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.
NATO will defend Ukraine for ‘as long as it takes’
NATO’s Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, has vowed to aid Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.
“NATO will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will not back down,” the NATO chief said.
“Allies are providing unprecedented military support, and I expect foreign ministers will also agree to step up non-lethal support.”
Who controls what in Ukraine?
The Ministry of Defence has once again shared a look at the battlefield in Ukraine.
Russian troops were driven from Kherson in recent weeks, and the Kremlin has since moved much of its forces to Luhansk.
Take a look at the current situation below.
Foreign Minister arrives in Kyiv
A number of Foreign Ministers have arrived in Kyiv today to show support for Ukraine.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto shared a snap as he arrived in the capital.
Alongside the picture he wrote: ''The inconsolability of war is present in Kiev. King Winter has come to town. One can only admire the courage and determination of the Ukrainians when the country defends its independence.
''We will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary. Russia must stop its war of aggression and withdraw.''
Anniken Huitfeldt, Norway’s Foreign Minister, also shared photos of her visit to the capital and said her country stood in solidarity with Ukraine.
Dictator Lukashenko fears he could be poisoned in a Russian plot to take over Belarus
Alexander Lukashenko fears he could be poisoned in a Russian plot to take over Belarus, after his colleague's mystery death last week.
Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei, 64, died suddenly just days before a key meeting with Russia.
His death came after earlier vowing his nation would not allow Putin's troops to use it as a staging area to attack Ukraine.
He had openly criticised Russia and attempted to improve Belarus relations with the West back in 2020.
But he was quickly overridden by Lukashenko, Belarus's leader known as "Europe's last dictator" who is a stooge for Vlad.
Reports suggest he died from a heart attack - but exiled Putin foe and businessman Leonid Nevzlin alleged Makei "died as a result of poisoning developed in an FSB special laboratory".
Read more here.
Who are the notorious Wagner group?
The Wagner group has been heavily involved in the war in Ukraine, and it is believed the group of mercenaries have been operating since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The Pro-Kremlin group are believed to have about 5000 mercenaries operating across the world,
In September, videos emerged of its leader Prigozhin recruiting murderers and sex offenders from some of Russia’s most notorious prison camps to fight in the war.
The group have shown they have no limits when it comes to killing people – last month they executed notorious mobster Zaur Aliyev after he tried to desert in Ukraine.
Foreign ministers arrive in Kyiv
Foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland have arrived in Kyiv today.
Taking to Twitter, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis wrote: “We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden, are in Kyiv today in full solidarity with Ukraine,”
“Despite Russia’s bomb rains and barbaric brutality Ukraine will win!”
Russian mothers demand the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine
Mothers of Russian soldiers have joined an activist group to demand the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine.
organised by a Russian Feminist Anti-War Resistance group, coincided with Mother's Day in Russia.
The petition was addressed to parliamentarians on relevant committees of the State Duma and the Federation Council.
It read: “For nine months now, the so-called ''special military operation" has been going on, bringing destruction, grief, blood and tears. Everything that is happening in Ukraine and Russia cannot but excite our hearts.
“Regardless of our nationality, religion and social status, we, the mothers of Russia, are united by one desire: to live in peace and harmony, to raise our children under a peaceful sky and not to fear for their future.''
Currently, 5,812 people have signed the petition.
A look at the moment a civilian was rescued from Russian artillery fire
The Defence of official Twitter have shared a video today, showing the moment a civilian was rescued from heavy Russian artillery fire.
Taking to Twitter, the Defence of Ukraine wrote: “Volunteers of the Donbas evacuation team saving grandma Halka from heavy russian artillery fire.''
In the clip, volunteers can be seen rushing the woman to safety as they flee from Russian attacks.
In the background the noise of the attacks can be heard as volunteers shout “Come on granny, come on. Help, take her by the other hand.
“Let's carry her.''
As a result of the volunteer's efforts, the civilian was transported to safety.
Russian forces attack nine Ukrainian regions, killing two civilians
According to the Kyiv Independent, in the past 24 hours Russian forces have launched attacks on nine Ukrainian oblasts.
Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk, have all been targeted.
According to Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko, the attacks on his oblast targeted Kurakhove, Avdiivka, and Heorhiivka - killing two civilians and wounding four others.
James Cleverly compares the use of rape by Russian soldiers to chemical weapons
Speaking to the Sunday Times, the Foreign Secretary warned that rape in war is equal to the use of chemical weapons or the murder of POWs.
“This is an absolutely abhorrent act and yet we are seeing in Ukraine and other parts of world this is still being used as a weapon of war,” he said.
“We need to make sure that military commanders understand that it is just as unacceptable as the use of chemical weapons or as the killing or abuse of prisoners of war.”
James Cleverly warned that rape in war is equal to the use of chemical weapons or the murder of Prisoners of WarCredit: Reuters 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.
Emergency blackouts resumed in all of Ukraine
According to Ukraine's state grid operator Ukrenergo, emergency blackouts are being implemented throughout the country.
The news comes after a rapid increase in power shortages today, which currently constitutes 27%.
The shortfall in the energy system is a result of Russian missile attacks on energy infrastructure.
There are growing fears that a major health crisis will hit the people of Ukraine as winter sets in and sub-zero temperatures couple with power outages.
Kremlin welcome Vatican offer to mediate but Ukraine's stance prevents it
According to the Kremlin, an offer has been welcomed by the Vatican to provide a negotiating platform to resolve the Ukraine conflict - but Kyiv's position has made this impossible.
In an interview with the Italian daily La Stampa, Pope Francis reiterated ten days ago that the Vatican was ready to do anything possible to mediate and put an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Kherson city in range of most of Russia's artillery systems
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the recently liberated city of Kherson continues to suffer daily bombardment by Russian artillery.
The city in Southern Ukraine remains vulnerable as it is in range of most of Russia's artillery systems - now firing from the east bank of the Dnipro River, from the rear of newly consolidated defensive lines.
On 24 November 2022, 10 people were killed.
Yesterday, 54 shelling incidents were reported in the area.
The MoD also added that much of the damage is likely being inflicted in Kherson by Russia’s use of multiple rocket launchers, principally BM-21 Grad systems.
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”.
Kyiv mayor trades verbal blows with Zelensky
The mayor of Kyiv, former professional boxer Vitali Klitschko, traded rhetorical punches on Sunday with Ukraine's president and his allies over how to help residents withstand power cuts, deriding their disputes as "senseless" amid Russia's military campaign.
Klitschko said 430 "warming centres" were helping residents cope with the effects of Russian attacks on power stations and more than 100 more were planned in case of extreme conditions. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted last week there were a lot of complaints about measures adopted in the capital.
In a video posted on Telegram, Klitshcko said: "I do not want to become involved in political battles, particularly in the current situation.
"That is senseless. I have things to do in the city."
US and Russia continue discussing release of Griner and Whelan
The United States and Russia continue to discuss the release of basketball star Brittney Griner and ex-marine Paul Whelan through special channels, RIA Novosti news agency reported today.
After months of debate, WNBA superstar Brittney Griner and former US Marine Paul Whelan may be freed if the US offers to release Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms trafficker
Whelan has been held by Russia for alleged espionage since 2018, and Griner was arrested earlier this year for allegedly carrying cartridges containing liquid with hashish oil.
Russia's Gazprom won't reduce gas supplies to Moldova - but warns it reserves right to
Russian state gas producer Gazprom has decided against reducing gas supplies to Moldova but said in a statement on Monday that it reserved the right to lower or cut shipments if Moldova fails to make agreed gas payments.
Last week, Gazprom accused Ukraine of keeping gas supplies which pass through the country on the way to Moldova, and said it could start reducing these flows.
Ukraine denied withholding Russian gas meant for Moldova.
Russia says Western media spreading 'fake news' over Zaporizhzhia plant
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine remains under Russian control, authorities installed by Moscow in the nearby city of Enerhodar said on Monday, after a Ukrainian official suggested Russian forces were preparing to leave.
"The media are actively spreading fake news that Russia is allegedly planning to withdraw from Enerhodar and leave the (plant). This information is not true," the Russia-installed administration wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
The head of Ukraine's state-run nuclear energy company said on Sunday there were signs that Russian forces might be preparing to vacate the vast Zaporizhzhia plant which they seized in March, soon after invading Ukraine.
Ukraine, which suffered the world's worst nuclear accident in Chornobyl in 1986, and Russia have accused each other of shelling the site of the Zaporizhzhia reactor complex.
Zelensky meets with Belgium’s leadership
As Ukraine honoured the victims of the Holodomor famine, its steadfast President met with leaders from around Europe.
One leader was the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, who took to Twitter to affirm the country’s commitment to helping Ukraine.
He penned: “Arrived in Kyiv. After the heavy bombing of recent days, we stand with the people of Ukraine. More than ever before.”
32 civilians killed in Kherson since November 9, report claims
According to the Kyiv Independent, which quoted Ukraine’s national police chief, Ihor Klymenko, 32 civilians have been killed in Kherson since Ukrainian troops liberated the city earlier this month.
Russia has targeted the city with intense shelling since its soldiers retreated in a humiliating move for the Kremlin.
Reports suggest that 15 people were killed on Friday alone in the city.
Zelensky meets with Belgium’s leadership
As Ukraine honoured the victims of the Holodomor famine, its steadfast President met with leaders from around Europe.
One leader was the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, who took to Twitter to affirm the country’s commitment to helping Ukraine.
He penned: “Arrived in Kyiv. After the heavy bombing of recent days, we stand with the people of Ukraine. More than ever before.”
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.
Heavy fighting continues in Donetsk
The British Ministry of Defence has shared details regarding the heavy fighting continuing in Donetsk Oblast.
The MoD statement said: “The area around the towns of Pavlivka and Vuhledar in south-central Donetsk Oblast has been the scene of intense combat over the last two weeks, though little territory has changed hands.
“Both Russia and Ukraine have significant forces committed to this sector, with Russian Naval Infantry having suffered heavy casualties.
“This area remains heavily contested, likely partially because Russia assesses the area has potential as a launch point for a future major advance north to capture the remainder of Ukrainian-held Donetsk Oblast.
“However, Russia is unlikely to be able to concentrate sufficient quality forces to achieve an operational breakthrough.”
