Ukraine-Russia war latest: Armed groups ‘launch incursion’ into Russia; military plane crashes with 15 on board

By admin On Mar 12, 2024

Key points

Ed Conway exclusive:

15:30:01 Romanian president announces bid for NATO leader

The president of Romania has announced he will run for NATO leadership.

Klaus Iohannis said the alliance needed to “renew its outlook on its mission” and eastern Europe had “a valuable contribution in NATO talks and decisions”.

The UK, US, France and Germany have all backed outgoing Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte to become the first new chief in a decade.

Jens Stoltenberg will step down as secretary general in October, having led its response to the war since it began.

NATO leaders are appointed by unanimous consensus among its 32 members.

14:48:12 US preparing first weapons aid package for Ukraine in months

The US is preparing a $400m weapons aid package for Ukraine, the first of its kind this year, two US officials tell Reuters.

One of the officials said the funding was from credits refunded to the Pentagon for recent purchases.

America has not sent Ukraine military assistance in months after hardline Republicans in the House of Representatives held up a bipartisan Senate bill worth $95bn for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

An overwhelming number of senators, including 22 Republicans, approved the bill but Donald Trump-ally and House speaker Mike Johnson has held up a vote in the lower chamber.

Mr Trump, the frontrunner for his party’s 2024 presidential nominee, has opposed aid to Kyiv.

14:34:01 MoD: Ukraine hitting ‘strategically significant’ targets despite Russian protections

Ukraine is managing to attack “strategically significant” targets within Russia despite heavy protection by Russian forces, according to the UK defence ministry.

It cited a Ukrainian drone attack that struck a maintenance facility in Taganrog, in Russia’s Rostov region, on 9 March. The site is used to carry out repairs and upgrade works for the Russian air force’s A-50 spy aircraft, but also has “broader strategic significance” for Moscow, the MoD said.

“The constant presence of active air defence positioned around the site is indicative of its importance,” it said, adding that the losses of A-50 aircraft in Ukrainian attacks “highly likely significantly degrades situational awareness”.

The planes are likely still grounded two weeks after the most recent loss, the MoD said.

“This attack demonstrates that Ukrainian operations can still reach strategically significant targets within Russia, even when such sites are thought to be protected, whether in the air or on the land.”

14:17:12 Denmark announces £263m aid package for Kyiv

Denmark has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth around £263m.

The new round of aid includes Caesar artillery systems and ammunition, the country’s defence ministry said in a statement.

Copenhagen has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine and has pledged a significant amount of military aid since the war began.

13:51:01 ‘Categorically false’ that US meddling in Russian election, White House says

Allegations by Russia that the US is attempting to meddle in the Russian presidential election are “categorically false”, the White House has said.

A spokesperson also called the claims “nothing more than propaganda” by Russia.

Russians are heading to the polls this week in an election that has almost certainly already been decided, with Vladimir Putin set to remain in power.

The Russian president’s foreign intelligence service accused Washington yesterday of plotting to launch an attack on the remote voting system.

13:25:21 Diverting Chelsea sale funds to Ukraine victims is taking ‘far too long’, says UK MP

A UK government minister says it has taken “far too long” to release funds generated from the sale of Chelsea Football Club to help victims of the war in Ukraine.

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said there were “significant complications” which needed addressing but there was “renewed energy” to get the matter sorted.

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich sold Chelsea in May 2022 after he was sanctioned when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

He promised at the time that the proceeds would go towards a foundation to help war victims.

But nearly two years on, the funds remain frozen in a bank account amid disagreements from both sides on how the money should be spent.

13:05:17 Watch: Fire erupts after drone hits oil refinery in Russia

Flames erupted and black smoke billowed into the sky after a drone hit an oil processing facility in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region this morning.

The region lies deep inside Russia, some 775km (480 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Ukraine has stayed silent on reports that a barrage of its drones targeted Russia, but has struck Russian refineries and energy facilities in similar attacks in recent months.

12:20:21 In pictures: Damage in Belgorod after reported Ukrainian drone attack

Images have emerged of the aftermath of a purported Ukrainian drone attack on Russia.

Moscow said Ukraine launched a wave of long-range drones at several Russian regions overnight – with Kyiv yet to comment.

Belgorod mayor Valentin Demidov said on Telegram that the city’s administration was damaged as a result of a drone explosion, with two employees injured.

“The device crashed into the entrance of the building. The windows and facade were cut,” he said.

11:56:17 Schools close in Russian city after ‘incursion’ by armed groups

School classes will move online in the Russian city of Kursk after pro-Ukrainian forces attempted an incursion into the region, according to local authorities.

At least two Ukraine-based armed groups, purportedly made up of Russians opposed to the Kremlin, said they had crossed the border into the Kursk and Belgorod regions early this morning (more in 9.50 post).

Russia said it had prevented the incursions and inflicted significant losses on the groups while pushing them back.

Kyiv said the militias were operating independently of Ukraine.

11:36:25 Another village captured by Russian troops, defence ministry claims

Russia claims its forces have taken control of Nevelske village in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

Russia’s defence ministry told the RIA news agency that its troops captured the village and “occupied more advantageous lines and positions”.

Kyiv has not yet commented on the claim.

It’s the latest in a series of settlements that Russia claims to have taken control of in recent weeks, including the key town of Avdiivka, which had been the focus of intense battles in Donetsk for months before falling to Russia in mid-February.

This map shows the latest territorial picture in eastern Ukraine…

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