Ukraine is probing Russian defences and Cleverly says Ukraine can count on its support:-#
Russia about to be hammered?
Debate continues over whether Ukraine’s counteroffensive has finally started, after Moscow claims it thwarted a major Ukrainian attack in Donetsk. Listen to a Daily podcast special uncovering Iran's arms links to Russia while you scroll.
news.sky.com
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces 'probing' Russia's defences for weaknesses amid counteroffensive claims
Debate continues over whether Ukraine’s counteroffensive has finally started, after Moscow claims it thwarted a major Ukrainian attack in Donetsk. Listen to a Daily podcast special uncovering Iran's arms links to Russia while you scroll.
Monday 5 June 2023 17:45, UK
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4m ago17:45
Ukraine 'will win this war' and can count on UK's support, says Cleverly
Some more details from the meeting between James Cleverly and Volodymyr Zelenskyy...
The foreign secretary met the Ukrainian president, and the country's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba earlier today during his second visit to Kyiv.
The pair discussed how the UK can continue to best support Ukraine, from the battlefield to banking guarantees, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The visit comes amid preparations for the Ukraine recovery conference in London later in June, which will focus on boosting the nation's economy.
"As Ukraine continues its sustained fightback against Russia, I was able to see for myself the true horrors and devastation of what Russia has wreaked on this sovereign state," said Mr Cleverly.
"Ukraine will win this war and can count on our support."
Here are some of the latest photos from the meeting...
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23m ago17:25
Leopard tanks 'seen for first time' in eastern region
Leopard tanks have been seen for the "first time" in Donetsk, a senior Russian separatist official has claimed.
Western countries donated a number of the battle tanks to Ukraine earlier in the war.
Alexander Khodakovsky, the deputy head of the Russian national guard in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, said they were spotted in Novodonetsk - a settlement where Russia has claimed Ukraine launched an attack last night.
"The situation on Novodonetsk and to the left towards Velikonovoselovka is difficult - the enemy, having felt our weak points, is stepping up his efforts," Mr Khodakovksy said on Telegram.
"For the first time we saw Leopards in our tactical area. As I expected yesterday - smelling the smell of success, the enemy will throw additional forces into the battle."
Donetsk is one of four regions that Vladimir Putin illegally annexed last year, although it is only partially controlled by Moscow.
Earlier, Russia claimed its forces had thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive at five points in parts of the region.
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1h ago16:46
Russia claims Ukraine launched 'large-scale' offensive - but what evidence is there online?
By OSINT producer, Jack Taylor
The Russian defence ministry has
claimed that Ukraine launched a "large-scale" offensive in the south of the Donetsk region.
Ukraine is attempting an information blackout on any possible offensive but what evidence is there online?
Sky News' data and forensics team has been monitoring videos posted to social media and various Russian war reporters that cover the conflict.
Russian sources are reporting that Ukraine has launched attacks around specific settlements in Donetsk.
Each point on this map is related to a specific location described in reporting. This area also matches where the Russian defence ministry has claimed the Ukrainian offensive is taking place.
One post claimed that Ukrainian forces made gains into Novodonetsk, which is just behind the currently assessed front line in the south of Donetsk.
These individual reports cannot be confirmed by Sky News.
There is some visual evidence of fighting in the areas of South Donetsk from recent days that can be verified, though.
This video was released today by the Russian defence ministry, claiming to show the destruction of Ukrainian equipment.
It features multiple vehicles and explosions but due to the image quality, it is hard to conclude much else.
It can be geo-located to the same area of Donetsk as the reported offensive based on distinctive natural landmarks and fields seen in satellite imagery.
It is one of four videos that Sky News has verified today.
Russian military bloggers have reported that there is also military activity in the Bakhmut area.
There has been ongoing fighting in this area and it's unclear from posts if these reports are of increased intensity.
One Russian blogger reported that fighting has taken place to the southwest of Bakhmut and Soledar, a mining town north of Bakhmut, is under heavy artillery fire.
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1h ago16:30
The pressure is on Ukraine as speculation over counteroffensive mounts
By Sky's international correspondent, John Sparks
We've been waiting for months for a spring offensive that now seems to be shifting to the summer.
The West has helped to build up Ukraine's military arsenal, it has helped with training and intelligence - and so anticipation here and everywhere else is at fever pitch.
It seems that level of anticipation is also being felt in Russia where today the defence ministry claimed the counteroffensive had begun.
However, whether we've seen the beginning of the counteroffensive is subject to much speculation and debate.
Experts we've spoken to have pointed to a range of military engagements right along the 1,000 km long frontier suggesting that at this moment the Ukrainians are probing.
They're looking for weaknesses in Russian defences but haven't begun the counteroffensive properly.
Proof of that may be found in the fact that we haven't seen any proof of any new Western armaments being used in combat - for example, the Challenger tank.
Nor is there proof of a major thrust by the Ukrainians on the front line.
What we do know is that the Russians are well dug in, they've prepared multiple defensive lines, with the deployment of land mines and anti-tank traps.
It will be a major challenge for the Ukrainians to make the sort of advances that they were able to accomplish in their last counteroffensive.
The pressure is on Ukraine - expectations have risen along with the help that they've received and they will need to make significant and substantial progress to avoid having to open up talks with Putin.
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1h ago16:15
In pictures: Military vehicles, peace signs and the aftermath of shelling
Now to near the Ukraine-Russia border in the town of Vovchansk, in Kharkiv.
Ukrainian soldiers have been pictured riding armoured vehicles through the town, as smoke rises over buildings following shelling.
Residents of Vovchansk were also seen taking shelter during shelling.
Vovchansk is located northeast of Kharkiv city, which is Ukraine's second largest.
It has frequently been under fire since Russia invaded Ukraine.
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2h ago15:48
Ukrainian official: Forces are moving to 'offensive actions' in some areas
Ukraine's deputy defence minister has said in some areas Kyiv's forces are moving to "offensive actions", amid speculation over the long-awaited counteroffensive.
Hanna Maliar said on Telegram: "The defensive operation includes everything, including counteroffensive actions. Therefore, in some areas we are moving to offensive actions.
"In particular, the Bakhmut direction remains the epicentre of hostilities. There we are moving along a fairly wide front. We are successful. We occupy the dominant heights. The enemy is on the defensive and wants to hold his position.”
She claims that in the south of Ukraine Russia is "on the defensive", adding: "Why are the Russians actively releasing information about a counteroffensive?
"Because they need to divert attention from the defeat in the Bakhmut direction."
Earlier we reported the chief of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed Ukraine had retaken Berkhivka - a settlement north of Bakhmut (see post at 10.18).
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2h ago15:14
Zelenskyy meets UK foreign secretary in Kyiv
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with UK foreign secretary James Cleverly in Kyiv.
In a Telegram post, Mr Zelenskyy says the pair discussed issues including Ukraine's expectations from the NATO Summit in Vilnius.
He also says "important agreements" have been reached in recent weeks.
The video shows the pair shaking hands before they sit down and begin their meeting.
Mr Zelenskyy says: "We're very thankful for all your big support, which the UK has given and is giving to Ukraine."
The Ukrainian president also thanked the UK as it recently revealed it would start training Ukrainian pilots to use fighter jets.
Mr Cleverly spoke about his last visit to Kyiv in the winter and said "but this time I can see there is more life in the city".
Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters
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2h ago15:10
Purported radio address by Putin the result of a 'hack', Kremlin claims
The Kremlin has called a purported radio address by Vladimir Putin heard on Monday in Russia "fake".
They cited an address as saying, wrongly, that martial law had been declared in border regions and a nationwide military mobilisation had begun for Russia's war with Ukraine, and that residents should evacuate deeper into Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted by state-owned news agency RIA saying: "All of these messages are an utter fake."
Independent Russian media reported that the announcement had told residents of the Rostov, Belgorod and Voronezh regions, all of which adjoin Ukraine, that Kyiv's forces had crossed the border with Russia.
Sky News has been unable to verify the footage.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the Voronezh regional government confirmed that a hack had taken place, and said local radio stations were under the control of law enforcement agencies and local authorities.
The Mir International Television and Broadcasting Company said in a statement it was illegally hacked.
The company said: "Today, from 12.41pm to 1.18pm, unidentified persons illegally hacked into the news programmes of Mir TV and Mir Radio, replacing the content.
"All information posted from 12.41.pm to 1.18pm has nothing to do with Mir and is an absolute fake and provocation."
Normal broadcasting had been restored, it said.
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2h ago14:57
Ukraine counteroffensive has begun, reports indicate - as Western officials say 'Russian defences more fragile than thought'
As discussed here, Russian claims that a major Ukrainian attack has been thwarted have so far been met with silence from officials in Kyiv.
However, analysts have long suggested that Ukraine's best chance of success when it does launch a counteroffensive would involve a de facto information blackout on the operation - meaning it was always unlikely to be accompanied by a grand announcement.
With this in mind, the various reports emerging today that indicate the long-awaited counteroffensive has begun - and that Ukraine appears to have been making advances - should be taken seriously.
Prominent Kremlin-affiliated "milblogger" Semyon Pegov, widely known by the alias Wargonzo, said today that "the enemy had some success" in an attack in Novoselivka-Ugledar, in the Russian-occupied region of Donetsk.
Indeed, he said the news emerging from the area was "getting more and more alarming every hour".
He said information suggested Ukrainian forces had "managed to enter the outskirts of Novodonetsk" (around 60 miles south of Novoselivka, also in Donetsk) and that "fierce battles are going on" for control of the settlement.
He adds: "The situation is heating up. The attack is much more serious than yesterday."
Meanwhile, a Western official with knowledge of the situation told The Economist that Ukrainian forces had advanced in Novodonetsk by up to five or six kilometres.
The newspaper also reported that US and European military officials advising Ukraine say that Russia’s defensive lines "could be more fragile than thought".
We will, of course, bring you the latest updates as we get them on what appears to be a rapidly developing situation.
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3h ago14:36
Routine attacks within Russia could threaten Ukraine's supply of Western weapons
By Sky's international affairs editor, Dominic Waghorn
In theory, Western nations have armed the Ukrainians on the understanding they don't use the weapons to attack Russia within Russia.
The fear is Russia would see their use on Russian soil as a provocation.
Some allies are more relaxed than others about the Ukrainians using their own weapons against Russian targets, though.
Britain's foreign secretary said last week Ukraine has a right to attack Russia beyond its borders as part of its self-defence against the Russian invasion.
That was in regard to Ukrainians allegedly using Ukrainian drones to attack Moscow.
Belgium is one of a few countries reported to be the source of weapons that were used in the cross-border raids in Belgorod (as we
reported earlier today).
Others include the US, Poland and Czech Republic.
The raiding party is purportedly made up of disaffected Russians fighting against the Kremlin.
But it is undoubtedly operating with the approval of the Ukrainians and may well be armed by them.
If they are using Western-supplied weapons that would be crossing a line so far as Ukraine’s European and American supporters are concerned.
You would expect those countries involved to sound indignant and concerned about the reports.
They will be raising those concerns privately through diplomatic channels, too.
But they know this is likely to be an exception.
Kyiv knows routinely attacking Russians within Russia is the quickest way to stop the West from sending arms.
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3h ago14:14
Russia and Iran's ongoing and 'growing' military relationship
Sky News has seen a purported arms contract between Russia and Iran.
If genuine, it would be the first hard evidence that Iran has sold ammunition to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
An informed security source has said that, in their view, the document is "100% authentic".
But it's not the first time concerns have been raised about Iran and Russia's relationship.
Iran, Russia and the kamikaze drones
Iranian-made drones have already had a significant impact on the war.
Iran initially denied supplying Shahed drones to Russia but late last year, it admitted it had provided a small number - but it said this was before the war began.
Ukraine says the drones, which are also known as kamikaze drones as they explode on impact, have been a key weapon in Russia's attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Downing drones is becoming easier for Kyiv
The inexpensive and simple drones fly at around 100mph, but are not difficult to shoot down, according to military analyst Sean Bell.
He says in May alone, Russia launched more than 300 Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones.
They've also been used to conduct most of the recent strikes on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
He adds that they are probably aimed at swamping Ukrainian air defences.
However, Kyiv's air defences have improved over time and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy says it is now skilled at downing them.
Parts of a vehicle Ukraine considers an Iranian-made Shahed-136 drone
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3h ago14:00
'Russia's air space unlikely to reopen in the near future' - airline CEOs
Airline CEOs have told CNN that they do not expect Russian air space to open in the near future.
Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said: "The idea that we see Russian air space open in the near term, I don't think that's going to be possible, so we'll have to live with that."
"Airlines have had to adapt their schedule to recognise they are going to have to take a longer route between Europe and Asia and I think it will have some impact for some time," he said.
Russian air space has been closed to all commercial airlines since the country invaded Ukraine.
Mr Walsh said the war would have to end with peace in Ukraine for Russian air space to reopen.
Its closure has resulted in journeys from Europe to Asia taking two to three hours longer, according to AirFrance KLM CEO, Benjamin Smith.
Mr Smith also said it was the airline's "assumption" that its planes would not be flying over Russia for the foreseeable future.
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4h ago13:40
Pope's Ukraine peace envoy to visit Kyiv
Pope Francis' peace envoy to Ukraine will visit Kyiv today and tomorrow, a statement from the Vatican said.
Italian cardinal Matteo Zuppi has been tasked by the pope to carry out a peace mission to try to help end the war.
The Vatican said its main purpose was "to listen carefully to Ukrainian authorities on the possible ways to reach a just peace and support humanitarian gestures that may help ease tensions".
It was not clear if the cardinal will meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
The Ukrainian president met the pope at the Vatican last month and later appeared cool to the prospects of any papal initiative that would put Ukraine on an equal footing with Russia.
Matteo Zuppi told reporters last month that he did not foresee a mediation in the strict sense of the word but that he was ready to "do anything" to help ease tensions.
At the meeting in May, the Ukrainian president asked the pope to back Kyiv's peace plan, which he has repeatedly said is not open to negotiation.
In an interview, the pope skirted the issue, saying an eventual return by Russia of occupied territories is a "political problem" to be resolved by both sides.
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4h ago13:10
Your questions answered: Why can't Ukraine bomb Russia?
Our experts have been
answering your questions on the war.
Reader Keo Phouaypha asks why Ukraine can't bomb Russia, and what the consequences would be if it did.
Our
international correspondent John Sparks answers this one...
The short answer to this is that Ukraine is bombing Russia.
Over the past few months, Ukraine has hit ammunition and fuel depots, railway infrastructure, and the bridge which links mainland Russia to occupied Crimea.
These attacks, usually carried out with drones, have intensified in recent days.
One of the world's largest oil pipelines, called the Druzhba, was targeted in western Siberia.
Several refineries were hit in the Krasnodar region and in a possible sign of Ukraine's growing ambition, a large-scale attack was mounted against the Russian capital, Moscow, in the morning hours of 30 May.
Ukraine does not comment on these attacks - although officials frequently express their approval.
An adviser to the Ukrainian president, Mykhailo Podolyak, had this to say about the attack on the Russian capital: "Of course we are pleased to watch and predict an increase in the number of attacks. But of course, we have nothing directly to do with it."
While the extent of Ukraine's involvement in the attack on Moscow has been subject to some debate, it is worth noting that US intelligence officials think Ukrainian military units were responsible for an earlier attack in the heart of Moscow, on 3 May.
Two drones managed to reach the Kremlin complex, in the heart of the city, before they were brought down by Russian anti-aircraft defences.
In terms of consequences, Ukraine seems emboldened in its willingness to carry out these targeted – if militarily limited – attacks.
Veiled threats by Russian officials to use nuclear weapons have been largely dismissed.
Will Putin be overthrown? What happens if key ally dies? Is counteroffensive Ukraine's last chance to win? | Your war questions answered | World News | Sky News
Sky News
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4h ago12:50
Prigozhin has his own agenda - and the Wagner Group could be back in Bakhmut
Earlier we reported the chief of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, took aim at Russia's military bosses after
he claimed Ukraine had retaken a settlement near Bakhmut.
Military analyst Sean Bell explains why we should take Prigozhin's comments with a "large dose of salt" and why his rhetoric could be aimed at getting him his next role.
'A long-running feud'
He explains: "Clearly anything to do with Prigozhin we have to take with a large dose of salt, he has got his own agenda.
"He's described Wagner as the best group in the world but it's a mercenary group and unless he's employed by somebody he's not making any money.
"He's got a long-running feud with the Russian ministry of defence so I suspect part of this is all part of the rhetoric for getting him his next role."
'Quite likely' Wagner forces will be used again
The mercenary group captured Bakhmut last month after the longest battle of the war and suffered huge losses.
It then handed its positions there to regular Russian troops.
On where the Wagner Group could go next and if it could send troops back to Bakhmut if Ukrainian forces advance, Sean adds: "Russia needs all the military help it can get. Putin will probably not want to use Prigozhin - for fear he will become more powerful and a threat - but he does need his particular band of expertise.
"So, it's quite likely that Wagner will be used again.
"It could be border security - unlikely as not good use of his mercenary group but it could be back in Bakhmut - which is ironic, but in fact likely if the city comes under threat."
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5h ago12:15
What's going on in Bakhmut?
In late May Moscow claimed control of the eastern city of Bakhmut after months of fierce fighting.
However, Ukraine says its forces still retain a small foothold and denies that Moscow is in full control of the city.
Clashes between Russian and Ukraine forces around the city have persisted - here's what we know.
According to information from US-based thinktank The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia controls central and eastern Bakhmut.
Moscow's forces are also making advances in the western fringes of the city around Yahidne.
Earlier, we reported that the head of the Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin said Ukrainian forces had retaken Berkhivka - a settlement north of Bakhmut (see post at 10.18).
The commander of Ukraine's ground forces, Oleksandr Syrskyisaid, has also said Ukrainian forces have continued to "move forward" near the city.
Analysts warned that Bakhmut, once home to 70,000 people, has no strategic value, but Moscow insisted capturing it would help its forces to advance deeper into eastern Ukraine.
The battle for the city also became a symbol of the war, while experts suggested Ukraine was content with tying up Russian forces in the costly struggle for the area.
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6h ago10:50
Belgium investigates whether weapons used in fighting inside Russia
Belgium is investigating whether weapons it sent to help Ukraine defend its territory were used in fighting just over the border.
It follows a news report that said equipment produced by a Belgian company turned up around Russia's Belgorod region.
Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo warned on Monday against jumping to any hasty conclusions since shipments over decades and different regions can make arms turn up in unexpected places.
He told Belgian broadcaster VRT: "Defence and information services started a probe to be absolutely sure what happened there."
The background
The Washington Post reported that arms from some NATO member countries - including the US, Poland, the Czech Republic and Belgium - had appeared in Belgorod.
The Post's report cast doubt on whether Ukraine had proper controls in place.
Mr De Croo said EU nations supplied Ukraine with weapons on the condition the arms were used only within the invaded country to defend its territory.
While there could be "leakage of our weapons to other conflicts" Mr De Croo said if there was any truth that arms destined to defend Ukraine were used in fighting in Russia "we would take that extremely seriously".
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7h ago10:18
Wagner boss: Ukrainian forces retaken part of settlement north of Bakhmut
The head of the Wagner Group says Ukrainian forces have retaken part of a settlement north of Bakhmut.
Yevgeny Prigozhin said Kyiv's forces had retaken Berkhivka, calling it a "disgrace".
He urged leaders within Russia's military, including defence minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, to come to the front line, in a post on Telegram.
He said: "Come on, you can do it!
"And if you can't, you'll die heroes."
What happened in Bakhmut?
Prigozhin's mercenary group spearheaded the successful assault on the eastern city of Bakhmut last month after the longest battle of the war.
Wagner Group fighters then
handed their positions over to Russian troops.
Not the first time Wagner boss has spoken out
Prigozhin has been outspoken in his criticism of Russia's military leadership in the past.
Before Wagner captured Bakhmut, the leader threatened to pull his forces out of the city - blaming Moscow for a lack of ammunition.
On Monday, the commander of Ukraine's ground forces said on Ukrainian forces continued "moving forward" near the city.
Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian forces were successful in destroying a Russian position near the city.
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7h ago10:02
Russia's claims about thwarting a Ukrainian attack
Earlier we reported that Russia claimed its forces had thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive at five points in the southern region of Donetsk (see post at 03.13).
Here's what we know so far about those claims.
In a video posted on Monday on Telegram, the defence ministry claimed forces had pushed back a "large scale" assault Sunday at five points in the region.
Sky News is unable to verify these reports.
Donetsk is one of four regions that Vladimir Putin illegally annexed last year, although it is only partially controlled by Moscow.
Defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov claimed 250 Ukrainian personnel were killed, and 16 Ukrainian tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles and 21 armoured combat vehicles were destroyed.
The ministry said the alleged Donetsk attack started on Sunday morning. It was unclear why it waited until Monday to announce its response.
Russia 'stepping up information operations'
A Moscow-installed official in southeast Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia province, Vladimir Rogov, also said on Sunday that Kyiv's forces also attempted to breach Russian defences there but were repelled after advancing 400 metres (less than a quarter-mile) into Russian-occupied territory.
Ukraine's military says it has no information about a major offensive.
In response to a question from Reuters, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian armed forces' general staff said: "We do not have such information and we do not comment on any kind of fake."
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Centre for Strategic Communications did not address the Russian statement directly but said in a Telegram post that Russian forces were "stepping up their information and psychological operations."
It said: "In order to demoralise Ukrainians and mislead the community (including their own population), Russian propagandists will spread false information about the counteroffensive, its directions and the losses of the Ukrainian army. Even if there is no counteroffensive".
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8h ago09:27
TV broadcasts in Crimea 'hacked' to show Ukraine counteroffensive clip
TV broadcasts in Crimea were reportedly hacked as what appeared to be a clip for Ukraine's counteroffensive appeared on screens.
Ukraine's Border Force said in a Telegram post: "Several cable operators in Crimea are turning off the signal due to the fact that good people hacked TV broadcasts".
The videos appear to show a clip from a short film released by the Ukrainian government.
In the clip, members of the military put their fingers to their lips and say "ssh" - encouraging the public to keep silent as to when a counteroffensive against Russia might start.
For months, Ukrainian officials have spoken of plans to launch a spring counteroffensive to reclaim territory Russia has occupied.
