RUSSIA today opened a criminal probe into a blast that heavily damaged a vital bridge linking Moscow-annexed Crimea to Russia.
Russia's investigative committee said it had "initiated a criminal case in connection with the incident on the Crimean bridge," adding that "a truck was blown up."
Moscow's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said that the bomb explosion on the bridge caused seven railway cars carrying fuel to catch fire.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian presidential advisor shared a message on Twitter after an explosion or fire on a crucial bridge linking Russia to Crimea, calling it “the beginning” but not directly admitting Ukrainian responsibility. Those comments were later reiterated by David Arakhamia, the head of Zelensky's the Servant of the People party.
“Everything illegal must be destroyed, everything stolen must be returned to Ukraine, everything occupied by Russia must be expelled,” Mykhailo Podolyak wrote.
Read our Ukraine-Russia live blog below for the latest updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Ukrainian MP thanks Scotland for supporting her country
Ukraine is "very lucky" to have friends across Scotland, delegates at the SNP annual party conference have been told.
Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko addressed delegates in Aberdeen on Saturday, where she thanked the people of Scotland for providing humanitarian aid and taking in refugees from her country during the Russian invasion.
Ms Vasylenko said: "It's a great honour to be here on the stage, addressing your 88th conference of the Scottish National Party.
"It's an even bigger honour for me to be representing the people of Ukraine up on this stage. It's just that I wish I was addressing you today as Lesia Vasylenko, member of parliament of Ukraine, chair of the environmental sub-committee on climate change, talking about Ukraine's input and impact in dealing with global challenges.
"Instead, I am addressing you today as Lesia Vasylenko, member of a wartime parliament of Ukraine that is fighting very hard for its existence and for the physical survival of its people.
"That is first and foremost, but of course we are also fighting to defend the very meaning of the concepts of freedom, democracy and human rights."
Ms Vasylenko said that being a member of parliament in wartime is "hard, it's frustrating, it's emotional, it's a rollercoaster".
"Every day, it's a rollercoaster and it's so much more than that.
"Most importantly, it's exactly like being Ukrainian these days. Waking up every day since that dreadful day on February 24, making sure you and the people in your home are OK, are still alive.
"And then doing one thing, at least one little thing, to make sure that Ukrainians – a 44-million nation – is also alive for that one more day."
She said her country "admires the courage" of Scots who have signed up to the Ukrainian International Territorial Defence Battalion.
- Joseph Gamp
Putin orders tighter security for Crimea bridge following blast
Russian despot Vladimir Putin has ordered tighter security for the bridge from Russia to Crimea after today's huge explosion.
It also wants to ramp up measures to protect the infrastructure supplying electricity and natural gas to the peninsula, Interfax said.
In a decree issued a few hours after the bridge was damaged by a blast, Putin said the FSB security service would be responsible for strengthening protection measures.
- Joseph Gamp
Trains resume on Crimea bridge hit by blast – Russian operator
Rail traffic on a bridge linking Crimea to the Russian mainland resumed after a blast damaged the structure, its operator said in a statement.
Grand Service Express, which operates services between Crimea and Russia, said two trains left the peninsula in the early evening for Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
"The trains will pass over the Crimean bridge," the company said on Telegram.
- Joseph Gamp
Ukraine says Russia had hand in Crimea bridge blast
A Ukrainian presidential advisor has suggested that Moscow was involved in the blast on a bridge that links the occupied Crimean peninsula to the Russian mainland.
"It is worth noting that the truck that detonated, according to all indications, entered the bridge from the Russian side," Kyiv's presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said in comments
"So the answers should be sought in Russia,"
- Joseph Gamp
Zaporizhzhia plant loses last external power source
Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe, has lost its last remaining external power source as a result of renewed shelling.
It is now relying on emergency diesel generators, according to the UN nuclear watchdog.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said that the plant's link to a 750-kilovolt line was cut at around 1am this morning.
It cited official information from Ukraine as well as reports from IAEA experts at the site, which is held by Russian forces.
All six reactors at the plant are shut down but they still require electricity for cooling and other safety functions. Plant engineers have begun work to repair the damaged power line.
The plant's generators each hold sufficient fuel for at least 10 days, the IAEA said.
The resumption of shelling, hitting the plant's sole source of external power, is tremendously irresponsible, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said in a statement.
- Joseph Gamp
Zelensky: World must act now to stop nuclear threat
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russia is preparing for the likely use of nuclear weapons, but said Russia will not use them.
In an interview with the BBC, Zelensky denied having urged strikes on Moscow, claiming that his comment was mistranslated.
“You must use preventive kicks,” he said, referring to sanctions, “not attacks”.
- Joseph Gamp
Crimea bridge reopens to car traffic after blast say authorities
A bridge linking Moscow-annexed Crimea to the Russian mainland has reopened to car traffic after it was heavily damaged by an explosion, the Russian-installed head of the peninsula said this afternoon.
"Road traffic has begun on the Crimea bridge," Sergei Aksyonov, the Moscow-backed leader of Crimea, said on Telegram.
He added that "full inspection procedures" for buses and cars using the bridge will continue to take place.
- Joseph Gamp
Russia appoints new general to lead Ukraine offensive after setbacks
Russia has appointed a new general to lead its Ukraine offensive, according to reports.
It comes after Moscow suffered a series of military setbacks that triggered some criticism of its army's leadership.
The Russian defence ministry said General Sergey Surovikin had been appointed as the "commander of the Joint Grouping of Forces in the areas of the special military operation", using the Kremlin's term for the offensive.
- Matt Snape
Energoatom: Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant cut from power supply by shelling
Ukraine‘s state nuclear company Energoatom said the country’s Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant lost its connection to external power supply early on Saturday as a result of shelling.
“The diesel generators started automatically. The available supplies of diesel fuel for their operation in this mode will be enough for 10 days,” the organisation wrote on Telegram.
- Matt Snape
Lukashenko buys Putin a tractor for his 70th birthday
Vladimir Putin’s 70th birthday was overshadowed by accusations from Joe Biden that he would lead the world to nuclear Armageddon.
However, his loyal friend and ally Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko bought him a tractor, according to Independent Online.
Putin's loyal friend and ally Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko bought him a tractor. Photo credit: Alamy Live News. - Matt Snape
Member of Putin’s inner circle ‘directly criticised’ president
Despot Vladimir Putin was directly criticised by a member of his inner circle over the war in Ukraine, according to a US intelligence report.
President Biden and other US officials are believed to have received the report, according to the Washington Post.
- Matt Snape
Putin critics win Nobel Peace Prize in blow to tyrant
Three European human rights campaigners have been awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize in a rebuke to Putin.
Independent Online reports that Ales Bialyatski – a human rights campaigner from Belarus – won the award along with Russian human rights organisation Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organisation the Centre for Civil Liberties.
This move will no doubt be seen as a rebuke to Putin and Belarus as the three are joined together in their fight against tyranny in both countries, and they oppose the Ukraine conflict.
- Matt Snape
Bridge explosion is just the beginning, claims leader of Zelensky’s party
The Crimean bridge explosion is “just the beginning”, claims the parliamentary leader of Zelensky’s party.
But he did not suggest Ukraine was responsible for the incident.
“Russian illegal construction is starting to fall apart and catch fire. The reason is simple: if you build something explosive, then sooner or later it will explode,” David Arakhamia, the head of the Servant of the People party, wrote on Telegram.
“And this is just the beginning. Of all things, reliable construction is not something Russia is particularly famous for,” he said.
- Matt Snape
Zelensky: World must act now to stop nuclear threat
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russia is preparing for the likely use of nuclear weapons, but said Russia will not use them.
In an interview with the BBC, Zelensky denied having urged strikes on Moscow, claiming that his comment was mistranslated.
"You must use preventive kicks," he said, referring to sanctions, "not attacks".
- Matt Snape
Putin ally claims Russian defence minister should SHOOT himself
Putin’s loyal allies have urged Russia’s defence minister to shoot himself after Russia’s humiliating conduct during the Ukraine invasion so far.
General Sergei Shoigu has faced a significant backlash over Moscow’s crushing defeats in the conflict.
Kirill Stremousov, appointed leader of Kherson, shared a video on social media exclaiming: "A lot of people say that the defence minister, as an officer who let that happen, could shoot himself.
"But you know what, the word ‘officer’ is not familiar for some people."
Click here to read more.
Putin ally General Sergei Shoigu (right) has faced a significant backlash over Moscowâs crushing defeats in the conflict. (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
- Matt Snape
Ukraine could retake Crimea, according to US official
A US official has revealed Ukraine could retake the Crimea very soon.
The region was annexed by Russia in 2014.
The next step for Ukraine is to stage a three-pronged offensive towards the south.
A source told the Telegraph: "The recapture of Crimea by Ukraine is now a distinct possibility and can no longer be discounted.
"It is clear that Russia no longer has the ability or willpower to defend key positions, and if the Ukrainians succeed in their goal of recapturing Kherson, then there is a very real possibility that it will ultimately be able to recapture Crimea."
Click here to read more.
- Matt Snape
Former general says the end is nigh for Putin
General Sir Richard Barrons, a former joint forces chief, told The Sun: “We are clearly looking at the end of the Putin regime because this war has been such a cluster.
“Even three months ago, Putin looked unassailable. Now he looks indecisive and vulnerable.
“The one thing he can’t do is stop. The one thing he has to do is admit he has failed. He is in a bind.”
Click here to read more.
- Matt Snape
Russia blames truck bomb for damaging bridge
Moscow's National Anti-Terrorism Committee claimed that the truck bomb caused seven railway cars carrying fuel to catch fire, resulting in a “partial collapse of two sections of the bridge.”
- Matt Snape
Ukrainian presidential advisor says Crimea bridge ‘must be destroyed’
A Ukrainian presidential advisor shared a message on Twitter after an explosion or fire on a crucial bridge linking Russia to Crimea, calling it “the beginning” but not directly claiming Ukrainian responsibility.
“Everything illegal must be destroyed, everything stolen must be returned to Ukraine, everything occupied by Russia must be expelled,” Mykhailo Podolyak wrote.
- Matt Snape
Massive explosion at crucial bridge linking Russia to Crimea
Putin’s despised pet project at the Kerch Bridge which links Russia to Crimea has been hit by a massive explosion.
Images reported on by Guardian Online reveal a fiercely burning fire engulfing at least two railway carriages.
The explosion took place at 6am on Saturday.
You can view images here:
- Matt Snape
Vladimir Putin’s only birthday message came from North Korea’s Kim Jong-un
70th birthday celebrations for unpopular Vladimir Putin were cancelled yesterday, but he did receive one celebratory message from North Korean despot Kim Jong-un.
Glorious celebrations were cancelled due to rising tensions over Russia’s devastating invasion of Ukraine.
Jong-un congratulated the despot for “crushing the challenges and threats of the United States”.
Click here to read more.
Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool, File
- Matt Snape
Concerns UK’s internet has been planted with mines by Putin
Russians may have jeopardised the UK’s undersea and power cables, resulting in drastic checks, it has been reported.
Cuts to undersea cables could result in turmoil as such a move could paralyse global banking and eradicate trillions off economies.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has ordered a Type 23 frigate and the survey ship HMS Enterprise to confront potential threats.
Click here to read more.
- Henry Moore
Ukraine using abandoned Russian equipment, as Putin’s troops flee the battlefield
The British Ministry of Defence has reported that a “large” proportion of Ukraine’s weaponry and equipment is made up of abandoned Russian items.
In a statement, the MoD said: “Re-purposed captured Russian equipment now makes up a large proportion of Ukraine’s military hardware.
“Ukraine has likely captured at least 440 Russian Main Battle Tanks, and around 650 other armoured vehicles since the invasion. Over half of Ukraine’s currently fielded tank fleet potentially consists of captured vehicles.
“The failure of Russian crews to destroy intact equipment before withdrawing or surrendering highlights their poor state of training and low levels of battle discipline.
“With Russian formations under severe strain in several sectors and increasingly demoralised troops, Russia will likely continue to lose heavy weaponry.”
- Henry Moore
Kim Jong Un wishes Putin a happy birthday
Vladimir Putin turned 70 yesterday and has only received one birthday message, that being from his ally and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
He said: “Today, Russia is reliably defending the dignity of the state and its fundamental interests from the challenges and threats by the US and its vassal forces.
“Such reality is unthinkable without your distinguished leadership and strong will.”
- Henry Moore
Russia begins to ‘prepare its society’ for nuclear war, Zelensky says
Speaking to the BBC, President Zelensky of Ukraine has claimed Russia is preparing its society for nuclear war.
“They begin to prepare their society. That’s very dangerous,” he said.
However, he did cavitate that nuclear war is not yet close.
He went on to say: “They are not ready to do it, to use it. But they begin to communicate. They don’t know whether they’ll use or not use it. I think it’s dangerous to even speak about it.”
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