Ukraine-Russia war latest: Russia makes gains in north-east - but commanders fear major offensive

Ukrainian soldiers ride atop an APC on the frontline in Bakhmut – LIBKOS/AP

Russia has made ‘several kilometres’ of gains in the north-east and is likely to try and recapture Kupiansk, according to British military intelligence.

In its daily briefing, the Ministry of Defence said that Russia had partially regained control over the approaches to the eastern Ukrainian town of Kreminna, after its troops were pushed back from the region earlier this year.

“In places, Russia has made gains of up to several kilometres,” the military intelligence said in an update, adding that Russian commanders are likely trying to expand a security zone and are also seeking to recapture the logistic hub of Kupiansk in Kharkiv.

They added: “Operationally, Russia’s intent in the north-east likely remains defensive. Commanders probably fear this is one of the sectors where Ukraine could attempt major offensive operations.”

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08:13 AM

Watch: Prince William visits Poland to thank soldiers for ‘all that you’re doing’ in Ukraine

The Prince of Wales has made a surprise visit to Poland to “personally thank” British and Polish soldiers involved in the war in Ukraine for “defending our shared freedoms”.

Prince William landed in the southeastern city of Rzeszow, around 60 miles from the Ukrainian border, on Wednesday afternoon amid tight security to show his support for the troops responding to the ongoing humanitarian situation.

He said he was “struck by their passion as well as their shared determination to defend our shared freedoms” in the face of the conflict, telling them: “Everyone back home thoroughly supports you.”

Read the full story from India McTaggart here

08:03 AM

UN nuclear chief says Ukraine plant situation ‘remains perilous’

The UN nuclear agency’s chief has said that the situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia power plant “remains perilous” following a Russian missile strike this month that disconnected the plant from the grid.

Europe’s largest nuclear power plant needs a reliable electricity supply to operate pumps that circulate water to cool reactors and pools holding nuclear fuel.

Since a Russian strike on March 9, the plant has relied on a single backup power line that remains “disconnected and under repair”, according to Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“Nuclear safety at the ZNPP remains in a precarious state,” Grossi said in a statement on Wednesday.

The plant’s lack of access to the grid and necessary repair work on its last emergency power line could cause a complete loss of power, making it reliant on diesel generators for the seventh time since Russia captured it a year ago, Grossi said.

“I once again call for a commitment from all sides to secure nuclear safety and security protection at the plant.”

08:01 AM

Pictured: A residential building damaged by a Russian missile strike in Zaporizhzhia

A view shows a residential building damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia – STRINGER/REUTERS

08:00 AM

EU leaders to discuss Ukraine war with UN chief

European Union leaders will discuss the war in Ukraine with U.N. chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday and also endorse a plan to ramp up the supply of artillery shells to Kyiv.

Guterres will be a guest at an EU summit in Brussels, days after the renewal of a deal brokered by the U.N. and Turkey on the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

That humanitarian measure will discussed at a working lunch with Guterres before the U.N. secretary-general takes his leave and EU leaders get an update on the war from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy via video link, officials said.

“We will, as always, reaffirm our unwavering commitment to assist Ukraine,” declared Charles Michel, president of the European Council of EU leaders.

The leaders will give their blessing to a plan – agreed by foreign ministers on Monday – to send 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine over the next year by digging into stocks and making a landmark move into joint procurement.

07:59 AM

Good Morning

Good morning and welcome to today’s liveblog.

We will be guiding you through all the latest updates on Ukraine.