Russia threatens counter-measures as Finland formally joins NATO

Finland formally joined NATO on Tuesday, its flag unfurling outside the military bloc’s Brussels headquarters, in a historic policy shift brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, drawing a threat from Moscow of “counter-measures”. Finland’s accession, ending seven decades of military non-alignment, roughly doubles the length of the border that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization… Read More Russia threatens counter-measures as Finland formally joins NATO

Russia, Ukraine free 214 captured personnel in prisoner exchange

Russia and Ukraine on Thursday exchanged 214 captured service personnel in the latest of a series of prisoner swaps, many of the Ukrainians wounded survivors of a failed attempt to defend the city of Mariupol in April and May. Russia’s Defence Ministry said in a statement that Ukraine had released 107 Russian personnel, and that… Read More Russia, Ukraine free 214 captured personnel in prisoner exchange

Russian President Vladimir Putin gives final approval to annexation of Ukrainian regions

President Vladimir Putin formally incorporated four Ukrainian regions into Russia on Wednesday even as his forces retreated within them, while Moscow stepped up its energy war with Europe by further cutting gas supplies. Pushing ahead with Europe’s biggest annexation since World War Two, Putin signed off on a law annexing the new territory, which represents… Read More Russian President Vladimir Putin gives final approval to annexation of Ukrainian regions

Sixteen dead following Russian missile strike on shopping mall in Ukraine’s city of Kremenchuk

Two Russian missiles slammed into a crowded shopping centre in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk on Monday, killing at least 16 people and wounding 59, officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said more than 1,000 people were in the mall at the time of the attack, which witnesses said caused a huge fire and sent… Read More Sixteen dead following Russian missile strike on shopping mall in Ukraine’s city of Kremenchuk

Russia halts gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria over non-compliance with rouble payment ultimatum

Russia halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland on Wednesday for rejecting its demand to pay in roubles, taking direct aim at European economies in its toughest retaliation so far against international sanctions over the war in Ukraine. The step was denounced by European leaders as “blackmail”, and comes as European countries have joined the… Read More Russia halts gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria over non-compliance with rouble payment ultimatum