Ukraine war LIVE – Putin brutally sacks 'at least six' Russian commanders as his army suffers massive losses | The Sun
BRITISH Defence Intelligence claims Putin has brutally sacked "at least six" top commanders, with Russian losses continuing to grow.
The Ministry of Defence's statement said a slew of commanders have been dismissed as Putin rages at their failures.
Specifically, the report claims: "The poor performance of Russia’s armed forces during its invasion of Ukraine has been costly for Russia’s military leadership, highly likely resulting in the dismissal of at least six Russian commanders since the start of hostilities in February 2022.
"The commanders of Russia’s Eastern and Western Military Districts have highly likely lost their commands. General-Colonel Aleksandr Chayko was dismissed as Commander of the Eastern Military District in May 2022.
"General-Colonel Aleksandr Zhuravlev, who has commanded the Western Military District since 2018, was absent from Russia’s Navy Day in St Petersburg on 31 July 2022 and has highly likely been replaced by General-Lieutenant Vladimir Kochetkov.
"General Aleksandr Vladimirovich Dvornikov has subsequently been removed after been given overall command of the operation in Ukraine, and General Sergei Surovikin has assumed command of the Southern Grouping of Forces from General Gennady Valeryevich Zhidko."
The report concludes: "These dismissals are compounded by at least 10 Russian Generals killed on the battlefield in Ukraine. The cumulative effect on consistency of command is likely contributing to Russian tactical and operational difficulties."
This comes as Ukrainian military officials report that Russia has lost at least 42,000 troops since the start of the conflict.
Read our Ukraine-Russia blog below for the latest updates…
- henry moore
War about to enter a ‘new phase’
Russian forces are gathering in the south, according to British intelligence.
The Military of Defence said: “Russia’s war on Ukraine is about to enter a new phase, with the heaviest fighting shifting to a roughly 350 kilometre frontline stretching south west from near Zarporizhzhia to Kherson, paralleling the Dnieper River.
- henry moore
MoD provides update on the war in Ukraine
At least six Russian commanders been dismissed as Putin rages at his army's failures, according to the Ministry of Defence.
- henry moore
Russian losses as of August 7
Russia continue to lose masses of troops as their brutal invasion of Ukraine continues.
The county has lost over 42,200 troops.
On top of that, 223 planes and 1,805 tanks have been lost, according to Ukraine's military.
- henry moore
International Atomic Energy Agency slams Russia’s attack on Nuclear base
The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has slammed Putin for stationing troops next to a nuclear power plant.
“I’m extremely concerned by the shelling yesterday at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which underlines the very real risk of a nuclear disaster that could threaten public health and the environment in Ukraine and beyond,” Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a statement.
He went on to say that the Russian forces are “playing with fire” as Europe begins to fear nuclear crisis.
- henry moore
Sweden joins UK in training Ukrainian troops
The UK's Ministry of Defence announced today that Sweden will join the nations training Ukrainian troops in their battle against Putin's Russia.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace hailed the decision.
Sweden will provide "valuable expertise" according to the MP, as the democratic world seeks peaceful means to support Ukraine.
- henry moore
Russia burning it’s own gas instead of supplying Europe?
Footage has been shared of gas being burnt off in huge flares.
Witnesses as far as Finland have seen huge plumes of flames in the sky on Russian land.
The Finns have seen satellite images, where they observed flares from Gazprom’s Portovaya compressor station every day since June 17.
This comes after the dispute between Russia and Europe, which threatens to leave households in Europe including Britain freezing this winter.
“Flaring” means the controlled and deliberate destruction of gas by burning it.
- Lauren Lomas
The four ways China could take Taiwan: from slow blockade squeeze to 48-hour blitz
The most alarming scenario involves a huge land, sea and air assault to complete the invasion within two days.
Invasion fears are high after China surrounded Taiwan with masses of military equipment taking part in menacing war games.
They are meant as a show of force to US – but also to wear down Taiwan's defensive strength and test the West's resolve, observers say.
Whether US-led allies would rush to help Taiwan – and how quickly – is said to be the key consideration for strategists in Beijing.
Click here to read more.
- Lauren Lomas
First grain ship since February arrives in Ukraine
This marks the culmination of a significant diplomatic effort.
The ship arrived in Odesa, Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said.
Kubrakov went on to say that Ukraine is “doing everything possible” to accept more ships, with 3-5 expected per day in two weeks.
- Lauren Lomas
Stomach turning atrocity as Russian soldiers accused of sticking the head of a prisoner on a pole
Videos have recently circulated the internet showing what looks like a Ukrainian prisoner of war's head on a stick outside a house in Popasna.
Reportedly, the Ukrainian governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Haidai, shared the photo to Telegram.
Ukrainians are accusing Russians of the horrific atrocity.
- Lauren Lomas
Head of Amnesty International Ukraine QUITS following report
The head of Amnesty International Ukraine Oksana Pokalchuk has quit following the release of a report by the NGO that accused Ukrainian troops of putting civilians at risk.
Express.co.uk reports that the document said that Ukrainian soldiers were endangering civilians by positioning themselves in residential areas.
She wrote in a statement: “We, on the part of the Ukrainian office, constantly emphasized that the press release that the organization issued on August 4 should have at least investigated two sides and taken into account the position of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.”
She added: “As a result, without wanting it, the organization created material that sounded like support for Russian narratives. Seeking to protect civilians, this research instead became a tool of Russian propaganda.”
- Lauren Lomas
Russian troops beg defence minister to help them escape Ukraine
One of the trapped 200 filmed a social media message to General Sergei Shoigu claiming they had been “abandoned”.
The serviceman, who shielded his face, said: “The situation is really difficult.
"I hope you hear this and can work a way for us to get out.”
He said: “We have been left, abandoned."
He added: “I am now in Kherson."
Click here to read more.
- Lauren Lomas
In pictures: Donetsk, no water or electricity
Constant shelling had downed power lines, and water supplies have cut off.
The shelling burst the water pipes leading to homes.
Those still residing in the region have to pump water and carry it back to their homes.
Two women were snapped leaving their apartments to collect water from the pump.
Credit: AP - Lauren Lomas
Ukraine’s military demolished six ammunition depots
Ukraine’s military has successfully demolished six ammunition depots in southern Ukraine, reported The Kyiv Independent.
It tweeted: “Operational Command ‘South’ said it killed 79 Russian troops and destroyed four tanks, two howitzers, an artillery installation, a radar station, and 22 armored and military vehicles on August 5.”
According to the report, Ukrainian troops also reportedly attacked two Russian control points and one command post.
- Lauren Lomas
Ukrainians accuse Russians of murdering prisoners
Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers died after being burned to death inside a Russian prison camp.
One ex prisoner, spoke out about the horrible conditions at Olenivka.
Anna Vorosheva, told the Observer: "Russia didn't want them alive. I am sure some of those 'killed' in the explosion were already corpses."
- Lauren Lomas
Ukraine starts criminal proceedings over nuclear power plant damage
The power plant was shelled recently, which resulted in a cut to the power supply.
Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the shelling of the plant in Zaporizhzhia.
- Lauren Lomas
War about to enter a 'new phase'
Russian forces are gathering in the south, according to British intelligence.
The Military of Defence said: "Russia's war on Ukraine is about to enter a new phase, with the heaviest fighting shifting to a roughly 350 kilometre frontline stretching south west from near Zarporizhzhia to Kherson, paralleling the Dnieper River.
- Lauren Lomas
Strike at Ukrainian nuclear power plant creates risk 'of nuclear disaster'
The UN's nuclear watchdog has demanded military action to cease near the Zaporizhzhia power plant.
The International Atomic Agency's Rafael Grossi said there is "very real risk of nuclear disaster," after it was hit by shelling.
A damaged power cable has caused one of the reactors to stop working.
The company owning the plant, Energoatom, said: "There are still risks of leaking hydrogen and radioactive substances, and the risk of fire is also high."
- Matt Snape
Meta have removed Russian Instagram trolls
Meta, formerly Facebook, have removed a network of Instagram accounts operated by a troll farm in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Guardian Online reports that 45 Facebook accounts and 1,037 Instagram accounts were removed and the report found that around $1,400 had been spent in rubles to pay for ads on Facebook and Instagram.
- Matt Snape
Buildings destroyed and three civilians injured during Russian shelling
Russian shelling in Dnipropetrovsk injured three people and damaged residential buildings on Friday night, including a kindergarten and a children’s art centre, according to reports from the Kyiv Independent.
- Matt Snape
UK MoD: Russian forces massing in the south
The UK’s Ministry of Defence has stated there is a monumental build-up of Russian troops in southern Ukraine.
Guardian Online reports the MoD said it was unclear whether these extra forces were for a new assault on Ukrainian territory of in anticipation for a Ukrainian counter-offensive.
- Matt Snape
Harry’s call with Ukrainian mother revealed after Russian kidnap NIGHTMARE
Prince Harry spoke “strongly and sincerely” about Ukraine to a woman from Mariupol and helped her continue to fight.
Express.co.uk reports that Yulia Paievska, 53, said she “cried from emotions” when the Duke of Sussex’s call came in, only a few days after she was released from three-month captivity.
Paievska was captured and tortured by Russian troops in March when she rushed to assist people trapped at a shelled Ukrainian theatre, as she was volunteering as a paramedic.
She told the Telegraph of her chat with Prince Harry: “He simply inspired me to continue to fight.”
Adding he had spoken so “strongly and sincerely” about Ukraine that inspired her to keep assisting people.
- Matt Snape
Ukraine: Nuclear warning as Putin attacks at plant ‘endanger entire civilised world’
Ukraine has provided an urgent nuclear warning as Zaporizhzhia nuclear powerplant was bombed for the second time on Saturday.
Express.co.uk reports that Ukraine’s state nuclear power company, Energoatom, suggested the attacks had hit “directly on the site” of the Zaporizhzhia plant near the reactor. The Kyiv Independent reported there was a huge risk of a radioactive leak at the plant.
It said: “There is a high risk of fire, as well as hydrogen and radioactive leakage, according to the operator.
“On Aug. 5, the plant shut down one of the three operating power units as Russia continues to ‘terrorize and endanger the entire civilized world,’ the statement [from Enerogoatom] reads.”
- Matt Snape
Head of Amnesty International Ukraine QUITS following report
The head of Amnesty International Ukraine Oksana Pokalchuk has quit following the release of a report by the NGO that accused Ukrainian troops of putting civilians at risk.
Express.co.uk reports that the document said that Ukrainian soldiers were endangering civilians by positioning themselves in residential areas.
She wrote in a statement: “We, on the part of the Ukrainian office, constantly emphasized that the press release that the organization issued on August 4 should have at least investigated two sides and taken into account the position of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.”
She added: “As a result, without wanting it, the organization created material that sounded like support for Russian narratives. Seeking to protect civilians, this research instead became a tool of Russian propaganda.”
- Matt Snape
Ukraine’s military demolished six ammunition depots
Ukraine’s military has successfully demolished six ammunition depots in southern Ukraine, reported The Kyiv Independent.
It tweeted: “Operational Command ‘South’ said it killed 79 Russian troops and destroyed four tanks, two howitzers, an artillery installation, a radar station, and 22 armored and military vehicles on August 5.”
According to the report, Ukrainian troops also reportedly attacked two Russian control points and one command post.
- Matt Snape
New $1 billion US military package being prepared for Ukraine
A new $1 billion military package is being prepared for Ukraine in the US.
According to a report by Reuters, three unnamed officials who are aware of the matter confirmed that the package, the biggest so far, is expected to be announced on August 8.
It will consist of munitions for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, NASAMS surface-to-air missile system ammunition, and 50 tracked armoured personnel carriers.
The latest package will add to the $8.8 billion in military support the U.S. has already given Ukraine since February 24.
Source: Read Full Article