Russia-Ukraine war live: Putin tries to claim Russia isn’t after Kharkiv – despite massive attack on region
Volodymyr Zelensky claims his forces have ‘stabilised’ a Russian attack in northeast Kharkiv region
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed there are “no plans” to take the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv despite tens of thousands of his forces having recently stormed across the border into the region and getting within artillery range of the city.
Speaking on the second day of his two-day tour of China, Putin claimed he had ordered the attack to create a “buffer zone” between Ukrainian soldiers and the Russian region of Belgorod.
When asked if Russian forces planned to take control of Kharkiv city, some 20 miles from the current fighting, Putin said: “As for Kharkiv, there are no such plans as of today.”
While Ukrainian officials and military analysts maintain that Russian forces in the Kharkiv region do not have the manpower or weaponry to take its namesake capital, and that the attack is likely an attempt to create a “buffer zone”, as Putin puts it, as well as draw Ukrainian forces away from other battles further east, there is little doubt that Russia would try to invade the city if it had the capability.
Russian forces expanded area of active combat by almost 70 km, Ukraine's army chief says
Russian forces have expanded the area of active combat by almost 43 miles (70 km) by launching their offensive in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine's army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Friday
“The enemy expanded the zone of active hostilities by almost 70 kilometers, thus trying to force us to use an additional number of brigades from the reserve,” he wrote on Telegram.
He added that he expected fighting to intensify as Kyiv troops are also preparing to defend in northern region of Sumy.
Zelensky seeks to boost troop morale with visit to Kharkiv as soldiers battle Putin’s advancing forces
Zelensky seeks to boost troop morale with Kharkiv visit as battle rages
Askold Krushelnycky reports from Ukraine’s second city, where the country’s president met with generals. Residents say they will dig in if Putin’s forces get close to support the soldiers fighting on the front line
Photos show Ukrainian soldiers defending against the Russian attack in the northeast Kharkiv region
Some photos have just dropped on the wires showing Ukrainian soldiers fighting against the Russian advance in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
The images are a rare insight into what life is like on the frontlines for Ukrainian soldiers.
Capturing Ukraine's Kharkiv is not part of Russia's current plan, says Putin
President Vladimir Putin has said that capturing the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv is not part of Russia’s current plan and that Russian forces operating nearby are creating a “buffer zone” for Russia’s own security.
Putin, who said that all of the military operations were proceeding according to plan, was speaking at a new conference in China.
More information on the Ukrainian long-range strikes across Russia and occupied Ukraine
We have some more information on the long-range Ukrainian strikes across Russia and occupied Crimea overnight.
A Kyiv intelligence source told Reuters that one of the attacks, on an oil refinery in the coastal Russian village of Tuapse, has caused damage that will require repairs. Another strike on a power station in Sevastopol has also caused power cuts.
How Ukraine’s war changed Oleksandr Usyk – and how it didn’t
How Ukraine’s war changed Oleksandr Usyk – and how it didn’t
As Usyk bids to beat Tyson Fury and become the undisputed heavyweight champion, Alex Pattle speaks to the Ukrainian’s promoter and compatriots about his role in the war and importance back home
Russia expels British defense attaché in a tit-for-tat move
Russia expels British defense attaché in a tit-for-tat move
Russia has declared Brtain’s defense attaché persona non grata and gave the diplomat a week to leave the country in response to London expelling the Russian defense attaché earlier this month over spying allegations
We have some more photos from the Ukrainian battle in Kharkiv
1Below we have some photos showing the Ukrainian battle with advancing Russian forces in the northeast Kharkiv region.
Zelensky signs law allowing some convicts to serve in Ukraine’s army
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a law allowing some categories of convicts to serve in the army, parliament’s database shows.
A separate law enhancing fines for those not abiding by army mobilization rules was signed as well, its entry on the parliament’s website showed.
UK is a de facto participant in Ukraine war, says Russian ambassador
Russia’s ambassador to Britain has said that London is a de facto participant in the Ukraine war because of the weapons it was supplying to Kyiv and said it was also sharing real-time intelligence too.
Andrei Kelin, Russia’s ambassador to Britain, made the comments to Russia’s Rossiya-24 state TV channel.
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