Ukraine-Russia news – live: Putin warns anyone attacking Moscow will be ‘wiped out’

Kremlin’s move violates conditions for nuclear safety, nuclear operator warns

Threat of nuclear war is rising but Russia has not 'gone mad', claims Vladimir Putin

Russian forces have placed Grad multiple-launch-rocket systems on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant’s territory, according to Ukraine’s nuclear energy operator.

The rocket launchers are next to spent nuclear fuel storage units near the plant’s sixth reactor, it said, and are likely to be used to strike cities on the opposite side of the Dnipro River, using the reactor and fuel storage as a “shelter” from return fire, according to Energoatom.

Russia’s move violated conditions for nuclear and radiation safety, the company said in its statement, which was backed by several Ukrainian ministers.

The risk of a nuclear meltdown is greatly reduced as none of the reactors is operating, but experts say a release of radiation is still possible at the Russian-occupied site, it’s been reported.

Ukraine’s atomic power agency has accused Russian forces of abducting two senior staff at the plant and detaining a third.

Meanwhile, Russian forces stepped up their military offensive in Ukraine’s east and shelled the entire frontier with the relentless attacks continuing for most of the week.

The fiercest fighting has raged near the towns of Bakhmut and Avdiivka, the region’s governor Pavlo Kyurylenko said.

Key Points

• Putin’s forces install rocket launchers at Zaporizhzhia plant
• Russia ‘abducts top nuclear site staff’
• Vladimir Putin appears ‘drunk’ as he charges Ukraine for attacks
• Russian opposition politician jailed for eight years
• Demining Ukraine could take years, says Zelensky
• Entire frontline being shelled in Ukraine’s east - officials

[9 December 2022 22:30 · Laura Parnaby]

James Cleverly criticises “sordid deals” between Russia and Iran

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly hit out at what he called “sordid deals” between Russia and Iran, which the UK sees as a threat to global security.

He said: “Iran is now one of Russia’s top military backers.

“Their sordid deals have seen the Iranian regime send hundreds of drones to Moscow, which have been used to attack Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and kill civilians.

“In return, Russia is offering military and technical support to the Iranian regime, which will increase the risk it poses to our partners in the Middle East and to international security.

“The UK will continue to expose this desperate alliance and hold both countries to account.”

[9 December 2022 23:00 · Laura Parnaby]

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the phone about the latest Russian attacks

Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the latest Russian attacks on the country’s infrastructure in a phone call on Friday.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The leaders discussed the fresh wave of Russian attacks on critical national infrastructure in Ukraine and President Zelensky thanked the UK for its crucial support to help restore power through the supply of generators.

“The Prime Minister paid tribute to the success of Ukraine’s Armed Forces in intercepting dozens of potentially devastating missiles this week and said the UK was thinking of the Ukrainian people as they continued to defend their country through the winter.

“Updating on the latest lethal aid deliveries from the UK, the Prime Minister said that more anti-air guns and further short-range air defence missiles would arrive in the coming weeks.

“Both leaders agreed on the importance of pre-empting Russia’s insincere calls for a ceasefire and the Prime Minister added that the Kremlin needed to withdraw its forces before any agreement could be considered.

“The leaders agreed to speak again in the coming weeks.”

[9 December 2022 23:30 · Laura Parnaby]

Russian and Belarusian athletes could be allowed to compete in some 2024 Olympic Games qualifying events

Russian and Belarusian athletes could soon be given the green light to compete in some 2024 Olympic Games qualifying events to be held in Asia.

The International Olympic Committee’s executive board recommended in February that athletes from those two countries be barred from international sports competition following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has been supported by Belarus.

IOC president Thomas Bach has always insisted that recommendation was a “protective measure” for Russian and Belarusian athletes in the face of what his organisation described on Friday as “unacceptable interference” by national governments in trying to block athletes from sports events within their territories from competing.

The reintegration of Russian athletes was the subject of “intense debate” at the Olympic Summit on Friday, the IOC said, and the Olympic Council of Asia gave its blessing to Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in events under its jurisdiction in the run-up to Paris.

[10 December 2022 00:26 · Sam Rkaina]

We’re ending our live coverage of the Ukraine war for the day, but keep checking independent.co.uk for the latest updates.