Ukraine’s counteroffensive ‘major turning point’ ambassador claims

The success of Ukraine’s counteroffensive in Kharkiv marks a “major turning point” in their struggle against Russia, it has been claimed.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova has said these victories give Ukraine momentum in their fight to liberate their homeland.

“It’s the 202nd day of the war, and this counteroffensive, which already allowed us to free more than 2,500 square miles of Ukrainian territory, and more importantly, almost 300 villages and different settlements, and our people there, is one of the major turning points,” Markova told CNN.

“The fight that Russians are putting up, of course when they’re not running, is pretty big. And especially they’re doing very cowardice attacks on our infrastructure, and just still shooting at the civilian buildings, places, everywhere. But it’s a big momentum when we are showing that we can win.”

US could provide Ukraine with extra funding ‘in coming days’

The United States could offer Ukraine even more funding in a matter of days,

“We’re in lockstep with the Ukrainians talking to them every day,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

Since Russia’s invasion began, the US has reportedly provided over $15 billion in aid to Ukraine.

‘Over 3,000 square miles’ of Ukraine has been liberated from Russia

In his nightly address, Ukraine’s President Zelensky reported that 8,000 square kilometres, or 3,090 square miles, have been liberated from Russian occupation in recent weeks.

The steadfast leader went on to add that Ukraine has taken “stabilisation measures” in much of the retaken land.

Most of these gains have come in the Kharkiv region.

What did Her Majesty have to say about Russia’s Vladimir Putin?

The Queen met Vladimir Putin at Buckingham Palace when he made a state visit to the UK in 2003.

He made the Queen wait for 14 minutes for him to arrive at the Palace – which prompted the Her Majesty to have a subtle dig at him later.

According to then-Home Secretary David Blunkett, his guide dog reacted defensively towards Putin in the course of the visit.

“The only time I met Vladimir Putin was back in 2003 on an official visit and my then dog barked very loudly,” he told the BBC.

“I did apologise to the Queen who was obviously hosting. I don’t think I am giving anything away when I said, ‘Sorry your Majesty about the dog barking.’

She said, ‘Dogs have interesting instincts, don’t they?’”

Former Nato boss warns Putin may resort to nukes following Russia’s humiliation in Kharkiv

Putin’s forces have been the victim of a rapid and successful Ukrainian counteroffensive in recent days.

Now, Nato chiefs are warning that the bloodthirsty dictator might take drastic measures in order to get revenge.

Nato’s former deputy secretary general, Rose Gottemoeller, warned: “I fear that they will strike back now in really unpredictable ways and ways that may even involve weapons of mass destruction.”

The former US diplomat warned Moscow could order a “nuclear demonstration strike, either a single strike over the Black Sea or a strike at a Ukrainian military facility”.

Russian losses continue to mount amid successful Ukrainian counteroffensive

Russia continues to face heavy losses in its attempts to occupy Ukraine.

Losses have mounted in recent weeks, according to the Ukrainian defence ministry, as Zelensky’s troops make rapid progress in Kharkiv.

Ukrainian sources currently report that 53,650 Russian troops have been lost since the invasion began.

The latest on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The Ministry of Defence has once again provided its daily update on the war in Ukraine.

Its statement reads: “Russia has highly likely deployed Iranian uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) in Ukraine for the first time. On 13 September 2022, Ukrainian officials reported that their forces had shot down a Shahed-136 UAV near Kupiansk, in the area of Ukraine’s successful ongoing offensive.

“The Shahed-136 is a one-way attack UAV with a claimed range of 2,500 kilometres. Similar Iranian-manufactured systems have likely been used in attacks in the Middle East, including against the oil tanker MT MERCER STREET in July 2021.

“Russia is almost certainly increasingly sourcing weaponry from other heavily sanctioned states like Iran and North Korea as its own stocks dwindle.

“The loss of a Shahed-136 near the front lines suggests there is a realistic possibility that Russia is attempting to use the system to conduct tactical strikes rather than against more strategic targets farther into Ukrainian territory.”

Ukrainian president warns of the worst winter worldwide

Russia appears to be struggling, but Putin still has influence over oil and gas prices.

Due to Russia‘s supply of oil to so much of Europe, it can make this winter very difficult for people.

Ukrainian president, Volodomyr Zelenskiy, spoke at the Yalta European Conference in Kyiv and said: “It is the most difficult winter for the whole world.”

He’s urged Ukraine‘s allies to continue to fight and offer anti-missile systems to protect the country’s energy infrastructure as he termed Putin‘s plan to limit energy supplies to Europe his “last argument.”

‘Russian occupiers are fleeing and leaving behind entire arsenals’

Russia has lost nearly a billion dollars worth of weapons in Ukraine’s blitz that’s seen large swathes of territory liberated.

With the Ukrainians expert at refurbishing captured weapons, they are promising a large part of the equipment will be used to defeat Vladimir Putin’s forces and end the war.

According to calculations by Forbes, Russia has lost at least $700 million worth of equipment from the beginning of the Ukrainian offensive on September 6 until the September 11.

And it also estimates Moscow’s forces are losing a battalion’s worth of kit per day, which includes a huge stash of equipment, so the figure is continuing to rise.

“Under the pressure of Ukrainian warriors, the Russian occupiers are fleeing and leaving behind entire arsenals,” said Vladyslav Abdula, a Ukrainian security service spokesman.

Putin’s car ‘attacked with bomb’

Putin’s limousine was allegedly attacked in a possible assassination attempt as the war in Ukraine rages on, Kremlin insiders claim.

The Russian tyrant’s car was hit by a “loud bang” on its left front wheel which was followed by “heavy smoke”, sources close to the leader allege.

Putin’s limo was driven to safety with the president unharmed – but there have been multiple arrests from his security service, it is claimed.

It is reported some of his bodyguards have vanished amid claims secret information about the 69-year-old’s movements were compromised, according to the General GVR Telegram channel.

Zelensky vows to march ‘forward to victory’

Zelensky vowed to keep storming forward as his troops reached the edge of Russian-held Donbas in a stunning counter-attack.

He said: “We are moving in only one direction – forward and towards victory.”

Zelensky watched a symbolic flag-raising amid the rubble of the bomb-blitzed town and vowed: “Our blue-yellow flag is already flying in de-occupied Izyum.

“It will be so in every Ukrainian city and village.”

The latest on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The Ministry of Defence has once again provided its daily update on the war in Ukraine.

Its statement reads: “Russia has highly likely deployed Iranian uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) in Ukraine for the first time. On 13 September 2022, Ukrainian officials reported that their forces had shot down a Shahed-136 UAV near Kupiansk, in the area of Ukraine’s successful ongoing offensive.

“The Shahed-136 is a one-way attack UAV with a claimed range of 2,500 kilometres. Similar Iranian-manufactured systems have likely been used in attacks in the Middle East, including against the oil tanker MT MERCER STREET in July 2021.

“Russia is almost certainly increasingly sourcing weaponry from other heavily sanctioned states like Iran and North Korea as its own stocks dwindle.

“The loss of a Shahed-136 near the front lines suggests there is a realistic possibility that Russia is attempting to use the system to conduct tactical strikes rather than against more strategic targets farther into Ukrainian territory.”

Russia gives up more Ukraine land

The troops were already forced out of south eastern areas of Ukrainian Kharkiv.

It’s been reported that Russian troops have been forced out of more Ukrainian areas.

Moscow was forced to abandon north-eastern Ukraine on Saturday, in a sudden collapse of one of the war’s principal front lines after Ukrainian forces made a rapid advance.

Ukraine have hailed the moment, acknowledging the ammunition left behind by the Russian soldiers as they left in haste.

Russia Ukraine latest

• In his nightly address, Ukraine’s President Zelensky reported that 8,000 square kilometres, or 3,090 square miles, have been liberated from Russian occupation in recent weeks.
• The United States could offer Ukraine even more funding in a matter of days.
• Russia’s defence minister has called for a ‘Nuremberg’ style trial for the Russian top brass, following the invasion of Ukraine.
• Samuel Ramani of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies has claimed Russia are now on the defensive, following its recent defeats.