Russia – Ukraine war latest news: More mass found graves near Mariupol as at least 16,000 residents buried in them
THE MAYOR of the city of Mariupol says staff have discovered 25 new grave trenches where Vladimir Putin's troops have buried at least 16,000 residents.
The bodies have apparently been placed in “layers” as ruthless Russian occupiers have buried the citizens here in these mass graves near the city since the middle of April.
Mayor Vadym Boichenko, Mariupol City Council reports on Telegram: "We estimated the death toll at 22,000 people in Mariupol. But more and more facts show that the consequences of the Ruscist crime are much worse.
"This and the dire state of the local population under occupation need special attention of the global community," the mayor stressed.
In total, the City Council said that the invaders have buried at least 16,000 Mariupol residents in mass graves near the villages of Staryi Krym, Manhush and Vynohradne since mid-April.
Another 5,000 people were buried by municipal service by mid-March. Thousands of bodies still remain under the rubble, in natural cemeteries and in temporary mortuaries.
Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest rolling news and updates…
- Milica Cosic
More mass graves found near Mariupol
THE MAYOR of the city of Mariupol says staff have discovered 25 new grave trenches where Vladimir Putin's troops have buried at least 16,000 residents.
The bodies have apparently been placed in “layers” as ruthless Russian occupiers have buried the citizens here in these mass graves near the city since the middle of April.
Mayor Vadym Boichenko, Mariupol City Council reports on Telegram: "We estimated the death toll at 22,000 people in Mariupol. But more and more facts show that the consequences of the Ruscist crime are much worse.
"This and the dire state of the local population under occupation need special attention of the global community," the mayor stressed.
In total, the City Council said that the invaders have buried at least 16,000 Mariupol residents in mass graves near the villages of Staryi Krym, Manhush and Vynohradne since mid-April.
Another 5,000 people were buried by municipal service by mid-March. Thousands of bodies still remain under the rubble, in natural cemeteries and in temporary mortuaries.
- Louis Allwood
Putin may already be using body doubles
Russian President Vladimir Putin may already be using body doubles appearances to hide his poor health, according to reports.
It has now been claimed that Putin could already be using tricks such as pre-recorded appearances and maybe even body doubles to stage manage his health.
Its widely been reported the Kremlin keeps careful tabs on Putin's appearances, and yesterday eagle eyed Russia watchers spotted Vlad appears to be reusing the same "actors" during televised meet and greets.
British intelligence officials said the Russian tyrant's cronies would have to keep his death a secret from the world for weeks – or even months, reports The Daily Star Sunday.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday denied speculation that President Vladimir Putin was ill, saying there were no signs pointing to any ailment.
Answering a question from France’s broadcaster TF1, Russia’s top diplomat said: “I don’t think that sane people can see in this person signs of some kind of illness or ailment.”
This comes after the Russian leader has long been rumoured to be battling illnesses such as cancer and Parkinson's.
- Louis Allwood
UK air defence system sent to help branded ‘fiasco’
Britain's Sky Sabre air defence system is not up and running a month after arriving in Poland.
More than 75 UK troops are stuck camping in a Polish sports hall while glitches are fixed.
It arrived to protect Polish airspace from Russia in April but will not be firing until August.
Sky Sabre was unveiled earlier this year as Britain’s most sophisticated anti-aircraft and drone kit.
It is meant to be so advanced it can hit a tennis ball travelling at three times the speed of sound.
But sources say it has been blighted software problems as it prepared for deployment in Eastern Europe.
Last night, the MoD claimed it was never going to be up and running until late summer but Whitehall insiders say plans were ripped up and delayed.
A defence source said: “The equipment is stationed alongside a US Patriot missile long-range air defence system that has been operational for several weeks.
“Our US counterparts are highly amused at the predicament facing us Brits.”
- Louis Allwood
Russia makes accusations against Ukraine
Ukrainian troops have been accused by Russia of "outrageous" attacks on civilian infrastructure while fighting in Donbas.
Russia's Interfax news agency reports that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Ukraine is striking targets which include "children's institutions".
He added that it was this kind of attack that Russian troops were fighting to prevent in the eastern region of Ukraine.
He says: "And it is precisely this – protecting people from these neo-Nazis who do this – this is precisely the main goal that is being pursued during the special military operation."
- Louis Allwood
Russia’s ‘best paratroop commander’ killed in Ukraine
Two more Russian colonels have been killed in Ukraine — including the country’s “best paratroop commander”.
Lt-Col Alexander Dosyagayev, 34, led an airborne battalion of the 104th paratroop regiment.
Some of his troops were said to have been in Bucha — scene of rape and torture atrocities.
His battalion, based in Pskov, was recognised as the best in Russia during checks on combat training and discipline.
The other dead commander is Col Vladimir Ivanov, 41 — who served in the Russian defence ministry’s department in charge of propaganda.
He and Dosyagayev are the 47th and 48th colonels known to have died fighting in Ukraine.
- Louis Allwood
Russians annihilate Ukrainian town ‘in 8 SECONDS’
This is the horrifying moment shockwaves rip through the air after Russia launched a vacuum bomb attack on a village in eastern Ukraine.
Dramatic footage shows a series of explosions as the Russian army annihilates a small Ukrainian town centre with thermobaric weapons in just eight seconds.
The drone video, published by pro-Russian Telegram channels, shows half a dozen huge explosions rocking the village of Novomykhailivka, in Donetsk Oblast of eastern Ukraine.
The village is located some 40km from the centre of Donetsk city.
As the explosions go off, shockwaves can clearly be seen rippling through the air – in a new piece of evidence that Russia has been employing 'thermobaric' vacuum weapons.
Thermobaric, or vacuum, bombs are controversial as they cause a lot more damage to life and property than conventional bombs of similar size.
While there are no laws that ban thermobaric weapons from being used in warfare, their use against civilians is banned under the Geneva Convention and could constitute a war crime.
The catastrophic weapons are among the most powerful non-nuclear weapons ever developed.
- Louis Allwood
Russian troops enter Severodonetsk
According to a Ukrainian news website, Severodonetsk city's district administration head, has been quoted as saying Russian forces had advanced into the centre, where fighting has raged for days.
Roman Vlasenko said: "The enemy was able to enter from two directions, Novoaydar and Starobilsk. It is controlling a strip of around 100m. They could not advance much deeper, our guys are holding the line."
Vlasenko also said Russian offensives were under way in nearby Lysychansk, but he claimed they were still limited to the countryside. "The guys are holding their ground," he said.
- Louis Allwood
Bucha killings 'must never happen again'
France's new foreign minister Catherine Colonna today condemned killings of civilians outside Kyiv during a visit to Ukraine in a show of support as Russian forces advance in the east.
"This should never have happened. It must never happen again," Colonna told reporters after visiting an Orthodox church in the town of Bucha outside the capital Kyiv, where Russian forces have been accused of killing civilians.
She said France stood with victims of alleged Russian atrocities and that her country would "do everything in its power to restore peace".
- Louis Allwood
Putin commander boasts how he 'enjoys' killing Ukrainians
A commander loyal to Vladimir Putin close ally warlord Ramzan Kadyrov has boasted that he “enjoys” killing Ukrainians.
Police colonel Zamid Chalaev, 40, has been awarded the Hero of Russia award by Putin, despite allegations of human rights abuses.
In a video reposted by Kadyrov – lead of Chechnya – the commander standing amidst a group of fighters said: “We want to say to all [Ukrainian] shaitans, Nazis, Banderovtsy – when we are killing you, we enjoy it
“Hopefully… you won't run away from Lisichansk just as you fled from Severodonetsk.”
Chalaev is said to be leading pro-Russian forces in part of an advance against Ukraine in Luhansk region.
Kadyrov praised the determination to Chaelaev’s forces “to destroy the bandits to the end and liberate the Donbas from the terrorists who have been oppressing its population for eight years.
“I am sure that these men will cope with the most difficult tasks at any cost, even if necessary – with their lives.
“They will achieve the victory of good over evil.”
- Louis Allwood
'NATO's support for Ukraine is unbreakable'
NATO's support for Ukraine is unbreakable, and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not reach his objectives in Ukraine, Spanish Primer Minister Pedro Sanchez said tday.
"Supporting Ukraine with determination is the only way to ensure that the Europe and the world we have built has a certain future," he told an event marking Spain's 40th anniversary as part of the alliance.
- Louis Allwood
President Zelenskyy sacks Kharkiv security chief
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited troops on the frontline in the northeastern region of Kharkiv in his first official appearance outside of Kyiv.
In a video address later on Sunday, he praised regional officials in Kharkiv.
However, the Ukrainian President said he had sacked the regional head of the country’s top security agency, the SBU, due to his poor performance.
“He did not work to defend the city from the first days of the full-scale war but thought only of himself personally,” he said.
“What were his motives? Police are investigating.”
- Louis Allwood
Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund
Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund.
Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
Donate here to help The Sun’s fund
Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles
£3 — text SUN£3
£5 — text SUN£5
£10 — text SUN£10Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile
- Louis Allwood
Putin warned to bring his troops home or face ‘even more orphans’
A veteran legislator issued an appeal to Vladimir Putin to bring back his troops amid growing Russian protests about the war.
Speaking during a regional assembly in the Primorsky region, Communist deputy Leonid Vasyukevich, 69, blasted the use of Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
He said: “We are backing measures to support families of servicemen killed during the special military operation.
“We understand that unless our country stops the special military operation, there will be even more orphans.
“Young men die and are maimed during the operation, even though they could have benefited our country.”
The brave local MP added that three months have passed since the start of the war “and it is clearly impossible to reach success by a military way”.
He said if Putin continues it “will inevitably lead to an increase in numbers of killed and wounded servicemen,” concluding by demanding the “immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine”.
- Louis Allwood
Hungary’s PM has criticised the European Commission
Viktor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister, has criticised the European Commission for what he called “irresponsible” behaviour over the way it’s handled a proposed Russian oil ban.
Upon arrival at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, he suggested the Commission had failed to properly negotiate the embargo with member countries.
He said the oil ban had come “out of the blue” without answering questions on Hungary’s energy security. “Energy is a serious issue. We need solutions and then the sanctions," he said.
- Louis Allwood
Russian soldier gives middle finger to Ukrainian drone moments before craft blitzes Putin’s forces
THIS is the moment a Russian soldier flipped his middle finger at a Ukrainian drone before the craft reduced the troops and tank to a fireball wreckage.
Vladimir Putin's calamitous invasion has seen Moscow lose some 30,000 fighters and 1,330 tanks as defiant Ukrainian defenders blitz the enemy from above.
Fresh footage from Ukrainian forces pushing back in the East show troops using a drone to drop munitions on a Russian BTR-82A APC.
Putin's soldiers had attempted to conceal it next to a building.
The clip shows the drone eyeing up six Russian troops standing around the military vehicle.
As the camera zooms in, one of the fighters can be seen turning his head to the sky before sticking up his middle finger to the craft.
But the drone then unleashes a grenade onto the tank causing it to erupt into flames.
- Louis Allwood
Chelsea officially confirm £4.25 BILLION takeover
Todd BOEHLY'S era as owner of Chelsea has officially begun after he beat 250 bidders to the purchase of the club.
The Blues have confirmed the consortium fronted by the 46-year-old American has assumed control of the club.
Roman Abramovich's 19-year association with Chelsea has finally come to an end after he decided to sell earlier this year following sanctions placed upon him amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Boehly's £4.25bn bid was approved by the Premier League and UK Government last week, and the deal has now been rubber-stamped.
The European Union have given the takeover the go-ahead after fears Abramovich's Portuguese passport could scupper the deal.
Russian billionaire Abramovich is on the EU sanctions list and there had been genuine worry European chiefs would block the move.
- Louis Allwood
French journalist killed by shrapnel
According to reports, Luhansk's regional governor Serhiy Haidai has shared graphic images showing a badly damaged lorry with a smashed windscreen and blood on the interior.
The body of Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff can be seen on the pavement, believed to be the French journalist Haidai says was killed by a Russian shell.
Officials say he suffered a fatal wound to the neck after shrapnel pierced the vehicle's armour.
- Louis Allwood
Putin may already be using body doubles
Russian President Vladimir Putin may already be using body doublesappearances to hide his poor health, according to reports.
It has now been claimed that Putin could already be using tricks such as pre-recorded appearances and maybe even body doubles to stage manage his health.
Its widely been reported the Kremlin keeps careful tabs on Putin's appearances, and yesterday eagle eyed Russia watchers spotted Vlad appears to be reusing the same "actors" during televised meet and greets.
British intelligence officials said the Russian tyrant's cronies would have to keep his death a secret from the world for weeks – or even months, reports The Daily Star Sunday.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday denied speculation that President Vladimir Putin was ill, saying there were no signs pointing to any ailment.
Answering a question from France’s broadcaster TF1, Russia’s top diplomat said: “I don’t think that sane people can see in this person signs of some kind of illness or ailment.”
This comes after the Russian leader has long been rumoured to be battling illnesses such as cancer and Parkinson's.
- Louis Allwood
UK air defence system sent to help branded ‘fiasco’
Britain's Sky Sabre air defence system is not up and running a month after arriving in Poland.
More than 75 UK troops are stuck camping in a Polish sports hall while glitches are fixed.
It arrived to protect Polish airspace from Russia in April but will not be firing until August.
Sky Sabre was unveiled earlier this year as Britain’s most sophisticated anti-aircraft and drone kit.
It is meant to be so advanced it can hit a tennis ball travelling at three times the speed of sound.
But sources say it has been blighted software problems as it prepared for deployment in Eastern Europe.
Last night, the MoD claimed it was never going to be up and running until late summer but Whitehall insiders say plans were ripped up and delayed.
A defence source said: “The equipment is stationed alongside a US Patriot missile long-range air defence system that has been operational for several weeks.
“Our US counterparts are highly amused at the predicament facing us Brits.”
- Louis Allwood
Russia makes accusations against Ukraine
Ukrainian troops have been accused by Russia of "outrageous" attacks on civilian infrastructure while fighting in Donbas.
Russia's Interfax news agency reports that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Ukraine is striking targets which include "children's institutions".
He added that it was this kind of attack that Russian troops were fighting to prevent in the eastern region of Ukraine.
He says: "And it is precisely this – protecting people from these neo-Nazis who do this – this is precisely the main goal that is being pursued during the special military operation."
- Louis Allwood
Russia’s ‘best paratroop commander’ killed in Ukraine
Two more Russian colonels have been killed in Ukraine — including the country’s “best paratroop commander”.
Lt-Col Alexander Dosyagayev, 34, led an airborne battalion of the 104th paratroop regiment.
Some of his troops were said to have been in Bucha — scene of rape and torture atrocities.
His battalion, based in Pskov, was recognised as the best in Russia during checks on combat training and discipline.
The other dead commander is Col Vladimir Ivanov, 41 — who served in the Russian defence ministry’s department in charge of propaganda.
He and Dosyagayev are the 47th and 48th colonels known to have died fighting in Ukraine.
- Louis Allwood
Russians annihilate Ukrainian town ‘in 8 SECONDS’
This is the horrifying moment shockwaves rip through the air after Russia launched a vacuum bomb attack on a village in eastern Ukraine.
Dramatic footage shows a series of explosions as the Russian army annihilates a small Ukrainian town centre with thermobaric weapons in just eight seconds.
The drone video, published by pro-Russian Telegram channels, shows half a dozen huge explosions rocking the village of Novomykhailivka, in Donetsk Oblast of eastern Ukraine.
The village is located some 40km from the centre of Donetsk city.
As the explosions go off, shockwaves can clearly be seen rippling through the air – in a new piece of evidence that Russia has been employing 'thermobaric' vacuum weapons.
Thermobaric, or vacuum, bombs are controversial as they cause a lot more damage to life and property than conventional bombs of similar size.
While there are no laws that ban thermobaric weapons from being used in warfare, their use against civilians is banned under the Geneva Convention and could constitute a war crime.
The catastrophic weapons are among the most powerful non-nuclear weapons ever developed.
- Louis Allwood
Russian troops enter Severodonetsk
According to a Ukrainian news website, Severodonetsk city's district administration head, has been quoted as saying Russian forces had advanced into the centre, where fighting has raged for days.
Roman Vlasenko said: "The enemy was able to enter from two directions, Novoaydar and Starobilsk. It is controlling a strip of around 100m. They could not advance much deeper, our guys are holding the line."
Vlasenko also said Russian offensives were under way in nearby Lysychansk, but he claimed they were still limited to the countryside. "The guys are holding their ground," he said.
- Milica Cosic
Bucha killings 'must never happen again'
France's new foreign minister Catherine Colonna today condemned killings of civilians outside Kyiv during a visit to Ukraine in a show of support as Russian forces advance in the east.
"This should never have happened. It must never happen again," Colonna told reporters after visiting an Orthodox church in the town of Bucha outside the capital Kyiv, where Russian forces have been accused of killing civilians.
She said France stood with victims of alleged Russian atrocities and that her country would "do everything in its power to restore peace".
- Milica Cosic
Putin commander boasts how he 'enjoys' killing Ukrainians
A commander loyal to Vladimir Putin close ally warlord Ramzan Kadyrov has boasted that he “enjoys” killing Ukrainians.
Police colonel Zamid Chalaev, 40, has been awarded the Hero of Russia award by Putin, despite allegations of human rights abuses.
In a video reposted by Kadyrov – lead of Chechnya – the commander standing amidst a group of fighters said: “We want to say to all [Ukrainian] shaitans, Nazis, Banderovtsy – when we are killing you, we enjoy it
“Hopefully… you won't run away from Lisichansk just as you fled from Severodonetsk.”
Chalaev is said to be leading pro-Russian forces in part of an advance against Ukraine in Luhansk region.
Kadyrov praised the determination to Chaelaev’s forces “to destroy the bandits to the end and liberate the Donbas from the terrorists who have been oppressing its population for eight years.
“I am sure that these men will cope with the most difficult tasks at any cost, even if necessary – with their lives.
“They will achieve the victory of good over evil.”
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