According to one of Vladimir Putin's key allies, ''Russia is not at war with Ukraine'' instead they are fighting the UK and US.
Nikolai Patrushev, the Russian security council secretary and former Soviet spy said: “The events in Ukraine are not a clash between Moscow and Kyiv.
''This is a military confrontation between Russia and NATO, and above all the United States and Britain.”
Speaking to the Argumenti i Fakti newspaper, Patrushev once again insisted that Russia is “not at war with Ukraine” because Russians “cannot have hatred for ordinary Ukrainians”.
His comments came after Putin's defence minister vowed that Russia would continue to develop its nuclear triad of ballistic missiles, submarines and strategic bombers because such weapons were "the main guarantee of its sovereignty".
Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news…
A Russian warship, equipped with hypersonic missiles, has conducted drills in the Norweigan Sea, according to the Kremlin’s Ministry of Defence.
“The crew of the frigate ‘Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov’ conducted an air defence exercise in the Norwegian Sea,” the ministry said.
Only last week Putin sent the vessel to the Atlantic carrying new missile technology as Russia continues its brutal invasion of Ukraine.
Russia is continuing its attempts to occupy the small town of Soledar, 10km away from the city of Bakhmut.
Speaking in his nightly address, the president said the bravery of Ukrainian soldiers has bought the town some time.
“It is extremely difficult – there are almost no whole walls left … Due to the resilience of our warriors there, in Soledar, we have gained additional time and additional power for Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
The Finnish Government has confirmed they will support the warn-torn country of Ukraine for as long as needed.
They added: ''By doing this, we defend our common democratic values. Finland unequivocally supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and self-determination.''
The Ambassador of Ukraine, Olga Dibrova, met with Finland's Minister of Defence, Mikko Savola, to discuss the ongoing situation in her country.
During the visit, the pair discussed Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and Finland's support to Ukraine.
Following the visit, Savola said: ''Thank you for the visit and the warm discussion Mrs. Ambassador.
''#WeStandWithUkraine.''
A highly trained surgeon in Ukraine has removed a live grenade from inside a soldier's chest, Sky News reports.
According to Ukraine's armed forces, the operation was successful.
Surgeon Andriy Verba operated on the soldier, who was later sent to rehabilitation to recover.
The Ukrainian armed forces did not specify when the surgery took place or how the grenade entered the soldier's body.
President of the EU commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has today said the European Union will extend sanctions to those who military support Russia's war.
During a press conference today, she said: ''We will keep the pressure on the Kremlin for as long as it takes with biting sanctions regime.
''We will extend these sanctions to those who military support Russia's war such as Belarus or Iran.''
President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said Russia's war against Ukraine has brought the EU and NATO closer together.
His comment came after the the 3rd Joint Declaration on EU-NATO cooperation was signed today.
Taking to Twitter, Michel said: ''Today we sign the 3rd Joint Declaration on EU-NATO cooperation. A sign of the ever-deepening bond between our organisations.
''EU & NATO have responded to Russia's aggression against Ukraine with determination & unity.
''We will continue to do so. Strong allies makes strong alliances.''
In a second tweet he added: ''Putin wanted less NATO. But he has achieved the opposite. He will have more NATO. And he will have more EU.''
The UK is considering supplying Ukraine with tanks for the first time in a bid to support Ukraine’s fight against Russian forces, Sky News reported yesterday, citing a Western source.
Discussions have been taking place “for a few weeks” regarding delivering the British Army’s Challenger two main battle tank to Ukraine, Sky said.
The UK has committed to match or exceed last year’s 2.3 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) in military aid for Ukraine.
Foreign minister James Cleverly said last week that his country would continue working with Ukraine to ensure they receive the necessary military support needed.
Cleverly added: “Tanks might well be part of that, and where they come from … which allies provide them, is something that, of course, we’re working in coordination with each other.”
The Gorshkov is due to sail to the Atlantic and Indian oceans as well as the Mediterranean.
The warship is leading a Russian naval task force in a show of strength to the West as the Ukraine war rages on.
Putin beamed as he announced "an important, if not momentous, event" as the vessel embarked on its mission from Severomorsk.
Putin's warship armed with "unstoppable" hypersonic nuke missiles has staged chilling war games on its way to the UK.
Equipped with one of the world's deadliest weapons, the Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov, was deployed on "combat duty" last week.
The vessel which is equipped with 7,000mph Zircon nuke missiles with a 625-mile range, held exercises in the Norwegian Sea, as it sailed towards Britain.
Alarming footage shows the ship “repelling a simulated enemy’s air strikes” in stormy conditions.
The clip was released on Tuesday on Zvezda TV, owned by the Russian defence ministry.
The report said: "The purpose of the exercise was to test the operation of the air defence circuit, its systems, air and electronic lighting systems, anti-aircraft fire systems, tactical camouflage electronic warfare systems and air defence circuit control systems.
“The ship is ready to repel air attacks from different altitudes and directions.”
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs , Dmytro Kuleba, today said deportations of Ukrainian children ”are part of Russia’s genocide of Ukrainians.”
In the tweet he wrote: ”Deportations of Ukrainian children and their transfer to Russian foster families for illegal adoptions are part of Russia’s genocide of Ukrainians.
”Russian officials must stand trial for their crimes.”
Russia has appointed Colonel-General Alexander Lapin as chief of staff of the country’s ground forces, state-owned news agency TASS reported on Tuesday.
The appointment comes after Lapin was criticised over his performance in Ukraine, Reuters says.
The family of a British aid working missing in Ukraine have said they are "very worried" about the health of Christopher.
In a statement his family said: "We are very worried and concerned about the health and whereabouts of Chris right now.
"He is an extraordinary person who is compassionate and caring and would not be dissuaded from his work in Ukraine liberating elderly and disabled people, which we are very proud of.
"We, his family and partner, all love him very much and would be grateful if our privacy could be respected at this difficult time."
President of the EU commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has today said the European Union will extend sanctions to those who military support Russia’s war.
During a press conference today, she said: ”We will keep the pressure on the Kremlin for as long as it takes with biting sanctions regime.
”We will extend these sanctions to those who military support Russia’s war such as Belarus or Iran.”
Pictures show debris and rubble after buildings were destroyed in a Ukrainian missile strike in Makiivka.
A highly trained surgeon in Ukraine has removed a live grenade from inside a soldier’s chest, Sky News reports.
According to Ukraine’s armed forces, the operation was successful.
Surgeon Andriy Verba operated on the soldier, who was later sent to rehabilitation to recover.
The Ukrainian armed forces did not specify when the surgery took place or how the grenade entered the soldier’s body.
President Zelensky has today spoken with the President of Estonia, Alar Karis.
The pair discussed defence support and the situation at the front, according to Zelensky.
They also coordinated steps towards further Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.
Discussed defense support and the situation at the front with President of Estonia @AlarKaris. Coordinated steps towards further Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.
The Finnish Government has confirmed they will support the warn-torn country of Ukraine for as long as needed.
They added: ''By doing this, we defend our common democratic values. Finland unequivocally supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and self-determination.''
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, have today visited the war-torn city of Kharkiv.
Taking to Twitter to share some pictures of the visit, Kuleba wrote: ''Today, Annalena Baerbock and I visited wartime Kharkiv where Russia caused enormous suffering.
''Kharkiv is now a symbol of successful Ukrainian counteroffensives which prove Ukraine will win with sufficient support of partners.
''I have no doubts further German military aid will come.''
Today, @ABaerbock and I visited wartime Kharkiv where Russia caused enormous suffering. Kharkiv is now a symbol of successful Ukrainian counteroffensives which prove Ukraine will win with sufficient support of partners. I have no doubts further German military aid will come. pic.twitter.com/iCErESAW2J
Following an earlier conversation with President Zelensky, Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo has confirmed his country's full support for Ukraine.
He added: ''The coming weeks will be crucial for the Ukrainians to regain control of their country and their freedom. We are on their side.''
Onderhoud met Volodymyr @ZelenskyyUa, waarbij ik de volle steun van België aan Oekraïne kon bevestigen.
De komende weken zullen cruciaal zijn voor de Oekraïners om de controle over hun land en hun vrijheid terug te winnen. We staan aan hun zijde.https://t.co/j96DVKkU3q
Russia has appointed Colonel-General Alexander Lapin as chief of staff of the country’s ground forces, state-owned news agency TASS reported on Tuesday.
The appointment comes after Lapin was criticised over his performance in Ukraine, Reuters says.
On this day 31 years ago, Ukraine and the UK established diplomatic relations, says the Embassy of Ukraine to the UK.
Taking to Twitter, they added: ''Three decades later, we have reached the level of strategic partnership. We’ll continue deepening ties between us, bringing our peoples and the countries ever closer to each other.''
On this day 31 years ago, 🇺🇦 and 🇬🇧 established diplomatic relations. Three decades later, we have reached the level of strategic partnership. We’ll continue deepening ties between us, bringing our peoples and the countries ever closer to each other! pic.twitter.com/eMnmtGPCcg
The Ministry of Defence has provided the latest Defence Intelligence update regarding the situation in Ukraine.
Take a look at the map below.
The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing.
The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 10 January 2023
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/FhpMoOGp5H
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/IOX6qI8kIq
Russian forces have reportedly shelled border settlements in Sumy, Chernihiv oblasts over 40 times on January 10, The Kyiv Independent reports.
They cited Ukraine’s Northern Operational Command, which added that one village in the northern Chernihiv Oblast was shelled 21 times.
A senior Tory MP has said Britain should “absolutely” supply Ukraine‘s forces with Challenger 2 tanks and do “far more to put this fire out”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme, Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee said: ''
This is our war, but we’ve left the Ukrainians to do the fighting.
“It’s not just the moralistic issue here, it’s the fact that Russia is now pushing this against the wider West, so I very much welcome the fact that we’re now thinking about sending main battle tanks.
“It does show how far we’ve come in our willingness to look Putin in the eye and not be spooked by his rhetoric, and we’re finally sending this much-needed serious hardware to Ukraine.
“NATO essentially has been benched. We should be doing far more to put this fire out and we’re not doing that.”
Final decisions regarding the provision of tanks are still ongoing according to the Prime Minister’s official spokesman.
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