Liberation of key checkpoint shows Putin's forces are being pushed back
UKRAINIAN forces have liberated a key Russian checkpoint in yet more evidence Vladimir Putin's forces are being pushed back.
Ukraine: Russian soldiers abandon kit near Kherson
The liberation of the village of Vysokopillia in Kherson Oblast is an "important" step, according to military expert Oleksandr Musienko.
The settlement was being used as a base for Russia to fire rockets, to "wherever they could reach", Mr Musienko said.
He added: "Therefore, from the point of view that the intensity of artillery fire is decreasing, this is important because the line of the occupiers is being pushed back."
It comes after Ukraine made its boldest claim yet of success on the battlefield after raising Ukraine's blue and yellow flag on a rooftop purportedly in Vysokopyllya, in the north of Kherson, just a week after it before its counter-offensive in eastern Ukraine.
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KEY EVENTS
‘Gravely concerned’ IAEA demands action as Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is serious threat
The International Atomic Agency (IAEA) has said it is still “gravely concerned” about the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
The nuclear and thermal power stations in Enerhodar were both captured by Russian forces on March 4, and are reportedly controlled by Moscow’s state nuclear energy firm Rosatom.
In a report published after the inspection of the power plant, the IAEA said there is an “urgent need for interim measures” to prevent a nuclear accident after physical damage was caused to the station.
The IAEA added the damage was caused “by military activity”, and said they observed damage around the plant including on buildings containing nuclear fuel and a waste storage facility.
Vladimir Putin ignores Russia army commander in blatant snub of top military contingent
Vladimir Putin has appeared to snub a senior Russian commander during an appearance at a joint Russia-China military drill.
Vladimir Putin joined Russian generals as he oversaw the 'Vostok-2022' drills with China but gave top general, Valery Gerasimov a frosty reception.
Putin attended the military exercises as Russian forces in Ukraine continue to be bogged down and on some fronts, pushed back.
Clad in Russian army clothing, Putin said between his two top generals in a command room to observe the drills.
Footage released by the Russian Ministry of Defence shows Putin sitting sullenly, not addressing either commander.
Putin ‘panicking’ as Russian forces fear Ukrainian ‘offensive’ attack near Kharkiv
Russian forces are in a "panic" mode as they fear an attack by the Ukrainian army, claimed experts.
According to the experts, the Russian forces are worried about the situation in Balakliya and are fearing an “Ukrainian assault at 4am” tomorrow.
Journalist Julian Röpcke shared the information to his Twitter followers.
She tweeted: “There is absolute panic among Russian sources about the situation in Balakliya.
“They fear an ‘Ukrainian assault at 4am’ tomorrow, claim ‘English speaking mercenaries are leading the offensive’ & talk about Russian ‘units, getting encircled in the direction of Kharkiv’.
Putin boasts £141billion in energy profits helping fund Ukraine invasion
Vladimir Putin has earned enough money through Europe's energy crisis to cover the war on Ukraine, according to new research.
On Monday, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) published its findings that Russia had made £141billion in profit from oil, gas and coal sales since the Ukraine invasion began six months ago.
The Finnish think tank also estimated that Russia has spent only £86billion on the war, but no official figures have been released.
'They f***ed us hard' Putin reeling as Kyiv launches major attack in Kharkiv region
Vladimir Putin is reeling after Ukraine's army reportedly launched a major offensive in the Kharkiv region.
The attack is threatening to overrun a "significant" Russian stronghold and has seemingly caught Putin's commanders by surprise.
All eyes have been focused on military events unfolding in the south of Ukraine, particularly in the Kherson region.
Last Monday, a spokesperson for Ukraine's army confirmed Kyiv had launched a counteroffensive to retake Kherson.
Russia caught off guard as Ukraine launches surprise offence in Kharkiv: 'Significant!'
Ukrainian forces launched a surprise offensive near Kharkiv yesterday - just hours after a successful artillery strike on a missile storage area.
Kyiv's heroic troops attacked Russian forces near Balakliya, a Russian-held town about 43 miles southeast of Kharkiv.
Ukrainian troops may have even secured key bridges to allow them to reinforce the city, a Russian war blog said.
It comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Ukrainians had successfully used Western-supplied artillery to destroy a Russian ammunition warehouse storing missiles used to target Kharkiv.
Putin's chilling 'Eastern European invasion' plan laid bare: ‘He won’t stop in Ukraine’
Vladimir Putin planned to move further west and eventually invade and take over Eastern Europe, a Russian-American academic has claimed, in a chilling new analysis of the Russian President's possible plans for the future.
Cross the western border; move southeast and westwards into the country; secure each Black Sea port; take Kyiv and install a puppet government answerable only to the Kremlin; continue westwards to NATO's eastern frontier.
That is the blueprint many political experts claim Russian President Vladimir Putin had in mind when he began his invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
But things have not gone exactly to plan, and today, Putin's military is struggling against a resilient Ukrainian force backed by Western powers.
'My time has come' Putin reeling as Kremlin loses yet another key ally in Ukraine war
Vladimir Putin was left red-handed as an important military ally has suggested he is about to retire.
Chechnya's President Ramzan Kadyrov appears to suggest he is leaving combat operations in Ukraine to take an "indefinite and long" break.
The Chechnya President is the latest in a series of high-profile figures to abandon Vladimir Putin in his attempt to invade the entirety of Ukraine, dealing another blow to the Russian President.
How have Vladimir Putin’s aims changed since the start of the invasion?
Vladimir Putin’s aims have shifted since the invasion began on February 24, 2022.
His initial aim was to overrun Ukraine and depose its government.
The Russian leader claimed this was a preventative measure to prevent Ukraine from joining the Western defensive alliance NATO.
After a month of failures, he abandoned his bid to capture the capital Kyiv and turned his ambitions to “liberating the Donbas region” in Ukraine's east and south.
Zelensky becomes first foreign leader to have conversation with PM Truss
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he is the first foreign leader to have a conversation with Liz Truss after she became the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
In a tweet, he said: "I became the 1st foreign leader to have a conversation with the newly elected British PM @trussliz Invited her to Ukraine Thanked the UK people for the major defence & economic aid for Ukraine. It's important that the UK is ready to further strengthen it. Attention was paid to security guarantees.
"We discussed the participation of Uk in the recovery of Ukraine. Coordinated further pressure on the RF. The goal is to stop the aggression & bring the perpetrators to justice. It's important to designate the RF a terrorist state. We'll continue active interaction in all formats."
I became the 1st foreign leader to have a conversation with the newly elected \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 PM @trussliz. Invited her to \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6. Thanked \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 people for the major defense & economic aid for \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6. It's important that \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 is ready to further strengthen it. Attention was paid to security guarantees 1/2
\u2014 \u0412\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440 \u0417\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439 (@ZelenskyyUa) September 6, 2022
What is the Donbas?
The Donbas region of Ukraine refers to the old coal and steel-producing areas in the east.
The regions, Luhansk and Donetsk, run from outside Mariupol in the south all the way to the northern border.
Russia formally recognises these breakaway areas as independent from Ukraine.
Russian forces seized more than a third of the area after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Donbas is predominantly Russian-speaking and Putin has repeatedly spoken about "liberating" it completely.
Despite sharing a language, these areas are no longer pro-Russian.
Defence specialist Konrad Muzyka, head of Rochan Consulting, said: "Mariupol was one of the most pro-Russian cities in Ukraine and to level it is beyond my comprehension."
Putin issued horror warning as Xi set to bleed Russia dry
Vladimir Putin has been warned by a team of experts that "China's grip on Russia" will continue to increase until it turns into a "North Korea scenario".
Wikistrat, which describes itself as a “crowdsourced consultancy” often carries out “Death of a Leader simulations” to learn about “internal power dynamics” and the “regional influence” certain leaders have. A team of experts is given a number of different scenarios for how the leader dies and are asked to discuss how each scenario would affect their country’s foreign policy towards their allies and foes. With spiralling speculation about the state of Putin’s health, Wikistrat decided to use the Russian leader’s hypothetical death for their latest simulation and found that Putin's death would likely to lead to Chinese President Xi Jinping bleeding Russia dry. Commenting on the findings of the simulation, Wikistrat CEO Oren Kesler told Express.co.uk: “One thing that we found from carrying out the simulation was that there is a consensus among the experts that Russia’s dependency on China will increase over time unless there is a sharp change in strategy by Russia leaning to the West - which most experts don’t see happening.
Biden pledges continued support for Ukraine as he congratulates Liz Truss
Joe Biden pledged continued support for Ukraine as he congratulated Liz Truss on becoming PM.
In a tweet, Mr Biden said: "Congratulations to Prime Minister Liz Truss. I look forward to deepening the special relationship between our countries and working in close cooperation on global challenges, including continued support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression."
Congratulations to Prime Minister Liz Truss.
\u2014 President Biden (@POTUS) September 6, 2022
I look forward to deepening the special relationship between our countries and working in close cooperation on global challenges, including continued support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression.
Ukrainian official promises 'great news' on Kharkiv counteroffensive
A Ukrainian official has promised "great news" from Volodymyr Zelensky on the progress of Ukraine's counter-offensive in Kharkiv.
"Tonight there is going to be great news from President Zelenskiy on (the) counteroffensive operation in Kharkiv region," Serhiy Leshchenko said on Twitter.
He did not give any further details.
Tonight there is going to be a great news from President Zelenskyy on counteroffensive operation in Kharkiv region.
\u2014 Serhiy Leshchenko (@Leshchenkos) September 6, 2022
What is a HIMARS?
The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) has been credited with stopping Russia in its tracks, with retired US Army General Mark Hertling last month describing the missile system as a “game changer”.
Built by Lockheed Martin, the mobile platform can either be equipped with six guided rockets which have a range of roughly 40 miles, or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of about 185 miles.
Liberation of key checkpoint shows Putin's forces are being pushed back
Ukrainian forces have liberated a key Russian checkpoint in yet more evidence Vladimir Putin's forces are being pushed back.
The liberation of the village of Vysokopillia in Kherson Oblast is an "important" step, according to military expert Oleksandr Musienko.
The settlement was being used as a base for Russia to fire rockets, to "wherever they could reach", Mr Musienko said.
He added: "Therefore, from the point of view that the intensity of artillery fire is decreasing, this is important because the line of the occupiers is being pushed back."
It comes after Ukraine made its boldest claim yet of success on the battlefield after raising Ukraine's blue and yellow flag on a rooftop purportedly in Vysokopyllya, in the north of Kherson, just a week after it before its counter-offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Good afternoon
Good afternoon, I'm Olivia Stringer and I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the war in Ukraine for the next eight hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: olivia.stringer@reachplc.com
Twitter: @Livstringer_
Why did Vladimir Putin invade Ukraine?
Vladimir Putin started the invasion of his southwestern neighbour on February 24, 2022.
He told the Russian people his goal was to "demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine".
Putin’s declared aim was to protect people subjected to what he called eight years of bullying and genocide by Ukraine's government.
But this escalation came after years of rhetoric claiming that Ukraine rightfully belonged to Russia.
Putin also claimed the invasion was necessary to protect Russia from the possibility of Ukraine joining the Western defensive alliance NATO.
VIDEO: Russia's Gazprom threatens to freeze Europe to death in ad
Russian gas company Gazprom has released an ominous advertisement depicting a harsh winter in Europe as they look to blame the West for the stoppage of supplies.
In a video released on social media, alongside the caption “Winter will be big - only dusk and snow”, various shots of European areas drenched in thick clouds and snow can be seen in a horrifying prediction of what is to come.
Russia's Gazprom threatens to freeze Europe to death
Ukraine liberates key checkpoint
Ukrainian forces have liberated a key Russian checkpoint in yet more evidence Vladimir Putin's forces are being pushed back.
The liberation of the village of Vysokopillia in Kherson Oblast is an "important" step, according to military expert Oleksandr Musienko.
The settlement was being used as a base for Russia to fire rockets, to "wherever they could reach", Mr Musienko said.
He added: "Therefore, from the point of view that the intensity of artillery fire is decreasing, this is important because the line of the occupiers is being pushed back."
IN PICTURES: Firefighters tackle blaze in Donetsk region
Ukrainian firefighters in Bakhmut have been battling a fierce blaze following a Russian strike.
The town, in the Donetsk region, has been a key city for Russian troops.
Ukraine's general staff said that Russian forces were focused on five regions: Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Mykolaiv. It said in the past day Russian forces launched more than 35 air strikes and about 50 rocket attacks.
"The Russian occupiers began the night of September 5 to 6 with insidious rocket attacks on civilian objects in the cities of Bakhmut and Kostyantynivka," it said.
Russia accuses Ukraine of shelling near power plant
Russia's defence ministry accused Ukraine of firing 20 artillery shells on town of Enerhodar and the area around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant over the last 24 hours.
Three shells landed on the territory of the nuclear power station, including one that exploded near power unit No. 2, it said in its daily military briefing.
Radiation levels at the site, Europe's largest nuclear facility, remained normal, it added.
The reports have now been verified.
Putin faces moment of truth as Ukraine's army makes 'significant' breakthrough'
Ukraine is reported to have made a "very significant" breakthrough in their southern counteroffensive.
Reports circulating on Telegram channels suggest that Ukraine's army has breached the second layer of Russian defences in Mykolaiv province, which borders the Kherson region.
This creates the opportunity for Ukraine's army to cut off Russian units located further to the north and to wipe them out.
NLwartracker, a social media user and military analyst, wrote: "News was published on TG channels that Shmidtove was liberated by Ukrainian forces.
"This is very significant if true. It's the centre of the 2nd line of Russian defences in this area.
"This means strongholds Tsentral'ne & Bohorodytske can now be isolated."
IN PICTURES: Aftermath of airstrikes in Kharkiv
Kharkiv has been continuously shelled since Russia invaded Ukraine more than six months ago.
As Ukraine's second-largest city it is a key target for Russian forces.
In the last 24 hours three people have been killed in the city.
Lavrov slams Truss for not willing to compromise
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has criticised Liz Truss for not being willing to compromise.
Mr Lavrov said the incoming Prime Minister's approach would not help Britain on the international stage.
He said Ms Truss does not "strive to compromise".
Russia draws up shopping list of weapons amid shortages
Taiwan has delivered another hammer blow to Vladimir Putin as Russia relies on Soviet-era ammunition.
Russia has drawn up a shopping list of weapons and components made by companies in several countries, many out of reach due to sanctions, to fuel Putin's war machine.
But Ukraine is sending out warnings to these countries, with a clear message not to let Putin get his hands on the weapons.
On the list - the origin of which is not known but has been cross-checked by Politico with other military supply chain research - is a microchip made in Taiwan, costing around 1,469.8661 rubles, or €24.37.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told the publication Russia has "already spent almost half" of its weaponry on arsenal.
Russia vs Ukraine
We reported earlier that Russia has reportedly lost over 50,000 troops.
But how did Russia's army compare to Ukraine's before the invasion began?
IAEA to release report on Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
The IAEA is due to release a report on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Tuesday.
It comes just a day after shelling cut the plant's electricity supplies for the second time in two weeks.
Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over the continued attacks.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), citing information supplied from Ukraine, said the plant's backup power line had been cut to extinguish a fire but that the line itself was not damaged and would be reconnected.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog said the plant had enough electricity to operate safely and would be reconnected to the grid once backup power was restored.
Russia troops losses top 50,000
Ukrainian forces announce the latest Russian military losses as estimates suggest the number of troops lost has topped 50,000.
Estimates of military losses vary between sources.
Ukrainian authorities say the calculation is complicated by high-intensity hostilities.
Russian Losses:
Personnel: 50,150
Tanks: 2,077
Armoured vehicles: 4,484
Artillery systems: 1,179
Rocket systems: 296
Air defence systems: 156
Planes: 236
Helicopters: 207
Ships/Mortar boats: 15
Cruise missiles: 209
Unmanned aircraft: 876
Special equipment: 109
Vehicles and fuel tanks: 3,305
Putin 'utterly deluded' if he thinks he can 'blackmail Britain'
Vladimir Putin is "utterly deluded" if he thinks he can succeed "by blackmailing or bullying" Britain, Boris Johnson said in his farewell speech.
Speaking outside Downing Street in his last hours as Prime Minister he credited the Government for its response to the war in Ukraine.
He said: "People who organised those prompt, early supplies of weapons to the heroic Ukrainian armed forces, an action that may very well have helped change the course of the biggest European war for 80 years.
"And because of the speed and urgency of what you did, everybody involved in this government, to get this economy moving again from July last year despite all the opposition, all the naysayers. We have and will continue to have that economic strength to give people the cash they need to get through this energy crisis that has been caused by Putin's vicious war.
"And I know that Liz Truss and this compassionate Conservative Government will do everything we can to get people through this crisis. And this country will endure it and we will win."
Missile attacks kill three in Kharkiv region
Three people have died after rocket fire in the Kharkiv region, including an elderly woman, the regional governor said.
Ukraine's second-largest city has been under constant shelling since Russia's invasion began more than six months ago.
"That night, the enemy once again launched a rocket attack on Kharkiv," governor Oleh Synehubov wrote on Telegram.
"In the Industrial district, a two-story building was damaged and a private residential building, in which a 73-year-old woman was staying, was destroyed. Unfortunately, she died," he said.
Two men were also killed in the village of Zolochiv.
Russia tipped for 'desertion' as Ukraine recovers abandoned military kit
Russian troops have been tipped to "desert" the southern region of Kherson amid Ukraine's counter-offensive.
Despite being controlled by President Putin’s forces since the early weeks of the invasion, new footage said to be from within Kherson, has revealed evidence of Russian troops fleeing the territory.
A video of “abandoned Russian kit” uncovered in Kherson was published on social media by Euan MacDonald, editor-at-large for national news outlet The New Voice of Ukraine.
In a caption accompanying the post, Mr MacDonald said: “Video from the Ukrainian military, said to be from Kherson: Abandoned Russian kit, even a full uniform laid out on the ground.
“A possible explanation for this is that Russian soldiers are changing into civilian clothing and deserting, as has happened before in Ukraine.”
Ukraine: Russian soldiers abandon kit near Kherson
Shortages 'increasingly hampering Russia operations'- MOD
Russian shortages are "increasingly hampering Russian operations", according to the British Ministry of Defence.
In its latest intelligence update, the ministry said operations in Kherson continue but Ukrainian resistance and counter-offensive mean a smaller Russian presence.
It said: "05 September 2022, the Odesa Journal reported 27 sorties by Russian uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the west bank of the Dnipro, compared to an average of 50 a day throughout August."
It also highlighted that Russia is struggling to maintain stocks of UAVs due" to component shortages.
"The limited availability of reconnaissance UAVs is likely degrading commanders’ tactical situational awareness and increasingly hampering Russian operations," the ministry added.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 6 September 2022
\u2014 Ministry of Defence \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 (@DefenceHQ) September 6, 2022
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/wrTBURFCJR
\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 #StandWithUkraine \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 pic.twitter.com/gpVzBLzH7j
Good morning
Good morning I'm Francesca Edwards, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the war in Ukraine. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: francesca.edwards@reachplc.com
Twitter: @FrankieLEdwards