PRESIDENT Zelensky is set to replace Ukraine’s defence minister as the leader continues to crack down on so-called corruption within the ministry’s ranks.
Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraine’s current minister of defence, is set to become the next high-ranking Ukrainian official to be replaced as a corruption scandal rocks the government department.
Reznikov will now become the minister of strategic industries, said David Arakhamia, chief of Zelensky’s Servant of the People parliamentary bloc, on Sunday.
This comes amid fears Putin could be set to launch a fresh offensive in the coming weeks, as fighting continues to rage on.
Some have suggested the dictator is set to mobilise a further 200,000 troops as Russia’s invasion nears its one-year anniversary.
Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news…
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Zelensky talks to UK’s Sunak about expansion of army capabilities says Kyiv
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he discussed the ‘further expansion of capabilities’ of Ukraine’s military in a call with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday.
Zelensky said he also thanked Sunak for the start of training of Ukrainian crews on Challenger 2 tanks, the supply of which to Ukraine the UK announced in January.
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Tanks will be an ‘iron fist’ against Putin, say Ukraine
A top Ukrainian official has said Western tank support will act as “iron fist” against Putin’s brutal invasion.
“The new tank coalition with the main tanks of NATO countries – we need this for the counteroffensive, we will use it like an iron fist to break through their defensive lines,” Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Friday.
Britain, Germany and France, among other Western powers, have pledged to send tanks to Ukraine.
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It’s ‘possible’ Ukraine could begin EU entry this year
President Zelensky has said it is “possible” Ukraine could begin its entry into the EU this year.
“What exactly did we agree upon today?” Zelensky said in his nightly address.
“There is an understanding that it is possible to start negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the European Union this year.”
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British soldiers taking part in military training in Estonia
British forces are currently undertaking training with Estonian counterparts in freezing temperatures which are expected to drop to -12C.
Nato countries come together to train for the unexpected with tanks and helicopters, on a base just 80 miles from Russia.
“We can see that our Estonian counterparts are worried about what’s going on with Russia. But they feel we’re here to help,” one British tank driver told The Sun.
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Ukraine will not use any weapons provided on Russian territory
On Friday, the US confirmed that it’ll provide Ukraine with a new rocket that can double the strike range to help fight Russian aggression.
Ukraine however warned that it will not be using these longer-range weapons on Russian territory and they’ll only be used to target Russian units on occupies Ukrainian land.
Defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said: “We always tell our partners officially that we will not use weapons supplied by foreign partners to fire on Russian territory. We only fire on Russian units on temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory.”
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The EU is banning diesel fuel from Russia
The European Union is banning refined oils from Russia such as diesel fuel as it follows in the US example in imposing a price cap on sales to non-Western countries.
The ban is in effect from Sunday as the EU aims to become more independent in terms of energy from Russia.
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Russian forces burn Ukrainian books
The National Resistance Center reported that Russian troops are burning Ukrainian books seized from libraries and schools in eastern Luhansk, in heating plants.
Kyiv Independent reported that Russian forces were ordered to confiscate 365 editions of Ukrainian books.
This has been claimed to be a way for Russia to give Ukrainian children propaganda narratives through education in Russian-occupied territories.
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James Cleverly: ‘Giving Ukrainian tools they need to finish the job is the swiftest path to peace’
British Foreign Secretary wrote a piece in The Times of Malta ahead of his visit to the Mediterranean island, where the war of Ukraine will be a big part of the talks between the two nations.
Cleverly wrote in the Maltese newspaper: “Like all authoritarian rulers, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin responds only to strength in his opponents.
“Giving the Ukrainians the tools they need to finish the job is the swiftest — indeed the only – path to peace.”
Malta has been helping Ukraine by enforcing EU sanctions against Russia and provide humanitarian assistance such as medicine and power generators.
Some Ukrainian soldiers have also been admitted to Maltese hospitals for treatment.
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Zelenskyy revokes citizenship of former influential politicians
President Zelensky have revoked Ukrainian citizenships of former politicians who had a dual Russian citizenship.
The Ukrainian President said that he took this step “to protect and cleanse our state from those on the side of the aggressor.”
Zelenskyy didn’t mentiony any names, however, Ukrainian state media RBC-Ukraine news agency is reporting that politicians include:
- Politicians from the office of Ukraine’s pro-Russian President who served from 2010 till 2014, Viktor Yanukovych
- Dmytro Tabachnyk – former minister of education and science
- Andriy Klyuyev – former deputy prime miniser and head of Yanukovych’s administration
- Vitaliy Zakharchenko – former interior minister
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Putin ‘has not made any threaths’ to Germany
Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag reported on an interview with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who said that during his call with Vladimir Putin, no threats were made against him or his country.
Scholz said: “I make it very clear to Putin that Russia has sole responsibility for the war. Russia has invaded its neighbour for no reason, in order to take parts of Ukraine or the whole country under its control.”
He also added that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “have a consensus” that any weapons provided by the West shall only be used on Ukrainian territory and not Russian.
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Four killed in Russian attacks on Donetsk
Four people have been killed after Russian strikes on the Donetsk region, the head of the region’s military administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, said on Sunday.
11 more were reportedly injured as Russia continued its bloodthirsty assault.
Four buildings and a nursery were reportedly hit by the Russian strikes.
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‘No sign’ of Ukrainian retreat from Bakhmut, Wagner Group claims
The head of the Kremlin-allied Wagner Group has said Ukraine continues to fight on in the city of Bakhmut.
“The AFU (Armed Forces Ukraine) is not retreating anywhere. AFU fight to the last,” Yevgeny Prigozhin said.
This comes as Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to clash in the city which has been described as the “epicentre” of fighting throughout the country.
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In pictures: Russian missile attack on Kherson shopping centre
A Russian missile attack struck a shopping centre in the port city of Kherson on Friday.
According to local authorities, a school, shipyard and residential buildings were also hit.
No casualties have been reported.
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Ukrainian defence minister addresses resignation speculation
Ukraine’s defence minister has addressed speculation he could resign today.
Oleksii Reznikov held a press conference in which he said he would resign if asked to by president Zelensky.
“No official is in the chair forever. Not one,” Reznikov said, reports the Kyiv Independent.
“I will do what the head of state suggests to me.”
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280,000 people without power in Odesa
Up to 40% of Odesa residents are without power today, Ukraine’s prime minister has said.
Around 280,000 have been left without energy after a fire broke out at a power station yesterday, Denys Shmyhal confirmed.
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Russia shells Kharkiv, wounding four
According to reports from Ukraine, Russia shelled the city of Kharkiv this morning, injuring four civilians.
“A residential building in the city centre was hit. A fire broke out,” Kharkiv governor Oleh Synehubov said via his Telegram channel.
These reports are yet to be independently verified.
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Russian losses continue to mount
Russian losses have continued to mount today as Putin’s brutal invasion rages on.
Total Kremlin losses have reached 131,290, with 700 coming in the last 24 hours.
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British soldiers taking part in military training in Estonia
British forces are currently undertaking training with Estonian counterparts in freezing temperatures which are expected to drop to -12C.
Nato countries come together to train for the unexpected with tanks and helicopters, on a base just 80 miles from Russia.
“We can see that our Estonian counterparts are worried about what’s going on with Russia. But they feel we’re here to help,” one British tank driver told The Sun.
-
Ukraine will not use any weapons provided on Russian territory
On Friday, the US confirmed that it’ll provide Ukraine with a new rocket that can double the strike range to help fight Russian aggression.
Ukraine however warned that it will not be using these longer-range weapons on Russian territory and they’ll only be used to target Russian units on occupies Ukrainian land.
Defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said: “We always tell our partners officially that we will not use weapons supplied by foreign partners to fire on Russian territory. We only fire on Russian units on temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory.”
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The Ministry of Defence update
UK Intelligence released their latest update on advances in Ukraine as fighting worsens on the eastern frontlines against Russia.
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The EU is banning diesel fuel from Russia
The European Union is banning refined oils from Russia such as diesel fuel as it follows in the US example in imposing a price cap on sales to non-Western countries.
The ban is in effect from Sunday as the EU aims to become more independent in terms of energy from Russia.
-
Russian forces burn Ukrainian books
The National Resistance Center reported that Russian troops are burning Ukrainian books seized from libraries and schools in eastern Luhansk, in heating plants.
Kyiv Independent reported that Russian forces were ordered to confiscate 365 editions of Ukrainian books.
This has been claimed to be a way for Russia to give Ukrainian children propaganda narratives through education in Russian-occupied territories.
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James Cleverly: ‘Giving Ukrainian tools they need to finish the job is the swiftest path to peace’
British Foreign Secretary wrote a piece in The Times of Malta ahead of his visit to the Mediterranean island, where the war of Ukraine will be a big part of the talks between the two nations.
Cleverly wrote in the Maltese newspaper: “Like all authoritarian rulers, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin responds only to strength in his opponents.
“Giving the Ukrainians the tools they need to finish the job is the swiftest — indeed the only – path to peace.”
Malta has been helping Ukraine by enforcing EU sanctions against Russia and provide humanitarian assistance such as medicine and power generators.
Some Ukrainian soldiers have also been admitted to Maltese hospitals for treatment.
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Russian attacks update
The Kyiv Independent reported that seven out of 25 Ukrainian regions have been attacked by Russian forces over February 4.
Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia were hir with artillery and missile attacks.
According to regional governors and officials, at least five civilians were killed while 12 have been injured.
Pavlo Kyrylenko, the regional governor of Donetsk, said that Russian forces killed four people: three in Bakhmut and one in Yampil while 11 have been injured.
Rescuers work at a site of a residential building damaged by a Russian missile strike in central KharkivCredit: Reuters -
Wagner leader on fighting in Bakhmut
Head of Russia’s private Wagner group, Yevgeniy Prigozhin said that Ukrainian forces are not giving up on Bakhmut, which has been on Russia’s radar for weeks.
He said: “Ukrainian forces are not retreating anywhere. They are fighting to the last. Fierce battles are going on in the northern quarters for every street, every house, every stairwell.”
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