Thousands have been evacuated from the border areas near Ukraine's Kharkiv as Russia claims it has captured four more villages in the country's Northeast.

Russia-Ukraine war: Russian forces attack border of Ukraine's Northern Kharkiv region

The Russia Ukraine war is now witnessing a fresh wave of escalation and in show of support with Ukraine the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday in an unannounced trip. Watch in for more details!

US' Antony Blinken on surprise visit to Kyiv, says 'more aid will come for Ukraine'

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv on an unannounced visit. aBlinken met with Zelensky and reaffirmed U.S' support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.

Blinken in Ukraine tells Zelensky that US military aid 'now on its way'

Russia-Ukraine war: Antony Blinken visits Ukraine, reassures US support to Kyiv

Barely a week after taking oath for the 5th time, President Vladimir Putin replaced his defence minister Sergei Shoigu, the longest serving member of his Cabinet. 65-year-old Andrei Belousov, an economics expert who has never dealt with the military will be the new defence minister of Russia. The rare Kremlin shake-up took place as the Russian offensive in northeastern Ukraine has been making gains. In the latest, Russia pounded over 30 villages in Kharkiv , forcing 6,000 to evacuate. Why was Sergei Shoigu removed just as Russia was making steady gains? What'll be the Implications on the war-front? WION's Shivan Chanana discusses with Ben Aris, Founder and Editor-in-chief of bne IntelliNews and also former Moscow bureau chief for the Daily Telegraph.

Russia-Ukraine War: Russia pounds 30 towns in Ukraine amid massive cabinet shake-up

Data shows that Ukraine's defence is crumbling. Russian attacks have become more lethal than ever. Ukraine is shooting down a far smaller proportion of Russian missile attacks than it was earlier in the war.

Gravitas: Ukraine's defence is crumbling, here's proof

Russian President Vladimir Putin replaced his defense minister Sergei Shoigu, nominating an economist to take his place in the most substantial shake-up to the military’s command structure since Moscow launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022. Watch in for more details!

Russia: Was arrest of Shoigu's Deputy for corruption the last straw?

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin's fifth presidential term began with the removal of his longtime ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister in the most significant rejig in the country's military command since the beginning of war in Ukraine in February 2022.</p>

<p>Shoigu will now head Russia's powerful security council, an autonomous element of the wider Russian presidential administration that acts as the the central body for managing the formulation and execution of security-related policies. While the rejig places Shoigu in a position formally considered higher ranking than his role in the defence ministry, shifting Shoigu to National Security Council chairman could be viewed as a demotion.</p>

<p>Shoigu's future remained the subject of intense speculation in and beyond Moscow's corridors of power since Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin demanded his dismissal when launching the dramatic but short-lived mutiny. Prigozhin, who was killed in a mysterious plane crash in August 2023, had accused Shoigu of incompetence and having no regard for the lives of Wagner troops.</p>

<h2><strong>Shoigu's claim to fame</strong></h2>

<p>Shoigu's popularity grew in Russia after Moscow's forces annexed Crimea in 2014. At the helm of Russia's defences then, he was credited to have orchestrated the successful annexation of the region Russia claims as its own.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Russia: Vladimir Putin appoints Sergei Shoigu as security council secretary</strong></p>

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<p>Shoigu was also believed to have direct access to Vladimir Putin. He was often seen on regular hunting and fishing trips with Putin in Siberia.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The Ukraine setback and Wagner debacle</strong></h2>

<p>Russia’s minister of defence since 2012, Shoigu is blamed by many critics inside the Russian military for failing to prepare the Russian Armed Forces for the war in Ukraine.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/loud-and-posh-wagner-chief-prigozhin-gets-quiet-and-sombre-funeral-630339">Loud and posh Wagner chief Prigozhin gets quiet and sombre funeral</a></strong></p>

<p>Shoigu was tasked with modernising Russia's military and rooting out widespread corruption that plagued&nbsp;the military. But he came under intense criticism for Moscow's inability to overwhelm Ukrainian defences in the immediate weeks after Russia launched war on Ukraine. He was also blamed for failing to stop an armed uprising in June 2023 by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had called for his arrest after accusing him of discriminating between regular Russian armed forces and Wagner mercenaries.&nbsp;</p>


Russian President Vladimir Putin's fifth presidential term began with the removal of his longtime ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister in the most significant rejig in the country's military command since the beginning of war in Ukraine in February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's fifth presidential term began with the removal of his longtime ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister in the most significant rejig in the country's military command since the beginning of war in Ukraine in February 2022. Shoigu will now head Russia's powerful security council, an autonomous element of the wider Russian presidential administration that acts as the the central body for managing the formulation and execution of security-related policies. While the rejig places Shoigu in a position formally considered higher ranking than his role in the defence ministry, shifting Shoigu to National Security Council chairman could be viewed as a demotion. Shoigu's future remained the subject of intense speculation in and beyond Moscow's corridors of power since Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin demanded his dismissal when launching the dramatic but short-lived mutiny. Prigozhin, who was killed in a mysterious plane crash in August 2023, had accused Shoigu of incompetence and having no regard for the lives of Wagner troops. Shoigu's claim to fame Shoigu's popularity grew in Russia after Moscow's forces annexed Crimea in 2014. At the helm of Russia's defences then, he was credited to have orchestrated the successful annexation of the region Russia claims as its own. Also watch | Russia: Vladimir Putin appoints Sergei Shoigu as security council secretary × Shoigu was also believed to have direct access to Vladimir Putin. He was often seen on regular hunting and fishing trips with Putin in Siberia. The Ukraine setback and Wagner debacle Russia’s minister of defence since 2012, Shoigu is blamed by many critics inside the Russian military for failing to prepare the Russian Armed Forces for the war in Ukraine. Also read | Loud and posh Wagner chief Prigozhin gets quiet and sombre funeral Shoigu was tasked with modernising Russia's military and rooting out widespread corruption that plagued the military. But he came under intense criticism for Moscow's inability to overwhelm Ukrainian defences in the immediate weeks after Russia launched war on Ukraine. He was also blamed for failing to stop an armed uprising in June 2023 by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had called for his arrest after accusing him of discriminating between regular Russian armed forces and Wagner mercenaries.

Who is Sergei Shoigu? Putin's hunting partner just shown exit door from Russian defence ministry

Thousands have been evacuated from the border areas near Ukraine's Kharkiv as Russia claims it has captured four more villages in the country's Northeast. This is in addition to the five villages Russia claimed to have captured on Saturday.

Russia-Ukraine war: Nine villages captured in Kharkiv over two days, says Russia

Russia-Ukraine war: Russia claims it has taken four more villages

Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine's deadly attack on Belgorod in Russia

Russia-Ukraine war: Over 4000 evacuated from Ukraine's Kharkiv

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<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued many warnings that the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine is on the table. In response to "threats" from Western leaders, Russia began preparing for missile drills this week near Ukraine that simulate the use of these tactical nuclear missiles.</p>

<p>A top European diplomat has warned that if the Kremlin follows through on the threat, his relationship with China would be destroyed. The foreign minister of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said in an interview with the BBC's HardTalk programme that the Russian president was bluffing about the prospect of deploying nuclear weapons.</p>

<p>When asked if Europe could just "ignore" President Putin's nuclear threats, Landsbergis responded, "Can we count the number of times he has done this in the past? It is&nbsp;a number of&nbsp;times. It's always a bluff."</p>

<p>"He has nothing to gain from this, but everything to lose. Some countries are on his side, or he thinks so. China is clearly supporting Russia, and global partners in Latin America and Africa are also more likely to be on Putin's side," Landsbergis said.</p>

<p>"But if the threats become a reality, the whole partnership will disappear in an instant," Landsbergis added.</p>

<p>"Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons many times, but it's always a bluff. He has nothing to gain from nuclear war, he has everything to lose. When his empty threats make us back down, he escalates anyway. Every time. That's the reality of de-escalation," Landsbergis posted on X along with the clip from the interview.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuidVzud6DijuQTp" /><a href="http://wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-over-4000-evacuated-in-kharkiv-after-russia-claimed-capture-of-regions-five-villages-720555" target="_blank">Ukraine war: Over 4,000 evacuated from Kharkiv after Russia claimed to capture five villages</a></strong></p>

<p>The delayed delivery of Western help, according to Landsbergis, is giving President Putin the incorrect impression. He went on to say that it could cause a conflict outside of Ukraine and involve other nations. "Because we are sending a very clear signal to Putin: if you threaten us, we will retreat. We have to ask, if Putin attacks another country and threatens tactical nukes, what would we do?," he added.</p>

<p>He said that sending NATO soldiers to Ukraine should "never be ruled out," and that Lithuania will be a part of any coalition that will help Ukraine win.</p>

<p>This comes as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen instructed Chinese President Xi Jinping to persuade its ally Russia to halt the war with Ukraine.</p>

<p>She said that China is expected to employ all its influence on Russia to halt Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as stated by her. She also said that President Xi has played a substantial role in de-escalating Russia's reckless nuclear threats, and there is trust that he will continue to do so.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued many warnings that the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine is on the table. In response to "threats" from Western leaders, Russia began preparing for missile drills this week near Ukraine that simulate the use of these tactical nuclear missiles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued many warnings that the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine is on the table. In response to "threats" from Western leaders, Russia began preparing for missile drills this week near Ukraine that simulate the use of these tactical nuclear missiles. A top European diplomat has warned that if the Kremlin follows through on the threat, his relationship with China would be destroyed. The foreign minister of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said in an interview with the BBC's HardTalk programme that the Russian president was bluffing about the prospect of deploying nuclear weapons. When asked if Europe could just "ignore" President Putin's nuclear threats, Landsbergis responded, "Can we count the number of times he has done this in the past? It is a number of times. It's always a bluff." "He has nothing to gain from this, but everything to lose. Some countries are on his side, or he thinks so. China is clearly supporting Russia, and global partners in Latin America and Africa are also more likely to be on Putin's side," Landsbergis said. "But if the threats become a reality, the whole partnership will disappear in an instant," Landsbergis added. "Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons many times, but it's always a bluff. He has nothing to gain from nuclear war, he has everything to lose. When his empty threats make us back down, he escalates anyway. Every time. That's the reality of de-escalation," Landsbergis posted on X along with the clip from the interview. Also read: Ukraine war: Over 4,000 evacuated from Kharkiv after Russia claimed to capture five villages The delayed delivery of Western help, according to Landsbergis, is giving President Putin the incorrect impression. He went on to say that it could cause a conflict outside of Ukraine and involve other nations. "Because we are sending a very clear signal to Putin: if you threaten us, we will retreat. We have to ask, if Putin attacks another country and threatens tactical nukes, what would we do?," he added. He said that sending NATO soldiers to Ukraine should "never be ruled out," and that Lithuania will be a part of any coalition that will help Ukraine win. This comes as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen instructed Chinese President Xi Jinping to persuade its ally Russia to halt the war with Ukraine. She said that China is expected to employ all its influence on Russia to halt Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as stated by her. She also said that President Xi has played a substantial role in de-escalating Russia's reckless nuclear threats, and there is trust that he will continue to do so. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin’s nuclear threats could destroy relationship with China: EU diplomat

Russia-Ukraine war: Evacuations continue in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Moscow steps up strikes

Fierce fighting raged on the second day in Ukraine's North-eastern region of Kharkiv as Russia intensified its offensive in the region. The intense battle continues in seven border villages.

Russia-Ukraine war: Fighting rages north east of Kharkiv

Russia launched a surprising ground offensive into Ukraine's Kharkiv region reopening a front that had taken centre stage in the early stages of the war. Moscow is eyeing its biggest land operation in this region.

Russia-Ukraine war: Russia mounts assault on Ukraine's second largest city Kharkiv

Ukraine poses a great risk of its front lines collapsing on the battleground. Ukrainian troops are trying to buy time, they are hunkering down in the trenches and trying to dodge Russia's high value artillery weapons. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine war: Zelensky addresses 'difficult situations' at Eastern frontline

Kyiv expects to receive its first F-16 fighter jets from its Western allies in June-July. Ukraine has sought US-made F-16 fighter jets to help it counter Russia’s air superiority for more than two years of war. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine to finally get its first F-16 fighter jets in June-July

Russian forces launched an armoured ground attack on Friday near Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv in the northeast of the country and made limited gains. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: Russia launches surprise ground offensive in Kharkiv

Russia said that sending NATO troops into Ukraine would potentially be extremely dangerous, and Moscow was closely watching a Ukrainian petition that called for such an intervention. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: Russia warns of 'enormous danger' if NATO sends troops to Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine War: Dangers of direct NATO-Russia confrontation

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine to get its first F-16 fighter jets in June-July

Speeches by Ukraine's President Zelensky and Robert Metsola, the president of the European Parliament were interrupted as air raid sirens were sounded in the Ukrainian capital. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: Sirens interrupt Zelensky's presser with EU parliament

Donetsk frontline, a Russian stronghold? | Ukraine targets Russia's border villages

Russia stages its main annual Victory Day parade in Moscow’s Red Square marking victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. President Vladimir Putin expected to make an address at the event, with leaders of Kazakhstan, Laos, Guinea-Bissau, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, and Cuba joining the Russian president in reviewing the parade. Watch in for more details!

Russia Victory Day Parade 2024: Russia marks WW2 Victory Day with military parade in Moscow

Russian missiles and drones targeted roughly a dozen Ukrainian energy infrastructure assets on Wednesday, causing major damage to three Soviet-era thermal power plants and widespread blackouts, according to officials. Watch to know more.

Russia's biggest airstrike in weeks, dozen Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities hit

The European union is considering expanding its sanctions against Russia to target the country's liquefied natural gas industry. This move comes after 13 rounds of previous sanctions, with concerns that Russia's fossil fuel revenue remains a significant financial lifeline.

EU considers sanctions on Russian LNG amid Ukraine conflict

Ukraine war: Russia's massive airstrike hits Ukraine's power grid

With the Russia Ukraine war being marked by drone deployment of unprecedented scale, Ukraine now claims it is producing the same number of deep strike drones as Russia.

Russia-Ukraine war | Ukraine: Producing same number of deep strike drones as Russia

Russia stages its main annual Victory Day parade in Moscow’s Red Square marking victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. President Vladimir Putin expected to make an address at the event, with leaders of Kazakhstan, Laos, Guinea-Bissau, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, and Cuba joining the Russian president in reviewing the parade.

Russia marks Victory Day with military parade in Moscow, 9000 troops take part in Red Square

Ukraine on par with Russia on drone production | Drone combat in Ukraine changes warfare

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