Ukraine war: Putin claims Russia approaching 'end game' as Kharkiv bombed
At least 50 people died on Thursday following a deadly Russian attack which targeted a cafe and a shop in Ukraine's Kharkiv region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sensationally claimed on Thursday his country didn't start the war in Ukraine.
Despite Moscow's troops invading the nation in February 2022, it was the West who ignited the conflict, the Russian leader said as he accused the US of being a "hegemon" that considers itself the only arbiter of truth on earth.
During a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin said: "We did not start the so-called war in Ukraine. On the contrary - we are trying to finish it."
Putin's speech came as his troops launched one of the deadliest attacks on civilians recorded during this war.
At least 50 people, including a six-year-old boy, have died after a Russian missile attack on a shop and a cafe - where a memorial was being held - in the village of Hroza in the Kharkiv region, local authorities have reported.
THIS LIVE BLOG IS NOW CLOSED - READ COVERAGE BELOW…
KEY EVENTS
- Slovakia freezes military aid for Slovakia 22:28
- Putin speaks of Yevgeny Prigozhin plane crash18:50
- Putin claims Russia has tested 'flying Chernobyl'17:58
- Huge win for Zelensky as Ukraine army gets 1.1m bullets seized from Iran15:31
- Boy, 6, among victims of Russian attack in Kharkiv 15:12
- Russia missile attack leaves 49 dead14:53
This live blog is closed
This live blog is now closed. Thank you for following our coverage of the war in Ukraine.
Slovakia freezes military aid for Slovakia
Slovakia's outgoing Prime Minister Ľudovít Ódor said his country will for now stop sending military aid to Ukraine.
Any decision on supporting the war-torn country will be taken after a new government is formed.
The Slovakian president has asked Robert Fico, who pledged during his electoral campaign to stop sending aid to Ukraine, to form a government after his party won the election in late September.
Biden 'wants to give speech' on Ukraine and aid
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said US President Joe Biden wants to deliver a "major speech" on support for Ukraine and military aid to the country.
She said: "We are going to continue to make sure that we meet the battlefield needs that Ukraine has, using existing resources and using those resources provided by Congress."
This comes almost a week after US lawmakers excluded funds to Ukraine from a deal that avoided a federal shutdown.
On Wednesday, Mr Biden said he would address Congress to "make the argument that it’s overwhelmingly in the interest of the United States of America that Ukraine succeed".
Volodymyr Zelensky believes Kharkiv attack was 'no blind strike'
The Ukrainian president believes the Russian strike that killed 51 people today was "deliberate".
Speaking from Spain, where he attended the European Political Community, he said: "Russian troops could not have been unaware of where they were hitting. This was no blind strike."
More air defence to be given to Ukraine - Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky said there are "clear agreements" with European partners on providing his country with more air defence systems.
Speaking to Ukrainians in his daily address, he said: "We will have more air defence - there are clear agreements.
"This is very important before winter. Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Great Britain - thank you!
"Our soldiers will have more artillery. There will be more long-range weapons. And there will definitely be more justice."
Wagner Group members 'signing contracts with Russia's MOD'
Vladimir Putin has claimed that "several thousand" former Wagner Group members have decided to join the Russian military.
Speaking in Sochi, he said many former mercenaries have now signed contracts with the Ministry of Defence.
Putin is responsible for the war, says Sunak
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak blamed the Ukraine war on Vladimir Putin in the wake of the Kharkiv attack.
After a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit of the European Political Community in Spain, Mr Sunak said: "We discussed this horrific attack that has just happened. It just illustrates Russia’s barbarity.
"President Putin can say all he likes. There is one person responsible for this illegal unprovoked war, and it is him ... That’s why the UK has been steadfast in supporting Ukraine and will continue to do so."
Putin speaks of Yevgeny Prigozhin plane crash
During the event in Sochi, Vladimir Putin made a rare comment on the plane crash that killed Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.
A probe into the crash that happened in late August, the Russian president said, found hand grenade fragments in victims' bodies.
UK to support Ukraine for 'as long as it takes'
The British Government pledged to continue supporting Ukraine for "as long as it takes" in its fight against Russia.
At the EPC today, Prime Minister @RishiSunak has:
\u2014 UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) October 5, 2023
\u2705 Announced \u00a3500 million in winter support payments
\u2705 Delivered \u00a310 million for household electricity
\u2705 Encouraged leaders to work together to supply further defence weapons
We\u2019ll stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. pic.twitter.com/l9sW5nWcgR
Putin claims Russia has tested 'flying Chernobyl'
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on Thursday his country has successfully tested the nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile Burevestnik - dubbed in the West "Flying Chernobyl".
Appearing at the Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, the Russian leader said, as reported by state news agency RIA Novosti: "The last successful test of the Burevestnik, a global-range cruise missile with a nuclear installation and a nuclear propulsion system, was carried out."
This came just days after an analysis of satellite images of an Arctic base suggested Russia had or was about to conduct tests of the Burevestnik missile.
UK ambassador in Ukraine 'horrified' by Kharkiv attack
Martin Harris OBE, the British ambassador to Ukraine, said to be "horrified" by the news of the attack in the Kharkiv region, which has killed at least 51 civilians.
In a message penned on X, he wrote: "I am horrified to hear the news of Russia’s barbaric shelling of Hroza village and the deaths of dozens of civilians.
"My deepest condolences to all who lost their loved ones. We must defeat this evil."
I am horrified to hear the news of Russia\u2019s barbaric shelling of Hroza village and the deaths of dozens of civilians.
\u2014 Martin Harris (@MartinHarrisOBE) October 5, 2023
My deepest condolences to all who lost their loved ones.
We must defeat this evil.
Three days of mourning issued in Kharkiv
Local authorities in Kharkiv have enforced three days of mourning in the wake of the deadly Russian attack that killed at least 51 civilians on Thursday afternoon.
The mourning period will begin on Friday, the region's military administration head, Oleg Sinegubov, said.
Putin claims Ukraine lost more than 90,000 troops during counteroffensive
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, the Russian president played down the advancements made by Ukrainian soldiers during their months-long counteroffensive.
Rather, he was quoted by Russian state news agency RIA claiming that Ukraine lost more than 90,000 troops since early June.
Russian attack in Kharkiv branded 'genocidal aggression' by Zelensky
The Ukrainian President released a statement in the wake of what he called a "brutal terrorist attack" that killed dozens of civilian in the Kharkiv region.
He wrote on X: "Russian terror must be stopped. All those who help Russia circumvent sanctions are criminals. Those who continue to support Russia are all supporting evil.
"Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for one reason only: to make its genocidal aggression the new normal for the entire world. And I thank every leader and every nation that supports us in the defense of life!
"We are now focused with European leaders, in particular, on how to strengthen our air defense, reinforce our troops, and protect our country from terror.
"Terrorists will face retaliation. One that is both just and powerful."
Russian missile struck an ordinary grocery store in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region. This was a fully deliberate, demonstrative, and brutal terrorist attack.
\u2014 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / \u0412\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440 \u0417\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439 (@ZelenskyyUa) October 5, 2023
As of now, more than 51 people have been reported dead. My condolences to all those who have lost their loved\u2026 pic.twitter.com/yxIW2Xwy35
Memorial service was taking place at the time of the attack
The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs shared that a memorial was taking place at the cafe hit by the Russian strike.
The head of the ministry, Igor Klimenko, said: "There was a wake there for a deceased fellow villager. In total, there are 300 residents in the village, one from each yard was at the funeral."
No military targets in the area hit by Russia - Ukraine
No military targets are present at the site of the attack in Kharkiv, the defence ministry of Ukraine said.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Ukrainian ministry claimed Russia deliberately targeted the area during lunchtime "to ensure a maximum number of casualties".
It added: "There were no military targets there. This is a heinous crime intended to scare Ukrainians."
Huge win for Zelensky as Ukraine army gets 1.1m bullets seized from Iran
Ukraine has been given the opportunity to replenish military supplies with confiscated ammunition from Iran thanks to a US operation last December.
The move comes amid warnings from Ukraine's Western allies that production cannot keep up with the rate at which the Ukrainian Armed Forces are burning through ammunition.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp is believed to have been using the MARWAN 1, which was seized on 9 December, to transport ammunition to the Tehran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
In total, 1.1 million 7.62mm calibre bullets from the seizure have been handed over to Kyiv's forces.
Emergency workers search victims
Local authorities are sharing the first pictures from the scene of the attack.
Emergency workers can be seen searching for casualties and bodies under the rubble.
Death toll rises further in Kharkiv
At least 50 people have been killed and six more were left injured, officials said.
According to preliminary information shared by UNITED24 Media, the cafe was hit by an "Iskander" missile.
Boy, 6, among victims of Russian attack in Kharkiv
A six-year-old boy is among the dozens of people who were killed by the Russian attack launched on Kharkiv this afternoon.
Kharkiv region governor Oleh Synehubov said that a cafe and a shop had been attacked in the village of Hroza in the Kupyansk district of Kharkiv at a time the area was filled with civilians.
He wrote on Telegram: "The rescuers continue to work on the site."
At least 49 people were killed in what has become one of the deadliest attacks on civilians since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Russian secret service plot to assassinate Putin exposed at 'secret karaoke club meeting'
Russian security services are investigating their own following the emergence of a plot to assassinate Vladimir Putin, it has been claimed.
The Telegram channel VChK-OGPU - which has close links with Moscow’s security services - claims an informant told the channel of an “agent” who had bragged about his task.
The "agent" told the informant he had been assigned to "remove" Putin, according to the channel which added the conversation took place at karaoke club Honey - a known hangout for security service spooks in Chekhov, near Moscow.
It also claimed the so-called “agent” showed the informant a service ID card and had a “long heart-to-heart conversation about the war and future life in Russia”.
Russia missile attack leaves 49 dead
At least 49 people have been killed in a bombing in the east of Ukraine.
The attack stands as one of the deadliest attacks on civilians since the start of Russian invasion.President Zelensky has condemned the attack as a 'brutal crime'
Jean-Claude Juncker brands Ukraine 'totally corrupt' in swipe at EU bid
Jean-Claude Juncker, the ex-president of the EU Commission has made a heated intervention in the debate over Ukraine's candidacy for membership.
Footage surfaces appearing to how moment 'hospital bombed' in southern Ukraine
A medical facility has reportedly been bombed in Beryslav, in Kherson Oblast, southern Ukraine.Footage shared on Ukrainian Telegram channels appears to show the moment a huge blast hit a building in the city which is believed to house a hospital.The footage has yet to be independently verified.
Shelling in Kherson kills two
The head of the Ukrainian president's office Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram: "The Russians shelled Kherson. Previously, 2 people died.
"Among them is a utility worker who trimmed trees."
ISW on Russia moving Black Sea Fleet from Sevastapol
The Institute for the Study of War has reported that Russia is pulling the Black Sea Fleet out of Sevastopol and this is "likely in an effort to protect them from continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian assets in occupied Crimea". The US bases think tank said: "Russian forces may be temporarily moving some vessels to Novorossiysk following multiple strikes on Black Sea Fleet assets in and near Sevastopol but will likely continue to use Sevastopol’s port, which remains the BSF's base."
'Decoy paint' used to protect Black Sea fleet from Ukraine
Ukrainian attacks in the Black Sea appear to have driven the Russian Navy to revive some old World War I tactics to hide ships from drone attacks. Read more here - Desperate Putin using decoy paint to protect Black Sea fleet from Ukraine
Shoigu meets with Russian commanders
The Kremlin has reported that Russia's defence minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff have held a meeting with the commanders in charge of day-to-day combat operations in Ukraine.
Putin eyeing breakaway Georgian state for naval base
The self-styled leader of Abkhazia, a Russian-backed breakaway region of Georgia has said that a deal has been signed with Russia for a permanent naval base.
Aslan Bzhania announced: "We have signed an agreement, and in the near future there will be a permanent base of the Russian navy in the Ochamchira district,
"This is all aimed at increasing the level of defence capability of both Russia and Abkhazia, and this kind of interaction will continue."
He added: "There are also things I can't talk about."
Ministry of Defence intelligence's latest update on Russo-Ukraine war
The Ministry of Defence has released the latest Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine \u2013 05 October 2023.
\u2014 Ministry of Defence \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 (@DefenceHQ) October 5, 2023
Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/veOLFQkX2F
\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 #StandWithUkraine \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 pic.twitter.com/7ugv5o1CMN
Russia report woman wounded in Ukraine cluster munition strike
Ukrainian cluster munitions have struck the border town of Rylsk, in southwest Russia, according to a Russian official
The Governor of the Kursk region Roman Starovoit added that one woman had "received moderately severe shrapnel wounds".He added: "Unexploded ordnance has also been found and sappers are working."
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