Russia-Ukraine battle: Russia ‘lost third of its forces’, Ukraine launches counter-strike

Ukraine counter-attacked Russian forces on the japanese entrance on Monday with preventing reported close to its second-largest metropolis of Kharkiv, after Western army businesses mentioned Moscow’s offensive within the Donbas area had stalled. Ukrainian inside ministry adviser Vadym Denisenko mentioned in televised feedback that preventing close to Kharkiv was “our counter-offensive”.

Sweden’s safety wants finest served by NATO membership, PM says

Sweden’s safety wants are finest served by NATO membership, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson mentioned on Sunday, after her social gathering deserted a long time of opposition to becoming a member of the US-led alliance within the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The best thing for the security of Sweden and the Swedish people is to join NATO,” Andersson advised a information convention. “We believe Sweden needs the formal security guarantees that come with membership in NATO.”

Britain says Russia has misplaced a 3rd of its forces in Ukraine

Russia has in all probability misplaced round a 3rd of the bottom forces it deployed to Ukraine and its offensive within the Donbas area “has lost momentum and fallen significantly behind schedule”, British army intelligence mentioned on Sunday. “Despite small-scale initial advances, Russia has failed to achieve substantial territorial gains over the past month whilst sustaining consistently high levels of attrition,” the British defence ministry mentioned on Twitter.

More updates:

➡️ Russia mentioned on Sunday it had pummelled Ukrainian positions within the east with missiles, focusing on command centres and arsenals as its forces search to encircle Ukrainian military items within the battle for Donbas.

➡️ Ukraine mentioned on Monday troops defending the nation’s second-largest metropolis, Kharkiv, had repelled Russian forces and superior so far as the border with Russia.

➡️ Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Monday mentioned Finland and Sweden should not have any illusions that Moscow will merely put up with their becoming a member of the NATO army alliance, calling it a mistake that may have far-reaching penalties.

➡️ Sweden will ship diplomats to Turkey to attempt to overcome Ankara’s objections to its plan to hitch NATO, Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist mentioned, with a proper resolution handy in an utility anticipated on Monday.

➡️Turkey should keep a fragile diplomatic steadiness following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in order that it stays in a position to assist facilitate an eventual negotiated finish to the battle, President Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman mentioned in an interview. Ibrahim Kalin, who can be Erdogan’s chief international coverage adviser, mentioned that whereas Ankara has criticised Moscow’s Feb. 24 invasion and actions on the battlefield it could do no good to take a extra punitive stance towards Russia.

➡️Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto confirmed on Sunday that his nation would apply for membership of the NATO army alliance. The announcement got here after Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin mentioned on Thursday they each favoured NATO membership, in a serious coverage shift prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia, which shares a protracted land border with Finland, has mentioned it could be a mistake for Helsinki to hitch the transatlantic alliance and that it could hurt bilateral ties.

(Compiled from Reuters and Associated Press stories)