VLADIMIR Putin will use the UK's Cost of Living crisis and energy price hikes to exploit the nation ahead of a cold winter, an analyst claims.
The devious Russian despot has reduced gas supplies via the NordStream 1 pipeline to Europe and Britain in recent months following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
It's led to German economy minister Robert Habeck slamming what he described as energy "blackmail" from Moscow, saying: "Putin's goal is to unsettle, drive up prices, divide society & weaken support for Ukraine."
And speaking to Express.co.uk, Dr Marina Miron – a fellow at the Centre for Military Ethics at King’s College London – said this goal is precisely the tactic Putin will look to "exploit" against Europe ahead of a harsh winter.
But Miron hinted the result will likely be a “stalemate” for the UK – and Britain will escape much of the “crisis” that EU states will face.
She also told the publication the Kremlin had cleverly lined itself up to have the EU “depend” on Russian energy, with Germany “hit very hard”.
Back in the UK, government ministers have recently warned around six million British households could face power cuts this winter.
Read our Ukraine war live blog below for the latest up-to-date news…
- henry moore
Catch all the most important live updates
Stick with The Sun to get all the most important updates about Ukraine.
Readers are given updates every 30 minutes, with breaking news posted straight away.
- henry moore
US ‘seriously considering’ declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism
According to the Kyiv Independent, the United States are on the verge of declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.
According to the report: “U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said on July 24 that Washington was looking into the decision, but it has to be ‘carefully analyzed in accordance with American law.’ ”
This comes just hours after the Russian government admitted to bombing the Ukrainian port of Odesa.
- henry moore
Russia admits responsibility for Odesa attacks
Russia had previously denied committing the brutal bombing of one of Ukraine’s most important ports.
However, officials have now accepted responsibility, reports Al Jazeera.
“Kalibr missiles destroyed military infrastructure in the port of Odessa, with a high-precision strike,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram
- henry moore
HMS Portland’s fearsome arsenal
RAF fighter jets have been forced to intercept Russian warships close to the UK 136 times since 2005.
The HMS Portland has a crew of 180 and a top speed of 28 knots (32mph).
Among its fearsome arsenal are 32 Sea Ceptor anti-air missiles, eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, a 4.5in naval gun, two 30mm guns and two Miniguns.
The Severodvinsk and Vepr are both armed with Kalibr cruise missiles.
It follows reports that the Royal Navy is developing drones to hunt for Russian submarines to free up pilots for other missions.
- henry moore
Russia’s losses as of July 24
Russian losses are approaching 40,000, report the Kyiv Independent.
On top of this, the country has lost 221 planes and 1,708 tanks.
This comes after the world watched in shock as Russia attacked the port city of Odesa just days after the two nation’s held positive talks.
- henry moore
Ministry of Defence provides update on Russia’s invasion
According to the report, the latest comments from the Russian hierarchy, that pointed toward an expansion of the invasion, are false.
Instead, it is likely that controlling these areas was always the goal of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
- henry moore
Russian oligarchs’ citizenship bids scrutinised in Portugal
Portugal is exploring the citizenship applications of two Russian oligarchs – one of whom is under US sanctions, the Government has said.
Al-Jazeera reports that Russian-Israeli diamond oligarch Lev Leviev and Russian property developer God Nisanov are the latest high-profile Russians known to have applied for citizenship in Portugal.
The two men’s citizenship applications are “pending analysis”, Portugal’s Justice Ministry said in a statement, without giving further details.
- henry moore
Odesa official slams Russia for ‘lying’ after port bombing
Oleksiy Goncharenko, an official working in Odesa, has accused Russia of ‘lying’ after they denied launching missiles at the port of Odesa.
“They are lying all the time. Four missiles, the most powerful and the most precise of all Russian missiles, attacked Odesa,” Goncharenko told Al Jazeera from Washington, DC.
“It is clear who did it. Russia doesn’t want any grain deal. They want as much chaos as possible,” he said.
“They want people starving in North Africa and the Middle East and other regions. They want people to suffer and have social unrests and hunger riots. That’s why immediately after they signed the deal, they started to disrupt it,” he added.
- henry moore
Russian losses as of July 23
Russian losses are approaching 40,000, report the Kyiv Independent.
On top of this, the country has lost 221 planes and 1,708 tanks.
This comes after the world watched in shock as Russia attacked the port city of Odesa.
- henry moore
US demands Russia be held accountable for Odesa attack
After seemingly positive talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey, the former has now launched a series of missiles at the Ukrainian port of Odesa.
The world has responded with shock, demanding Russia be held accountable.
“The Kremlin continues to weaponize food. Russia must be held to account,” US Ambassador Bridget Brink wrote on Twitter, according to Al-Jazeera.
- Lauren Lomas
Ukraine's five months of 'hatred and terrorism'
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence praises it's nations 'bravery and strength'.
Taking to Twitter, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence marked the fifth month of the brutal invasion of Russia on it's people.
"Five months that changed the world, Five months of Ukraine's resilience, bravery and strength.
"Five months of russia's failure, hatred and terrorism."
Supporters harked Ukrainian fighters as "superheroes," telling them to "Keep up the good work."
- Lauren Lomas
Russia searches for support amongst African nations
The foreign minister as embarked on a tour starting in Egypt today.
His four country tour commenced today.
Sergei Lavrov reportedly said: "We confirmed the commitment of Russian exporters of cereal products to meet their orders in full.
"We discussed, cooperation in this area, agreed on further contracts, and have common understanding of the causes of the grain crisis."
- Lauren Lomas
Russia has denied causing global food crisis
The foreign minister told the Arab League that western nations are manipulating media.
It is reported than African nations have been very badly effected by Russia's blockade on Ukrainian grain exports.
Sergei Lavrov said western nations were acting with "aggressiveness" and that "it's not about Ukraine, it's about the future of the world order," reported the BBC.
- Lauren Lomas
Home Office's 'mistakes' leave four year old trapped in Ukraine
A little girl has a visa to enter the UK, which she has had since March, but is still waiting to enter the country.
Alika Zubets is reportedly stranded in Ukraine, and is one of a handful of children who are unable to leave Kharkiv.
The Guardian reported that mistakes made by the Home Office has delayed children from safety entering the UK.
- Lauren Lomas
Germany makes huge industry cuts, blamed on high energy prices
In a recent survey, 3,500 German companies admitted to making cuts due to high energy prices.
Around 16 per cent of the 3,500 companies had cut production, reported Al Jazeera.
- Lauren Lomas
Kherson could soon be recaptured, says Ukraine
A Ukrainian official stated that advances by soldiers mean Kherson could be returned to Ukraine.
The region is currently Russian occupied, but officials think that could all change as soon as September, according to Al Jazeera.
- Lauren Lomas
Emotional David Beckham says he ‘can’t imagine what Ukrainians have gone through’
An emotional David Beckham said he "can't imagine what Ukrainians have gone through" at a summit meeting hosted by Piers Morgan.
The footie ace and father-of-four, who has been a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador for 17 years, appeared at the summit via a video link.
Beckham, 47, told the audience: "Since the war in Ukraine began, I’ve been following the situation and speaking with UNICEF staff on the ground.
"I cannot imagine what the Ukrainian people have gone through these past five months, but I do know through my experience with UNICEF that getting back to routines through education and learning is a great healer for many children."
In his message of support for Ukraine, the sporting star said he is "always moved" by the "amazing spirit and determination" of parents and "children who have survived terrible disasters and conflict".
Click here to read more about Piers' summit.
- Lauren Lomas
Liz Truss condemns Putin, saying 'not a word' of his can be trusted
The MP who is currently in the running for Prime Minister slammed the Russian dictator, after Odesa was struck by two missiles on Saturday.
She reportedly said not a word of his can be trusted, and that the UK needs "to urgently work with out international partners to find a better way of getting grain out of Ukraine that doesn't involve Russia and their broken promises."
- Lauren Lomas
Catch all the most important live updates
Stick with The Sun to get all the most important updates about Ukraine.
Readers are given updates every 30 minutes, with breaking news posted straight away.
- Lauren Lomas
Kyiv forces making advances towards Kherson
President Zelenskiy has provided a positive message, claiming Ukrainian troops are making progress towards Russian occupied Kherson.
Ukrainian forces had damaged a bridge over the Dnipro river, the bridge was instrumental to Russian weapon deliveries.
- Lauren Lomas
Brit special forces ‘helped liberate Ukraine’s Snake Islandin Bond-style submarines’
The Special Boat Service, the special forces unit of the Royal Navy, allegedly showed the troops how to use James Bond-style underwater vehicles.
Known as Diver Propulsion Devices or sea scooters, the vehicles are designed to transport frogmen from a combat swimmer unit or naval Special Forces underwater, over long distances.
It has now been revealed that the Dorset-based Special Boat Service travelled to war-torn Ukraine to train the Ukrainian 73rd Naval Special Purpose Centre.
An Army source told Sunday Mirror: “The 73rd became the tip of the sword and provided the fighting force that landed on the island.
“The Ukrainian special forces are as tough as they come but what they have missed out on is our specialist kit and training."
Click here to read more about the special under water vehicles!
- Lauren Lomas
Russia bids to build relations with Egypt
The foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has began his tour around Africa, commencing in Egypt.
Speaking with Sameh Shoukry, Egyptian foreign minister, he said the west has encouraged Ukraine to fight to the "bitter end."
Lavrov will also visit Ethiopia, Congo-Brazzaville and Uganda.
- Lauren Lomas
I shopped my wife to Putin’s henchmen after she slammed Ukraine invasion
A Putin-obsessed Russian has turned his own wife into the police after she allegedly criticised the war in Ukraine.
The blind patriot husband accused his spouse of turning their own six-year-old son against the Kremlin.
Ukrainian-born hairstylist Yulia Boyko could face a prison sentence if found guilty under new hardline Russian laws targeting those who criticise the war.
Sergei also accused his wife of wanting to take his young son Maksim back to her native Ukraine.
Click here to read more.
- Lauren Lomas
President Zelenskiy accuses Russia of 'barbarism'
The attack on Odesa's port has been condemned by Ukraine and other ally nations.
Zelenskiy said Russia cannot be trusted after Odesa was hit with two missiles in the early hours of Saturday morning.
This comes less than a day after the two rival nations signed a deal with the UN and Turkey to allow grain exports to continue.
- Lauren Lomas
Damage on Odesa’s port ‘relatively minor’, BBC claims
Speaking live from Kyiv, the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent, Paul Adams, reported that damage to Odesa’s key infrastructure is “relatively minor.”
This comes after many believed the attack could have crippled the port’s ability to ship goods and equipment.
Ukrainian foreign ministry said the strikes were a “spit in the face” after Turkey and the UN had organised the deal between Ukraine and Russia, to stop Russia from bombing Ukraine’s ports.
Russia has denied responsibility for the bombings.
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