Boris Johnson backs Christmas appeal to send medical supplies to Ukraine
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According to the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD), the city of Kherson continues to be battered by Russian airstrikes on a daily basis, despite being liberated by Ukrainian forces earlier this month.
“The city is vulnerable because it remains within range of most of Russia’s artillery systems, which are now firing from the east bank of the Dnipro River, from behind newly consolidated defensive lines,” he said the Ministry of Defense in its daily intelligence update.
The ministry added that 10 people were killed in a single day on November 24.
It comes as Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukrainians to prepare for more Russian missile strikes that would further damage the power grid amid freezing temperatures.
“We understand that the terrorists are planning new strikes. We know this for sure,” the Ukrainian president said in his evening video address.
“And as long as they have missiles, unfortunately, they’re not going to calm down.”
Ukrainian authorities continue to struggle to restore electricity and water services after recent blows from Russian military strikes that badly damaged infrastructure, and Mr Zelensky says millions of people have seen their power restored.
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Estonia says European nations should double defense spending
European countries should double their defense spending because of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Estonia’s foreign minister said on Monday.
He added that his own country has plans to increase national defense spending to 3 percent of its GDP.
Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu made his comments in an interview with Reuters during a trip to Kyiv with six other foreign ministers.
He said: “We would like European countries to double their defense spending during the Ukrainian war and after the war, and we will spend 3% of our GDP on national defence.”
Eleanor Sly November 28, 2022 4:30 pm
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Akshata Murty and Olena Zelenska are in Downing Street
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Emily Atkinson November 28, 2022 4:00 pm
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Akshata Murty meets Olena Zelenska outside #10
Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty has met Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, outside 10 Downing Street.
Ms Zelenska waved briefly and smiled at the Downing Street assembly cameras as she arrived in Westminster on a cloudy and rainy Monday afternoon.
Ms Murty welcomed Ms Zelenska on the pavement outside Number 10 amid a heavy security presence as the pair exchanged a hug before entering the building.
The first lady of Ukraine is in London to participate in an international conference on the prevention of sexual violence during conflicts.
Emily Atkinson November 28, 2022 3:52 pm
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Norway’s ambassador to Russia meets with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norway said its ambassador to Russia had used his meeting with the country’s foreign ministry to brief Russia on the Nordic country’s sanctions legislation.
“He also reviewed the status of cases that are now being processed by the Norwegian courts,” said a Norwegian foreign ministry spokesman.
“The meeting was held in a good tone.”
Today, Moscow summoned the Norwegian ambassador over what the Russian Foreign Ministry said was the politically motivated detention of its citizens for illegally using drones.
Emily Atkinson November 28, 2022 3:26 p.m
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Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei ‘dies suddenly’ at 64
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, has died at the age of 64.
Belarus’ state news agency Belta reported the “sudden” death, but no cause was given.
He said: “Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei has died suddenly.”
Emily Atkinson November 28, 2022 3:00 p.m
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Ukraine’s nuclear chief says he sees signs Russia could leave occupied plant
The head of Ukraine’s nuclear power company has said there are indications that Russian forces may be preparing to leave the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Moscow seized the major power plant in southern Ukraine in March, shortly after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion.
However, authorities installed by Moscow in the nearby town of Enerhodar quickly refuted the Ukrainian official’s claim and said the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains under Russian control.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports:
Emily Atkinson November 28, 2022 2:40 pm
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Russia ‘unilaterally postpones nuclear disarmament talks with US’
Russia has unilaterally postponed nuclear disarmament talks with the United States in Cairo scheduled for this week, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported, city and the US embassy.
Officials from the two countries were due to meet in the Egyptian capital from November 29 to December 6 to discuss reviving inspections under the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty.
Emily Atkinson November 28, 2022 2:20 pm
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Moscow summons the Norwegian ambassador
Moscow has summoned the Norwegian ambassador over what the Russian Foreign Ministry said was the politically motivated detention of its citizens for illegally using drones.
“It was noted that the sentences against the Russians were politically motivated and had nothing to do with the principles of fair and impartial justice,” the ministry said in a statement.
Several Russian citizens have been arrested by Norwegian authorities for flying drones near the Arctic border between the two countries or taking photos of classified facilities, as Norway ramps up security after suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the baltic sea
Emily Atkinson November 28, 2022 2:00 p.m
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‘Youngest victim of Russian terrorism’: Ukraine buries two-day-old baby Serhiyko killed by bombing
Family members held last rites Sunday for a two-day-old baby killed in a Russian attack on a hospital in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine earlier this week.
Photographs shared by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry showed the child’s small casket being buried by family members on Sunday.
“Serhiyko. The youngest victim of Russian terrorism. The baby lived for only two days,” the Ukrainian defense ministry said on Twitter.
Emily Atkinson November 28, 2022 1:38 p.m
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Almost 90,000 Russian soldiers dead in Ukraine, says Kyiv
An estimated 87,900 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine since Moscow invaded the country on February 24, according to figures compiled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The toll for November 28 has increased by 590 from yesterday’s total.
Emily Atkinson November 28, 2022 1:08 p.m