Social media apps were ‘briefly’ available without VPN in Russia
We’ve a quick update to bring you on our earlier report that social media apps including Instagram and Facebook had suddenly become available in Russia without a virtual private network (VPN) (see 13.35 post).
Our Moscow team says they were available “briefly” but are now back to not opening without a VPN.
Ukrainian troops withdraw from 2 villages
Ukraine has withdrawn from two villages in the east, according to a military spokesperson.
Dmytro Lykhoviy said troops withdrew from the villages of Severne and Stepove near Avdiivka, which was captured earlier this month by Russian forces in what marked its most significant gain in months.
Russia’s defence ministry claimed its forces had captured Severne earlier today.
It comes after the Ukrainian military confirmed its retreat from the eastern village of Lastochkyne yesterday.
2 police officers killed in Russian shell attack
Two police officers have been killed and four other people injured in a Russian shell attack in northeastern Ukraine, the country’s interior minister has said.
Rescuers “retrieved the bodies of two policemen from under the rubble” after the attack which was “aimed at law enforcement” in the Sumy region, Ihor Klymenko said on Telegram.
“In addition, four more investigators were injured,” he said.
“Police officers do not leave civilians even in the hottest spots. Constantly risking their lives,” Mr Klymenko wrote.
Italy says support for Ukraine does not include ground troops
The Italian prime minister says support for Ukraine doesn’t include sending Western troops to fight there.
Giorgia Meloni is the latest European leader to react to Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that the option should not be ruled out.
“Since the Russian aggression two years ago, there has been full unity among all allies in the support for Kyiv. This support does not include the presence of troops from European or NATO states on Ukrainian territory,” Ms Meloni said.
A host of other countries, including the UK, Germany and Poland, have also said they have no plans to send ground troops to Ukraine.
Russia ‘unable’ to protect high-value aircraft and Ukraine a constant ‘threat’, MoD says
Russia has shown a repeated “inability” to protect its high-value aircraft and Ukraine’s defences “continue to pose a threat”, the UK defence ministry has said.
It referenced the downing of two Russian A-50 aircraft by Ukraine in as many months – specialist spy planes which are estimated to cost nearly £300m each.
The MoD pointed out that there was a “remote” chance that an A-50 shot down four days ago was hit by Russia itself.
Ukraine’s recent success has “demonstrated a continued Russian inability to protect high value air assets”, it said, bringing “into question the efficacy of Russian air planners”.
Moscow will be able to cover the immediate loss of the planes, the MoD added, but said they will likely “induce further strain and combat fatigue on the remaining force”.
Ukraine is adapting quickly to the Russian air force’s changing operation locations and “continues to pose a threat”, it said.
Ukrainian commander says Russian pilots should ‘see relatives before each flight’ after second jet downed
Following on from our last post, Ukraine claims to have brought down a second Russian fighter jet today.
The country’s air force said the Su-34 fighter-bomber was downed in the “eastern direction” this afternoon, hours after another of the same aircraft was shot down this morning.
Air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram that Russian fighters should “see their relatives before each flight, just in case”.
As we’ve reported previously, Ukraine claims to have successfully shot down a series of Russian aircraft in recent weeks.
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