VLADIMIR Putin is expanding his troops to "ONE MILLION" says Russian media, as his humiliated army sees growing frontline deaths.
Kyiv officials say a Russian missile attack killed 22 civilians and set a passenger train on fire in eastern Ukraine and north of the capital as Ukraine marked its Independence Day under heavy shelling.
It was seen as an act of "repugnant provocation" amid Vladimir Putin seeing deaths pass 50,000 this week, as his army takes a battering on the frontline of the Ukraine war.
But Russian state news agency RIA claims the mad tyrant has signed a decree to bolster his faltering army.
A document posted on the portal of legal information says: "To establish the staff strength of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the amount of 2,039,758 units, including 1,150,628 military personnel."
Read our Ukraine-Russia blog below for the latest updates…
- Henry Moore
Putin signs decree to increase the size of Russia's army
As the dictator scrambles to improve his fortunes in Ukraine, plans have been set in motion to increase the size of Russia's armed forces.
According to the RIA Novosti news agency, Putin's army will grow from 1.9milliom troops to 2.04million.
Current estimates from the Ukrainian military have put Russian losses at around 45,000.
- Henry Moore
President Zelensky vows revenge for Russia's recent attacks
Ukraine's Independence Day saw Russia carry out a series of brutal attacks, including one devastating bombing in Chaplyne.
Now, Zelensky has vowed to get revenge for the bloodthirsty strike.
Speaking in his nightly address, the Ukrainian leader said: "Chaplyne is our pain today. As of this moment, there are 22 dead, five of them burned in the car, an 11-year-old boy died, a Russian missile destroyed his house.
"We will definitely make the occupiers bear responsibility for everything they have done. And we will certainly drive the invaders out of our land."
- Henry Moore
Moscow is committed to Ukraine grain deal, Russian Foreign Ministry claims
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Russia is committed to a Turkish-brokered deal to unblock grain exports from Ukraine struck in Istanbul last month.
Writing on Telegram, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia is “entirely committed” to the deal.
- Henry Moore
The state of Russia's invasion, August 25
The Ministry of Defence has provided a look at the current situation in Ukraine.
This comes after a Russian attack on Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region left 25 people dead, including 2 children.
Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine is now six months in, with his forces continuing to dwindle.
- Henry Moore
Her Majesty pays tribute to Ukrainian Independence Day
Her Majesty the Queen paid tribute to Ukraine yesterday, as the country celebrated its Independence Day.
In her address to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the monarch said: “It gives me great pleasure to send Your Excellency and the people of Ukraine my warmest greetings on the celebration of your Independence Day.
"In this most challenging year, I hope that today will be a time for the Ukrainian people, both in Ukraine and around the world, to celebrate their culture, history and identity.
"May we look to better times in the future”.
- Henry Moore
IAEA officials 'very, very close' to plan for nuclear power plant
Speaking to French media, Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, claimed he may soon visit the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
“We are very, very close to that [an agreement with Russia],” Grossi told France 24.
Since Russia took control of the nuclear facility, fears have been growing over the potential for a Chornobyl-style disaster in the region.
- Henry Moore
UN to provide aid for 70,000 Ukrainians
The United Nations has announced plans to help a further 70,000 Ukrainians.
Since Russia's brutal invasion began, the UN has provided approximately $60 to 140,000 Ukrainians.
Those seeking aid should apply via the Ukrainian government website.
- Henry Moore
Dad who left his wife for Ukrainian refugee vows to save 100s in war-torn country
A British father who left his wife for a Ukrainian refugee is now heading to the country, in an attempt to aid its struggling population.
Tony Garnett, 29, reckons he and girlfriend Sofiia Karkadym can end the bloody conflict themselves and "save hundreds of lives".
The dad-of-two told Yorkshire Live: "The longer [the war] goes on for then there's going to be more deaths – and some could be stopped with this help.
"I could save hundreds of lives.
"Even if I save the life of one person then that is worth it for me."
It is currently unknown how exactly Garnett plans to take on Putin's forces.
He added: "It's the right thing to do. People are donating to Ukraine but they are not seeing where this money is going to.
"I want to raise money for people who look after orphans and all those that have been wounded. I want to travel over there myself and document who I am helping. Sofiia will be going with me.
"I have seen the full scale of things since meeting Sofiia and I think people need this help. It is not a game. I need to use my influence now to do the right thing."
- Henry Moore
Ben Wallace REJECTS blanket ban on visas for Russians
The Defence Secretary yesterday rejected the idea of a blanket ban on visas for Russians but insisted “we can toughen up the conditions”.
Ben Wallace told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I certainly think we can toughen up the conditions of our visas. I am not sure whether an outright ban is the right way.
“I think that’s a matter for the Home Secretary to look at. But I don’t like, and I’m sure none of your listeners like watching oligarchs’ wives or indeed Russian senior officials’ wives enjoying themselves in Greece or south of France, or super yachts around the world while their army is committing war crimes in Ukraine.
“I think that is very wrong. I think the problem has been all the way back to 2014, that Russia invaded Crimea, illegally annexed it, and then it was allowed in some countries to carry on as if nothing had really changed.”
- Henry Moore
Russia carries out a series of Independence Day attacks
Ukraine celebrated its Independence Dy on Wednesday, while Putin's forces carried out a brutal bombing campaign.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using the day to attack Ukrainian people, including the bombing of a train station, which killed 2 children.
According to CNN, senior Ukrainian officials reported "missile strikes across Ukrainian territory," during the nation's Independence Day.
- Henry Moore
Death toll rises to 25 following Russian attack on a Ukrainian train station
Reports have emerged that at least 25 people have died, including children, following a Russian attack on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the President's office said: "Twenty-five people died, including two children, 31 people were injured due to the shelling of the residential sector and the railway station.
"An 11-year-old boy died under the rubble of a house; a 6-year-old child died in a car fire near the railway station."
- Henry Moore
Ministry of Defence provides latest update on Russia's invasion of Ukraine
The Ministry of Defence has given Brits a look into some of the new developments in Ukraine.
The statement reads: "In early March, Russian ground forces assaulted and seized Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
"On 21 August 2022, imagery indicated that Russia maintained an enhanced military presence at the site, with armoured personnel carriers deployed within 60 metres of reactor number five.
"Russian troops were probably attempting to conceal the vehicles by parking them under overhead pipes and gantries.
"Russia is probably prepared to exploit any Ukrainian military activity near ZNPP for propaganda purposes.
"While Russia maintains the military occupation of ZNPP, the principal risks to reactor operations are likely to remain disruption to the reactors’ cooling systems, damage to its back-up power supply, or errors by workers operating under pressure."
- Henry Moore
Russian losses surpass 45,000 as Putin's brutal invasion continues
According to Ukrainian military estimates, Russian losses are approaching 46,000 as of August 25.
On top of this, the invading forces have lost 234 planes and 1,929 tanks.
This comes while people across Ukraine celebrate independence day this week, as they continue to fight against Putin's bloodthirsty invasion.
- Henry Moore
Boris Johnson blames Russia for Brit’s high energy bills
The PM, who is set to be replaced this September, spoke during his surprise visit to Kyiv yesterday.
He said Putin and Russia’s war on Ukraine is to blame for Europe’s energy crisis, and that it is the cause of rising bills.
“What happens in Ukraine matters to us all, which is why I am here today to deliver the message that the United Kingdom is with you and will be with you for the days and months ahead, and you can and will win,” Boris Johnson said earlier today.
- Joseph Gamp
Pope warns of potential ‘nuclear disaster’ at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant
Pope Francis yesterday called for “concrete steps” to end the war in Ukraine and avert the risk of a “nuclear disaster” at the Zaporizhzhia plant.
Speaking at his weekly general audience, Francis went off script to condemn wars as “madness” and, referring to Darya Dugina, said the woman killed by a car bomb near Moscow was among “innocents” killed because of war.
He also said arms merchants who profit from war are “delinquents who kill humanity”.
- Joseph Gamp
'Animal-loving' Ukrainian sniper rescues abandoned pets from battlefield
An "animal-loving" Ukrainian sniper and her husband fighting on the frontline have rescued dozens of pets after discovering them abandoned on the battlefield.
Oskana Krasnova, 27, uses her wages to pay for food and supplies to nurse the animals back to health before arranging for them to be transported on military vehicles to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to be rehomed.
Ms Krasnova had previously worked as a lawyer in the capital until Russia invaded the country six months ago and she joined the Ukrainian frontline defence, fighting in the Donetsk region.
In between working as snipers, Ms Krasnova and her husband Stanislav Krasnov, 35, have rescued almost 30 pets they have discovered when passing through abandoned villages.
Speaking to the PA news agency from the frontline, Ms Krasnova said: "I love animals a lot and I used to help rescue animals with my husband even before the Russian invasion.
"I come across a lot of abandoned pets when I am going about my duties and I can't just leave them.
"It's hard to evacuate animals from the frontline but these poor pets have been used to living with humans so they can't survive on their own.
"I have my own pets who are being looked after by my parents in Kyiv and I could never dream of abandoning them."
- Joseph Gamp
The UK has imported zero fuel from Russia for the first time
Russian goods imported to the UK have fallen dramatically since t hebrutal invasion of Ukraine.
According to the Office of National Statistics, Britain's imports from Russia have dropped by £33 million for the first time since 1997.
Since June this year, the Office of National Statistics reported that the UK has imported no fuel from Russia at all.
- Joseph Gamp
Ukraine-Russia war: Everything you need to know
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 Zelensky?
- 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
- When will the Russia-Ukraine war end?
Ukraine spy chief says Russian offensive slowing due to fatigue
Ukraine’s top military intelligence official said Russia’s military offensive was slowing because of moral and physical fatigue in their ranks and Moscow’s “exhausted” resource base.
The remark on television by Defence Intelligence agency chief Kyrylo Budanov was one of the strongest signals by Kyiv that it believes Russia’s offensive power may be waning.
“Russia has rather seriously slowed down the tempo of its assault. The reason for this is the exhaustion of their resource base, as well as a moral and physical fatigue from the fighting,” he said.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier that Moscow had deliberately slowed down its campaign in Ukraine, something he said had been driven by the need to reduce civilian casualties.
Russia rapidly captured swathes of southern Ukraine in the beginning of the invasion launched by Moscow exactly six months ago, but was repelled from around Kyiv and withdrew to focus on the east.
Moscow claimed the capture of the eastern region of Luhansk in early July after a series of long, bloody battles, but it has not claimed any major territorial gains since.
Separately, Budanov said that the Russian air defence systems in the annexed peninsula of Crimea “don’t really work”.
Nearly 100 dead in attacks on Ukraine healthcare says WHO
There have been 473 verified attacks on healthcare in Ukraine since Russia invaded six months ago, which have killed nearly 100 people, the WHO said Wednesday.
The World Health Organization’s Europe chief Hans Kluge branded the attacks “unconscionable”.
As well as the 98 people known to have been killed in verified attacks on healthcare, at least 134 others were wounded, the WHO’s figures showed.
Nearly 400 of the attacks hit health facilities. Dozens of attacks struck transport, including ambulances, while warehouses, supplies, personnel and patients were also damaged.
Jarno Habicht, the WHO’s representative in Ukraine, said the number of attacks on health care was unprecedented.
“These attacks are not only a violation of international law, they are also a barrier for many who need health care during the war,” he told reporters in Geneva, via video-link from a bunker in Dnipro.
Although the war had had a devastating impact on the health and lives of Ukraine’s people, the health system had not collapsed, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“But no system can deliver optimum health to its people under the stress of war, which is why we continue to call on the Russian Federation to end this war,” Tedros added.
In pictures: Boris meets Zelensky in Kyiv on Independence Day
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in Kyiv on Wednesday, hailing Ukraine’s six-month long resistance to the Russian invasion as his counterpart President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed the fight would continue “until the end”.
Yesterday marked half a year since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as the day the nation annually celebrates its 1991 independence from the Soviet Union.
During a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital – hounded by air raid sirens throughout the day – Johnson said Putin had failed to account for the “strong will of Ukrainians to resist”.
“You defend your right to live in peace, in freedom, and that’s why Ukraine will win,” he said in front of reporters during the afternoon.
- Joseph Gamp
French energy giant accused of fuelling Russian bombers
A Russian gas field partly owned by France’s TotalEnergies is being used to produce fuel for bombers striking targets in Ukraine, Le Monde daily reported Wednesday, a claim contested by the company.
Hydrocarbons from the Termokarstovoye gas field in Siberia are transformed into jet fuel, which can ultimately be tracked to two military airbases near the Ukrainian border, the journalists wrote.
Squadrons based there have been accused by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International of attacks on civilians, including the March 16 bombing of a Mariupol theatre where hundreds of people are believed to have died in what Amnesty described as a “war crime”.
TotalEnergies — formerly Total — owns 49 percent of Terneftegaz, the company that extracts gas from the Termokarstovoye field, according to its 2021 annual report.
The other 51 percent is held by Russian company Novatek, in which the French firm also holds a 19.4 percent stake.
Le Monde wrote that natural gas condensates — a liquid hydrocarbon recovered when extracting the gas itself — are sent by pipeline for processing at a Novatek plant in Purovsky.
- Joseph Gamp
Germany vows to support Ukraine as long as necessary
Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday assured Kyiv of Germany’s support for as long as necessary, as Ukraine marked both its independence day and six months since the start of the Russian invasion.
“Germany… stands firmly by the side of the threatened Ukraine today and for as long as Ukraine needs our support,” Scholz said in a video posted on Twitter.
“We will continue to supply weapons” and “train Ukrainian soldiers on the latest European military equipment”, Scholz said after announcing fresh deliveries worth more than 500 million euros ($500 million) on Tuesday.
The new tranche of weapons — including three IRIS-T anti-aircraft systems as well as armed recovery vehicles and rocket-launchers — is mostly earmarked for delivery in 2023.
“We will continue our sanctions. We will support Ukraine financially and help rebuild the destroyed cities and villages,” Scholz said.
The chancellor also said Berlin would be hosting an international reconstruction conference in October to help set “the course for the future of Ukraine”.
- Joseph Gamp
Belarus congratulates Ukraine on Independence Day
The authoritarian leader of ex-Soviet Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday congratulated Ukraine on its Independence Day, saying that “today’s contradictions” should not destroy long-term neighbourly ties with the pro-Western country.
Wednesday also marked six months since the start of Moscow’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, which Russia launched from several directions, including from Belarusian territory.
“I am convinced that today’s contradictions will not be able to destroy the centuries-old foundation of sincere good neighbourly ties between the peoples of our two countries,” Lukashenko said in a statement released by his press service.
“Belarus will continue to stand for the preservation of harmony, the development of friendly, mutually respectful contacts at all levels,” it added.
Belarus relies financially and politically on its close ally Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin backed Lukashenko when he faced an international backlash and Western sanctions for his crackdown on 2020 protests against his re-election for a sixth term.
Western countries have slapped Belarus with new sanctions this year for its role in Russia’s Ukraine offensive launched on February 24.
Lukashenko allowed Russian troops into the country under the pretext of military exercises in the months before Moscow launched its military operation.
- Joseph Gamp
Pope warns of potential ‘nuclear disaster’ at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant
Pope Francis yesterday called for “concrete steps” to end the war in Ukraine and avert the risk of a “nuclear disaster” at the Zaporizhzhia plant.
Speaking at his weekly general audience, Francis went off script to condemn wars as “madness” and, referring to Darya Dugina, said the woman killed by a car bomb near Moscow was among “innocents” killed because of war.
He also said arms merchants who profit from war are “delinquents who kill humanity”.
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