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STAND DEFIANT Updated: 23:05, 28 Apr 2023UKRAINE has sent a defiant message to Russia’s Vladimir Putin as it near readiness for its much-anticipated spring counteroffensive.
Ukraine’s soldiers are nearing the end of their months-long preparations for the upcoming spring offensive, the country’s defence minister has said.
Oleksii Reznikov said: “As soon as there is God’s will, the weather and a decision by commanders, we will do it,” reports Reuters.
He added: “Globally speaking, we are to a high percentage ready.”
This comes as Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian civilian centres, with a Kremlin strike killing at least 19 people, including a 10-year-old, in Uman today.
Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news…
Henry Moorejust now
Air raid sirens sounded around Kyiv in the first attack against the city in almost two months
Air raid sirens were heard around Kyiv this morning after Russia launched barbaric missile strikes.
Ukraine‘s air force intercepted 11 cruise missiles and two unmanned aerial vehicles over the capital, according to the Kyiv City Administration.
Air raid sirens started at about 4am and the alert ended about two hours later.
The attack was the first on the capital since March 9.
Henry Moore33 minutes ago
Two children among at those killed by Russian missile strike on Ukraine apartment block
At least 19 people including two children have been killed after Russian missiles hit an apartment block in Ukraine.
In Uman, 19 people died and 17 were left injured when a rocket struck a high-rise apartment building, sparking a huge blaze.
Shocking footage and photos showed a raging inferno at the site, with several floors destroyed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said rescuers are frantically trying to make sure no one else is trapped under the rubble.
Amanda CastroToday, 21:30
Zelensky shares condolences
On his Telegram channel, he wrote: “My condolences to everyone who lost their loved ones because of the Russian terror.
“I am grateful to our air forces, our anti-aircraft gunners, everyone who helps overcome the consequences of enemy attacks, everyone who protects our people.
“This Russian terror must face a fair response from Ukraine and the world. And it will.
“Every such attack, every evil act against our country and people brings the terrorist state closer to failure and punishment, not vice versa, as they think.
“We will not forget any crime, we will not let any invader avoid responsibility.”
Amanda CastroToday, 21:00
Hundreds rescued in Sudan
Ukraine‘s military intelligence said it rescued 138 civilians, including 87 Ukrainians, from the fighting raging on in Sudan.
Most of the Ukrainian nationals were aviation specialists and their families.
Peruvian and Georgian citizens were also evacuated from Sudan.
The GUR military intelligence agency posted on Telegram: “Among them are 35 women and 12 children.”
The evacuees were taken to Egypt for medical attention.
Amanda CastroToday, 20:30
Raids in Dnieper River
Ukrainian military personnel based on the western side of the Dnieper River are regularly carrying out raids on the eastern bank near Kherson to expel Russian troops and reduce their combat capabilities, according to the deputy head of Kherson’s regional administration, Yuriy Soboleviskiy.
Since retreating in November last year, Russian forces have held the eastern side of the river and have been shelling Kherson city.
Mr Soboleviskiy told Ukrainian television: “Our military visit the left [eastern] bank very often, conducting raids. The Ukrainian armed forces are working, and working very effectively.
“The results will come as they did on the right bank of the Kherson region when, thanks to a complex and long operation, they were able to liberate our territories with minimal losses for our military. The same thing happens now on the left bank.”
Amanda CastroToday, 20:00
Putin will likely not back down
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) claimed that the chances of Vladimir Putin backing down, even if Ukraine is successful in its much anticipated counteroffensive this spring, are “less than zero”.
In an update, ISW said: “Senior US and EU officials assess that Russian President Vladimir Putin would remain unwilling to negotiate in response to a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive.”
Celeste Wallander, US assistant defence secretary, said there is “very little evidence” to suggest Putin would alter his strategy of subjugating Ukraine “politically, if not fully militarily.”
Amanda CastroToday, 19:30
UK coast complied with ‘international rules of airspace use’
The Russian defence ministry has claimed that the two Tu-160 planes accompanied by a MiG-31 fighter, which were seen north of the Shetland Islands, complied with “international rules of airspace use”.
The ministry said: “Two Tu-160 strategic missile carriers of the Russian Aerospace Forces have performed a scheduled flight in the airspace above neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian seas, lasting over 14 hours,” said the Russian defence ministry.
“All flights of Russian Aerospace Forces’ planes are carried out in strict compliance with international rules of airspace use.”
Amanda CastroToday, 19:00
Putin orders Tu-160 jets to patrol sea near Shetlands
Two Russian nuclear bombers have been spotted skirting the coast of Britain in a chilling show of force by Vladimir Putin.
Two Tu-160 planes were seen north of the Shetland Islands and were accompanied by a MiG-31 fighter during the 14-hour mission, which comes amid mounting tensions between Russia and the West.
It is the third time in a week the Russian tyrant has staged patrols of his nuclear strike aircraft and the second time in 12 days they have flown over the Norwegian Sea with Tu-160s.
A video shows the bombers – nicknamed the White Swans – being refuelled in flight during the mission, which comes after a similar display back in February.
Please click here to read more and watch the video.
Amanda CastroToday, 18:30
Leaked docs reveal Ukraine’s plot to launch ‘mass strikes’ on Moscow
Ukraine plotted an audacious attack on Moscow to mark the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion, leaked spy documents have revealed.
The mass strikes were ultimately called off after the United States intervened and warned Kyiv its plan could lead to a nuclear war between the West and Russia.
Tensions have been mounting amid Russian nuclear sabre-rattling with Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Putin’s security council, saying the world is “sick” and on the brink of “a new world war”.
Ukrainian drones have already crashed near Vladimir Putin’s capital while Kyiv has been suspected of behind sabotage attacks carried out near the city.
These include explosions and fires at shopping malls as well as energy facilities.
The plans for the February 24 attack on Moscow by Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence, were revealed in classified documents seen by the Washington Post.
Please click here to read more.
Sophie GableToday, 18:00
Russia ‘welcomes’ call between President Zelensky and Xi Xinping
The Kremlin is said it “welcomes” Wednesday’s call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
A spokesperson for the Russian government said it supports any moves that could lead to peace in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added Russia knows what the two leaders talked about during their call, which was reportedly the first between the pair since Putin’s invasion last year.
Sophie GableToday, 17:30
Russian foreign minister accuses US of ‘destroying globalisation’
At the UN summit in New York, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has accused America of “destroying globalisation”.
Lavrov accused the International Monetary Fund of working for the “achievement of the goals of the United States and their allies including goals of a military nature.”
He also said the US took “the path of destroying globalisation, which for many years they have raised up as the highest benefit of all humanity”.
He added: “The western colleagues have long found it inconvenient to reach agreement through [the] universal format such as the United Nations for ideological, justified polices to undermine multilateralism and abandonment of democracy.”
Sophie GableToday, 17:00
MoD release latest intelligence update
The Ministry of Defence has released its latest intelligence update on the war in Ukraine.
It has been claimed that Russia’s International Army Games has likely been cancelled because of concerns that it may be seen as “frivolous in wartime”.
Henry MooreToday, 16:30
Russian losses near 190,000 as fighting rages on
Russian losses have continued to soar this week, as Putin’s war in Ukraine rages in.
The Kremlin suffered 540 casualties over the past 24 hours, according to Ukraine’s military.
This brings total Russian losses to an estimated 189,460.
These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of April 28, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/3zgBUywKJn
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 28, 2023
Henry MooreToday, 16:00
Who controls what in Ukraine?
The British Ministry of Defence has shared a look at the current state of play on the ground in Ukraine.
This comes as Ukraine’s forces prepare for their spring counteroffensive in an effort to win back the east of the country.
Henry MooreToday, 15:30
President Zelensky shares more footage from brutal Russian strike
President Zelensky has shared another grim look at the impact of Russia’s brutal overnight strike in Uman.
Taking to Twitter, Zelensky wrote: “Uman… The rubble is still being cleared. There are already 13 dead
“Two of them are children that can’t be identified. The fate of their parents is unknown… The rescuers will work until they make sure that no one else is left under the rubble.
“We can defeat Russian terror together only – with weapons for Ukraine, the toughest sanctions against the terrorist state, and fair sentences for the Russian killers.”
Since his tweet, the death toll has risen to at least 19 people.
Uman… The rubble is still being cleared. There are already 13 dead. Two of them are children that can’t be identified. The fate of their parents is unknown… The rescuers will work until they make sure that no one else is left under the rubble. We can defeat Russian terror… pic.twitter.com/j6jk8HZWkq
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 28, 2023
Henry MooreToday, 15:00
Ukraine shoots down 21 missiles in one night
Ukraine shot down the vast majority of Russian missiles sent toward the nation last night.
“Ukrainian air defenders shot down 21 of 23 missiles and 2 drones,” the defence ministry said in a statement this morning.
However, early on Friday morning, Russia launched a wave of attacks on civilian centres.
The strike, which hit an apartment building in Uman, has killed at least 17 people.
Henry MooreToday, 14:30
Nato allies send over 1,500 combat vehicles to Ukraine
Nato has sent 1,550 armoured vehicles and 230 tanks to Ukraine, the alliance’s chief has revealed.
“In total we have trained and equipped more than nine new Ukrainian armoured brigades. This will put Ukraine in a strong position to continue to retake occupied territory,” Jens Stoltenberg said.
Stoltenberg described this aid as “unprecedented” but wanred the Kremlin that Nato would not “underestimate” Russia.
Shanine BruderToday, 14:00
Pictured: Russia launches barbaric missile attack
Putin’s forces have launched a wave of attacks across Ukraine this morning.
Multiple buildings have been left destroyed following the strikes.
Shanine BruderToday, 13:40
‘Each life matters’
The First Lady of Ukraine, Ms Zelenska’s has today spoken out amid overnight missile strikes across the war-torn country.
She said: ”Each life matters – but the worst is when children suffer because of war… Kyiv region – missile parts hit a high-rise building, a child was wounded.
”Dnipro – missile hit a house – a two-year-old girl and a woman were killed. Eternal memory… This pain will be with us forever.”
Shanine BruderToday, 13:20
Death toll rises
According to Uman’s regional governor Ihor Taburets, as of 2.47 pm local time, 17 people are known to be killed in Russia’s missile strike on Uman.
The rescue operation continues.
Shanine BruderToday, 13:20
Death toll rises
According to Uman’s regional governor Ihor Taburets, as of 2.47 pm local time, 17 people are known to have been killed in Russia’s missile strike on Uman.
The rescue operation continues.
Shanine BruderToday, 13:00
Air raid sirens sounded around Kyiv in the first attack against the city in almost two months
Air raid sirens were hear around Kyiv this morning after Russia launched barbaric missile strikes.
Ukraine’s air force intercepted 11 cruise missiles and two unmanned aerial vehicles over the capital, according to the Kyiv City Administration.
Air raid sirens started at about 4am and the alert ended about two hours later.
The attack was the first on the capital since March 9.
Shanine BruderToday, 12:40
Two children among at least 13 killed by Russian missile strike on Ukraine apartment block
At least 13 people including two children have been killed after Russian missiles hit an apartment block in Ukraine.
In Uman, 13 people died and 17 were left injured when a rocket struck a high-rise apartment building, sparking a huge blaze.
Shocking footage and photos showed a raging inferno at the site, with several floors destroyed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said rescuers are frantically trying to make sure no one else is trapped under the rubble.
Shanine BruderToday, 12:20
Kyiv ‘tries to kill Putin with kamikaze drone’
Ukraine tried to assassinate Vladimir Putin using a drone packed with explosives, it’s been claimed.
The wreckage of one of Kyiv’s drones was discovered just a few miles from Moscow earlier this week and it’s believed it either overflew or was circling the Russian capital.
The UJ-22 drone was found in woods in the Noginsk area and its location is closer to Moscow than any previously disclosed Ukrainian attack drone.
Police said it was stuffed with 17kg of Canadian M112 explosive charges.
But it’s now been claimed the drone was on a mission to kill Vladimir Putin, who was on a visit to a newly built industrial park just a few miles away on Sunday.
The claim has been made by in a by Ukrainian activist Yuriy Romanenko who tweeted “our intelligence officers received information about Putin’s trip to the industrial park in Rudnevo”.
Shanine BruderToday, 12:00
‘The way to peace is to kick Russia out of Ukraine’
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has today commented on the overnight attacks in Ukraine.
Taking to Twitter, Kuleba said ”Missile strikes killing innocent Ukrainians in their sleep, including a 2-years-old child, is Russia’s response to all peace initiatives.
”The way to peace is to kick Russia out of Ukraine. The way to peace is to arm Ukraine with F-16s and protect children from Russian terror.”
Missile strikes killing innocent Ukrainians in their sleep, including a 2-years-old child, is Russia’s response to all peace initiatives. The way to peace is to kick Russia out of Ukraine. The way to peace is to arm Ukraine with F-16s and protect children from Russian terror.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 28, 2023
