THE RUSSIAN deputy ambassador to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, retains the right to use nuclear weapons if the country is 'provoked' by NATO.
Dmitry Polyanskiy spoke to Sky News this morning in New York after Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said his boss could push the nuclear button if the country feels it is facing an “existential” threat.
When questioned if Putin is right to do this and hold the prospect of a nuclear war over the rest of the world, Mr Polyanskiy said: “If Russia is provoked by NATO, if Russia is attacked by NATO, why not, we are a nuclear power.
“I don’t think it’s the right thing to be saying. But it’s not the right thing to threaten Russia, and to try to interfere.
"So when you’re dealing with a nuclear power, of course, you have to calculate all the possible outcomes of your behaviour.”
Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up-to-the-minute updates…
- Milica Cosic
Ukraine's president calls for worldwide support
Ukraine's President Zelensky made an heartfelt plea for people all over the world to take to the streets today to show their support for Ukraine.
For the first time in his address, he spoke in English.
"This is only the beginning for Russia, on the Ukrainian land," he said.
"Russia is trying to defeat the freedom of all people in Europe, of all the people in the world.
"Come from your offices, your homes, your schools and universities. Come in the name of peace, come with Ukrainian symbols to support Ukraine, to support freedom, to support life."
- Joseph Gamp
Who will present the Concert for Ukraine?
The official full line-up is yet to be announced.
However, Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, Gregory Porter, and Snow Patrol are the first performers to be revealed so far.
Speaking ahead of the concert, Emeli Sandé said: “I will be singing to try to help every human being forced to flee their home and in solidarity with those being racially discriminated against even within this humanitarian crisis.
“Nobody should be refused access to relief, aid and the right to cross the border to safety, and I’m pleased for the chance to support the DEC’s appeal to help all people whose lives have been affected by the conflict.”
- Milica Cosic
Most Chernobyl blazes contained, minister confirms
Most of the fires that broke out in the Chernobyl exclusion zone have been contained, the Ukrainian minister of ecology and natural resources Ruslan Strelets said.
More than 30 fires were recorded in the area over the past two weeks, the minister also said.
- Milica Cosic
Russian soldier drives tank over his own colonel
A Russian soldier 'drove a TANK over his commanding officer to protest the huge number of losses they have suffered', claims Ukrainina journalist.
According to Roman Tsymbaliuk, who was said to have been the last Ukrainian journalist in Russia, footage allegedly shows Russian Colonel Yuri Medvedev being stretchered into a hospital after suffering severe injuries to his legs.
Tsymbaliuk said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the tank battalion of 1,500 troops had lost around half its strength to either death or injury.
"A soldier, choosing a convenient moment during the battle, ran over his brigade commander, Colonel Yuri Medvedev, with a tank, injuring both his legs," Tsimbalyuk wrote in his report.
"Medvedev is in a hospital in Belarus and has already been awarded the Order of Courage."
- Milica Cosic
Both sides running low on supplies
WHILE Ukraine claims that the Russian invaders have only three days of supplies left, it has warned that its own troops are running out of anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems.
Nick Reynolds, a land warfare specialist with the Rusi thinktank has said: “Resupply issues are hard to gauge, as both sides are keeping that information close to their chest due to operational security concerns”.
For Russian troops, Ukrainian military commanders claim that they only three further days of fuel, food and ammunition left to conduct the war after a breakdown in their supply chains.
Western officials have described this as a “plausible” situation to have happened to Putin's troops.
- Milica Cosic
Good morning, Milica Cosic logging in from London. I'll be bringing you the latest news and updates from the Russia-Ukraine war today.
- Joseph Gamp
Gravestones vandalised with swastikas and Russian ‘Z’ symbol in UK
Vandals have sprayed headstones in Ripon Cemetery, North Yorkshire with the Russian “Z” symbol and swastikas, police have reported.
In a statement released on Wednesday, North Yorkshire police said: “Profoundly upsetting – and completely unacceptable.
“Offensive symbols have been drawn on the front and back of gravestones in Ripon.
“The local community will be shocked by this vandalism – as are we. And it’s particularly upsetting for the city’s large military community.
“We’ve increased our patrols around local cemeteries to prevent further incidents of this nature. An investigation is under way.”
- Joseph Gamp
Graphic: Russian losses in Ukraine so far
A UK military expert claims Russian troop morale is collapsing in the face of heavy casualties and logistical nightmares.
Professor Michael Clarke, former director of the Royal United Services Institute think tank said on Thursday: “The Russians are making almost every tactical mistake it is possible to make.”
He added: said: “The Ukrainians are stalling the Russian advance in all areas and operating quite effective counter attacks. The Russians are losing a lot of equipment and troops.”
- Joseph Gamp
Russian troops have ‘ONLY days of food left’
RUSSIAN troops only have three days of supplies left, says Ukraine military as Vladimir Putin’s forces suffer frostbite due to ‘hit-and-run’ tactics by Ukrainians.
Troops only three further days of fuel, food and ammunition left to conduct the war after a breakdown in their supply chains, Ukrainian military commanders have alleged.
“We do think that the Russian forces have used a lot of material including particular categories of weapons and we have seen isolated reports of particular units that have lacked supplies of one sort or another,” the official said.
“It is consistent with an advance which has ground to a halt. Failures in the logistic chain has been one of the reasons they have not been as effective as they hoped.”
Western officials have described this as a “plausible” situation to have happened to Putin’s troops.
Moreover, Moscow‘s forces have also suffered setbacks in areas including Makariv, near Kyiv, which is raising fears that a desperate Vladimir Putin may turn to chemical weapons.
The Ukrainians have deployed devastating hit-and-run tactics against enemy tanks, as some of the Kremlin’s ill-prepared forces suffered frostbite and could no longer fight, according to US officials.
According to US president Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin now has his “back against the wall” because of this.
- Joseph Gamp
Almost 100,000 people remain trapped in Mariupol
Almost 100,000 people remain trapped in Mariupol where they face “inhumane” conditions, Ukraine’s president has said.
Volodymyr Zelensky said in his video address, “there are about 100,000 people in the city – in inhumane conditions, in a complete blockade, no food, no water, no medicine, under constant shelling”.
- Joseph Gamp
How long has Vladimir Putin been President for?
Vladimir Putin, 68, has had two stints as President of Russia.
The former KGB operative is already the longest-serving leader since ruthless Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
Putin, a little-known security chief, was appointed acting Prime Minister on August 9, 1999, by then president Boris Yeltsin.
He has been in office as president or prime minister ever since – a period spanning more than two decades.
And now, after a referendum in July 2020, Putin could stay in power until 2036.
Putin won his first presidential election in 2000, securing his second win in 2004, with more than 70 per cent of the vote.
- Joseph Gamp
All you need to know about Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Everything you need to know about Russia's invasion of Ukraine…
- Why is Russia invading Ukraine?
- Will the UK go to war?
- How can I join the Ukraine foreign legion?
- What can I do to help Ukraine?
- Who is Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy?
- How much gas does the UK get from Russia?
- Is Russia a part of Nato?
- Does Russia have nuclear weapons?
- Why is Ukraine not in Nato?
- How big is the Russian army?
- What is Article 5 of the Nato treaty?
- What is the Minsk agreement?
- Which countries were in the Soviet Union?
- What does the Z mean on Russian tanks? Meaning behind symbols explained
Chelsea FC asks for ticket sale money to go to Ukraine war victims
Chelsea FC has asked for the revenue generated by ticket sales, which would normally have gone to the club, to be donated to war victims in Ukraine.
A Premier League spokesperson said: "The revised licence allows fans to attend Chelsea FC games; Chelsea fans to travel to away Premier League fixtures and Chelsea fans to attend the FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and WSL games.
"The Premier League will receive and hold any revenue from the sale of these tickets that would normally have gone to Chelsea.
"Chelsea FC have requested and the Premier League agreed that this revenue will be donated to charity to benefit victims of the war in Ukraine.
"The beneficiary charities will be announced in due course after consultation with the club."
Ukraine orphans on route to Scotland after UK arrival
A group of 52 children from orphanages in Dnipro, Ukraine, have arrived safely in London before heading to their temporary home in Scotland.
The children, aged between one and 18, and their carers were supposed to leave Poland on Monday but were held up after key paperwork was not provided in time.
The flight finally touched down in Heathrow on Wednesday evening and the group are en route to Callander in Stirling, where accommodation has been arranged for them.
The charity Dnipro Kids, formed by supporters of Edinburgh's Hibernian FC, enabled many of the children to flee Ukraine for Poland.
Robert Brown from the charity said it and Stirling Council were "committed to giving the children a wonderful time so that they can escape the trauma of what they've been through, and we can turn their experience into an adventure they'll remember for the rest of their lives".
Putin ‘loses 40,000 troops’ in Ukraine invasion
RUSSIA has suffered 40,000 casualties in its Ukraine invasion as Vladimir Putin reportedly purged a senior general in response.
To add to his woes, one of the tyrant’s inner circle has defected and fled Russia in protest at the war, becoming the highest-ranking Kremlin official to break ranks.
Putin expected a quick victory when he ordered the invasion but fierce resistance from the Ukrainians has seen a mounting death toll, with several generals and senior officers among the dead.
Russia accidentally revealed it has lost 10,000 troops, when the figure was disclosed by a pro-Kremlin newspaper.
But NATO has said that figure could be as high as 15,000 with the total losses including wounded, captured or missing up to 40,000.
The estimate is based on figures or what Russia has revealed, either intentionally or deliberately, a NATO official has disclosed.
If the NATO estimate is correct, then the Russian losses in just under a month in Ukraine are now the same as they suffered during their ten year war in Afghanistan, which ended in 1989.
- Joseph Gamp
BBC given emergency funding to tackle Russian disinformation on Ukraine war
The BBC World Service will receive £4.1 million in emergency funding from the Government to help it counter disinformation about the war in Ukraine.
The broadcaster has been given the money to support its Ukrainian and Russian language services in the face of "increased propaganda from the Russian state".
Following a BBC request, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will provide the extra funding to cover urgent and unexpected costs that have arisen due to the conflict.
The DCMS said the funding will help the BBC relocate staff and operations to safe locations so they can continue their reporting on the war.
It will also go towards developing new and more widely accessible content delivered through a range of channels – including TV, radio and digital.
The BBC will also use the money to "tackle disinformation" and to "help local audiences circumvent the Kremlin's media restrictions and continue to access the BBC's journalism".
BBC director-general Tim Davie welcomed the cash, saying: "I am hugely proud of our coverage and the bravery and resilience of our colleagues reporting this difficult and complex story, day in, day out.
"This additional funding from the Government will enable us to continue expanding the ways we are reaching audiences in Russia and Ukraine.
"The BBC has seen a big demand for clear, fact-based, impartial journalism to counter disinformation and our teams are working around the clock to bring people the very best independent journalism.
"This funding will also help us with the immediate need to support staff who have been displaced, many of whom are continuing to work and provide vital expertise to the whole of the BBC, while life changes dramatically around them. We pay tribute to their incredible strength and professionalism."
- Joseph Gamp
Zelensky to address Irish Parliament
The Ukrainian president is set to address the Irish parliament next month.
Volodymyr Zelensky has accepted an invitation to address the Oireachtas on April 6.
It comes as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues despite sanctions against Vladimir Putin's regime.
Mr Zelensky received a standing ovation after addressing the UK House of Commons earlier this month. He has also addressed the US Congress.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin is set to attend a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday, which is to discuss Russian military aggression against Ukraine, security and defence, energy, economic issues, Covid-19 and external relations.
Ireland has so far accepted more than 10,000 refugees, mostly women and children, fleeing the violence.
- Joseph Gamp
Who is Alexander Bortnikov?
Alexander Bortnikov is the current director of Russia’s FSB – making him one of the most powerful people in Russia and an influential member of Putin’s inner circle.
Like Putin, he is a former officer of the KGB and first met Putin while the pair were stationed together in Leningrad – now Saint Petersburg – in the 1970s.
Since stepping into the might role in 2008, the terrifying spymaster is said to have turned the FSB into the “punishing sword” of Putin’s regime.
The organisation is both the brain and the heart of Putin’s government and behaves like a “state within the state”, according to the Dossier Center.
Not long after Putin was appointed acting president, Bortnikov was first made head of Russia’s Economic Security Service, wielding huge power and leverage.
He is also one of a small handful of people in Russia to earn the rank of Army General.
- Joseph Gamp
Renault suspends operations at Moscow factory
French car giant Renault said Wednesday that it would immediately suspend operations at its Moscow factory after Kyiv called for a boycott of the company for remaining in Russia.
Renault is also considering "the possible options" for its Russian affiliate AvtoVAZ, the company said in a statement, adding that it had downgraded its 2022 financial outlook.
- Joseph Gamp
Russian journalist killed in Kyiv shelling
A Russian journalist for the investigative news outlet The Insider was killed when Russian troops shelled a residential neighbourhood in the Ukrainian capital, the outlet said Wednesday.
Oksana Baulina, who previously also worked for Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny's anti-corruption group, "died under fire in Kyiv" while "filming the destruction" caused by Russian shelling, The Insider said on its website.
- Joseph Gamp
EU loosens state aid rules for companies affected by sanctions on Russia
EU companies affected by sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine can get up to 400,000 euros ($440,360) in state support under looser EU state aid rules, the European Commission said today.
Companies in the agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture sectors can get up to 35,000 euros while businesses facing a liquidity crunch can get state guarantees on loans, subsidised loans.
Companies facing soaring energy costs can get state aid up to 30% of costs, capped at 2 million euros, confirming a Reuters story on Tuesday.
- Joseph Gamp
MoD pushed YouTube to remove hoax videos of defence secretary
YouTube is facing demands from the Ministry of Defence to remove hoax videos featuring Defence Secretary Ben Wallace or risk helping the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The calls came after a third extract of a hoax call between Mr Wallace and an imposter posing as Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal was published on Wednesday.
The MoD says the clips have been "doctored" to aid disinformation and "propaganda" at the behest of the Kremlin, as it struggles in the war.
But the footage has remained on the video sharing giant owned by Google since Monday when the first video extract emerged, despite the attempts of officials to get them blocked or pulled down.
The MoD wrote to YouTube saying that the apparently altered clips wrongly claim British-supplied Nlaw anti-tank missiles have failed and falsely suggest the UK is running out of its own supplies.
"Any perceived failure of our lethal aid supplied to support Ukraine will provide an immediate detrimental effect upon the morale of Ukrainian forces mounting resistance to Russian aggression and create another chapter in the Kremlin's playbook of disinformation and lies," the letter reads.
It says that the "modified and edited clips" risk being used by Vladimir Putin's Russian state as a premise for more attacks breaching international law and to "inflict further human rights abuses".
- Joseph Gamp
Ukraine-Russia: Latest developments
- Vladimir Putin’s £500million gold plated monster yacht has been pictured as the crackdown continues on dirty Russian money
- Russian “ghost buses” are secretly shipping out Putin’s war dead as more than 15,000 troops are believed to have been killed
- President Zelensky saluted the courage of his troops and warned Ukraine is on the “brink of survival” against Putin
- Russian forces face running out of food and the war could be over in weeks
- Mariupol remains under siege as dying kids are forced to eat dog and drink radiator water to survive
- Putin’s demoralised and frostbitten troops revealed they thought they would be met with a “victory party” in Ukraine
- Pictures show inside the amazing Red Cross hospital on the frontline helped to save the lives of babies fleeing Ukraine
Kyiv mayor says one killed, two seriously wounded in carpark shelling
The mayor of Kyiv said one person was killed and two seriously wounded on Wednesday after shells hit a shopping centre's parking lot in a northern district of the Ukrainian capital.
"The enemy continues to fire at the capital," Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in an online post.
Russia denies targeting civilians.
Morale reportedly low amongst Putin's depleted forces
Putin is becoming so desperate he is recruiting mercenaries and private contractors to boost his depleted forces.
Morale among Russian troops is believed to have collapsed with some now shooting themselves to avoid being sent to the front line.
Ukraine claims as many as 15,300 Russian troops have been killed, more than 200 aircraft have been destroyed, along with more than 500 tanks, 1,500 armoured vehicles and 70 fuel trucks.
In one intercepted conversation, a Russian said: “They’ve been shooting at us for 14 days.
"We’re scared. We’re stealing food, breaking into houses.
"We’re killing civilians.
“Officers shoot themselves in the legs to go home. There are corpses everywhere.”
Another said troops “look for Ukrainian ammunition to shoot themselves in the legs and go to hospital”.
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