Ukraine war latest: Kyiv to let murderers into army; Kanye West 'makes surprise visit to Russia' (2024)

Key points
  • Big picture:What you need to know this week
  • Ukraine to let murderers into army as prisoners offered freedom
  • Kanye West 'makes surprise visit to Moscow'
  • Russia claims further territory gains in Donetsk region|Ukraine 'repels attacks' near Moscow-claimed villages
  • Explained: What's happening on newKharkiv front?
  • Your questions answered: Has the West been honest about Ukraine's failures?
  • Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts
  • Live reporting by Katie Williams and (earlier)Ollie Cooper

15:00:01

British volunteer medic who 'saved lives of 200 soldiers' dies in Ukraine

A British volunteer medic reportedly involved in saving more than 200 lives on the front line has died in Ukraine, his charity has confirmed.

Peter Fouche, who was born in South Africa, travelled to Ukraine in 2022 where he helped to build a field hospital, and then later served in the Territorial Defence Forces and Armed Forces of Ukraine.

He co-founded Project Konstantin, a Ukrainian charity supporting frontline Ukrainian troops, which confirmed his death in a post on social media.

The charity said Mr Fouche was "actively involved in saving more than 200 wounded Ukrainian soldiers" and bringing aid to people in affected towns and cities.

It praised his "bravery and selflessness" and called his death "the worst nightmare".

"We will honour Pete's memory by continuing the work he was so passionate about, carrying forward his legacy of courage and kindness," it said.

14:31:13

In pictures: Ukrainian servicemen load a howitzer

These pictures were taken near Chasiv Yar in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine.

In recent weeks, Russian attacks have focused on the town, with Ukrainian commanders in the area saying their resources remain stretched.

That is partly because of a recent gap in US funding, caused by deadlock in Congress.

The House of Representatives finally approved sending $60.8bn (£49bn) in foreign aid to Ukraine in April.

13:58:21

World Athletics condemns 'ongoing Russian aggression'

Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics (WA), has met Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

Coe, the British double Olympic gold medallist, met the Ukrainian president on Friday beforeattending the Ukraine athletics championships in Lviv.

WA said today that Coe "underscored World Athletics' unwavering support for the people and athletes of Ukraine as they defend themselves against ongoing Russian aggression".

He has also committed to the continued support of Ukrainian athletes through the Ukraine Fund.

The fund provides support to professional athletes, ensuring they can continue to train, qualify for and participate in World Athletics Series events and the World Athletics Championships.

The International Olympic Committee has suggested that Russian and Belarusian sportsmen and women could compete at the Paris Olympics as neutrals without flags, emblems or anthems.

But WA is standing firm on a blanket ban.

13:33:15

'One killed' in shelling in Belgorod

A civilian has been killed in Ukrainian shelling of Russia's Belgorod region, according to the local governor.

Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed Ukraine had attacked an agricultural facility.

Belgorod, which borders Ukraine's Kharkiv region, has come under regular attack since Russia started its invasion.

12:55:01

Sunak claims multi-year support for Ukraine would be at risk under Labour

Rishi Sunak has claimed that multi-year support from the UK to Ukraine would be at risk if Labour were to come into power this week.

The UK prime minister told reporters three days ahead of the general election that his Conservative Party was backing up "words with actions" and "investing more in defence".

"You have to have strength to signal to your adversaries that we're not going anywhere. That's why under the Conservatives we're increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. If Keir Starmer is in charge those plans are going to be cut," he said.

The Labour Party has pledged to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP - but has not set a timescale for doing so - and to undertake a strategic defence review within the first year of government.

Sir Keir has said his party will keep supporting Ukraine.

12:17:01

Some Russian glide bombs have fallen on its own territory - report

Dozens of glide bombs used by Russia to hammer Ukrainian frontline regions have mistakenly fallen on its own territory, according to a report.

An internal Russian document seen by the Washington Post reveals at least 38 of the bombs came down in the Belgorod border region between April 2023 and April 2024 - including at least four on Belgorod city itself.

Most of the bombs did not explode, according to the report. However, one detonated when it hit a road in Belgorod last year, causing a 65ft wide crater and causing damage to buildings and cars, the paper said.

The Washington Post cited experts as saying the Soviet-era munitions "often fail - resulting in impacts on Russian territory".

The internal report said most of the bombs were discovered by civilians, and in the majority of cases the Russian defence ministry could not identify when they'd been launched.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday that Russia has used over 800 glide bombs against Ukraine in the past week alone.

"A certain percentage of Russian bombs is defective," military expert Ruslan Leviev told the Post. He said it was believed the "accidental releases" were caused by the "unreliability" of the guidance systems they'd been retrofitted with.

However he noted that "only a fraction" of the bombs fail, meaning their overall effectiveness for Russia is not affected.

11:48:42

Russia claims to capture two Ukrainian villages

Russian forces have taken control of two villages in eastern Ukraine, the Russian defence ministry has claimed.

In a statement, it said Russian troops had taken over Stepova Novoselivka in the northeastern Kharkiv region, and Novopokrovske in Donetsk, in the east.

Kyiv has not yet responded to the claims.

It comes after Moscow said yesterday that its forces had seized two further villages east of the city of Donetsk (see 6.22 post).

11:32:01

In pictures: Destruction at supermarket after Russian strike on Dnipro

Supermarket staff are working to remove debris caused by a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro this morning.

Regional governor Serhiy Lysak said earlier that a ballistic missile attack on the central city injured seven people, including a teenage boy.

The attack also damaged a supermarket and nearby homes, he said.

11:04:01

Kyiv ramping up drone production

Ukraine is "ramping up the production of drones" and other weapons in the face of increasing Russian attacks.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "everything" was needed on the battlefield to save lives "through the power of technology".

In a post on social media, he said the war showed technology was an "effective defence against aggression".

Kyiv has increased its production of drones, "certain types of weapons, ammunition, equipment, demining machines and many other essential items", the president said.

10:38:29

Ukraine dismisses reports it is reinforcing border with Belarus

Ukraine has dismissed reports it is reinforcing troops along its border with Belarus, saying the claims are part of an "information operation".

The defence ministry in Minsk said recently it had information showing Kyiv had been moving more troops, weapons and military equipment to its northern Zhytomyr region.

The Kremlin responded a short time ago saying it was concerned by the reports.

"It is not the first time Belarus offers information aboutUkraine presenting a threat and strengthening itself... this isanother part of the information operation conducted by Belaruswith support by Russia," Ukrainian border guard spokesman Andriy Demchenkotold national TV.

He said the border with Belarus remained "threatening" and Kyiv had necessary forces there to prevent provocations.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia and served as a launchpad for Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Ukraine war latest: Kyiv to let murderers into army; Kanye West 'makes surprise visit to Russia' (2024)

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