Ukraine war latest: Countries remove names from Ukraine peace summit documents - as Moscow responds to NATO chief's nuclear comments (2024)

Key points
  • Russian region hit in wave of attacks
  • Countries remove names from Ukraine peace summit documents
  • NATO chief's nuclear comments prompt Kremlin response
  • Putin thanks North Korea for supporting his actions in Ukraine
  • Ten Russian drones downed overnight, says Ukraine's air force
  • Your questions answered:Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?
  • Analysis: Putin's visit to North Korea is a diplomatic two-fingers to West
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  • Live reporting fromJess Sharp

16:20:12

Ukrainian village likely fallen into Russian control, says UK defence ministry

Russian forces have likely taken control of a Ukrainian village in the eastern Donetsk region, the UK's defence ministry has said.

In an intelligence update, it said the fall of Novooleksandrivka, which is around 12 miles (20km) from Avdiivka, means Russian forces have moved closer to a key supply route - the T-05-04.

Ukraine uses the road to send supplies to it forces based further east in the country.

The MoD said it was "highly likely" Russia's next objective would be capturing another nearby village called Vozdvyzhenka.

Taking control of that area would help "sever" the supply road and "disrupt Ukrainian logistics", it added.

Russia has been advancing throughout the region after taking control of Avdiivka earlier this year.

16:00:01

Ukraine claims responsibility for drone attack on Russian oil facility

Ukraine has claimed responsibility for an overnight drone attack on a Russian oil facility.

The strike caused a massive blaze to spread across the oil reservoir in Russia's Rostov region, with more than 200 firefighters deployed to put it out.

No casualties were reported, Russia's Emergencies Ministry said.

It marks the latest long-range strike by Kyiv's forces on a border region.

A Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to give the information to the media, said the attack was a special operation of Ukraine's security service, known as the SBU.

The drones targeted two Rostov oil depots that have 22 oil reservoirs, the official said.

Kyiv officials normally decline comment about attacks on Russian territory, though they sometimes refer obliquely to them.

15:30:01

Ukrainian soldier 'beheaded by Russian troops'

A Ukrainian soldier has been beheaded by Russian soldiers in Donetsk, Ukraine's prosecutor general has claimed.

Andriy Kostin shared an image on social media purporting to show a decapitated head on the bonnet of an armoured vehicle. Sky News has not verified the photo.

"This terrible barbarism must have no place in the 21st century," he said.

He said the incident was proof that Russia has committed war crimes as part of its "planned strategy".

"These criminal orders were given at the command level of the battalion and company of the occupation forces," Mr Kostin added.

A pre-trial investigation into the incident has been launched, Mr Kostin's office said in a statement shared on Telegram.

15:00:01

In pictures: Putin's Yakutsk visit

We've now received more images of Vladimir Putin on his visit to the Russian city of Yakutsk today.

Accompanied by the head of the Republic of Sakha, Aisen Nikolayev, Mr Putin can be seen inspecting models of weapons and equipment produced in the far eastern regions for the Russian armed forces involved in the country's military campaign in Ukraine.

Once his trip is finished, Mr Putin will leave Russia to begin his visit to North Korea. It will be the first time he has visited the country in 24 years.

It is not yet clear whether Mr Putin has left Yakutsk or what time he is due to arrive in Pyongyang.

14:20:01

Nearly two million Ukrainians update military registration records

Nearly two million Ukrainians have updated their military registration records since a new mobilisation law came into force on 18 May.

The law mandates that all eligible citizens aged between 18 and 60 update their registration data within 60 days.

The revised legislation aims to simplify the identification of conscripts nationwide in a bid to bolster Ukraine's forces on the battlefield.

Incentives such as cash bonuses and financial aid for housing or a car have been offered to those who join.

Ukrainians can update their information on a dedicated app called Reserve+ or go to an administrative service centre in person.

According to deputy defence minister Kateryna Chernohorenko, 1.5 million citizens have updated their data through the mobile app.

A further 233,000 have reportedly updated their records in person, while 208,000 have done so via military recruitment offices.

The highest number of updates from abroad came from Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada, and the United States.

13:40:02

In pictures: Putin meets Russian governor ahead of North Korea trip

The Kremlin has shared images of Vladimir Putin holding a meeting with Aisen Nikolayev, head of the Sakha Republic.

The Russian president is in the city of Yakutsk, some 3,000 miles to the east of Moscow.

Once his trip is finished, Mr Putin will leave Russia to begin his visit to North Korea. It will be the first time he has visited the country in 24 years.

It is not yet clear whether Mr Putin has left Yakutsk or what time he is due to arrive in Pyongyang.

13:10:04

Iraq and Rwanda among countries to remove signatures from Ukraine peace communique

Iraq and Rwanda are among the countries to have withdrawn their signatures from the communique signed at last weekend's Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, it has emerged.

Over 90 countries attended the two-day talks at the behest of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, billed as a peace summit.

Russia was not invited, while China snubbed the event. Attendees were mostly from Europe, the US and other Western allies, but included countries from Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The communique, issued at the end of the conference in Burgenstock, supported Ukraine's territorial integrity in the face of Russia's invasion.

The document was signed by nations such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Ukraine, the UK and the US.

Also included on the list of signatories were Iraq and Rwanda, though their names have since been struck off the list published on the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs website.

Jordan has also reportedly been taken off the list.

The process of making adjustments to the list is "still ongoing", according to Swiss foreign ministry spokesman Valentin Kliwa.

Speaking to Russian state news agency TASS, he clarified that countries can withdraw their signatures or join the group of states until 18 June inclusive.

Earlier today, Mr Zelenskyy announced that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople - one of the churches that helps make up the Eastern Orthodox Church - had joined the list.

12:20:01

Ukraine will have power restrictions for two winters, reports say

Ukrainians will be guaranteed to have power restriction schedules for two winters, according to the director of the Energy Research Centre in Ukraine.

Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's energy sector have intensified since March, resulting in blackouts in many regions as half of the country's power generating capacity has been knocked out.

Oleksandr Kharchenko said restrictions would not be necessary if the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was back in Ukraine's hands.

The giant Russian-held nuclear plant is on the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and stopped generating power in 2022.

Both countries have accused each other of shelling the plant and risking a serious nuclear accident.

"The state of Ukraine's energy system currently stands at three working maximum capacity points out of 12," Mr Kharchenko told Ukrainian TV channel Kyiv24.

"If we could somehow get back to managing the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and put at least two to three units into operation, it would be a huge factor that would change the situation in the energy system.

"Restrictions would be practically unnecessary or would be needed very rarely."

11:45:01

Russia's naval fleet set for training exercises

Russia's Pacific Fleet will hold exercises between 18-28 June in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, the Tass state news agency has said.

The report says the exercises will include approximately 40 ships and vessels. Some 20 naval aircraft and helicopters, including anti-submarine and search and recue helicopters, will also be in the manoeuvres.

Yesterday, Russian navy vessels left Cuba after arriving in the Havana harbour in a move seen by many as a Russian show of force.

11:15:01

Ukrainian woman reportedly sentenced to 12 years in Russian prison for 'spreading disinformation'

A Russian military court has sentenced a Ukrainian woman to 12 years in prison for "spreading disinformation" and "taking part in a terrorist organisation," according to independent Russian media outlet Mediazona.

Krystyna Liubashenko says she was tricked and blackmailed into coming to Moscow and carrying out the protest, which included playing a recording of an anti-war speech and a Ukrainian anthem and launching balloons with a Russian opposition flag.

Facing financial difficulties after fleeing Kyiv and moving to Switzerland following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ms Liubashenko reportedly met a neighbour who lent her money to go to Moscow and hold an anti-war protest.

The neighbour, identified in the report as Vitalii Yurchenko, is later said to have insisted that Ms Liubashenko fly the white-blue-white flag associated with the Freedom of Russia Legion group that opposes the Kremlin.

The legion was declared a terrorist group by Russia last March.

Ms Liubashenko initially refused the demands but was convinced when Mr Yurchenko reportedly threatened to report her to Swiss authorities, who would take her two daughters away.

At her trial in Russia, Ms Liubashenko's defence presented this as evidence of blackmail, though she was still sentenced to 12 years.

It is believed that Russia has detained more than 7,000 Ukrainian civilians since the start of its invasion.

Ukraine war latest: Countries remove names from Ukraine peace summit documents - as Moscow responds to NATO chief's nuclear comments (2024)
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