A RUSSIAN MP has proposed to forcibly taking blood of Ukrainian prisoners of war to treat injured civilians and Russian soldiers, it has been reported.
Sergey Leonov, a member of Russia’s State Duma, has made such a proposal according to, Euromaidan Press who reported late yesterday evening.
“Naturally, we are talking about reasonable donations, and only for those whose health allows it,” the news website quoted the lawmaker.
According to a Nato official who spoke to NBC on condition of anonymity at the start of April, up to 40,000 Russian troops were either killed, injured, had been captured or had disappeared.
Between 7,000 and 15,000 are thought to have been killed in the war in Ukraine since the invasion was launched on 24 February, the NATO officials said.
Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up-to-the-minute updates…
- Milica Cosic
Demands Ukrainian POWs used as 'involuntary blood donors' for Russians
A RUSSIAN MP has proposed to forcibly taking blood of Ukrainian prisoners of war to treat injured civilians and Russian soldiers, it has been reported.
Sergey Leonov, a member of Russia’s State Duma, has made such a proposal according to, Euromaidan Press who reported late yesterday evening.
“Naturally, we are talking about reasonable donations, and only for those whose health allows it,” the news website quoted the lawmaker.
According to a Nato official who spoke to NBC on condition of anonymity at the start of April, up to 40,000 Russian troops were either killed, injured, had been captured or had disappeared.
Between 7,000 and 15,000 are thought to have been killed in the war in Ukraine since the invasion was launched on 24 February, the NATO officials said.
- Milica Cosic
Hello, it's Milica Cosic logging on. I'll be bringing you the latest news and updates this morning.
- Joseph Gamp
Haunting final messages of the Martyrs of Mariupol
The martyrs of Mariupol have vowed to fight to the death in the bloody last stand against Russia in a haunting “final message” as it’s feared the city could fall in HOURS.
Major Serhiy Volyna – the commander of Ukrainian forces’ last stronghold at a steelworks in the besieged city – says troops will not surrender despite relentless blasts by Russian fighters.
In a chilling video, he warned it could be their “last message” as Russian troops surround the area and unleash constant barrages of fire.
“This is our appeal to the world. This could be our last message,” he said.
“We are probably facing our last days, if not hours.
“The enemy is outnumbering us 10 to one. They have advantage in the air, in artillery, in their forces on land, in equipment and in tanks.
“We are only defending one object – the Azovstal plant where, in addition to military personnel, there are also civilians who have fallen victim to this war.”
- Joseph Gamp
Putin test-fires 16,000mph ‘Satan-2’ nuke
RUSSIA has successfully launched its ‘Satan’ missile, capable of firing up to 12 nuclear warheads at once, Vladimir Putin has claimed.
The launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile will give “food for thought for those who try to threaten Russia,” the Russian president warned.
The missile, nicknamed Satan 2, can fly 6,000 miles, carry 15 warheads and has the potential to destroy an area the size of France.
It was successfully launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk Oblast, northwestern Russia, according to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti.
Video shows the enormous 115-foot missile being launched from an underground silo, triggering an enormous fireball.
It travelled almost the entire length of Russia – almost 3,600 miles – in around 15 minutes.
Read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
Over 1 million Ukrainians have returned to their country
Over a million Ukrainians have returned to their country since Russia launched its devastating invasion at the end of February, a spokesman for Kyiv’s border force said Wednesday.
“From that period of time, 1.1 million of our citizens entered Ukraine,” border official Andriy Demchenko said at a press conference.
Demchko added that “almost five million people” crossed the Ukrainian border in both directions since war with Moscow erupted.
- Joseph Gamp
Russian and Belarusian tennis players banned from Wimbledon
Russian and Belarusian players will not be allowed to compete at this year’s Wimbledon due to the invasion of Ukraine, a decision which the ATP has called “unfair”.
Entries from players from the two countries will be declined “with deep regret”, tournament organisers said.
Men’s world number two Daniil Medvedev of Russia and women’s world number four Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will be among those affected by the decision.
All England Club chairman Ian Hewitt said: “We recognise that this is hard on the individuals affected, and it is with sadness that they will suffer for the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime.
“We have very carefully considered the alternative measures that might be taken within the UK Government guidance but, given the high profile environment of The Championships, the importance of not allowing sport to be used to promote the Russian regime and our broader concerns for public and player (including family) safety, we do not believe it is viable to proceed on any other basis at The Championships.”
Wimbledon said that the decision would be reconsidered if circumstances “change materially” between now and June and welcomed the LTA’s decision to also ban players from Russia and Belarus from its UK events this summer.
- Joseph Gamp
UN report: Number of refugees fleeing Ukraine passes 5 million
The UK Refugee Agency yesterday confirmed more than 5 million people have fled the war in Ukraine since mid-February.
It is Europe’s worst refugee crisis since the end of World War Two
Russia’s invasion has triggered a massive displacement of people in the nearly eight weeks since it began, including around 7 million Ukrainians within the country.
The new UN data showed that 5.03 million had fled Ukraine as of Wednesday.
“They have left behind their homes and families,” UNHCR head Filippo Grandi said on Twitter.
“Many would do anything, and some even risk going back, to see their loved ones.” But every new attack shatters their hopes. Only an end to the war can pave the way for rebuilding their lives.”
- Joseph Gamp
Russian Grand Prix could be replaced by second Singapore F1 race
Formula One could hold a second race in “boring” Singapore to replace the cancelled Russian Grand Prix, according to reports.
The race in Sochi was cancelled by F1 following Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in late February.
It has left a gap on F1’s 23-race calendar which could be filled by Qatar’s Losail International Circuit.
Qatar signed a 10-year deal to host a grand prix starting from 2023.
But they took this year off to focus on the country hosting the 2022 World Cup.
Should Qatar decide to host the race, it will take F1 on a triple-header with Singapore and Japan to follow.
- Joseph Gamp
Germany won’t reveal number of weapons sent to Ukraine
The German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has said Berlin has chosen not to reveal full details about the weapons it has sent to Ukraine.
She said: “We have delivered anti-tank missiles, Stingers and other things that we have never spoken about publicly so these deliveries could happen quickly”.
Baerbock added that her country would help Ukrainian forces maintain advanced weapons systems.
- Joseph Gamp
‘Deeply distressing’
Aiden Aslin, 28, who is one of the captured Britons appeared in a video recently on Russian TV.
His family have now spoken out after seeing the footage themselves.
In a statement via their MP on Twitter, they said: “Aiden was making plans for his future outside the military, but like all Ukrainians, his life was turned upside down by Putin’s barbarous invasion.”
It was “deeply distressing” to see him looking bruised and swollen, his family said.
- Joseph Gamp
Ukraine proposes 'special round' of negotiations with Russia in Mariupol
Ukraine has proposed to hold a "special round" of negotiations with Russia in the besieged city of Mariupol, a top Kyiv official said.
Ukraine negotiator and presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted: "Yes. Without any conditions. We're ready to hold a "special round of negotiations" right in Mariupol,"
He added: "One on one. Two on two. To save our guys, Azov, military, civilians, children, the living & the wounded.
"Everyone. Because they are ours. Because they are in my heart. Forever."
- Joseph Gamp
Small group of Kremlin insiders are reportedly questioning Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine
A small group Kremlin insiders are reportedly questioning President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.
They believe Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “catastrophic mistake that will set the country back for years,” according to Bloomberg.
The sources went on to say there was “no chance” Putin will change course and no prospect of any challenge to his position.
- Joseph Gamp
Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund
PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.
Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun's Ukraine Fund.
Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
Donate here to help The Sun's fund
Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles
£3 — text SUN£3
£5 — text SUN£5
£10 — text SUN£10 - Joseph Gamp
Ukraine – Russia war: Latest developments
- 'Mad' Putin is hearing 'voices inside his head', an expert has claimed
- Putin has rewarded the 'butchers of Bucha' for their 'heroism and bravery'
- Russia's military bases have been pictured on Google Maps, amid reports they are using 'fake jets' to fool the West
- While Russia's tinpot army has allegedly been using cheap cameras, gamepads and satnavs to fix up their planes and drones
- A former ally of Putin was found shot dead in his £2m apartment alongside his wife and daughter
- His death follows a number of Putin allies who have been 'purged' in the wake of the Ukraine invasion
Robert Jenrick backs prisoner swap for release of Aiden Aslin
Former cabinet minister Robert Jenrick said he hopes his captured constituent can be freed as part of a prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia.
Aiden Aslin, 28, was taken prisoner while serving with the Ukrainian marines in Mariupol and has since been spotted on a YouTube video, with calls for the footage to be taken down by the platform.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme, the Conservative MP for Newark said: "That's the most likely route for us to get Aiden to safety. There have been prisoner swaps between the Russians and the Ukrainians in recent weeks.
"The Russians are framing this that Aiden and the other British national – well, dual national – Shaun Pinner could be released in exchange for a high-profile Russian prisoner that the Ukrainians are holding.
"I don't know if that is possible. Clearly that would be a decision for president (Volodymyr) Zelensky and the Ukrainian government.
"But I hope that Aiden will be released as part of a normal prisoner swap as quickly as possible."
- Joseph Gamp
Russian and Belarusian tennis players banned from Wimbledon
Russian and Belarusian players will not be allowed to compete at this year's Wimbledon due to the invasion of Ukraine, a decision which the ATP has called "unfair".
Entries from players from the two countries will be declined "with deep regret", tournament organisers said.
Men's world number two Daniil Medvedev of Russia and women's world number four Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will be among those affected by the decision.
All England Club chairman Ian Hewitt said: "We recognise that this is hard on the individuals affected, and it is with sadness that they will suffer for the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime.
"We have very carefully considered the alternative measures that might be taken within the UK Government guidance but, given the high profile environment of The Championships, the importance of not allowing sport to be used to promote the Russian regime and our broader concerns for public and player (including family) safety, we do not believe it is viable to proceed on any other basis at The Championships."
Wimbledon said that the decision would be reconsidered if circumstances "change materially" between now and June and welcomed the LTA's decision to also ban players from Russia and Belarus from its UK events this summer.
- Joseph Gamp
Putin test-fires 16,000mph ‘Satan-2’ nuke
RUSSIA has successfully launched its 'Satan' missile, capable of firing up to 12 nuclear warheads at once, Vladimir Putin has claimed.
The launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile will give "food for thought for those who try to threaten Russia," the Russian president warned.
The missile, nicknamed Satan 2, can fly 6,000 miles, carry 15 warheads and has the potential to destroy an area the size of France.
It was successfully launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk Oblast, northwestern Russia, according to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti.
Video shows the enormous 115-foot missile being launched from an underground silo, triggering an enormous fireball.
It travelled almost the entire length of Russia – almost 3,600 miles – in around 15 minutes.
Read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
Russian spies ‘have infiltrated US intelligence
Russian moles have “almost certainly” infiltrated US intelligence services, former spooks have warned in an explosive new book.
Active spies working for Russian president Vladimir Putin are likely to already have been recruited, according to ex-FBI agents and CIA officers.
The shocking revelation was made made during extensive interviews with New York Times bestselling author and former federal prosecutor Lis Wiehl for her new book A Spy In Plain Sight.
Ms Wiehl told The Sun that it comes just as the need to anticipate Putin’s next move is greater than ever before.
Her new title is an in-depth look at the story of Robert Hanssen, considered America’s most damaging Russian spy ever.
Hanssen, who is currently serving 15 consecutive life sentences at a federal supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, was an FBI double agent who spied for Soviet and Russian agencies between 1979 until he was busted in 2001.
Former counterespionage operative Hanssen, now 78, sold secrets to the KGB including US strategies in the event of nuclear war and the identities of US intelligence assets in Russia who were later executed.
His espionage was described by the Department of Justice as “possibly the worst intelligence disaster in US history”.
- Joseph Gamp
Putin slams 'illegal' restrictions on Russian companies
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that "illegal" restrictions on Russian companies by Western states ran counter to World Trade Organization rules and told his government to update Russia's strategy in the WTO.
"These measures (sanctions) run counter to WTO principles, to which European colleagues have constantly reiterated their adherence."
Russia's economy has been battered by Western sanctions designed to force Moscow to withdraw troops.
- Joseph Gamp
Over 1 million Ukrainians have returned to their country
Over a million Ukrainians have returned to their country since Russia launched its devastating invasion at the end of February, a spokesman for Kyiv's border force said Wednesday.
"From that period of time, 1.1 million of our citizens entered Ukraine," border official Andriy Demchenko said at a press conference.
Demchko added that "almost five million people" crossed the Ukrainian border in both directions since war with Moscow erupted.
- Joseph Gamp
UN report: Number of refugees fleeing Ukraine passes 5 million
The UK Refugee Agency has today confirmed more than 5 million people have fled the war in Ukraine since mid-February.
It is Europe's worst refugee crisis since the end of World War Two
Russia's invasion has triggered a massive displacement of people in the nearly eight weeks since it began, including around 7 million Ukrainians within the country.
The new UN data showed that 5.03 million had fled Ukraine as of Wednesday.
"They have left behind their homes and families," UNHCR head Filippo Grandi said on Twitter.
"Many would do anything, and some even risk going back, to see their loved ones." But every new attack shatters their hopes. Only an end to the war can pave the way for rebuilding their lives."
- Louis Allwood
Russia sends warnings
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, has said Russia has warned Sweden and Finland about the consequences of joining Nato.
Zakharova told broadcaster Russia-24: "We have issued all our warnings both publicly and through bilateral channels.
"They (Sweden and Finland) know about it, they will have nothing to be surprised about, they were informed about everything, what it will lead to."
- Louis Allwood
Russian Grand Prix could be replaced by second Singapore F1 race
Formula One could hold a second race in "boring" Singapore to replace the cancelled Russian Grand Prix, according to reports.
The race in Sochi was cancelled by F1 following Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in late February.
It has left a gap on F1's 23-race calendar which could be filled by Qatar's Losail International Circuit.
Qatar signed a 10-year deal to host a grand prix starting from 2023.
But they took this year off to focus on the country hosting the 2022 World Cup.
Should Qatar decide to host the race, it will take F1 on a triple-header with Singapore and Japan to follow.
- Louis Allwood
Germany won't reveal number of weapons sent to Ukraine
The German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has said Berlin has chosen not to reveal full details about the weapons it has sent to Ukraine.
She said: "We have delivered anti-tank missiles, Stingers and other things that we have never spoken about publicly so these deliveries could happen quickly".
Baerbock added that her country would help Ukrainian forces maintain advanced weapons systems.
- Louis Allwood
'Deeply distressing'
Aiden Aslin, 28, who is one of the captured Britons appeared in a video recently on Russian TV.
His family have now spoken out after seeing the footage themselves.
In a statement via their MP on Twitter, they said: "Aiden was making plans for his future outside the military, but like all Ukrainians, his life was turned upside down by Putin's barbarous invasion."
It was "deeply distressing" to see him looking bruised and swollen, his family said.
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