Ukraine-Russia war latest: Moscow's forces overrun frontline village - as Kremlin dismisses peace

The Ukrainian armed forces has confirmed its soldiers have retreated from a village on the frontline, with Moscow claiming victory. Meanwhile, the Kremlin spokesman has described Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal of a peace plan without Russia's consultation as "laughable".

Image:
The aftermath of a Russian missile strike on a train station in the city of Kostyantynivka in Donetsk. Pic: Reuters

Russian media and officials fail to mention war anniversary

Russian officials and TV gave little coverage to the second anniversary of the war.
Broadcasts by state TV channels Rossiya 1, Channel One and NTV did not mention the significance of the date on Saturday, reported Russian opposition outlet Agentstvo Novosti.
The Institute for the Study of War observed "minimal discussion" by government officials.
"Vladimir Putin and Russian government officials likely refrained from highlighting the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion in an effort to maintain public apathy toward the war that, in part, allows Russian officials to continue the war without significant public backlash," the ISW said.
The strategy avoided drawing attention to Russia's failure to achieve its stated goals in Kyiv or Luhansk and Donetsk, said the ISW
It is significant as the president considers whether to call up a second wave of soldiers, which would be "widely unpopular", it added.

Navalny allies seeking venue for 'public farewell'

Allies of Alexei Navalny are looking for a venue where his supporters can publicly bid him farewell, his spokeswoman has said.
The event will be separate from a funeral and they hope to hold it by the end of the working week, Kira Yarmysh said.
A vigil in Paris
Reuters

Watch: Inside a warship joining NATO's biggest war games since the Cold War

As NATO carries out its biggest exercise since the Cold War, Sky News' Kay Burley has visited a warship preparing to take part.
The Almirante Juan de Borbon, one of five vessels moored in the Southampton port, is Spain's flagship contribution to the drill.
Some 90,000 military personnel will participate in the war games, simulating battles, testing air defences and carrying out evacuation drills.
NATO said: "Steadfast Defender 2024 will demonstrate NATO's ability to deploy forces rapidly from North America and other parts of the Alliance to reinforce the defence of Europe.
"It will show that we can conduct and sustain complex multi-domain operations over several months, across thousands of kilometres, from the high north to central and eastern Europe, and in any conditions."
Watch Burley's tour here...

NATO and EU nations considering 'sending troops to Ukraine'

Several NATO and EU nations are considering sending troops to Ukraine, the prime minister of Slovakia has said.
Robert Fico said he did not know what they would be doing in the country, but he had learnt the information from notes in preparation for a meeting of European leaders in Paris.
Such a move would lead to escalation, said Mr Fico, who has long opposed military supplies to Ukraine and has taken a position seen by some critics as pro-Russian.
"I will limit myself to say that these theses imply a number of NATO and EU member states are considering that they will send their troops to Ukraine on a bilateral basis," he said.
"I cannot say for what purpose and what they should be doing there." 
Reuters

Ukraine's counteroffensive plans were leaked to Russia, Zelenskyy says

Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive plans were leaked to Russia, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.
Moscow obtained sensitive military planning information before the operation began, Mr Zelenskyy's office told Agence France-Presse.
The president said Kyiv was preparing "several" strategies to avoid leaks this year.
The counteroffensive fell short of expectations, failing to make a major breakthrough despite billions in funding from Western allies.
Before and during the counteroffensive, the West was accused of dragging its feet on providing key offensive weapons like modern battle tanks and jets.

Hungary will allow Sweden to join NATO

The Hungarian parliament will approve Sweden's bid to join NATO, says prime minister Viktor Orban.
This brings to an end months of limbo for the application, with Hungary the last of 31 members to ratify Sweden's accession to the alliance.
With Sweden following Finland into NATO, Vladimir Putin has achieved what he sought to avert - an expansion of the alliance.
Stockholm abandoned its non-alignment policy for greater safety in the wake of Russia's invasion.
Finland's membership in NATO also resulted in the expansion Russia's direct border with the alliance.

Human rights veteran could face almost three years in jail for calling Putin fascist

A Russian prosecutor has requested a veteran human rights activist be sentenced to almost three years in jail after he said Vladimir Putin had descended into fascism.
Oleg Orlov, one of the leaders of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights organisation Memorial, is on trial for discrediting Russia's armed forces.
A court has already fined Mr Orlov 150,000 roubles for writing: "We left Communist totalitarianism but now have returned to a different kind of totalitarianism. I call it fascism."
Oleg Orlov and his lawyer
File pic: Reuters
Mr Orlov appealed the verdict, prompting a retrial, in which prosecutors have sought a jail sentence of two years and 11 months, accusing him of "political hatred of Russia".
He denies the charge. A final verdict on the case and sentencing will be announced tomorrow, Memorial said.
The organisation was banned and dissolved in Russia in 2021.
Russia has intensified a long-running clampdown on all forms of political dissent and criminalised any deviation from the government line on what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine.

Berlin tight-lipped on reports Navalny was about to be exchanged for German prisoner

The German government has declined to comment on reports Alexei Navalny was close to being freed before his death.
A spokesperson said the government was aware of claims made by an ally of Mr Navalny, Maria Pevchikh, who said the opposition leader was set to be swapped with Russian hit man Vadim Krasikov, imprisoned in Germany.
A protest in Berlin after the death of Mr Navalny
Reuters
Explained: Ms Pevchikh released a Youtube video alleging Vladimir Putin had Mr Navalny killed because he could not bear the thought of him being free.
Ms Pevchikh said talks were in their final stages to exchange Mr Navalny and two other US nationals, whom she did not name, for Mr Krasikov.

Russia unleashes missiles, drones and artillery on Dnipro

The eastern Dnipro region was attacked by Russian missiles, drones and artillery overnight, according to the governor. 
Serhiy Lysak said the city of Nikopol had been attacked with Russian "kamikaze drones, heavy artillery, and 'Grad' MLRS" - missiles. 
These images reveal the damage wrought by the attacks:
Reuters

Today's Kremlin briefing: Peace talks 'laughable', Navalny ultimatum and CIA helping Ukraine

Dmitry Peskov led the Kremlin's daily media briefing a short while ago - here's a rundown of what he said:
Peace talks without Russia 'laughable' 
Mr Peskov began by describing Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal of a peace plan without Russia's consultation as "laughable". 
The Ukrainian leader said yesterday that Kyiv would come up with a plan alongside international partners at a peace conference in Switzerland later this year, and then present it to Russia for approval. 
Dmitry Peskov
Sputnik/Sergey Guneev/Kremlin via Reuters
Navalny ultimatum 'absurd'
On claims that Russia had exerted pressure on the mother of Alexei Navalny, Mr Peskov dismissed the notion as "absurd". 
An ally of the late Putin critic said the authorities had given his 69-year-old mother Lyudmila Navalnaya an ultimatum - agree within three hours to lay him to rest without a public funeral or he would be buried at the prison.
"I can't comment in any way because the Kremlin has nothing to do with this, so the Kremlin cannot exert pressure. This is another absurd statement by these [Navalny] supporters," Mr Peskov said.
Sanctions no problem
A wave of 500 sanctions imposed by Washington on Russian businesses and individuals after the death of Mr Navalny are of no consequence, Mr Peskov said. 
More are on the way, US officials have said.
But Mr Peskov was unfazed, saying the Russian economy had adapted well to Western sanctions. 
CIA assistance to Ukraine 'well known' 
When pressed on a New York Times report that the US Central Intelligence Agency had been assisting Kyiv, Mr Peskov said this was "well-known". 
He added that intelligence had been provided by the CIA to Ukraine even before the war. 
Putin's trip to Turkey 
Vladimir Putin will visit Turkey and hold talks with Recep Tayyip Erdogan at some point after Russia's 15-17 March presidential election, Mr Peskov said. 
Both leaders' schedules were too packed to meet before the election, he said, as had been suggested previously. 
Mr Putin and Mr Erdogan in 2020
Pavel Golovkin via Reuters

Navalny killed as he was about to be freed in prisoner exchange, ally says

Alexei Navalny was killed because he was about to be exchanged in a prisoner swap, an ally of the late Putin critic has said. 
Maria Pevchikh said Mr Navalny was set to be swapped with a high-profile Russian hitman who had worked with Moscow's FSB security service - referring to Vadim Krasikov. 
Krasikov is in a German prison, serving a life sentence for killing the Georgia-born Chechen dissident Zelimkhan Khangoshvili in a Berlin park in 2019.
A German court claimed it was a "state-ordered" murder. 
Ms Pevchikh said talks on the swap were in their final stages, and Mr Navalny was set to be freed alongside two US nationals.
Those could possibly include US journalist Evan Gershkovich - who has previously been slated to be swapped with Vadim Krasikov in widespread reports - and former US marine Paul Whelan, although this is unconfirmed.
"Navalny should have been out in the next few days because we got a decision about his exchange," she said in a YouTube video.
"In early February, Putin was offered to exchange the killer, FSB officer Vadim Krasikov, who is serving time for a murder in Berlin, for two American citizens and Alexei Navalny." 
Mr Navalny, she alleged, had been killed a day later because Mr Putin could not tolerate the thought of him being free. 
Sky News has not been able to independently verify Ms Pevchikh's claims. 

Ukraine confirms retreat from Donetsk village - and Russia claims control

Ukraine's armed forces have retreated from the Donetsk village of Lastochkyne, according to a spokesman. 
The move will allow Ukraine's forces to regroup - putting them in a better position to stop Russian advances westwards, Dmytro Lykhoviy said.
"Ukrainian Armed Forces units withdrew from the village of Lastochkyne in order to organise defences... and prevent the enemy from advancing further in a western direction," he said. 
Mr Lykhoviy said a new defensive line would be established a few kilometres west of Lastochkyne. 
This marks another significant loss for Ukraine in Donetsk - with the city of Avdiivka falling two weekends ago. 
Russia's defence ministry claimed to have captured the village, according to state media site RIA. 

Belarus fires back at US criticism of 'sham' elections

Belarusians cast their votes yesterday in tightly controlled elections that seem set to continue the rule of Alexander Lukashenko - who has run the former Soviet Union nation for nearly 30 years.
Mr Lukashenko, a key Putin ally, has accused the West of trying to use the vote to undermine his government and "destabilise" the nation.
Mr Lukashenko 
Reuters
A US state department official described the elections as a "sham".
"The United States condemns the Lukashenko regime's sham parliamentary and local elections that concluded today in Belarus," Matthew Miller said yesterday. 
"The elections were held in a climate of fear under which no electoral processes could be called democratic.
"The United States again calls on the Lukashenko regime to end its crackdown, release all political prisoners, and open dialogue with its political opponents. The Belarusian people deserve better."
It marks the first vote since the contentious 2020 election in which Mr Lukashenko won his sixth consecutive term, prompting an unprecedented wave of mass demonstrations.
More than 35,000 people were arrested.
Mr Lukashenko relied on subsidies and political support from main ally Russia to survive the protests - later allowing Moscow to use Belarusian territory to send troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

Kyiv calls for Europe ammunition export ban to countries other than Ukraine

Kyiv has called for a ban on European countries exporting ammunition to other nations other than Ukraine, amid massive battlefield shortages for its soldiers fighting against Russia. 
"All contracts for the export of ammunition produced in Europe to third countries must be put on hold, and all such ammunition should be sent to Ukraine," foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba told German publisher RND. 
"Every cartridge produced in Europe should serve the purpose of defending Europe," he added. 
He blamed Western inaction for the current shortages.
"They [Western allies] decided too late to ramp up their own production, sign long-term contracts and put new production lines into operation," he said. 
"Unfortunately, we are now paying for these mistakes."
Ukrainian servicemen carry shells for a tank in Luhansk region
Reuters

Denmark ends Nord Stream investigation

Denmark has announced it has dropped its investigation into the explosions in 2022 on the Nord Stream pipelines carrying Russian gas to Germany - the second nation to do so after Sweden also closed a separate probe.
"There is not sufficient grounds to pursue a criminal case in Denmark... therefore the Copenhagen Police has decided to conclude the criminal investigation of the explosions," the country's police said in a statement.
Only German investigators are continuing their probe into the explosions - which damaged the multi-billion dollar Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines transporting gas under the Baltic Sea in September 2022. 
Russia and the West have both blamed each other, while both denying involvement. 
Gas bubbles from the Nord Stream 2 leak reaching surface of the Baltic sea 
Reuters

Security Council 'perhaps fatally' undermined by lack of unity, UN chief says

The United Nations' Security Council could have been "fatally" undermined by its members' lack of unity on the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, according to the head of the organisation. 
Antonio Guterres urged serious reforms following months of failures to pass resolutions.
"The Council's lack of unity on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and on Israel's military operations in Gaza following the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October, has severely - perhaps fatally - undermined its authority," he said.
"The Council needs serious reform to its composition and working methods."
The veto power has become a particular talking point of late - with many commentators saying it allows fault lines between member states. 
Any of the five permanent members (China, the US, the UK, Russia and France) can veto any resolution - unlike the wider General Assembly, which requires only a simple majority to pass a resolution. 

Hangars filled with grain hit by Russian missiles

Russia appears to be continuing its targeting of Ukrainian grain infrastructure, with two hangars struck overnight in Kharkiv, according to the region's governor. 
"Around 11pm [last night] the occupiers launched two missile strikes from the S-300 air defence system at the town of Pisochyn," Oleg Sinegubov said. 
"Two civilian hangars with grain were hit," he added. 
Russia has consistency targeted grain infrastructure throughout the war, with Kyiv and many international leaders calling it an attempt by Moscow to "weaponise food". 

Kyiv calls for punishments after 160 tonnes of Ukrainian grain spilled in Poland

Ukraine's deputy prime minister has called on Warsaw to enact swift justice after 160 tonnes of Kyiv's grain was spilled at the Polish border over the weekend. 
"Those who have damaged Ukrainian grain must be found, neutralised, and punished. Two friendly civilised European states are interested in this," Oleksandr Kubrakov said. 
The grain was destroyed at a Polish railway station amid large-scale protests, in what a senior Ukrainian official said yesterday was an act of "impunity and irresponsibility".
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Polish farmers are continuing a long-standing protest over what they describe as unfair competition from Ukraine and European Union environment regulations.
They have blocked border crossings with Ukraine as well as motorways, and deliberately spilled Ukrainian produce from train wagons.
Kyiv has struggled to bring Warsaw to the table for discussions on the matter. 
 Polish farmers blocking the A2 motorway to protest over price pressures, taxes and green regulation
Reuters

Russia working on loans from China

Russia's finance minister said he has been holding discussions with his Chinese counterparts about the possibility of taking out loans from Beijing in yuan. 
The RIA state news agency quoted Anton Siluanov as saying negotiations had been ongoing "for a long time". 
"So far there is no decision," he added. 
"We discussed this topic at the end of last year at the inter-ministerial dialogue."
Moscow and Beijing remain close despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine two years ago, with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping describing each other as firm friends. 
Data showed hit China-Russia trade value hit a record $240bn (£189bn) in 2023, up 26.3% on the previous year. 
Presidents Xi and Putin in Moscow last March
Sputnik/Sergei Karpukhin via Reuters

Watch: Is Ukraine prepared to lose territory?

Yesterday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy answered questions from journalists on Ukraine's plans for the next year. 
The president was asked whether he would be prepared to give up territory in pursuit of a peace deal.
You can watch his answer below...