DICTATOR Vladimir Putin has signalled Russia could make a withdrawal from Kherson after calling for an evacuation of the region.
The Kremlin leader announced that “civilians should not suffer” as the war in Kherson grows “dangerous”, after introducing a 24 hour curfew for more than 284,000 residents.
“Now, of course, those who live in Kherson should be removed from the zone of the most dangerous actions, because the civilian population should not suffer,” Putin said to pro-Kremlin activists as they marked Russia’s Day of Unity.
The curfew has been recalled: “In the city of Kherson there are absolutely no restrictions that would limit the life of the city,” Kirill Stremousov said on Telegram.
It is not yet clear whether Russia is retreating from Kherson, or whether the curfews and evacuations are a façade for something more sinister. Kyiv received up to $400 million worth of military aid from the US, after Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met President Zelensky on Friday.
Read our Ukraine-Russia live blog below for the latest updates…
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Zelensky will not attend the G20 summit if Russia is present
President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed he will not attend the G20 summit if Putin is present.
“If the leader of the Russian Federation partakes, then Ukraine will abstain. We were invited today once more. Again, we’ll see. It will take place in several days,” he said.
The meeting of world leaders will take place on November 15, as nations look to find solutions for the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine and other global issues.
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Russia accused of staging ‘man made disaster’
Ukrainian forces have discovered a “natural disaster” in Kharkiv, it is thought the Russian military blew up a dam.
The reservoir is “completely shallow” now, of the Oskil river.
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Ukrainian energy facility hit 12 times this month by Russian strikes
DTEK Group recorded 12 occasions of strikes on the civilian infrastructure, but it is reported that no civilians were injured.
“As a result of the enemy attack, the power equipment of the enterprise was significantly damaged.
“After the end of the shelling, the company’s employees will promptly begin to eliminate the consequences and resume work.
“For safety reasons, only critical employees are present at the facilities. All others work remotely,” a statement from the company read.
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Kyiv’s incredible mural to remember lost soldiers and civilians
Defence of Ukraine shared on Twitter the incredible mural, painted on the side of a building to remember those fallen it its war against Russia.
The painting shows soldiers and aircraft protecting Ukraine.
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Ukraine shoots down two missiles, fired from the Black Sea
It has been reported that the Ukrainian Air Command “South” in Odesa intercepted the missiles before impact.
Reportedly one was heading towards the Kherson region, and the other was shot down near Mykolaiv.
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russians have been attacking Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Novopavlivka in the east reports CNN.
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Rishi Sunak speaks to his Polish counterpart
Rishi Sunak spoke with his Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki, on Friday about consistently sending a strong message to Russia, according to a statement by the prime minister’s office.
He said: “As part of deterrence efforts across the eastern flank, the UK was increasing the capability of its forces, and had increased activity with the Joint Expeditionary Force in the Baltic region.”
“Both agreed on the need to send a continued strong signal to Putin that intimidation would not work.”
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650,000 Ukrainians employed in Poland
According to Poland’s Minister of Family, Labor and Social Policy Marlena Malag, around 650,000 Ukrainians have taken on jobs in the country amid Putin’s brutal invasion of their homeland.
Dozens of countries across the globe have taken in Ukrainian refugees, but Poland has accepted the most.
Malag described this number as “good news”.
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UK’S MoD claim Putin probably ordering commanders to ‘kill retreating soldiers’
The UK’s Ministry of Defence has claimed that Russian forces are probably being ordered to kill their own retreating soldiers in order to “maintain defensive position”.
The Ministry said: “Due to low morale and reluctance to fight, Russian forces have probably started deploying “barrier troops” or “blocking units”.
“These units threaten to shoot their own retreating soldiers in order to compel offensives and have been used in previous conflicts by Russian forces.
“Recently, Russian generals likely wanted their commanders to use weapons against deserters, including possibly authorising shooting to kill such defaulters after a warning had been given. Generals also likely wanted to maintain defensive positions to the death.
“The tactic of shooting deserters likely attests to the low quality, low morale and indiscipline of Russian forces.”
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US national security advisor makes surprise visit to Kyiv
Jake Sullivan met President Zelenksy today, during the unannounced visit to Ukraine.
Sullivan stipulated that, “the United States is going to be with Ukraine for as long as it takes in this fight.
“There will be no wavering, no flagging, no flinching in our support as we go forward,” reports CNN.
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President Zelensky says thank you to the US
The President of Ukraine acknowledged and thanked the US for donating an additional $400 million.
This fresh donation has been made in a military assistance package.
He said: “We appreciate this continued support!”
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Ukraine has enough gas supplies for winter, says Prime Minister
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said considering upcoming imports, Ukraine should have enough to see it though a cold winter.
He said: “Taking into account expected deliveries from abroad, this amount is sufficient for the heating season,” reports Reuters.
Shmyhal added that Ukraine has 14.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas stored underground.
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G7 to focus on Ukraine security from Russian attacks
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, announced that the Group of Seven countries will focus on helping Ukraine protect its people.
Blinken also added it will help reduce Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy grid.
Speaking from the German town of Muenster, Blinken said: “The G7 agreed to create a new coordination group to help prepare, restore and defend Ukraine’s energy grid – the very grid that President Putin has brutalised.”
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24 hour curfew for Kherson residents
The Russian appointed deputy governor announced the curfew.
Kirill Stremousov, posted a video to Telegram explaining it was necessary “in order to defend our city of Kherson”.
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Turkey President thanked by NATO boss for Ukraine help
Jens Stoltenberg visited Istanbul in Turkey, and met with the leader who helped secure the grain deal between Ukraine and Russia.
It was “great” to meet the President Erdogan, says Jens Stoltenberg, who added: “I thanked the President for his vital role in securing the continuation of the #Ukraine grain deal.”
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Russian-backed Kherson officials reverse ’24 hour curfew’ claim
Earlier today, reports emerged of a “24-hour curfew” in the Russian-occupied city of Kherson, but now the region’s officials have seemingly backtracked on the announcement.
“In the city of Kherson there are absolutely no restrictions that would limit the life of the city,” Kirill Stremousov, the Russia-backed deputy governor of the Kherson region, said via a Telegram post.
Only an hour earlier, Stremousov announced the curfew in a video that has now been deleted.
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650,000 Ukrainians employed in Poland
According to Poland’s Minister of Family, Labor and Social Policy Marlena Malag, around 650,000 Ukrainians have taken on jobs in the country amid Putin’s brutal invasion of their homeland.
Dozens of countries across the globe have taken in Ukrainian refugees, but Poland has accepted the most.
Malag described this number as “good news”.
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UK’S MoD claim Putin probably ordering commanders to ‘kill retreating soldiers’
The UK’s Ministry of Defence has claimed that Russian forces are probably being ordered to kill their own retreating soldiers in order to “maintain defensive position”.
The Ministry said: “Due to low morale and reluctance to fight, Russian forces have probably started deploying “barrier troops” or “blocking units”.
“These units threaten to shoot their own retreating soldiers in order to compel offensives and have been used in previous conflicts by Russian forces.
“Recently, Russian generals likely wanted their commanders to use weapons against deserters, including possibly authorising shooting to kill such defaulters after a warning had been given. Generals also likely wanted to maintain defensive positions to the death.
“The tactic of shooting deserters likely attests to the low quality, low morale and indiscipline of Russian forces.”
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’24-hour curfew’ imposed in Kherson, reports claim
According to reports from Al Jazeera, a “24-hour curfew” has been imposed in the city of Kherson.
This comes amid calls from Putin that residents of the city should evacuate, as Ukraine pushes forward to take back the annexed land.
Kirill Stremousov, the Russia-backed deputy governor of the Kherson region, said the curfew was needed to “defend our city of Kherson” from “terrorist attacks”.
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450,000 homes in Kyiv without power following Russian bombardments
Kyiv’s mayor has urged Ukrainians to save power as 450,000 homes are hit with blackouts in the country’s capital.
“I appeal to all residents of the capital: Save electricity as much as possible because the situation remains difficult,” Vitali Klitschko said via a Telegram post.
Over the last month, Ukraine has been hit with a series of Russian bombardments, mainly targeting civilian infrastructure.
These attacks have aimed to reduce the nation’s ability to produce power ahead of a freezing winter.
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14 million Ukrainians forced to flee since invasion began
The UN has reported that approximately 14 million people have been forced to flee their homes since Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion began.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine has driven the fastest, largest displacement witnessed in decades. Some 14 million people have been forced from their homes since 24 February,” Filippo Grandi, the UN’s high commissioner for refugees, said.
“Ukrainians are about to face one of the world’s harshest winters in extremely difficult circumstances. Humanitarian organizations have dramatically scaled up their response, but much more must be done, starting with an end to this senseless war,” Grandi continued.
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Anti-Russia protestor reportedly hanged in Kherson
A nurse has reportedly been hung for speaking out against Russia in the occupied region of Kherson, the Financial Times reports.
Tetiana Mudrenko, 56, was reportedly publically executed by pro-Russian collaborators.
“They poured something into her mouth and then hanged her in front of the city’s courthouse building,” the victim’s sister said, according to the Financial Times.
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10 nations come together to train Ukrainian troops
When Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February, Britain committed to training the troops of the under-siege nation.
Since the UK began this training scheme, nine other countries have joined the initiative.
Those being, Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, Latvia, New Zealand, Finland and Norway.
Today, the British ministry of defence took to Twitter to hail the scheme.
The tweet said: “Ten nations from around the world have come together to participate in the UK-led training programme, which prepares Ukrainian recruits with little to no military experience in frontline combat skills.”
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Putin announces 318,000 troops have been drafted, and more could be on their way
Putin announced today that a total of 318,000 troops were drafted during Russia’s period of partial mobilisation.
Of these newly-recruited troops, 49,000 are already in combat.
Despite announcing that partial mobilisation is over, Mr Putin has signed a law allowing citizens with convictions for serious crimes to be called up for military service, according to Russian state media outlet TASS.
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Zelensky will not attend the G20 summit if Russia is present
President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed he will not attend the G20 summit if Putin is present.
“If the leader of the Russian Federation partakes, then Ukraine will abstain. We were invited today once more. Again, we’ll see. It will take place in several days,” he said.
The meeting of world leaders will take place on November 15, as nations look to find solutions for the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine and other global issues.
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G7 release statement
G7 diplomats have said they will stand “firmly with Ukraine for as long as it takes” as they release statement.
The ministers said: “We condemn Russia’s recent escalation, including its attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, in particular energy and water facilities, across Ukrain using missiles and Iranian drones”
Lauren Cole-Lomas
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