World

Vladimir Putin is set to decide today whether to recognise two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine as independent. It comes after a request by the leaders of Luhansk and Donetsk – areas which broke away from Kyiv’s control in 2014. There has been fighting there between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian pro-government forces. And recognition by

Russian frontline commanders have been given orders to begin final preparations for an attack on Ukraine, according to a US official. The intelligence is said to have informed the White House’s belief that Moscow intends to commence a “full-scale assault” very soon. In a potential breakthrough, Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have

Russia has extended military drills near Ukraine’s northern borders – sparking fears an invasion could be more likely. The exercises, which brought a sizable contingent of Russian forces to Belarus, were originally set to end on Sunday. The presence of the Russian troops raised concern that they could be used to sweep down on the

Intelligence suggests Russia is planning “the biggest war in Europe since 1945”, Boris Johnson has warned. The prime minister said “all the signs are that the plan has already in some senses begun” – telling the BBC that evidence indicates the Kremlin’s intent is to invade Ukraine and encircle Kyiv. “People need to understand the

Hippos descended from a herd illegally imported by Pablo Escobar are to be declared an invasive species in Colombia. Within weeks, the Colombian government is planning to sign a declaration that will force officials to come up with a plan for how to control the hippopotamus population. The animals were brought into the country by

Russian military drills are “purely defensive” and “not a threat to any other country”, Vladimir Putin has said. The Russian president denied he was going to invade Ukraine following Western leaders warning an incursion is imminent as Moscow amasses more than 150,000 troops at the border. Talking at a news conference with Belarus President Alexander

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has agreed to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov late next week – provided Moscow doesn’t invade Ukraine. Efforts are continuing to prevent a conflict, amid fears that Russia is increasingly close to being able to mount an invasion. Russia wants guarantees from the West, including the assurance that

Boris Johnson has joined other leaders in describing an alleged attack on a kindergarten in a Russian separatist-held part of Ukraine as a “false flag” operation. The occupation forces, who Russia provides arms to, are in the Donbas region of Ukraine near the Russian border. Live updates on the Russia-Ukraine crisis They have accused Ukrainian

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would bring “massive consequences” for Moscow, the foreign secretary is set to warn Vladimir Putin during a speech in the Ukrainian capital. Liz Truss will visit Ukraine this week as part of continuing diplomatic efforts to avoid a war between Russia and its neighbour. It comes as a senior US

Russia will retaliate if new sanctions are imposed by Britain, according to the country’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. UK ministers last week gained powers to impose tough new sanctions on Russian oligarchs and businesses. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the “very, very tough” package of sanctions is “ready to go” should Russia launch a

“Tell the people of Britain we are a civilised country, tell them we are European, tell them we aren’t Russian. God Save the Queen!” and with that Yulia Smagina bayed us farewell. We had spent the morning with this quite remarkably energetic and engaging woman as she looked for air raid shelters and bunkers that the

“All the hallmarks of a war crime.” That’s how the UN’s human rights monitor for Myanmar has described a mass killing that Sky News has been investigating. The massacre happened near Mo So in Kayah state on Christmas Eve, leaving at least 37 people dead. It’s an area which has seen heavy fighting between local

Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted he “of course” does not want a war in Europe amid conflicting claims he had withdrawn some his country’s forces from Ukraine’s borders. Speaking at a news conference following talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Mr Putin stressed he was not keen on a military confrontation. He also suggested

Any incursion into Ukraine would result in a “protracted crisis” for Moscow with “far-reaching damage for both Russia and the world”, Boris Johnson and Joe Biden have warned. In a call between the UK prime minister and the US president, the leaders called on Western allies to “remain united”. But they also said there remained

Russia has more military firepower than Ukraine – covering the land, air and sea. It has 900,000 active military personnel across its forces, compared with Ukraine’s 196,600. It is reflective of a wider military dominance that stems from a Russian defence budget that dwarfs Ukraine’s. The imbalance is greatest at sea, with Russia having 10

At least seven people, including a newborn baby, have been killed following an explosion and fire which broke out in southwestern France. The newborn baby was one of two children killed during the incident, according to local media reports. The French interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, is expected to travel to the scene later today. He

For those in the UK, western Europe and the United States who take comfort in the fact that an escalating crisis with Russia over Ukraine is blissfully far away – think again. Any move by Russian President Vladimir Putin to bomb Kyiv into submission and seize control of the country by force – as could

The defence secretary has warned it is “highly likely” that Vladimir Putin will order an attack on Ukraine, despite ongoing talks to avert a war. Ben Wallace also said there is a “whiff of Munich in the air” – an apparent reference to the agreement that allowed the German annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938,

French police have fired tear gas at protesters on Paris’ Champs Elysees avenue who are demonstrating against coronavirus restrictions. Cars carrying protesters managed to get through police checkpoints to cause traffic around the Arc de Triomphe monument to grind to a halt. The protesters waved French flags and sounded their horns in defiance of the

France has dropped its COVID-19 testing requirement for vaccinated travellers arriving from the UK. The French interior ministry has said that from 12 February, travellers will not need to test as long as they are vaccinated according to European regulations. This applies regardless of where a traveller is coming from. Bonjour, Stéph in place now