Ukraine news latest — UK ‘gives long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Zelensky’ as leader sends defiant message to Putin
THE United Kingdom has supplied Ukraine with several "Storm Shadow cruise missiles" as Kyiv prepares for its much-anticipated counteroffensive.
The powerful missiles, which are typically fired from the air, can travel approximately 155 miles and will be “a real game changer from a range perspective,” reports.
Following the report, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed the news as he told MPs: "The donation of these weapons systems gives Ukraine the best chance to defend themselves."
This comes as President Zelensky sent a defiant message to Russia's Vladimir Putin, rejecting the suggestion Ukraine should cede land to the Kremlin in a bid for peace.
He said: "Everyone will have an idea. They can’t pressure Ukraine into surrendering territories. Why should any country of the world give Putin its territory?”
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Ukraine would ‘lose a lot of people’ if it launched counteroffensive now, Zelensky says
Ukraine’s President Zelensky has warned his nation would face heavy casualties if it launched its counteroffensive now.
“We can go forward and be successful. But we’d lose a lot of people. I think that’s unacceptable,” he told reporters.
“So we need to wait. We still need a bit more time.”
Reports of a Ukrainian counteroffensive surfaced earlier this year, with many expecting it to begin in the coming weeks.
Inside Britain’s latest air support for Ukraine
The UK is sending devastating Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, said defence secretary Ben Wallace.
Mr Wallace said the long-range missiles will allow Ukraine to further push Vladimir Putin’s forces back into Russia.
Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles can travel up to 600mph and can blast targets up to 350 miles away.
It means it could hit a targets at maximum range in just 35 minutes – travelling near half the length of the UK.
“The donation of these weapons systems gives Ukraine the best chance to defend themselves against Russia’s continued brutality,” said Mr Wallace. .
“Ukraine has a right to be able to defend itself.”
Putin accuses West of ‘destroying traditional values’
During his Victory Day speech in Moscow, Vladimir Putin accused the West of “destroying traditional values” and claimed the war he started was “unleashed against” Russia.
The Russian president said: “Today, civilisation is again at a decisive turning point, a real war has been unleashed against us again.
“We are proud of the participants of the special military operation. The future of our people depends on you.”
He added: “The goal of our enemies, and there is nothing new here, is to achieve the disintegration and destruction of our country.”
MoD releases map showing battlefield situation in Ukraine
The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has released a map showing the situation on the ground as Ukraine defends itself against Russia‘s illegal invasion.
MoD tweeted: “The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing.”
This comes as Ukraine prepares for its highly-anticipated counteroffensive.
Russian attack kills woman in Sloviansk
A Russian attack was launched at the Donetsk city of Sloviansk on Thursday morning, local police report.
The missile killed a woman and injured her daughter, said Mayor Vadym Liakh.
The attack reportedly hit a residential area, damaging several houses and cars.
Zelensky slams Russian ‘propaganda’
President Zelensky has slammed Russia’s anti-Ukraine propaganda as Putin continues his brutal
“They constantly look for something to sound like a justification, saying: ‘You do this to us, so we do that to you,'” he told reporters.
“But it didn’t work. Even for their domestic public, it didn’t work.
“Even their own propagandists didn’t believe that. Because it looked very, very artificial.”
Putin faces mutiny as Wagner chief brands him a ‘complete a*****e’
Putin is facing a mutiny within his army after the Wagner Mercenary chief appeared to call the Russian tyrant a “complete a*****e”.
A video posted online by Yevgeny Prigozhin appears to show a direct attack on Vladimir Putin after he had repeatedly criticised senior officials.
US thinktank the Institute for the Study of War has claimed Prigozhin used Victory Day to “mock Putin and question his judgement.”
In the video, the mercenary leader refers to a “happy grandfather” figure who “thinks that he is good”.
He then asks what Russia and future generations should do and how Russia can win if the “grandfather” turns out to be a “complete asshole”.
Russian losses near 200,000 as Putin’s war rages on
Russia has continued to face heavy losses in recent days as Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine rages on.
Yesterday, the Kremlin lost an estimated 610 troops, according to Ukrainian military sources.
This brings total Russian casualties to 196,920.
Ukraine would ‘lose a lot of people’ if it launched counteroffensive now, Zelensky says
Ukraine’s President Zelensky has warned his nation would face heavy casualties if it launched its counteroffensive now.
“We can go forward and be successful. But we’d lose a lot of people. I think that’s unacceptable,” he told reporters.
“So we need to wait. We still need a bit more time.”
Reports of a Ukrainian counteroffensive surfaced earlier this year, with many expecting it to begin in the coming weeks.
PM rubbishes Putin’s claims in Victory Day speech
Rishi Sunak rubbished claims made by Vladimir Putin in his Victory day speech on Tuesday, saying the Russian president is the “only person responsible” for the war in Ukraine.
During his speech Putin reportedly claimed the “real war” is being waged by the West against Russia.
He also likened the Ukrainian armed forces to Nazis and said Kyiv has put the international community “at a breaking point”.
Putin said: “Today, civilisation is again at a decisive turning point, a real war has been unleashed against us again.”
He added: “The goal of our enemies, and there is nothing new here, is to achieve the disintegration and destruction of our country.”
In response to these comments, the British prime minister said: “There is only one person who is responsible for the illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and that is President Putin. The crimes that are being committed are appalling.
“The suffering that is being inflicted on the Ukrainian people is appalling.
“That is why it is right that we remain steadfast in supporting the people of Ukraine to stand up to that aggression. That’s what I and the United Kingdom will continue to do.”
Russian attacks kill six civilians on Wednesday
Russia launched a fresh wave of attacks on Ukraine on Wednesday, reportedly killing six civilians.
Russian attacks also injured a further 12, with the largest number of casualties coming from Zaporizhzhia, local authorities have said.
The Kherson region was also subject to a wave of shelling.
Putin faces mutiny as Wagner chief brands him a ‘complete a*****e’
Putin is facing a mutiny within his army after the Wagner Mercenary chief appeared to call the Russian tyrant a “complete a*****e”.
A video posted online by Yevgeny Prigozhin appears to show a direct attack on Vladimir Putin after he had repeatedly criticised senior officials.
US thinktank the Institute for the Study of War has claimed Prigozhin used Victory Day to “mock Putin and question his judgement.”
In the video, the mercenary leader refers to a “happy grandfather” figure who “thinks that he is good”.
He then asks what Russia and future generations should do and how Russia can win if the “grandfather” turns out to be a “complete a*****e”.
New project training brave Ukrainian officers in Latvia has been launched
Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraine's Defence Minister, has today revealed a new project training brave Ukrainian junior officers in Latvia has been launched.
Taking to Twitter, the Ukrainian official wrote: ''My Canadian and Latvian colleagues @AnitaAnandMP and @IMurniece launched a new ambitious project for training brave Ukrainian junior officers in Latvia.
''They will master the process of planning and orders, maneuver coordination, intelligence reconnaissance, etc. I believe that Canadian and Latvian instructors will do their best to help our warriors learn how to fight and win. Education is the key to the success.
''I am deeply grateful to the Canadian and Latvian people, who stand with us in these hard times. We will celebrate our victory together.''
Russian forces attack Kharkiv Oblast, injuring two people
Russian forces have shelled the village of Velykyi Burluk, injuring two people, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov has reported.
According to the report, a 16-year-old girl and a 43-year-old woman were wounded in the attack.
UK ‘gives long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Zelensky’ as leader sends defiant message to Putin
The United Kingdom has supplied Ukraine with several "Storm Shadow cruise missiles" as Kyiv prepares for its much-anticipated counteroffensive.
The powerful missiles, which are typically fired from the air, can travel approximately 155 miles and will be “a real game changer from a range perspective,” reports.
Following the report, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed the news as he told MPs: "The donation of these weapons systems gives Ukraine the best chance to defend themselves."
This comes as President Zelensky sent a defiant message to Russia's Vladimir Putin, rejecting the suggestion Ukraine should cede land to the Kremlin in a bid for peace.
He said: "Everyone will have an idea. They can’t pressure Ukraine into surrendering territories. Why should any country of the world give Putin its territory?”
Donald Trump refuses to brand Putin a ‘war criminal’
Former President of the United States Donald Trump refused to brand Russia’s Vladimir Putin a “war criminal.”
Speaking to CNN, Mr Trump declined to answer the question when it was asked.
“That’s something to be discussed at a later date,” he said.
The former head of state said using the term would slow efforts to reach a peaceful solution in Ukraine.
In pictures: Aftermath of missile strike in Sloviansk
The images below show local residents as they stand among the remains of buildings hit by Russian attacks on May 11.
The attack killed a woman and injured her daughter, the regional police department said.
Sloviansk is located some 45 kilometres north of the fiercely contested city of Bakhmut.
Credit: Reuters 
Credit: Reuters Ukraine has ‘no option’ for failure with upcoming counteroffensive, Zelensky says
President Zelensky has said Ukraine continues to prepare for its upcoming counteroffensive but has “no option” for failure.
“We think about how to prepare for a counteroffensive, but we don’t think we might fail. This is not our way,” said Zelensky.
“We are doing our best. Not only our military but also society, our factories, our entrepreneurs – everyone thinks about strengthening our army daily.”
'The only plan capable of stopping Russian aggression in Ukraine is the Ukrainian Peace Formula'
President Zelensky has today said ''the only plan capable of stopping Russian aggression in Ukraine is the Ukrainian Peace Formula.''
Taking to Twitter, Zelensky discussed a recent meeting regarding the situation in Ukraine.
He wrote: ''Met with Special Advisor on Foreign Policy to the President of Brazil Celso Amorim. Emphasized that the only plan capable of stopping Russian aggression in Ukraine is the Ukrainian Peace Formula.
''We discussed the possibility of holding the Ukraine-Latin America Summit. I look forward to continuing dialogue with President Lula and welcoming him to Ukraine.''
11 million Ukrainian people have been displaced from their homes
Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine has left more than 11 million people displaced from their homes, the British Ministry of Defence today revealed.
Taking to social media, the MoD wrote: ''Due to Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas, more than 11 million people have been displaced.
''Despite the Kremlin’s sustained lie that they would not attack civilians or their infrastructure.''
Ukraine latest news:
- Britain sends long-range ‘game changer’ Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine – as Putin makes chilling threat
- ‘World’s strongest girl’ turned Putin cheerleader seen at despot’s flop Victory Day parade after returning from front
- Vladimir Putin branded an ‘a***hole’ by once-loyal chief henchman in video rant
Inside Britain's latest air support for Ukraine
The UK is sending devastating Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, said defence secretary Ben Wallace.
Mr Wallace said the long-range missiles will allow Ukraine to further push Vladimir Putin's forces back into Russia.
Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles can travel up to 600mph and can blast targets up to 350 miles away.
It means it could hit a targets at maximum range in just 35 minutes - travelling near half the length of the UK.
"The donation of these weapons systems gives Ukraine the best chance to defend themselves against Russia's continued brutality," said Mr Wallace. .
"Ukraine has a right to be able to defend itself."
Putin accuses West of ‘destroying traditional values’
During his Victory Day speech in Moscow, Vladimir Putin accused the West of “destroying traditional values” and claimed the war he started was “unleashed against” Russia.
The Russian president said: “Today, civilisation is again at a decisive turning point, a real war has been unleashed against us again.
“We are proud of the participants of the special military operation. The future of our people depends on you.”
He added: “The goal of our enemies, and there is nothing new here, is to achieve the disintegration and destruction of our country.”