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Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 (Image: Getty)
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) accused on Thursday an ally in Europe of trying to "stab Russia in the back" by providing through its defence industry weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. In a seething message released on its website, the SVR claimed at least seven Serbian defence companies have sent rockets and small arms cartridges to Ukraine using " fake" end-user certificates and "intermediary countries".
The intelligence service went on to allege: "These shipments can hardly be justified on ‘humanitarian grounds.’ Their only obvious purpose is to kill and maim Russian servicemen and civilians." Serbia, which since 2022 has become the home of many Russians escaping Vladimir Putin's call to arms, is one of the closest allies of Russia in Europe and has remained neutral following Russia'aggression of Ukraine. Its president, Aleksandar Vučić, being among the few Western leaders to attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9. Appearing on RTS television, he said to have recently discussed the issue of the arms exports to Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which it was agreed that the two countries form a “working group” to establish how Serbian-made weapons reach the Ukrainian frontlines.
In March, Serbia denied it exported arms to Ukraine. However, an FT report claimed the country exported over £670million worth of ammunition to Ukraine via third countries since the Russian invasion began in 2022, according to the FT. Mr Vučić told the news outlet: "We have friends in Kyiv and in Moscow. These are our Slav brothers. I need to take care of my people, and that’s it."
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in 49 mins08:49 John Varga
Former Russian commander killed in explosion in Stavrapol
Russian authpoirities confirmed the death of a former army commander, following an explosion in the southern city of Stavrapol.
Zaur Gurtsiev, 34, died after an explosive device detonated while he was meeting an aquaintance.
The former officer had received several medals for participating in Russia's brutal assaults on the cities of Mariupol and Avdiivka.
He had since left the army and was a deputy Mayor in Stavrapol.
Authorities did not say what caused the explosion, but also did not rule out that Ukraine was responsible.
Videos posted by Russian Telegram channels showed two men, one of them Gurtsiev, standing together in a residential neighborhood before the blast.
Zaur Gurtsiev was killed by an explosion (Image: Telegram)
in 35 mins08:35 John Varga
Zelensky blasts Putin 'peace deception'
President Zelensky has accused Russia of continuing its "deception" over peace negotiations.
The Ukrainian leader said the Kremlin had refused to hand over its peace settlement proposal ahead of a potential meeting between the two countries.
"Even the so-called 'memorandum' they promised and seemingly prepared for more than a week has still not been seen by anyone," Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
"Even Turkey, which hosted the first meeting, has not received the new agenda."
On Wednesday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Kremlin had drafted a memorandum outlining its proposals.
The Putin apparatchik suggested a second round of direct talks could take place in Istanbul on Monday.
Zelensky dismissed Russia's peace initiative (Image: Getty)
in 24 mins08:24 John Varga
Russia claims to have shot down 27 drones
Russia's Ministry of Defence said its forces had shot down 27 Ukrainian drones.
Fifteeen were intercepted in the Belgorod region and 12 in the Kursk region.
A 27-year-old man was hospitalised in kursk for shrpanel wounds after a drone exploded close to his car, local authorities said.
Explosions were reported in Kursk (Image: Telegram)
in 13 mins08:13 John Varga
Trolley bus depot in Kharkiv hit by drones
Russia's army concentrated its drone and missile attacks on the Kharkiv and Odessa regions.
A trolleybus depot in Kharkiv was struck by drones, with two people reported injured.
A warehouse burned down and collapsed in the Odessa region as a result of an attack.
There were no reported casualties according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
A trolleybus depot was hit in Kharkiv (Image: Astra Telegram)
A warehouse burned down in odessa (Image: Astra Telegram)
in 6 mins08:06 John Varga
Ukraine endures another heavy night of Russian bombardments
Russia launched another drone and missile attack on Ukraine overnight.
Ukraine's Air Force said it detroyed 56 Russian drones out of 90.
26 were shot down by air defences, and 30 were suppressed by radar countermeasures (EW).
It is also claimed that the Russian Federation attacked the country with two ballistic missiles.
Local authorities in Ukraine's Kharkiv region said eight people were injured.
1 hour ago06:54 Alice Scarsi
Russia threatened with more sanctions by US
The acting deputy US ambassador at the UN, John Kelley, told the Security Council that Vladimir Putin should agree to the temporary ceasefire Washington proposed.
If it refuses, the US may walk away from attempts to broker a peace, he said, and issue more sanctions.
He said: "If Russia makes the wrong decision to continue this catastrophic war, the United States will have to consider stepping back from our negotiation efforts to end this conflict.
"We want to work with Russia, including on this peace initiative and an economic package. There is no military solution to this conflict.
"The deal on offer now is Russia's best possible outcome. President Putin should take the deal."
1 hour ago06:40 Alice Scarsi
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Welcome to our blog. We'll bring you the latest on the war in Ukraine and attempt to broker a ceasefire.
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