CANADIAN prime minister Justin Trudeau has bluntly accused Russia of “clearly” committing “war crimes” in Ukraine.
Mr Trudeau’s comments come just days after around 450 graves were found near Izyum in Kharkiv, following Ukraine’s decisive counteroffensive in the region.
Those found are believed to be victims of Vladimir Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion of Ukraine.
According to Reuters, speaking prior to attending Her Majesty’s State Funeral, Trudeau said: “Obviously the UK and Canada have been two of the strongest countries in standing up in support of Ukraine and pushing back against Russia’s illegal actions.”
He added that Putin’s tactics in the Ukraine war “increasingly, clearly include war crimes, include absolutely unacceptable crimes, whether we think of what we found in Bucha or the discovery of mass graves in the reclaimed territories by Ukraine.”
Read our Ukraine-Russia blog below for the latest updates…
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More than ’10 torture rooms’ discovered in Kharkiv, Zelensky claims
Ukraine’s President has claimed more than 10 Russian “torture rooms” have been discovered in the liberated region of Kharkiv.
Zelensky made these claims in his nightly address on Saturday.
“More than ten torture rooms have already been found in the liberated areas of Kharkiv region — in various cities and towns,” Zelensky said.
“As the occupiers fled, they also dropped the torture devices.”
“Even at the regular Kozacha Lopan railway station, they found a room for torture, found tools for electric torture,” he went on to say.
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‘Evil can only be cured by destruction’, says top Ukrainian official
President Zelensky’s chief of staff has claimed there is no point in negotiating with Russia.
Andriy Yermak said: “Evil can only be cured by destruction. We are able to destroy evil.”
This comes just days after a mass grave was found in the recently liberated city of Izium, an atrocity reportedly committed by Russian forces.
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Kate Middleton hosts Olena Zelenska
The Duchess of Cambridge hosted the First Lady of Ukraine today, in a show of British and Ukrainian unity.
They sat on either side of a fireplace on gingham armchairs with purple orchids on display in the background.
Despite the hardships her home nation faces, Zelenska has travelled to the UK in order to attend Her Majesty’s State Funeral.
Click here to see what other world leaders have decided on Britain this weekend.
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Russian losses mount as Ukraine pushes forward
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has claimed that Russia has lost a further 230 troops taking the total number to 54,480.
Russia has also lost a further 17 armoured vehicles as well as eight more tanks.
This comes as Ukraine pushes on in Kharkiv, with over 3,000 miles of land reclaimed in the last week.
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Justin Trudeau accuses Russia of war crimes
Speaking in London today, the Canadian Prime Minister said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “clearly includes war crimes.”
“Obviously the UK and Canada have been two of the strongest countries in standing up in support of Ukraine and pushing back against Russia’s illegal actions,” Trudeau said.
He added that Putin’s tactics in Ukraine “increasingly, clearly include war crimes, include absolutely unacceptable crimes, whether we think of what we found in Bucha or the discovery of mass graves in the reclaimed territories by Ukraine,” he said.
In recent days, Western leaders have come together to condemn Russia after a mass grave was discovered in Kharkiv.
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Ukraine’s First Lady visits the Queen
Ukraine’s first Lady, Olena Zelenska, arrived in Westminster this afternoon, in order to pay respects to Her Majesty the Queen.
In a show of unity between Britain and Ukraine, Zelenska will be attending the Queen’s funeral, despite Russia’s brutal invasion of her homeland.
She looked sombre as she visited Her Majesty’s coffin.
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No indication of China aiding Russia ‘thus far’, says Biden
In another clip from his 60 Minutes interview, Joe Biden said China is yet to aid Russia with weaponry, “thus far.”
The US President said there has been “no indication” of Chinese support in Ukraine.
He added: “I called President Xi. Not to threaten at all, just to say to him, we’ve met many times. And I said that, ‘if you think that Americans and others are going to continue to invest in China based on your violating the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia, I think you’re making a gigantic mistake. But that’s your decision to make’.”
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Ukraine’s First Lady to attend Her Majesty’s funeral
First Lady Olena Zelenska is one of the hundreds of high-profile dignitaries set to attend the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
A source said: “Olena Zelenska’s presence is yet another sign of the global support for Ukraine while Russia is isolated.
“Britain is one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies. Her presence at the funeral is a sign of that friendship and mutual respect.”
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Russians fear as Ukraine continues its advance
Russian civilians are questioning Putin’s actions in Ukraine, as Zelensky’s troops get closer and closer to the Russian border.
One Russian in a town on the Russia-Ukraine border wrote on local governor Vyacheslav Gladkov’s Facebook page: “I’m asking once again, where is our army, the one that must be protecting us?.
“We are on the border; they are shooting at us, so we need an army and protection. Who will wake up the President?”
One terrified woman told the New York Times: “It is as if they are already here.”
These fears arise as Ukraine continues its decisive counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region.
While it is extremely unlikely Ukraine would advance into Russia, these fears are reflective of increasing dissent among the Russian people.
Click here to read more
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Russia increases attacks against civilians
Russia has reportedly increased its number of attacks against Ukrainian civilians, the British MoD has said.
“In the last seven days, Russia has increased its targeting of civilian infrastructure even where it probably perceives no immediate military effect,” the report claims.
“This category of mission has included strikes against the electricity grid, and a dam on the Inhulets River at Kryvyi Rih.”
According to the MoD, these attacks are specifically designed to undermine Ukrainian morale, which is currently high following a series of victories in Kharkiv.
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More than ’10 torture rooms’ discovered in Kharkiv, Zelensky claims
Ukraine’s President has claimed more than 10 Russian “torture rooms” have been discovered in the liberated region of Kharkiv.
Zelensky made these claims in his nightly address on Saturday.
“More than ten torture rooms have already been found in the liberated areas of Kharkiv region — in various cities and towns,” Zelensky said.
“As the occupiers fled, they also dropped the torture devices.”
“Even at the regular Kozacha Lopan railway station, they found a room for torture, found tools for electric torture,” he went on to say.
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‘Evil can only be cured by destruction’, says top Ukrainian official
President Zelensky’s chief of staff has claimed there is no point in negotiating with Russia.
Andriy Yermak said: “Evil can only be cured by destruction. We are able to destroy evil.”
This comes just days after a mass grave was found in the recently liberated city of Izium, an atrocity reportedly committed by Russian forces.
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Pope says supplying weapons to Ukraine is ‘morally acceptable’
Pope Francis has defended the act of sending weapons to Ukraine, as “self-defence.”
According to Reuters, the religious leader emphasised the need for Ukrainians to protect their homeland.
“Self defence is not only licit but also an expression of love for the homeland. Someone who does not defend oneself, who does not defend something, does not love it. Those who defend (something) loves it,” he said
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Western sanctions harm Russia’s ability to produce weapons, report claims
As reported by Reuters, Western sanctions are beginning to drastically affect Russia’s ability to produce advanced weaponry.
Rob Bauer, who chairs NATO’s Military Committee, told the publication that Putin’s army is having trouble producing cruise missiles among other important weapons.
This comes as Ukraine receives a $1.5bn investment from the World Bank Trust fund, as the democratic west unites behind the under-siege nation.
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A visual look at Ukraine’s heroic counteroffensive
Over the last week, Ukrainian forces have taken back large swathes of the Kharkiv region.
Russian forces have been forced to retreat as Zelensky’s soldiers regained around 3,000 miles of land.
Here is a visual look at the gains:
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Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant reconnected to the national grid
According to the IAEA, Europe’s largest nuclear power station has been connected the nation’s grid once again.
In a statement, the UN’s nuclear experts said: “While (the plant’s) power status has improved over the past week, the situation is still precarious.”
Zaporizhia was critically damaged following constant Russian shelling.
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Putin blames Europe’s restrictions
Putin has said that if the European Union wanted more gas it should lift sanctions preventing the opening of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
The Nord Stream 2 sits alongside the Nord Stream 1 and was built a year ago, however Germany chose not to proceed with this due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Putin said: “The bottom line is, if you have an urge, if it’s so hard for you, just lift the sanctions on Nord Stream 2, which is 55 billion cubic metres of gas per year, just push the button and everything will get going.”
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3.7 million tonnes of agricultural products to leave Ukraine today
The Ukrainian infrastructure ministry has said a total of 165 ships with 3.7 million tonnes of agricultural products on board have left Ukraine under a deal put together by the UN and Turkey.
The aim has been to unblock Ukrainian sea ports.
The ministry said 10 ships with 169,300 tonnes of agricultural products are due to leave Ukrainian Black Sea ports on Sunday.
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Russia hit with more losses
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence have claimed that Russia have lost a further 230 troops taking the total number to 54,480.
Russia have also lost a further 17 armoured vehicles as well as eight more tanks.
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Ministry of Defence release latest update
The Ministry of Defence have revealed that Russia has “increased its targeting of civilian infrastructure” with long range missiles.
The MoD said: “Russia has launched several thousand long-range missiles against Ukraine since 24 February 2022. However, in the last seven days, Russia has increased its targeting of civilian infrastructure even where it probably perceives no immediate military effect.
“This category of mission has included strikes against the electricity grid, and a dam on the Inhulets River at Kryvyi Rih.
“As it faces setbacks on the front lines, Russia has likely extended the locations it is prepared to strike in an attempt to directly undermine the morale of the Ukrainian people and government.”
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Watch the moment Ukraine unleash a Neptune anti-ship missile
This is the moment that a Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missile in launched.
Neptune’s design is based on the Soviet Kh-35 anti-ship missile, with substantially improved range and electronics.
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US warns Vladimir Putin will face ‘consequences’ if madman uses nuclear weapons on Ukrainian troops
US President Joe Biden has sent a fierce WARNING of “consequences” to Vladimir Putin if he was use nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine.
In a preview for Sunday’s 60 Minutes, Scott Pelley asked Joe Biden what words he would offer Putin if he is considering using nuclear weapons.
Biden responded: “Don’t. Don’t. Don’t. You will change the face of war unlike anything since World War II.”
Pelley then asked the president for America’s response if Putin was to cross the line.
“It’ll be consequential,” Biden said.
Adding: “[Russia] will become more of a pariah in the world than they ever have been.
“And depending on the extent of what they do will determine what response would occur.”
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Pope says supplying weapons to Ukraine is ‘morally acceptable’
Pope Francis has defended the act of sending weapons to Ukraine, as “self-defence.”
According to Reuters, the religious leader emphasised the need for Ukrainians to protect their homeland.
“Self defence is not only licit but also an expression of love for the homeland. Someone who does not defend oneself, who does not defend something, does not love it. Those who defend (something) loves it,” he said
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Joe Biden sends stark warning to Putin amid Nuclear fears
The President of the United States did not mince his words when asked about the possibility of a Russian nuclear strike.
In an interview set to air today, Biden was asked what he would tell Putin if he is considering using nuclear weapons.
“Don’t. Don’t. Don’t. You will change the face of war unlike anything since World War II,” the US commander and chief said.
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Western sanctions harm Russia’s ability to produce weapons, report claims
As reported by Reuters, Western sanctions are beginning to drastically affect Russia’s ability to produce advanced weaponry.
Rob Bauer, who chairs NATO’s Military Committee, told the publication that Putin’s army is having trouble producing cruise missiles among other important weapons.
This comes as Ukraine receives a $1.5bn investment from the World Bank Trust fund, as the democratic west unites behind the under-siege nation.