VLADIMIR Putin has VIOLATED ceasefires leaving Ukrainian wounded soldiers 'dying in agony', a Ukrainian commander has said.
The Deputy Ukrainian commander hasalso accused the Russian troops of preventing evacuations of civilians from the Mariupol steelworks.
In a video posted on Telegram, Capt Sviatoslav Palamar said: “It’s day three since the enemy entered the Azovstal factory, where heavy, bloody fighting continues”.
“Yet again, the Russians have broken their promises of a ceasefire and did not allow the evacuation of civilians who continue to shelter from the shelling in the factory’s basements.
“Our enemy observes no ethical norms, conventions or laws”.
The news comes as, Putin’s forces have practised nuclear missile strikes and chemical attacks in chilling war games on NATO’s border.
Moscow confirmed its troops ran simulated nuclear missile strikes in the western enclave of Kaliningrad on Wednesday amid heightening tensions over the war in Ukraine.
The announcement came on the 70th day of Mad Vlad‘s blundering invasion of Ukraine which has seen thousands killed and more than 13 million displaced in the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War Two.
Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up-to-the-minute updates…
- Louis Allwood
Putin blasted by warlord
CHECHEN warlord Ramzan Kadyrov has blasted Russian leader Vladimir Putin for "going soft' on his targets in the Ukraine war.
Regional leader Kadyrov – believed to be Russia’s wealthiest politician after Putin – is seen as part of a military and security bloc getting increasingly exasperated by the Kremlin leader.
Kadyrov wants Putin to use firepower to grab and control Ukraine’s major cities – and believes the Russian military machine has been fighting with its hands tied, resulting in repeated humiliations.
A general in the Russian national guard as well as head of oil-rich Chechnya, Kadyrov seemed unable to contain his frustration over Putin's tactics yesterday.
In a video aimed at Moscow, the Chechen dictator said: "We need to start the second stage and enter other cities – Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kherson, all cities, entirely, and install governance.
“And then continue dialogue with other countries who want to have relations with us. If they want sanctions, we’ll fight against sanctions, if they want war – we’ll fight… As a warrior, I ask the leadership of the state to take this decision. The sooner the better.
“Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin], we are waiting for the order. Comrade Supreme Commander, your footmen are 100% ready.”
- Louis Allwood
Putin practises NUCLEAR missile strikes
VLADIMIR Putin's forces have practised nuclear missile strikes and chemical attacks in chilling war games on NATO's border.
Moscow confirmed its troops ran simulated nuclear missile strikes in the western enclave of Kaliningrad on Wednesday amid heightening tensions over the war in Ukraine.
The announcement came on the 70th day of Mad Vlad's blundering invasion of Ukraine which has seen thousands killed and more than 13 million displaced in the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War Two.
Ailing Putin has made outright threats to nuke NATO if it continues to arm Ukraine.
During Wednesday's war games in the enclave wedged EU member states Poland and Lithuania, Russia practised simulated "electronic launches" of nuclear-capable Iskander mobile ballistic missile systems, the defence ministry said in a statement.
They also boasted about conducting multiple strikes on mock missile systems, airfields, protected infrastructure, military equipment and command posts, the statement said.
Military personnel are said to have carried out a manoeuvre to change their position in order to avoid "a possible retaliatory strike," the defence ministry added.
- Louis Allwood
Zelensky invites German leaders to Kyiv
Volodymyr Zelensky has invited the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to meet him in Kyiv, the AFP news agency quotes the German president's office as saying.
Zelensky made the invitation during a telephone call with Steinmeier, during which "past irritations were cleared up".
- Louis Allwood
'Intelligence will not stop stop Russia'
The Kremlin was well aware that the US, UK and other Nato countries were constantly feeding intelligence to the Ukrainian military.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Coupled with the flow of weapons that these countries are sending to Ukraine, these are all actions that do not contribute to the quick completion of the [Russian] operation [in Ukraine]."
This would not stop Russia from achieving its objectives, he added.
- Louis Allwood
Fears escalate for WNBA star Brittney Griner
THE "Tom Brady of the WNBA" could be rushed through a sham Russian trial and sent to a labor camp if the US doesn't get her out soon, an expert warned.
Brittney Griner – a megastar in women's basketball – has been "wrongfully detained" in an unknown Moscow jail since February, the Biden administration officially said on Tuesday.
She seemingly vanished for about a month after playing in a tournament within the country's borders.
Finally, reports surfaced in March that Russian law enforcement arrested Griner at an airport and accused her of smuggling drugs.
The Biden administration officially condemned the arrest and said she was "wrongfully detained" in an emphatic statement.
That means they believe the accusations are fabricated, legal expert Aron Solomon told The Sun.
- Louis Allwood
Russian forces preventing evacuation
A Deputy Ukrainian commander has accused Russian troops of preventing evacuations of civilians.
In a video posted on Telegram, Capt Sviatoslav Palamar said: "It's day three since the enemy entered the Azovstal factory, where heavy, bloody fighting continues".
"Yet again, the Russians have broken their promises of a ceasefire and did not allow the evacuation of civilians who continue to shelter from the shelling in the factory's basements.
"Our enemy observes no ethical norms, conventions or laws".
- Joseph Gamp
Not the first time Ukraine has launched a global fundraising campaign
It is not the first such fundraising effort launched by the Ukrainian government.
In mid-March, it launched an "Aid for Ukraine" website, found at donate.thedigital.gov.ua, in partnership with crypto-firms FTX and Everstake with all donations funnelled to Ukraine's central bank.
Offering donors the chance to give in 10 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, ether, tether and dogecoin, the campaign was an immediate hit with its official website tweeting on March 19: "Over $60M contributed, with $10M donated in a few days!"
Kyiv has received Western military aid, but its army remains far smaller than Russia's.
Zelensky, 44, has addressed parliaments around the world on an almost daily basis, appealing for support amid Moscow's attack.
- Joseph Gamp
President Zelenksyy launches global crowdfunding platform
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday launched a global crowdfunding platform to help Kyiv win the war with Russia and rebuild the country's infrastructure.
"In one click, you can donate funds to protect our defenders, to save our civilians and to rebuild Ukraine," Zelensky said in English in a video on his Twitter page, launching the United24 platform, which can be found here: u24.gov.ua
"Every donation matters for victory."
Nine weeks into Russia's invasion, Ukrainian cities have suffered vast destruction.
"All funds will be transferred to the national bank of Ukraine and allocated to the relevant ministries," Zelensky said, indicating that his government would give an update "every 24 hours" about how the money was being used.
The Ukrainian leader called on ordinary people around the world to help Kyiv defeat Moscow.
"Only together we have the potential to stop the war and to rebuild what Russia has destroyed."
He said Ukraine will "always remember" their contributions.
- Joseph Gamp
UK and Japan agree defence deal
The UK and Japan have agreed a defence deal that will allow their national forces to "work more closely together", according to Boris Johnson.
The Prime Minister, speaking in Downing Street alongside his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, said he is "so glad" the two nations have agreed a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) for armed services.
He said allies in Europe and east Asia have to be unified in the face of "autocratic, coercive powers".
Mr Kishida's first official visit at the invitation of the Government was marked with a guard of honour and an RAF flypast over Horse Guards Parade in central London.
Before holding talks in No 10 on Thursday, the two leaders stood on a dais as they witnessed a Voyager and two Typhoon fighter jets soar over St James' Park and the parade ground.
Mr Kishida was then invited in Japanese by the captain of the Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards, to inspect the troops.
After the spectacle, Mr Johnson and Mr Kishida headed to Downing Street where the British leader announced that a military accord has been struck.
The Prime Minister said the world has observed the "strong stance" the Japanese government has taken "against the Russian aggression in Ukraine".
He added: "We in the UK recognise that our security in Europe is indivisible from the security, our collective security, in the Asia-Pacific, in the Indo-Pacific region.
"And there is direct read across from the actions of autocratic, coercive powers in Europe, to what may happen in east Asia. And that's why we want to work more closely together. And today I'm so glad that we've agreed the reciprocal access agreement between our armed services."
- Joseph Gamp
In pictures: Heavily damaged buildings in Borodyanka
The image below shows a view of damaged buildings during debris removal works in progress in Ukraine.
This building was damaged by Russian attacks in the Borodyanka region of the country.
Communities north of Kyiv were square in the path of Russia's devastating but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to seize the Ukrainian capital with forces deployed from Belarus.
Damaged buildings during debris removal works in progress in Borodyanka - Joseph Gamp
UK schoolboy receives reply from Ukraine’s president
A young British boy has been left overjoyed after he received a reply from President Zelenskyy after hidign a letter in a convoy.
Thomas Handley, 12, was delighted to receive a reply from the President after he put a handwritten letter into a convoy of 270 parcels of medical supplies and clothing collected by Durham Trinity School heading to the war-torn country.
Zelenskyy wrote: “Thank you for your letter of support. I am OK and thank you for your help.
“We hope to bring peace to Ukraine and food to the citizens of all the country and rebuild the towns.
“What you have said in our letter and what the United Kingdom does to support brings a smile to my face and to many others.”
- Joseph Gamp
Moment Ukrainian drone sinks two Russian gunboats after ‘direct hit’
This is the extraordinary moment Ukraine blitzed TWO Russian Navy boats in a deadly drone attack – sending Putin’s butchers sinking to a watery grave.
Astonishing footage shows what is understood to be Turkish made Bayraktar TB2 drones unleashing hell on two fast-attack boats in the Black Sea.
The infrared video – released by the Ukrainian armed forces – shows one of the Raptor-class craft floating off the coast of the war ravaged country.
But moments later, it is pounded in a direct strike from the sky, sending an enormous fireball into the air as it’s blown to smithereens
While another clip appears to show a boat accelerating shortly before it’s annihilated in a direct strike – obliterating the entire vessel in a hellish inferno.
- Joseph Gamp
Russia claims it killed 600 Ukrainian soldiers during overnight strikes
Russia said on Thursday that its artillery struck multiple Ukrainian positions and strongholds overnight, killing over 600 fighters.
"The armed forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine", the defence ministry said. "Over 600 nationalists and 61 units of weapons and military equipment were destroyed".
The defence ministry also said its missiles destroyed aviation equipment at the Kanatovo airfield in Ukraine's central Kirovohrad region and a large ammunition depot in the southern city of Mykolaiv.
Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it called a special operation to degrade its southern neighbour's military capabilities and root out people it called dangerous nationalists.
Ukrainian forces have mounted stiff resistance and the West has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia in an effort to force it to withdraw its forces.
- Joseph Gamp
Russia 'trying to destroy' last Ukrainian units holed up in Azovstal
Ukraine said Thursday Russia was "trying to destroy" its remaining soldiers holed up in Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant, with Kyiv's last defenders in the battered city saying Moscow forces have broken into the giant factory.
"Russian occupiers are focusing on blocking and trying to destroy Ukrainian units in the Azovstal area," Kyiv's army said in a statement.
"With the support of aircraft, Russia resumed the offensive in order to take control of the plant."
The statement came as a Russian-announced ceasefire was due to begin at the besieged plant, where hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers and some civilians have been trapped for weeks.
A commander of the Azov battalion, leading the defense of Mariupol, said late on Wednesday that Russian soldiers have entered the plant and that there were "ongoing, bloody battles."
"For two days, the enemy has burst into the enclosure of the steelworks," Azov commander Denys Prokopenko said in a video on Telegram.
"The situation is extremely difficult but despite this we continue to execute the order to hold the defence."
He said the Ukrainian units were "resisting" while being outnumbered by the Russians.
- Joseph Gamp
Japan's PM condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday he condemned in the strongest terms Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying it amounted to war crimes.
Kishida was speaking in London following an extended visit to Southeast Asia.
Japan had hoped to hold talks on Russia's invasion and consolidate responses in Southeast Asia, where only one nation, Singapore, has joined sanctions against Russia, officials say.
- Joseph Gamp
Russian soldiers flee base as it's Shelled By Ukrainian Troops
Ukrainian troops have boasted about showing Russia “who’s boss” by bombing an enemy position and sending soldiers running for their lives.
The 30th Mechanised Brigade, named after Prince Konstanty Ostrogski, a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, said they decided to remind Russian invaders “who is boss on Ukrainian soil”.
The Ukrainian brigade said on 4th May: “Good evening, we are from Ukraine! In the morning, the racists did not understand the language of ‘signs from above’ from our military so we decided to remind them again who is boss on Ukrainian soil.”
- Joseph Gamp
Two Russian villages shelled by Ukraine, says local governor
Two villages in Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine have been shelled by Ukraine, according to authorities in the region.
Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Thursday, adding that there were no civilian casualties.
"There is shelling from the Ukrainian side on Zhuravlyovka and Nekhoteevka," he said.
- Joseph Gamp
Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund
PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.
Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund.
Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
Donate here to help The Sun’s fund
Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles
£3 — text SUN£3
£5 — text SUN£5
£10 — text SUN£10Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile
- Joseph Gamp
UK says Russia is continuing to hit non-military targets
Russia continues to hit non-military targets in Ukraine such as residential properties and transport hubs in a bid to weaken the country’s resolve, Britain’s defence ministry said today.
In a regular military intelligence update, Britain also said that despite Russian ground operations focusing on eastern Ukraine, missile strikes continued across the country as Moscow sought to hamper Ukrainian resupply efforts.
“As Russian operations have faltered, non-military targets including schools, hospitals, residential properties and transport hubs have continued to be hit, indicating Russias willingness to target civilian infrastructure in an attempt to weaken Ukrainian resolve,” the update, posted on Twitter, said.
“The continued targeting of key cities such as Odessa, Kherson and Mariupol highlights their desire to fully control access to the Black Sea, which would enable them to control Ukraines sea lines of communication, negatively impacting their economy.”
- Joseph Gamp
Zelenskyy asks UN for help in saving people from Azovstal
President Volodymyr Zelensky last night asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for help saving people trapped in the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol.
A statement from his office read: “The lives of the people who remain there are in danger. Everyone is important to us.
“We ask for your help in saving them.”
- Joseph Gamp
Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund
PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.
Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund.
Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
Donate here to help The Sun’s fund
Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles
£3 — text SUN£3
£5 — text SUN£5
£10 — text SUN£10Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile
- Joseph Gamp
Russian official makes oil claims following proposed sanctions
A Russian official predicts Europe will continue buying Russian oil via third countries once EU countries introduce an embargo.
Speaking to Speaking the state-run RIA Novosti news agency senior MP Vladimir Dzhabarov, said: “They say we won’t buy oil from us. Well, don’t buy it, we don’t push it to you.
“You will still buy it, only through third countries. Our oil is the same, only more expensive.”
- Joseph Gamp
Chilling sign Russia is preparing to spark nuclear World War Three
Putin has also been spotted several times around what appears to be Russia’s secret nuclear briefcase.
Last month, he arrived at the Vostochny Cosmodrome via helicopter to visit a space port with Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko.
Putin arrived on the scene accompanied by his top military henchman who were seen carrying the alleged launch device – just days after it was snapped at a state funeral.
The secret case is thought to contain the launch apparatus for the Kremlin’s strategic missiles and its presence at the funeral is seen as a chilling threat to the world.
The bag, which has a personalised key code, is normally under 24/7 supervision and completely controls Moscow’s nuclear arsenal.
It is reportedly supervised by an armed security officer who accompanies no-nonsense Putin wherever he travels.
The briefcase, called Cheget in Russian, was developed in the early 1980s and was shown to the world for first time in 2019, with its contents being viewed up close on TV.
According to local media, there are actually not just one but three in total.
Its visible presence in recent weeks is thought to be a chilling sign that the crazed Russian leader could deploy devastating nuclear weapons at any time.
- Joseph Gamp
Hungary and Slovakia can buy Russian oil until 2023
Reuters have reported that the EU have said that Hungary and Slovakia will be able to continue buying Russian crude oil until the end of 2023 under existing contracts.
Both countries would be able to benefit from an embargo on Russian oil.
The EU has been outlining plans this morning to ban imports of Russian crude oil within six months.
- Joseph Gamp
No10 killed plans to hike defence spending after Putin’s Ukraine invasion
BORIS Johnson’s chief of staff stepped in to kill a defence spending hike in the first weeks of the Ukraine war, The Sun can reveal.
MP and No10 chief Steve Barclay squashed attempts by the Defence Secretary to discuss increasing Armed Forces spending with the Chancellor ahead of March’s mini-Budget.
As we revealed on Monday, Ben Wallace wrote to Rishi Sunak on March 11 warning Britain risked missing sacred NATO spending commitments because of inflation in a desperate plea for more cash.
But the doomsday letter sent just days after Russia invaded Ukraine was ignored.
Now a Whitehall blame game has broken out over who gave the order to bin the warning.
Defence officials pointed the finger at the Treasury for pushing them to withdraw the demand for more cash – but Treasury officials say it was PM’s powerful right-hand-man put his foot down.
One said: “It was No10 that ordered the row to cease and put the kibosh on any more money, not the Treasury.”
But a senior Whitehall source insisted: “Steve was concerned about the process rather than the content of the letter and is working with both departments on this matter.”
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