Ukraine news – live: Putin amassing 500,000 troops for major new offensive, says minister

Vladimir Putin has mobilised nearly 500,000 troops to attack Ukraine in a renewed offensive marking the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine war, Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said.

Mr Putin had asked for 300,000 Russian men to be enrolled in a general mobilisation in September, but Mr Reznikov told the French BFM network last night that the actual number of conscripts deployed to fight in Ukraine could be much more.

Volodymyr Zelensky further asserted this claim and said that Ukraine is seeing “a certain increase in the occupier’s offensive actions at the front — in the east of our country.”

The situation is becoming even more severe, he said in his nightly address yesterday.

Russian forces have now surrounded the embattled eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, a Moscow-backed leader in the Donetsk region has claimed.

Bakhmut and villages on its southern approaches in Donetsk are coming under renewed heavy Russian fire, Ukrainian army chiefs said late on Tuesday.

Key points

• Boris Johnson condemns decision not to give Ukraine fighter jets

• Netanyahu would consider Ukraine-Russia mediator role if asked

• Russia faced with battle for ‘every metre’ in eastern Ukraine

• Ukraine responding to Russia’s revenge attempt, says Zelensky

Nearly 500,000 troops likely in major new Russian offensive, says Ukrainian defence minister

03:41 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putin is likely preparing a major new offensive and could strike Ukraine around the one-year anniversary of the war on 24 February, Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said in his latest remarks.

Russia has amassed nearly 500,000 troops for the attack, Ukrainian intelligence indicates.

Mr Reznikov said that Russia has many more new troops than just their officially announced count of 300,000 from the first wave of mobilisation in September.

“Officially they announced 300,000 but when we see the troops at the borders, according to our assessments it is much more,” he told the French BFM network.

Moscow could “try something” to mark the invasion’s first year on 24 February, the minister added, suggesting a grim new chapter in the continuing war.

However, he added that Ukrainian commanders and forces will move to “stabilise the front and prepare for a counter-offensive” ahead of the anticipated Russian advance.

Mr Reznikov said he has “faith that the year 2023 can be the year of military victory,” and that the Ukrainian forces “cannot lose the initiative” they have gained in recent months.

Johnson criticises Sunak decision not to give Ukraine fighter jets

03:01 , Katy Clifton

Russia ‘may stop officials taking holidays abroad'

02:01 , Katy Clifton

Russian legislators will discuss a request by one of Vladimir Putin’s closest allies to ban officials from taking foreign holidays during wartime, state media has cited a senior parliamentarian as saying.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the powerful Wagner Group private army, said it was unacceptable that officials and parliamentarians were vacationing in countries hostile to Russia.

Vasily Piskaryov, head of the committee on security and anti-corruption in the State Duma or lower chamber of parliament, said legislators would take a look at whether changes should be made.

“This initiative ... certainly deserves attention,” Tass cited him as telling reporters. Prigozhin made the request in a letter to Piskaryov that the Wagner Group made public.

Brexit behind UK’s tank pledge, Johnson says

01:00 , Katy Clifton

Without Brexit, the UK would not have delivered the next generation light anti-tank weapons to Ukraine, according to former prime minister Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson, taking questions after a speech at the Atlantic Council in Washington, US, said: “I seriously think that it was in part because of Brexit that we were able to take a decision and to have an approach that was very distinct from the old EU approach, which was by the way all governed by the fabled Normandy Format which was agreed in Normandy in 2014.

“For reasons that are now obscure to me, the British government decided they did not want to be involved in this. France and Germany led it, that was the EU framework.

“If we’d stuck with that, I don’t believe we would have delivered the NLaws and I think we would have taken a very different approach, to be perfectly frank.

“I think because of Brexit we’ve been able to do things differently and I hope in a way that has been useful to Ukraine.”

Mr Johnson used his speech to call for Kyiv to be admitted to both Nato and the European Union.

Zelensky: I’ll make as many personnel changes as necessary

00:01 , Katy Clifton

Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will make as many personnel changes as necessary to fight corruption and stressed the need for the defence ministry to be honest.

“Unfortunately, in some areas, the only way to guarantee the rule of law is to change the leadership ... there will be as many changes as is necessary,” he said in a video address.

Police earlier raided an influential billionaire’s home in what a Zelensky ally touted as a sweeping clamp down on corruption.

Johnson says taking back bridge would be ‘game over’ for Putin

Wednesday 1 February 2023 23:00 , Katy Clifton

Providing Ukraine with the weapons to take back the so-called “land bridge” invaded by Russian forces would be “game over” for Russian president Vladimir Putin, Boris Johnson has said.

The former prime minister, asked after a speech at the Atlantic Council in Washington, US, what land bridge he had been referring to, said: “This is the area, as it was, between Mariupol, between Donbas and the Crimea that Putin has taken, that long strip of land that basically prevents the Ukrainians from reaching the Azov Sea. That’s the area.

“If they take that back — which they can and they have a plan — if they can take back Melitopol and Berdyansk and Mariupol, get back those areas, it is game over for Putin. That’s what needs to happen.”

We need new tanks, says German defence minister

Wednesday 1 February 2023 22:05 , Jane Dalton

Germany needs to order new Leopard tanks quickly to replace those going to Ukraine, defence minister Boris Pistorius has said, adding he did not care where the money came from.

“For me, the crucial fact is that we have to order new tanks, not in a year, but swiftly, so that production can begin,” he told reporters on a visit to a tank battalion in the western town of Augustdorf, which has been chosen to supply 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv.

“Where will the money come from? Let me casually put it like this: Frankly, I don’t care. It is essential that we can provide them (the tanks) quickly,” Mr Pistorius said.

He aims to accelerate arms procurement and ramp up ammunitions supplies in the long term after almost a year of arms donations to Ukraine has depleted German military stocks.

Why Russia’s economy is still growing despite sanctions

Wednesday 1 February 2023 21:20 , Jane Dalton

ICYMI: Experts say the effect of sanctions seems less strong than the West had hoped. William Mata reports:

Are sanctions working? Why Russia’s economy continues to grow

Top tax officials and ex-minister investigated

Wednesday 1 February 2023 20:35 , Jane Dalton

Raids have also been carried out at Ukraine’s tax office, targeting top tax and customs officials, and on the home of an influential former interior minister.

It comes two days before Kyiv hosts a summit with the European Union at which it wants to show western allies it is cracking down after years of chronic corruption.

The government sees Friday’s summit as key to its hopes of one day joining the bloc.

In a political shake-up, more than a dozen officials quit or were sacked last week.

Former interior minister Arsen Avakov told Ukrainian media that investigators also searched his house following a helicopter crash last month in which his successor, Denys Monastyrsky, died.

Mr Avakov quit in 2021 after a scandal-ridden tenure.

‘Embezzlement’ scheme uncovered, say police

Wednesday 1 February 2023 19:45 , Jane Dalton

Ukraine’s police and security services say they have uncovered a scheme to embezzle more than $1bn at oil producer Ukrnafta and oil refinery Ukrtatnafta, companies that billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky used to partly own.

In a fresh wave of high-profile anti-corruption raids, officials raided the powerful oligarch’s home, as well as those of other incumbent and former top officials.

Kolomoisky, who could not be reached for comment, has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Ukraine billionaire among those targeted in fresh anti-corruption raids

UK refusal to send warplanes could change, defence chief hints

Wednesday 1 February 2023 19:00 , Jane Dalton

A Royal Air Force chief has suggested the UK’s refusal to provide Ukraine with fighter jets could change.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston told the Commons Defence Committee: “I think the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State yesterday were very clear on where we stand on fast jets at this stage.

“But these are things that, the course of the invasion - of the brutal invasion and Ukraine’s heroic defence and how we have supported them - that has been an evolutionary process and I look to the future and we should be ready for any outcomes.”

He declined to say what air power the RAF could make available to Ukraine.

US president Joe Biden said on Monday he would not send warplanes to Kyiv.

Russian arms dealer, son and front firms hit with sanctions

Wednesday 1 February 2023 18:16 , Jane Dalton

The US has imposed sanctions on a Russian arms dealer, his son, a group of front companies across Asia, Europe and the Middle East and their leadership, in an effort to curb Russia’s access to weapons:

Russian arms dealer, son and front firms hit with sanctions

Billionaire’s home searched in 'financial crime’ probe

Wednesday 1 February 2023 17:45 , Jane Dalton

Ukrainian state security officials have searched the home of billionaire businessman Ihor Kolomoisky, in what is reported to be an investigation into possible financial crimes.

A senior governing party official confirmed Kolomoisky’s home had been searched - as well as that of a former interior minister - but did not state the reason for the search.

Photographs circulating on social media appeared to show Kolomoisky, dressed in a sweatsuit, looking on in the presence of at least one SBU officer inside a large wooden home. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the images.

Kolomoisky is one of Ukraine‘s richest men and a one-time ally of Volodymyr Zelensky, who launched a crackdown on wealthy businessmen known as “oligarchs” in late 2021 - before Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Kolomoisky, who is from the central city of Dnipro and owns an array of assets including one of Ukraine’s most influential television channels, backed Zelenskiy’s election campaign in 2019.

Latvia threatens Olympic boycott if Russians compete

Wednesday 1 February 2023 17:10 , Jane Dalton

Latvia has threatened to boycott next year’s Paris Olympics if Russian athletes are allowed to take part during the war in Ukraine and is calling on other countries to form a coalition to pressure international sports bodies:

Latvia threatens Olympic boycott if Russians compete

Putin slates shelling of Russian regions

Wednesday 1 February 2023 16:39 , Jane Dalton

Vladimir Putin has said Russia’s military must stop the shelling of Russian regions from Ukrainian territory, which he said had left many people homeless or without power.

Mr Putin was addressing a government meeting about restoring destroyed housing and infrastructure in regions of southwest Russia that border Ukraine.

“Of course, the priority task is to eliminate the very possibility of shelling. But this is the business of the military department,” he said in remarks published on the Kremlin website.

Ukraine does not claim responsibility for strikes in Russian territory but has described them as “karma” for Moscow’s invasion, which has razed Ukrainian cities and systematically targeted the country’s energy infrastructure, leaving people frequently without power and water in the depths of winter.

Putin cited the Russian regions of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk, as well as Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed in 2014, as areas where housing had been damaged or destroyed.

People were facing “very acute” problems, and repairs and compensation were needed, he said.

“Many people found themselves in a difficult situation, lost their homes, were forced to move to relatives or to temporary places of residence, faced interruptions in the supply of water, heat, and electricity,” he said.

Russians ‘take’ eastern city, Kremlin-backed chief claims

Wednesday 1 February 2023 15:42 , Jane Dalton

A Kremlin-backed regional leader in Donetsk claims the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut has been surrounded by Russian forces, Reuters news agency reported.

“Bakhmut is now operationally surrounded, our forces are closing the ring around the city,” said Yan Gagin, an aide to Denis Pushilin — the Russia-backed leader of the illegally annexed Donetsk region.

Gagin claimed that fighting was now taking place for control of the Chasiv-Yar-Bakhmut highway.

Ukraine’s military leadership said there had been no let-up with Russian offensive operations, but spoke of heavy losses Russian forces were incurring in their battle for the town.

No 10 snubs Johnson over call for jets

Wednesday 1 February 2023 15:02 , Jane Dalton

Downing Street has again ruled out supplying Ukraine with British fighter jets, despite Boris Johnson’s backing the idea.

Asked about the former prime minister’s attacks on the government for not sending jets, Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister welcomes all colleagues’ backing for Ukraine and is pleased the former prime minister is continuing his staunch support of the United Kingdom’s efforts to help Ukraine secure a lasting peace.”

But he said that Mr Johnson was “acting in his own capacity and not on behalf of the UK Government”.

The official said: “It’s currently not practical to send UK jets: we will continue to work closely with the Ukrainians to understand their needs and how allies can further support them.

“Given the complexity of UK fighter jets and the length of time required to train them we do not currently think it is practical to do so.”

Battle for Bakhmut rages under Russian shelling

Wednesday 1 February 2023 14:45 , Jane Dalton

Troops are fighting building to building in Bakhmut for gains of barely 100 metres a night, and the city was coming under constant Russian shelling, according to Ukrainian battleground reports.

Bakhmut came under renewed fire, as did the villages of Klishchiivka and Kurdyumivka on its southern approaches, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said late last night.

Russian forces also tried to advance on Avdiivka, the second focal point of Russian attacks in Donetsk region and Lyman, a town further north that was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in October, the military said. Further west, Russia fired on Vuhledar and a half dozen other towns and villages, it said.

Belarus says it has control of Russian nuke launchers

Wednesday 1 February 2023 14:15 , Liam James

Belarus said its armed forces are now in autonomous control of Russian-supplied nuclear-capable Iskander mobile guided missile systems after completing training in Russia as well as exercises on home soil.

The missiles are capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 310 miles, Minsk’s defence ministry said.

Russian forces used Belarus as a launch pad for their abortive attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, in February last year, and a recent flurry of joint military activity in Belarus has fanned speculation that Moscow may be leaning on Minsk to join its war in Ukraine – something Minsk has ruled out.

The Iskander-M, codenamed “SS-26 Stone” by Nato, replaced the Soviet “Scud”. Its range reaches deep into Belarus’s neighbours Ukraine and Nato member Poland, whose relations with Belarus are badly strained

Biden may head to Europe this month, says Polish president

Wednesday 1 February 2023 13:45 , Liam James

Polish president Andrzej Duda said US oresident Joe Biden will probably visit Central Europe in February but added he did not know which countries of the region he would be visiting.

“The president will most likely be coming to our part of Europe in February,” Mr Duda said during a press conference in Riga, Estonia, on Wednesday.

“Our part of Europe means Central Europe ... this is an area stretching from Romania to Estonia. It is very difficult for us to answer where the president will be coming in detail, we do not have such information.”

Russian journalsit sentenced for speaking out on Ukraine

Wednesday 1 February 2023 13:15 , Liam James

A Moscow court has sentenced a Russian journalist to eight years in prison on charges of disparaging the military, the latest move in the authorities’ relentless crackdown on dissent.

Alexander Nevzorov, a television journalist and former legislator, was convicted on charges of spreading false information about the military under a law that was adopted soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine.

The law effectively exposes anyone critical of the Russian military action in Ukraine to fines and prison sentences of up to 15 years.

Nevzorov was accused of posting “false information” on social media about the Russian shelling of a maternity hospital in the Sea of Azov port of Mariupol. Moscow has fiercely denied its involvement.

The reporter, who moved abroad after the start of the Ukrainian conflict, had no immediate comment on the verdict.

Turkey happy with Finland’s Nato bid but not Sweden’s

Wednesday 1 February 2023 12:49 , Liam James

Turkey looks positively on Finland’s application for Nato membership, but does not support Sweden’s bid, Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan said today.

“Our position on Finland is positive, but it is not positive on Sweden,” Mr Erdogan said of their Nato applications in a speech to his AK Party deputies in parliament.

Sweden and Finland applied last year to join the trans-Atlantic defence pact after Russia invaded Ukraine, but faced unexpected objections from Turkey and have since sought to win its support.

Ankara wants Helsinki and Stockholm in particular to take a tougher line against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is considered a terror group by Turkey and the European Union, and another group it blames for a 2016 coup attempt.

The three nations reached an agreement on a way forward in Madrid last June, but Ankara suspended talks last month as tensions rose following protests in Stockholm in which a far-right Danish politician burned a copy of the Muslim holy book, the Koran.

Ukraine ‘hopes war will be over by time Eurovision 2023 takes place’

Wednesday 1 February 2023 11:58 , Liam James

Ukraine is hoping that the war will be over in May so citizens can travel to see the Eurovision Song Contest, a manager at the country’s public broadcaster said.

The Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC) is also advising the BBC and Liverpool on how to create the right “vibe” for the international music event when the UK city plays host in May.

Oksana Skybinska, an activity manager from the international co-operation department at the UA:PBC, told the PA news agency on Tuesday that she “really hopes” no other country is put in a similar situation due to an invasion.

When asked if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or other political figures would be attending Eurovision, she said: “For today’s ceremony, the mayor of Kyiv has prepared a video message, a welcome message, on behalf of the previous host city of Kyiv (who) hosted the contest in 2017.”

Ukraine ‘hopes war will be over by time Eurovision 2023 takes place’

Corruption blitz continues with raid on one of Ukraine’s wealthiest men

Wednesday 1 February 2023 11:33 , Liam James

Security officials have raided the homes of one of Ukraine’s richest men and a former interior minister, a top governing party official said.

David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People party’s parliamentary faction, said there were also searches at Ukraine‘s Tax Office and that the management team of the Customs Service would be dismissed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky last week announced a crackdown on corruption in the Ukrainian government ranks.

Watch: Boris Johnson says warplanes needed in Fox News interview

Wednesday 1 February 2023 10:56 , Liam James

Former British prime minister Boris Johnson criticised the decision of his successor Rishi Sunak and US president Joe Biden to deny Ukraine fighter jets.

Mr Johnson spoke to Fox News in the US earlier:

Kremlin says US rockets will ‘escalate’ Ukraine war

Wednesday 1 February 2023 10:24 , Liam James

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that longer-range rockets reportedly included in an upcoming package of military aid from the United States to Ukraine would escalate the conflict but not change its course.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told reporters that there were no plans for Russian president Vladimir Putin to hold talks with US president Joe Biden.

The US package of military aid, worth $2.2bn ($1.8bn), is expected to include longer-range rockets for the first time, two US officials briefed on the matter told Reuters.

Such rockets would allow Ukraine – which has said it plans to retake all of its territory by force, including annexed Crimea – to strike deeper into Russian-held territory.

Boris Johnson criticises Rishi Sunak decision not to give Ukraine fighter jets

Wednesday 1 February 2023 09:29 , Sam Rkaina

Boris Johnson has condemned Rishi Sunak’s decision not to send fighter jets to Ukraine, as he urged western leaders to “give them what they need”.

The former Tory prime minister suggested that it would “save time” if the UK and its allies gave Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces the fighter jet aircraft they had asked for now.

“This is not the moment to delay any support to Ukraine, this is the moment to double down on our support. Give them what they need,” Mr Johnson told Fox News.

Click here for the full story.

Russian forces are encircling Ukrainian city of Bakhmut - Moscow-installed official

Wednesday 1 February 2023 08:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian forces are encircling Bakhmut and are battling to take control of the highway that connects the city to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar, a Russian-installed official in eastern Ukraine said on Wednesday.

“Bakhmut is now operationally surrounded, our forces are closing the ring around the city,” said Yan Gagin, an aide to senior Russian-installed official Denis Pushilin.

“Fighting for control of the Chasiv Yar-Bakhmut highway is now underway,” Gagin said on state television.

Reuters could not independently verify his assertions.

Russia claims to have taken control of several locations around Bakhmut, where its troops and mercenaries from the Wagner group have been locked in a battle of attrition with Ukrainian forces for months.

Russian journalist sentenced in absentia to eight years in jail for 'fake news'

Wednesday 1 February 2023 08:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Prominent Russian journalist Alexander Nevzorov was sentenced in absentia to eight years in jail by a Moscow court on Wednesday after it found him guilty of spreading ‘fake news’ about the Russian army, state media reported.

Investigators opened a case against Nevzorov last year for posts on social media in which he accused Russia‘s armed forces of deliberately shelling a maternity hospital in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, an assertion Moscow said was false.

Nevzorov’s wife wrote on Instagram in March that she and her husband were in Israel.

Spain to send up to six Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine

Wednesday 1 February 2023 08:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Spain plans to send between four and six German-built Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine, newspaper El Pais reported on Wednesday, citing unidentified government sources.

The actual number will depend on the condition of the battle tanks in storage and how many other countries will eventually supply to Ukraine, the sources told El Pais.

A spokesperson for the Spanish Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kyiv secured pledges from the West this month to supply main battle tanks to help fend off Russia‘s invasion with Moscow mounting huge efforts to make incremental advances in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine‘s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday his government expects to receive 120 to 140 Western tanks from a coalition of 12 countries in a first wave.

Kuleba said those tanks would include German Leopard 2, British Challenger 2 and U.S. M1 Abrams tanks, and that Ukraine was also “really counting” on supplies of French Leclerc tanks being agreed.

UK: Fighter jets not an immediate solution

Wednesday 1 February 2023 21:31

Britain’s Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said providing fighter planes was "not an immediate solution" for Ukraine in the war against Russia because of the time involved with training Kyiv pilots.

Oliver Dowden was asked what he made of former prime minister Boris Johnson urging the UK Government to commit to providing Ukraine with fighter jets.

The Cabinet minister told ITV’s Peston programme: “I certainly think that we need to be resolute in supporting our Ukrainian allies.

“Now, I think it is a bit premature to start talking about jets and everything else, but of course we don’t rule anything off the table.

“There’s training times and so on associated with that, so it is not an immediate solution, no.”

No 10 still ruling out fighter jets

Wednesday 1 February 2023 21:34 , Katy Clifton

Downing Street was yesterday continuing to rule out supplying Ukraine with British fighter jets despite Boris Johnson backing the move.

Asked about the former prime minister’s trip to the US, Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister welcomes all colleagues’ backing for Ukraine and is pleased the former prime minister is continuing his staunch support of the United Kingdom’s efforts to help Ukraine secure a lasting peace.”

But he said that Mr Johnson is “acting in his own capacity and not on behalf of the UK Government”.

Asked about Mr Johnson’s jet call, the official said: “It’s currently not practical to send UK jets, we will continue to work closely with the Ukrainians to understand their needs and how allies can further support them.

“Given the complexity of UK fighter jets and the length of time required to train them we do not currently think it is practical to do so.”

Are sanctions working? Why Russia’s economy continues to grow

Wednesday 1 February 2023 06:59 , Andy Gregory

Sanctions on Russia “might not be having the impact the West had hoped” a financial expert has said after the International Monetary Fund predicted that Britain would see lower growth than Russia in the year ahead.

My colleague William Mata speaks to experts on why Russia’s economy is continuing to grow despite Western efforts:

Are sanctions working? Why Russia’s economy continues to grow

Kherson most consistently shelled city by Russia - MoD

Wednesday 1 February 2023 06:43 , Arpan Rai

Ukraine’s Kherson remains the most consistently shelled city outside of the Donbas region, the British defence ministry said today.

Russia’s precise rationale for expending its strained ammunition stocks here is unclear, the MoD added.

Russian forces had to exit Kherson in October last year in a massive territorial loss after capturing the region for more than eight months of the war, but the occupying forces have continued to attempt multiple attacks to recapture the strategic city.

“In recent days, some of the most intense shelling in the conflict has likely taken place along the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine.

This has included continued Russian shelling of Kherson city with artillery firing from the east of the river,” the ministry pointed out.

It added that local authorities reported another three civilians killed in Kherson on Sunday, while two foreign-owned ships moored on the river were damaged, causing an oil spill.

“However, commanders are likely partially aiming to degrade civilian morale and to deter any Ukrainian counter-attacks across the Dnipro River,” according to the defence ministry’s latest intelligence update.

US packs $2bn-plus military package with longer-range weapons

Wednesday 1 February 2023 06:28 , Arpan Rai

The US is packing more than $2bn worth of military aid for Ukraine and is including longer-range rockets in a first for the war-hit country along with other munition and weapons, said two US officials aware of the matter.

This tranche of military aid, expected to amp up Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian attacks, will also include support equipment for Patriot air defence systems, precision guided-munitions and Javelin anti-tank weapons, the officials said.

They added that the announcement for this aid is expected as soon as this week.

ICYMI: Russia wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine without Brexit, suggests top MEP

Wednesday 1 February 2023 21:28 , Katy Clifton

US accuses Russia of failing to comply with nuclear weapons treaty

Wednesday 1 February 2023 05:59 , Arpan Rai

Russia’s refusal to allow on-the-ground inspections to resume is endangering the New Start nuclear treaty and US-Russian arms control overall, the Biden administration said last night.

The finding was delivered to Congress and summarised in a statement by the State Department. It follows months of more hopeful US assessments that the two countries would be able to salvage cooperation on limiting strategic nuclear weapons despite high tensions over Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Read the full story here:

US accuses Russia of failing to comply with nuclear weapons treaty

Boxer Klitschko joins fight against Olympic path for Russia

Wednesday 1 February 2023 05:56 , Andy Gregory

Olympic gold medalist Wladimir Klitschko – brother to the mayor of Kyiv – has joined Ukraine’s fight against the International Olympics Committee’s plans to let some Russians compete at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.

Graham Dunbar reports:

Boxer Klitschko joins fight against Olympic path for Russia

No 10 continues to rule out fighter jets

Wednesday 1 February 2023 21:27 , Katy Clifton

Yesterday, Downing Street was continuing to rule out supplying Ukraine with British fighter jets despite Boris Johnson backing the move.

Asked about Mr Johnson’s trip to the US, British prime minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said: “The prime minister welcomes all colleagues’ backing for Ukraine and is pleased the former prime minister is continuing his staunch support of the United Kingdom’s efforts to help Ukraine secure a lasting peace.”

But he said that Mr Johnson is “acting in his own capacity and not on behalf of the UK Government”.

Asked about Mr Johnson’s jet call, the official said: “It’s currently not practical to send UK jets, we will continue to work closely with the Ukrainians to understand their needs and how allies can further support them.

“Given the complexity of UK fighter jets and the length of time required to train them we do not currently think it is practical to do so.”

West ‘should have no fear of escalation’ when providing weapons to Ukraine, claims Boris Johnson

Wednesday 1 February 2023 04:54 , Andy Gregory

Boris Johnson has insisted that the West “should have no fear of escalation when it comes to the provision of weaponry”, as he met with Republicans in Washington on Tuesday to drum up further support for Ukraine.

Some hardline members among the Republicans, which took control of the House of Representatives at the start of the year, have called for an end to US military and other assistance to Ukraine.

In a statement, the former prime minister said: “I am here primarily to recognise and pay tribute to the immense US contribution to the security of the Ukrainian people.

“My mission is to demonstrate that Ukraine will win – and that there is no conceivable case for delay in further supporting the Ukrainians to win this year. We should have no fear of escalation when it comes to the provision of weaponry.”

Ukraine responding to Russia’s revenge attempt, says Zelensky

Wednesday 1 February 2023 04:07 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his administration, military officials and the intelligence team is already responding to Moscow’s plans to extract revenge from Ukraine.

“Today, as in fact every day, I held several meetings with the military and the head of intelligence. We are studying the situation in detail in all major operational directions and in the long term. What the occupier is preparing for, and how we are already responding to Russia’s preparations for a revanche attempt,” he said in his nightly address.

He added: “Our defence and security forces, the Ukrainian government, our partners - all of us are making efforts to ensure that Russia not only fails in regaining ground on the battlefield, but also loses its last hope for aggression in its revanche attempts.

“Russia’s defeat will prevent any alternatives to a lasting and reliable peace. I thank all our partners who support this position of Ukraine,” Mr Zelensky said.

Billionaire’s home searched in Ukraine

Wednesday 1 February 2023 21:25 , Katy Clifton

Security services searched the home of one of Ukraine’s most prominent billionaires yesterday, moving against a figure once seen as Volodymyr Zelensky’s sponsor in what the authorities called a wartime anti-corruption purge.

The action, days before a summit with the European Union, appears to reflect determination by Kyiv to demonstrate that it can be a steward of billions of dollars in Western aid and shed a reputation as one of the world’s most corrupt states.

It came as Kyiv has secured huge pledges of weapons from the West in recent weeks offering new capabilities - the latest expected this week to include rockets from the United States that would nearly double the firing range of Ukrainian forces.

Underlining Ukraine’s need for more advanced arms, the country’s deputy defence minister said late on Wednesday that fierce fighting was continuing in the east, where she said Russia had superiority in numbers of troops and weapons.

Boris Johnson meets with Republicans as part of campaign for Ukraine

Wednesday 1 February 2023 03:50 , Andy Gregory

Boris Johnson met with Republican politicians in Washington yesterday, as he continued his personal international campaign in support of Ukraine.

The former prime minister spoke with House of Representatives speaker Kevin McCarthy and was scheduled to speak at a private Republican club on Tuesday evening, Reuters was told.

On Wednesday, the Tory MP and former London mayor will discuss the need for “Western unity and support for Ukraine and what more can be done against the threat Russia poses” at the Atlantic Council think-tank.

UK says ‘not practical’ to give Ukraine British fighter jets

Wednesday 1 February 2023 03:48 , Arpan Rai

Rishi Sunak has said that it is “not practical” to provide Ukraine with British fighter jets but he has pledged to accelerate support to enable “decisive gains” against Russian invaders.

Downing Street said training Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces on “extremely sophisticated” Typhoons and F-35s would take too long, but it does not oppose allies sending their own jets.

After completing a review, the prime minister told his Cabinet that a “prolonged stalemate” in the war in Ukraine “would only benefit Russia” and its president Vladimir Putin, according to No 10.

UK says it is ‘not practical’ to give Ukraine British fighter jets

Russia ‘may stop officials taking holidays abroad'

Wednesday 1 February 2023 21:21 , Katy Clifton

Russian legislators will discuss a request by one of Vladimir Putin’s closest allies to ban officials from taking foreign holidays during wartime, state media has cited a senior parliamentarian as saying.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the powerful Wagner Group private army, said it was unacceptable that officials and parliamentarians were vacationing in countries hostile to Russia.

Vasily Piskaryov, head of the committee on security and anti-corruption in the State Duma or lower chamber of parliament, said legislators would take a look at whether changes should be made.

“This initiative ... certainly deserves attention,” Tass cited him as telling reporters. Prigozhin made the request in a letter to Piskaryov that the Wagner Group made public.

Watch: A day in the life of a frontline medic in Donbas

Wednesday 1 February 2023 02:42 , Andy Gregory

Senators may look to ban Russia from buying reserve oil

Wednesday 1 February 2023 21:19 , Katy Clifton

US senators may look to add Iran and Russia to a US House-passed bill that stops releases of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve from being sold to China, senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has said.

“What about Iran? What about Russia?” Mr Schumer told reporters after following a closed weekly meeting of Senate Democrats. “We may think of adding some new countries in.”

If such a law were passed and signed by president Joe Biden, it would be largely symbolic, with regards to Russia and Iran.

In February, 2022, the month Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States exported 5,000 barrels of crude and oil products to Russia, and has not shipped any since. The last time there was a relatively large shipment, of 145,000 barrels, was in March, 2009.

US slaps new trade curbs on Iranian entities over drones used in Ukraine

Wednesday 1 February 2023 01:34 , Reuters

The United States has put new trade restrictions on seven Iranian entities for producing drones that Russia has used to attack Ukraine, the US Department of Commerce has said.

The firms and other organisations were added to a US export control list for those engaged in activities contrary to US national security and foreign policy interests.

The additions to the Commerce Department’s “entities list” were posted in a preliminary filing in the US Federal Register, the government’s daily journal, and will be officially published on Wednesday.

Belarus willing to help Russia with invasion, Lukashenko claims

Wednesday 1 February 2023 00:29 , Andy Gregory

Alexander Lukashenko has said that Belarus is willing to offer more assistance to its close ally Russia in its war against Ukraine – but claimed that Moscow does not need “any help” right now.

“However, if our Russian brothers need help, we are always ready to offer such assistance,” the authoritarian leader told reporters during a state visit to Zimbabwe.

Despite allowing Russia to use its territory to launch its invasion on Kyiv last year, Belarus has not committed any of its troops to the war. Nonetheless, Ukraine says it has maintained forces along its border with Belarus to fend off any potential invasion.

Memorial held in Lviv for ex-US Navy Seal killed in Ukraine

Tuesday 31 January 2023 23:42 , Andy Gregory

The mayor of Lviv has attended a memorial service held in the western Ukrainian city for former US Navy Seal Daniel Swift, who was killed fighting for Kyiv.

Swift had fought for Ukraine’s International Legion, and earned an award during his service, said mayor Andriy Sadovyi, who wrote on Facebook: “Sincere condolences to the family and eternal memory to the defender.”

Dozens of people, including Swift’s brother Thomas, attended the service at a Catholic church in central Lviv.

According to a statement by the US Navy, Swift deserted from the US military in 2019, and was killed while fighting in Ukraine on 18 January.

Tuesday 31 January 2023 22:49 , Andy Gregory

Foreign companies holding property in the UK have until midnight to identify their “beneficial owners” in a new public register – announced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – aimed at cracking down on oligarchs and corrupt elites laundering “dirty money” in Britain.

But a Reuters analysis of government data has found that the people behind thousands of UK-property owning foreign companies remain veiled in secrecy, the news agency reports.

More than 19,000 overseas companies had disclosed ownership of UK property as of Tuesday morning in Britain, according to data from Companies House, which runs the new register. That represents about two thirds of all the property-owning foreign companies, based on official land-ownership records.

Furthermore, roughly a quarter of the companies that registered did not identify any individual owners, many of which disclosed entities in countries known for business secrecy, such as the British Virgin Islands or Panama. The guidance defines a “beneficial owner” as either an individual or an entity.

Ukraine ‘hopes war will be over by time Eurovision takes place'

Tuesday 31 January 2023 22:12 , Andy Gregory

Ukraine is hoping that the war will be over in May so citizens can travel to see the Eurovision Song Contest, a manager at the country’s public broadcaster has said.

The Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC) is also hoping to provide the BBC and authorities in Liverpool with as much expertise as possible to bring a “Ukrainian vibe” to the music event, said Oksana Skybinska.

Ms Skybinska said she “really hopes” no other country is put in a similar situation due to an invasion, adding: “We all hope that the war will be over by May, and as many people as possible from different groups of [the] population will be able to come.”

Ukraine ‘hopes war will be over by time Eurovision 2023 takes place’

US accuses Russia of violating key nuclear limitation treaty

Tuesday 31 January 2023 21:37 , Andy Gregory

Washington has accused Russia of violating the last major pillar of post-Cold War nuclear arms control between the two countries, by refusing to allow inspections on its territory.

The New START Treaty, which came into force in 2011 and was extended in 2021 for five more years, caps the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the United States and Russia can deploy, and the deployment of land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers to deliver them.

“Russia’s refusal to facilitate inspection activities prevents the United States from exercising important rights under the treaty and threatens the viability of US-Russian nuclear arms control,” a State Department spokesperson told Reuters.

Moscow suspended its cooperation with inspections under the treaty in August, blaming travel restrictions imposed by Washington and its allies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – but said it was still committed to complying with the provisions of the treaty.

The State Department spokesperson added that Russia had a “clear path” for returning to compliance by allowing inspection activities, and said Washington remains ready to work with Russia to fully implement the treaty.

Bel Trew | What we’re missing in the tragedy of the Ukrainian war volunteers

Tuesday 31 January 2023 20:55 , Andy Gregory

In a column for Independent Voices, our international correspondent Bel Trew, writes:

“On Sunday, friends and fellow volunteers gathered at Kyiv’s St Sophia’s Cathedral to bid goodbye to British volunteers Andrew Bagshaw, 47, and Christopher Parry, 28, who were killed trying to rescue elderly residents from Soledar.

“It is an east Ukrainian town in the claws of the fiercest frontline of the entire war. We embedded with medics manning field hospitals in this area. They were working 24 hours a day treating the wounded who were coming in thick and fast under this constant wall of Russian shelling.

“When the pair went missing, their friends sent me the route they had planned to take in order to answer a call for help. Their destination was a north eastern corner of the salt-mining town and so close to Russian positions that at some point during that day when Moscow’s men made a push forward, they were swallowed up in the moving frontline. The family later informed the world that they had indeed been killed in the shelling.

“Since then, there has been some criticism of the two British citizens, who had never dealt with conflict beforehand: Chris was a running coach, Andrew was a scientific researcher. Some people have said that their killing showed why people who have no experience in war should not engage in conflicts like the devastating invasion of Ukraine.

“Firstly the truth is – no matter how battle hardened you are – there is no way for anyone to truly protect themselves against shelling, which is inherently indiscriminate and bloody. The only way to be safe is to simply not go there.

“Secondly, there is an immense need right now for help evacuating civilians in Ukraine, and there are just not enough people – who are brave or crazy enough – to do the job.”

What we’re missing in the tragedy of the Ukrainian war volunteers | Bel Trew

Iran and Russia move to link their banking systems, top bank official in Tehran says

Tuesday 31 January 2023 20:20 , AP

Iran and Russia have taken a key step toward linking their banking systems, in a move that further boosts their cooperation in the face of Western sanctions, an Iranian official has said.

At a signing ceremony on Sunday, Mohsen Karami, the deputy central bank governor, said banks in the two countries had connected their messaging networks following agreements reached over the past year, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

It was not clear whether those links would allow for the transfer of funds, and services were not yet available to bank customers. Karami said 100 banks in 13 other countries were connected to the network, without naming them.

Iran and Russia have strengthened ties following Russia’s invasion, with Iran supplying attack drones that have dive-bombed infrastructure and other civilian targets across Ukraine. After initially denying that it had armed Russia, in November Iran acknowledged the drones transfer, saying it took place before the war began.

US secretary of state to bring up Ukraine war in upcoming China trip, White House says

Tuesday 31 January 2023 19:48 , Andy Gregory

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will bring up the war in Ukraine during an upcoming trip to China, the White House has said.

Moscow has looked to Beijing for closer ties since invading its neighbour, and there is concern in Washington that a prolonged war could further cement ties between the two large nations.

Poland ‘aiming to cut Leopard 2 training times in half'

Tuesday 31 January 2023 19:22 , Andy Gregory

Poland is aiming to reduce training time on Leopard 2 battle tanks from around 10 to five weeks, at a centre where Ukrainian soldiers are likely to be taught how to operate the vehicles.

The village of Swietoszow in western Poland, near the German border, hosts one of just three Leopard training centres in Europe – the others are in Germany and Switzerland, and military experts say this is the most likely location where Kyiv’s troops will be trained.

A coalition of Ukraine’s Western supporters formed in January to provide Kyiv with German-made Leopard tanks, and on Jan. 20 Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Ukrainian troops would be trained on Leopards in Poland.

“If we intensify training [by maximising the number of] instructors, our time and our weekends, we can train an entire crew in five weeks,” Major Maciej Banaszynski, Poland’s Leopard training centre commander, told Reuters.

Rights group urges Ukraine to investigate reported use of rocket-fired landmines

Tuesday 31 January 2023 18:54 , Andy Gregory

Human Rights Watch has urged Ukraine to investigate accusations that its military used thousands of rocket-fired antipersonnel landmines in and around the eastern city of Izium when the Kharkiv region was occupied by Russia.

“Ukrainian forces appear to have extensively scattered landmines around the Izium area, causing civilian casualties and posing an ongoing risk,” said Steve Goose, Arms Division director at Human Rights Watch, noting the the organisation also issued three reports last year accusing Russia of using the weapons.

“Russian forces have repeatedly used antipersonnel mines and committed atrocities across the country, but this doesn’t justify Ukrainian use of these prohibited weapons,” he said.

Human Rights Watch said Ukraine’s deputy defence minister Oleksandr Polishchuk responded in a letter in November, writing that Ukraine fully commits to all international obligations in the sphere of mine usage, including “the non-use of anti-personnel mines in the war.”

Mr Polishchuk told Human Rights Watch that Ukraine’s forces strictly adhere to international humanitarian law and the 1997 antipersonnel mine convention. Ukraine’s foreign ministry echoed those sentiments on Tuesday and said the report would be “properly analysed by the relevant institutions”.

Kyiv warns of ‘irreparable consequences’ in relations with Hungary over Orban’s ‘anti-Ukrainian rhetoric’

Tuesday 31 January 2023 18:27 , Andy Gregory

Ukraine has warned of “irreparable consequences” in its relations with Hungary unless Budapest’s leadership desists with what Kyiv said was anti-Ukrainian rhetoric.

Kyiv summoned Hungary’s ambassador over “disparaging” comments made by Viktor Orban on Tuesday, delivering him with “a strong protest in connection with the recent disparaging statements” by Mr Orban, the foreign ministry said.

“It was emphasised to the Hungarian diplomat that the anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, which has been heard from the Hungarian leadership for a long time, is absolutely unacceptable and causes serious damage to Ukrainian-Hungarian relations.”

The ministry added: “The Hungarian side was urged to stop this negative trend in order to avoid irreparable consequences for the relations between the two countries.”

Hungary has criticised EU sanctions against Russia, saying they failed to weaken Moscow meaningfully and risked destroying the European economy, and opted last year not to send weapons to Ukraine.

Kyiv also complained to Hungary last year after Mr Orban went to a football match wearing a scarf that it said depicted some Ukrainian territory as part of Hungary.

No 10 rejects Verhofstadt’s Brexit-Ukraine claim as ‘nonsense’

Tuesday 31 January 2023 17:51 , Andy Gregory

Downing Street has rebuffed senior MEP Guy Verhofstadt’s suggestion that Russia may not have invaded Ukraine if Brexit had not happened (see post at 11:15am).

The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “Putin’s illegal invasion has nothing to do with Brexit. In fact, the invasion has demonstrated the UK’s commitment to European security.

“We have from the start been working extremely closely with our European allies, which is a real tangible demonstration of the UK’s continued commitment to the security of the continent.

“That will not change and it’s nonsense to suggest otherwise”.

Sunak rules out sending UK fighter jets to Ukraine as ‘impractical’

Tuesday 31 January 2023 17:27 , Andy Gregory

Rishi Sunak believes it is “not practical” to send British fighter jets to Ukraine, despite being keen to boost support to Kyiv to avoid a lengthy stalemate in the country’s war with Russian invaders.

Downing Street said training Volodymyr Zelensky’ forces on “extremely sophisticated” Typhoons and F-35s would take too long.

No 10 did not, however, oppose allies sending their own jets, as France makes noises to that effect today (see post below).

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has more details in this report:

‘No taboo’ on supplying fighter jets to Ukraine, says French minister

Tuesday 31 January 2023 16:55 , Andy Gregory

“There is no taboo” on supplying fighter jets to Ukraine, France’s defence minister has suggested – as No 10 insisted it would not be “practical” for the UK to do so.

Speaking after a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu also announced that Paris would send Kyiv 12 additional Caesar howitzers and dispatch 150 army staff to Poland to train up to 600 Ukrainian troops there each month.

Mr Lecornu set out France’s position when it came to supplying arms to Ukraine, saying it should not weaken France's own defence capacity, that it should be useful to help Ukraine in the conflict with Russia and that the weapons be used only by Ukraine to defend itself.

Ukraine to receive up to 140 tanks in ‘first wave’ of deliveries, says Kyiv

Tuesday 31 January 2023 16:28 , Andy Gregory

Last week’s volte face from Washington and Berlin will see Ukraine receive between 120 and 140 tanks in a “first wave” deliveries from 12 countries, Kyiv’s foreign minister has announced.

While Kyiv has said that hundreds of tanks will be needed to make a significant difference on the battlefield, Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukrainian officials are working behind the scenes to persuade more countries to send tanks.

“The tank coalition now has 12 members. I can note that in the first wave of contributions, the Ukrainian armed forces will receive between 120 and 140 Western-model tanks,” Mr Kuleba told reporters.

“We continue to work on both expanding the membership of the tank coalition and increasing the contributions of those already pledged,” the foreign minister added.

Russia stepping up attacks with ‘systematic shelling’ and ‘redeployment of troops’, claims Zelensky aide

Tuesday 31 January 2023 16:04 , Andy Gregory

A presidential aide to Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia has intensified its attacks as he called for Ukraine’s allies to send more weapons.

Mykhailo Podolyak alleged that “systematic shelling of frontline cities, accumulation of ordnance, redeployment of troops, additional forced mobilisation surely do not indicate” Moscow’s readiness for peace.”

“These are direct signs of significant escalation. Therefore, weapons, weapons and more weapons for Ukraine,” he wrote.

Since winning Western pledges last week to provide main battle tanks, Kyiv has requested more weapons – including fighter jets. France has indicated a willingness to potentially send jets, but Downing Street warned on Tuesday that it would not be practical for the UK to do so.

Ukraine ‘stops Russia from seizing supply line to Bakhmut'

Tuesday 31 January 2023 15:41 , Andy Gregory

Ukraine has prevented Russia from gaining control of a crucial supply line leading to the frontline town of Bakhmut from Chasiv Yar, a Kyiv military spokesperson has said.

Speaking after Moscow said its forces had seized control of Blohodatne, a small village just north of Bakhmut, Serhiy Cherevaty said: “Russian troops could not cut off the road which is used for supplying the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Ukrainian army in Bakhmut is supplied with everything necessary.”

KEY POST: Conflict will grind on throughout 2023, say officials

Tuesday 31 January 2023 15:22 , Andy Gregory

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest reports:

Western defence officials have said that Russia is unlikely to make significant breakthroughs beyond recent gains in the outskirts of the city of Bakhmut in south-east Ukraine.

The Russian capture of the salt-mining town of Soledar and creeping gains in villages near Bakhmut were described a “sideshow”.

The conflict is likely to grind on throughout 2023, officials said, even if both sides make territorial gains at different times.

Officials also said the pledges made by UK, US, Germany and others to send tanks now exceeds the 300 vehicles president Volodymyr Zelensky has asked for in recent weeks.

But tanks are unlikely to be sent to the battlefield until the end of March.

Russia may have lost more troops than Ukraine, says official

Tuesday 31 January 2023 15:13 , Andy Gregory

Russia and Ukraine are both thought to have suffered more than 100,000 casualties since Moscow’s invasion, Western officials have said.

However, one official suggested that, Russia has sustained a higher number of fatalities than Kyiv given that they have been on the offensive.

“I would say the ratio is different on each side,” the official told reporters. “The Russians have been attacking and that means they have suffered more fatalities than the Ukrainians have, on balance.”

‘I’m a scoundrel to you’: Ex-Wagner mercenary apologises to Ukrainians

Tuesday 31 January 2023 14:51 , Andy Gregory

A former member of the Wagner mercenary group now seeking asylum in Norway has apologised to Ukrainians also living in the Scandinavian country who object to his presence there.

“I’m a scoundrel to you, but I only ask you to take into account that I have come to realise that, albeit belatedly, and I spoke against all that,” Andrey Medvedev told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. “I ask you not to condemn me, and in any case I apologise.”

Earlier this month, the former mercenary described leaving the group after his contract was extended without his extent, before fleeing across the Russian border into Norway.

He told Russian human rights group Gulagu.net hat he is ready to testify about potential war crimes. Norway’s National Criminal Investigation Service, which is taking part in the Ukraine war crimes probe, has said it is questioning Medvedev, who “has the status of a witness.”

Man convicted of attempting to burn down enlistment office in Siberia

Tuesday 31 January 2023 14:33 , Emily Atkinson

A man has been found guilty by Moscow of attempting to burn down a military enlistment office in Siberia, reports say.

He has been jailed for 12 years in a ruling that classified his crime as an “act of terrorism”.

Reuters adds:

According to the TASS state news agency, the decision by a military court in Yekaterinburg was the first time a Russian court had used the terrorism designation to punish someone for an arson attack on an enlistment office.

In Tuesday’s ruling, Vladislav Borisenko, who was accused of trying to burn down such an office in the Siberian city of Nizhnevartovsk in May, was sentenced to 12 years -- to be spent first in prison, and then in a maximum security prison colony.

TASS said the fire had spread across an area of one square kilometre, but that nobody had been hurt.

Borisenko had carried out the attack with another man and they had both allegedly confessed their guilt, it said, saying they had purportedly acted on the promise of receiving a financial reward from a third party.

The court said in a statement that its ruling could be appealed.

ICYMI: Russia wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine without Brexit, suggests top MEP

Tuesday 31 January 2023 14:15 , Emily Atkinson

Russia claims it has control of village near Bakhmut

Tuesday 31 January 2023 13:55 , Emily Atkinson

Russia said on Tuesday that its forces had taken control of Blahodatne, a village just north of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, where some of the heaviest fighting of the war has taken place in recent weeks.

Blahodatne, about 5 km (3 miles) north of Bakhmut, was captured with the help of aerial support, Moscow’s defence ministry said.

Sending UK fighter jets to Ukraine ‘not practical’, says No 10

Tuesday 31 January 2023 13:29 , Andy Gregory

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest reports:

Rishi Sunak believes it is “not practical” to provide Ukraine with British fighter jets but has pledged to accelerate support to enable “decisive gains” against Russian invaders.

Downing Street said training Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces on “extremely sophisticated” Typhoons and F-35s would take too long but did not oppose allies sending their own jets.

After completing a review, the PM told his cabinet on Tuesday a “prolonged stalemate” in the war in Ukraine “would only benefit Russia” and its president Vladimir Putin, according to No 10.

He said they must seize an “opportunity to accelerate UK support” to give Ukraine “the best chance of success and make the most of the window of opportunity where Russian forces were on the back foot”.

Defence secretary Ben Wallace shared US estimates that 180,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured in the year-long invasion. That is compared to around 15,000 killed during the decade-long war in Afghanistan.

The Kremlin has also lost two-thirds of its tanks, Mr Wallace said, according to Downing Street’s account of the cabinet meeting.

Boris Johnson 'to urge US to sustain aid for Ukraine’

Tuesday 31 January 2023 12:55 , Emily Atkinson

Boris Johnson will meet with Republican lawmakers this week as he presses the US to sustain aid to Ukraine as it fights off Russia’s assault.

The former prime minister is scheduled to speak at a private Republican club in Washington on Tuesday evening, said Representative Joe Wilson, a member of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.

He is also scheduled to meet with a group of Republican senators, said senator Todd Young on Monday, though he said he was unaware of the exact timing of the talks.

On Wednesday, Mr Johnson will discuss the need for “Western unity and support for Ukraine and what more can be done against the threat Russia poses” at the Atlantic Council think tank.