes full of aid.
The charity helping the people of Romania, will now also send monetary donations and shoeboxes filled with essentials to the people of Ukraine.
Shoeboxes include food, clothing and other items.
Bakhmut the 'epicentre' of Russia's offensive, Ukrainian military reports
Russia said on Monday that its forces have surrounded the city of Bakhmut, a claim denied by the Ukrainian military.
However, Ukraine did reveal that the city is being subjected to a massive Russian offensive, with the Kremlin launching up to "200 artillery strikes per day."
Serhii Cherevatyi, spokesperson for the military in the east, said: "Bakhmut remains the epicentre of the main battle for Ukraine.
"The enemy acts most aggressively in this direction. He conducts attacks and fire strikes. On average, the enemy inflicts about 180-200 artillery strikes per day."
Russian soldiers steal human remains from sacred crypt in Ukraine
Exclusive from Jerome Starkey on the ground in Ukraine
Putin’s soldiers stole human remains from a sacred crypt in southern Ukraine, The Sun has exclusively revealed.
Russian soldiers took the bones of legendary Prince Grigory Potemkin just days before fleeing the city of Kherson.
Armed agents burst into St Catherine’s Cathedral and ordered priests to give them the coffin.
Russian Potemkin helped conquer Crimea and a swathe of Ukraine in the late 1700s.
Priest Father Illia, 39, told The Sun: “There was nothing we could do.”
He also accused the grave robbers of “stealing history”, adding: “These people want to resurrect the past”.
Ukrainian city left without water after Russian strike
The Mayor of Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Sienkievych, revealed today the city will be without drinking water for an "indefinite" period of time.
"During a missile attack, Russian terrorists damaged a pumping station of MKP Mykolaivvodokanal, located in the Kherson region," he announced on Telegram.
"Therefore, for an indefinite period of time, we are forced to supply technical water to the city from the Bug estuary."
Olena Zelenska slams Russia's use of 'sexual violence' in Ukraine
Speaking in London today, the Ukrainian First Lady spoke out against Russia's use of sexual violence in Ukraine.
"Sexual violence is the most cruel, most animalistic way to prove mastership over someone," she said.
"And for victims of this kind of violence, it is difficult to testify in war times because nobody feels safe.
"This is another instrument that they’re using as their weaponry. This is another weapon in their arsenal in this war and conflict.
"That’s why it’s extremely important to recognise this as a war crime and to hold all of the perpetrators accountable.";
In pictures: Olena Zelenska visits Downing Street
The First Lady of Ukraine visited Downing Street today, as continued her tour of London.
She was greeted by Rishi Sunak's wife, Akshata Murty, and together they decorated the Downing Street Christmas tree.
Ms Zelenska is set to address MPs tomorrow.
Russia has launched '16,000 missiles' at Ukraine since invasion began
According to Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Oleksii Reznikov, the Kremlin has launched over 16,000 missiles at the country since its invasion began.
The official declared that a staggering 97% of Russia's targets are civilian, with 12,300 of these shells hitting "suburban areas and villages."
"We are fighting against a terrorist state. Ukraine will prevail and will bring the war criminals to justice," Mr Reznikov said.
Russia using 'winter as weapon', NATO chief claims
According to reports from Al Jazeera, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has accused Putin of using "winter as a weapon " in Ukraine.
“Doing that when we enter winter demonstrates that President [Vladimir] Putin is now trying to use … the winter as a weapon of war against Ukraine,” he reportedly said.
This comes as Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian infrastructure in a bid to destroy the country's ability to produce energy.
Rishi Sunak shares message of support for the people of Ukraine
On Sunday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shared a message of support for the people of Ukraine as they continue to battle Putin’s invasion.
In the clip, Ukrainian voices say: “I believe in freedom. I believe we should stand up for the fundamental rights that matter so much to us all.
“For our sovereignty, for our self determination and for the foundations of a stable international order we are all fighting to restore.
“The Ukrainian people face bombing in the day and blackouts at night.
“But we know our friends will always be there to help see us through.
“The UK is one of our most steadfast allies. They give weapons for our battle, kit to keep us warm and friendship to restore our spirits.
“We know they will never let us down as we fight to win this war.
“With your help, we will secure our freedom. Together we will never back down, together we will be strong, together we will protect Ukraine and the freedoms we all cherish so much.”
Ukraine and NATO to discuss new military and energy aid
According to a top Ukrainian official, NATO could be set to provide further military and energy aid for the under-seige nation.
“The meeting will be equally dedicated to Ukraine’s defense issues, namely new weapons, ammunition, military equipment, and to the country’s energy system,” Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
US confirms nuclear talks with Russia have been postponed
A US State Department spoeksperson has confirmed earlier reports that Russia has postponed nuclear disarmimant talks between the two nations.
The spokesperson said: "The United States and the Russian Federation were set to convene a meeting of the New START Treaty’s Bilateral Consultative Commission (BCC) in Cairo, Egypt, to discuss New START Treaty implementation on Tuesday, November 29.
"The Russian side informed the United States that Russia has unilaterally postponed the meeting and stated that it would propose new dates."
Russia's invasion increases chance of chemical weapon danger, watchdog reports
According to the head of the world's chemical weapons watchdog, Russia's invasion of Ukraine increases the risk of their use.
“The situation in Ukraine has again increased the real threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons,” the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons chief, Fernando Arias, said at the meeting in The Hague.
“It has exacerbated existing tensions to a point where unity of the international community on common global challenges related to international security and peace cannot be presumed.”
Putin is 'reviving' Stalin's 'genocidal' tactics, claims Ukraine
Ukraine has accused Putin of "reviving" Josef Stalin's "genocidal" tactics as EU nations honoured the anniversary of a devastating famine.
As Ukraine this weekend remembered those lost in the Holodomor "terror" famine, Volodymyr Zelensky accused Vladimir Putin of resorting to the same "genocidal" methods of tyrant Josef Stalin.
“Once they wanted to destroy us with hunger, now with darkness and cold,” Mr Zelensky said via Telegram. “We cannot be broken.”
This comes as Ukrainian officials revealed Russian shelling killed 15 civilians on Friday alone in the recently liberated city of Kherson.
35 people, including a child, were reportedly injured as Russia sent a barrage of missile strikes targeting crucial infrastructure in the city, city official Galyna Lugova said.
Kremlin postpones nuclear talks with the US
Russia has postponed planned nuclear disarmament talks with the United States, Al Jazeera reports the Kremlin said today.
The two nations were set to meet in Egypt this week to discuss resuming inspections under the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty.
Nuclear tensions between the two countries are tense presently, following a series of veiled threats from Putin since his invasion of Ukraine began.
Zelensky talks with Dutch leadership in defence discussions
President Zelensky took to Twitter this afternoon to share the details of his conversation with his Dutch counterpart.
He tweeted: “Discussed sustainable defence cooperation with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
"Glad to hear that support for Ukraine next year will only increase. We also discussed the implementation of my peace formula and the transition of Ukraine to energy-saving technologies.”
Could Russia be planning to leave Europe's largest nuclear power plant?
Ukrainian officials have suggested the Kremlin could be planning to pull its forces from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
"In recent weeks we are effectively receiving information that signs have appeared that they are possibly preparing to leave the [plant]," Petro Kotin, head of energy operator Energoatom, said yesterday.
"One gets the impression they’re packing their bags and stealing everything they can.”
However, Russian officials have rejected these claims.
"The media are actively spreading fakes that Russia is allegedly planning to withdraw from Enerhodar and leave the [nuclear plant]. This information is not true,” the region's Russian-backed administration said.
Ukraine reports 329 children have gone missing since Russia's invasion began
According to new data from the prosecutor general’s office of Ukraine, 329 children are currently missing in the country.
Meanwhile, 12,034 young Ukrainians have been forced to leave the nation and a further 7,819 have been found.
"Data on affected children as of November 28, 2022: 329 are missing, 12,034 – deported, and 7,819 – found," a statement on Telegram said.
In pictures: Putin’s destruction of Kherson
Since the Kremlin pulled its troops from Kherson in what amounted to a humiliating retreat, Russia has subjected the city to a constant bombing campaign.
According to local officials, Friday alone saw 15 people killed by Russian shells.
Here is just some of the damage caused by these attacks.
