Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin launches fresh wave of deadly strikes on Kyiv

At least three people have been killed as Russia unleashed a deadly new wave of overnight attacks on Kyiv and surrounding regions, officials said.

“It was exceptional in its density – the maximum number of attack missiles in the shortest period of time,” said Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s city military administration.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed there were explosions in Kyiv. “A few – in the Solomyan district. And in Shevchenkivskyi, on the territory of the zoo, rocket debris fell,” he said.

The mayor said several cars caught fire in the Solomyansk district as a result of falling rocket debris but rescue workers are at the spot of attacks.

Nearly all of Ukraine was under air raid alerts in the early hours today.

Local journalists in Kyiv described the attack as causing “building-shaking explosions” in central Kyiv as air raid sirens wailed in the Ukrainian capital.

The wave of missile and rocket attacks on Kyiv comes a week after Russia fired a barrage of missiles on the war-hit nation, coinciding with the Vladimir Putin-led celebrations of Victory Day in Moscow.

Key Points

• Massive explosions thunders in Kyiv, three killed as overnight Russian attack returns

• Russia fires ‘exceptional' barrage of missile attacks on Kyiv

• Kremlin claims to have shot down first British Storm Shadow missile

• Rishi Sunak welcomes president Zelensky to the UK as he arrives at Chequers

• Putin will be concerned as Russian air defences compromised, says UK MoD

Massive explosions thunders in Kyiv, three killed as overnight Russian attack returns

03:48 , Arpan Rai

Several explosions rocked Kyiv in the early hours today killing three people, officials said.

“Explosions in Kyiv. A few - in the Solomyan district. And in Shevchenkivskyi, on the territory of the zoo, rocket debris fell. All services go to places,” Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

There are three victims in Solomyan district in Kyiv, he said, adding that there were no casualties in Obolonskyi, where the debris fell.

“Several cars caught fire in the Solomyansk district as a result of falling rocket debris. The damaged building with an area of ​​200 square meters. Rescuers are working on the spot. The victims have not been identified so far,” the mayor said on Telegram.

Kremlin says Russia faces decision on extending grain deal

11:19 , Emily Atkinson

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that questions still remained about Russia’s part of the Black Sea grain deal, and that it would have to make a decision about whether to renew it.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters contacts on the subject were continuing.

MoD provide update on situation in Bakhmut

09:56 , Emily Atkinson

The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has provided an update on the current situation in Bakhmut, with both Russia and Ukraine making some progress across the contested town.

While the Wagner Group forces continue to make gradual progress in clearing Ukrainian positions in the town centre, Ukraine has in the last four days “made tactical progress stabilising the flanks of Bakhmut to their advantage”, the MoD said in its daily intelligence update.

It went on: “As well as progress to the south of town, Ukrainian assaults have forced back the Russian frontline to the north-west of the town. This has likely enabled Ukrainian forces to re-establish more secure use of the key 0506 supply road.

“Ukraine is holding Russia’s western advances along the line of Donets-Donbas Canal, turning the waterway into an obstacle as part of a deep defensive zone around the town of Chasiv Yar.”

Macron ‘signals France ready to train Ukrainian pilots'

09:09 , Emily Atkinson

President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly signalled that France is ready to begin training Ukrainian fighter pilots.

“We have opened the doors to training pilots alongside several other European countries, which are also ready; I believe the negotiations with the Americans are ongoing,” he said in an interview with broadcaster TF1 , according to Le Monde.

CNN also cites Mr Macron as saying that “training can start right away.”

Ukraine’s first lady meets with South Korea’s Yoon

08:49 , Emily Atkinson

Ukraine‘s first lady, Olena Zelenska, met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as a special presidential envoy, South Korea’s presidential office said on Tuesday.

Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is visiting South Korea to participate in a media conference.

In an interview with South Korea’s Yonhap news agency published on Tuesday, Zelenska expressed willingness to invite Yoon to her country, saying such a visit would be “very supportive” to Ukrainians.

She also warned against the risk of war fatigue and called for “more radical” support for Ukraine to fight against Russia’s aggression.

South Korea, a major producer of artillery shells, has said it was not providing lethal weapons to Ukraine, citing its relations with Russia.

But Yoon said in an interview with Reuters last month his government might not “insist only on humanitarian or financial support” if civilians in Ukraine come under a large-scale attack or due to a “situation the international community cannot condone”.

Overnight damage in Kyiv

08:27 , Emily Atkinson

Ukraine’s Emergency Situations Ministry has shared some images of the damage caused by Russia’s overnight strikes on Kyiv.

'It has not been an easy night in Kyiv’

08:04 , Emily Atkinson

It has not been “an easy night” in Kyiv, the British ambassador to Ukraine has said

In a tweet, Dame Melinda Simmons wrote: “A full on aerial attack on Kyiv last night, pretty intense. Bangs and shaking walls are not an easy night. Hope everyone is ok.”

In pictures: Russia launches ‘exceptional’ air attack on Kyiv

07:45 , Emily Atkinson

Kyiv celebrates ‘unbelievable success’ of overnight defence

07:32 , Emily Atkinson

Ukraine’s defence minister has applauded the “unbelievable success” Kyiv had in reportedly shooting down all of the missiles launched at it by Russia last night.

Posting to Twitter, Oleksii Reznikov added: ‘[R]ussian terrorists have no chance of prevailing over Ukraine. Their weapons can and should be countered by Western ones.

“Thank you to our Air Force service members and our partner states, who invested in securing the skies over Ukraine and all of Europe.

“Let’s win together!”

Russia fired 18 missiles from air and sea overnight, all destroyed – Ukrainian top commander

07:14 , Arpan Rai

Russia fired at least 18 missiles and nine drones on Kyiv overnight from nearly all directions in a high-intensity blitz, top Ukrainian military officials confirmed. All missiles were shot down by Ukraine’s active air defences.

The missiles, including six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles fired from MiD-31K aircraft, nine Kalibr cruise missiles positioned and fired from ships in Black Sea and three S-400 Iskander land-based missiles, were fired by Russian forces from north, south and east direction in the early hours today, said Valery Zaluzhny, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces.

At least six Iranian Shahed drones and three reconnaissance drones were also fired overnight at Ukrainian targets, the top commander said.

Kyiv zoo opens after rocket debris falls overnight: ‘Come to calm down residents of Zoo'

06:58 , Arpan Rai

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko has shared a small video showing the aftermath of rocket attack on Kyiv, debris from which fell on the capital city’s zoo and left broken branches around.

“Tonight, as a result of the shelling of Kyiv by Russian barbarians, fragments of a rocket fell on the territory of the capital’s zoo.

Fortunately, none of the animals or workers were injured. There was no fire,” he said.

Mr Klitschko added that rocket fragments damaged the zoo’s greenery “but all the broken branches have already been removed”.

“Anti-stress measures are now being conducted with the animals. And today, as usual, at 10am the zoo will open for visitors. So come to calm down and support the residents of Kyiv Zoo!” the mayor said on Telegram.

The video showed damage within the zoo premises and branches strewn around as authorities cordoned off the area.

EU’s Borrell urges bloc to crack down on imports of Indian fuels made with Russian oil – report

06:34 , Arpan Rai

The European Union (EU) should crack down on India reselling Russian oil into Europe as refined fuels including diesel, said the EU’s high representative for foreign policy Josep Borrell.

“If diesel or gasoline is entering Europe... coming from India and being produced with Russian oil, that is certainly a circumvention of sanctions and member states have to take measures,” the bloc’s chief diplomat said, speaking to the Financial Times.

“That India buys Russian oil, it’s normal... But if they use that in order to be a centre where Russian oil is being refined and by-products are being sold to us... we have to act,” Mr Borrell said.

Any mechanism to stem the flow of Russian oil would need to be implemented by the national authorities, he said, suggesting the EU could target buyers of Indian refined fuels they believe are derived from Russian crude.

“If they sell, it is because someone is buying. And we have to look at who is buying,” he said.

India has in the past year emerged as a top buyer of Russian oil, which has been shunned by Western nations amid sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

India’s imports of Russian crude in March rose for the seventh straight month to end the fiscal year with Moscow as the top supplier to India, displacing Iraq for the first time.

Access to cheap Russian crude has boosted output and profits at Indian refineries, enabling them to export refined products competitively to Europe and take a bigger market share.

Zelensky needs Sunak to push Ukraine’s allies to go further and faster over weapons and jets

06:11 , Arpan Rai

When the Ukrainians say that President Zelensky’s visit to Britain as part of his current European tour has very special meaning, it is not just PR rhetoric. There is a deep underlying gratitude for the solidarity shown to their nation in its darkest hour.

The UK has been the second-largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine behind the United States, offering £30bn worth of equipment. It was also among the earliest of the allies to start training and arming the country’s forces, after the overthrow of the pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych in 2013 and the subsequent Russian-backed separatist war in the east.

Kim Sengupta details in his analysis:

Analysis: Zelensky needs Sunak to push allies to go further and faster over weapons

‘Building-shaking explosions’ rock Kyiv overnight

05:38 , Arpan Rai

Residents in Kyiv detailed high-intensity explosions seen overnight as Russia fired drones, cruise and likely ballistic missiles.

“Building-shaking explosions over central Kyiv. Ukraine’s air defense working hard. We’ve been under air raid alert for 45 minutes,” said Christopher Miller, a journalist in Kyiv.

He reported seeing “burning bits of debris visible over Kyiv”.

Another Ukraine national also took to Twitter to share a audio recording of explosions heard overnight. “I think this was one of the loudest night in Kyiv in a while judging by the fact that so many of my friends who live across the city woke up to something that sounds like this,” said Julia Tymoshenko.

The Independent has not confirmed the authenticity of the audio.

Zelensky returns with more weapons, support for Nato entry

05:10 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky is returning to Ukraine today with new defence packages for frontline troops collected across his foreign visits with allies.

“Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain... We are returning home with new defence packages. More new and powerful weapons for the frontline, more protection for our people from terror, more political support,” he said.

Mr Zelensky added: “At all the meetings we discussed our Peace Formula, and now there is more willingness of our partners to follow the formula. There is more support for our accession to the EU, more understanding that Ukraine’s accession to Nato is inevitable.”

Russia fires ‘exceptional' barrage of missile attacks on Kyiv

04:23 , Arpan Rai

Officials say Kyiv has been hit with an unusually large barrage of Russian strikes overnight, with a combination of drones, cruise and likely ballistic missiles fired at the Ukrainian capital from multiple directions.

“It was exceptional in its density – the maximum number of attack missiles in the shortest period of time,” Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s city military administration, said in comments on Telegram.

“According to preliminary information, the vast majority of enemy targets in the airspace of Kyiv were detected and destroyed.”

Photos of Belarus leader emerge after days of absences that sparked health rumours

03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

For nearly a week, the whereabouts of Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko have been a mystery.

The 68-year-old was last seen in public at a May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow’s Red Square, looking pale and bloated, and he skipped a celebratory breakfast in the Kremlin to fly home. Later that day, he appeared at a similar event in his capital of Minsk to celebrate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, but then skipped other scheduled appearances for days, feeding speculation on social media about his health.

On Monday, the state news agency Belta reported Lukashenko inspected an air force installation and a photo was posted to the presidential website showing him standing stiffly in a military jacket, taking a salute from an officer.

The intent of the photo was clear -– to dispel rumours and reports that Lukashenko was seriously ill — although a bandage was wrapped on his left hand. On May 9 in Red Square, his right hand was bandaged.

The man who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for nearly three decades has been a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, allowing the Kremlin to use his country as a staging ground for its war in neighbouring Ukraine, although he has stopped short of committing his troops to the conflict.

Yuras Karmanau has the full story:

Photos of Belarus leader emerge after days of absences that sparked health rumors

China's Ukraine envoy due to start Europe trip

02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

A Chinese envoy was preparing Monday to visit Ukraine and Russia, but there appeared to be little chance of a breakthrough to end the 15-month-long invasion.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government says it is neutral and wants to play a role as mediator, but has given Moscow political support. Beijing released a proposed peace plan in February, but that was largely dismissed by Ukraine’s allies, who insist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces must withdraw.

Li Hui, a former ambassador to Moscow, also will visit Poland, France and Germany, according to the foreign ministry. It gave no other schedule details.

Political analysts see little hope for a peace agreement because neither Ukraine nor Russia is ready to stop fighting. They say by sending an envoy, China appears to be trying to neutralize criticism of its friendship with Putin and to split European allies away from Washington.

Read more:

China's Ukraine envoy due to start Europe trip

Truss: China ‘largest threat to free world’ and West too dependent on Beijing

01:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Liz Truss branded China “the largest threat that we face to the free world” as she accused the UK along with other western countries of being “too dependent” on Beijing.

Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister – who was widely expected to adopt a more hawkish stance towards the nation during her premiership – warned against capitulating to “rhetorical bullying from authoritarian regimes”.

Appearing at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit ahead of a high-profile visit to Taiwan, Ms Truss said: “There’s no doubt that the entire western world including the United States, including Europe, including the UK, has become too dependent on China, and that’s a problem because it’s given China leverage over us, and it’s also a problem economically.

Ms Truss said the issue of Beijing was also “inherently linked” to the war in Ukraine, drawing parallels between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Nina Lloyd reports:

Truss: China ‘largest threat to free world’ and West too dependent on Beijing

Sunak embraces Zelensky on Ukraine leader’s surprise UK trip - as PM pledges more missiles and drones

Tuesday 16 May 2023 00:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Volodymyr Zelensky was greeted with a hug by Rishi Sunak after arriving in Britain to seek more support for his country’s war effort - as the UK vowed to provide Ukraine with air defence missiles and attack drones.

The Ukrainian president met his “friend”, the prime minister, as part of a trip around Europe pressing western allies for more military aid.

Mr Sunak welcomed Mr Zelensky to country retreat Chequers - the first time he has hosted a visiting leader at the Buckinghamshire mansion - before the two leaders held talks.

The two leaders had discussed western fighter jets, Mr Zelensky said, and he anticipated “very important decisions” to be made soon. It came as No 10 said Britain would send hundreds of air defence missiles and further unmanned aerial systems to the war-torn country.

Archie Mitchell reports:

Sunak embraces Zelensky on surprise UK trip - as PM pledges more missiles and drones

Fears over Russia using chemical weapons if Ukraine counter-offensive succeeds

Monday 15 May 2023 23:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia could use chemical weapons if Ukraine’s counter-offensive is successful in regaining territory, MPs have heard.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK is “very much on our guard about what happens next” after concerns were raised that Russian President Vladimir Putin may “turn ugly” and resort to using non-conventional weapons systems in Ukraine.

Mr Wallace pointed to the use of chemical weapons by Russia in Syria and the Russian-state Salisbury poisonings in 2018.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who chairs the Commons Defence Committee, welcomed the visit of Volodymyr Zelensky to the UK on Monday and noted there is a “warm relationship” developing between the Ukrainian president and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Mr Ellwood asked if “fast jets” would be the next military equipment given to Ukraine, adding in the Commons: “There’s much talk of a counter-offensive.

Richard Wheeler reports:

Fears over Russia using chemical weapons if Ukraine counter-offensive succeeds

Truss urges Sunak to be vigilant on ‘threat from China’ to avoid ‘very serious problem’

Monday 15 May 2023 22:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Liz Truss has urged Rishi Sunak to be vigilant on the “threat from China” as she welcomed his talks with Volodymyr Zelensky to send fighter jets to Ukraine.

“We’ve got to focus on Ukraine, but we also need to focus on the threat from China,” the former prime minister said, speaking at a democracy summit in Copenhagen on Monday 15 May.

“If we take our eye off the ball on China, we’ll be facing a very, very serious problem down the road.”

Watch:

Truss urges Sunak to be vigilant on China ‘threat’ to avoid ‘very serious problem’

White House: Russia looks to purchase more attack drones from Iran after depleting stockpile

Monday 15 May 2023 22:10 , Eleanor Noyce

The White House on Monday said that Russia is looking to buy additional advanced attack drones from Iran for use in the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine after using up most of the 400 drones it had previously purchased from Tehran.

The Biden administration last year publicised satellite imagery and intelligence findings that it said indicated Iran sold hundreds of attack drones to Russia. For months, officials have publicly stated that the United States believed Iran was considering selling hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia, but Washington did not have evidence a deal was consummated.

“Iran also continues to provide Russia with one-way attack UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Since August, Iran has provided Russia with more than 400 UAVs primarily of the Shahed variety,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

“Russia has expended most of these UAVs, using them to target Ukrainian critical infrastructure inside Ukraine. By providing Russia with these UAVs, Iran has been directly enabling Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine,” Kirby told reporters.

Aamer Madhani has the full story:

White House: Russia looks to purchase more attack drones from Iran after depleting stockpile

South African army general in Moscow days after country accused of sending weapons to Russia

Monday 15 May 2023 21:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia’s top army general and his South African counterpart discussed “military cooperation” while meeting Monday in Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The announcement came hours after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa denied accusations by the United States that his country was siding with Russia in the war in Ukraine and had sent weapons to help it.

Gen. Oleg Salyukov, the commander of Russia’s ground forces, met the chief of South Africa’s army, Lt. Gen. Lawrence Mbatha, at Russia’s general command headquarters in Moscow, the Russian ministry said.

“The sides discussed issues of military cooperation and the implementation of projects geared to enhance the combat readiness of the two countries’ armies,” the ministry said in a statement. “The meeting between the military commanders yielded agreements on the further expansion of cooperation between the land forces in various areas.”

The Defense Ministry said a South African delegation would visit a number of Russian army “educational and training facilities.”

Read more:

South African army general in Moscow days after country accused of sending weapons to Russia

IOC puts trust at risk by seeking ways to allow Russia to compete at Olympics, EU official tells AP

Monday 15 May 2023 21:10 , Eleanor Noyce

The European Union’s presidency urged the International Olympic Committee to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from next year’s Paris Games, yet said Monday a boycott by the 27-nation bloc is not on the table.

Swedish sports minister Jakob Forssmed told The Associated Press the IOC should reconsider its position to let Russians and Belarusians compete as neutral athletes in sporting events despite the war in Ukraine.

Sweden holds the EU presidency until July. Being in office allows a member nation to help set the EU’s tone and the bloc’s agenda.

Asked whether EU nations should use the threat of a collective boycott to pressure the IOC to backpedal, Forssmed said that option is not being discussed right now.

“We’re not there,” Forssmed said on the sidelines of a gathering of sports ministers in Brussels. “But I do think that the International Olympic Committee, they really risk a trust issue here if they are not listening, and also making sure that no Russian athletes can represent Russia in any way at the Olympics.”

Read more:

IOC puts trust at risk by seeking ways to allow Russia to compete at Olympics, EU official tells AP

Zelensky needs Sunak to push Ukraine’s allies to go further and faster over weapons and jets, writes Kim Sengupta

Monday 15 May 2023 20:40 , Eleanor Noyce

To celebrate the coronation of King Charles the Ukrainian defence ministry issued a version of the song ‘London Calling’ by The Clash.

The accompanying video, a typically sleek Kyiv production, had images of Charles, Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer meeting Volodymyr Zelensky, and the weapons Britain has sent to Kyiv, including Challenger 2 tanks. It ended with the question “wonder what our British friends will send us next?” A clip of the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth followed with the caption: (“Only joking!”).

The UK has been the second-largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine behind the United States, with £30 billion worth of supplies. It was also among the earliest to start training and arming the country’s forces after the overthrow of the pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych in 2013 and the subsequent Russian-backed separatist war in the east.

Britain’s willingness to step first into the breach over military support has spurred wider Western action, writes Kim Sengupta:

Analysis: Zelensky needs Sunak to push allies to go further and faster over weapons

NATO mulls future security guarantees for Ukraine but wary of igniting a wider war

Monday 15 May 2023 20:10 , Eleanor Noyce

NATO leaders are discussing ways to ensure that Ukraine does not come under attack from Russia again once the war is over, but they are concerned about doing anything that might drag the organization into a wider conflict, the head of the military alliance said Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seeking “security guarantees” from the 31-nation alliance to ward off any future attack from Ukraine’s neighbour. Some countries are weighing what could be done to avoid a repeat of the war. Russia already annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

“There are consultations that are going on,” ahead of a summit involving U.S. President Joe Biden and his counterparts in Lithuania on July 11-12, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said during an interview with his predecessor, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, at a conference in Copenhagen.

Stoltenberg declined to provide details about those talks.

NATO allies benefit from a collective security guarantee — so called Article 5 of the organisation’s founding Washington Treaty — which ensures that an attack on any one of their number would be considered an attack on them all.

Lorne Cook has more:

NATO mulls future security guarantees for Ukraine but wary of igniting a wider war

Putin using ‘Western electoral cycles’ to measure war in Ukraine, says former Labour defence secretary

Monday 15 May 2023 20:05 , Eleanor Noyce

Former Labour defence secretary Lord Browne of Ladyton said he believes Vladimir Putin is measuring the war in Ukraine by Western electoral cycles.

Noting that the former head of MI6 said Putin’s strategy is one of attrition, he said: “With the possibility of a more isolationist United States post the presidential election, my suspicion is that Putin is measuring the war as much by Western electoral cycles as by more conventional military metrics.

“What discussions are we having with our allies about the diplomatic framework that could bring this conflict to an end - and in particular about the nature of the security guarantees that will be offered to Ukraine to ensure an equitable lasting peace?”

Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said: “In terms of electoral cycles, you know the real strength of democracy, that’s illustrated here as well, and it’s illustrated in the United States and elsewhere across Europe.

“The unity of purpose and action is something that is shared by parties of all different political spectrums and that is the message going out to Mr Putin that: ‘You may think that an electoral cycle may deter the United Kingdom or the United States - the answer is no, it will not’.”

UK government ‘fanning war’ in focusing on military support for Ukraine, says Tory peer

Monday 15 May 2023 19:55 , Eleanor Noyce

Tory peer Lord Balfe accused the UK government of “fanning war” with its focus on military support for Ukraine, calling on them to “take the initiative” in seeking a peace agreement with Russia.

The former MEP said: “This war has now been going on for a year and getting worse. We have started to see incidents within the Russian Federation borders.

“Unless someone soon makes some efforts to get peace talks going, we’re going to head into a tragedy.

“Is it not the job of His Majesty’s Government, as a member of the P5, to start taking the initiative for peace, instead of constantly fanning war?”

Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said: “I refute Lord Balfe’s assertion - we do not fan war. The war and the aggressor is Russia.

“As he knows, Russia is also a P5 member. It’s about time Russia stood up to its responsibility as a P5 member. We want peace, the Ukrainians want peace, do Russia want peace? We want the answer.”

UK has ‘failed’ to retain sufficient military capacity, says Lord Stirrup

Monday 15 May 2023 19:45 , Eleanor Noyce

Former head of the Armed Forces Lord Stirrup told the Government that the UK has “failed” to retain enough military capacity over the past few years to be secure in its own position.

The independent crossbench peer said: “I welcome the support that’s being offered to Ukraine, including the training of pilots, but the truth is we have had a hard enough time over the last few years training our own pilots with the capacity we have.

“Has this Government finally learned the lesson that we need to retain sufficient military capacity and resilience in our own country if we are to be secure in the years ahead?

“This is something which it has signally failed to do in recent years.”

Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon assured him the Government was doing “just that, in terms of ensuring that we replenish any of the support we are giving in terms of missiles, ammunitions, and indeed other equipment in Ukraine, because any responsible Government, the first responsibility is the security of our own nation.”

Wagner chief ‘offered to give up locations of Russian soldiers’ to Ukraine, leaked papers say

Monday 15 May 2023 19:32 , Eleanor Noyce

The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary force, Yevgeny Prigozhin, offered to reveal the positions of Vladimir Putin’s forces to Ukraine, leaked US intelligence documents show.

The extraordinary offer – which was rejected by Ukraine – was made in January by the Wagner chief as part of a proposed quid pro quo deal with Kyiv, reported the Washington Post.

The Wagner chief offered to leak information on the positions held by Russian troops if Ukraine’s commanders withdrew their own soldiers from the area around the fortress city of Bakhmut, handing Prigozhin a victory there in exchange for the opportunity to accurately target Russian positions elsewhere along the frontline.

Prigozhin’s offer was made via his contacts in Ukraine’s intelligence service, according to the reported documents. The leaks did not detail which Russian positions the Wagner chief was offering to disclose to Ukraine.

Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly threatened publicly to withdraw his mercenaries from the area around Bakhmut, where they are at the vanguard of the Russian offensive, as he sought more ammunition from Moscow.

Arpan Rai reports:

Wagner chief ‘offered to reveal locations of Russian soldiers’ to Ukraine, leak shows

European human rights summit to step up aid for Ukraine to counter Russian invasion

Monday 15 May 2023 19:10 , Eleanor Noyce

At the conclusion of their previous Council of Europe summit, the 46 member states solemnly declared they “bear witness to unprecedented pan-European unity.”

Fast-forward 18 years, to the day, on Tuesday, and the same institution, Europe’s pre-eminent human rights organization, faces a massive war on its continent, forcing it to gather as many of its leaders as possible in Reykjavik, Iceland, to deal with the epochal crisis in Ukraine, one of its member states.

Perhaps more heed should have been paid to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov‘s ominous warning at the 2005 summit in Warsaw that “Russia was, is and will be a major European nation.”

Neither Lavrov, nor any Russian government official, will be flying to Europe’s far-flung island nation, since the Council expelled Russia over its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The two-day summit will seek to reinforce a sense of common purpose and the defense of Ukraine stands out like a beacon.

Raf Casert has more:

European human rights summit to step up aid for Ukraine to counter Russian invasion

Sunak vows to help Zelensky build ‘jets coalition’ – but without British warplanes

Monday 15 May 2023 18:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Rishi Sunak to help him create a “jets coalition” of western warplanes for Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion after dropping his plea for British fighter planes.

No 10 pledged to work with western allies on securing the planes the Ukrainian president wants and announced a new flying school to help train Kyiv’s pilots in Britain – but made clear UK made clear it has no plans to supply British jets to Ukraine.

When Mr Zelensky visited parliament in February he pleaded with the UK and other nations for jets – presenting Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with a pilot’s helmet as he called for “wings for freedom”.

But after talks between Mr Sunak and Mr Zelensky, it emerged that Ukraine has opted to seek the American F-16 jets used by many Nato members – but not the UK – as it tries to shift away from Soviet-era planes towards modern military equipment.

“The Ukrainian government has made the decision to train their pilots on F-16 jets, that’s a decision for them,” said Mr Sunak’s spokesman. “I believe they are in discussions with other countries who use those jets, and we are working with those countries.”

Following two hours of negotiations with the PM at Chequers, Mr Zelensky said: “We want to create this jets coalition and I’m very positive with it. We spoke about it and I see that in the closest time you will hear some, I think, very important decisions – but we have to work a little bit more on it.”

Adam Forrest reports:

Sunak vows to help Zelensky build ‘jets coalition’ – but without British planes

Sunak appears to compare Zelensky to Churchill during Chequers meeting

Monday 15 May 2023 18:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Rishi Sunak appeared to compare Ukraine’s President Zelensky to Winston Churchill as he welcomed him to his Chequers residence.

“This room that we’re standing in, Winston Churchill made many of his famous speeches in World War Two from this room.

In the same way today, your leadership, your country’s bravery and fortitude are an inspiration to us all”, Mr Sunak told Mr Zelesnky in front of reporters.

Mr Zelensky’s latest visit to the UK was announced early on Monday morning (15 May), before Ukraine’s president touched down in Hertfordshire shortly afterwards.

Watch:

Sunak appears to compare Zelensky to Churchill during Chequers meeting

Zelenskyy's European tour aimed to replenish Ukraine's arsenal and build political support

Monday 15 May 2023 17:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Volodymyr Zelenskyy set off across Europe with a long shopping list. Ukraine’s president will head home with much of what he wanted — though not the Western fighter jets he seeks to defend against Russian air attacks.

European leaders promised Zelenskyy an arsenal of missiles, tanks and drones during a whirlwind three-day visit to Italy, the Vatican, Germany, France and the U.K. that sought to replenish Ukraine’s depleted weapons supplies ahead of a long-anticipated spring offensive aimed at turning the tide of the war.

The trip was also about shoring up European political and military support for the longer term, to ensure Ukraine can hold any ground it takes back and press for a favorable peace.

“They’ve got to show … they’re in this conflict for the long term and that they’re able to keep sustaining this effort,” said Justin Crump, a former British tank commander who heads security consultancy Sibylline. “It’s not going to be one shot and done.”

Zelenskyy’s energetic international diplomacy over 15 months of war has persuaded Ukraine’s Western allies to send ever more powerful weapons, from German Leopard tanks to U.S. Patriot missile systems and Storm Shadow cruise missiles from the U.K.

Jill Lawless has the full story:

Zelenskyy's European tour aimed to replenish Ukraine's arsenal and build political support

Poland receives UK rocket launchers in defence upgrade

Monday 15 May 2023 17:12 , Matt Mathers

Poland has received its first shipment of US-made Himars rocket launchers as part of a defence upgrade amid security concerns due to the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak and military officials attended an acquisition ceremony at a Warsaw air base on Monday.

Mr Blaszczak said that combat in Ukraine has proven the value of the Himars and that Nato member Poland was seeking to procure additional launchers, with a goal of acquiring some 500 units.

"We are watching the developments in Ukraine, and we know that artillery has a key role in the war, in repelling the Russian invasion," he said.

Sunak and Zelensky spent ‘substantive elements’ of time together speaking ‘one-on-one’, Downing Street says

Monday 15 May 2023 16:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky were able to talk face-to-face in detail about matters that security issues can make “tricky” when talking remotely, Downing Street said.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman, asked about Mr Zelensky’s visit to Buckinghamshire, said: “It was a warm meeting. It was collegiate, they talked for an hour-and-a-half, which was longer than had been planned.

“Subsequently, they went for a walk around Chequers as well.

“I think you saw from the tone of their conversation afterwards that they get on well.

“Equally, the meeting was very productive and a chance to talk in detail, which can be quite tricky sometimes, given some of the security situation, so it was a helpful meeting on both sides.”

The spokesman said “substantive elements” of the two leaders’ time together was spent speaking “one-on-one”.

Attack drones donated to Ukraine by UK only for use on Ukrainian soil, No 10 confirms

Monday 15 May 2023 16:35 , Eleanor Noyce

Attack drones given by the UK to Ukraine are only to be used on Ukrainian soil, No 10 has said.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Our support has always been on the condition that it is used to defend Ukrainian sovereignty. That is no different with these drones.”

Asked whether the UK Government’s position meant that striking targets within Russia would go beyond the purpose of defending Ukraine, the spokesman replied: “Yes.

“I think there is no question of this military aid we’re providing as being used for anything other than the defence of Ukraine and Ukraine soil.”

Put to him that military sites within Russia that are being used to attack Ukraine could be deemed legitimate targets by Kyiv, Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said: “Again, from our perspective - and I can’t speak for the Ukrainians more widely - the aid we provide is for use within Ukrainian sovereign borders.

“It is not for use beyond that.”

Irish government doing ‘all we can’ to accommodate refugees, says Leo Varadkar

Monday 15 May 2023 16:15 , Eleanor Noyce

Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said the government is “doing all we can” to find accommodation for international protection applicants who are currently sleeping rough.

He added: “Let’s not forget the bigger picture here. You know the last year or so we’ve taken in 100,000 people from other parts of the world, mainly from Ukraine, but from other parts of the world as well, and almost all of those have been provided with accommodation.

“But it’s a refugee crisis on the scale that we’ve never experienced in our history and, yes, you know, we are at a point where we’re finding it difficult to provide accommodation to everyone who comes here, but we’ll certainly turn nobody away.”

Russia could use chemical weapons if Ukraine’s counter-offensive proves successful

Monday 15 May 2023 15:51 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia could use chemical weapons if Ukraine’s counter-offensive is successful in regaining territory, MPs have heard.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK is “very much on our guard about what happens next” after concerns were raised that Russian President Vladimir Putin may “turn ugly” and resort to using non-conventional weapons systems in Ukraine.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who chairs the Commons Defence Committee, told the Commons: “Could I ask the Secretary of State about the comments of Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, now openly criticising President Putin for an absence of ammunition, tactics on the battlefield as well.

“Is he concerned that if this counter-offensive is successful, that terrain is gained, that Russia, Putin, will turn ugly and resort to non-conventional weapons systems, such as chemical weapons and biological (weapons), as he did in Syria?”

Mr Wallace, in his reply, said: “The use of chemical weapons in Syria was another turning point, the use of chemical weapons here on the streets of the United Kingdom in the Skripals poisoning in Salisbury.

“We are on our guard, the international community regularly communicate, we stand ready with Nato, we increase our readiness as we do, and we have started to increase the investment in our capabilities, all important, but he is right we have to be very much on our guard about what happens next.”

China ‘threat' ‘inherently linked’ to the war in Ukraine, Liz Truss says

Monday 15 May 2023 15:35 , Eleanor Noyce

Liz Truss has branded China “the largest threat that we face to the free world” and “inherently linked” to the war in Ukraine.

Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister used an appearance at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit to warn “we cannot listen to rhetorical bullying from authoritarian regimes”.

Asked whether she thought the UK Government was doing enough to support Ukraine, she said: “I think we are sending extra long-range weapons - that is very welcome.

“I’ve said I want to see us sending fighter jets to Ukraine - I know we’re supplying training on that ... but we’ve got to focus on Ukraine, we also need to focus on the threat from China.

“That is my message - that these things are inherently linked. If we take our eye off the ball on China, we’ll be facing a very, very serious problem down the road.”

Asked about her own stance on Beijing compared with the less hawkish position of her successor Rishi Sunak, she said: “I stand by my assertion that we should designate China as a threat. I think they’re a very clear threat. I think they’re the largest threat that we face to the free world.”

Putin touts cooperation with ex-Soviet states in Security Council meeting

Monday 15 May 2023 15:02 , Matt Mathers

Russian President Vladimir Putin told members of his Security Council that their video meeting on Monday should discuss the benefits of cooperation among former Soviet states.

The meeting is usually held on a Friday but was brought forward for undisclosed reasons.

“We and the republics of the former Soviet Union have a whole range of significant.

competitive advantages,” Putin told the meeting, which was attended by top members of his cabinet, in televised opening remarks.

“Let’s talk about this today, about what more can and should be done in order to achieve better results in our joint work.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine last year, Moscow’s ex-Soviet neighbours have become vital economic partners as it grapples with Western trade sanctions.

Kremlin claims to have shot down first British Storm Shadow missile

Monday 15 May 2023 13:53 , Matt Mathers

Russia’s Defence Ministry said for the first time on Monday that it had downed a long-range Storm Shadow missile supplied to Ukraine by Britain, which announced last week that it was providing them.

The ministry said in its daily briefing on the Ukraine conflict that it had shot down the cruise missile, as well as shorter-range U.S.-built HIMARS-launched and HARM missiles. Reuters was unable to verify the reports.

Britain is the first country to publicly supply Kyiv with long-range cruise missiles, which will allow Ukrainian forces to hit Russian troops and supply depots far behind the front lines as it prepares a major counteroffensive.

Moscow said on Sunday that Ukraine had used the missiles to strike industrial sites in the Russian-controlled city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russia viewed Britain’s decision to supply the missiles "extremely negatively".

"Britain claims to be at the forefront among those countries that continue to pump weapons into Ukraine," he told reporters in a daily call.