Audio reveals Vladimir Putin to annex four Russian-held areas of Ukraine on Friday
An attack by Ukraine on annexed regions would be considered an attack on Russia, the Kremlin said as it prepared to takeover chunks of its neighbouring country.
Vladimir Putin is set to formally declare parts of southern and eastern Ukraine as Russian territory on Friday amid international outcry over the move.
Western leaders have said this annexation would be illegal and they would not recognise the four regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - as part of Russia.
Referendums were held last week over whether these Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine should become part of territory. They were considered a sham by Ukraine and western allies.
Mr Putin is set to make a speech and host a ceremony for the annexation expected to become official in Russia on Friday.
Meanwhile in Zaporizhzhia, at least 25 people have been killed and 50 injured in a Russian missile strike on a humanitarian convoy.
Attack on annexed regions would be attack on Russia, Kremlin says
The Kremlin has warned it would consider an attack by Ukraine on regions set to be annexed an attack against Russia itself.
“It would not be anything else,” Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, said.
It came as Ukraine and the West refused to recognise the annexation of four regions in Ukraine that was set to go ahead on Friday.
Dmitry Peskov says Russia would consider an attack on annexed regions an attack on Russia itself
(via REUTERS)
Finland closes border to Russians with tourist visas
Finland’s border with Russia has closed to Russians with tourist visas, curtailing one of the last easily accessible routes to Europe for Russians trying to flee military mobilisation.
Long queues were reported until midnight at the border crossings.
Among the last to enter Finland were two cyclists who arrived a little before 11 pm, according to Finnish broadcaster YLE.
Convoy strike death toll rises
The death toll of the Russian strike on a civilian convoy in southern Ukraine is reported to have risen.
The general prosecutor’s office said 25 people were killed and 50 wounded in the attack in Zaporizhzhia.
Full story: Putin set to formally annex four regions today
Vladimir Putin is set to formally announce the annexation of four regions in Ukraine as Western leaders insist they will refuse to consider them part of Russian territory.
He is expected to declare Russia has absorbed areas of eastern and southern Ukraine on Friday following referendums considered a sham by Kyiv and beyond.
‘Putin cannot be allowed to alter international borders using brute force,’ UK prime minister says
Images from deadly Russian strike on civilian convoy
Images are now coming out of the deadly Russian strike on a civilian convoy in southeastern Ukraine.
At least 23 people were killed in the attack on vehicles in Zaporizhzhia, which is set to officially be declared as part of Russia later today.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, said four Russian missiles struck a car market as well as an area where civilians had gathered leaving to pick up relatives.
A police officer covers stands next to a van damaged by the Russian missile strike
(REUTERS)
At least 23 were killed in the strike in southeastern Ukraine
(REUTERS)
A crater was eft by a Russian missile strike that hit a convoy of civilian vehicles in Ukraine
(REUTERS)
Annexation ‘breach of international law’, UK PM says
Liz Truss has accused Vladimir Putin of breaching international law, as the Russian President plans to formally annex four Ukrainian regions.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said: “Vladimir Putin has, once again, acted in violation of international law with clear disregard for the lives of the Ukrainian people he claims to represent.
“The UK will never ignore the sovereign will of those people and we will never accept the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as anything other than Ukrainian territory.
“Putin cannot be allowed to alter international borders using brute force. We will ensure he loses this illegal war.”
(AP)
‘We are just telling you we have nuclear weapons,’ Russian politician says
Evgeny Popov also outlined what he considers Russia’s approach to nuclear weapons.
“We are not threatening anybody with our nuclear weapon. We just tell you we have nuclear weapons,” he claimed.
The Dumas member said Russia would not use them first, but only in response to a nuclear attack on its territory.
“Using nuclear weapon in 21st century, it is an insane decision. We are not insane,” Mr Popov said.
Russia ‘must defend’ people in Donbas, Putin supporter claims
Evgeny Popov, a Putin supporter and member of the Russian Dumas, has just been on Sky News talking about annexation and the Ukraine war.
When asked about warnings from Western leaders the annexation would be illegal, Mr Popov said it was considered “legal for Russia” and claimed his country “must defend” people in the Donbas. “They have been living under Ukrainian shelling for the last eight years,” he claimed.
The politician was also asked about reports of Russians fleeing the country after being called up for military service. “Yes, some people are fleeing Russia. But much more people – hundred thousand people – are joining the army now,” he told Sky News.
The Putin supporter claimed annexation was ‘legal’ for Russia
(Sky News)
‘Serving Russia is a real job,’ St Petersburg billboard says
Here is an image from St Petersburg today. The billboard carries the slogan: “Serving Russia is a real job.”
Young men walk past the billboard in the Russian city
(AFP via Getty Images)
ICYMI: Russian war dead have their sins forgiven, Russian Orthodox Church says
Russian soldiers who die in the line of duty in Ukraine have all of their sins forgiven, the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church proclaimed in a sermon, comparing their sacrificial death to that of Jesus.
Here is a reminder of what happened earlier this week:
The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church says Russian soldiers who die in the line of duty in Ukraine have all of their sins forgiven
