Ukraine: Russian MPs call for 'counter-terrorist operation' after hostage claim
Russian Federal Security Service officials stated on Thursday that there was fighting between their forces and a sabotage unit in the Bryansk region, although initial reports were contradictory.
Iran has shows video of new Shahed 149 'Gaza' drone
Russia's State Duma has demanded Putin change the status of the "Special Military Operation" in Ukraine to a "counter-terrorist operation" after reports by Russian media that Ukrainian forces cross the border in the Bryansk region.
There has been no response from Ukrainian officials, and the situation is unclear. If the reports are true, it would suggest that Ukraine is launching attacks into Russian territory, highlighting Russia's defensive weaknesses, embarrassing the Kremlin, and causing unease among Russian citizens.
The Russian news agency Tass reported that the security forces were conducting operations to eliminate armed Ukrainian nationalists who had violated the state border.
Earlier reports suggested that the saboteurs were holding up to six hostages, having fired on a vehicle and killed one person while injuring a 10-year-old, according to the local governor.
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Wagner chief claims his men have entered the
Yevgeny Prigozhin has shared a video of his men allegedly in the centre of the city Bakhmut.
It comes as a Ukrainian military analyst warns the situation in Bakhmut is "critical".
Today the leader posted the video on his Telegram profile, the "Press Service of Prigozhin".
US dismisses claims it provided intel for Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory as 'nonsense'
The Pentagon's spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said: "I don't have any information in regards to whether or not the Ukrainians have conducted these type of operations, I'd refer you to them.
He added: "I can say definitively that the notion of the US providing intelligence or information to the Ukrainians to target locations inside Russia is nonsense. We are not at war with Russia, nor do we seek war with Russia."
Serbia reconsidering its close ties with Russia because of Wagner Group
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić admitted he is having "difficulty" deciding whether to move towards EU membership while embracing its connection with its ally Russia.
The leader told Serbian television he was caught between a hammer and an anvil.
And in an interview with POLITICO journalists, said:
"You’re going to get one sentence from me: Serbia will remain on its EU path. Okay, draw your own conclusions. But I think you understand me."
He added "We’ll have some difficult choices in the future, no doubt. That’s all I can say."
Alleged Russian Volunteer Corps attack is 'not a false flag operation', claim experts
According to Michael Colborne of Bellingcat, the group are led by a far-right activist called Denis Kapustin.
He explained that the Volunteer Corps was created in August, and is made up of anti-Putin Russian far-right extremists in Ukraine.
Kasputin is said to be a "Moscow-born neo-nazi" who lived in Cologne and speaks German and English fluently, explained Colborne.
A Ukrainian intelligence official called Andriy Yusod said "these are people who are fighting with arms against the Putin regime and those who support him... Perhaps Russians are beginning to wake up, realise something and take some concrete steps", according to Colborne on Twitter.
Zelensky has first call with President of Switzerland
President Zelensky had his first-ever call with the Swiss president Alain Berset.
Zelensky said he thanked the country for its support package worth 114 million Swiss Francs.
He added on Twitter: "We discussed joint projects, in which both countries are interested, and also devoted time to practical issues of implementing the Peace Formula".
The Peace Formula is Zelensky's 10-point proposal for ending the war in Ukraine. It consists of demanding Russia withdraw all its troops from occupied territory.
Russian drones target civilians, including a toddler, lining for aid
The Russian army has reportedly used drones to target nine civilians, including a "minor child", who were queuing for humanitarian aid in Kherson, according to the regional prosecutor's office.
Putin slams 'cross-border raid' as a 'terrorist attack' by 'neo-Nazis and their masters'
Putin calls the alleged attack on the Bryansk region a "terrorist act".
Some have suggested the alleged operation could have been a "false-flag operation" by the autocrat.
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Dmytro Kuleba slaps down any peace with Russian involving Kyiv's giving up land
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba shoots down the possibility of a peace deal with Russia that involves giving up land. He told the Global Soft Power Summit in Westminster: "Would you give your neighbour 1km square of land, just because he says it is his? I have not met anyone who would do that."
He added: "Ukraine will win, and it will be for Ukraine to decide what victory means."
Ukraine's foreign chief jokes about Zelensky's dress sense
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has joked about President Zelensky’s signature casual wear. Speaking to at the Global Soft Power Summit in Westminster from Kyiv, Kuleba said: "I’m a foreign minister, I was just wearing a uniform. I didn’t know how to dress casually, I had to go out and buy some casual clothes."
Royal Navy victory as Iranian weapons bound for Russia captured
British and American forces have joined efforts to intercept an illegal weapons shipment from Iran, during the operation, which took place in the Gulf of Oman, US forces provided support for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance to Royal Navy. The coordinated efforts between the two nations resulted in the discovery of anti-tank-guided missiles and missile components on a small boat of Iranian origin. HMS Lancaster, a Royal Navy frigate, confiscated the illicit weapons shipment, which included Iranian versions of Russian 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, known as "Dehlavieh" in Iran, and medium-range ballistic missile components.
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, US 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces said: "This is the seventh illegal weapon or drug interdiction in the last three months and yet another example of Iran’s increasing malign maritime activity across the region.
"We will continue to work with our partners in pursuing any destabilizing activity that threatens regional maritime security and stability."
Ukrainian foreign minister leaves summit event amid reported Russian cross border attack
'Russian Volunteer Corps' claim cross border raid in online video
Video footage has surfaced appearing to show members of the 'Russian Volunteer Corps' a unit within the Ukrainian Army near the entrance to a medical centre in the village of Liubechane, Bryansk region. In the video, the soldiers claim they crossed the border into Russia and are the reason for the latest reports in Russian media about "Ukranian saboteurs."
Alleged video footage of Russian Volunteer Corps (a unit within the Ukrainian Army) near the entrance to a medical center in the village of Liubechane, Bryansk region.
\u2014 Clash Report (@clashreport) March 2, 2023
The men claim they crossed the border and are the reason for all the latest news about saboteurs. pic.twitter.com/kylCMDZ7Hr
Ukrainian saboteurs take hostages inside Russian village after 'explosions', claims Moscow
Russian state media reports a group of fifty Ukrainian 'saboteurs' have entered the northeastern border and are holding a village hostage, causing explosions and gunfire. The media group BAZA suggested that Ukrainian soldiers have taken control of the village of Sushany, located a short distance from the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. The TASS agency also claimed that there are casualties among the residents due to a shootout between local security forces and the alleged Ukrainian saboteurs. However, there is no way to confirm these reports.
Read more on this developing story here
UK Defense Ministry: Bakhmut's battles are influenced by the weather
The UK Ministry of Defence has warned that moving around Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, is about to become more difficult for the Russian forces. The rising temperatures have caused the soil to become muddy, which is known in Ukrainian as ‘bezdorizhzhia’, and limits cross-country movement. This typically provides some advantage to the defending forces, which in this case are the Ukrainians. Daytime soil temperatures have risen and are expected to remain above freezing throughout the week, with overnight freeze and daytime thaw being likely. The forecast suggests that the warmer than average conditions for the remainder of winter and spring will further reduce cross-country movement, thus making it more difficult for the Russian forces to move around and attack Bakhmut.
Russian missile attack leaves two civilians dead and building destroyed
Two Ukrainian civilians have lost their lives in a brutal missile attack on a residential building in Zaporizhzhia, according to reports. The five-storey apartment block, which was home to several families, was almost entirely destroyed in the onslaught, trapping people under the rubble.
Anatolii Kurtiev, Secretary of Zaporizhzhia City Council, expressed his deep condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. Meanwhile, rescue workers managed to save 11 people from underneath the rubble, providing a glimmer of hope amid the devastation.
Russian forces in overnight shelling
Russian forces have launched a fierce attack on the towns of Nikopol and Chervonohryhorivka in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, according to reports by Governor Serhii Lysak. The assault, which took place overnight on March 2, involved heavy artillery fire, causing extensive damage to power lines, private businesses, several high-rise buildings, and various critical infrastructure.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing plumes of smoke rising from the affected areas as the relentless shelling continued. The situation on the ground remains tense as Ukrainian forces respond to the assault.
There have been no reported casualties
Good morning
Good morning from London. I’m Tim McNulty, 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: tim.mcnulty@reachplc.com
Twitter: @mcn_ulty