Turkey's President Erdogan believes that the Russia-Ukraine grain deal, which is set to expire on Saturday, would remain in place and it will be extended by a year

Turkey President Erdogan hopeful to extend grain deal which is set to expire on November 19

Ukrainian capital Kyiv once again came within the firing range of Russian forces. Fresh attacks caused power cuts as the capital went atop the deafening noise of air-raid alarms. Meanwhile, most G20 members in Indonesia's Bali condemned the war in Ukraine in its draft declaration. In Sherm El-Sheikh, India's proposal to phase down all fossil fuels gained support from the United Kingdom and European Union. In the Indian capital, the murder of a young girl by her live-in partner shook the nation as gruesome details emerged.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-fresh-russian-attacks-cause-power-cuts-in-several-regions-534476">Ukraine: Fresh Russian attacks cause power cuts in several regions</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-fresh-russian-attacks-cause-power-cuts-in-several-regions-534476"><img alt="War in Ukraine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ac1eb9d2-eef9-40e3-85bf-2c0d2a4a4e66" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/russia.jpeg" /></a>

Fresh Russian strikes on Tuesday (November 15) caused power outages in several Ukrainian cities. The fresh barrage of Russian strikes have affected power supply in Kharkiv and Lviv. Kharkiv is the second largest city of Ukraine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/most-members-at-the-g20-summit-condemn-war-in-ukraine-draft-declaration-says-534429">Most members at the G20 summit condemn war in Ukraine, draft declaration says</a>

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World leaders at the ongoing Group of 20 (G20) summit released a draft of the declaration on Tuesday, in which they said that "most" members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and its repercussions on the global economy. This was mentioned in the 16-page draft that is yet to be adopted by G20 member countries.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-urges-g20-leaders-to-push-for-peace-even-as-kremlin-says-kyiv-is-not-interested-in-negotiations-534331 ">Zelensky urges G20 leaders to 'push for peace' even as Kremlin says Kyiv is not interested in negotiations</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-urges-g20-leaders-to-push-for-peace-even-as-kremlin-says-kyiv-is-not-interested-in-negotiations-534331 "><img alt="Volodymyr Zelensky" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="78462f23-f6f2-4b7d-9f7e-9316f655da11" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kyiv_0.jpeg" /></a>

A war of words ensued between Russia and Ukraine after &nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the G20 Summit that there will be no "Minsk 3" deal to end the fighting in Ukraine. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the statement is a clear indication that Kyiv is not interested in holding peace talks with Moscow, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop27-uk-eu-support-indias-call-to-phase-down-all-fossil-fuels-534322">COP27: UK, EU support India's call to phase down all fossil fuels</a>

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As the COP27 summit in Egypt entered its final half this week, India's push to add a tenet to 'phase down' all fossil fuels in the final set of commitments from the summit, has started attracting widespread support from the likes of the European Union and the United Kingdom.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterm-results-republicans-lead-in-house-democrats-get-senate-as-washington-sees-divided-govt-534350 ">US midterm results: Republicans lead in House, Democrats get Senate as Washington sees divided govt</a>

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8f689485-87ff-4af3-ab58-8775a8979b48" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/biden.jpeg" />

Republicans are just one victory away from 218 seats required to form a majority in the House of Representatives, while the Democrats are well on their way to retaining a majority in the upper house, Senate, paving the way for a divided government in Washington.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-a-fridge-months-of-clean-up-and-dexter-what-we-know-about-the-delhi-murder-case-so-far-534372 ">India: A fridge, months of cleanup - What we know about the Delhi ‘Dexter’ murder case so far</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-a-fridge-months-of-clean-up-and-dexter-what-we-know-about-the-delhi-murder-case-so-far-534372 "><img alt="Delhi crime" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="31b9146f-ae84-47b5-923a-ce7cf4a114fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Dexter.jpeg" /></a>

A 28-year-old man named Aaftab Amin Poonawala was arrested in India’s capital Delhi for allegedly killing his live-in partner Shraddha Vikas Walker, on Saturday. The case has since shocked the nation and continues to do so, as we learn more about the gruesome details emerging amid the ongoing investigation.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/man-united-didnt-believe-my-daughter-was-ill-when-i-missed-pre-season-alleges-cristiano-ronaldo-534398">Man United didn’t believe my daughter was ill when I missed pre-season, alleges Cristiano Ronaldo</a>

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Cristiano Ronaldo's explosive interview with Piers Morgan has become a major talking point even before release. Snippets of the interview have gone viral with Ronaldo not holding back and making some shocking claims regarding his equation with the top brass at Manchester United.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/heres-why-israeli-pop-star-wore-kanye-wests-face-at-the-mtv-emas-534452 ">Here's why Israeli pop star wore Kanye West's face at the MTV EMAs</a>

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The recently held MTV EMAs had a lot to offer apart from some great musical performances. Israeli pop star Noa Kirel brought her A-game to the stage at the event when she showed up in a controversial midriff-baring outfit that had Kanye West’s pictures plastered on it along with the&nbsp;Jewish Star of David.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/release-peaceful-protesters-un-urges-iran-534411 ">Release peaceful protesters, UN urges Iran</a>

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The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday (November 15) urged Iran government to immediately release peaceful protesters who have been detained by authorities in the country. The Islamic republic has been rocked by protests for many weeks.

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chimpanzees-show-objects-to-others-just-like-humans-to-simply-grab-attention-study-534256 "><img alt="Chimpanzee" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="154785b8-d2b2-40ad-851d-c4d14ef26727" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/CP.jpeg" /></a>

A new research has shown that&nbsp;Chimpanzees show each other objects just for the sake of it, akin to humans, to garner attention.&nbsp;

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Ukrainian capital Kyiv once again came within the firing range of Russian forces. Fresh attacks caused power cuts as the capital went atop the deafening noise of air-raid alarms.

Ukrainian capital Kyiv once again came within the firing range of Russian forces. Fresh attacks caused power cuts as the capital went atop the deafening noise of air-raid alarms. Meanwhile, most G20 members in Indonesia's Bali condemned the war in Ukraine in its draft declaration. In Sherm El-Sheikh, India's proposal to phase down all fossil fuels gained support from the United Kingdom and European Union. In the Indian capital, the murder of a young girl by her live-in partner shook the nation as gruesome details emerged. Click on the headlines to read more: Ukraine: Fresh Russian attacks cause power cuts in several regions Fresh Russian strikes on Tuesday (November 15) caused power outages in several Ukrainian cities. The fresh barrage of Russian strikes have affected power supply in Kharkiv and Lviv. Kharkiv is the second largest city of Ukraine. Most members at the G20 summit condemn war in Ukraine, draft declaration says World leaders at the ongoing Group of 20 (G20) summit released a draft of the declaration on Tuesday, in which they said that "most" members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and its repercussions on the global economy. This was mentioned in the 16-page draft that is yet to be adopted by G20 member countries. Zelensky urges G20 leaders to 'push for peace' even as Kremlin says Kyiv is not interested in negotiations A war of words ensued between Russia and Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the G20 Summit that there will be no "Minsk 3" deal to end the fighting in Ukraine. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the statement is a clear indication that Kyiv is not interested in holding peace talks with Moscow, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. COP27: UK, EU support India's call to phase down all fossil fuels As the COP27 summit in Egypt entered its final half this week, India's push to add a tenet to 'phase down' all fossil fuels in the final set of commitments from the summit, has started attracting widespread support from the likes of the European Union and the United Kingdom. US midterm results: Republicans lead in House, Democrats get Senate as Washington sees divided govt Republicans are just one victory away from 218 seats required to form a majority in the House of Representatives, while the Democrats are well on their way to retaining a majority in the upper house, Senate, paving the way for a divided government in Washington. India: A fridge, months of cleanup - What we know about the Delhi ‘Dexter’ murder case so far A 28-year-old man named Aaftab Amin Poonawala was arrested in India’s capital Delhi for allegedly killing his live-in partner Shraddha Vikas Walker, on Saturday. The case has since shocked the nation and continues to do so, as we learn more about the gruesome details emerging amid the ongoing investigation. Man United didn’t believe my daughter was ill when I missed pre-season, alleges Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo's explosive interview with Piers Morgan has become a major talking point even before release. Snippets of the interview have gone viral with Ronaldo not holding back and making some shocking claims regarding his equation with the top brass at Manchester United. Here's why Israeli pop star wore Kanye West's face at the MTV EMAs The recently held MTV EMAs had a lot to offer apart from some great musical performances. Israeli pop star Noa Kirel brought her A-game to the stage at the event when she showed up in a controversial midriff-baring outfit that had Kanye West’s pictures plastered on it along with the Jewish Star of David. Release peaceful protesters, UN urges Iran The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday (November 15) urged Iran government to immediately release peaceful protesters who have been detained by authorities in the country. The Islamic republic has been rocked by protests for many weeks. Chimpanzees show objects to others, just like humans to simply grab attention: Study A new research has shown that Chimpanzees show each other objects just for the sake of it, akin to humans, to garner attention. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Top 10 world news: Fresh attacks in Kyiv, COP27, G20 summit updates, and more

A war of words ensued between Russia and Ukraine after &nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the G20 Summit that there will be no "Minsk 3" deal to end the fighting in Ukraine. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the statement is a clear indication that Kyiv is not interested in holding peace talks with Moscow, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Speaking via video link, Zelensky ruled out a third "Minsk agreement", a reference to two failed ceasefire deals between Kyiv and Moscow over the status of the eastern Donbas region.

"We will not allow Russia to wait, build up its forces, and then start a new series of terror and global destabilisation. There will be no Minsk 3, which Russia will violate immediately after the agreement," Zelensky said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-russia-spy-chief-hold-talks-to-discuss-vladimir-putins-nuclear-threats-534227">US, Russia spy chiefs discuss Russian nuke threats in first talks since Ukraine war</a>

Peskov was then questioned whether the statement confirms that Kyiv is unwilling to negotiate with Russia, to which he told state-run RIA Novosti news agency: "Absolutely."

Zelensky in his address, urged world leaders to back a plan to end the war, saying now was the time to push for peace after Russia's defeat in the southern city of Kherson. "I am convinced now is the time when the Russian destructive war must and can be stopped," he said.

He said that now that Ukraine is making advances, there would be more fighting until they reclaim control of all of its occupied territory.

Zelensky made it clear that Kyiv would not compromise its sovereignty, territory or independence and called on Russia to withdraw its forces and reaffirm Ukraine's territorial integrity. &nbsp;He also called for all Ukrainian prisoners to be released.

"Please choose your path for leadership - and together we will surely implement the peace formula," he said.

He also lauded China for criticising threats to use nuclear weapons, following Xi Jinping's meeting with US President Joe Biden.&nbsp;

"Nuclear weapons should not be used and nuclear wars should not be fought...," Xi told Biden according to China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

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The two leaders "underscored their opposition to the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine," the White House said in a readout of the meeting.

Both countries have stayed away from the negotiation table ever since the war began in February. Early attempts to broker a ceasefire in Istanbul had also broken down.

The first Minsk agreements - signed in 2014 and 2015 - were brokered by Germany and France in eastern Ukraine amid a war between Russian-backed separatists and Kyiv. Both sides have accused each other of violating the deal.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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A war of words ensued between Russia and Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the G20 Summit that there will be no "Minsk 3" deal to end the fighting in Ukraine.

A war of words ensued between Russia and Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the G20 Summit that there will be no "Minsk 3" deal to end the fighting in Ukraine. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the statement is a clear indication that Kyiv is not interested in holding peace talks with Moscow, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. Speaking via video link, Zelensky ruled out a third "Minsk agreement", a reference to two failed ceasefire deals between Kyiv and Moscow over the status of the eastern Donbas region. "We will not allow Russia to wait, build up its forces, and then start a new series of terror and global destabilisation. There will be no Minsk 3, which Russia will violate immediately after the agreement," Zelensky said. Also Read | US, Russia spy chiefs discuss Russian nuke threats in first talks since Ukraine war Peskov was then questioned whether the statement confirms that Kyiv is unwilling to negotiate with Russia, to which he told state-run RIA Novosti news agency: "Absolutely." Zelensky in his address, urged world leaders to back a plan to end the war, saying now was the time to push for peace after Russia's defeat in the southern city of Kherson. "I am convinced now is the time when the Russian destructive war must and can be stopped," he said. He said that now that Ukraine is making advances, there would be more fighting until they reclaim control of all of its occupied territory. Zelensky made it clear that Kyiv would not compromise its sovereignty, territory or independence and called on Russia to withdraw its forces and reaffirm Ukraine's territorial integrity. He also called for all Ukrainian prisoners to be released. "Please choose your path for leadership - and together we will surely implement the peace formula," he said. He also lauded China for criticising threats to use nuclear weapons, following Xi Jinping's meeting with US President Joe Biden. "Nuclear weapons should not be used and nuclear wars should not be fought...," Xi told Biden according to China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. × The two leaders "underscored their opposition to the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine," the White House said in a readout of the meeting. Both countries have stayed away from the negotiation table ever since the war began in February. Early attempts to broker a ceasefire in Istanbul had also broken down. The first Minsk agreements - signed in 2014 and 2015 - were brokered by Germany and France in eastern Ukraine amid a war between Russian-backed separatists and Kyiv. Both sides have accused each other of violating the deal. (With inputs from agencies)

Zelensky urges G20 leaders to 'push for peace' even as Kremlin says Kyiv is not interested in negotiations

The brutal death of a Russian mercenary in Ukraine who changed sides in September to fight against the Russians has received a strong reaction from Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private military group.

Wagner group is a network of Russian mercenaries. Originally staffed by veterans of the Russian armed forces, the mercenaries have fought in Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic, Mali and Ukraine, among other countries.

In September, an unverified video emerged on Telegram which showed a man who gave his name as Yevgenny Nuzhin, 55, brutally executed by a sledgehammer. The gory incident was captured on camera.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-russia-spy-chief-hold-talks-to-discuss-vladimir-putins-nuclear-threats-534227">US, Russia spy chiefs discuss Russian nuke threats in first talks since Ukraine war</a>

Nuzhin, in the video was shown with his head taped to a brick wall. He said he was abducted in Kyiv on October 11 and came around in a cellar. "I got hit over the head and lost consciousness and came around in this cellar," he said. "They told me I was to be tried," reported Reuters quoting the mercenary.&nbsp;

Later, the video shows Nuzhin, who is identified as a former Wagner mercenary, admitting that he had changed sides in September to "fight against the Russians". Outraged at the mercenary who defected to Ukraine, an unidentified man in combat is seen attacking Nuzhin's head and neck&nbsp;with a sledgehammer.&nbsp;

After the smashing, Nuzhin collapsed onto the floor and the unidentified man delivered another blow to his head. In response to the emerged video, Russian President Vladimir Putin's close aid Yevgeny Prigozhin on Sunday termed it "a dog's death for a dog." He said the mercenary was a traitor.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unga-passes-resolution-seeking-reparation-from-russia-to-ukraine-india-abstains-from-voting-534268">UNGA passes resolution seeking reparation from Russia to Ukraine; India abstains from voting</a>

The video which Reuters was unable to verify was posted under the title "The hammer of revenge". "Nuzhin betrayed his people, betrayed his comrades, betrayed consciously," said Prigozhin, who has been sanctioned by the United States and European Union for his role in Wagner. "Nuzhin was a traitor."

Prigozhin confirmed in September that Wagner Group was founded in 2014. It was the first public acknowledgement of a link he has refuted. He has also sued journalists for reporting over the group and its linkages. In a video which was released in September, he was seen hiring convicts in a Russian jail for the war.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/g20-summit-2022-indian-pm-modi-speaks-on-impact-of-supply-chain-crisis-534253">G20 Summit 2022: Indian PM Modi speaks on impact of supply chain crisis</a>

Prigozhin on Sunday also issued a warning to others in Russian society whom he described as traitors. "Do not forget, there are not only traitors who throw away their automatic guns and go over to the enemy," he said.

"Some traitors are holed up in offices, not thinking about their own people. Some of them use their own business jets to fly to those countries that seem neutral to us so far. They fly away so as not to participate in today's problems. They are traitors too." 
&nbsp;

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The brutal death of a Russian mercenary in Ukraine who changed sides in September to fight against the Russians has received a strong reaction from Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private military group.

The brutal death of a Russian mercenary in Ukraine who changed sides in September to fight against the Russians has received a strong reaction from Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private military group. Wagner group is a network of Russian mercenaries. Originally staffed by veterans of the Russian armed forces, the mercenaries have fought in Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic, Mali and Ukraine, among other countries. In September, an unverified video emerged on Telegram which showed a man who gave his name as Yevgenny Nuzhin, 55, brutally executed by a sledgehammer. The gory incident was captured on camera. ALSO READ | US, Russia spy chiefs discuss Russian nuke threats in first talks since Ukraine war Nuzhin, in the video was shown with his head taped to a brick wall. He said he was abducted in Kyiv on October 11 and came around in a cellar. "I got hit over the head and lost consciousness and came around in this cellar," he said. "They told me I was to be tried," reported Reuters quoting the mercenary. Later, the video shows Nuzhin, who is identified as a former Wagner mercenary, admitting that he had changed sides in September to "fight against the Russians". Outraged at the mercenary who defected to Ukraine, an unidentified man in combat is seen attacking Nuzhin's head and neck with a sledgehammer. After the smashing, Nuzhin collapsed onto the floor and the unidentified man delivered another blow to his head. In response to the emerged video, Russian President Vladimir Putin's close aid Yevgeny Prigozhin on Sunday termed it "a dog's death for a dog." He said the mercenary was a traitor. ALSO READ | UNGA passes resolution seeking reparation from Russia to Ukraine; India abstains from voting The video which Reuters was unable to verify was posted under the title "The hammer of revenge". "Nuzhin betrayed his people, betrayed his comrades, betrayed consciously," said Prigozhin, who has been sanctioned by the United States and European Union for his role in Wagner. "Nuzhin was a traitor." Prigozhin confirmed in September that Wagner Group was founded in 2014. It was the first public acknowledgement of a link he has refuted. He has also sued journalists for reporting over the group and its linkages. In a video which was released in September, he was seen hiring convicts in a Russian jail for the war. WATCH | G20 Summit 2022: Indian PM Modi speaks on impact of supply chain crisis Prigozhin on Sunday also issued a warning to others in Russian society whom he described as traitors. "Do not forget, there are not only traitors who throw away their automatic guns and go over to the enemy," he said. "Some traitors are holed up in offices, not thinking about their own people. Some of them use their own business jets to fly to those countries that seem neutral to us so far. They fly away so as not to participate in today's problems. They are traitors too." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Putin's ally lauds sledgehammer execution of Russian mercenary who 'defected' to Ukraine

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday made an unannounced visit to the recaptured southern city of&nbsp;Kherson. He thanked allies for the support the country has received. Earlier, Zelensky in his nightly video address on Sunday, had said Russian soldiers committed war crimes and killed civilians in the region.

"We are moving forward," he said in an address to Ukrainian troops, thanking NATO and other allies for their continuing support in the war against Russia.

"We are ready for peace, peace for all our country."

"Investigators have already documented more than 400 Russian war crimes. Bodies of dead civilians and servicemen have been found," Zelensky said.

"The Russian army left behind the same savagery it did in other regions of the country it entered," he said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-railways-offer-symbolic-tickets-celebrating-victory-in-kherson-533807">Ukraine railways offer symbolic tickets celebrating victory in Kherson</a>

Mass graves have been routinely found in several places across Ukraine over the past few months. Civilian bodies showing evidence of torture were discovered in the Kharkiv region and in Bucha, near Kyiv. Ukraine had accused Russian troops of committing the crimes.

A United Nations commission in October had also accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine and of a "vast majority" of human rights violations in the early weeks of the war.

Russian troops had been holding Kherson, the only regional capital it was able to capture, since the start of the invasion in February. Ukrainian troops arrived in the centre of southern Kherson region on Friday after it was abandoned by Moscow. There were heart-warming scenes on the streets as the villagers greeted the soldiers with flowers who poured in to secure control of the right bank of the Dnipro River.

Artillery exchanges could be heard on Sunday, but that did not stop people from gathering on Kherson's main square to celebrate the occasion. They tried to catch mobile phone signals from Starlink ground stations carried on Ukrainian military vehicles.

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The governor of Kherson region, Yaroslav Yanushevych, said they will maintain a curfew from 5 pm to 8 am and ban people from leaving or entering the city as a security measure.

"The enemy mined all critical infrastructure," Yanushevych told Ukrainian TV. "We are trying to meet within a few days and (then) open the city," he said.

He asked citizens to stay away from the centre of the city as demining operations were due to happen. Zelensky also warned Kherson residents about the presence of Russian mines. "I am asking you please not to forget that the situation in Kherson region remains very dangerous," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday made an unannounced visit to the recaptured southern city of Kherson. He thanked allies for the support the country has received. Earlier, Zelensky in his nightly video address on Sunday, had said Russian soldiers committed war crimes and killed civilians in the region. "We are moving forward," he said in an address to Ukrainian troops, thanking NATO and other allies for their continuing support in the war against Russia. "We are ready for peace, peace for all our country." "Investigators have already documented more than 400 Russian war crimes. Bodies of dead civilians and servicemen have been found," Zelensky said. "The Russian army left behind the same savagery it did in other regions of the country it entered," he said. Also Read | Ukraine railways offer symbolic tickets celebrating victory in Kherson Mass graves have been routinely found in several places across Ukraine over the past few months. Civilian bodies showing evidence of torture were discovered in the Kharkiv region and in Bucha, near Kyiv. Ukraine had accused Russian troops of committing the crimes. A United Nations commission in October had also accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine and of a "vast majority" of human rights violations in the early weeks of the war. Russian troops had been holding Kherson, the only regional capital it was able to capture, since the start of the invasion in February. Ukrainian troops arrived in the centre of southern Kherson region on Friday after it was abandoned by Moscow. There were heart-warming scenes on the streets as the villagers greeted the soldiers with flowers who poured in to secure control of the right bank of the Dnipro River. Artillery exchanges could be heard on Sunday, but that did not stop people from gathering on Kherson's main square to celebrate the occasion. They tried to catch mobile phone signals from Starlink ground stations carried on Ukrainian military vehicles. × The governor of Kherson region, Yaroslav Yanushevych, said they will maintain a curfew from 5 pm to 8 am and ban people from leaving or entering the city as a security measure. "The enemy mined all critical infrastructure," Yanushevych told Ukrainian TV. "We are trying to meet within a few days and (then) open the city," he said. He asked citizens to stay away from the centre of the city as demining operations were due to happen. Zelensky also warned Kherson residents about the presence of Russian mines. "I am asking you please not to forget that the situation in Kherson region remains very dangerous," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Zelensky visits Kherson after accusing Russia of committing over 400 war crimes

Ukrainian residents welcomed troops arriving in the center of Kherson on Friday after Russia abandoned the only regional capital it had captured. Watch the full video to know more

Russia-Ukraine War: Locals welcome Ukraine soldiers in Kherson

The 21st&nbsp;century, still young, is already in the grip of three superstates: the defence industry; energy cartels; and the infotech behemoths turbo-powered by the greatest technological advance in the history of science and ingenious invention. They are not unipolar. Their companies compete. But they protect spectacular gains and advance their global interests with an arsenal of shareholder finance, psychological intimidation, legal acumen, and the persistent promotion of their wares as the chief guardians or motivators of human welfare.

The defence industry is as old as the cudgel and will, in the company of the indefatigable cockroach, be the first to revive after the nuclear Armageddon, emerging from personalised bomb shelters with placards headlined&nbsp;I Told You So!, Never Again! and Unused Nuclear Missiles at Heavy Discount!&nbsp;Security has had a lock-hold on the human psyche ever since Cain, the rogue son of Adam, lured his naïve brother Abel into the fields, killed him, and then told God that he was not his brother’s keeper. Defence companies rushed to Abel’s heirs.

Insecurity began with creation. Oil is recent, and the net barely pubescent, but all three are dominant.

The dimensions of their power make old terminology seem inadequate. Terms such as “super” and “power” require a rethink, for their supreme power has been virtually unshackled from the constraints of responsibility. In the old hierarchy, governments sat at the top, with the ability to regulate industry and steer inventions towards the public’s convenience. Governments themselves were accountable, obviously so in a democracy; but even dictators could not fly too far from the compulsions of good governance. The Roman dictator-emperors summed it up in a cynical formula: bread and circuses. The emperor who forgot to provide bread for the citizens soon lost his head.

The private sector military-mineral-infotech industrial complex has positioned itself as indispensable. In a best-case scenario, it works in partnership with governments, minimising friction; but it sets the agenda, driven by the terms of global capitalisation and global markets. National space is of secondary importance.

Using the sanctuary of tax havens or exploiting tax loopholes when they can, the private companies are able to multiply their own profits even when advanced economies teeter on the edge of recession. Governments have been reduced to enablers, in a bid to share the rewards. Indeed, the international standing and economic health of a nation can depend on the capacity of its companies to supply guns, gas or gossip to the world. “Super” is too weak a word. Think hyper. Power is passé. Think control.

The defence industry makes very healthy money out of legitimate business; but its real wealth comes from purchases by ego-driven politicians and generals who justify bloated defence budgets by theories like “balance-of-power” and its multiple derivatives. The first influential theorist was Thucydides, the Greek historian of the Peloponnesian Wars. Over 25 centuries later, no one has improved upon the central justification of his argument: realism. His realism implied that the ability to fight a war was the only guarantee of peace, and if you thought that was a paradox you were sailing on a dreamboat towards the edge of a waterfall.

The most successful ploy in advertising is the conversion of part of the truth into the whole truth. Defence is a genuine necessity, and always has been. The art of profiteering lies in the manipulation of threat perception, in which the defence boys brandishing bespoke brochures have developed great expertise, while their agents divert ad-spend to the bribery budget.

The energy brainiacs have a better story to tell, for they have a better product to sell. Oil was a flicker in the wick lamp until it became the mainstay of a value-added industrial revolution and the fuel for new machines which altered the meaning of comfort and travel. This energy transformed lives dramatically. It also provided the death industry with a re-imagined range of armaments. It was the perfect double whammy.

Inevitably, Europe’s colonial powers seized desert nations to take control of oil wells when they were discovered in the sands of Iran and Arabia in the late 19th century. America had enough oil of its own but got into the game because it was so cost-friendly. This colonial inequity was effectively challenged only in the 1970s when producer-nations under the OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) umbrella finally ended price-fixing by the buyers, and then survived the bruising propaganda onslaught which followed. Half-a-century later, oil producers have become what they always wanted to be: partners, not stenographers taking dictation. This is the basis for the rediscovered self-confidence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. They also took the sensible decision to ensure that their governments held majority control of their natural resources companies.

Oil does not require much sales talk. We know the brand of our toothpaste, but who knows the name of the company that provides Norway’s oil or Qatar’s gas? Traditional firms like Burmah Shell and Esso advertised only when they went into direct retail.

One was intrigued therefore to find that the hitherto silent, discreet and successful Saudi giant Aramco had taken billboard space during the last Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament in India and sponsored the T20 cricket championship in Australia. Something different was happening. The wealthiest oil company in the world had clearly been nominated flag-bearer of radical change in what had become a closed kingdom. Aramco is leading the reinvention of Saudi Arabia as a land of sport leadership, futuristic urban spaces, and Halloween fun.

If Dubai can become a hub of cricket, why should Jeddah not host the Olympics? Ignore the weather. Jeddah could create an Iceland in a stadium if it wanted, and in winter this port city on the Red Sea can be salubrious in the mornings. It might need an early start for the marathon, though.

<h2>The opium doctrine&nbsp;</h2>

The vulnerable side of the behemoth triangle is the tech industry, which is ironic since it has contributed more to genuine radical growth than the other two sides combined. Within three decades, it has reached more homes across the globe than any other product in history. It will not be hobbled by such reach, and will continue to expand because of its miraculous utility, but it has already been wounded by a human flaw—the inability of owners to distinguish between profit and greed. Greed required distortion, which they could not resist. Lifted from college-dorm anonymity to multi-billionaire world fame within a decade, they became consumed by hubris. The masters of this social universe broke the first and last commandment of communication, credibility.

The computer revolution began at the apex of virtue, as a final-frontier answer to the continuous quest for greater knowledge. It changed more aspects of behaviour, conscious and unconscious, than any previous invention. But a branch of the net, following insatiable appetites, became the monster that now threatens the maker. Even in the grapevine of gossip, there is good and bad; most chatter is nourishing. The problem is that the bad overwhelms the good. A remarkable platform for personal communication became a stage for mass hysteria under the cover of free speech. It does not matter where the hysteria came from, left or right; the diatribe was protected by the tribe.

This was achieved through the connivance of the victim. The Opium Doctrine was in play, and like opium it was heady. In the middle of the 19th century, the absolute monarchs of the Qing-Manchu dynasty, in power from 1644, tried to stop the East India Company’s opium invasion of China by military force and law. Opium, with a little help from gunboat diplomacy, won. In the 1970s, the US launched a holy war against marijuana when Richard Nixon was in power. Marijuana, curated by mafia lords of Latin America, won. Once demonised as the drug that would destroy civilisation, it is now legal in half of America.

Like opium, Facebook or Twitter did not need to advertise to expand. Their model was the ultimate marketing fantasy. Every consumer became its advertiser. Word of mouth made a handful of tech companies into a Club of Diamonds, who then set the rules to serve their interests.

For Karl Marx, religion was the opium of the masses, and indeed the market-managers of traditional religions did make belligerent profits with their secret recipe for creation. The buccaneers of mass-tech, however, are more interested in their bank accounts than in any believer’s ledger log of sin and virtue. The Club of Diamonds, ever in search of escalating profits, turned part of the internet, once the potential church, mosque and temple of democratised knowledge, into the agora of sanctimonious slur. Their business had one great redeeming feature, though: humour. This, too, was a bestseller.

Having captured their millions of users, the Control Club raised their ambitions. They decided that they could also determine the fate of elections through suppression of information; that they could arbitrate on the meaning of right and wrong; that they could censor opinion by subterfuge. They turned globalisation into a quasi-religion, decrying nationalism as a heresy with the zeal of an inquisition. Some very good minds, and many prominent leaders, did not quite realise that they had been gulled into questioning the nation-state itself by a cartel’s business model.

<h2>A reaction was due. It may have begun.</h2>

Is Elon Musk a dynamite stick with a lit fuse? Musk is a contrarian and an egoist, and a disruptor, but less maverick than he purports to be. He understands business, or Tesla would have never been larger than a garage. He will not explode in isolation, if he does explode at all. If the Club of Diamonds decides to cut his hair, Samson Musk will bring the pillars of a larger structure down with him.

The only power to gain from Musk’s self-annihilation will be China, which has the Tesla car production facilities in its backyard and is ready to replace Twitter with TikTok after a tweak or two. TikTok is the sound of time. Twitter is a giggle. Time can wait.

The towering conceit of this century is that the blood and gore of imperialism is being whittled into a genteel new construct where knowledge and new mores are spreading light, harmony and reform. The first decade of the last 30 years was consumed by Afghanistan and Iraq; the second by Syria; the third is being chewed to bits by Ukraine. There is an obvious question. Is Ukraine the last war of the old era or the first one of the new age?

The causes, of course, lie in the past. President Putin may have seen the American sunset in Kabul and confused it with a Russian dawn. Perhaps he did not take into proper consideration the fact that America’s gut instincts are not aroused by revenge against zealot terrorists in strange robes but by a threat to its military and technological dominance. This means Russia and China. Moscow and Beijing cannot be locked away in Guantanamo. Ukraine is yet another splash of blood in the long war between Washington and Moscow. Russia may not be as strong as the Soviet Union, but it is still powerful enough to blow up the world.

<h2>Is China a bystander?</h2>

China takes pride in a lofty version of isolation. Its mandarins were unimpressed by thoughts of world conquest because in their view what the world had to offer was far inferior to what China already possessed. Their foreign policy was determined not by the rights of conquest but by the rights of superiority.

Foreigners were either supplicants or barbarians who had to kowtow. When barbarians, whether Mongol or Manchu, did breach the walls and seize Beijing, they were required to surrender to Chinese language and civilisation. The Chinese cannot easily forgive those foreigners who did not submit: the Europeans and the Japanese. The experience of European and Japanese invasion and conquest remains traumatic.

Mao Zedong was revered because he repositioned communism with Chinese characteristics, ignoring Lenin’s internationalism. Mao sent troops to Tibet to expand China’s suzerainty, and to North Korea to preserve a buffer zone against American aggression. Mao did not send troops to Vietnam. Mao’s successors have been cautious about getting involved in others’ wars. President Xi Jinping has struck a jarring note by upgrading his diplomats into wolf warriors, but he is most unlikely to throw caution aside. He will, in good Chinese fashion, wait, watch and pounce only when the opportunity becomes irresistible.

China’s strategy is to become the dominant power of the next world order, not of this one. It can wait for the present order to fall in disarray. The question then becomes different. Will Ukraine begin the swerve to a new order?

The Ukraine war will wind down. The price of sustaining it is too high on both sides. There will be a solution. People forget that a solution is liquid, not hard; from fluidity will emerge a compromise between the US and Russia which Kyiv will have to accept. In the middle of World War I, American President Woodrow Wilson proposed a peace without victory. There were no takers then, for Britain, France and Germany believed that total victory was possible. Ukraine is likely to end in a peace without categorical victory.

There will be fallout on all sides, as major nations take stock of what they have learnt from this war. The most important repercussion is one that has not been discussed.

<h2>Ukraine is a European crisis with Asian consequences.</h2>

Russia and China have reached out to each other. When they consider the future once the missiles stop, could they bring Iran into an informal alliance on the principle of an enemy’s enemy being a friend? That is what a wartime bloc is about in any case. After all, the confrontation with America and its allies will not cease. It will simply seek different arenas. It is likely China will assume leadership of the Beijing-Moscow-Tehran troika.

The three have acknowledged prowess in defence, energy, and technology. It is axiomatic that technology will be the heavy artillery of the next confrontation, with its wide range of insidious abilities to influence events and thinking. We cannot predict the specific geography of the next Ukraine.

What we can say with some certainty is that the next battle will first be fought in the mind.

This article first appeared in Open Magazine.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

The 21st century, still young, is already in the grip of three superstates: the defence industry; energy cartels; and the infotech behemoths turbo-powered by the greatest technological advance in the history of science and ingenious invention.

The 21st century, still young, is already in the grip of three superstates: the defence industry; energy cartels; and the infotech behemoths turbo-powered by the greatest technological advance in the history of science and ingenious invention. They are not unipolar. Their companies compete. But they protect spectacular gains and advance their global interests with an arsenal of shareholder finance, psychological intimidation, legal acumen, and the persistent promotion of their wares as the chief guardians or motivators of human welfare. The defence industry is as old as the cudgel and will, in the company of the indefatigable cockroach, be the first to revive after the nuclear Armageddon, emerging from personalised bomb shelters with placards headlined I Told You So!, Never Again! and Unused Nuclear Missiles at Heavy Discount! Security has had a lock-hold on the human psyche ever since Cain, the rogue son of Adam, lured his naïve brother Abel into the fields, killed him, and then told God that he was not his brother’s keeper. Defence companies rushed to Abel’s heirs. Insecurity began with creation. Oil is recent, and the net barely pubescent, but all three are dominant. The dimensions of their power make old terminology seem inadequate. Terms such as “super” and “power” require a rethink, for their supreme power has been virtually unshackled from the constraints of responsibility. In the old hierarchy, governments sat at the top, with the ability to regulate industry and steer inventions towards the public’s convenience. Governments themselves were accountable, obviously so in a democracy; but even dictators could not fly too far from the compulsions of good governance. The Roman dictator-emperors summed it up in a cynical formula: bread and circuses. The emperor who forgot to provide bread for the citizens soon lost his head. The private sector military-mineral-infotech industrial complex has positioned itself as indispensable. In a best-case scenario, it works in partnership with governments, minimising friction; but it sets the agenda, driven by the terms of global capitalisation and global markets. National space is of secondary importance. Using the sanctuary of tax havens or exploiting tax loopholes when they can, the private companies are able to multiply their own profits even when advanced economies teeter on the edge of recession. Governments have been reduced to enablers, in a bid to share the rewards. Indeed, the international standing and economic health of a nation can depend on the capacity of its companies to supply guns, gas or gossip to the world. “Super” is too weak a word. Think hyper. Power is passé. Think control. The defence industry makes very healthy money out of legitimate business; but its real wealth comes from purchases by ego-driven politicians and generals who justify bloated defence budgets by theories like “balance-of-power” and its multiple derivatives. The first influential theorist was Thucydides, the Greek historian of the Peloponnesian Wars. Over 25 centuries later, no one has improved upon the central justification of his argument: realism. His realism implied that the ability to fight a war was the only guarantee of peace, and if you thought that was a paradox you were sailing on a dreamboat towards the edge of a waterfall. The most successful ploy in advertising is the conversion of part of the truth into the whole truth. Defence is a genuine necessity, and always has been. The art of profiteering lies in the manipulation of threat perception, in which the defence boys brandishing bespoke brochures have developed great expertise, while their agents divert ad-spend to the bribery budget. The energy brainiacs have a better story to tell, for they have a better product to sell. Oil was a flicker in the wick lamp until it became the mainstay of a value-added industrial revolution and the fuel for new machines which altered the meaning of comfort and travel. This energy transformed lives dramatically. It also provided the death industry with a re-imagined range of armaments. It was the perfect double whammy. Inevitably, Europe’s colonial powers seized desert nations to take control of oil wells when they were discovered in the sands of Iran and Arabia in the late 19th century. America had enough oil of its own but got into the game because it was so cost-friendly. This colonial inequity was effectively challenged only in the 1970s when producer-nations under the OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) umbrella finally ended price-fixing by the buyers, and then survived the bruising propaganda onslaught which followed. Half-a-century later, oil producers have become what they always wanted to be: partners, not stenographers taking dictation. This is the basis for the rediscovered self-confidence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. They also took the sensible decision to ensure that their governments held majority control of their natural resources companies. Oil does not require much sales talk. We know the brand of our toothpaste, but who knows the name of the company that provides Norway’s oil or Qatar’s gas? Traditional firms like Burmah Shell and Esso advertised only when they went into direct retail. One was intrigued therefore to find that the hitherto silent, discreet and successful Saudi giant Aramco had taken billboard space during the last Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament in India and sponsored the T20 cricket championship in Australia. Something different was happening. The wealthiest oil company in the world had clearly been nominated flag-bearer of radical change in what had become a closed kingdom. Aramco is leading the reinvention of Saudi Arabia as a land of sport leadership, futuristic urban spaces, and Halloween fun. If Dubai can become a hub of cricket, why should Jeddah not host the Olympics? Ignore the weather. Jeddah could create an Iceland in a stadium if it wanted, and in winter this port city on the Red Sea can be salubrious in the mornings. It might need an early start for the marathon, though. The opium doctrine The vulnerable side of the behemoth triangle is the tech industry, which is ironic since it has contributed more to genuine radical growth than the other two sides combined. Within three decades, it has reached more homes across the globe than any other product in history. It will not be hobbled by such reach, and will continue to expand because of its miraculous utility, but it has already been wounded by a human flaw—the inability of owners to distinguish between profit and greed. Greed required distortion, which they could not resist. Lifted from college-dorm anonymity to multi-billionaire world fame within a decade, they became consumed by hubris. The masters of this social universe broke the first and last commandment of communication, credibility. The computer revolution began at the apex of virtue, as a final-frontier answer to the continuous quest for greater knowledge. It changed more aspects of behaviour, conscious and unconscious, than any previous invention. But a branch of the net, following insatiable appetites, became the monster that now threatens the maker. Even in the grapevine of gossip, there is good and bad; most chatter is nourishing. The problem is that the bad overwhelms the good. A remarkable platform for personal communication became a stage for mass hysteria under the cover of free speech. It does not matter where the hysteria came from, left or right; the diatribe was protected by the tribe. This was achieved through the connivance of the victim. The Opium Doctrine was in play, and like opium it was heady. In the middle of the 19th century, the absolute monarchs of the Qing-Manchu dynasty, in power from 1644, tried to stop the East India Company’s opium invasion of China by military force and law. Opium, with a little help from gunboat diplomacy, won. In the 1970s, the US launched a holy war against marijuana when Richard Nixon was in power. Marijuana, curated by mafia lords of Latin America, won. Once demonised as the drug that would destroy civilisation, it is now legal in half of America. Like opium, Facebook or Twitter did not need to advertise to expand. Their model was the ultimate marketing fantasy. Every consumer became its advertiser. Word of mouth made a handful of tech companies into a Club of Diamonds, who then set the rules to serve their interests. For Karl Marx, religion was the opium of the masses, and indeed the market-managers of traditional religions did make belligerent profits with their secret recipe for creation. The buccaneers of mass-tech, however, are more interested in their bank accounts than in any believer’s ledger log of sin and virtue. The Club of Diamonds, ever in search of escalating profits, turned part of the internet, once the potential church, mosque and temple of democratised knowledge, into the agora of sanctimonious slur. Their business had one great redeeming feature, though: humour. This, too, was a bestseller. Having captured their millions of users, the Control Club raised their ambitions. They decided that they could also determine the fate of elections through suppression of information; that they could arbitrate on the meaning of right and wrong; that they could censor opinion by subterfuge. They turned globalisation into a quasi-religion, decrying nationalism as a heresy with the zeal of an inquisition. Some very good minds, and many prominent leaders, did not quite realise that they had been gulled into questioning the nation-state itself by a cartel’s business model. A reaction was due. It may have begun. Is Elon Musk a dynamite stick with a lit fuse? Musk is a contrarian and an egoist, and a disruptor, but less maverick than he purports to be. He understands business, or Tesla would have never been larger than a garage. He will not explode in isolation, if he does explode at all. If the Club of Diamonds decides to cut his hair, Samson Musk will bring the pillars of a larger structure down with him. The only power to gain from Musk’s self-annihilation will be China, which has the Tesla car production facilities in its backyard and is ready to replace Twitter with TikTok after a tweak or two. TikTok is the sound of time. Twitter is a giggle. Time can wait. The towering conceit of this century is that the blood and gore of imperialism is being whittled into a genteel new construct where knowledge and new mores are spreading light, harmony and reform. The first decade of the last 30 years was consumed by Afghanistan and Iraq; the second by Syria; the third is being chewed to bits by Ukraine. There is an obvious question. Is Ukraine the last war of the old era or the first one of the new age? The causes, of course, lie in the past. President Putin may have seen the American sunset in Kabul and confused it with a Russian dawn. Perhaps he did not take into proper consideration the fact that America’s gut instincts are not aroused by revenge against zealot terrorists in strange robes but by a threat to its military and technological dominance. This means Russia and China. Moscow and Beijing cannot be locked away in Guantanamo. Ukraine is yet another splash of blood in the long war between Washington and Moscow. Russia may not be as strong as the Soviet Union, but it is still powerful enough to blow up the world. Is China a bystander? China takes pride in a lofty version of isolation. Its mandarins were unimpressed by thoughts of world conquest because in their view what the world had to offer was far inferior to what China already possessed. Their foreign policy was determined not by the rights of conquest but by the rights of superiority. Foreigners were either supplicants or barbarians who had to kowtow. When barbarians, whether Mongol or Manchu, did breach the walls and seize Beijing, they were required to surrender to Chinese language and civilisation. The Chinese cannot easily forgive those foreigners who did not submit: the Europeans and the Japanese. The experience of European and Japanese invasion and conquest remains traumatic. Mao Zedong was revered because he repositioned communism with Chinese characteristics, ignoring Lenin’s internationalism. Mao sent troops to Tibet to expand China’s suzerainty, and to North Korea to preserve a buffer zone against American aggression. Mao did not send troops to Vietnam. Mao’s successors have been cautious about getting involved in others’ wars. President Xi Jinping has struck a jarring note by upgrading his diplomats into wolf warriors, but he is most unlikely to throw caution aside. He will, in good Chinese fashion, wait, watch and pounce only when the opportunity becomes irresistible. China’s strategy is to become the dominant power of the next world order, not of this one. It can wait for the present order to fall in disarray. The question then becomes different. Will Ukraine begin the swerve to a new order? The Ukraine war will wind down. The price of sustaining it is too high on both sides. There will be a solution. People forget that a solution is liquid, not hard; from fluidity will emerge a compromise between the US and Russia which Kyiv will have to accept. In the middle of World War I, American President Woodrow Wilson proposed a peace without victory. There were no takers then, for Britain, France and Germany believed that total victory was possible. Ukraine is likely to end in a peace without categorical victory. There will be fallout on all sides, as major nations take stock of what they have learnt from this war. The most important repercussion is one that has not been discussed. Ukraine is a European crisis with Asian consequences. Russia and China have reached out to each other. When they consider the future once the missiles stop, could they bring Iran into an informal alliance on the principle of an enemy’s enemy being a friend? That is what a wartime bloc is about in any case. After all, the confrontation with America and its allies will not cease. It will simply seek different arenas. It is likely China will assume leadership of the Beijing-Moscow-Tehran troika. The three have acknowledged prowess in defence, energy, and technology. It is axiomatic that technology will be the heavy artillery of the next confrontation, with its wide range of insidious abilities to influence events and thinking. We cannot predict the specific geography of the next Ukraine. What we can say with some certainty is that the next battle will first be fought in the mind. This article first appeared in Open Magazine. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

The age of hypercontrol

As the US midterm contest is headed for a cliffhanger finish, a Republican hopes of a stinging blow to President Joe Biden in the elections seems to be receding. In many US states the midterms will have a direct impact on the 2024 presidential election and the results will also have global repercussions.

How the US Midterms could impact Russia-Ukraine war? US policies to have global repercussions?

As temperatures drop below freezing in eastern Ukraine, people are preparing for harshest winter in decades. Watch full video to know more.

Ukrainians prepare for harsh wartime winter

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan recently held a confidential meeting with Yuri Ushakov, a foreign-policy adviser to Vladimir Putin, to dissuade Kremlin from intensifying the conflict with Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported citing two unnamed US officials.

The meeting between the two top officials comes in the wake of reports that Russia is ramping up its nuclear arsenal to be used in the Ukrainian war.

According to the US media outlet, Sullivan has also been in contact with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev, the officials said, adding that the aim of the engagement was to keep communications channels open, and not to discuss a settlement of the Ukrainian war.

The newspaper reported that US officials did not provide the dates or the number of calls.

Responding to the reports about Sullivan’s confidential meetings, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said, “People claim a lot of things” and declined to comment further.

Watch |&nbsp;US pushes Ukraine to let go of refusal to talk to Russia, war takes a toll on world economy

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-pushes-ukraine-to-let-go-of-refusal-to-talk-to-russia-war-takes-a-toll-on-world-economy-531578/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Kremlin didn’t respond to a request for comment, the WSJ reported.

On Friday, President Joe Biden's top national security advisor travelled to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

During the meeting, he announced a new $400 million military aid package which includes refurbished T-72 tanks, which is the first time the US is sending tanks to Ukraine, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles and the refurbishment of 250 HAWK surface-to-air missiles for eventual transfer to Ukraine, according to the White House.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-braces-for-further-attacks-on-its-infrastructure-zelensky-predicts-energy-will-be-russias-1st-target-531726">Ukraine braces for further attacks on its infrastructure</a>

The White House said &nbsp;that Sullivan visited Zelensky to “underscore the United States' steadfast support to Ukraine and its people as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity,”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-tears-flow-as-warring-nations-exchange-prisoners-of-war-531716" hreflang="en">Russia-Ukraine conflict: Tears flow as warring nations exchange prisoners of war</a>

“He also affirmed the continued provision of economic and humanitarian assistance, as well as ongoing efforts with partners to hold Russia accountable for its aggression.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan recently held a confidential meeting with Yuri Ushakov, a foreign-policy adviser to Vladimir Putin, to dissuade Kremlin from intensifying the conflict with Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported citing two unnamed US officials.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan recently held a confidential meeting with Yuri Ushakov, a foreign-policy adviser to Vladimir Putin, to dissuade Kremlin from intensifying the conflict with Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported citing two unnamed US officials. The meeting between the two top officials comes in the wake of reports that Russia is ramping up its nuclear arsenal to be used in the Ukrainian war. According to the US media outlet, Sullivan has also been in contact with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev, the officials said, adding that the aim of the engagement was to keep communications channels open, and not to discuss a settlement of the Ukrainian war. The newspaper reported that US officials did not provide the dates or the number of calls. Responding to the reports about Sullivan’s confidential meetings, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said, “People claim a lot of things” and declined to comment further. Watch | US pushes Ukraine to let go of refusal to talk to Russia, war takes a toll on world economy The Kremlin didn’t respond to a request for comment, the WSJ reported. On Friday, President Joe Biden's top national security advisor travelled to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the meeting, he announced a new $400 million military aid package which includes refurbished T-72 tanks, which is the first time the US is sending tanks to Ukraine, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles and the refurbishment of 250 HAWK surface-to-air missiles for eventual transfer to Ukraine, according to the White House. Also read | Ukraine braces for further attacks on its infrastructure The White House said that Sullivan visited Zelensky to “underscore the United States' steadfast support to Ukraine and its people as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Also read | Russia-Ukraine conflict: Tears flow as warring nations exchange prisoners of war “He also affirmed the continued provision of economic and humanitarian assistance, as well as ongoing efforts with partners to hold Russia accountable for its aggression.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Amid nuclear war fears, US NSA Sullivan met Russian officials: Report

The Ukrainian government has decided to take control of five companies which included engine maker Sich PJSC and oil producer Ukrnafta PJSC, according to a report on Bloomberg.&nbsp;Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council,&nbsp;said that the decision was taken to “help in the war effort” as the ongoing conflict with Russia wages on. The Ukrainian forces have regained a lot of ground in the past few months and the government is looking to use this move to boost their current position.&nbsp;

The move was also defended by defence minister Oleksii Reznikov who said that this move should not be seen as “nationalisation of resources” and the companies will be returned once the conflict ends.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop27-live-updates-un-chief-calls-for-global-climate-pact-during-summit-in-egypt-531871" hreflang="en">COP27 LIVE | We’re on highway to climate hell, UN chief tells world leaders</a>

Reznikov also thanked the United States, Norway, and Spain for providing NASAMS and Aspide air-defense systems as Russian air strikes have almost doubled in recent times. “We will continue to shoot down the enemy targets attacking us,” Reznikov said in a tweet according to Reuters.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv continued to experience massive power cuts due to Russian attacks on key infrastructures around the city. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko told the citizens on Monday that the situation can remain the same and they can face many similar situations during the winter.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-troops-looting-occupying-homes-in-kherson-for-street-fight-says-ukraine-531923">Russian troops looting &amp; occupying homes in Kherson for street fight: Ukraine</a>

We are doing everything to avoid this. But let’s be frank, our enemies are doing everything for the city to be without heat, without electricity, without water supply, in general, so we all die," Klitschko said. &nbsp;

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed that over 4.5 million people are currently living without&nbsp;electricity due to “mass attacks on our infrastructure” by the Russian military.&nbsp;

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The Ukrainian government has decided to take control of five companies which included engine maker Sich PJSC and oil producer Ukrnafta PJSC, according to a report on Bloomberg.

The Ukrainian government has decided to take control of five companies which included engine maker Sich PJSC and oil producer Ukrnafta PJSC, according to a report on Bloomberg. Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, said that the decision was taken to “help in the war effort” as the ongoing conflict with Russia wages on. The Ukrainian forces have regained a lot of ground in the past few months and the government is looking to use this move to boost their current position. The move was also defended by defence minister Oleksii Reznikov who said that this move should not be seen as “nationalisation of resources” and the companies will be returned once the conflict ends. Also read | COP27 LIVE | We’re on highway to climate hell, UN chief tells world leaders Reznikov also thanked the United States, Norway, and Spain for providing NASAMS and Aspide air-defense systems as Russian air strikes have almost doubled in recent times. “We will continue to shoot down the enemy targets attacking us,” Reznikov said in a tweet according to Reuters. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv continued to experience massive power cuts due to Russian attacks on key infrastructures around the city. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko told the citizens on Monday that the situation can remain the same and they can face many similar situations during the winter. Also read | Russian troops looting & occupying homes in Kherson for street fight: Ukraine We are doing everything to avoid this. But let’s be frank, our enemies are doing everything for the city to be without heat, without electricity, without water supply, in general, so we all die," Klitschko said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed that over 4.5 million people are currently living without electricity due to “mass attacks on our infrastructure” by the Russian military.

Ukraine announces 'strategic requisitions' of five companies for war effort

Russian billionaire banker Oleg Tinkov has renounced his citizenship due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Calling President Vladimir Putin a “fascist”, Tinkov in an Instagram post said, “I have taken the decision to exit my Russian citizenship. I can’t and won’t be associated with a fascist country that started a war with their peaceful neighbour and killing innocent people daily.”

“I hope more prominent Russian businessmen will follow me, so it weakens Putin’s regime and his economy, and put him eventually to defeat.”

The post was later found to be removed from Instagram.

An independent Russian news source, Sota Vision, tweeted a photo of Tinkov's certificate showing his Russian citizenship terminated.

The 54-year-old Russian oligarch has been critical of Putin, describing it as an “insane war” and urging&nbsp;the West to “end the massacre”.

"The Kremlin bureaucrats are shocked that not just they, but also their children now won't travel to the Mediterranean in summer. Businessmen are trying to save the remains of their property," he said in April.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Gas wars: Is Putin losing the battle?

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Tinkov is one of Russia’s self-made business tycoons. He is the founder of Tinkoff Bank, which is one of Russia’s largest lenders, and offers services to 20 million customers.

The businessman was earlier arrested in 2020 in London on charges of tax evasion in the US. He was later given bail due to his leukaemia condition.

In the same year, he stepped down from the role of CEO of Tinkoff.

Notably, he is not the only Russian entrepreneur to give up his citizenship.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missile-attack-on-ukraine-was-in-response-to-drone-attack-on-russian-fleet-putin-530079" hreflang="en">Missile strikes on Ukraine in response to drone attack on Russian fleet: Putin</a>

According to media reports, another Russian banker Nikolay Storonsky gave up his nationality.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-black-sea-fleet-was-damaged-by-ukrainian-drone-attacks-in-crimea-report-529799">Russia’s Black Sea Fleet was damaged by Ukrainian drone attacks in Crimea: Report</a>

In a blog post earlier this year, Storonsky strongly condemned the Russia-Ukraine war, revealing his Ukrainian family connections.

He has British citizenship and founded the British fintech start-up Revolut.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian billionaire banker Oleg Tinkov has renounced his citizenship due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Calling President Vladimir Putin a “fascist”, Tinkov in an Instagram post said, “I have taken the decision to exit my Russian citizenship.

Russian billionaire banker Oleg Tinkov has renounced his citizenship due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Calling President Vladimir Putin a “fascist”, Tinkov in an Instagram post said, “I have taken the decision to exit my Russian citizenship. I can’t and won’t be associated with a fascist country that started a war with their peaceful neighbour and killing innocent people daily.” “I hope more prominent Russian businessmen will follow me, so it weakens Putin’s regime and his economy, and put him eventually to defeat.” The post was later found to be removed from Instagram. An independent Russian news source, Sota Vision, tweeted a photo of Tinkov's certificate showing his Russian citizenship terminated. The 54-year-old Russian oligarch has been critical of Putin, describing it as an “insane war” and urging the West to “end the massacre”. "The Kremlin bureaucrats are shocked that not just they, but also their children now won't travel to the Mediterranean in summer. Businessmen are trying to save the remains of their property," he said in April. Watch | Gravitas: Gas wars: Is Putin losing the battle? Tinkov is one of Russia’s self-made business tycoons. He is the founder of Tinkoff Bank, which is one of Russia’s largest lenders, and offers services to 20 million customers. The businessman was earlier arrested in 2020 in London on charges of tax evasion in the US. He was later given bail due to his leukaemia condition. In the same year, he stepped down from the role of CEO of Tinkoff. Notably, he is not the only Russian entrepreneur to give up his citizenship. Also read | Missile strikes on Ukraine in response to drone attack on Russian fleet: Putin According to media reports, another Russian banker Nikolay Storonsky gave up his nationality. Also read | Russia’s Black Sea Fleet was damaged by Ukrainian drone attacks in Crimea: Report In a blog post earlier this year, Storonsky strongly condemned the Russia-Ukraine war, revealing his Ukrainian family connections. He has British citizenship and founded the British fintech start-up Revolut. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russian tycoon renounces citizenship citing Ukrainian war, calls Putin ‘fascist’

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

A day after Russia claimed a&nbsp;"massive" drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, a new video has emerged showing that Russia’s Admiral Makarov vessel was damaged and most likely disabled by the Ukrainian attack over the weekend.

Russia had accused British troops of being involved in Saturday's attack, inviting a sharp retort from UK Ministry of Defence which said Moscow was "peddling false claims of an epic scale".

According to the open-source investigation by GeoConfirmed community, the Russian Navy’s frigate was attacked by a “swarm of drones” at 4.20 am on Sunday.

After examining the clips, it said, “Only Admiral Makarov matches this class for the Black Sea Fleet.”

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The first videos emerged this morning. 
 
Video 01: Explosion in distance, filmed by a fixed camera. 
 
44.64545, 33.53681 
 
02/ <a href="https://t.co/KRM1sVQZoq">pic.twitter.com/KRM1sVQZoq</a>
— GeoConfirmed (@GeoConfirmed) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoConfirmed/status/1586460402573099009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The video stops when a drone reaches the Russian boat, it added, with the unmanned vessel “likely” blowing up on impact, it said.

The clip showed the unmanned vehicle hovering over the Russian boats near the southern part of Sevastopol in an area known as Riflemen’s Bay. A Russian navy school is reportedly located nearby.

A Ukrainian journalist, Andriy Tsaplienko, had shared dramatic footage shot by a drone in action off the Crimea coast in which it appeared to dodge bullets hitting the water on its way to a target ship.

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Very epic footages from today's attack by drones on the Port in Sevastopol, Crimea 
/1 <a href="https://t.co/9kDbDBkWPV">pic.twitter.com/9kDbDBkWPV</a>
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) <a href="https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1586356804673339392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Russian defence ministry has claimed that Ukraine used nine air and seven sea drones, most of which were intercepted.

However, the ministry did not mention any damages to Admiral Makarov. Though it admitted to “minor damage” to a minesweeper, the Ivan Golubets.

Kremlin on Sunday said that they have recovered the drones and are being analysed. They said that the drones were equipped with Canadian-made navigation modules.

Though Ukraine has kept mum over the incident, the Guardian reported that aides to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hinted at the country’s role in the Saturday attack.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. A day after Russia claimed a "massive" drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, a new video has emerged showing that Russia’s Admiral Makarov vessel was damaged and most likely disabled by the Ukrainian attack over the weekend. Russia had accused British troops of being involved in Saturday's attack, inviting a sharp retort from UK Ministry of Defence which said Moscow was "peddling false claims of an epic scale". According to the open-source investigation by GeoConfirmed community, the Russian Navy’s frigate was attacked by a “swarm of drones” at 4.20 am on Sunday. After examining the clips, it said, “Only Admiral Makarov matches this class for the Black Sea Fleet.” The first videos emerged this morning. Video 01: Explosion in distance, filmed by a fixed camera. 44.64545, 33.53681 02/ pic.twitter.com/KRM1sVQZoq — GeoConfirmed (@GeoConfirmed) October 29, 2022 × The video stops when a drone reaches the Russian boat, it added, with the unmanned vessel “likely” blowing up on impact, it said. The clip showed the unmanned vehicle hovering over the Russian boats near the southern part of Sevastopol in an area known as Riflemen’s Bay. A Russian navy school is reportedly located nearby. A Ukrainian journalist, Andriy Tsaplienko, had shared dramatic footage shot by a drone in action off the Crimea coast in which it appeared to dodge bullets hitting the water on its way to a target ship. Very epic footages from today's attack by drones on the Port in Sevastopol, Crimea /1 pic.twitter.com/9kDbDBkWPV — Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) October 29, 2022 × The Russian defence ministry has claimed that Ukraine used nine air and seven sea drones, most of which were intercepted. However, the ministry did not mention any damages to Admiral Makarov. Though it admitted to “minor damage” to a minesweeper, the Ivan Golubets. Kremlin on Sunday said that they have recovered the drones and are being analysed. They said that the drones were equipped with Canadian-made navigation modules. Though Ukraine has kept mum over the incident, the Guardian reported that aides to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hinted at the country’s role in the Saturday attack. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet was damaged by Ukrainian drone attacks in Crimea: Report

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

A Russian-installed governor in Crimea has said that the Russian navy repelled&nbsp;a drone attack in the bay of Sevastopol early Saturday. The region in Moscow-annexed Crimea houses Moscow's Black Sea Fleet.&nbsp;Sevastopol&nbsp;is the largest city in Crimea, and a major port on the Black Sea.&nbsp;

"Today, starting at 04:30 am for several hours, various air defence systems in Sevastopol repelled drone attacks," Russian-installed Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram. "All UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) have been shot down."&nbsp;

A TASS correspondent also reported hearing a powerful blast early morning. Movement of ferries and boats in the bay has&nbsp;been temporarily blocked. 
 
Razvozhayev had said earlier this week that a drone had attacked a thermal power station near Sevastopol. The Russian fleet stationed in the port had also reportedly been attacked by a drone in July.&nbsp; 
 
Serhiy Hayday, head of the Luhansk regional military administration, said in a post on Saturday morning that Ukraine had conducted airstrikes on Russian positions and air defence systems.

“Missile and artillery units struck enemy positions where batteries of self-propelled artillery systems and other important military targets were located,” Hayday said.

Ukrainian forces have been pressing a counter-offensive to retake regions in the country's Russian-occupied south.

Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.&nbsp;Its forces attacked Ukraine from several directions in February this year, including from Crimea.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. A Russian-installed governor in Crimea has said that the Russian navy repelled a drone attack in the bay of Sevastopol early Saturday. The region in Moscow-annexed Crimea houses Moscow's Black Sea Fleet. Sevastopol is the largest city in Crimea, and a major port on the Black Sea. "Today, starting at 04:30 am for several hours, various air defence systems in Sevastopol repelled drone attacks," Russian-installed Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram. "All UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) have been shot down." A TASS correspondent also reported hearing a powerful blast early morning. Movement of ferries and boats in the bay has been temporarily blocked. Razvozhayev had said earlier this week that a drone had attacked a thermal power station near Sevastopol. The Russian fleet stationed in the port had also reportedly been attacked by a drone in July. Serhiy Hayday, head of the Luhansk regional military administration, said in a post on Saturday morning that Ukraine had conducted airstrikes on Russian positions and air defence systems. “Missile and artillery units struck enemy positions where batteries of self-propelled artillery systems and other important military targets were located,” Hayday said. Ukrainian forces have been pressing a counter-offensive to retake regions in the country's Russian-occupied south. Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Its forces attacked Ukraine from several directions in February this year, including from Crimea. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian navy repelled drone attack in bay of largest Crimea city: Moscow-installed governor

A letter urging US President Joe Biden to engage in direct talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine and sent by 30 members of the progressive caucus of the US House of Representatives, has been retracted. Pramila Jayapal, the chair of the caucus, informed reporters about the same. The letter followed a heated debate within the Democratic party about future strategy over the conflict.

Jayapal implied Tuesday that the letter sent the previous day had all been a mistake. “The letter was drafted several months ago, but unfortunately was released by staff without vetting,” she said.

Jayapal also showed regret for what she said was conflation of the progressive Democratic call for a diplomatic end to the Ukraine war. Republican leader in the House, Kevin McCarthy, had recently threatened to end aid for Ukraine if the Republican party takes back the House in November's midterm elections.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-warns-russia-against-using-nukes-says-would-be-incredibly-serious-mistake-528412">Biden warns Russia against using nukes, says would be 'incredibly serious mistake'</a>

Jayapal said, “The letter sent yesterday has been conflated with GOP opposition to support for the Ukrainians’ just defense of their national sovereignty. As such, it is a distraction at this time and we withdraw the letter.”

The letter that was sent to the White House on Monday reportedly mentions that the progressive Democrats called on Biden to make “vigorous diplomatic efforts” towards a “negotiated settlement and ceasefire”.&nbsp;

Global hunger and poverty were cited as consequences of the war, along with “elevated gas and food prices at home”. It concluded that America’s top priority should be to seek “a rapid end to the conflict”.

The suggestion of “incentives to end hostilities, including some form of sanctions relief” for Russia was what heated up the entire matter. Several Democratic lawmakers had a negative reaction to the letter. It showed there was visible friction over Ukraine within the Democratic party.&nbsp;

Following the pushback, Jayapal issued a clarification, saying, “Let me be clear: we are united as Democrats in our unequivocal commitment to supporting Ukraine in their fight for their democracy and freedom in the face of the illegal and outrageous Russian invasion, and nothing in the letter advocates for a change in that support."&nbsp;

The White House responded by saying that Ukraine will decide for itself when and how to negotiate with Russia. Congress has approved about $66bn for Ukraine since the start of the military intervention in February. The timing of the letter was criticised for following just a week after Kevin McCarthy said that Congress was “not going to write a blank check to Ukraine”.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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A letter urging US President Joe Biden to engage in direct talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine and sent by 30 members of the progressive caucus of the US House of Representatives, has been retracted.

A letter urging US President Joe Biden to engage in direct talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine and sent by 30 members of the progressive caucus of the US House of Representatives, has been retracted. Pramila Jayapal, the chair of the caucus, informed reporters about the same. The letter followed a heated debate within the Democratic party about future strategy over the conflict. Jayapal implied Tuesday that the letter sent the previous day had all been a mistake. “The letter was drafted several months ago, but unfortunately was released by staff without vetting,” she said. Jayapal also showed regret for what she said was conflation of the progressive Democratic call for a diplomatic end to the Ukraine war. Republican leader in the House, Kevin McCarthy, had recently threatened to end aid for Ukraine if the Republican party takes back the House in November's midterm elections. Also Read | Biden warns Russia against using nukes, says would be 'incredibly serious mistake' Jayapal said, “The letter sent yesterday has been conflated with GOP opposition to support for the Ukrainians’ just defense of their national sovereignty. As such, it is a distraction at this time and we withdraw the letter.” The letter that was sent to the White House on Monday reportedly mentions that the progressive Democrats called on Biden to make “vigorous diplomatic efforts” towards a “negotiated settlement and ceasefire”. Global hunger and poverty were cited as consequences of the war, along with “elevated gas and food prices at home”. It concluded that America’s top priority should be to seek “a rapid end to the conflict”. The suggestion of “incentives to end hostilities, including some form of sanctions relief” for Russia was what heated up the entire matter. Several Democratic lawmakers had a negative reaction to the letter. It showed there was visible friction over Ukraine within the Democratic party. Following the pushback, Jayapal issued a clarification, saying, “Let me be clear: we are united as Democrats in our unequivocal commitment to supporting Ukraine in their fight for their democracy and freedom in the face of the illegal and outrageous Russian invasion, and nothing in the letter advocates for a change in that support." The White House responded by saying that Ukraine will decide for itself when and how to negotiate with Russia. Congress has approved about $66bn for Ukraine since the start of the military intervention in February. The timing of the letter was criticised for following just a week after Kevin McCarthy said that Congress was “not going to write a blank check to Ukraine”. (With inputs from agencies)

Progressive Democrats retract Ukraine letter to White House following fierce backlash

The Russian-occupied Kherson region in Ukraine is going to witness an intense battle in the future as Moscow is preparing to send more forces to the southern city in response to Ukraine’s counteroffensive.

Kherson was the first territory that fell to the Russian forces in the initial days of the war that started in February this year.

But in the past few weeks, Ukraine has been making rapid advances in the southern city, especially along the Dnipro River, and has caused the Russian forces to retreat.

The Russian-installed authorities in the city have even ordered thousands of civilians to evacuate.

However, Ukraine's military spy chief Kyrylo Budanov believes that the Russian forces have not retreated rather they are trying to create an illusion of defeat.

"They are creating the illusion that all is lost. Yet at the same time they are moving new military units in and preparing to defend the streets of Kherson," he told the Ukrainska Pravda online media outlet.

He said that the Russian military is deploying more troops and preparing the streets for defence, adding that the removal of citizens is a pretence to save face in case the city falls to Ukraine.

The Russian-appointed officials in Kherson on Monday announced the creation of militia units, saying that men would have the "opportunity" to join them.

The focus of the Ukraine-Russia war has now shifted to Kherson, with Kyiv claiming massive success in the region since October.

According to its military, the Ukrainian forces have reclaimed about 90 villages, with a population totalling 12,000.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Russian-occupied Kherson region in Ukraine is going to witness an intense battle in the future as Moscow is preparing to send more forces to the southern city in response to Ukraine’s counteroffensive.

The Russian-occupied Kherson region in Ukraine is going to witness an intense battle in the future as Moscow is preparing to send more forces to the southern city in response to Ukraine’s counteroffensive. Kherson was the first territory that fell to the Russian forces in the initial days of the war that started in February this year. But in the past few weeks, Ukraine has been making rapid advances in the southern city, especially along the Dnipro River, and has caused the Russian forces to retreat. The Russian-installed authorities in the city have even ordered thousands of civilians to evacuate. However, Ukraine's military spy chief Kyrylo Budanov believes that the Russian forces have not retreated rather they are trying to create an illusion of defeat. "They are creating the illusion that all is lost. Yet at the same time they are moving new military units in and preparing to defend the streets of Kherson," he told the Ukrainska Pravda online media outlet. He said that the Russian military is deploying more troops and preparing the streets for defence, adding that the removal of citizens is a pretence to save face in case the city falls to Ukraine. The Russian-appointed officials in Kherson on Monday announced the creation of militia units, saying that men would have the "opportunity" to join them. The focus of the Ukraine-Russia war has now shifted to Kherson, with Kyiv claiming massive success in the region since October. According to its military, the Ukrainian forces have reclaimed about 90 villages, with a population totalling 12,000. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russia to send more troops to defend Kherson, says Ukraine’s intel chief

Moscow-installed authorities in Ukraine's southern Kherson region have said that four people died from Ukrainian shelling on the Antonivskiy bridge over the Dnipro river used for evacuations. "Four people were killed," pro-Moscow official Kirill Stremousov said on Telegram.&nbsp;

The Russian-backed administration of Kherson said Kyiv fired "12 HIMARS rockets at a civilian crossing near the Antonivsky bridge."

"The city of Kherson, like a fortress, is preparing for its defence."

A Ukrainian military spokeswoman Nataliya Gumenyuk denied Kyiv's forces had killed civilians.

"We do not hit critical infrastructure. We do not hit peaceful settlements or the local population," Gumenyuk said on Friday.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-not-provide-weapons-to-ukraine-says-israeli-defence-minister-526985">'Will not' provide weapons to Ukraine, says Israeli defence minister</a>

A few days back, pro-Russia forces urged civilians to evacuate in view of an Ukrainian onslaught. Kyiv has meanwhile branded the evacuations as "deportations" of Ukrainian citizens.&nbsp;

Russian state television aired footage of a damaged car and traffic waiting to cross the river.&nbsp;

Stremousov informed Thursday that 15,000 people had crossed the river. He insisted that Russia will not give up Kherson, the first major Ukrainian city to fall to Russian forces early in their offensive in March. &nbsp;

"Kherson will hold on until the last (man), believe me nobody is intending to give up the city."

Authorities in the region have started evacuating people from the area that Moscow "annexed" a few weeks back. Reportedly, 60,000 people will be evacuated in six days.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a&nbsp;series of blasts rocked the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia on Friday, authorities said. The missiles hit an industrial facility in Kharkiv on Friday, its mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said. The rescuers are assessing the damage and right now it is not known if there were any casualties.

Russian forces have stepped up missile strikes on Ukraine in the past few weeks, targeting electric power facilities.

Separately, Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Sinegubov said five people had been wounded.

The information on the Zaporizhzhia blasts was provided by regional governor Oleksandr Starukh and more details are still awaited.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Moscow-installed authorities in Ukraine's southern Kherson region have said that four people died from Ukrainian shelling on the Antonivskiy bridge over the Dnipro river used for evacuations.

Moscow-installed authorities in Ukraine's southern Kherson region have said that four people died from Ukrainian shelling on the Antonivskiy bridge over the Dnipro river used for evacuations. "Four people were killed," pro-Moscow official Kirill Stremousov said on Telegram. The Russian-backed administration of Kherson said Kyiv fired "12 HIMARS rockets at a civilian crossing near the Antonivsky bridge." "The city of Kherson, like a fortress, is preparing for its defence." A Ukrainian military spokeswoman Nataliya Gumenyuk denied Kyiv's forces had killed civilians. "We do not hit critical infrastructure. We do not hit peaceful settlements or the local population," Gumenyuk said on Friday. Also Read | 'Will not' provide weapons to Ukraine, says Israeli defence minister A few days back, pro-Russia forces urged civilians to evacuate in view of an Ukrainian onslaught. Kyiv has meanwhile branded the evacuations as "deportations" of Ukrainian citizens. Russian state television aired footage of a damaged car and traffic waiting to cross the river. Stremousov informed Thursday that 15,000 people had crossed the river. He insisted that Russia will not give up Kherson, the first major Ukrainian city to fall to Russian forces early in their offensive in March. "Kherson will hold on until the last (man), believe me nobody is intending to give up the city." Authorities in the region have started evacuating people from the area that Moscow "annexed" a few weeks back. Reportedly, 60,000 people will be evacuated in six days. Meanwhile, a series of blasts rocked the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia on Friday, authorities said. The missiles hit an industrial facility in Kharkiv on Friday, its mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said. The rescuers are assessing the damage and right now it is not known if there were any casualties. Russian forces have stepped up missile strikes on Ukraine in the past few weeks, targeting electric power facilities. Separately, Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Sinegubov said five people had been wounded. The information on the Zaporizhzhia blasts was provided by regional governor Oleksandr Starukh and more details are still awaited. (With inputs from agencies)

Moscow alleges rockets fired by Ukraine killed four during evacuations from Kherson

A CNN report, citing two US intelligence officials, says that Iran has sent military personnel to Crimea to help train Russian military on the use of Iranian-built drones. Moscow has reportedly&nbsp;been attacking Ukraine with these drones and causing massive destruction. These drones are being launched from Crimea and targetting Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.&nbsp;

The drone attacks are an indication that Tehran and Moscow are becoming increasingly close. US state department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel has raised concerns about the relationship and said it should be seen as “a profound threat”.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-agrees-to-ship-missiles-more-drones-to-russia-report-526563">Iran agrees to ship missiles, more drones to Russia: Report</a>

One of the sources said that apparently dozens of such trainers from Iran have been sent to Crimea, although it is not known whether they are still there or have returned now. The officials further said that initially Russian military received training in Iran itself. But when they started testing and deploying these drones in August, they started facing problems. The Iranian trainers then started travelling to Crimea to help them.

Two types of missiles have been provided by Iran. One is Shahed, which explode on impact and has&nbsp;a range of upwards of 1,000 miles, and the Mohajer-6, which can carry warhead and also be used for surveillance.

Meanwhile, the US, France and the United Kingdom are also planning to hold discussion over the matter during a closed UN Security Council meeting. The three countries say that the transfer of Iranian-made drones to Russia violates UN Security Council Resolution 2231, according to which certain arms transfers to or from Iran are banned.

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US believes that Russia's decision to acquire these drones from Iran shows that Moscow is facing a crunch of ammunition. The sanctions imposed by western countries have made things worse. Patel said that the United States would “continue to take practical, aggressive steps to make these weapons sales harder, including sanctions, export control actions against any entities involved.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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A CNN report, citing two US intelligence officials, says that Iran has sent military personnel to Crimea to help train Russian military on the use of Iranian-built drones.

A CNN report, citing two US intelligence officials, says that Iran has sent military personnel to Crimea to help train Russian military on the use of Iranian-built drones. Moscow has reportedly been attacking Ukraine with these drones and causing massive destruction. These drones are being launched from Crimea and targetting Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. The drone attacks are an indication that Tehran and Moscow are becoming increasingly close. US state department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel has raised concerns about the relationship and said it should be seen as “a profound threat”. Also Read | Iran agrees to ship missiles, more drones to Russia: Report One of the sources said that apparently dozens of such trainers from Iran have been sent to Crimea, although it is not known whether they are still there or have returned now. The officials further said that initially Russian military received training in Iran itself. But when they started testing and deploying these drones in August, they started facing problems. The Iranian trainers then started travelling to Crimea to help them. Two types of missiles have been provided by Iran. One is Shahed, which explode on impact and has a range of upwards of 1,000 miles, and the Mohajer-6, which can carry warhead and also be used for surveillance. Meanwhile, the US, France and the United Kingdom are also planning to hold discussion over the matter during a closed UN Security Council meeting. The three countries say that the transfer of Iranian-made drones to Russia violates UN Security Council Resolution 2231, according to which certain arms transfers to or from Iran are banned. × US believes that Russia's decision to acquire these drones from Iran shows that Moscow is facing a crunch of ammunition. The sanctions imposed by western countries have made things worse. Patel said that the United States would “continue to take practical, aggressive steps to make these weapons sales harder, including sanctions, export control actions against any entities involved.” (With inputs from agencies)

Iranian experts imparting training on drone operations to Russian military personnel in Crimea

Ukrainian energy facilities battled fresh Russian air strikes on Tuesday in an area of northern Kyiv where there is a thermal power station. Several explosions were heard and witnessed reported seeing thick smoke rising into the sky.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the presidential office, said there had been three Russian strikes on an unspecified energy facility. City mayor Vitali Klitschko said the attack was on "critical infrastructure" in northern Kyiv. Neither official said whether the thermal power station had been hit. They also gave no casualty details.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-at-least-one-killed-in-russian-kamikaze-drones-strike-in-kyiv-526094">At least three killed in Russian 'kamikaze drones strike' in Kyiv</a>

Tymoshenko later told a Ukrainian television channel that the situation in Ukraine is "critical" following waves of Russian strikes targeting the country's energy infrastructure ahead of winter.&nbsp;

"The situation is critical now across the country because our regions are dependent on one another... it's necessary for the whole country to prepare for electricity, water and heating outages," Tymoshenko said.

"Ukraine is under fire by the occupiers. They continue to do what they do best - terrorise and kill civilians," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

"The terrorist state will not change anything for itself with such actions. It will only confirm its destructive and murderous essence, for which it will certainly be held to account."

In a Telegram post, Tymoshenko said two air strikes caused "serious damage" to an energy facility in the southeastern city of Dnipro.

"There is a fire raging and serious destruction," regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko said of the strike on Dnipro.

The northern city of Zhytomyr was left without water and electricity supplies, its mayor said.

Earlier on Tuesday,&nbsp;a Russian missile struck an apartment building in the Ukrainian port of Mykolaiv. At least three explosions were heard in the city in the wee&nbsp;hours. It completely destroyed one wing of the building in the downtown area, leaving a massive crater.

Separately, Ukraine accused Russia of kidnapping two senior employees at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.&nbsp;In a Telegram post, Energoatom said Russian forces on Monday "kidnapped" the head of information technology Oleg Kostyukov and the plant's assistant general director Oleg Osheka and "took them to an unknown destination".&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heavy-fighting-going-on-around-two-donbas-towns-says-zelensky-525951">Heavy fighting going on around two Donbas towns, says Zelensky</a>

"At present, nothing is known of their whereabouts or condition."

The latest strikes came hours after the United States warned that it would hold Russia accountable for war crimes.

A fire crew pulled the dead body of a man from the rubble, a witness told Reuters.

On Monday, Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities had killed at least four people, the second wave of air strikes in a week. "Right now, there is a new Russian drone attack," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Monday evening video address. "There are (drones) that have been shot down."

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Ukraine said the attacks were carried out by Iran-made "suicide drones", which fly to their target and detonate. US President Joe Biden's press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the White House "strongly condemns Russia’s missile strikes" and said the attack "continues to demonstrate Putin’s brutality".

Ukraine forces have been advancing in the east and south, with Moscow losing ground. On October 8, there was a blast on a bridge connecting Russia to Crimea.&nbsp;

Ukrainian energy facilities battled fresh Russian air strikes on Tuesday in an area of northern Kyiv where there is a thermal power station. Several explosions were heard and witnessed reported seeing thick smoke rising into the sky.

Ukrainian energy facilities battled fresh Russian air strikes on Tuesday in an area of northern Kyiv where there is a thermal power station. Several explosions were heard and witnessed reported seeing thick smoke rising into the sky. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the presidential office, said there had been three Russian strikes on an unspecified energy facility. City mayor Vitali Klitschko said the attack was on "critical infrastructure" in northern Kyiv. Neither official said whether the thermal power station had been hit. They also gave no casualty details. Also Read | At least three killed in Russian 'kamikaze drones strike' in Kyiv Tymoshenko later told a Ukrainian television channel that the situation in Ukraine is "critical" following waves of Russian strikes targeting the country's energy infrastructure ahead of winter. "The situation is critical now across the country because our regions are dependent on one another... it's necessary for the whole country to prepare for electricity, water and heating outages," Tymoshenko said. "Ukraine is under fire by the occupiers. They continue to do what they do best - terrorise and kill civilians," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "The terrorist state will not change anything for itself with such actions. It will only confirm its destructive and murderous essence, for which it will certainly be held to account." In a Telegram post, Tymoshenko said two air strikes caused "serious damage" to an energy facility in the southeastern city of Dnipro. "There is a fire raging and serious destruction," regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko said of the strike on Dnipro. The northern city of Zhytomyr was left without water and electricity supplies, its mayor said. Earlier on Tuesday, a Russian missile struck an apartment building in the Ukrainian port of Mykolaiv. At least three explosions were heard in the city in the wee hours. It completely destroyed one wing of the building in the downtown area, leaving a massive crater. Separately, Ukraine accused Russia of kidnapping two senior employees at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. In a Telegram post, Energoatom said Russian forces on Monday "kidnapped" the head of information technology Oleg Kostyukov and the plant's assistant general director Oleg Osheka and "took them to an unknown destination". Also Read | Heavy fighting going on around two Donbas towns, says Zelensky "At present, nothing is known of their whereabouts or condition." The latest strikes came hours after the United States warned that it would hold Russia accountable for war crimes. A fire crew pulled the dead body of a man from the rubble, a witness told Reuters. On Monday, Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities had killed at least four people, the second wave of air strikes in a week. "Right now, there is a new Russian drone attack," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Monday evening video address. "There are (drones) that have been shot down." × Ukraine said the attacks were carried out by Iran-made "suicide drones", which fly to their target and detonate. US President Joe Biden's press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the White House "strongly condemns Russia’s missile strikes" and said the attack "continues to demonstrate Putin’s brutality". Ukraine forces have been advancing in the east and south, with Moscow losing ground. On October 8, there was a blast on a bridge connecting Russia to Crimea.

Situation in Ukraine 'critical' following Russian strikes on energy facilities, says Kyiv

A special envoy of the United Nations has accused Russia of using rape and sexual assault&nbsp;as part of their “military strategy” in the ongoing Ukraine invasion.

Speaking to AFP, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, backed her claims by citing a UN report released in late September.

The report released by a panel of UN experts recently verified “more than a hundred cases” of rape or sexual assault incidents in Ukraine since February—when Russia launched its invasion.

Patten claimed that the number of victims is likely to be higher than official figures saying that sexual crimes are often “under-reported”.

“When you hear women testify about Russian soldiers equipped with Viagra, it’s clearly a military strategy,” Pramila Patten, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, said in an interview with AFP on Thursday.

She said that the report "confirmed crimes against humanity committed by the Russian forces, and according to the gathered testimonies, the age of the victims of sexual violence ranges from four to 82-year-old."

“There are many cases of sexual violence against children who are raped, tortured and sequestered,” Patten said.

“I have not stopped since February to emphasize the importance of having credible investigations into these cases of violence,” she added.

Her claims lend credence to the repeated assertions made by the Ukrainian politicians who spoke of numerous cases of sexual violence since Putin declared war.

In June, Ukraine’s deputy minister of internal affairs Kateryna Pavlichenko alleged that police received around 50 complaints of sexual crimes committed by Russian soldiers.

Ukrainian officials are also probing rape allegations in the Kharkiv region after Ukrainian forces recently recaptured territory there.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A special envoy of the United Nations has accused Russia of using rape and sexual assault as part of their “military strategy” in the ongoing Ukraine invasion. Speaking to AFP, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, backed her claims by citing a UN report released in late September.

A special envoy of the United Nations has accused Russia of using rape and sexual assault as part of their “military strategy” in the ongoing Ukraine invasion. Speaking to AFP, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, backed her claims by citing a UN report released in late September. The report released by a panel of UN experts recently verified “more than a hundred cases” of rape or sexual assault incidents in Ukraine since February—when Russia launched its invasion. Patten claimed that the number of victims is likely to be higher than official figures saying that sexual crimes are often “under-reported”. “When you hear women testify about Russian soldiers equipped with Viagra, it’s clearly a military strategy,” Pramila Patten, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, said in an interview with AFP on Thursday. She said that the report "confirmed crimes against humanity committed by the Russian forces, and according to the gathered testimonies, the age of the victims of sexual violence ranges from four to 82-year-old." “There are many cases of sexual violence against children who are raped, tortured and sequestered,” Patten said. “I have not stopped since February to emphasize the importance of having credible investigations into these cases of violence,” she added. Her claims lend credence to the repeated assertions made by the Ukrainian politicians who spoke of numerous cases of sexual violence since Putin declared war. In June, Ukraine’s deputy minister of internal affairs Kateryna Pavlichenko alleged that police received around 50 complaints of sexual crimes committed by Russian soldiers. Ukrainian officials are also probing rape allegations in the Kharkiv region after Ukrainian forces recently recaptured territory there. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russia giving soldiers Viagra to rape Ukrainians, UN envoy says: Report

From North Korea's recent missile testing spree to the war in Ukraine raged by Russia. Tactical nuclear weapons are now being developed in a way not seen since the Cold War. Watch this video to know more about 'tactical' nuclear weapons and will they be used if World war III breaks out.

What are 'tactical' nuclear weapons? Will they be used if World war III breaks out?

Russian news agency TASS quoted a Russian Security Council official as saying Thursday that if Ukraine is admitted into the US-led NATO military alliance, the conflict in Ukraine will escalate into World War III. 
 
"Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to World War III," Alexander Venediktov, the deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council, said.

Notably, soon after Russia annexed four Ukrainian regions, Kyiv applied for a fast-track NATO membership. However, for that to happen all 30 NATO countries need to give their consent which seems unlikely right now.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-pledges-to-provide-air-defence-system-to-ukraine-524880">NATO pledges to provide air defence system to Ukraine pounded by Russian missiles</a>

Venediktov added that Ukraine's application was mere propaganda as the West understood the consequences of granting NATO membership to Ukraine.

"The suicidal nature of such a step is understood by NATO members themselves," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been critical of the US'&nbsp;attempts to expand NATO's expansion towards the East and luring former Soviet republics such as Ukraine and Georgia. After annexing the four Ukrainian regions, Putin warned that he was ready to take up nukes in order to defend Russian territories.

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden had earlier said the world faces the biggest risk of nuclear Armageddon since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. NATO is due to hold an annual nuclear preparedness exercise dubbed "Steadfast Noon" next week.

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Venediktov also cautioned against Zelensky's call for preventive strikes against Russia, adding that nuclear war would have catastrophic consequences for the world.

"We must remember: a nuclear conflict will affect absolutely the whole world — not only Russia and the collective West, but every country on this planet," Venediktov said. "The consequences would be disastrous for all mankind."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian news agency TASS quoted a Russian Security Council official as saying Thursday that if Ukraine is admitted into the US-led NATO military alliance, the conflict in Ukraine will escalate into World War III.

Russian news agency TASS quoted a Russian Security Council official as saying Thursday that if Ukraine is admitted into the US-led NATO military alliance, the conflict in Ukraine will escalate into World War III. "Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to World War III," Alexander Venediktov, the deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council, said. Notably, soon after Russia annexed four Ukrainian regions, Kyiv applied for a fast-track NATO membership. However, for that to happen all 30 NATO countries need to give their consent which seems unlikely right now. Also Read | NATO pledges to provide air defence system to Ukraine pounded by Russian missiles Venediktov added that Ukraine's application was mere propaganda as the West understood the consequences of granting NATO membership to Ukraine. "The suicidal nature of such a step is understood by NATO members themselves," he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been critical of the US' attempts to expand NATO's expansion towards the East and luring former Soviet republics such as Ukraine and Georgia. After annexing the four Ukrainian regions, Putin warned that he was ready to take up nukes in order to defend Russian territories. US President Joe Biden had earlier said the world faces the biggest risk of nuclear Armageddon since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. NATO is due to hold an annual nuclear preparedness exercise dubbed "Steadfast Noon" next week. × Venediktov also cautioned against Zelensky's call for preventive strikes against Russia, adding that nuclear war would have catastrophic consequences for the world. "We must remember: a nuclear conflict will affect absolutely the whole world — not only Russia and the collective West, but every country on this planet," Venediktov said. "The consequences would be disastrous for all mankind." (With inputs from agencies)

Russia's Security Council official warns of World War III if Ukraine is admitted to NATO

A Russian court ordered the seizure of rights group Memorial’s headquarters in Moscow just hours after it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2022. According to the Interfax agency, the ruling was announced by Tverskoy district court who said that the headquarters will "become state property".

The rights group was accused of "rehabilitating Nazi criminals and discrediting authorities and creating a false image of the USSR" in Russia, according to Reuters. The group was disbanded in December 2021 after documenting Stalinist crimes since its creation in 1989.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/meta-warns-one-million-users-about-potential-data-leak-through-malicious-apps-523435" hreflang="en">Meta warns one million users about potential data leak through malicious apps</a>

While the problems continue for the organisation, Memorial has made it clear that they will not be accepting offers to move abroad and will instead continue to operate in Russia.

"The archive was collected here, and people gave us their documents not for us to take them somewhere," Memorial representative Yan Rachinsky said in an official statement.

"Our aim is to preserve the archive."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uvalde-school-district-suspends-full-police-department-months-after-shooting-523426">Uvalde school district suspends full police department months after shooting</a>

Earlier, the rights group, along with jailed Belarusian activist Ales Byalyatski and Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work amidst the war in Ukraine.

"We believe that it is a war that is a result of an authoritarian regime, aggressively committing an act of aggression," Norwegian Nobel Committee chair Berit Reiss-Andersen told Reuters.

"It is not one person, one organisation, one quick fix. It is the united efforts of what we call civil society that can stand up against authoritarian states and, or, human rights abuses."

Dan Smith, head of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, also lauded Memorial for their work and said that “it lives on as an idea that it's right to criticize power”.

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A Russian court ordered the seizure of rights group Memorial’s headquarters in Moscow just hours after it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2022. According to the Interfax agency, the ruling was announced by Tverskoy district court who said that the headquarters will "become state property".

A Russian court ordered the seizure of rights group Memorial’s headquarters in Moscow just hours after it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2022. According to the Interfax agency, the ruling was announced by Tverskoy district court who said that the headquarters will "become state property". The rights group was accused of "rehabilitating Nazi criminals and discrediting authorities and creating a false image of the USSR" in Russia, according to Reuters. The group was disbanded in December 2021 after documenting Stalinist crimes since its creation in 1989. Also read | Meta warns one million users about potential data leak through malicious apps While the problems continue for the organisation, Memorial has made it clear that they will not be accepting offers to move abroad and will instead continue to operate in Russia. "The archive was collected here, and people gave us their documents not for us to take them somewhere," Memorial representative Yan Rachinsky said in an official statement. "Our aim is to preserve the archive." Also read | Uvalde school district suspends full police department months after shooting Earlier, the rights group, along with jailed Belarusian activist Ales Byalyatski and Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work amidst the war in Ukraine. "We believe that it is a war that is a result of an authoritarian regime, aggressively committing an act of aggression," Norwegian Nobel Committee chair Berit Reiss-Andersen told Reuters. "It is not one person, one organisation, one quick fix. It is the united efforts of what we call civil society that can stand up against authoritarian states and, or, human rights abuses." Dan Smith, head of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, also lauded Memorial for their work and said that “it lives on as an idea that it's right to criticize power”.

Russian court orders seizure of Nobel-winning rights group Memorial's HQ

In a telephonic conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed the country's readiness to contribute to any peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine crisis. PM Modi stated that there can be no military solution to the conflict and reiterated his call for early cessation of hostilities and the need to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy, according to official sources.

Earlier at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, Modi had told Russian President Vladimir Putin that now is not a time for war as there is a global food shortage, among other concerns.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-continues-to-liberate-territories-in-east-and-south-says-volodymyr-zelensky-522493">Ukraine continues to liberate territories in east and south, says Volodymyr Zelensky</a>

Reports further suggest that Modi emphasised the importance India attaches to the safety and security of nuclear installations, including in Ukraine. He stressed that endangerment of nuclear facilities could have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences for public health and the environment.

India had abstained from a UNSC vote seeking to condemn Russia last week. While India has been vocal about ending hostilities, it hasn't been open to supporting West’s attempt to bring Russia before the International Criminal Court.

India has sent Ukraine humanitarian aid and provided a vital outlet for Russian commodities such as oil and coal that have been sanctioned by the West.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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In a telephonic conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed the country's readiness to contribute to any peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

In a telephonic conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed the country's readiness to contribute to any peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine crisis. PM Modi stated that there can be no military solution to the conflict and reiterated his call for early cessation of hostilities and the need to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy, according to official sources. Earlier at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, Modi had told Russian President Vladimir Putin that now is not a time for war as there is a global food shortage, among other concerns. Also Read | Ukraine continues to liberate territories in east and south, says Volodymyr Zelensky Reports further suggest that Modi emphasised the importance India attaches to the safety and security of nuclear installations, including in Ukraine. He stressed that endangerment of nuclear facilities could have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences for public health and the environment. India had abstained from a UNSC vote seeking to condemn Russia last week. While India has been vocal about ending hostilities, it hasn't been open to supporting West’s attempt to bring Russia before the International Criminal Court. India has sent Ukraine humanitarian aid and provided a vital outlet for Russian commodities such as oil and coal that have been sanctioned by the West. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian PM Modi talks to Zelensky, offers to mediate in peace talks with Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed legislation to annex four territories of Ukraine, according to documents published by a government portal. The Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions are "accepted into the Russian Federation in accordance with the constitution of the Russian Federation", the documents said.

Putin had on September 30 officially annexed four Ukrainian regions held by Kremlin-installed leaders following a referendum termed as "sham" by Kyiv and its western allies.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-annexes-four-occupied-regions-ukraine-accelerates-nato-membership-bid-521280">Putin annexes four occupied regions; Ukraine accelerates its NATO membership bid</a>

The long-time Russian leader said the people of the regions had made an "univocal choice" to join Russia after so-called referendums that Moscow organised.&nbsp;

"I want to say this to the Kyiv regime and its masters in the West- People living in the Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia (regions) are becoming our citizens forever," he said.

In a speech before signing the accords, Putin slammed the West and called on Ukraine to end hostilities and enter a negotiation. "We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately stop fighting and stop all hostilities... and return to the negotiating table," he said.

Later, Zelensky warned that he would not negotiate with Russia as long as President Vladimir Putin is in power.

"Ukraine will not hold any negotiations with Russia as long as Putin is the president of the Russian Federation. We will negotiate with the new president," Zelensky said. 
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(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed legislation to annex four territories of Ukraine, according to documents published by a government portal. The Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions are "accepted into the Russian Federation in accordance with the constitution of the Russian Federation", the documents said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed legislation to annex four territories of Ukraine, according to documents published by a government portal. The Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions are "accepted into the Russian Federation in accordance with the constitution of the Russian Federation", the documents said. Putin had on September 30 officially annexed four Ukrainian regions held by Kremlin-installed leaders following a referendum termed as "sham" by Kyiv and its western allies. Also Read | Putin annexes four occupied regions; Ukraine accelerates its NATO membership bid The long-time Russian leader said the people of the regions had made an "univocal choice" to join Russia after so-called referendums that Moscow organised. "I want to say this to the Kyiv regime and its masters in the West- People living in the Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia (regions) are becoming our citizens forever," he said. In a speech before signing the accords, Putin slammed the West and called on Ukraine to end hostilities and enter a negotiation. "We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately stop fighting and stop all hostilities... and return to the negotiating table," he said. Later, Zelensky warned that he would not negotiate with Russia as long as President Vladimir Putin is in power. "Ukraine will not hold any negotiations with Russia as long as Putin is the president of the Russian Federation. We will negotiate with the new president," Zelensky said. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin signs legislation to annex four Ukraine regions

The Ukrainian troops have been making rapid advances in the south and east of the country, making their biggest breakthrough since the war began.

While it is breaking through the defences of Russian forces in the south and intensifying its offensive in the east, the Ukrainian troops have also been successful in taking back more Russia-annexed territories.

The biggest advantage gained recently has been in the south of the country, where the Ukrainian forces recaptured several villages along the strategic Dnipro River on Monday, Ukrainian officials and a Russian-installed leader in the area said, reports Reuters news agency.

On Dnipro's west bank, Ukraine has been targeting supply lines for as many as 25,000 Russian troops&nbsp;and has already destroyed the river's main bridges, forcing Russian forces to use makeshift crossings.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly made significant advances in two of the four Russian-occupied regions that were annexed last week following referendums.

On the eastern front, Ukraine has been building momentum, with Ukrainian military vehicles heading to reinforce rail hub Lyman that was recaptured at the weekend, and a staging post to press into the Donbas region, reports Reuters.

Russia's military had turned Lyman into a logistical base.

President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the army’s rapid advances saying that they have retaken towns in a number of areas, without providing details.

"New population centres have been liberated in several regions. Heavy fighting is going on in several sectors of the front," Zelensky said in a video address.

Moreover, reports suggest that Ukrainian forces have been pushing against Russia's proxy forces a few kilometres into the Luhansk region and moving towards the Russian-held towns of Kremenna and Svatove in Luhansk.

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Though a detailed account of all the developments is expected from the Ukrainian government, the military revealed some information.

According to them, the soldiers from Ukraine's 128th Mountain Assault Brigade raised the country's blue and yellow flag in Myrolyubivka, a village between the former front and the Dnipro. A video on the same was released by the Defence Ministry.

A Kherson regional council member, Serhiy Khlan, also listed four other villages recaptured or where Ukrainian troops had been photographed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelenskys-home-town-hit-by-russian-suicide-drones-report-says-521934" hreflang="en">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's home town hit by Russian suicide drones, report says</a>

"It means that our armed forces are moving powerfully along the banks of the Dnipro nearer to Beryslav," he said.

On Monday, a senior Pentagon official, Celeste Wallander, said that Ukraine has been on course to gaining several battlefield objectives, giving Kyiv "a much better defensive position to ride out what probably will be a tamping down of the hot fighting over the winter."

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

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The Ukrainian troops have been making rapid advances in the south and east of the country, making their biggest breakthrough since the war began. While it is breaking through the defences of Russian forces in the south and intensifying its offensive in the east, the Ukrainian troops have also been successful in taking back more Russia-annexed territories.

The Ukrainian troops have been making rapid advances in the south and east of the country, making their biggest breakthrough since the war began. While it is breaking through the defences of Russian forces in the south and intensifying its offensive in the east, the Ukrainian troops have also been successful in taking back more Russia-annexed territories. The biggest advantage gained recently has been in the south of the country, where the Ukrainian forces recaptured several villages along the strategic Dnipro River on Monday, Ukrainian officials and a Russian-installed leader in the area said, reports Reuters news agency. On Dnipro's west bank, Ukraine has been targeting supply lines for as many as 25,000 Russian troops and has already destroyed the river's main bridges, forcing Russian forces to use makeshift crossings. Ukrainian forces have reportedly made significant advances in two of the four Russian-occupied regions that were annexed last week following referendums. On the eastern front, Ukraine has been building momentum, with Ukrainian military vehicles heading to reinforce rail hub Lyman that was recaptured at the weekend, and a staging post to press into the Donbas region, reports Reuters. Russia's military had turned Lyman into a logistical base. President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the army’s rapid advances saying that they have retaken towns in a number of areas, without providing details. "New population centres have been liberated in several regions. Heavy fighting is going on in several sectors of the front," Zelensky said in a video address. Moreover, reports suggest that Ukrainian forces have been pushing against Russia's proxy forces a few kilometres into the Luhansk region and moving towards the Russian-held towns of Kremenna and Svatove in Luhansk. Also read | Russia’s State Duma ratifies documents on annexation of Ukrainian territories Though a detailed account of all the developments is expected from the Ukrainian government, the military revealed some information. According to them, the soldiers from Ukraine's 128th Mountain Assault Brigade raised the country's blue and yellow flag in Myrolyubivka, a village between the former front and the Dnipro. A video on the same was released by the Defence Ministry. A Kherson regional council member, Serhiy Khlan, also listed four other villages recaptured or where Ukrainian troops had been photographed. Also read | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's home town hit by Russian suicide drones, report says "It means that our armed forces are moving powerfully along the banks of the Dnipro nearer to Beryslav," he said. On Monday, a senior Pentagon official, Celeste Wallander, said that Ukraine has been on course to gaining several battlefield objectives, giving Kyiv "a much better defensive position to ride out what probably will be a tamping down of the hot fighting over the winter." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Ukrainian forces make significant gains in south & east, seize Russia-annexed territories

Russia reportedly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's home town among other targets with suicide drones, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. His home town of Krivyi Rih in southern Ukraine came under Russian attack by a suicide drone, leading to the destruction of two stories of a school early on Sunday, the regional governor said. The Ukrainian air force said five Iranian-made drones were shot down overnight, while two others made it through air defences.

Meanwhile, Ukraine took back full control of the strategic eastern city of Lyman in a major counteroffensive. Zelensky said on Sunday (October 2) that the success of the country's soldiers is not limited to the recapture of Lyman as he said that some towns in the Kherson region have also been liberated.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/david-petraeus-us-will-destroy-russias-forces-if-putin-deploys-nuclear-weapons-in-ukraine-521899">Former CIA director says US will destroy Russian forces if Putin deploys nukes in Ukraine</a>

According to Zelensky, the Ukrainian military has liberated the small settlements of Arkhanhelske and Myrolyubivka in the Kherson area. He thanked the army units for their "success" and also for distinguishing themselves on the frontline.&nbsp;

"[I am grateful] to the soldiers of the 129th brigade of my native Kryvyi Rih, who distinguished themselves with good results and liberated, in particular, Arkhanhelske and Myrolyubivka," Zelensky said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the presidents of nine NATO countries have said they fully support "the decision of the 2008 Bucharest NATO Summit regarding the future membership of Ukraine in the Alliance." These countries include Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia and Romania. 
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(With inputs from agencies)

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Russia reportedly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's home town among other targets with suicide drones, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. His home town of Krivyi Rih in southern Ukraine came under Russian attack by a suicide drone, leading to the destruction of two stories of a school early on Sunday, the regional governor said.

Russia reportedly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's home town among other targets with suicide drones, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. His home town of Krivyi Rih in southern Ukraine came under Russian attack by a suicide drone, leading to the destruction of two stories of a school early on Sunday, the regional governor said. The Ukrainian air force said five Iranian-made drones were shot down overnight, while two others made it through air defences. Meanwhile, Ukraine took back full control of the strategic eastern city of Lyman in a major counteroffensive. Zelensky said on Sunday (October 2) that the success of the country's soldiers is not limited to the recapture of Lyman as he said that some towns in the Kherson region have also been liberated. Also Read | Former CIA director says US will destroy Russian forces if Putin deploys nukes in Ukraine According to Zelensky, the Ukrainian military has liberated the small settlements of Arkhanhelske and Myrolyubivka in the Kherson area. He thanked the army units for their "success" and also for distinguishing themselves on the frontline. "[I am grateful] to the soldiers of the 129th brigade of my native Kryvyi Rih, who distinguished themselves with good results and liberated, in particular, Arkhanhelske and Myrolyubivka," Zelensky said. Meanwhile, the presidents of nine NATO countries have said they fully support "the decision of the 2008 Bucharest NATO Summit regarding the future membership of Ukraine in the Alliance." These countries include Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia and Romania. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's home town hit by Russian suicide drones, report says

Moscow has confirmed that its forces have left the town it had been using as a front-line supply hub. The state-owned&nbsp;RIA Novosti<a href="https://ria.ru/20221001/minoborony-1820867747.html"> </a>agency&nbsp;quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying that "due to the threat of encirclement", Russian soldiers had "retreated to more advantageous lines."

After President Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of the Donetsk area, where Lyman is located, along with three other regions on Friday, the seizure of Lyman, a stronghold that is crucial for Moscow, would be a huge blow for Moscow.

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Also on Saturday, the governor of the neighbouring Luhansk region, Sergiy Gaiday, said on social media that nearly 5,000 Russian troops ended up in the "Lyman Cauldron". He said the surrounded troops have three options: "try to break through, all die together or surrender".

Lyman is located in the Donetsk region, which Russia annexed on Friday along with three other Moscow-held territories Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. The annexation drew widespread criticism from the West. Putin also slammed the West in his speech delivered before he signed the accords.

The Kremlin-backed leader of Donetsk said Friday that Russian troops and their allies were holding on to Lyman with "their last strength".

(With inputs from agencies)

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Moscow has confirmed that its forces have left the town it had been using as a front-line supply hub. The state-owned RIA Novosti agency quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying that "due to the threat of encirclement", Russian soldiers had "retreated to more advantageous lines.

Moscow has confirmed that its forces have left the town it had been using as a front-line supply hub. The state-owned RIA Novosti agency quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying that "due to the threat of encirclement", Russian soldiers had "retreated to more advantageous lines." After President Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of the Donetsk area, where Lyman is located, along with three other regions on Friday, the seizure of Lyman, a stronghold that is crucial for Moscow, would be a huge blow for Moscow. Also Read | US Congress approves $12.3 billion aid package for Ukraine Also on Saturday, the governor of the neighbouring Luhansk region, Sergiy Gaiday, said on social media that nearly 5,000 Russian troops ended up in the "Lyman Cauldron". He said the surrounded troops have three options: "try to break through, all die together or surrender". Lyman is located in the Donetsk region, which Russia annexed on Friday along with three other Moscow-held territories Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. The annexation drew widespread criticism from the West. Putin also slammed the West in his speech delivered before he signed the accords. The Kremlin-backed leader of Donetsk said Friday that Russian troops and their allies were holding on to Lyman with "their last strength". (With inputs from agencies)

Russian troops withdraw from Lyman as Ukraine forces enter town

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday annexed four Ukrainian territories controlled by his army at a grand ceremony in the Kremlin. It came hours after 25 people were killed in Ukraine's southern region of Zaporizhzhia in an attack.

"People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson region and Zaporizhzhia region are becoming our compatriots forever," Putin told a crowd of officials in a ceremony in an ornate hall.

"We will defend our land with all our strength and all our means," he said.

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Putin joined hands with the Moscow-installed heads of the regions on a stage in front of the Russian elite and chanted alongside them "Russia! Russia!".&nbsp;He said the people of the regions had made an "univocal choice" to join Russia after so-called referendums that Moscow organised.&nbsp;

In his speech, Putin told the West that the annexation was irreversible and called on Ukraine's army to give up and negotiate a surrender.

"We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately stop fighting and stop all hostilities... and return to the negotiating table," the Russian leader said.

Later, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country is applying to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)&nbsp;“under an accelerated procedure". He signed Ukraine’s application together with Speaker of the Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk and Prime Minister Denys Shmygal.

Meanwhile, the United States imposed sweeping sanctions on hundreds of people and companies, including members of Russia's legislature, military and central bank after the annexation.

The US treasury department said it imposed sanctions on 14 people in Russia's military-industrial complex, two leaders of the country's central bank, family members of top officials and 278 members of Russia's legislature "for enabling Russia's sham referendums and attempt to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory".

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The US treasury also warned that heightened sanctions will be imposed on anyone outside Russia who provides political or economic support to Moscow.

Meanwhile, in his speech, Putin also claimed the West wanted to see Russia as a "colony".

"It is out of greed, with the aim of maintaining its unlimited power. These are the real reasons for this hybrid war that the West is waging against us... They want to make us into a colony," Putin said in televised remarks.

"They don't need Russia at all," he said.&nbsp;

He also accused the West of organising blasts that resulted in multiple gas leaks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia to Europe. "Sanctions are not enough for the West, they have switched to sabotage. Unbelievable, but it is a fact!"

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday annexed four Ukrainian territories controlled by his army at a grand ceremony in the Kremlin. It came hours after 25 people were killed in Ukraine's southern region of Zaporizhzhia in an attack.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday annexed four Ukrainian territories controlled by his army at a grand ceremony in the Kremlin. It came hours after 25 people were killed in Ukraine's southern region of Zaporizhzhia in an attack. "People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson region and Zaporizhzhia region are becoming our compatriots forever," Putin told a crowd of officials in a ceremony in an ornate hall. "We will defend our land with all our strength and all our means," he said. Also Read | 25 killed and 28 injured in Russian attack on civilian convoy in Zaporizhzhia Putin joined hands with the Moscow-installed heads of the regions on a stage in front of the Russian elite and chanted alongside them "Russia! Russia!". He said the people of the regions had made an "univocal choice" to join Russia after so-called referendums that Moscow organised. In his speech, Putin told the West that the annexation was irreversible and called on Ukraine's army to give up and negotiate a surrender. "We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately stop fighting and stop all hostilities... and return to the negotiating table," the Russian leader said. Later, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country is applying to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) “under an accelerated procedure". He signed Ukraine’s application together with Speaker of the Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk and Prime Minister Denys Shmygal. Meanwhile, the United States imposed sweeping sanctions on hundreds of people and companies, including members of Russia's legislature, military and central bank after the annexation. The US treasury department said it imposed sanctions on 14 people in Russia's military-industrial complex, two leaders of the country's central bank, family members of top officials and 278 members of Russia's legislature "for enabling Russia's sham referendums and attempt to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory". Also Read | Putin accuses West of Nord Stream blasts measuring 2.3 and 2.1 on Richter scale The US treasury also warned that heightened sanctions will be imposed on anyone outside Russia who provides political or economic support to Moscow. Meanwhile, in his speech, Putin also claimed the West wanted to see Russia as a "colony". "It is out of greed, with the aim of maintaining its unlimited power. These are the real reasons for this hybrid war that the West is waging against us... They want to make us into a colony," Putin said in televised remarks. "They don't need Russia at all," he said. He also accused the West of organising blasts that resulted in multiple gas leaks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia to Europe. "Sanctions are not enough for the West, they have switched to sabotage. Unbelievable, but it is a fact!" (With inputs from agencies)

Putin annexes four occupied regions; Ukraine accelerates its NATO membership bid

Russian-installed officials in occupied regions of Ukraine would ask President Vladimir Putin to incorporate the territory&nbsp;into Russia, they said Wednesday. The announcement comes a day after they claimed that people in these regions had overwhelmingly supported such a move in the referendum widely viewed as illegitimate.

While two of these regions,&nbsp;Luhansk and&nbsp;Zaporizhzhia,&nbsp;will make the request on Wednesday itself, officials in Kherson&nbsp;plan&nbsp;to do so in the coming days.&nbsp;Separatist officials in the Donetsk region are also expected to follow suit in this regard.

Kyiv and the West have denounced the referendum as a sham. The voting had taken place over five days in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia and Kherson to the south. Together, they make up 15 per cent of Ukrainian territory.

Luhansk authorities said 98.4 per cent of people there had voted in favour of joining Russia. In Zaporizhzhia, a Russian-appointed official put the figure at 93.1 per cent. In Kherson, the head of the voting committee put the "yes" vote at above 87 per cent. Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, said 99.2 per cent of participants in the region had voted to join Russia. All ballots have reportedly been counted.

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Ukraine has repeatedly warned that Russian annexation of territories would destroy any chance of peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky&nbsp;told the UN Security Council that Russia’s attempts to annex Ukrainian territory will mean “there is nothing to talk about with this president of Russia".

Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to use the referendums to create a legal pretext for Russia to annex the four regions. He could then portray any Ukrainian attempt to recapture them as an attack on Russia itself. Putin has also said that he was willing to use nuclear weapons to defend the "territorial integrity" of Russia.

Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba urged the European Union to impose further economic sanctions on Russia to punish it for staging the votes.&nbsp;

Putin said on state TV on Tuesday that the votes were designed to protect people from what he calls the persecution of ethnic Russians and Russian-speakers by Ukraine, something the Kyiv government has denied.

"Saving people in all the territories where this referendum is being held is at the top of our minds and the focus of attention of our entire society and country," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian-installed officials in occupied regions of Ukraine would ask President Vladimir Putin to incorporate the territory into Russia, they said Wednesday. The announcement comes a day after they claimed that people in these regions had overwhelmingly supported such a move in the referendum widely viewed as illegitimate.

Russian-installed officials in occupied regions of Ukraine would ask President Vladimir Putin to incorporate the territory into Russia, they said Wednesday. The announcement comes a day after they claimed that people in these regions had overwhelmingly supported such a move in the referendum widely viewed as illegitimate. While two of these regions, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, will make the request on Wednesday itself, officials in Kherson plan to do so in the coming days. Separatist officials in the Donetsk region are also expected to follow suit in this regard. Kyiv and the West have denounced the referendum as a sham. The voting had taken place over five days in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia and Kherson to the south. Together, they make up 15 per cent of Ukrainian territory. Luhansk authorities said 98.4 per cent of people there had voted in favour of joining Russia. In Zaporizhzhia, a Russian-appointed official put the figure at 93.1 per cent. In Kherson, the head of the voting committee put the "yes" vote at above 87 per cent. Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, said 99.2 per cent of participants in the region had voted to join Russia. All ballots have reportedly been counted. Also Read | Russians pay $27,000 for seats on private planes out of country Ukraine has repeatedly warned that Russian annexation of territories would destroy any chance of peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky told the UN Security Council that Russia’s attempts to annex Ukrainian territory will mean “there is nothing to talk about with this president of Russia". Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to use the referendums to create a legal pretext for Russia to annex the four regions. He could then portray any Ukrainian attempt to recapture them as an attack on Russia itself. Putin has also said that he was willing to use nuclear weapons to defend the "territorial integrity" of Russia. Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba urged the European Union to impose further economic sanctions on Russia to punish it for staging the votes. Putin said on state TV on Tuesday that the votes were designed to protect people from what he calls the persecution of ethnic Russians and Russian-speakers by Ukraine, something the Kyiv government has denied. "Saving people in all the territories where this referendum is being held is at the top of our minds and the focus of attention of our entire society and country," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia-appointed officials in occupied regions of Ukraine to ask Putin for annexation

Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to announce the accession of occupied regions of Ukraine to the Russian Federation during his address to parliament on September&nbsp;30, the British Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

Annexation polls organised by Kremlin-installed authorities in four regions of Ukraine mostly controlled by Russian forces were due to close Tuesday. Kyiv and its allies have denounced the votes as a sham and said the West would never recognise the results of the ballots.

"Russia's leaders almost certainly hope that any accession announcement will be seen as a vindication of the special military operation and will consolidate patriotic support for the conflict," it said.

Nearly four million people from the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, and the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, are voting in referendums on joining Russia. Reports suggest that people are being forced to take part in the voting that began on Friday, with election officials visiting houses accompanied by armed guards.

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Kremlin&nbsp;aims to use the votes to legitimise its invasion aims. Ukraine's attempts to regain these regions can be portrayed by Moscow as an attack on its sovereign territory.

Russian forces in Ukraine this month have suffered serious setbacks, both in the east and south of the country. Experts say this is the reason why Putin rushed ahead with the vote to cement Moscow's authority there.

Putin said Russia would use any and all available means to defend its territory, implying that after the four regions were annexed, Moscow could deploy strategic nuclear weapons to repulse Ukrainian attempts to take back the territory.

Moscow has even called up 300,000 reservists, leading to protests in Russia with several fleeing the country to escape mobilisation.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said the polls were a "sham" and little more than a "false pretext to try to annex parts of Ukraine by force". Even Moscow's closest ally since the start of the invasion, Beijing, said after the votes were announced that both Russia and Ukraine should respect territorial integrity in the war.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-sanctions-top-russian-officials-amid-sham-ukraine-referendums-519937">UK sanctions top Russian officials amid 'sham' Ukraine referendums</a>&nbsp;

Provisional results are expected around Tuesday evening, Kremlin-backed leaders in the regions have said. Lawmakers would then be expected to vote to formally annex the four territories, which would need Putin's signature to be enacted.

The so-called referendums follow a pattern that Moscow utilised in 2014 to annex the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in the wake of national street demonstrations that saw the country's Kremlin-friendly president ousted. 
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(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to announce the accession of occupied regions of Ukraine to the Russian Federation during his address to parliament on September 30, the British Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to announce the accession of occupied regions of Ukraine to the Russian Federation during his address to parliament on September 30, the British Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday. Annexation polls organised by Kremlin-installed authorities in four regions of Ukraine mostly controlled by Russian forces were due to close Tuesday. Kyiv and its allies have denounced the votes as a sham and said the West would never recognise the results of the ballots. "Russia's leaders almost certainly hope that any accession announcement will be seen as a vindication of the special military operation and will consolidate patriotic support for the conflict," it said. Nearly four million people from the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, and the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, are voting in referendums on joining Russia. Reports suggest that people are being forced to take part in the voting that began on Friday, with election officials visiting houses accompanied by armed guards. Also Read | Explained: Can Putin actually unleash nuclear weapons on Ukraine? Kremlin aims to use the votes to legitimise its invasion aims. Ukraine's attempts to regain these regions can be portrayed by Moscow as an attack on its sovereign territory. Russian forces in Ukraine this month have suffered serious setbacks, both in the east and south of the country. Experts say this is the reason why Putin rushed ahead with the vote to cement Moscow's authority there. Putin said Russia would use any and all available means to defend its territory, implying that after the four regions were annexed, Moscow could deploy strategic nuclear weapons to repulse Ukrainian attempts to take back the territory. Moscow has even called up 300,000 reservists, leading to protests in Russia with several fleeing the country to escape mobilisation. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said the polls were a "sham" and little more than a "false pretext to try to annex parts of Ukraine by force". Even Moscow's closest ally since the start of the invasion, Beijing, said after the votes were announced that both Russia and Ukraine should respect territorial integrity in the war. Also Read | UK sanctions top Russian officials amid 'sham' Ukraine referendums Provisional results are expected around Tuesday evening, Kremlin-backed leaders in the regions have said. Lawmakers would then be expected to vote to formally annex the four territories, which would need Putin's signature to be enacted. The so-called referendums follow a pattern that Moscow utilised in 2014 to annex the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in the wake of national street demonstrations that saw the country's Kremlin-friendly president ousted. (With inputs from agencies)

Announcement regarding accession of occupied Ukraine regions likely on September 30, UK says

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