Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued fresh warning to Finland and Sweden that if they welcome NATO troops and military infrastructure onto their territory, Moscow will respond in kind.

Putin condemns NATO’s ‘imperial ambitions’, issues fresh warning to Finland, Sweden

Russian President Vladimir Putin denied hitting a shopping mall in the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk with missiles, saying that it had struck a nearby depot of U.S. and European arms triggering an explosion which ignited a fire in the mall.

Russian President Putin denies hitting shopping mall in Ukraine's Kremenchuk with missiles

UK PM Boris Johnson has said that Russian supremo Vladimir Putin would have not invaded Ukraine had he been a woman, he also stated that Ukraine invasion is crazy and macho, adding that it was a perfect example of toxic masculinity. In his comments, the British leader called for more women in positions of power.

UK PM Boris Johnson calls for more women in power

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been exploring options of buying oil from Russia and he is already in conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, a minister said according to PTI. Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a massive fuel shortage and a deal with Russia will be a huge boost for the island nation which is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. Rajapaksa will be travelling to United Arab Emirates in the near future in order to discuss fuel imports and a possible understanding with Russia can be good news amidst the ongoing crisis.

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“President Gotabaya has called the Russian President to import fuel from Russia. He also plans to go on a tour to UAE to discuss with their leaders to import fuel,” Minister of state for power and energy Mahindananda Aluthgamage was quoted by the Sri Lankan news portal Economy Next.

Earlier in the week, Rajapaksa met Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yuri Materiy to discuss the food and fuel shortage that has brought the country to a near standstill in the last few weeks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-first-country-other-than-russia-to-recognise-ukraine-separatist-republics-of-donetsk-and-lugansk-493080">Syria recognises Ukraine separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk</a>

“Had a productive meeting with the Russian Ambassador Yuri Materiy yesterday. Maintaining robust bilateral relations between our two countries, whilst focusing on developing trading opportunities was discussed extensively at this meeting,” Rajapaksa tweeted on Tuesday.

The Sri Lankan government stopped all fuel sales in the country till July 10 and also extended the shutdown as the country fights their worst economic crisis. The schools are shut in the country while both public and private sector offices were instructed to operate with minimum staff.

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(With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been exploring options of buying oil from Russia and he is already in conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, a minister said according to PTI.

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been exploring options of buying oil from Russia and he is already in conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, a minister said according to PTI. Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a massive fuel shortage and a deal with Russia will be a huge boost for the island nation which is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. Rajapaksa will be travelling to United Arab Emirates in the near future in order to discuss fuel imports and a possible understanding with Russia can be good news amidst the ongoing crisis. Also read | Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam sentenced to life in prison without parole “President Gotabaya has called the Russian President to import fuel from Russia. He also plans to go on a tour to UAE to discuss with their leaders to import fuel,” Minister of state for power and energy Mahindananda Aluthgamage was quoted by the Sri Lankan news portal Economy Next. Earlier in the week, Rajapaksa met Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yuri Materiy to discuss the food and fuel shortage that has brought the country to a near standstill in the last few weeks. Also read | Syria recognises Ukraine separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk “Had a productive meeting with the Russian Ambassador Yuri Materiy yesterday. Maintaining robust bilateral relations between our two countries, whilst focusing on developing trading opportunities was discussed extensively at this meeting,” Rajapaksa tweeted on Tuesday. The Sri Lankan government stopped all fuel sales in the country till July 10 and also extended the shutdown as the country fights their worst economic crisis. The schools are shut in the country while both public and private sector offices were instructed to operate with minimum staff. 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. (With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa calls Vladimir Putin, to visit UAE to seek fuel imports

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that he will be attending the G20 summit to be held in Indonesia later this year, but a lot will depend on the ongoing Russian invasion and also the composition of participants in the event. According to a report by Ukinform, Zelensky met Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Kyiv regarding the event and the two world leaders have a conversation about Ukraine’s possible participation. Widodo arrived in Kyiv earlier on Wednesday and he also visited the city of Irpin which has been ravaged by the constant conflict.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finally-finland-sweden-get-formal-invites-to-join-nato-493057" hreflang="en">Finally, Finland, Sweden get formal invites to join NATO</a>

"I am grateful, Mr. President, for your personal invitation for me to take part in the G20 summit. Of course, I accept this invitation. Ukraine's participation will depend on the security situation in Ukraine and the composition of the summit participants," Zelensky said according to Ukinform.

The G20 summit can possibly be the first time that Zelensky will be in the same event as Russian President Vladimir Putin since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February. Both leaders have appeared in same events but that has mainly been through video links. Widodo will be travelling next to Moscow in order to meet Putin and invite him personally to the G20 Summit.

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Earlier, an aide to Putin said that the Russian President is planning to attend the summit in person.

&nbsp;“They are still inviting in person. There is still a lot of time. I hope that the pandemic will allow this event to be held in person,” Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said, according to Interfax.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that he will be attending the G20 summit to be held in Indonesia later this year, but a lot will depend on the ongoing Russian invasion and also the composition of participants in the event.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that he will be attending the G20 summit to be held in Indonesia later this year, but a lot will depend on the ongoing Russian invasion and also the composition of participants in the event. According to a report by Ukinform, Zelensky met Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Kyiv regarding the event and the two world leaders have a conversation about Ukraine’s possible participation. Widodo arrived in Kyiv earlier on Wednesday and he also visited the city of Irpin which has been ravaged by the constant conflict. Also read | Finally, Finland, Sweden get formal invites to join NATO "I am grateful, Mr. President, for your personal invitation for me to take part in the G20 summit. Of course, I accept this invitation. Ukraine's participation will depend on the security situation in Ukraine and the composition of the summit participants," Zelensky said according to Ukinform. The G20 summit can possibly be the first time that Zelensky will be in the same event as Russian President Vladimir Putin since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February. Both leaders have appeared in same events but that has mainly been through video links. Widodo will be travelling next to Moscow in order to meet Putin and invite him personally to the G20 Summit. Also read | China's new warfare mindset: Fujian & drone carriers Earlier, an aide to Putin said that the Russian President is planning to attend the summit in person. “They are still inviting in person. There is still a lot of time. I hope that the pandemic will allow this event to be held in person,” Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said, according to Interfax. 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.

Volodymyr Zelensky says will attend G20 Summit depending on other ‘participants’

Asserting that the Russian war on Ukraine is a “perfect example of toxic masculinity”, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has claimed that Vladimir Putin&nbsp;would not have invaded Ukraine if he were a woman.

Terming the invasion as "crazy, macho", the UK prime minister called for "more women in positions of power".

Johnson's comments come during an interview with German media following the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau.

“If Putin was a woman, which he obviously isn’t, if he were, I really don’t think he would have embarked on a crazy, macho war of invasion and violence in the way that he has,” Johnson told broadcaster ZDF.

“If you want a perfect example of toxic masculinity, it’s what he is doing in&nbsp;Ukraine.”

Johnson also said that G7 leaders "desperately" seek an end to the war in Ukraine and that there is "no deal available" currently.

He also described the summit as "incredible" as leaders "got closer and closer" to an agreement.

Johnson asserted that the West must support Ukraine militarily in order to get President Volodymyr Zelensky "in the best possible position" in negotiations with Russia "when talks eventually come".

Meanwhile, there seems to be no end to Russia’s attack on Ukraine which is going on for more than four months now.

On Monday, missiles struck a shopping mall with more than 1,000 people in the central city of Kremenchuk.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-has-become-a-terroristsays-zelensky-urges-un-to-expel-russia-492787" hreflang="en">Putin has become 'a terrorist,'says Zelensky, urges UN to expel Russia</a>

Incensed Zelensky accused Putin of becoming a “terrorist” and leading a “terrorist state”. He further urged Russia’s expulsion from the United Nations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-to-invite-finland-and-sweden-to-join-alliance-after-turkiye-lifts-objections-492760">Finland, Sweden set to become NATO members after Türkiye lifts objections</a>

During a virtual address to the UN security council, Zelensky urged the UN to establish an international tribunal to investigate “the actions of Russian occupiers on Ukrainian soil” and to hold the country accountable. “We need to act urgently to do everything to make Russia stop the killing spree,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Asserting that the Russian war on Ukraine is a “perfect example of toxic masculinity”, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has claimed that Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he were a woman.

Asserting that the Russian war on Ukraine is a “perfect example of toxic masculinity”, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has claimed that Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he were a woman. Terming the invasion as "crazy, macho", the UK prime minister called for "more women in positions of power". Johnson's comments come during an interview with German media following the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau. “If Putin was a woman, which he obviously isn’t, if he were, I really don’t think he would have embarked on a crazy, macho war of invasion and violence in the way that he has,” Johnson told broadcaster ZDF. “If you want a perfect example of toxic masculinity, it’s what he is doing in Ukraine.” Johnson also said that G7 leaders "desperately" seek an end to the war in Ukraine and that there is "no deal available" currently. He also described the summit as "incredible" as leaders "got closer and closer" to an agreement. Johnson asserted that the West must support Ukraine militarily in order to get President Volodymyr Zelensky "in the best possible position" in negotiations with Russia "when talks eventually come". Meanwhile, there seems to be no end to Russia’s attack on Ukraine which is going on for more than four months now. On Monday, missiles struck a shopping mall with more than 1,000 people in the central city of Kremenchuk. Also read | Putin has become 'a terrorist,'says Zelensky, urges UN to expel Russia Incensed Zelensky accused Putin of becoming a “terrorist” and leading a “terrorist state”. He further urged Russia’s expulsion from the United Nations. Also read | Finland, Sweden set to become NATO members after Türkiye lifts objections During a virtual address to the UN security council, Zelensky urged the UN to establish an international tribunal to investigate “the actions of Russian occupiers on Ukrainian soil” and to hold the country accountable. “We need to act urgently to do everything to make Russia stop the killing spree,” he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

If Putin was a woman, he wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine: UK PM Boris Johnson

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that the relations with Russia will never be the same after the invasion of Ukraine. Scholz added that the world stands unified in their support for Ukraine amidst the current crisis and warned against ‘walking into Putin’s trap’ as Russia continues to point out cracks in the relations between European Union (EU) nations. “We must not walk into the trap Putin sets of asserting that the world is divided into the global west – the G7 and its friends in the north – and all the rest. That’s not true,” Scholz told Germany’s ZDF television in an interview.

“There are democracies all over the world and they have very similar perspectives,” the German chancellor added at the sidelines of the G7 summit which is currently underway in Germany.

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In the aftermath of the Russian invasion, Germany, along with a number of European Union countries, has decided to cut down on Russian oil exports and on Saturday, he once again made it clear." When the situation changes, we have to change," Scholz said in a televised statement.

This year, the G7 summit has also invited leaders from five countries which Scholz called “democracies of the future” - India, Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa and Argentina.

"It is good, important and necessary that we talk to each other. Listening to each other creates mutual understanding and makes our work easier," he said according to Reuters.

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Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked G7 nations to "limit the price of Russian oil" and to "intensify sanctions" against Russia over its invasion of his country.

"Ukraine will negotiate when it is in a position to do so, that is when it has basically re-established a position of strength," the French presidency said after Zelensky joined the G7 leaders via video link.

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German chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that the relations with Russia will never be the same after the invasion of Ukraine. Scholz added that the world stands unified in their support for Ukraine amidst the current crisis and warned against ‘walking into Putin’s trap’ as Russia continues to point out cracks in the relations between European Union (EU) nations.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that the relations with Russia will never be the same after the invasion of Ukraine. Scholz added that the world stands unified in their support for Ukraine amidst the current crisis and warned against ‘walking into Putin’s trap’ as Russia continues to point out cracks in the relations between European Union (EU) nations. “We must not walk into the trap Putin sets of asserting that the world is divided into the global west – the G7 and its friends in the north – and all the rest. That’s not true,” Scholz told Germany’s ZDF television in an interview. “There are democracies all over the world and they have very similar perspectives,” the German chancellor added at the sidelines of the G7 summit which is currently underway in Germany. Also read | Now is not the time for negotiations with Russia, Zelensky to G7 countries In the aftermath of the Russian invasion, Germany, along with a number of European Union countries, has decided to cut down on Russian oil exports and on Saturday, he once again made it clear." When the situation changes, we have to change," Scholz said in a televised statement. This year, the G7 summit has also invited leaders from five countries which Scholz called “democracies of the future” - India, Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa and Argentina. "It is good, important and necessary that we talk to each other. Listening to each other creates mutual understanding and makes our work easier," he said according to Reuters. Also read | Toxic gas leak in Jordan claims lives of ten people, 251 injured: State media Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked G7 nations to "limit the price of Russian oil" and to "intensify sanctions" against Russia over its invasion of his country. "Ukraine will negotiate when it is in a position to do so, that is when it has basically re-established a position of strength," the French presidency said after Zelensky joined the G7 leaders via video link. 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.

World must ‘avoid Putin’s trap’, says German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

What’s the impact of a Russian debt default?

On Monday, sanctions-hit Russia acknowledged that two of its debt payments had not reached the creditors. Nonetheless, the nation denied that this amounted to default on a loan. In a statement, the Russian finance ministry claimed that international settlement and clearing systems had "received funds in full in advance," but that "the actions of third parties" prevented the payments from reaching the intended beneficiaries.&nbsp;Following reports of the alleged default, the Kremlin too insisted that there were "no grounds" to say that Moscow had defaulted on its foreign-currency sovereign debt. This comes as the West hammers Russia with sanctions over its operation in Ukraine.

Talking to reporters after a key payment deadline's expiry, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that "there are no grounds to call this situation a default."

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Russia could default on its debt within days

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He asserted that the loan was settled by Russia in May, calling the "claims of default" absolutely wrong.

For the first time in more than a century, according to a story by Bloomberg News published earlier on Monday, Russia 'defaulted' around $100 million in interest payments that were due on Sunday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whats-the-impact-of-a-russian-debt-default-492137">What’s the impact of a Russian debt default?</a>

Russian officials claim that the West is attempting to push Moscow into a false default, and finance minister Anton Siluanov has even called the whole thing a "farce."

Moscow has been largely cut off from the global financial system as a result of punitive Western sanctions, making it challenging for Moscow to pay its debts.&nbsp;

The last time Russia missed a payment on a foreign currency loan was in 1918, when Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik revolution, refused to acknowledge the debts of the overthrown tsar's government.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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On Monday, sanctions-hit Russia acknowledged that two of its debt payments had not reached the creditors. Nonetheless, the nation denied that this amounted to default on a loan.

On Monday, sanctions-hit Russia acknowledged that two of its debt payments had not reached the creditors. Nonetheless, the nation denied that this amounted to default on a loan. In a statement, the Russian finance ministry claimed that international settlement and clearing systems had "received funds in full in advance," but that "the actions of third parties" prevented the payments from reaching the intended beneficiaries. Following reports of the alleged default, the Kremlin too insisted that there were "no grounds" to say that Moscow had defaulted on its foreign-currency sovereign debt. This comes as the West hammers Russia with sanctions over its operation in Ukraine. Talking to reporters after a key payment deadline's expiry, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that "there are no grounds to call this situation a default." Watch | Gravitas: Russia could default on its debt within days He asserted that the loan was settled by Russia in May, calling the "claims of default" absolutely wrong. For the first time in more than a century, according to a story by Bloomberg News published earlier on Monday, Russia 'defaulted' around $100 million in interest payments that were due on Sunday. Also read | What’s the impact of a Russian debt default? Russian officials claim that the West is attempting to push Moscow into a false default, and finance minister Anton Siluanov has even called the whole thing a "farce." Moscow has been largely cut off from the global financial system as a result of punitive Western sanctions, making it challenging for Moscow to pay its debts. The last time Russia missed a payment on a foreign currency loan was in 1918, when Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik revolution, refused to acknowledge the debts of the overthrown tsar's government. (With inputs from agencies) 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.

Sanctions-hit Russia calls reports of loan default a 'farce'

After weeks of fighting over the key eastern city, Ukraine's Severodonetsk is now "fully occupied" by the Russian army said Oleksandr Striuk, the city's mayor on Saturday (June 25). This is the biggest setback borne by Ukraine in the past&nbsp;month. In order to better defend the neighbouring city of Lysychansk, the Ukrainian army announced on Friday that it would withdraw its troops from the city, which has some 100,000 residents.&nbsp;"The city has been fully occupied by the Russians." Struik said that the several people hiding from Russian shelling in the Azot chemical plant have now begun to evacuate the site.&nbsp;As per him, these people will need medical and psychological support.&nbsp;

"These people have spent almost three months of their lives in basements, shelters. That's tough emotionally and physically."

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia aims to capture Severodonetsk &amp; Lysychansk

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Separatists who supported Moscow claimed that Russian and pro-Russian soldiers had seized the Azot plant and "evacuated" more than 800 civilians who were taking refuge there.

In a Telegram message, separatist official Andrei Marochko announced that the forces had "taken full control of the Azot plant Industrial Zone."

Around 800 civilians who had sought safety in the facility amid weeks of conflict, according to Ivan Filiponenko, another separatist official, had been "evacuated."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-months-into-the-russian-aggression-ukraine-retreats-from-key-embattled-city-of-sievierodonetsk-491358">Four months into the Russian aggression, Ukraine retreats from key embattled city of Sievierodonetsk</a>

By seizing Lysychansk as well, the Russians would effectively gain control of the larger Lugansk region and be able to advance deeper into the larger Donbas.

Street-by-street combat had been going on in Sievierodonetsk for a month, with Russia steadily capturing more territory. Some of the most intense battles of the war have taken place in the city.&nbsp;Since conquering the port of Mariupol last month, Russia's biggest win has been the fall of Sievierodonetsk, a city that was once home to more than 100,000 people but is now a wasteland.

As Sievierodonetsk falls, only Lysychansk, its sister city on the western bank of the Siverskyi Donets River, would remain in Ukrainian hands.

(With inputs from agencies)

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After weeks of fighting over the key eastern city, Ukraine's Severodonetsk is now "fully occupied" by the Russian army said Oleksandr Striuk, the city's mayor on Saturday (June 25).

After weeks of fighting over the key eastern city, Ukraine's Severodonetsk is now "fully occupied" by the Russian army said Oleksandr Striuk, the city's mayor on Saturday (June 25). This is the biggest setback borne by Ukraine in the past month. In order to better defend the neighbouring city of Lysychansk, the Ukrainian army announced on Friday that it would withdraw its troops from the city, which has some 100,000 residents. "The city has been fully occupied by the Russians." Struik said that the several people hiding from Russian shelling in the Azot chemical plant have now begun to evacuate the site. As per him, these people will need medical and psychological support. "These people have spent almost three months of their lives in basements, shelters. That's tough emotionally and physically." Watch | Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia aims to capture Severodonetsk & Lysychansk Separatists who supported Moscow claimed that Russian and pro-Russian soldiers had seized the Azot plant and "evacuated" more than 800 civilians who were taking refuge there. In a Telegram message, separatist official Andrei Marochko announced that the forces had "taken full control of the Azot plant Industrial Zone." Around 800 civilians who had sought safety in the facility amid weeks of conflict, according to Ivan Filiponenko, another separatist official, had been "evacuated." Also read | Four months into the Russian aggression, Ukraine retreats from key embattled city of Sievierodonetsk By seizing Lysychansk as well, the Russians would effectively gain control of the larger Lugansk region and be able to advance deeper into the larger Donbas. Street-by-street combat had been going on in Sievierodonetsk for a month, with Russia steadily capturing more territory. Some of the most intense battles of the war have taken place in the city. Since conquering the port of Mariupol last month, Russia's biggest win has been the fall of Sievierodonetsk, a city that was once home to more than 100,000 people but is now a wasteland. As Sievierodonetsk falls, only Lysychansk, its sister city on the western bank of the Siverskyi Donets River, would remain in Ukrainian hands. (With inputs from agencies) 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.

Sievierodonetsk falls to Russia after one of Ukraine war's bloodiest fights

In a significant setback to Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion, Kyiv on Friday (June 24th) signalled that its troops will begin withdrawing from the city of Sievierodonetsk. Reuters reports that for weeks, the city has been the scene of heavy fighting. As per provincial governor Serhiy Gaidai, the troops have already received orders to move to new positions. However, he made no mention of their new position or if they had begun moving.&nbsp;He said that the troops "have to be withdrawn" adding that "remaining in positions smashed to pieces over many months just for the sake of staying there does not make sense."

In Sievierodonetsk, street-by-street fighting has raged for a month with Russia methodically gaining more land. The city has witnessed some of the fiercest fightings of the war.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine gets EU candidate status but getting a membership is a long process

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With Donetsk and Luhansk forming the Donbas region, the industrial hub of Ukraine, the struggle is crucial for Russia to seize control of the final Ukrainian-held patch of the province.

Only Lysychansk, Sievierodonetsk's sister city on the western bank of the Siverskyi Donets River, would stay in Ukrainian hands when Sievierodonetsk falls.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/historic-moment-eu-agrees-to-grant-candidate-status-to-ukraine-moldova-491142">'Historic moment': EU agrees to grant candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova</a>

Since Russian forces were unable to take the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in the early phases of the war, Russia has adopted a strategy that involves fierce aerial bombardments of cities and towns followed by ground assaults.

According to analysts, the Russian soldiers are suffering significant losses and are having issues with morale, leadership, and supply. Despite this, they are weakening the Ukrainian opposition and advancing gradually in the east and south.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-a-tough-bite-to-chew-and-so-would-be-finland-says-armed-forces-chief-on-russian-invasion-490781">Ukraine a tough bite to chew and so would be Finland, says armed forces chief&nbsp;</a>

Today marks four months since the start of Vladimir Putin ordered Moscow's aggression against Ukraine. The battle has now claimed thousands of lives—both combatants and civilians—uprooted millions of people, and witnessed Russian artillery and airstrikes obliterate entire Ukrainian cities.

A global energy and food crisis has also been exacerbated by the war.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a significant setback to Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion, Kyiv on Friday (June 24th) signalled that its troops will begin withdrawing from the city of Sievierodonetsk.

In a significant setback to Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion, Kyiv on Friday (June 24th) signalled that its troops will begin withdrawing from the city of Sievierodonetsk. Reuters reports that for weeks, the city has been the scene of heavy fighting. As per provincial governor Serhiy Gaidai, the troops have already received orders to move to new positions. However, he made no mention of their new position or if they had begun moving. He said that the troops "have to be withdrawn" adding that "remaining in positions smashed to pieces over many months just for the sake of staying there does not make sense." In Sievierodonetsk, street-by-street fighting has raged for a month with Russia methodically gaining more land. The city has witnessed some of the fiercest fightings of the war. Watch | Ukraine gets EU candidate status but getting a membership is a long process With Donetsk and Luhansk forming the Donbas region, the industrial hub of Ukraine, the struggle is crucial for Russia to seize control of the final Ukrainian-held patch of the province. Only Lysychansk, Sievierodonetsk's sister city on the western bank of the Siverskyi Donets River, would stay in Ukrainian hands when Sievierodonetsk falls. Also read | 'Historic moment': EU agrees to grant candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova Since Russian forces were unable to take the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in the early phases of the war, Russia has adopted a strategy that involves fierce aerial bombardments of cities and towns followed by ground assaults. According to analysts, the Russian soldiers are suffering significant losses and are having issues with morale, leadership, and supply. Despite this, they are weakening the Ukrainian opposition and advancing gradually in the east and south. Also Read | Ukraine a tough bite to chew and so would be Finland, says armed forces chief Today marks four months since the start of Vladimir Putin ordered Moscow's aggression against Ukraine. The battle has now claimed thousands of lives—both combatants and civilians—uprooted millions of people, and witnessed Russian artillery and airstrikes obliterate entire Ukrainian cities. A global energy and food crisis has also been exacerbated by the war. (With inputs from agencies) 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.

Four months into the Russian aggression, Ukraine retreats from key embattled city of Sievierodonetsk

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (June 23) called on the leaders of BRICS nations (Brazil, India, China and South Africa) to cooperate in the face of "selfish actions" from the West.&nbsp;

In televised remarks at the BRICS virtual summit, Putin said, "Only on the basis of honest and mutually beneficial cooperation can we look for ways out of this crisis situation, which developed in the global economy because of the ill-conceived, selfish actions of certain states."&nbsp;

He said these countries "using financial mechanisms, in fact, shift their own mistakes in macroeconomic policy onto the whole world". "We are convinced that now, more than ever, the leadership of BRICS countries is needed to develop a unifying, positive course towards the formation of a truly multipolar system of inter-government relations," Putin said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-warns-against-expanding-military-alliances-490658">'Ukraine crisis is a wakeup call': Xi Jinping warns against 'expanding military alliances'</a>&nbsp;

The United States and several other Western countries have slapped Russia with multiple economic sanctions after it announced the invasion of Ukraine, what Moscow calls "special military operations".&nbsp;

During the virtual BRICS Summit, Putin said that "we see that the challenges the international communities face today are complex and we need to come up together here".&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;The BRICS Summit: Beijing hosts meeting of BRICS emerging economies&nbsp;

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The Chinese President Xi Jinping&nbsp;hosted the 14th BRICS Summit in Beijing on June 23.&nbsp;

BRICS consists of emerging economies China, Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa - which account for more than 40 per cent of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's gross domestic product.&nbsp;

When it comes to the Russia-Ukraine war and BRICS, three countries (China, India and South Africa) have abstained from voting on a UN resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (June 23) called on the leaders of BRICS nations (Brazil, India, China and South Africa) to cooperate in the face of "selfish actions" from the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (June 23) called on the leaders of BRICS nations (Brazil, India, China and South Africa) to cooperate in the face of "selfish actions" from the West. In televised remarks at the BRICS virtual summit, Putin said, "Only on the basis of honest and mutually beneficial cooperation can we look for ways out of this crisis situation, which developed in the global economy because of the ill-conceived, selfish actions of certain states." He said these countries "using financial mechanisms, in fact, shift their own mistakes in macroeconomic policy onto the whole world". "We are convinced that now, more than ever, the leadership of BRICS countries is needed to develop a unifying, positive course towards the formation of a truly multipolar system of inter-government relations," Putin said. ALSO READ | 'Ukraine crisis is a wakeup call': Xi Jinping warns against 'expanding military alliances' The United States and several other Western countries have slapped Russia with multiple economic sanctions after it announced the invasion of Ukraine, what Moscow calls "special military operations". During the virtual BRICS Summit, Putin said that "we see that the challenges the international communities face today are complex and we need to come up together here". WATCH | The BRICS Summit: Beijing hosts meeting of BRICS emerging economies × The Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the 14th BRICS Summit in Beijing on June 23. BRICS consists of emerging economies China, Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa - which account for more than 40 per cent of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's gross domestic product. When it comes to the Russia-Ukraine war and BRICS, three countries (China, India and South Africa) have abstained from voting on a UN resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 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.

Vladimir Putin to BRICS nations: Cooperate in face of West's 'selfish actions'

The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has prompted the United States and other western countries to impose hard sanctions of Russia and the European Union (EU) has also been trying to decrease oil and gas imports from the country. However, India and China have been importing oil supplies from Russia even now and President Vladimir Putin said at the BRICS Business Summit that trade with both nations has strengthened lately. According to AFP, Putin said that Russia’s trade with Brazil, India, China and South Africa rose 38% in the first three months of the year to $45 billion.

“Russian oil supplies to China and India are growing noticeably," Putin said in a video address.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-to-ask-us-congress-to-stop-gas-tax-for-three-months-as-fuel-prices-rise-490645">Biden to ask US Congress to stop gas tax for three months as fuel prices rise</a>

"Russian oil deliveries to China and India are increasing. Agricultural cooperation is developing dynamically, as is the export of Russian fertiliser to BRICS countries”, he added according to AFP.

Putin also called upon the BRICS nations to strengthen their ties amid the global economic crisis.

"Businessmen of our countries are forced to develop their business under difficult conditions where Western partners neglect the basic principles of market economy, free trade, as well as the inviolability of private property," Putin said at the BRICS Business Summit on Wednesday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-warns-against-expanding-military-alliances-490658" hreflang="en">'Ukraine crisis is wakeup call': Jinping warns against expanding military ties</a>

The sanctions enforced by the US and EU have affected the Russian economy to a certain extent and Putin were quick to criticise "the permanent implementation of new politically motivated sanctions" by the US and other western countries that contradict "common sense and basic economic logic".

Putin concluded his speech by saying that Russia is looking at "alternative international transfer mechanisms" with BRICS nations in order to reduce their dependence on Dollar and Euro.

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The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has prompted the United States and other western countries to impose hard sanctions of Russia and the European Union (EU) has also been trying to decrease oil and gas imports from the country.

The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has prompted the United States and other western countries to impose hard sanctions of Russia and the European Union (EU) has also been trying to decrease oil and gas imports from the country. However, India and China have been importing oil supplies from Russia even now and President Vladimir Putin said at the BRICS Business Summit that trade with both nations has strengthened lately. According to AFP, Putin said that Russia’s trade with Brazil, India, China and South Africa rose 38% in the first three months of the year to $45 billion. “Russian oil supplies to China and India are growing noticeably," Putin said in a video address. Also read | Biden to ask US Congress to stop gas tax for three months as fuel prices rise "Russian oil deliveries to China and India are increasing. Agricultural cooperation is developing dynamically, as is the export of Russian fertiliser to BRICS countries”, he added according to AFP. Putin also called upon the BRICS nations to strengthen their ties amid the global economic crisis. "Businessmen of our countries are forced to develop their business under difficult conditions where Western partners neglect the basic principles of market economy, free trade, as well as the inviolability of private property," Putin said at the BRICS Business Summit on Wednesday. Also read | 'Ukraine crisis is wakeup call': Jinping warns against expanding military ties The sanctions enforced by the US and EU have affected the Russian economy to a certain extent and Putin were quick to criticise "the permanent implementation of new politically motivated sanctions" by the US and other western countries that contradict "common sense and basic economic logic". Putin concluded his speech by saying that Russia is looking at "alternative international transfer mechanisms" with BRICS nations in order to reduce their dependence on Dollar and Euro. 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.

Russian oil supplies to China and India are growing noticeably, says Vladimir Putin

This year on February 24, Russia announced an invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow says is a "military operation". The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been described as the biggest attack on a European state since World War II.

This year on February 24, Russia announced an invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow says is a "military operation". The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been described as the biggest attack on a European state since World War II. Amid the Ukraine war, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (June 21) said that he was "proud" of the action of his soldiers in Ukraine. In a televised remark during a Kremlin meeting with military academy graduates, Putin said, "We are proud that during the special military operation our fighters act with courage, professionalism, like real heroes." In the aftermath of the war, Russia was slapped with multiple economic sanctions by Western countries, leaving Moscow in tatters. Although referring to Western sanctions, Putin said "they will be overcome". He further said that "in the face of new threats and risks, we will further develop and strengthen our armed forces. Putin also promised that the new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile would be commissioned by the end of the year. "There is no doubt that we will be even stronger," Putin added. This year on April 20, Putin announced the test launch of its nuclear-capable Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The Sarmat superheavy intercontinental ballistic missile is designed to elude anti-missile defence systems with a short initial boost phase, giving enemy surveillance systems a tiny window to track. Weighing more than 200 tonnes and able to transport multiple warheads, Putin says the missile can hit any target on Earth. Russia warns Lithuania Meanwhile, Russia's security council chief Nikolai Patrushev warned European Union and NATO member Lithuania of "serious" consequences over its decision to ban the rail transit of goods that are subject to EU sanctions between mainland Russia and Kaliningrad, a Russian region wedged between Lithuania and Poland. 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.

Vladimir Putin 'proud' of Russian troops in Ukraine; says SARMAT missile would be commissioned by year's end

There has been a lot of speculation when it comes to the total net worth of Russian President Vladimir Putin and according to The Guardian, a digital trail has revealed around $4.5bn (£3.7bn) worth of assets related to him. The report shows a digital paper trail that connects Putin with yachts, palaces and vineyards reportedly gifted to him by friends and oligarchs. The trail linked all the assets to individuals, companies and charities who are linked through a common email domain name, LLCInvest.ru. The Guardian accessed snapshots of leaked mail exchanges between the various administrators who handle the entities in charge of the assets linked to Vladimir Putin.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-becomes-chinas-biggest-oil-supplier-amid-ukraine-war-489944" hreflang="en">Russia becomes China's biggest oil supplier amid Ukraine war</a>

The findings were examined by an anti-corruption expert in Russia who said that the proof found from the digital paper trail hints towards a certain level of “common management”.

“LLCInvest looks most of all like a cooperative, or an association, in which its members can exchange benefits and property,” the expert told The Guardian on condition of anonymity.

Putin has often been criticised for amassing huge amounts of wealth by taking advantage of his presidency but not much proof has surfaced. However, it was denied by the Kremlin.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-legislative-polls-french-president-emmanuel-macron-loses-majority-in-parliament-489775">In legislative polls, French President Macron loses majority in parliament</a>

“The president of the Russian Federation is in no way connected or affiliated with the objects and organisations you named,” a Kremlin spokesperson said on the topic.

A look at the papers revealed that there were 86 companies and non-profit organisations which were allegedly related to the massive wealth. The investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and the Russian-language news site Meduza.

There has been a lot of speculation when it comes to the total net worth of Russian President Vladimir Putin and according to The Guardian, a digital trail has revealed around $4.

There has been a lot of speculation when it comes to the total net worth of Russian President Vladimir Putin and according to The Guardian, a digital trail has revealed around $4.5bn (£3.7bn) worth of assets related to him. The report shows a digital paper trail that connects Putin with yachts, palaces and vineyards reportedly gifted to him by friends and oligarchs. The trail linked all the assets to individuals, companies and charities who are linked through a common email domain name, LLCInvest.ru. The Guardian accessed snapshots of leaked mail exchanges between the various administrators who handle the entities in charge of the assets linked to Vladimir Putin. Also read | Russia becomes China's biggest oil supplier amid Ukraine war The findings were examined by an anti-corruption expert in Russia who said that the proof found from the digital paper trail hints towards a certain level of “common management”. “LLCInvest looks most of all like a cooperative, or an association, in which its members can exchange benefits and property,” the expert told The Guardian on condition of anonymity. Putin has often been criticised for amassing huge amounts of wealth by taking advantage of his presidency but not much proof has surfaced. However, it was denied by the Kremlin. Also read | In legislative polls, French President Macron loses majority in parliament “The president of the Russian Federation is in no way connected or affiliated with the objects and organisations you named,” a Kremlin spokesperson said on the topic. A look at the papers revealed that there were 86 companies and non-profit organisations which were allegedly related to the massive wealth. The investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and the Russian-language news site Meduza.

'Network' holding $4.5bn assets linked to Vladimir Putin uncovered: Report

A video of the first Americans captured by Russian forces since the beginning of Ukraine's invasion has been broadcasted by Russian state television.

Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh, two US military veterans who went missing last week while fighting in Ukraine, are from Alabama.

The two soldiers are being held by Russian-backed separatist forces in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine according to RT.

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Russian state TV discussed the capture of two Americans, Alexander Drueke &amp; Andy Huynh, by Russian forces in Ukraine. Immediately after the clip of crying family members pleading for their lives, state TV host used mocking expressions meaning there's no chance they will be freed. <a href="https://t.co/cOHp1rcwTg">pic.twitter.com/cOHp1rcwTg</a>
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During the telecast, Drueke can be heard saying, “Mom, I just want to let you know that I’m alive and I hope to be back home as soon as I can be. So, love Diesel for me. Love you.”&nbsp;

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The United States "will do everything we can" to get them back, according to White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.

After being caught fighting for Ukraine, two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death by a separatist court in the unrecognised Russian-speaking Donetsk People's Republic.

While Huynh is a former US marine who left the service in 2018, Drueke served two tours in Iraq, the last as a lead gunner in Baghdad in 2008-09.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-forced-to-delay-keynote-speech-after-hackers-crash-internet-489384">Vladimir Putin forced to delay keynote speech after hackers crash internet</a>

After seeing pictures of civilian casualties as Russia retreated from towns outside Kyiv in late March, both felt compelled to support the government

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who calls his attack on Ukraine a ''special military operation'' to demilitarise and denazify its neighbour, has denied attacking civilians and has accused Western citizens of acting as "mercenaries". 
&nbsp;

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;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A video of the first Americans captured by Russian forces since the beginning of Ukraine's invasion has been broadcasted by Russian state television. Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh, two US military veterans who went missing last week while fighting in Ukraine, are from Alabama.

A video of the first Americans captured by Russian forces since the beginning of Ukraine's invasion has been broadcasted by Russian state television. Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh, two US military veterans who went missing last week while fighting in Ukraine, are from Alabama. The two soldiers are being held by Russian-backed separatist forces in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine according to RT. Russian state TV discussed the capture of two Americans, Alexander Drueke & Andy Huynh, by Russian forces in Ukraine. Immediately after the clip of crying family members pleading for their lives, state TV host used mocking expressions meaning there's no chance they will be freed. pic.twitter.com/cOHp1rcwTg — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 17, 2022 × During the telecast, Drueke can be heard saying, “Mom, I just want to let you know that I’m alive and I hope to be back home as soon as I can be. So, love Diesel for me. Love you.” × The United States "will do everything we can" to get them back, according to White House national security spokesperson John Kirby. After being caught fighting for Ukraine, two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death by a separatist court in the unrecognised Russian-speaking Donetsk People's Republic. While Huynh is a former US marine who left the service in 2018, Drueke served two tours in Iraq, the last as a lead gunner in Baghdad in 2008-09. Also read | Vladimir Putin forced to delay keynote speech after hackers crash internet After seeing pictures of civilian casualties as Russia retreated from towns outside Kyiv in late March, both felt compelled to support the government Russian President Vladimir Putin, who calls his attack on Ukraine a ''special military operation'' to demilitarise and denazify its neighbour, has denied attacking civilians and has accused Western citizens of acting as "mercenaries". 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. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Video of first Americans captured by Russian forces since Ukraine's invasion broadcasted by Russian TV

Russian President Vladimir Putin was slated to give the opening speech in Russia’s flagship economic forum on Friday, but it was delayed by hackers. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, it was a ‘denial of service’ attack from the hackers that was aimed at interrupting the internet services at the venue. Reuters reported that the hackers attacked the servers with bogus traffic that resulted in sluggish internet speeds. The speech from Putin did not start on time due to an issue with the connectivity at the venue and Kremlin confirmed that it was delayed by a little over 100 minutes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-elections-emmanuel-macron-ask-voters-for-solid-majority-in-polls-489300">French elections: Emmanuel Macron ask voters for 'solid majority' in polls</a>

Russia did not blame anyone for the attacks directly but according to the Reuters report, sources claimed that this can be a response from a group of "hacktivists" for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

During the speech, Putin said that this is the "the era of the unipolar world" as he defended Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine once again at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"When they won the Cold War, the US declared themselves God's own representatives on earth, people who have no responsibilities -- only interests. They have declared those interests sacred. Now it's one-way traffic, which makes the world unstable," Putin told the audience.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/orgy-at-a-military-barracks-british-paratroopers-banned-from-nato-deployment-489292" hreflang="en">'Orgy at a military barracks': British paratroopers banned from Nato deployment</a>

The ongoing crisis has already crossed 100 days in Ukraine and Putin said that the “special operation” has provided the West with an opportunity to put the blame for their problems on Russia.

"They live in the past on their own under their own delusions ... They think that ... they have won and then everything else is a colony, a back yard. And the people living there are second-class citizens."

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Russian President Vladimir Putin was slated to give the opening speech in Russia’s flagship economic forum on Friday, but it was delayed by hackers. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, it was a ‘denial of service’ attack from the hackers that was aimed at interrupting the internet services at the venue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was slated to give the opening speech in Russia’s flagship economic forum on Friday, but it was delayed by hackers. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, it was a ‘denial of service’ attack from the hackers that was aimed at interrupting the internet services at the venue. Reuters reported that the hackers attacked the servers with bogus traffic that resulted in sluggish internet speeds. The speech from Putin did not start on time due to an issue with the connectivity at the venue and Kremlin confirmed that it was delayed by a little over 100 minutes. Also read | French elections: Emmanuel Macron ask voters for 'solid majority' in polls Russia did not blame anyone for the attacks directly but according to the Reuters report, sources claimed that this can be a response from a group of "hacktivists" for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. During the speech, Putin said that this is the "the era of the unipolar world" as he defended Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine once again at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. "When they won the Cold War, the US declared themselves God's own representatives on earth, people who have no responsibilities -- only interests. They have declared those interests sacred. Now it's one-way traffic, which makes the world unstable," Putin told the audience. Also read | 'Orgy at a military barracks': British paratroopers banned from Nato deployment The ongoing crisis has already crossed 100 days in Ukraine and Putin said that the “special operation” has provided the West with an opportunity to put the blame for their problems on Russia. "They live in the past on their own under their own delusions ... They think that ... they have won and then everything else is a colony, a back yard. And the people living there are second-class citizens." 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.

Vladimir Putin forced to delay keynote speech after hackers crash internet

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (June 17) said that Russia had 'nothing against' Ukraine joining the European Union (EU). His words came on the same day European Commission recommended granting Ukraine a candidate status in the EU. Putin was speaking at Russia's annual economic showcase, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"We have nothing against it. It's their sovereign decision to join economic unions or not... It's their business, the business of the Ukrainian people," said Putin.

Russia is currently invading Ukraine. Putin has in past expressed Russia's fierce opposition to Ukraine joining North Atlantic Treaty Organisation&nbsp;(NATO). Such a scenario has been deemed a 'security threat' by Moscow.

But "as far as their economic integration is concerned, it is their choice", Putin said.

"The EU is not a military alliance, unlike NATO," he said.

Watch | Gravitas: Is Poland Russia's next target?

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The Russian president, however, said he believed that if Ukraine went ahead with joining the EU it would "turn into a semi-colony" of Western countries.

"That's my opinion," he said.

Russia not cause of global issues, says Putin

During his speech, Putin defended Russia by saying global economic problems were not caused by the Russian invasion.

"What is happening is not the result of recent months, much less the result of a special military operation that Russia is conducting in the Donbas," Putin said referring to the predominantly Russia-speaking region of Eastern Ukraine.&nbsp;

"The rising prices, inflation, the problem with foods, prices for fuel.. are the result of systematic mistakes in the economic policy of the current US administration and European bureaucracy," Putin said in televised remarks at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. &nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-germany-italy-romania-leaders-back-ukraine-membership-bid-during-crucial-kyiv-visit-488906">France, Germany, Italy, Romania back Ukraine's EU membership bid during crucial Kyiv visit</a>

Moscow's military action became a "lifeline" for Western countries "that allows them to blame their own miscalculations on others, in this case, on Russia,"&nbsp;he added.

Gas prices were also on the rise Friday, exacerbated by the decision by Russian energy giant Gazprom to slash deliveries to Europe, citing repair works.&nbsp;

Putin said that high energy prices "have been observed since the third quarter (of last year), long before the start of our operation in Donbas", adding that the price hikes were also the result of Europe's "failed energy policy".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (June 17) said that Russia had 'nothing against' Ukraine joining the European Union (EU). His words came on the same day European Commission recommended granting Ukraine a candidate status in the EU.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (June 17) said that Russia had 'nothing against' Ukraine joining the European Union (EU). His words came on the same day European Commission recommended granting Ukraine a candidate status in the EU. Putin was speaking at Russia's annual economic showcase, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. "We have nothing against it. It's their sovereign decision to join economic unions or not... It's their business, the business of the Ukrainian people," said Putin. Russia is currently invading Ukraine. Putin has in past expressed Russia's fierce opposition to Ukraine joining North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Such a scenario has been deemed a 'security threat' by Moscow. But "as far as their economic integration is concerned, it is their choice", Putin said. "The EU is not a military alliance, unlike NATO," he said. Watch | Gravitas: Is Poland Russia's next target? × The Russian president, however, said he believed that if Ukraine went ahead with joining the EU it would "turn into a semi-colony" of Western countries. "That's my opinion," he said. Russia not cause of global issues, says Putin During his speech, Putin defended Russia by saying global economic problems were not caused by the Russian invasion. "What is happening is not the result of recent months, much less the result of a special military operation that Russia is conducting in the Donbas," Putin said referring to the predominantly Russia-speaking region of Eastern Ukraine. "The rising prices, inflation, the problem with foods, prices for fuel.. are the result of systematic mistakes in the economic policy of the current US administration and European bureaucracy," Putin said in televised remarks at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. Also Read | France, Germany, Italy, Romania back Ukraine's EU membership bid during crucial Kyiv visit Moscow's military action became a "lifeline" for Western countries "that allows them to blame their own miscalculations on others, in this case, on Russia," he added. Gas prices were also on the rise Friday, exacerbated by the decision by Russian energy giant Gazprom to slash deliveries to Europe, citing repair works. Putin said that high energy prices "have been observed since the third quarter (of last year), long before the start of our operation in Donbas", adding that the price hikes were also the result of Europe's "failed energy policy". (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU, says Vladimir Putin

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;WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media. 
&nbsp;

According to reports, agents from the Russian Federal Protection Service (FPS) carry President Vladimir Putin's excrement and urine&nbsp;in pockets whenever he travels and the agents collect the president's poop back to Moscow in a special suitcase to protect health secrets related to Putin's health.

The report which appeared in a French magazine said the practice has been in place since Putin visited France in 2017 and had met French President Emmanuel Macron at Versailles.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-president-lukashenko-dismisses-concerns-about-putins-health-463824">Also Read:&nbsp;Lukashenko dismisses concerns about Putin's health</a>

The French magazine reported that Russian embassy staff have been asked to maintain "absolute secrecy" amid intense pressure.

FPS agents are reportedly responsible for the security of top Russian officials. The Russian president's health has been a matter of speculation for months ever since the Ukraine war with some reports indicating that he might be suffering from cancer, however, it has never been corroborated and the Kremlin has repeated dismissed Putin's health rumours.

Watch: Putin likens himself to Russian tsar Peter the Great

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The bizarre phenomenon was earlier reported as a video surfaced online shared by a BBC journalist as two guards were seen coming out of the room with a guard carrying a special suitcase and they were followed by the Russian president along with two other guards.

A British media report had said Putin's strange practise has been continuing since he came to power and is seen as an attempt by Russian officials to conceal the president's health reports from&nbsp;falling into the hands of foreign intelligence services.

(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.

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. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media. According to reports, agents from the Russian Federal Protection Service (FPS) carry President Vladimir Putin's excrement and urine in pockets whenever he travels and the agents collect the president's poop back to Moscow in a special suitcase to protect health secrets related to Putin's health. The report which appeared in a French magazine said the practice has been in place since Putin visited France in 2017 and had met French President Emmanuel Macron at Versailles. Also Read: Lukashenko dismisses concerns about Putin's health The French magazine reported that Russian embassy staff have been asked to maintain "absolute secrecy" amid intense pressure. FPS agents are reportedly responsible for the security of top Russian officials. The Russian president's health has been a matter of speculation for months ever since the Ukraine war with some reports indicating that he might be suffering from cancer, however, it has never been corroborated and the Kremlin has repeated dismissed Putin's health rumours. Watch: Putin likens himself to Russian tsar Peter the Great The bizarre phenomenon was earlier reported as a video surfaced online shared by a BBC journalist as two guards were seen coming out of the room with a guard carrying a special suitcase and they were followed by the Russian president along with two other guards. A British media report had said Putin's strange practise has been continuing since he came to power and is seen as an attempt by Russian officials to conceal the president's health reports from falling into the hands of foreign intelligence services. (With inputs from Agencies) 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 guards carry his excrement and urine in special suitcase: Report

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and according to the Chinese state media, Beijing has said that they will continue to back Moscow on "sovereignty and security". The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said that Xi has made it clear that China is "willing to continue to offer mutual support (to Russia) on issues concerning core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty and security". From the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, China has refused to condemn their actions and according to a number of reports, they have been buying oil and natural gas from the Kremlin.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/5g-india-to-hold-spectrum-auction-in-july-mobile-connectivity-set-to-get-10-times-faster-488302">5G: India to hold spectrum auction, mobile services set to get 10 times faster</a>

The CCTV further reported that Xi was happy with "good momentum of development" when it came to the relationship between China and Moscow and promised to "intensify strategic coordination”.

According to AFP, this was the second call between the two world leaders since the invasion of Ukraine started. China made it clear that they want to “strengthen their communication” with Russia on a number of international organisations and Xi said in the call that they will "push the international order and global governance towards more just and reasonable development".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-years-into-india-china-clash-in-galwan-valley-much-remains-unsolved-488290" hreflang="en">Two years into India-China clash in Galwan valley, much remains unsolved</a>

AFP also reported that Xi has invited Putin to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics in early February. The two Presidents have shared a cordial relationship over the years and amid the crisis in Ukraine, China remain a strong ally of Russia despite multiple warnings from United States and other major western countries.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and according to the Chinese state media, Beijing has said that they will continue to back Moscow on "sovereignty and security".

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and according to the Chinese state media, Beijing has said that they will continue to back Moscow on "sovereignty and security". The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said that Xi has made it clear that China is "willing to continue to offer mutual support (to Russia) on issues concerning core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty and security". From the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, China has refused to condemn their actions and according to a number of reports, they have been buying oil and natural gas from the Kremlin. Also read | 5G: India to hold spectrum auction, mobile services set to get 10 times faster The CCTV further reported that Xi was happy with "good momentum of development" when it came to the relationship between China and Moscow and promised to "intensify strategic coordination”. According to AFP, this was the second call between the two world leaders since the invasion of Ukraine started. China made it clear that they want to “strengthen their communication” with Russia on a number of international organisations and Xi said in the call that they will "push the international order and global governance towards more just and reasonable development". Also read | Two years into India-China clash in Galwan valley, much remains unsolved AFP also reported that Xi has invited Putin to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics in early February. The two Presidents have shared a cordial relationship over the years and amid the crisis in Ukraine, China remain a strong ally of Russia despite multiple warnings from United States and other major western countries. 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.

China to back Russia on 'sovereignty and security', Xi Jinping tells Vladimir Putin

More than two months after the residents of Yahidne kicked down the bolted basement door where the Russian army had held them hostage, the village is being rebuilt but the memories remain fresh — and deeply painful.

On March 3, eight days after the full-scale invasion began, Russian forces swept into Yahidne, a village on the main road north of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. For nearly a month, until March 31, when Ukrainian troops liberated the town, more than 300 people, 77 of them children, were imprisoned in several rooms in the dank basement of the village school — a human shield for the Russian troops based there. Ten of the captives died. Among those held inside were a baby and a 93-year-old, Ukrainian prosecutors said.

“This is our concentration camp,” said Oleh Turash, 54, one of those imprisoned, who helped bury the people who perished there. For most of the time there was virtually no light. Despite the freezing winter weather, he said, people were packed in so tightly their body warmth was all the heat they needed.

But there was never enough oxygen to breathe normally, causing some people to black out and others, mainly older, to suffer hallucinations. “They would start babbling about the need to plant potatoes, and other things that they could not do,” said Ivan Petrovich, the school’s janitor.

Turash, 54, slept in the largest room. It had the only source of air, a tiny hole the people made themselves, Petrovich said. A bucket sat at the far side of the room, a makeshift toilet for children and others who could not wait until morning, when there was hope that the Russian soldiers would let people out to use the regular toilets.

A tally on the door of the largest room noted that 136 people had stayed there, nine of them children. Originally, the number had been 139, but that had been scratched out to reflect three deaths, Turash said.

“Three people died around me,” said his 73-year-old mother, Valentyna. She had broken her right arm going down the stairs to the basement, but received no medical treatment. Her wrist is still swollen three months later.

“I am still in a lot of pain, and I can’t use my fingers as well as I used to,” she said.

She said the room she was in was so crowded there was no space for her to move.

“I spent 30 days just like this, hardly moving,” she said, squatting down low to the ground. “Twice, I lost consciousness because of the lack of oxygen, but my son banged on the door to get me out. Thank God I survived.”

Petrovich and Turash brought crayons for the children to draw. Inside, they drew a mural on the wall composed of Ukrainian flags, hearts, suns and butterflies. At the top, a child had written, “No War!!!”

In a smaller room, about 25 by 10 feet, there was another amended body count: 22 people, including five children, had been written in pencil. Someone writing in navy blue crayon had changed the number to 18.

On one wall was a tally of the dead and the date they had died. One man, Anatoly Shevchenko, had a question mark next to his name. His fate is still a mystery.

Every few days, if the captives were lucky, the Russians would give them permission to take the bodies into the school’s boiler room, usually several at a time.

That was also where they got their drinking water.

The men would go through an opening and climb down a ladder to a sewer line, where they would fetch water used in normal times for the school’s heating system.

Once they got the water, they would boil it over the open flame that they used to cook, when they were allowed to.

“Imagine, there were dead bodies here on this table,” Turash said. “And just next to the corpses, we were boiling the water that we drank.”

At one point the Russian soldiers conscripted Turash and others to dig a pit at least 10 feet deep next to the boiler room.

“I thought I was digging my own grave,” he said.

Instead, the Russians eventually installed a generator there.

Every week or so, after some negotiating, the soldiers would grant Turash permission to bury the deceased outside in a communal grave. They accompanied him, as they did all villagers who got permission to leave the basement, with their Kalashnikovs raised. The residents were able to get intermittent, and inconsistent, food supplies under soldiers’ watch.

Outside, the school was surrounded by Russian tank positions. The soldiers had felled trees from the forest behind the school and dug foxholes for themselves, stealing rugs from people’s homes to put inside the mud dwellings. Turash recognized his own boots on a soldier’s feet.

The occupiers told some of the residents there were plans to bring them to Russia. “They told us, ‘The men will go to Tyumen to work in wood production and the women will be sent to another part of Russia to work cleaning fish,’” said Ekaterina Balanovych, referring to a city in western Siberia.

On March 30, when the Russian forces began retreating from the north, the soldiers locked everyone inside, bolted the door and ordered them not to leave.

That night the villagers broke down the door and quickly realized the Russians had left. But they could hear heavy fighting nearby, and most remained inside, waiting to be rescued.

But they found an old phone, Balanovych said, and someone was able to reach one of the Ukrainian troops.

“When our boys arrived, we were so happy, we hugged them, and we cried,” she said. “They brought bread. We hadn’t seen a crumb of bread for a month.”

More than two months later, however, Yahidne is far from back to normal. The school is badly damaged, perhaps beyond repair. The wrecked tanks and armored vehicles have been towed away but the evidence of the occupation — underground dwellings, recently extinguished fires and the scattered belongings of those forced to live in the basement — remain.

Some, like Petrovich, appear to be suffering depression or some form of PTSD. “After two months, we are still in shock,” he said. “There is so much work to do at home still, but you can’t lift your hand. It is scary.”

There is still a lot of cleaning up to do. “There is not a single house here where there was no tank or armored personnel carrier standing,” said Valentyna Sezonenko, 75, who found partly unexploded ordnance on the road in front of her house. Houses across the street and next door had been razed.

On a street next to the village's destroyed events hall, volunteers from the capital were putting new roofs on apartment buildings. A shell from a cluster munition lay nearby.

“My soul hurts,” said Nina Shish, who managed to flee Yahidne hours before it was occupied only to be trapped in a basement by Russians in a neighboring village.

As soon as she returned to Yahidne, she went to see the local school, where she had worked and where her granddaughter had been in kindergarten.

“I have no words for my grief, the school was so beautiful before,” she said. “Now, students won’t learn there any more.”

She took a plant stand with a spider plant home and put it in her building’s hallway as a memento.

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s chief prosecutor announced eight new war crimes cases, including one against nine Russian soldiers accused of terrorizing Yahidne.

“Unfortunately, these people are not located here physically, and we are going for an in absentia trial, but it is very important for us, for Ukrainian justice, for the victims and their relatives to have this legal process,” the prosecutor general, Irina Venediktova, wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

While Russia denies that its soldiers have committed war crimes, Ukraine has already sentenced three soldiers for related offenses. Most of the soldiers named by Venediktova come from Tuva, a remote province in southeastern Siberia.

On the road locals call Fourth Street, Ludmila Shevchenko was tending her garden. She had already buried one son, Vitaliy, 53, who was shot by the Russians in the early days of the occupation.

And she was worried about her other son, Anatoly, the man with the question mark next to his name on the list in the basement.

“I don’t know if he is alive or dead,” she said, resting against the pockmarks of the damaged house.

“I don’t know if the commander will be tried,” she said. “But I want to ask him, ‘Where is my son, Anatoly Shevchenko?’”

More than two months after the residents of Yahidne kicked down the bolted basement door where the Russian army had held them hostage, the village is being rebuilt but the memories remain fresh — and deeply painful.

More than two months after the residents of Yahidne kicked down the bolted basement door where the Russian army had held them hostage, the village is being rebuilt but the memories remain fresh — and deeply painful. On March 3, eight days after the full-scale invasion began, Russian forces swept into Yahidne, a village on the main road north of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. For nearly a month, until March 31, when Ukrainian troops liberated the town, more than 300 people, 77 of them children, were imprisoned in several rooms in the dank basement of the village school — a human shield for the Russian troops based there. Ten of the captives died. Among those held inside were a baby and a 93-year-old, Ukrainian prosecutors said. “This is our concentration camp,” said Oleh Turash, 54, one of those imprisoned, who helped bury the people who perished there. For most of the time there was virtually no light. Despite the freezing winter weather, he said, people were packed in so tightly their body warmth was all the heat they needed. But there was never enough oxygen to breathe normally, causing some people to black out and others, mainly older, to suffer hallucinations. “They would start babbling about the need to plant potatoes, and other things that they could not do,” said Ivan Petrovich, the school’s janitor. Turash, 54, slept in the largest room. It had the only source of air, a tiny hole the people made themselves, Petrovich said. A bucket sat at the far side of the room, a makeshift toilet for children and others who could not wait until morning, when there was hope that the Russian soldiers would let people out to use the regular toilets. A tally on the door of the largest room noted that 136 people had stayed there, nine of them children. Originally, the number had been 139, but that had been scratched out to reflect three deaths, Turash said. “Three people died around me,” said his 73-year-old mother, Valentyna. She had broken her right arm going down the stairs to the basement, but received no medical treatment. Her wrist is still swollen three months later. “I am still in a lot of pain, and I can’t use my fingers as well as I used to,” she said. She said the room she was in was so crowded there was no space for her to move. “I spent 30 days just like this, hardly moving,” she said, squatting down low to the ground. “Twice, I lost consciousness because of the lack of oxygen, but my son banged on the door to get me out. Thank God I survived.” Petrovich and Turash brought crayons for the children to draw. Inside, they drew a mural on the wall composed of Ukrainian flags, hearts, suns and butterflies. At the top, a child had written, “No War!!!” In a smaller room, about 25 by 10 feet, there was another amended body count: 22 people, including five children, had been written in pencil. Someone writing in navy blue crayon had changed the number to 18. On one wall was a tally of the dead and the date they had died. One man, Anatoly Shevchenko, had a question mark next to his name. His fate is still a mystery. Every few days, if the captives were lucky, the Russians would give them permission to take the bodies into the school’s boiler room, usually several at a time. That was also where they got their drinking water. The men would go through an opening and climb down a ladder to a sewer line, where they would fetch water used in normal times for the school’s heating system. Once they got the water, they would boil it over the open flame that they used to cook, when they were allowed to. “Imagine, there were dead bodies here on this table,” Turash said. “And just next to the corpses, we were boiling the water that we drank.” At one point the Russian soldiers conscripted Turash and others to dig a pit at least 10 feet deep next to the boiler room. “I thought I was digging my own grave,” he said. Instead, the Russians eventually installed a generator there. Every week or so, after some negotiating, the soldiers would grant Turash permission to bury the deceased outside in a communal grave. They accompanied him, as they did all villagers who got permission to leave the basement, with their Kalashnikovs raised. The residents were able to get intermittent, and inconsistent, food supplies under soldiers’ watch. Outside, the school was surrounded by Russian tank positions. The soldiers had felled trees from the forest behind the school and dug foxholes for themselves, stealing rugs from people’s homes to put inside the mud dwellings. Turash recognized his own boots on a soldier’s feet. The occupiers told some of the residents there were plans to bring them to Russia. “They told us, ‘The men will go to Tyumen to work in wood production and the women will be sent to another part of Russia to work cleaning fish,’” said Ekaterina Balanovych, referring to a city in western Siberia. On March 30, when the Russian forces began retreating from the north, the soldiers locked everyone inside, bolted the door and ordered them not to leave. That night the villagers broke down the door and quickly realized the Russians had left. But they could hear heavy fighting nearby, and most remained inside, waiting to be rescued. But they found an old phone, Balanovych said, and someone was able to reach one of the Ukrainian troops. “When our boys arrived, we were so happy, we hugged them, and we cried,” she said. “They brought bread. We hadn’t seen a crumb of bread for a month.” More than two months later, however, Yahidne is far from back to normal. The school is badly damaged, perhaps beyond repair. The wrecked tanks and armored vehicles have been towed away but the evidence of the occupation — underground dwellings, recently extinguished fires and the scattered belongings of those forced to live in the basement — remain. Some, like Petrovich, appear to be suffering depression or some form of PTSD. “After two months, we are still in shock,” he said. “There is so much work to do at home still, but you can’t lift your hand. It is scary.” There is still a lot of cleaning up to do. “There is not a single house here where there was no tank or armored personnel carrier standing,” said Valentyna Sezonenko, 75, who found partly unexploded ordnance on the road in front of her house. Houses across the street and next door had been razed. On a street next to the village's destroyed events hall, volunteers from the capital were putting new roofs on apartment buildings. A shell from a cluster munition lay nearby. “My soul hurts,” said Nina Shish, who managed to flee Yahidne hours before it was occupied only to be trapped in a basement by Russians in a neighboring village. As soon as she returned to Yahidne, she went to see the local school, where she had worked and where her granddaughter had been in kindergarten. “I have no words for my grief, the school was so beautiful before,” she said. “Now, students won’t learn there any more.” She took a plant stand with a spider plant home and put it in her building’s hallway as a memento. On Wednesday, Ukraine’s chief prosecutor announced eight new war crimes cases, including one against nine Russian soldiers accused of terrorizing Yahidne. “Unfortunately, these people are not located here physically, and we are going for an in absentia trial, but it is very important for us, for Ukrainian justice, for the victims and their relatives to have this legal process,” the prosecutor general, Irina Venediktova, wrote on Facebook on Wednesday. While Russia denies that its soldiers have committed war crimes, Ukraine has already sentenced three soldiers for related offenses. Most of the soldiers named by Venediktova come from Tuva, a remote province in southeastern Siberia. On the road locals call Fourth Street, Ludmila Shevchenko was tending her garden. She had already buried one son, Vitaliy, 53, who was shot by the Russians in the early days of the occupation. And she was worried about her other son, Anatoly, the man with the question mark next to his name on the list in the basement. “I don’t know if he is alive or dead,” she said, resting against the pockmarks of the damaged house. “I don’t know if the commander will be tried,” she said. “But I want to ask him, ‘Where is my son, Anatoly Shevchenko?’”

‘We are still in shock’: A month trapped by Russian forces in a basement

Despite the West announcing sanctions and trying to divert their oil imports from Moscow, Vladimir Putin asserted that they won’t be able to completely cut off from the Russian oil and gas for several years.

The Russian president made these remarks on Thursday after attending an exhibition in Moscow dedicated to the 350th anniversary of the birth of Russian monarch Peter the Great.

He added that nobody knows what could occur at that time, so Russian business would certainly not be “concreting over their oil wells”, reports BBC.

His comments come days after a US official admitted that Russian profits on energy may be higher now than they were before the war.

The United States and the European Union had agreed to ban imports of Russian oil and imposed escalating sanctions to punish the country for its invasion of Ukraine.

While those moves put a dent in global trade in Russian fossil fuels, they also helped to trigger a surge in global prices of oil and gas.

The EU currently imports around 40 per cent of its gas from Russia.

The bloc has pledged to&nbsp;reduce its dependency on Russian oil by 90 per cent by the end of 2022, but so far has not made any commitments on gas.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-compares-ukraine-invasion-to-peter-the-greats-conquests-486729">Putin compares Ukraine invasion to Peter the Great's conquests</a>

Noting that supply snarls led to a rise in global oil and gas prices, Putin said the Russian companies’ profits could have risen in recent months.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kyiv-in-no-danger-but-we-are-preparing-ukraine-minister-486747" hreflang="en">Kyiv in 'no danger', but we are preparing: Ukraine minister</a>

"The volume of oil is decreasing on the world market, prices are rising," President Putin told a group of young entrepreneurs.

"Company profits are rising," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Despite the West announcing sanctions and trying to divert their oil imports from Moscow, Vladimir Putin asserted that they won’t be able to completely cut off from the Russian oil and gas for several years.

Despite the West announcing sanctions and trying to divert their oil imports from Moscow, Vladimir Putin asserted that they won’t be able to completely cut off from the Russian oil and gas for several years. The Russian president made these remarks on Thursday after attending an exhibition in Moscow dedicated to the 350th anniversary of the birth of Russian monarch Peter the Great. He added that nobody knows what could occur at that time, so Russian business would certainly not be “concreting over their oil wells”, reports BBC. His comments come days after a US official admitted that Russian profits on energy may be higher now than they were before the war. The United States and the European Union had agreed to ban imports of Russian oil and imposed escalating sanctions to punish the country for its invasion of Ukraine. While those moves put a dent in global trade in Russian fossil fuels, they also helped to trigger a surge in global prices of oil and gas. The EU currently imports around 40 per cent of its gas from Russia. The bloc has pledged to reduce its dependency on Russian oil by 90 per cent by the end of 2022, but so far has not made any commitments on gas. Also read | Putin compares Ukraine invasion to Peter the Great's conquests Noting that supply snarls led to a rise in global oil and gas prices, Putin said the Russian companies’ profits could have risen in recent months. Also read | Kyiv in 'no danger', but we are preparing: Ukraine minister "The volume of oil is decreasing on the world market, prices are rising," President Putin told a group of young entrepreneurs. "Company profits are rising," he added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

West won’t be able to cut off from Russian oil and gas for years: Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday compared Ukraine invasion to Peter the Great's conquests

Peter I, or Peter the Great reigned first as tsar and then as emperor from 1682 until his death in 1725. His conquest of the Baltic coast from Sweden made Russia an important player in European affairs.

Putin was visiting an exhibition in Moscow dedicated to the 350th birthday of tsar. After the the visit, Putin told a group of young entrepreneurs that "you get the impression that by fighting Sweden he was grabbing something. He wasn't taking anything, he was taking it back".

"It is our responsibility also to take back and strengthen," Putin said, in an apparent reference to Russia's offensive in Ukraine.

Ukraine was part of the erstwhile Soviet Union. Russia began invading the country on February 24 this year.

When Peter the Great founded Saint Petersburg and declared it the Russian capital "none of the countries in Europe recognised this territory as belonging to Russia," Putin said.

"Everyone considered it to be part of Sweden. But from time immemorial, Slavs had lived there alongside Finno-Ugric peoples," the Russian leader added.

Russia is currently facing isolation globally with major western countries have imposed sanctions on it following Ukraine invasion.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday compared Ukraine invasion to Peter the Great's conquests Peter I, or Peter the Great reigned first as tsar and then as emperor from 1682 until his death in 1725.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday compared Ukraine invasion to Peter the Great's conquests Peter I, or Peter the Great reigned first as tsar and then as emperor from 1682 until his death in 1725. His conquest of the Baltic coast from Sweden made Russia an important player in European affairs. Putin was visiting an exhibition in Moscow dedicated to the 350th birthday of tsar. After the the visit, Putin told a group of young entrepreneurs that "you get the impression that by fighting Sweden he was grabbing something. He wasn't taking anything, he was taking it back". "It is our responsibility also to take back and strengthen," Putin said, in an apparent reference to Russia's offensive in Ukraine. Ukraine was part of the erstwhile Soviet Union. Russia began invading the country on February 24 this year. When Peter the Great founded Saint Petersburg and declared it the Russian capital "none of the countries in Europe recognised this territory as belonging to Russia," Putin said. "Everyone considered it to be part of Sweden. But from time immemorial, Slavs had lived there alongside Finno-Ugric peoples," the Russian leader added. Russia is currently facing isolation globally with major western countries have imposed sanctions on it following Ukraine invasion. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Putin compares Ukraine invasion to Peter the Great's conquests

Thanking British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a "complete" understanding of Kyiv's needs, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the UK has been providing weapons Kyiv needs to fight the war with Russia.

"I am grateful to Prime Minister Boris Johnson for the complete understanding of our demands and preparedness to provide Ukraine with exactly the weapons that it so needs to protect the lives of our people," Zelensky said.

It comes after the UK defied Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning and announced that it will supply Ukraine with multiple-launch rocket systems that can strike targets up to 80 km (50 miles) away.

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In a pivotal battle of the Kremlin offensive in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, Ukrainian and Russian troops are fighting street by street for control of the industrial city of Sievierodonetsk.

"Looking for ways to avoid the food crisis &amp; unblock (Ukraine's) ports," Zelensky and Johnson held a phone conversation after Russia's naval blockade of Ukraine due to which Kyib is not able to export a majority of its agricultural produce.

It comes after a large rebellion in Johnson's Conservative Party over the so-called "partygate" scandal dealt a blow to his authority even though he survived a confidence vote in the UK.

In a move that could severely weaken Ukraine’s standing and allow the Russian military to advance closer to the center of the country, Zelensky also said Moscow’s forces intend to take the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia which is home to more than 700,000 people.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Thanking British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a "complete" understanding of Kyiv's needs, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the UK has been providing weapons Kyiv needs to fight the war with Russia.

Thanking British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a "complete" understanding of Kyiv's needs, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the UK has been providing weapons Kyiv needs to fight the war with Russia. "I am grateful to Prime Minister Boris Johnson for the complete understanding of our demands and preparedness to provide Ukraine with exactly the weapons that it so needs to protect the lives of our people," Zelensky said. It comes after the UK defied Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning and announced that it will supply Ukraine with multiple-launch rocket systems that can strike targets up to 80 km (50 miles) away. In a pivotal battle of the Kremlin offensive in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, Ukrainian and Russian troops are fighting street by street for control of the industrial city of Sievierodonetsk. "Looking for ways to avoid the food crisis & unblock (Ukraine's) ports," Zelensky and Johnson held a phone conversation after Russia's naval blockade of Ukraine due to which Kyib is not able to export a majority of its agricultural produce. It comes after a large rebellion in Johnson's Conservative Party over the so-called "partygate" scandal dealt a blow to his authority even though he survived a confidence vote in the UK. In a move that could severely weaken Ukraine’s standing and allow the Russian military to advance closer to the center of the country, Zelensky also said Moscow’s forces intend to take the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia which is home to more than 700,000 people. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

British PM Boris Johnson providing Ukraine with exactly the right weapons: Zelensky

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 deputy defence minister Ganna Malyar on Sunday (June 5) said that the war-torn nation needs continued military support from Western countries until it defeated Russian forces. As quoted by news agency AFP, Malyar said: "We have already entered into a protracted war and we will need constant support. The West must understand that its help cannot be a one-time thing, but something that continues until our victory." The European allies have supplied weapons to Kyiv such as drones, Howitzer heavy artillery, anti-aircraft Stinger and anti-tank Javelin missiles after Russia announced the invasion of Ukraine, the so-called special "military operations". Recently, US President Joe Biden said Washington would supply Ukraine with M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, after he received assurances from Kyiv that it would not be used to target Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin reacted sharply as he warned the United States in an interview broadcast on Sunday that Russia would strike new targets if the West supplied longer-range missiles to Ukraine for use in high-precision mobile rocket systems. 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.

Ukraine says it needs 'constant' Western aid until Russia is defeated

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. Russia on Sunday (June 5) claimed that it had destroyed tanks during strikes on Kyiv. The tanks were apparently supplied to Ukraine by eastern European countries. As quoted by news agency Reuters, Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said, "High-precision, long-range missiles fired by the Russian Aerospace Forces on the outskirts of Kyiv destroyed T-72 tanks". Konashenkov further added that the tanks were "supplied by eastern European countries". He said that and other "armoured vehicles that were in hangars". ALSO READ | Putin vows to strike harder if longer-range missiles supplied to Ukraine Meanwhile, earlier on Sunday (June 5), Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv said that the Ukrainian capital had been hit by "several explosions in Darnytsky and Dniprovsky districts of city". His claims are the first such strikes on the capital since April 28. On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the United States in an interview broadcast on Sunday that Russia would strike new targets if the West supplied longer-range missiles to Ukraine for use in high-precision mobile rocket systems. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine conflict: Explosions rock Ukraine's capital Kyiv × ALSO READ | Kyiv rocked by blasts from Russian cruise missiles: Ukraine After Russia announced the invasion of Ukraine, calling it special "military operations", the United States and its European allies have supplied weapons to Kyiv such as drones, Howitzer heavy artillery, anti-aircraft Stinger and anti-tank Javelin missiles. However, Washington has ruled out sending its own or NATO forces to Ukraine. Recently, US President Joe Biden said Washington would supply Ukraine with M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, after he received assurances from Kyiv that it would not be used to target Russia. 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.

Ukraine war: Russia says it destroyed tanks supplied by eastern European countries in strikes on Kyiv

Russia hit Kyiv with cruise missiles fired from the Caspian Sea on Sunday, striking a rail car repair facility in the Ukrainian capital, in the first such attack for weeks, Ukraine's army and railway chief said.

Dark smoke funnelled into the sky above Kyiv's eastern outskirts. At least one person was hospitalised though no deaths were immediately reported, Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said.

Ukrainian air defences shot down one incoming missile at around 6 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), the military said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraines-defence-minister-optimistic-that-war-with-russia-could-end-this-year-485176">Ukraine's defence minister 'optimistic' that war with Russia could end this year</a>

One Russian missile that was probably headed for Kyiv flew "critically low" over a major nuclear power plant in the southern Mykolaiv region, state-run nuclear power operator Energoatom said on Telegram.

Russia's Defence Ministry said its missiles had destroyed T-72 tanks and armoured vehicles supplied to Ukraine by eastern European countries that were housed in a rail car repair facility in Kyiv.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, head of the Ukrainian railway, confirmed that four missiles had smashed into the Darnytsia rail car repair facility in eastern Kyiv, but denied there had been any military hardware at the site.

"Their (Russia's) target is the economy and the civilian population," he said.

The sprawling railway system has served as a vital lifeline as Russia's Feb. 24 invasion has smashed the Ukrainian economy and severed export routes via the Black Sea.

The missiles were the first to hit the capital since late April when a Radio Liberty producer was killed in a Russian missile strike that hit the building she lived in.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine conflict: Explosions rock Ukraine's capital Kyiv

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"According to preliminary data, the (Russians) launched missiles from Tu-95 aircraft from the Caspian Sea," the Ukrainian air force said in a statement.

Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak called on the West to impose more sanctions on Russia to punish it for the strikes and to supply more weapons to Ukraine.

"The Kremlin resorts to new insidious attacks. Today’s missile strikes at Kyiv have only one goal - kill as many as possible," he wrote in a tweet.

The mayor of the historic town of Brovary, around 20 km (12 miles) from Kyiv's centre, urged people to remain inside their homes as there had been reports of a sooty smell coming from the smoke.

Despite continuing Russian offensives in Ukraine and the widespread destruction, life in Kyiv has been relatively attack-free in recent weeks, after Moscow turned the focus of its invasion to the east and south.

Air raid sirens regularly disrupt life in Kyiv, but there have been no major strikes on the city in several weeks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-vows-to-strike-harder-if-longer-range-missiles-supplied-to-ukraine-485294">Putin vows to strike harder if longer-range missiles supplied to Ukraine</a>

The Darnytskyi district on the left bank of the Dnipro River stretches from the fringes of Kyiv to the river's shores while the Dniprovskyi area in the city's north lies along the river.

Oleksandr Honcharenko, mayor of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region in the east, reported overnight strikes on the city, resulting in widespread damage but no casualties.

On Saturday, Ukrainian officials said the country's troops had recaptured a swathe of the embattled city of Sievierodonetsk in a counteroffensive against Russia.

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Russia hit Kyiv with cruise missiles fired from the Caspian Sea on Sunday, striking a rail car repair facility in the Ukrainian capital, in the first such attack for weeks, Ukraine's army and railway chief said.

Russia hit Kyiv with cruise missiles fired from the Caspian Sea on Sunday, striking a rail car repair facility in the Ukrainian capital, in the first such attack for weeks, Ukraine's army and railway chief said. Dark smoke funnelled into the sky above Kyiv's eastern outskirts. At least one person was hospitalised though no deaths were immediately reported, Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said. Ukrainian air defences shot down one incoming missile at around 6 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), the military said. Also read | Ukraine's defence minister 'optimistic' that war with Russia could end this year One Russian missile that was probably headed for Kyiv flew "critically low" over a major nuclear power plant in the southern Mykolaiv region, state-run nuclear power operator Energoatom said on Telegram. Russia's Defence Ministry said its missiles had destroyed T-72 tanks and armoured vehicles supplied to Ukraine by eastern European countries that were housed in a rail car repair facility in Kyiv. Oleksandr Kamyshin, head of the Ukrainian railway, confirmed that four missiles had smashed into the Darnytsia rail car repair facility in eastern Kyiv, but denied there had been any military hardware at the site. "Their (Russia's) target is the economy and the civilian population," he said. The sprawling railway system has served as a vital lifeline as Russia's Feb. 24 invasion has smashed the Ukrainian economy and severed export routes via the Black Sea. The missiles were the first to hit the capital since late April when a Radio Liberty producer was killed in a Russian missile strike that hit the building she lived in. Watch | Russia-Ukraine conflict: Explosions rock Ukraine's capital Kyiv "According to preliminary data, the (Russians) launched missiles from Tu-95 aircraft from the Caspian Sea," the Ukrainian air force said in a statement. Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak called on the West to impose more sanctions on Russia to punish it for the strikes and to supply more weapons to Ukraine. "The Kremlin resorts to new insidious attacks. Today’s missile strikes at Kyiv have only one goal - kill as many as possible," he wrote in a tweet. The mayor of the historic town of Brovary, around 20 km (12 miles) from Kyiv's centre, urged people to remain inside their homes as there had been reports of a sooty smell coming from the smoke. Despite continuing Russian offensives in Ukraine and the widespread destruction, life in Kyiv has been relatively attack-free in recent weeks, after Moscow turned the focus of its invasion to the east and south. Air raid sirens regularly disrupt life in Kyiv, but there have been no major strikes on the city in several weeks. Also read | Putin vows to strike harder if longer-range missiles supplied to Ukraine The Darnytskyi district on the left bank of the Dnipro River stretches from the fringes of Kyiv to the river's shores while the Dniprovskyi area in the city's north lies along the river. Oleksandr Honcharenko, mayor of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region in the east, reported overnight strikes on the city, resulting in widespread damage but no casualties. On Saturday, Ukrainian officials said the country's troops had recaptured a swathe of the embattled city of Sievierodonetsk in a counteroffensive against Russia. 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.

Kyiv rocked by blasts from Russian cruise missiles: Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed the West for the ongoing food and energy shortages and assured that his country would “guarantee” safe passage of exports from Ukraine-held ports if it is "cleared" of mines by Ukraine.

"There is no problem to export grain from Ukraine," he said in a televised interview, saying it could be done via Ukrainian ports, via others under Russian control, or even via central Europe, reports AFP.

The Russian president assured that his armed forces would not “launch any attacks [on Ukraine] from the sea” while it is being removed from mines.

The Russian leader mentioned the possibility of exporting via the Ukrainian ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov, which gives access to the Black Sea. Both are under Russian control.

He also said ports under Kyiv's control, in particular Odessa, could be used.

Watch |&nbsp;Putin breaks his silence on the food crisis: Blames the West for the ongoing global food crisis

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Putin said that exports from Belarus is also possible if the West "lifts sanctions" against the Moscow’s ally

Accused the West of "bluster" by claiming Moscow was preventing grain exports from Ukraine, Putin said, “Of course, we are now seeing attempts to shift the responsibility for what is happening on the world food market, the emerging problems in this market, onto Russia,” he told Russian TV.

“I must say that this is an attempt, as our people say, to shift these problems from a sick to a healthy head.”

The Russia-Ukraine war has caused prices of food and fuel to soar, pushing the world towards food scarcity.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-made-historic-error-by-invading-ukraine-french-president-emmanuel-macron-484899" hreflang="en">Putin made 'historic error' by invading Ukraine: French president Emmanuel Macron</a>

Russia and Ukraine are among the most important producers of agricultural commodities in the world. Both countries are net exporters of agricultural products, and they both play leading supply roles in global markets of foodstuffs and fertilisers, where exportable supplies are often concentrated in a handful of countries.

In 2021, Russian and Ukraine ranked amongst the top three global exporters of wheat, maize, rapeseed, sunflower seeds and sunflower oil, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/victory-will-be-ours-says-ukraine-president-zelensky-on-100th-day-of-fight-with-russia-484883" hreflang="en">Victory will be ours,' says Zelensky on 100th day of fight with Russia</a>

Russian stood as the world’s top exporter of nitrogen fertilizers, the second leading supplier of potassium fertilizers and the third largest exporter of phosphorous fertilizers.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed the West for the ongoing food and energy shortages and assured that his country would “guarantee” safe passage of exports from Ukraine-held ports if it is "cleared" of mines by Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed the West for the ongoing food and energy shortages and assured that his country would “guarantee” safe passage of exports from Ukraine-held ports if it is "cleared" of mines by Ukraine. "There is no problem to export grain from Ukraine," he said in a televised interview, saying it could be done via Ukrainian ports, via others under Russian control, or even via central Europe, reports AFP. The Russian president assured that his armed forces would not “launch any attacks [on Ukraine] from the sea” while it is being removed from mines. The Russian leader mentioned the possibility of exporting via the Ukrainian ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov, which gives access to the Black Sea. Both are under Russian control. He also said ports under Kyiv's control, in particular Odessa, could be used. Watch | Putin breaks his silence on the food crisis: Blames the West for the ongoing global food crisis Putin said that exports from Belarus is also possible if the West "lifts sanctions" against the Moscow’s ally Accused the West of "bluster" by claiming Moscow was preventing grain exports from Ukraine, Putin said, “Of course, we are now seeing attempts to shift the responsibility for what is happening on the world food market, the emerging problems in this market, onto Russia,” he told Russian TV. “I must say that this is an attempt, as our people say, to shift these problems from a sick to a healthy head.” The Russia-Ukraine war has caused prices of food and fuel to soar, pushing the world towards food scarcity. Also read | Putin made 'historic error' by invading Ukraine: French president Emmanuel Macron Russia and Ukraine are among the most important producers of agricultural commodities in the world. Both countries are net exporters of agricultural products, and they both play leading supply roles in global markets of foodstuffs and fertilisers, where exportable supplies are often concentrated in a handful of countries. In 2021, Russian and Ukraine ranked amongst the top three global exporters of wheat, maize, rapeseed, sunflower seeds and sunflower oil, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. Also read | Victory will be ours,' says Zelensky on 100th day of fight with Russia Russian stood as the world’s top exporter of nitrogen fertilizers, the second leading supplier of potassium fertilizers and the third largest exporter of phosphorous fertilizers. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Blaming West for food and energy crises, Putin ‘guarantees’ peaceful exports from Ukraine

Ukraine announced Saturday the deaths of four foreign military volunteers fighting Russian forces, whose invasion has spurred a wave of solidarity abroad including from experienced combat veterans.

The International Legion of Defence of Ukraine, an official volunteer brigade, announced the men from Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and France had died but did not specify when or under what circumstances.

"We lost our brothers in combat but their bravery, their memory and legacy will forever inspire us," it said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dolphins-may-be-dying-in-black-sea-due-to-ukraine-war-say-scientists-485033">Dolphins may be dying in Black Sea due to Ukraine war, say scientists</a>

AFP journalists in Kharkiv last month were present at the May 21 burial of the Dutch citizen named in the statement, Ronald Vogelaar. Colleagues said he had been killed several days earlier by artillery.

The Australian was reported killed in May and his death was confirmed by a foreign affairs department spokesperson.

Tasmania's Mercury newspaper identified the man as Michael Charles O'Neill, 47. A tribute on Facebook said he was "driving the wounded and injured from the front line".

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine war completes 100 days: Moscow focused on seizing east Ukraine

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Paris on Friday confirmed that a French volunteer fighter had been killed in combat in Ukraine, following reports that the man died in artillery fire in the Kharkiv region.

The official statement Saturday was accompanied by photographs of the men showing them clad in camouflage and carrying small arms.

The organisation says on its website that citizens from countries including Denmark, Israel, Poland, Latvia, Croatia the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada have joined their ranks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-made-historic-error-by-invading-ukraine-french-president-emmanuel-macron-484899">Putin made 'historic error' by invading Ukraine: French president Emmanuel Macron</a>

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the formation of the force at the start of the war and Kyiv shortly afterwards said it had received some 20,000 applications.

The conflict, now beyond its 100th day, is also said to have drawn in a significant number of volunteer fighters from ex-Soviet Georgia, which fought a brief and disastrous war with Russia in 2008.

Russia claimed this week to have killed "hundreds" of foreign fighters in Ukraine since its invasion began on February 24 and stemmed the flow of newcomers.

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Ukraine announced Saturday the deaths of four foreign military volunteers fighting Russian forces, whose invasion has spurred a wave of solidarity abroad including from experienced combat veterans.

Ukraine announced Saturday the deaths of four foreign military volunteers fighting Russian forces, whose invasion has spurred a wave of solidarity abroad including from experienced combat veterans. The International Legion of Defence of Ukraine, an official volunteer brigade, announced the men from Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and France had died but did not specify when or under what circumstances. "We lost our brothers in combat but their bravery, their memory and legacy will forever inspire us," it said in a statement. Also read | Dolphins may be dying in Black Sea due to Ukraine war, say scientists AFP journalists in Kharkiv last month were present at the May 21 burial of the Dutch citizen named in the statement, Ronald Vogelaar. Colleagues said he had been killed several days earlier by artillery. The Australian was reported killed in May and his death was confirmed by a foreign affairs department spokesperson. Tasmania's Mercury newspaper identified the man as Michael Charles O'Neill, 47. A tribute on Facebook said he was "driving the wounded and injured from the front line". Watch | Ukraine war completes 100 days: Moscow focused on seizing east Ukraine Paris on Friday confirmed that a French volunteer fighter had been killed in combat in Ukraine, following reports that the man died in artillery fire in the Kharkiv region. The official statement Saturday was accompanied by photographs of the men showing them clad in camouflage and carrying small arms. The organisation says on its website that citizens from countries including Denmark, Israel, Poland, Latvia, Croatia the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada have joined their ranks. Also read | Putin made 'historic error' by invading Ukraine: French president Emmanuel Macron Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the formation of the force at the start of the war and Kyiv shortly afterwards said it had received some 20,000 applications. The conflict, now beyond its 100th day, is also said to have drawn in a significant number of volunteer fighters from ex-Soviet Georgia, which fought a brief and disastrous war with Russia in 2008. Russia claimed this week to have killed "hundreds" of foreign fighters in Ukraine since its invasion began on February 24 and stemmed the flow of newcomers. 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.

Ukraine announces deaths of four foreign military volunteers

Ukraine war: A timeline of 100 days of fighting that killed thousands of civilians

The Russia-Ukraine war entered 100 days on June 3, 2022. Russian troops entered Ukrainian territory on February 24 this year. Troops from both sides have been engaged in fighting since. People have died, buildings destroyed and the war has had an economic impact. How has the war affected Russia and Ukraine?

100 days of Ukraine-Russia war: Cost of conflict, what is affected?

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