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.
Zelensky slams Russia following mass missile strikes
Speaking to the Financial Times last 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.”
Kherson shelled 54 times in the last day
Over the weekend, the liberated city of Kherson was shelled 54 times, reported regional Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych.
From these brutal attacks, one person was been left dead.
Kherson has been subject to an almost-constant bombing campaign since Putin’s forces were forced into a retreat early this month.
Russian losses pass 87,000 as heavy fighting continues in Donetsk
Russian losses have surpassed 87,000 in the last 24 hours, according to Ukrainian military sources.
This comes as Putin’s troops continue their fighting in Donetsk and Luhansk.
Approximately 600 of these losses came in the last 24 hours.
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.”
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.”
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.”
Ukraine has 'only 80% of the electricity it needs'
Ukrainian grid operator Ukrenergo says the country only has enough power to cover 80% of its electricity needs.
It comes after Russia's seventh attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure as part of a new strategy to break morale.
Residents in Kyiv and other cities are living without power and water, with an estimated six million people affected by power outages.
Rishi Sunak shares message of support for the people of Ukraine
This morning, 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.”
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.
Kherson hospitals evacuated amid Russian shelling
Hospitals across the liberated city of Kherson have reportedly been evacuated amid constant Russian shelling.
Regional Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych announced via Telegram, that children being treated at the Kherson Regional Clinical Hospital are being moved to Mykolaiv.
On Thursday, the British Ministry of Defence reported the Kremlin is specifically targeting medical facilities with its bombing campaign.
NATO will defend Ukraine for ‘as long as it takes’
NATO’s Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, this weekend 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 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.
Russian bomb hit my bedroom – hours later I gave birth to a miracle baby boy
Exclusive from Jerome Starkey on the ground in Ukraine
CRADLING her newborn daughter Yana as she lies in a hospital bed, Lilia Gazimova describes her family’s “miracle” escape from a Russian bomb which hit their home while she was still pregnant.
The blast struck in the Ukrainian’s basement where she usually sleeps — and she only survived because she was in her son Artem’s bedroom instead.
Lilia, 22, went into early labour and gave birth just hours after the bombardment laid waste to her home in newly freed Kherson.
Her ordeal began at 1am on Monday morning when she heard the terrifying sounds of an indiscriminate bombing.
Read more on her incredible story here.
Moment ‘critically ill’ Putin wheezes and gasps through meeting
THIS is the moment Vladimir Putin appears to wheeze and gasp through a meeting with grieving mums whose children were killed in Ukraine.
Russia’s president – who is reportedly “critically ill” – met with a carefully selected group of parents as he sat down with them to have tea, cakes and fresh berries.
Putin appeared physically uncomfortable and breathless as he spoke – stopping to clear his throat on multi occasions and struggling with his words.
“I would like you to know that, that I personally, and the whole leadership of the country – we share your pain,” Vlad told the women in at a meeting at his official residence.
“We understand that nothing can replace the loss of a son – especially for a mother…we share this pain.”
'Signs' Russia may be 'preparing to leave Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant'
There are signs Putin's forces may be preparing to leave the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant - Europe's biggest - which has been under Kremlin control since March.
Petro Kotin, head of the firm Energoatom, said in a TV interview: "In recent weeks we are effectively receiving information that signs have appeared that they are possibly preparing to leave the plant.
"Firstly there are a very large number of reports in Russian media that it would be worth vacating and maybe worth handing control to the [International Atomic Energy Agency – the UN’s nuclear watchdog.
"One gets the impression they're packing their bags and stealing everything they can."
Six million homes affected by power cuts
Hero leader Volodymyr Zelensky has said around six million homes are affected by power cuts.
It comes after three days of heavy Russian strikes targeting energy infrastructure across the nation.
Mr Zelensky added: "Most of the problems are currently in the capital."
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.
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.”
UK provides Brimstone 2 missiles to Ukraine in a bid to stop Russian advancement
The UK's Ministry of Defence has provided some extra details on the Brimstone 2 missiles being provided to Ukraine this winter.
These precision-guided missiles have played a "crucial role in stalling Russian advancements," claims the MoD.
Watch the clip below.
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.
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.”
Kherson shelled 54 times in the last day
Over the past 24 hours, the liberated city of Kherson has been shelled 54 times, reported regional Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych.
From these brutal attacks, one person has been left dead.
Kherson has been subject to an almost-constant bombing campaign since Putin's forces were forced into a retreat early this month.
Russian losses pass 87,000 as heavy fighting continues in Donetsk
Russian losses have surpassed 87,000 in the last 24 hours, according to Ukrainian military sources.
This comes as Putin's troops continue their fighting in Donetsk and Luhansk.
Approximately 600 of these losses came in the last 24 hours.
Rishi Sunak shares message of support for the people of Ukraine
This morning, 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."