World

President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is still open to diplomacy but will put its national security interests first. He said the country would continue to bolster its military amid a “difficult international situation”. In a video statement released to commemorate the annual Defender of the Fatherland Day, Mr Putin appeared to indirectly address the

Ukraine has brought in emergency measures and told its citizens in Russia to flee the country as fears of a large-scale invasion by President Vladimir Putin’s troops mount. In further ominous signs, Moscow began evacuating its Kyiv embassy and the leaders of two Russian-backed separatist-controlled regions in eastern Ukraine asked Mr Putin for military help

Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked legislators for permission to use armed forces outside Russia – a move that could pave the way for a broader attack on Ukraine. On Monday, Moscow recognised the independence of Russian-backed rebel regions in eastern Ukraine. Some western leaders have said Russian troops had moved into Ukraine’s east –

Ukraine’s president has said the country is considering breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia after tanks were reportedly seen on the outskirts of Donetsk, the capital of one of two breakaway regions in the east. Speaking alongside his Estonian counterpart, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was weighing a request from his foreign ministry to break

Vladimir Putin has declared he recognises the independence of two separatist regions in Ukraine – and there is now the heightened threat that Russian troops could enter the areas. The Russian president defied Western warnings against such a move over Luhansk and Donetsk, announcing it at the end of a TV address which lasted around

Downing Street has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan for invading Ukraine has effectively “already begun”. Number 10 suggested that Russia’s “playbook” for launching military action against its neighbour had begun to “play out in real time”. But a “window for diplomacy” still remains to prevent war in Europe, Downing Street added. Live updates

Russia has extended military drills near Ukraine’s northern borders – sparking fears an invasion could be more likely. The exercises, which brought a sizable contingent of Russian forces to Belarus, were originally set to end on Sunday. The presence of the Russian troops raised concern that they could be used to sweep down on the

Intelligence suggests Russia is planning “the biggest war in Europe since 1945”, Boris Johnson has warned. The prime minister said “all the signs are that the plan has already in some senses begun” – telling the BBC that evidence indicates the Kremlin’s intent is to invade Ukraine and encircle Kyiv. “People need to understand the

The volume of Russian disinformation seeking to frame Ukraine as a threat to justify military action by Russia has more than doubled in the past week, Western officials have said. Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, revealed there had been a two-fold increase in fake Russian claims during comments she made at a security conference in

Even as we arrived at the command headquarters about four kilometres from the frontline proper, we could hear the sounds of outgoing rockets from the Ukrainian military, which they maintain is a response to incoming fire from Russian-backed separatists. The frontlines near Popasne have been kinetic for the past two days – an intensification in

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has agreed to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov late next week – provided Moscow doesn’t invade Ukraine. Efforts are continuing to prevent a conflict, amid fears that Russia is increasingly close to being able to mount an invasion. Russia wants guarantees from the West, including the assurance that

World leaders have described a rise in attacks across the frontline between Ukrainian forces and Russian separatists within Ukraine as a possible ploy to give Russia an excuse to invade. There are claims from both sides that shelling has increased in the eastern Donbas region with Russian separatists describing it as a “large-scale provocation”. They

The West “blinked” and did not understand troops needed to be on the ground in Ukraine earlier this year and sanctions will only push Russia towards China, the chair of the defence committee has told Sky News. Tobias Ellwood, in Kyiv, told Kay Burley: “It would have taken five days to mobilise those forces, at

Satellite imagery disproves Russian claims it is withdrawing troops from Ukraine’s border, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has said – as he expressed concern that yesterday’s large cyberattack could be a possible precursor to an invasion. Speaking after a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels, Mr Stoltenberg stressed there was no sign of a military

Russia will retaliate if new sanctions are imposed by Britain, according to the country’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. UK ministers last week gained powers to impose tough new sanctions on Russian oligarchs and businesses. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the “very, very tough” package of sanctions is “ready to go” should Russia launch a