VLADIMIR Putin is "considering a high risk" move that will involve the introduction of advanced Russian T-14 super tanks, the UK's Ministry of Defence has claimed.
The Russian tyrant could be set to "deploy a small number of its new T-14 Armata main battle tanks in Ukraine” after pictures were taken of the vehicles on a trianing area in southern Russia.
The Ministry of Defence said: “Russia media outlets claimed T-14s were being prepared for deployment. However, it is unclear whether Russia has yet moved the type into Ukraine.
“Any T-14 deployment is likely to be a high-risk decision for Russia. Eleven years in development, the programme has been dogged with delays, reduction in planned fleet size, and reports of manufacturing problems.”
Putin's upgraded machines are equipped with an anti-drone protection system, advanced sensors and onboard drones.
Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news…
President Zelensky has thanked "everyone involved" in yesterday's rescue operation and stated that a criminal investigation has been launched.
In his nightly address he said: "The Security Service of Ukraine has initiated a criminal investigation into this terrible event.
"I have instructed the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, in cooperation with all other authorized bodies, to clarify all the circumstances of the crash."
President Zelensky has hailed the European Parliament’s decision to set up a special tribunal designed to investigate Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “I welcome the adoption of the @Europarl_EN resolution on the establishment of a Special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
“I call on all our partners to support such a tribunal. Russia must be held accountable for its war of aggression and justice must prevail.”
A Ukrainian official has condemned comments made by Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign secretary, claiming Russian deaths in Ukraine are comparable to the Holocaust.
"It tarnishes the memory of millions of the Holocaust victims," said Oleh Nikolenko, spokesman of Ukraine's foreign ministry.
Lavrov has been widely condemned after claiming the west is attempting to wipe out Russia in a way that is comparable to the Holocaust.
Speaking to Ukraine's parliament today, Charles Michel the president of the European Council said he "dreams" of Ukrainian EU membership.
He told Ukraine's parliament: "I dream that one day, I hope soon, a Ukrainian will hold my job as President of the European Council, or as President of the European Parliament, or the Commission.”
Taking to Twitter, Mr Michel added: "I am proud that a few months ago we succeeded in convincing everyone to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine.
"I am fully committed to continue working closely with you to advance this process. We must each do our part to ensure the process progresses as swiftly as possible."
I am proud that a few months ago we succeeded in convincing everyone to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine.
I am fully committed to continue working closely with you to advance this process. We must each do our part to ensure the process progresses as swiftly as possible. pic.twitter.com/ryjoPXv1Fl
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Boris Johnson was asked whether Putin would deploy nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Boris said Putin would cause “a complete economic cryogenic paralysis” and “terrify the Russians” if he were to do so.
He added: “He’s not going to do it. Don’t go down that rabbit hole, stop it.”
Speaking on Thursday President Zelensky urged western leaders to finalise their tank support for Ukraine.
“We put as much political pressure, as we can, but most importantly our pressure is based on the solid arguments,” Zelensky told journalists as he met with the chief of the European Council.
“The courage of our warriors and motivation of Ukrainian people is not enough against thousands of tanks of Russian Federation.
“Time and speed are important. Each minute is a human life.
"The faster we are able to deoccupy our territory, the faster we become more powerful, the more our citizens' lives will be spared,” he added.
According to the Lithuanian minister of defence, several countries are set to announce tank support for Ukraine on Friday.
“Some of the countries will definitely send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, that is for sure”, Arvydas Anusauskas told Reuters.
This comes after Britain became the first western power to announce it would be sending tanks to Ukraine last week.
As Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine rages on, the British Ministry of Defence has shared a map showing the current state of the battlefield.
In recent days, the Kremlin's forces made advances in Donetsk, taking the town of Soledar.
The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing.
The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 19 January 2023.
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/WtiQjG6ZrO
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/OkwiRlSw28
Britain's defence minister, Ben Wallace, met with his counterparts from across the globe today as they discussed further support for Ukraine.
The British Ministry of Defence shared a snap of Mr Wallace with his partners and emphasised Britain's determination to support Ukraine.
The UK 🇬🇧 and our international partners are more determined than ever to support Ukraine 🇺🇦 in 2023.
Defence Secretary @BWallaceMP today met with Defence Minister’s from partner nations to discuss next steps for Ukraine, including heavy armour capability. pic.twitter.com/aSp0pgeWZj
President Zelensky met with the president of the European Council, Charles Miche, in Kyiv today.
Joe Biden has released a statement, sending his condolences to the families of those affected by the helicopter crash in Ukraine.
The US president praised Denys Monastyrskyi’s efforts to fight Russian aggression in the statement.
Biden said: “We will continue to honour that legacy through efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s institutions, and in our unfailing partnership with the people of Ukraine to keep the flame of freedom bright.”
Taking to Twitter this morning President Zelensky hailed Sweden's decision to send further military aid to Ukraine.
He said: "Sincerely grateful to the Government of Sweden & SwedishPM for the new military assistance package to Ukraine.
"CV90 IFVs, Archer self-propelled howitzers & NLAW ATGMs are powerful weapons that Ukraine army needs to liberate our land from the Russian invader.
"Together to a common victory!"
Sincerely grateful to the Government of Sweden & @SwedishPM for the new military assistance package to 🇺🇦. CV90 IFVs, Archer self-propelled howitzers & NLAW ATGMs are powerful weapons that 🇺🇦 army needs to liberate our land from the Russian invader. Together to a common victory!
Jewish groups across the globe have slammed Russia today after a top Kremlin official compared the deaths of Russian soldiers to the Holocaust.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign secretary, said: "they [the west] are waging war against our country with the same task: the ‘final solution’ of the Russian question.
Just as Hitler wanted a ‘final solution’ to the Jewish question, now, if you read Western politicians … they clearly say Russia must suffer a strategic defeat.”
Officials have condemned these comments.
Dame Melinda Simmons, Britain's ambassador to Ukraine, said: "I don’t think it’s just Jewish organisations that should be calling out this insufferable Russian state-sponsored antisemitism.
"It’s been going on for ages, repeatedly articulated, and it has repercussions for everyone when states reduce Holocaust history in this cynical way."
I don’t think it’s just Jewish organisations that should be calling out this insufferable 🇷🇺 state sponsored #antisemitism. It’s been going on for ages, repeatedly articulated, and it has repercussions for everyone when states reduce Holocaust history in this cynical way. https://t.co/Bv6NxPpcRk
Denmark has joined the growing list of countries planning to send military equipment to Ukraine.
The Scandinavian country is set to donate 19 howitzer artillery systems to Kyiv.
Danish defence minister, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, announced: "We have been in continuous contact with the Ukrainians about the Caesar artillery in particular and I am happy that we have now received broad support from the Danish parliament to donate it to Ukraine’s freedom struggle."
President Zelensky has hailed the European Parliament's decision to set up a special tribunal designed to investigate Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote: "I welcome the adoption of the @Europarl_EN resolution on the establishment of a Special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
"I call on all our partners to support such a tribunal. Russia must be held accountable for its war of aggression and justice must prevail."
I welcome the adoption of the @Europarl_EN resolution on the establishment of a Special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. I call on all our partners to support such a tribunal. Russia must be held accountable for its war of aggression and justice must prevail.
Russia has lost 14 artillery systems within the last 24 hours, the highest figure seen this year.
A further 760 troops were also killed taking the total personnel losses to 118,530.
«It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.»
Norman Schwarzkopf
Total combat losses of the enemy from Feb 24 to Jan 19: pic.twitter.com/XhWZXzW7WE
Vladimir Putin claimed Russian victory in Ukraine is "inevitable" as he visited factory workers in St Petersburg.
The dictator told workers that he is actually attempting to end a war that has been raging since 2014, according to the Guardian.
Putin said: "Large-scale combat operations involving heavy weapons, artillery, tanks and aircraft haven’t stopped in Donbas since 2014.
"All that we are doing today, as part of the special military operation, is an attempt to stop this war. This is the meaning of our operation – protecting people who live on those territories."
Nearly 9,000 Ukrainians have completed their training since coming to the UK.
195,000 items of kit are being taken back with them.
Kit includes:
The @BritishArmy provides Ukrainian recruits training on UK soil with winter kit items as they prepare to return to the harsh weather in Ukraine.
Kit includes:
✅ Winter kit
✅ First aid kit
✅ Protective kit
🇺🇦 #WeStandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/OpqJFikGFG
The UK’s MoD has claimed that Putin is likely to be “considering deploying a small number of its new T-14 Armata main battle tanks in Ukraine.”
The Ministry added: “In late December 2022, imagery showed T-14s on a training area in southern Russia: the site has been associated with pre-deployment activity for the Ukraine operation.
“This followed pro-government Russia media outlets claiming T-14s were being prepared for deployment. However, it is unclear whether Russia has yet moved the type into Ukraine.
“Any T-14 deployment is likely to be a high-risk decision for Russia. Eleven years in development, the programme has been dogged with delays, reduction in planned fleet size, and reports of manufacturing problems.”
Telegram channel General SVR – which claims to be fed information by a Kremlin insider – said Putin has become "withdrawn and laconic".
It also alleged the Russian president is suffering from "weakness, dizziness and lack of appetite" as he is "undergoing therapy with the use of drugs".
According to the reported insider, treatment is having a detrimental effect on his "psycho-emotional state" – which could prompt him to unleash more terrifying threats.
The Kremlin hit back at the Ukrainian's comments about Putin – saying the tyrant "does and will exist".
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "It is clear that both Russia and Putin are a big problem for Ukraine and for Zelensky.
"And it is clear that purely psychologically, Mr Zelensky would prefer that neither Russia nor Putin existed."
According to Pravda, he said Ukraine should "realise that Russia and Putin do and will exist".
The Kremlin has claimed that it will reach the goals in Ukraine "one way or another".
The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters: "The sooner the Ukrainian regime shows its readiness to meet Russia’s demands – which will be achieved one way or another – the sooner everything will end.
"The sooner Ukrainian people can begin to recover after this tragedy, which was started by the regime in Kyiv."
Speaking to the World Economic Forum's annual meeting Zelensky has said that he isn't "entirely sure" Putin is "still alive".
He told the crowd in Davos: "I don't quite understand who to talk to and about what.
"I'm not sure that Russia's president, who sometimes appears against the chroma key is really him."
Vladimir Putin's list of issues has grown as the feared Wagner Group's founder has slammed the tyrant's administration.
The private military group's founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has hit out at Putin for not eliminating Russia's "information plague".
Despite clamping down on foreign media and social networks, Russia still allows civilians access to YouTube.
The Wagner group boss blamed the Kremlin for not implementing a ban, claiming: "We have a huge number of people on Staraya Square in the presidential administration who think only about one thing: if only Russia lost the war as soon as possible, if only the Americans would come and regulate us as soon as possible.
"Those who are against the closure of YouTube are, in my opinion, people who are traitors to their people and their country."
Zelensky has reiterated that foreign partner countries should not hesitate with military assistance.
Zelensky said: "There can be no segmented assistance or selectivity in strengthening our army. We need all forces, because we are fighting against tyranny."
He added that Ukraine primarily needs air defense systems from its partners to protect energy infrastructure from attacks by Russia.
Zelensky said: "Our partners know the energy infrastructure of our country and all the objects Russia can hit to create another blackout."
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