Aug 28, 2024

Ukrainian troops are intent on retaining the Russian territory they have seized for “some period of time”, the deputy director of the CIA said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the intelligence and national security summit in Washington, David Cohen said the significance of the Kursk invasion “remains to be seen”.

“They are remaining in Russia,” he said. “They are building defences and seem to be intent on retaining some of that territory for some amount of time.”

It comes as Ukraine launched a major cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk region earlier this month, where it claims to now control more than 1,200 square km (463 square miles) of the region, while Russian forces continue to creep forward in the eastern Donetsk region.

Mr Cohen said he believed Putin would mount a counteroffensive, but expected it to be a difficult fight for the Russians.

2:44PM

Kremlin dismisses Zelensky’s idea for peace plan

Moscow has rejected Volodymyr Zelensky’s suggestion that Kyiv will submit a plan to Washington on how to “end the war” in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s president said on Tuesday that the invasion would end with dialogue, but that Kyiv needed to be in a strong position for this.

He added that Kyiv’s three week long incursion into Russia’s Kursk region was part of the plan, as well as further steps on the economic and diplomatic fronts.

Mr Zelensky said he would present a plan to Joe Biden and his two potential successors, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a press conference, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv CREDIT: Shutterstock

Responding to this, the Kremlin said Moscow vowed to continue what it calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

“This is not the first time that we have heard such statements from representatives of the Kyiv regime,” Dmitry Peskov said.

“We are aware of the nature of this Kyiv regime. We are continuing our special military operation and will achieve all of our goals.”

Russian forces seize Donetsk village

28 August 2024 • 3:47pm

Civilians wait to be evacuated in the direction of Pokrovsk

Russian forces have seized the settlement of Komyshivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, Moscow’s TASS news agency reported on Wednesday.

The state-owned news agency cited Russia’s defence ministry in its report, but The Telegraph could not independently verify the claim.

It comes as Russian forces close in on the strategically important city of Pokrovsk, 35km away from Komyshivka.

Regional authorities recently ordered large-scale evacuations from the city amid fears it will fall in the coming weeks.

Pokrovsk is a road and rail hub and a city with a pre-war population of 60,000 people.

Pictured: Russian missile strikes Zelensky’s home town during day of mourning

A Russian missile has hit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s home town of Kryvyi Rih as it was observing an official day of mourning for an attack the previous day that killed four civilians at a hotel.

The latest attack struck civilian infrastructure and wounded four people, local administration head Oleksandr Vilkul said on social media.

“When Kryvyi Rih is in mourning, the enemy attacks again. And it once again aims at civilians,” regional head Serhii Lysak said Wednesday.

The previous strike on Kryvyi Rih on Tuesday was part of a bombardment of dozens of missiles and drones launched by Russia for a second consecutive day.

Five people were wounded, in addition to the four already pronounced dead.

A police expert works at a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih — A police expert works at a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih CREDIT: Andrii Gorb/REUTERS

The attack struck civilian infrastructure and wounded four people in Kryvyi Rih CREDIT: Andrii Gorb/REUTERS

11:58AM

Kremlin says Europe will face surge in prices unless Ukraine extends gas transit deal

European consumers will face higher prices unless Kyiv agrees to extend a deal on Russian gas transit via Ukraine once it expires at the end of the year, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

Ukraine has repeatedly said it has no plans to strike a new gas transit deal with Russia when it expires on 31 December.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that if Kyiv did not extend the deal, Russia could find alternative routes, such as the planned Turkish gas hub.

“There are (other) routes, but, of course, such decisions by the Ukrainian side will cause serious damage to the interests of European consumers, those who still want to buy more guaranteed, more affordable… Russian gas,” Mr Peskov told reporters.

He added that Europe will have to pay more for gas from other sellers, including liquefied natural gas supplied by the United States.

11:40AM

UK and Germany pledge ‘unyielding’ support for Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer and Olaf Scholz have said the UK and German continue to have “unyielding” support for Ukraine.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Berlin, the PM said Ukraine is not just fighting to defend itself from Russian aggression but also “for all the people across Europe”.

Mr Scholz, the German chancellor, said both countries would continue to lend “financial, economic, political and military support” for “as long as this is necessary”.