HEAD of the UK’s armed forces, Sir Tony Radakin, has dismissed claims that Putin could be assassinated, while also issuing a stark warning that Russia remains Britain’s greatest enemy.
Speaking to the BBC this morning, the army chief also noted that he believes Russia has ‘already lost’ the war in Ukraine, due to their slow progress and huge losses.
“What you’re seeing is a Russia, if we focus on the Donbas, that is less than 10 per cent of the territory of Ukraine and we are approaching 150 days,” he told the BBC.
“Russia is struggling to take that territory, and it is struggling because of the courage and determination of the Ukrainian armed forces.”
He went on to say that any hope that Putin is sick, or will be assasinated, in the coming months is “wishful thinking.”
Radakin was sure to warn Brits of Russia’s continuing threat, however, he said: “Its land forces are probably less of a threat in the short term because of that degradation, that depletion that we’re seeing with their struggle in Ukraine.
“But Russia continues to be a nuclear power, it’s got cyber capabilities, it’s got space capabilities, and it’s got particular programmes under water so it can threaten the underwater cables that allow the world’s information to transit around the whole globe.”
Read our Ukraine war live blog below for the latest up-to-date news…
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Bodies of civilians are yet to be identified after Vinnytsia strike
11 bodies, including two children were uncovered after the strike yesterday.
Speaking to Sky News, deputy head of office for President Zelenskiy said “more than 70 people are still in hospital,” and it is thought around 18 are still missing.
The bodies discovered in the ongoing rescue operation are yet to be identified.
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Ukrainian plane carrying mines crashes in Greece
A Ukrainian plane has crashed over Greece, reports claim.
The plane was travelling from Serbia and crashed in Kavala, Greece, causing widespread speculation as to what it where it was heading.
All 8 members of plane’s crew were killed in the crash.
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Ukraine proves western dominance is ending, claims former PM Tony Blair
In a recent lecture, Tony Blair has argued that Russia’s war in Ukraine proves we entering a period of western decline.
He believes that China is instead rising to become the world’s biggest super power.
“We are coming to the end of Western political and economic dominance,” he said during a lecture in Ditchley Park, west London.
“The world is going to be at least bipolar and possibly multipolar,” Blair said. “The biggest geopolitical change of this century will come from China, not Russia.”
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Russian losses as of July 17
Russia has lost over 38,000 troops to date, a new report has claimed.
On top of this, the nation continues to leak equipment and resources.
As of today, Russia has lost 220 planes, as well as 1,677 tanks, all costing millions to replace.
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Three killed in missile attack on Ukrainian city of Dnipro
Roughly three people have been killed and 15 injured in a missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Governor Valentyn Reznychenko said.
“The rockets hit an industrial plant and a busy street next to it,” Mr Rezynchenko said on his Facebook page.
Sky News reports he said: “The Russian attack took the lives of three people, another 15 were injured. We are determining the extent of the destruction.”
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Russian missiles hit Pokrovsk
The local police have confirmed that a barrage of missiles have hit the region of Pokrovsk.
“The enemy hit civilians twice with Iskander-M ballistic missiles. At least 27 houses were damaged. The police documented a Russian war crime,” the press service said.
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In pictures: Ukrainian choir joins the Rolling Stones in Vienna
In heartwarming scenes, a choir consisting of young Ukrainians performed in front of thousands during a Rolling Stones concert on Saturday.
Fans were touched by the emotional gesture, with one writing: “Incredible night. Fu**ing ride. Best Stones show ever seen. Keep on rolling guys. It´s only rock´n´roll but I like it 24/7.”
The choir performed a number of songs, including “can’t always get what you want”, and even joined the band for the encore.
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War could be ‘prolonged’ if UK keeps supplying Ukraine with weapons
Andrei Kelin told Sky News that weapons are being used to bomb civilians in the Donbas region.
He said: “The conflict will end and may end pretty soon because the UK will understand that there is no possibility to win over Russia.
“The conflict will be prolonged in the UK will continue to supply arms, which are now being used also for shelling cities and civillian people in Donbas and in other areas.”
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Russia ‘evacuates’ over 5,000 Ukrainian children in a single day
Yesterday, Russian officials claimed to have “evacuated” 30,000 Ukrainians to Russia, including 5,000 children.
This was done against the will of the Ukrainian government.
This occurred in a single day, with the total number of those forced to move to Russia unknown.
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Russian losses as of July 16
Russia has lost over 38,000 troops to date, a new report has claimed.
On top of this, the nation continues to leak equipment and resources.
As of yesterday, Russia has lost 220 planes, as well as 1,677 tanks, all costing millions to replace.
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Ukraine: Three killed by Russian strike in Kharkiv
Three people were killed after a Russian attack hit the northeast Ukrainian town of Chuhuiv in Kharkiv region overnight, the Governor has said.
Sky News reports that casualties include a 70-year-old woman.
Another three people were injured.
The strike damaged a residential block, a school and a shop, Governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram.
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Russian Defence Ministry: Factory in Dnipro destroyed
Russian troops have destroyed a factory in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro that manufactured pieces for Tochka-U ballistic missiles, the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed in a statement on Saturday.
Guardian Online reports that Russian forces have also shot down three Ukrainian airplanes and two helicopters.
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Russian missile attack at Vinnytsia kills 23
Roughly 23 people, including three children, were killed after a Russian missile struck Ukrainian city Vinnytsia on Thursday.
Independent.co.uk reports that three children, including a four-year-old girl, were killed in the attack on Thursday.
Among the casualties, 71 people were hospitalised and 29 others have been reported missing.
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Zelensky – Russia must be officially acknowledged as terrorist state
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again called for Russia to be officially acknowledged as a terrorist state,
According to Independent.co.uk, he made the plea after a deadly strike in Vinnytsia killed at least 23 people.
“This day once again proved that Russia must be officially recognized as a terrorist state. No other state in the world poses such a terrorist threat as Russia. No other state in the world allows itself to destroy peaceful cities and ordinary human life with cruise missiles and rocket artillery every day,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address on Thursday.
He added: “Three children under the age of ten. And this, unfortunately, is not yet the final number. Debris clearance is ongoing. Dozens of people are listed as missing. Heavily wounded are among those hospitalised”.
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War could be ‘prolonged’ if UK keeps supplying Ukraine with weapons
Andrei Kelin told Sky News that weapons are being used to bomb civilians in the Donbas region.
He said: “The conflict will end and may end pretty soon because the UK will understand that there is no possibility to win over Russia.
“The conflict will be prolonged in the UK will continue to supply arms, which are now being used also for shelling cities and civillian people in Donbas and in other areas.”
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Ukrainian women are seeking abortions in Poland
Some women have faced rape from Russian soldiers, or the death of a spouse and are in need of abortions.
In Poland, abortion is only allowed when a woman’s life or health is at risk.
It is also persisted in cases of rape and incest. But activists have told Reuters it is extremely difficult to access an abortion on those legal grounds.
More groups are protesting for abortions to not be criminalised and a group set up a hotline, the Foundation for Women and Family Planning (FEDERA).
Reuters reported that: “FEDERA provides counselling and legal advice, and directs women to groups elsewhere in Europe that can send pills into Poland, or organise travel and accommodation to undergo an abortion in more liberal places like Germany or the Netherlands.”
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What happened to Paul Urey?
The British aid worker has been reported as deceased by pro-Russian separatists.
Paul Urey, 45, died while in captivity of pro-Russian separatists who detained him at a checkpoint in Zaporizhzhia, around 470 kilometers (290 miles) southeast of Kyiv.
Reported by Associated Press, Presidium Network co-founder Dominik Byrne said Urey had diabetes and needed a regular supply of insulin.
“It’s obvious that his welfare was not looked after,” Byrne said.
He told AP: “The Russian authorities and the Donetsk Peoples Republic knew he had need of insulin but all the way through this the Red Cross has been denied welfare access to him and has never been able to verify his actual conditions in prison.”
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United Arab Emirates agrees diesel supply to France
The agreement is expected to be signed on Monday 18 July.
UAE will guarantee diesel supplies to France, a source at President Emmanuel Macron’s Elysee department has revealed to Reuters.
The UAE president will visit Paris next week, as the two countries agree a bilateral partnership. They will share projects such as nuclear and hydrogen energy.
This comes after France has decided to build other connections as an alternative to relying on Russia, which cut major gas supplies to Europe recently.
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Bodies of civilians are yet to be identified after Vinnytsia strike
11 bodies, including two children were uncovered after the strike yesterday.
Speaking to Sky News, deputy head of office for President Zelenskiy said “more than 70 people are still in hospital,” and it is thought around 18 are still missing.
The bodies discovered in the ongoing rescue operation are yet to be identified.
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Missiles have hit Ukrainian Universities
Reportedly Russia has fired more than 10 missiles at two universities in Ukraine.
The attacks were made earlier today, according to Mykolaiv govenor Vitaliy Kim.
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Cause of death of British aid worker
Paul Urey is thought to have flown to Ukraine to help allies, but was captured by pro-Russian separatists.
Reports have been released that say he died of “illness and stress,” on 10 July.
This is yet to be officially confirmed.
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Ilya Yashin, Russian opposition activist, detained for two months
The activist, who is opposing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was arrested.
He was detained, and will remain in detention until the trial starts in September.
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Kyiv experiencing air raid sirens
Air raid sirens sounded across Kyiv on Saturday as Russia deepened its long-range attack of Ukrainian cities, Sky News reports.
At least 34 people have been killed in the last three days and many more wounded.
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Three killed in missile attack on Ukrainian city of Dnipro
Roughly three people have been killed and 15 injured in a missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Governor Valentyn Reznychenko said.
“The rockets hit an industrial plant and a busy street next to it,” Mr Rezynchenko said on his Facebook page.
Sky News reports he said: “The Russian attack took the lives of three people, another 15 were injured. We are determining the extent of the destruction.”
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Zelenskyy claims air raid sirens are going off across Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed air raid sirens were going off across Ukraine on Friday.
“The occupiers are realising that we are gradually becoming stronger and the purpose of their terror is very simple — to put pressure on us, to put pressure on our society, to intimidate people, to cause maximum harm to Ukrainian cities, at least while the Russian terrorists are still capable of doing it,” he said in his nightly video address to the country, according to Sky News.
He urged his fellow Ukrainians to seek cover.