VLADIMIR Putin is "facing ruin" if Russia's new major military offensive fails according to a Ukrainian spy chief.
Ukraine has been warning over the winter that Vladimir Putin's forces will be gearing up for renewed attack in 2023.
However, the deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence, Vadym Skibitsky, told news site Delfi: "If the major Russian offensive planned for this time fails, it will be the ruin of Russia and Putin."
It comes as Ukraine's Armed Forces have claimed to have "shot down three Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters" within the space of 30 minutes.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine said today: "For half an hour of anti-aircraft combat from 00:00 to 00:30 on January 24, units of the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed three Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters in the eastern direction."
Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news…
Emergency blackouts affected five Ukrainian regions yesterday, including four cities, according to Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s electricity transmission system operator.
Supply couldn’t keep up with demand following the electricity network and power plants being targeted by Russian drone and missile attacks on January 14.
Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Lviv, and the Volyn province exceeded consumption limits earlier today, leading to the shutdowns.
Ukrenergo said they were “constantly working to restore damaged facilities affected by enemy attacks.”
They added, however, that “after each subsequent attack by the Russians on the energy infrastructure, recovery becomes increasingly difficult and takes longer.”
In July, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations worked to come up with the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Before the Ukraine war commenced, Russia and Ukraine accounted for almost a quarter of grain exports globally.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, exports plummeted potentially causing a food crisis.
Under this agreed plan, more than 670 ships have been sent out from Ukrainian ports.
Three more carrying wheat and corn have now also sailed to Spain, Turkey and Djibouti.
Mr Lavrov met with South Africa’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor who is in support of a “peaceful resolution” between Ukraine and Russia.
She said: “We are fully alert that conflict, wherever it exists in the world, impacts negatively on all of us, and as the developing world it impacts on us, particularly as the African continent.
“This is why as South Africa we consistently articulate that we will always stand ready to support the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the continent and throughout the globe.”
While visiting South Africa, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov spoke about the West aiding Ukraine in the war.
He said that the “hybrid” conflict with the West is now “almost a real one.”
Mr Lavrov added: “It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation and by the end of March, the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict.
“It is well known and was published openly that our American, British, and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the arrangement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime.”
Yevgeny Prigozhin – who runs the 50,000-strong Wagner private army – hit out at Russian defence chiefs as his relationship with Vladimir Putin strains further.
Prigozhin said: “Female war correspondents go into the absolute heat of [war]. Jail inmates fight better than units of the Guards.
“Servicemen with broken spines pass on their military experience at training camps, moving around like robots.
“And a bunch of clowns try to teach fighters exhausted with hard military labour how many times they ought to shave — and what kind of perfume they must use to greet high commanders.
“I believe we must introduce legal restrictions, and the harshest punishment with a jail term of up to 50 years for the glamorisation of the army.”
The Royal Navy is set to retire a number of weapons this year, including Harpoon cruise missiles.
These missiles can have a maximum range of 240km – six times further than the GMLRS that Britain supplied so far.
The UK is considering the option of providing Ukraine with these missiles.
Defence Minister Baroness Goldie said: “The UK has not ruled out the possibility of providing longer-range weapons to counter Russia’s indiscriminate mass targeting of civilian infrastructure.”
She insisted UK weapons were used “in accordance with international humanitarian law”.
Baroness Goldie added: “We liaise on a daily basis with the Ukrainian Government, and they are clear that equipment provided by the UK is intended for the defence of Ukraine.”
January 24, 2022, marked the 11-month anniversary since Russia invaded Ukraine.
In his nightly address on Monday, President Zelensky pointed out how the 335th day of the war was spent the same as others – "uniting all our forces for one thing – victory."
The Ukrainian President added: "Not of someone against someone among us. But for the sake of the whole of Ukraine. For the sake of the victory of our entire country in the war for freedom and independence for all Ukrainians.
"It will happen. And all the steps necessary for this will be taken.
"I thank all our warriors at the front! Today I would like to celebrate our anti-aircraft gunners of the Air Forces – you gave us a good day. Russian aircraft, helicopter and missiles were shot down.
"I would also like to thank the warriors of the 35th separate marine brigade and the 79th separate air assault brigade for their bravery and the results Ukraine needs in the Donetsk direction. Thank you, guys!"
President Zelensky spoke on how Russians are stealing agricultural supplies from Ukrainian farmers on occupied territory.
He also pointed out a horrifying stat that "about two million Ukrainians were forcibly taken to Russia – deported."
The Ukrainian President said: "At the beginning of this address, I called the Russian war against Ukraine a predatory one.
"And this is not a random word. Perhaps this is exactly what connects the Kremlin with some anti-democratic regimes in various parts of the world, such as the Iranian regime, – what makes them accomplices.
"On the entire territory, temporarily occupied by the Russian troops, robbery is reigning. Everything they have not destroyed, they are stealing and shipping to Russia. Everything…
"Russians are stealing grain and agricultural machinery from Ukrainian farmers. The occupiers dismantle the factories and send the equipment to Russia. Warehouses, shops and people’s homes are being looted.
"And they kidnap people – they see people as a resource. About two million Ukrainians were forcibly taken to Russia – deported.
"The fact that Russia tried to steal the part of our land by declaring an illegal annexation – is the finalization of their predatory policy."
The Ukrainian President aims to win this war and free his country while he's thankful for the United States' aid in it.
In his nightly address on Monday, Zelensky said that once they start working to reform Ukraine, business with the Americans will surely help to also "push forward global economic growth."
Zelensky said: "It is already clear that this will be the largest economic project of our time in Europe. It is obvious that American business can become the locomotive that will once again push forward global economic growth.
"We have already managed to attract attention and have cooperation with such giants of the international financial and investment world as Black Rock, J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs.
"Such American brands as Starlink or Westinghouse have already become part of our, Ukrainian, way. Your brilliant defense systems – such as HIMARS or Bradleys – are already uniting our history of freedom with your enterprises. We are waiting for Patriots. We are looking closely at Abrams."
He finished his speech by saying: "Thanks to all American people – from leaders to every American! God bless our countries and our heroes!"
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said he will not support Sweden’s NATO membership bid.
The news comes following a protest in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm over the weekend where a copy of the Qur’an was burnt.
After a cabinet meeting today, Erdoğan said: “Those who allow such blasphemy in front of our embassy can no longer expect our support for their Nato membership.”
He added: “So you will let terror organisations run wild and then expect our support for getting into Nato.
“That’s not happening.”
In July, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations worked to come up with the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Before the Ukraine war commenced, Russia and Ukraine accounted for almost a quarter of grain exports globally.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, exports plummeted potentially causing a food crisis.
Under this agreed plan, more than 670 ships have been sent out from Ukrainian ports.
Three more carrying wheat and corn have now also sailed to Spain, Turkey and Djibouti.
Russian forces have been hit with heavy losses once again according to Ukraine's armed forces.
A further 690 troops have been killed within the past 24 hours according to the ministry taking the total to 122,170.
"No matter how extensive Moscow’s aggression, it does not grant them any legal right to Ukraine."
Pylyp Orlyk
Total combat losses of the enemy from Feb 24 to Jan 24: pic.twitter.com/2lsBmJsfWP
Volunteers Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw have been killed while attempting a humanitarian evacuation from Soledar, Mr Parry's family have confirmed.
His family has said: "We never imagined we would be saying goodbye to Chris when he had such a full life ahead of him. He was a caring son, fantastic brother, a best friend to so many and a loving partner to Olga.
"Chris was a confident, outward looking and adventurous young man who was loyal to everyone he knew. He lived and worked away as a software engineer but Cornwall was always his home.
"He loved rock climbing, cycling, running and skydiving and wanted to travel the world.
"He found himself drawn to Ukraine in March in its darkest hour at the start of the Russian invasion and helped those most in need, saving over 400 lives plus many abandoned animals.
"It is impossible to put into words how much he will be missed but he will forever be in our hearts. We feel so privileged that he chose our family to be part of."
A Russian warship armed with “unstoppable” hypersonic missiles is sailing towards the US coast in a show of strength, reports claim.
The guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov has been closely monitored by Nato navies on its maiden voyage armed with 6,670mph Zircon weapons.
An unconfirmed Russian Telegram channel report says it was “spotted on radar in neutral waters of the Atlantic Ocean – at an effective salvo launch distance from the US coast”.
The nuclear-capable Mach 9 missiles have a reported range of 625 miles.
The Russian defence ministry has not commented on the latest report.
It comes after the Royal Navy intercepted the Gorshkov as it sailed through the English Channel earlier this month.
According to reports, German chancellor Olaf Scholz has decided to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow other countries to do so.
Magazine Spiegel has reported that the green light has been given to countries including Poland to send tanks to Ukraine.
Reuters reported that the German defence ministry was not immediately available for comment.
Putin's leadership is beginning to fray at the seams as he sacked a top colonel amid 'continued divisions' in the Kremlin.
New intelligence from the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) claims 'continued divisions' are continuing to disrupt Putin's flawed invasion of Ukraine, which has seen scores of Russian soldiers killed.
The ministry tweeted: "General Colonel Mikhail Teplinsky has likely been dismissed as one of Russia’s key operational commanders in Ukraine."
It added: "Teplinsky’s dismissal is likely another symptom of continued divisions within the senior hierarchy of Russia’s operation as General Valery Gerasimov attempts to impose his personal authority on the campaign."
A top Ukrainian official told ABC News around 100 Leopard 2 tanks will be sent to Ukraine if approval is given by Germany.
The agreements were made at the Ramstein US Air Force Base in Germany last week, according to reports.
Polish defence minister Mariusz Blaszczak appealed to Germany "to join the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks".
According to a new legislative proposal, in a further crackdown of rights, Russians wishing to leave the country by automobile may have to reserve times and dates with government officials.
Drivers will need to ensure they make a reservation online and provide a list of documents if they wish to cross the border, according to a draft of the bill.
A section of the document reads: "The passage of vehicles belonging to Russian carriers, foreign carriers, citizens of Russia, foreign citizens, stateless persons and others on sections of highways in order to cross the state border of the Russian Federation is carried out on a reserved date and time in accordance with the procedure established by the government of the Russian Federation."
US officials said they may send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, according to reports.
US officials speaking anonymously said they weren’t aware of a final decision, however.
Lawmakers in the US have stated that even a symbolic number of tanks provided would encourage European allies to do the same.
Britain said it will supply 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set its Doomsday Clock – which highlights existential risk to the world – at 90 seconds to midnight.
This is the closest it has ever been to midnight, or Armageddon, since its introduction in 1947.
President and CEO of the Bulletin, Rachel Bronson, said the clock had been moved forward from last year’s position of 1000 seconds to midnight “largely, though not exclusively, because of the mounting dangers in the war in Ukraine.”
Deputy head of Russia's security council, Dmitry Medvedev, countered numerous claims they are running out of weapons and artillery.
Medvedev said: "I would like to disappoint them. We have enough of everything.
"The pace that has been established since the beginning of the year needs undoubtedly to be preserved in the present period."
Four people have been injured following the shelling of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region today, according to reports.
Governor Pavlo KyrylenkoIn released a statement on Telegram: "This shelling is another Russian crime and another proof that there are no absolutely safe places in Donetsk region. Save your life – evacuate!"
Two children were among the injured, he added.
According to the Kyiv Independent, Ukraine has dismissed deputy minister Vasyl Lozynskiy.
The former minister allegedly received a $400,000 (£322,870) bribe.
He was detained on January 21 by the The National Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, said western allies would need to send “several hundred” tanks to Ukraine to make an impact.
Yermak posted on Telegram: “We need tanks – not 10-20, but several hundred.
“Our goal is [restoring] the borders of 1991 and punishing the enemy, who will pay for their crimes.”
The tanks would be used in an effort to retake Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces.
According to Ukraine's armed forces, a further 690 Russian troops were killed in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 122,170.
Defence of Ukraine tweeted: "'No matter how extensive Moscow’s aggression, it does not grant them any legal right to Ukraine.' Pylyp Orlyk"
"No matter how extensive Moscow’s aggression, it does not grant them any legal right to Ukraine."
Pylyp Orlyk
Total combat losses of the enemy from Feb 24 to Jan 24: pic.twitter.com/2lsBmJsfWP
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