World

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

The volume of Russian disinformation seeking to frame Ukraine as a threat to justify military action by Russia has more than doubled in the past week, Western officials have said. Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, revealed there had been a two-fold increase in fake Russian claims during comments she made at a security conference in

Even as we arrived at the command headquarters about four kilometres from the frontline proper, we could hear the sounds of outgoing rockets from the Ukrainian military, which they maintain is a response to incoming fire from Russian-backed separatists. The frontlines near Popasne have been kinetic for the past two days – an intensification in

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

World leaders have described a rise in attacks across the frontline between Ukrainian forces and Russian separatists within Ukraine as a possible ploy to give Russia an excuse to invade. There are claims from both sides that shelling has increased in the eastern Donbas region with Russian separatists describing it as a “large-scale provocation”. They

The West “blinked” and did not understand troops needed to be on the ground in Ukraine earlier this year and sanctions will only push Russia towards China, the chair of the defence committee has told Sky News. Tobias Ellwood, in Kyiv, told Kay Burley: “It would have taken five days to mobilise those forces, at

Satellite imagery disproves Russian claims it is withdrawing troops from Ukraine’s border, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has said – as he expressed concern that yesterday’s large cyberattack could be a possible precursor to an invasion. Speaking after a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels, Mr Stoltenberg stressed there was no sign of a military

The world must judge Russia with its own eyes as to whether it is de-escalating, the defence secretary said as he warned an invasion of Ukraine is still possible. Ben Wallace told Sky News: “I can also tell you judge with your own eyes at the scale of that Russian deployment on the borders of

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

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a “very dangerous moment” for the world and could encourage aggressors such as China and Iran, the foreign secretary has warned. Liz Truss’ warning came as the UK and the US said an invasion was “imminent” as Moscow amasses more than 130,000 troops on Ukraine’s border. Ms Truss

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

Bombs will drop on Ukraine within minutes of Vladimir Putin giving the order, the armed forces minister has warned. After telling all Britons on Friday to leave Ukraine immediately, James Heappey told Sky News: “My fear is it is very imminent, that’s not to say it’s definitely going to happen. “This is a warning because

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

Olympic officials have said they would welcome an anti-doping investigation into the Russian doctors, coaches and family in the entourage of 15-year-old figure skater Kamila Valieva. Valieva broke down in tears on Saturday after an emotional practice session which was held as her case is being decided. The teenager’s future at the Olympics is uncertain

Protesters angry over pandemic restrictions have driven towards Paris in an effort to blockade the French capital – despite a police ban. The scattered convoys of vehicles were inspired in part by lorry drivers who have blocked Canada’s capital Ottawa and prevented border crossings, with French protesters sharing images of their Canadian counterparts. There are

Russian tanks spray up snow and mud as they churn through the rich black soil in the borderlands. Moscow claims its forces are only taking part in military drills, but the message they deliver is that bloodshed may not be far away. There is now a mass of armour sitting menacingly on Ukraine’s doorstep, the

A full invasion of Ukraine would not be a “simple walk in the park” for Russia because Ukrainian troops would fight for every metre of land until their last breath, the commander of all ground forces has warned. General Oleksandr Syrskyi said his soldiers were starting a round of military exercises in the north of