Ukraine has vowed it will “not succumb to peace by coercion” while threatening to hit back even harder if Putin blows up a hydroelectric dam in the Russian-occupied Kherson region.
Russia is reportedly planning to destroy the Kakhovka plant, an act that would result in a “catastrophe on a grand scale”, President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s office, tweeted that Moscow has resorted to the plot because “nuclear blackmail did not work”.
President Zelensky claims the Kremlin has planted mines at the frontline dam, which risks wiping out a 400km-long (250 miles) canal network.
“Russia is preparing [to attack] at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. According to our information, the aggregates and dam of the Kakhovka HPP were mined by Russian terrorists.
“If the dam is destroyed… the North Crimean canal will simply disappear.”
Key Points
Zelensky warns of ‘catastrophic’ attack on dam
Ukraine updates tally of Russian losses
Iranian troops ‘directly engaged on the ground’ in Ukraine, White House says
Wallace: ‘Malfunction’ led Russian fighter jet to release missile near UK plane
Russian, Ukrainian troops gird for major battle in Kherson
RFK grandson Conor Kennedy reveals he secretly fought on frontline in Ukraine
Ukrainian minister sees no progress on deal for occupied nuclear plant
15:20 , Matt Mathers
Ukraine’s energy minister said on Friday he saw no signs of progress towards a deal involving Russia, Ukraine and the UN nuclear watchdog on resolving the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Russian forces have occupied the plant in southern Ukraine since shortly after Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour eight months ago but it is still operated by its Ukrainian staff.
The situation at the plant is a source of international concern because of fears that repeated shelling of the plant’s territory – for which Kyiv and Moscow blame each other – could lead to a nuclear accident.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has held talks in Moscow and Kyiv in an effort to secure agreement on a safety and security protection zone around the plant.
Asked if he saw progress towards a deal, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko told Reuters in an interview: “Not at this stage.”
“I see that there were some messages from Rafael this week, that he again wants to discuss the framework of an agreement. I don’t know, maybe something changed in the Russian position, but I do not believe (in) any possibility to agree with Russia,” he said.
Asked at what point it would be too dangerous for Ukrainian staff to continue working at the plant, he said: “This point is a nuclear accident.”
Such an evacuation could only happen “several hours before (a) real catastrophe,” as Russia cannot substitute the thousands of Ukrainian staff at the plant, Halushchenko said.
IMF concludes mission on Ukraine, urges authorities to avoid eroding tax revenues
15:01 , Matt Mathers
An International Monetary Fund team held productive discussions with Ukrainian authorities in Vienna this week and will continue work in coming weeks on Ukraine’s request for enhanced program monitoring, IMF mission chief Gavin Gray said on Friday.
Gray said IMF staff met with Ukrainian authorities, and discussed its findings with Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko and Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Andriy Pyshnyi.
He said Russia’s invasion had caused tremendous human suffering and had a severe economic impact, with the fiscal deficit rising to unprecedented levels. But IMF officials were encouraging Ukraine to refrain from measures that erode tax revenues.
France’s Macron to hold Moldova solidarity conference in Paris
14:40 , Matt Mathers
France will invite the leader of Moldova to Paris in November to express France’s solidarity for the country in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said at an EU meeting on Friday.
“In November, we will organise a conference of support for Moldova in Paris,” Macron told reporters.
Russia poised to largely skirt new G7 oil price cap
14:20 , Matt Mathers
Russia can access enough tankers to ship most of its oil beyond the reach of a new G7 price cap, industry players and a U.S. official told Reuters, underscoring the limits of the most ambitious plan yet to curb Moscow’s wartime revenue.
The Group of Seven countries agreed last month to cap Russian oil sales at an enforced low price by 5 December but faced consternation from main players in the global oil industry who feared the move could paralyse the trade worldwide.
Months of discussions between the United States and those insurance, trading and shipping firms have mollified concerns on their exposure to sanctions but all parties now realize Russia can largely skirt the plan with their own ships and services.
Ukraine troop pile on pressure in Kherson
13:45 , Matt Mathers
Ukrainian forces continue to pile pressure on Russian positions in occupied Kherson, targeting resupply routes across the Dnieper river as Kyiv inches closer to a full-scale assault to retake the strategic southern port city.
As many as 2,000 Russian draftees have poured into the Kherson region “to replenish losses and strengthen units on the front line”, according to Ukrainian army officials.
The Antonivskyi Bridge, which is on a main route from Crimea to Russian-held territories in southern Ukraine, was struck late on Thursday, said Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern operational command – but only after the 10pm local curfew, to avoid civilian casualties.
‘No political wisdom’: Kremlin not confident about next British PM, whoever it might be
13:18 , Matt Mathers
It is not just Britain that expects little from its third new Conservative prime minister this year, writes David Harding, our international editor.
Russia, which was far from complimentary about outgoing leader Liz Truss, said on Friday that it did not believe anyone who has a part in choosing the new leader will exercise “political wisdom”, and took a swipe at the fact that the British people are not allowed to have their say in deciding who ends up in Number 10.
Read David’s full piece here:
‘No political wisdom’: Kremlin not confident about next British PM, whoever it is
West must warn Russia not to blow up dam, Zelensky says
12:40 , Matt Mathers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on the West to warn Russia not to blow up a huge dam that would flood a swath of southern Ukraine, as his forces prepare to push Moscow’s troops from Kherson in one of the war’s most important battles.
In a television address, Zelenskiy said Russian forces had planted explosives inside the huge Nova Kakhovka dam, which holds back an enormous reservoir that dominates much of southern Ukraine, and were planning to blow it up to cover their retreat.
“Now everyone in the world must act powerfully and quickly to prevent a new Russian terrorist attack. Destroying the dam would mean a large-scale disaster,” he said.
Explainer: What is a kamikaze drone?
12:20 , Matt Mathers
So-called “kamikaze drones” are believed to lie in the arsenals of both sides in Russia’s war on Ukraine, a conflict in which Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are playing a large role.
These drones are said by Kyiv to have been used in Russian attacks which killed 19 people last week, before a widespread and fatal assault on the Ukrainian capital and other cities on Monday sparked international condemnation
But what are they? My colleague Andy Gregory reports:
Russia-Ukraine war: What is a kamikaze drone?
ICYMI: Putin’s vodka gift to Berlusconi breaks EU sanctions and causes row in Rome
11:59 , Matt Mathers
A birthday present of 20 bottles of vodka from Vladimir Putin to Silvio Berlusconi breached European Union sanctions imposed after the Russian leader’s invasion of Ukraine – and has prompted fears about the make-up of Italy’s next government.
Our deputy politics editor David Harding reports:
Putin’s vodka gift to Berlusconi breaks EU sanctions and causes row in Rome
Zelensky warns Russia is planning ‘catastrophic’ attack on hydroelectric dam
11:40 , Matt Mathers
Russia is planning to destroy a hydroelectric dam in Ukraine’s Kherson region, an act that would result in a “catastrophe on a grand scale”, President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned.
He claims Moscow has planted mines at the dam in the Russian-occupied region, which risks wiping out a 400km-long (250 miles) canal network.
Our international editor David Harding reports:
Zelensky warns Russia is planning ‘catastrophic’ attack on hydroelectric dam
Ukraine deletes ‘better call Boris’ tweet
11:09 , Matt Mathers
https://osf.io/9u8x6/
https://osf.io/twgrs/
https://osf.io/bsvz7/
Ukraine has deleted a tweet seemingly calling for Boris Johnson to return as UK prime minister.
An official Ukraine Twitter account posted “better call Boris” following the resignation of Liz Truss on Thursday.
It has since been removed.
Labour leader Keir Stamer said he was “rather surprised” by the tweet, which included a meme based on the Netflix show Better Call Saul, with a photo of Mr Johnson’s face, amid speculation the former prime minister might attempt a political comeback.
My colleague Joe Middleton reports:
Ukraine backs Johnson for return as PM with ‘Better Call Boris’ meme
History-maker Meloni inches closer to becoming Italy’s first female PM
10:45 , Matt Mathers
Giorgia Meloni could be hours away from becoming Italy’s first female prime minister after holding talks with President Sergio Mattarella to discuss the formation of a new government.
Far-right Meloni, who heads the nationalist Brothers of Italy party, entered the president’s palace on Friday morning alongside her main polticial allies, Matteo Salvini, who leads the far-right League, and Silvio Berlusconi, founder of the conservative Forza Italia party – and Kremlin sympathiser.
Our international editor David Harding reports:
History-maker Meloni inches closer to becoming Italy’s first female PM
Putin fires sniper rifle during Russian training base visit
10:27 , Matt Mathers
Vladimir Putin was filmed firing a sniper rifle while on a visit to a training base for military reservists near Moscow.
The Russian president visited the base in Ryazan, southeast of capital Moscow on Thursday, in an appearance aimed at countering images posted by Russians posted on social media showing poorly equipped troops.
A video broadcast on state TV showed Mr Putin lying under a net in a field, wearing goggles and ear protection, shooting the weapon.
Putin fires sniper rifle during Russian training base visit
10:26 , Matt Mathers
Vladimir Putin was filmed firing a sniper rifle while on a visit to a training base for military reservists near Moscow.
The Russian president visited the base in Ryazan, southeast of capital Moscow on Thursday, in an appearance aimed at countering images posted by Russians posted on social media showing poorly equipped troops.
A video broadcast on state TV showed Mr Putin lying under a net in a field, wearing goggles and ear protection, shooting the weapon.
(Russian Defence Ministry)
(Russian Defence Ministry)
Four killed in Kherson missile strike – Russian officials
10:06 , Matt Mathers
Russian-installed officials accused Ukrainian forces on Friday of using US-supplied HIMARS missiles to attack people evacuating from the Russian-controlled city of Kherson, saying they had killed at least four civilians and wounded 13 others.
A Ukrainian official acknowledged an attack but said it occurred after a civilian curfew. He did not say what weapons were used.
Russian-installed authorities in the southern Ukrainian region which Moscow proclaimed as annexed last month are evacuating around 50,000-60,000 people across the Dnipro River ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Vladimir Rogov, an official in the Russian-installed administration of the neighbouring Zaporizhzhia region, said Ukraine had struck the civilians with American-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) missiles.
Ukrainian forces “launched a missile attack on a civilian crossing,” said Kirill Stremousov, the Russian-installed deputy governor of Kherson.
Ukrainian refugees in theUK who fled Putin’s war are turning to food banks amid soaring inflation.
09:50 , Matt Mathers
Ukrainian refugees in the UK are turning to food banks amid rising inflation and the struggle to find employment.
More than 148,300 Ukrainians have been granted sanctuary in the UK since the start of Vladimir Putin’s invasion, the latest government data up to June 2022 shows.
My colleague Holly Bancroft reports:
Ukrainian refugees in UK who fled war turning to food banks amid soaring inflation
RFK grandson Conor Kennedy reveals he secretly fought on frontline in Ukraine
09:35 , Matt Mathers
Conor Kennedy, grandson of Robert F Kennedy, has revealed on Instagram that he secretly fought in Ukraine earlier this year against the Russian invasion.
The 28-year-old said he was “moved” to enlist, despite having no military experience, and joined the Ukrainian International Legion.
My colleague Oliver O’Connell reports:
RFK grandson Conor Kennedy reveals he secretly fought on frontline in Ukraine
US – Iranian troops ‘directly engaged on the ground’ in Criema
09:12 , Matt Mathers
The White House has said Iranian troops are “directly engaged on the ground” in Crimea supporting Russian drone attacks on Ukraine’s power stations and other key infrastructure.
The US administration claimed it has troubling evidence of Tehran’s deepening role assisting Russia as it exacts suffering on Ukrainian civilians just as the cold weather sets in.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Iran has sent a “relatively small number” of personnel to Crimea, a part of Ukraine unilaterally annexed by Russia in contravention of international law in 2014, to assist Russian troops in launching Iranian-made drones against Ukraine.
Full report:
Iranian troops ‘directly engaged on the ground’ in Ukraine, White House says
How does Ukraine’s estimate of Russian losses compare?
08:54 , Zoe Tidman
Ukraine is claiming Russia has lost 66,750 soldiers so far in the war – more than 10,000 higher than its estimate a month ago.
Its also thousands higher than US casualties in the Vietnam war, which spanned for two decades.
My colleage Arpan Rai took a look at what Ukraine’s Russian death toll claims meant earlier this week:
Putin has lost more troops in Ukraine than US did in whole of Vietnam war – report
Ukraine updates tally of Russian losses
08:30 , Zoe Tidman
The Ukrainian army has updated its assessment of Russian losses in the war.
It claimed the Russian army has lost 66,750 troops so far – up by 100.
Four killed in shelling in Russia-controlled Kherson, says official
06:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Four people were killed when Ukrainian rocket artillery struck a ferry crossing in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Kherson late on Thursday, a Moscow-appointed deputy regional governor Kirill Stremousov said on Friday.
Reuters reported that authorities in the region which Russia proclaimed as annexed last month said this week they planned to evacuate around 50,000-60,000 people over the next six days amid escalating pressure from a Ukrainian counteroffensive.
RFK grandson Conor Kennedy reveals he secretly fought on frontline in Ukraine
06:39 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Conor Kennedy, grandson of Robert F Kennedy, has revealed on Instagram that he secretly fought in Ukraine earlier this year against the Russian invasion.
The 28-year-old said he was “moved” to enlist, despite having no military experience, and joined the Ukrainian International Legion.
Kennedy, who once briefly dated Taylor Swift, did not disclose when he fought nor how long he was in Ukraine.
