Russia Ukraine news LATEST — Putin ally claims ‘no chance of peace talks’ as Ukrainians warned of further blackouts

More information revealed on Russian airbase attack

The British Ministry of Defence has shared some new information regarding the missiles that hit Russian airbases yesterday.

The statement reads: “On 05 December 2022, multiple open sources reported explosions at Engels Airbase, in Russia’s Saratov Oblast, and at Dyagilyaevo airfield near Ryazan, south-east of Moscow.

“Two Tu-95 BEAR heavy bombers were reportedly damaged at Engels and three people were killed when a fuel tank exploded at Dyagilyaevo.

“The causes of the explosions have not been confirmed. However, if Russia assesses the incidents were deliberate attacks, it will probably consider them as some of the most strategically significant failures of force protection since its invasion of Ukraine.

“The sites are much deeper inside Russia than previous similar explosions: Engels is over 600km from Ukrainian-controlled territory.

“Engels is the main operating base of Russia’s Long Range Aviation (LRA) within western Russia and is home to more than 30 heavy bombers.

“These aircraft contribute to Russia’s nuclear deterrent and have also frequently been used to launch conventional cruise missiles at Ukraine. The LRA is likely to respond by temporarily moving bombers to dispersal airfields.

“The Russian chain of command will probably seek to identify and impose severe sanctions on Russian officers deemed responsible for allowing the incident.”

Russian attacks designed to ‘inflict as much damage as possible’

The head of Ukraine’s Ukrenergo energy operator has slammed the brutality of Russia’s attacks yesterday.

“The time that Russians chose for this attack was connected with their desire to inflict as much damage as possible,” Volodymyr Kudrytskyi said.

At least four people were killed in Russian bombing yesterday.

60 Ukrainian POWs freed in prisoner swap

As Ukraine celebrates Armed Forces Day, 60 of its soldiers have been freed from Russian captivity.

Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, took to Twitter to detail the exchange.

He said: "Another successful POWs swap.

"Symbolically, it took place on the Armed Forces Day. 60 people are coming home.

"Among them are army servicemen, the National and Border Guards."

Russian official accuses Ukraine of 'nuclear terrorism'

A top Russian official has accused Ukraine of attacking the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, accused Kyiv of launching over 30 missiles at Europe's largest nuclear power station, reports the Guardian.

“Our units are taking all measures to ensure the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,” Shoigu said.

“In turn, the Kyiv regime seeks to create the appearance of a threat of a nuclear catastrophe by continuing to deliberately shell the site.

“We classify these attacks by Ukrainian troops as nuclear terrorism,”

Putin lackey dismisses idea of peace talks

One of Putin's top allies has dismissed the idea of peace talks with Ukraine.

Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said: "The outcome should be a just and durable peace - one can agree with this.

"But as for the prospects for some sort of negotiations, we do not see any at the moment."

Prosecutor General’s Office records over 51,000 Russian war crimes

According to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office, the Russian military has committed 51,161 war crimes and crimes of aggression in Ukraine since the start of the war, the Kyiv Independent reports.

The figures come after the Prosecutor General’s Office latest report on December 4.

Britain pays tribute to Ukraine on Armed Forces Day

The British Ministry of Defence took to Twitter today to pay tribute to the brave soldiers of Ukraine on their Armed Forces Day.

"On Ukrainian Armed Forces Day, we salute the men and women of Ukraine’s Armed Forces who are fighting to free their nation," the MoD said.

"Thousands of Ukrainians from all walks of life have received basic training in the UK to help prepare them for the frontline."

Brave Brit POW returns to Ukraine and speaks about terrifying moment he was captured by Russia

Shaun Pinner has returned to Ukraine and spoken for the first time about the moment he was captured by Russian forces in his daring bid to escape the siege of Mariupol.

The ex-Royal Anglian soldier, had been fighting alongside Ukrainian troops when he was captured.

He also revealed how army training in resistance to interrogation helped him endure torture, starvation and beatings during six brutal months as a prisoner of war.

Shaun said: ”I feel like the luckiest man alive. People ask if I am religious. I was for those six months in captivity. Every day.”

Read more here.

In pictures: Life in Kyiv as city hit with power cuts

Kyiv has been hit with almost-constant power cuts in recent weeks, as the Kremlin seeks to destroy Ukraine’s infrastructure amid a freezing winter.

Still, the steadfast Ukrainian people have found ways to live.

Russian lossses surpass 92,000 as war enters tenth month

Russian losses have now surpassed 92,000, accoridng to Ukrainian military sources this morning.

510 of these casualties reportedly came in the last 24 hours.

This comes as two Russian airbases were struck with missiles of unknown origin.

Video of smoke rising from Russian airbase shared online

A video allegedly showing smoke rising from one of the Russian airbases hit by missiles yesterday.

Shared by Aric Toler of Bellingcat, the video reportedly shows the aftermath of an attack in Kursk.

Russian attacks designed to 'inflict as much damage as possible'

The head of Ukraine's Ukrenergo energy operator has slammed the brutality of Russia's attacks yesterday.

“The time that Russians chose for this attack was connected with their desire to inflict as much damage as possible,” Volodymyr Kudrytskyi said.

At least four people were killed in Russian bombing yesterday.

More information revealed on Russian airbase attack

The British Ministry of Defence has shared some new information regarding the missiles that hit Russian airbases yesterday.

The statement reads: "On 05 December 2022, multiple open sources reported explosions at Engels Airbase, in Russia’s Saratov Oblast, and at Dyagilyaevo airfield near Ryazan, south-east of Moscow.

"Two Tu-95 BEAR heavy bombers were reportedly damaged at Engels and three people were killed when a fuel tank exploded at Dyagilyaevo.

"The causes of the explosions have not been confirmed. However, if Russia assesses the incidents were deliberate attacks, it will probably consider them as some of the most strategically significant failures of force protection since its invasion of Ukraine.

"The sites are much deeper inside Russia than previous similar explosions: Engels is over 600km from Ukrainian-controlled territory.

"Engels is the main operating base of Russia’s Long Range Aviation (LRA) within western Russia and is home to more than 30 heavy bombers.

"These aircraft contribute to Russia’s nuclear deterrent and have also frequently been used to launch conventional cruise missiles at Ukraine. The LRA is likely to respond by temporarily moving bombers to dispersal airfields.

"The Russian chain of command will probably seek to identify and impose severe sanctions on Russian officers deemed responsible for allowing the incident."

Putin’s mobilisation increases threat to Ukraine

Ukrainian forces have begun fighting better trained Russian soldiers following Vladimir Putin’s mobilisation order in September, the commander of their ground forces has said.

General Oleksander Syrskyi said the eastern frontline had become “very tense” and faced daily attacks despite Moscow’s reliance on outdated battle gear.

“Such a number of personnel increased the threat for us and these are not just words – these are new brigades, new battalions that have been trained, this is the replenishment that the army was waiting for because it was exhausted,” he said.

“Those who come now have a better level of training than those who were previously sent to the front.”

Ukraine has reclaimed over half the territory taken by Russia, MoD claims

In a new graphic shared by the British Ministery of Defence, it can be seen that Ukraine has reclaimed over half the land stolen by Russia in its initial invasion.

The MoD said: “Ukraine has liberated around 54% of the maximum amount of extra territory Russia seized since 24 Feb 2022.

“Russia now controls around 18% of internationally recognised areas of Ukraine, including the Donbas."

Over 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in the UK

In a new video shared by the Ministry of Defence on Sunday, Ukrainian recruits can be seen training on British soil.

Over 7,000 Ukrainian freedom fighters have been trained in the UK and all have been equipped with a military kit for when they return home.

Russia says oil price cap won’t affect the war

The Kremlin has claimed a price cap on Russian oil won’t affect the war in Ukraine.

The EU, G7 and Australia agreed to slap the $60-per-barrel limit to Russia’s exports of crude oil.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it would “not recognise” the cap, adding: “The economy of the Russian Federation has all the necessary potential to fully meet the needs and requirements of the special military operation.

“These measures will not affect this.”

An EU embargo on seaborne deliveries of Russian crude oil came into effect yesterday, with the price cap aimed at stopping Russia bypassing the embargo by selling to third countries at high prices.

Brave Brit POW returns to Ukraine and speaks about terrifying moment he was captured by Russia

Shaun Pinner has returned to Ukraine and spoken for the first time about the moment he was captured by Russian forces in his daring bid to escape the siege of Mariupol.

The ex-Royal Anglian soldier, had been fighting alongside Ukrainian troops when he was captured.

He also revealed how army training in resistance to interrogation helped him endure torture, starvation and beatings during six brutal months as a prisoner of war.

Shaun said: ”I feel like the luckiest man alive. People ask if I am religious. I was for those six months in captivity. Every day.”

Read more here.

Nine killed in eastern Luhansk region yesterday

Nine people were killed in Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk yesterday, according to Russian-backed military officials.

The news came after Ukraine shelled the city of Alchevsk, the state-run TASS news agency reported.

Russian oil cap begins in a bid to pressure Putin on Ukraine

Western countries have started imposing a $60-per-barrel price cap and ban on some types of Russian oil.

The ban comes as part of new measures aimed at stepping up pressure against Russia over its war on Ukraine.

The European Union, along with Australia, Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States have agreed to the price cap.

Russian forces continue attacks

The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported that Russian forces launched seven missiles, 32 airstrikes, and over 50 MLRS attacks against Ukraine across Sunday and Monday.

Ukraine repelled Russian attacks near 13 settlements in Luhansk, Donetsk oblasts.

The Ukrainian military also shot down one Ka-52 helicopter and four UAVs.

Ukraine’s ministry of defence warns against fake news

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Ukraine’s ministry of defence recounted some of the so-called fake news stories shared about the country’s soldiers.

The tweet read: “Last spring, russian propaganda about genetically-modified Ukrainian pigeons.

“Now, conspiracy theories about “cloned” Ukrainian soldiers.

“Next will be ‘“super soldiers”’ genetically modified in secret biolabs. Captain Ukraine? Nope. Every soldier of Ukraine’s Armed Forces is a superhero.”

In pictures: Life in Kyiv as city hit with power cuts

Kyiv has been hit with almost-constant power cuts in recent weeks, as the Kremlin seeks to destroy Ukraine’s infrastructure amid a freezing winter.

Still, the steadfast Ukrainian people have found ways to live.

’50-100′ Russian troops killed in clashes in Bakhmut everyday

The Ukrainian military has estimated between “50 and 100” Russian troops die in Bakhmut every day.

The eastern city was previously described as the epicentre of Russia’s invasion.

Russian oil price cap to have 'no impact' on long-term prices, White House claims

A top US official has dismissed the notion that the West's cap on Russian oil prices could impact the global economy.

National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby said today: “We don’t believe that it’s going to have any impact long-term on global oil prices.”

The price cap limits Russian oil being bought for more than $60 per barrel.