Ukraine news LATEST: Four 'torture chambers' discovered in Kherson where Putin's sick troops 'electrocuted civilians' | The Sun
UKRAINE says it has uncovered several of Putin's "torture chambers" in the liberated city of Kherson, used to perform sick acts on civilians.
The Office of the General Prosecutor of Ukraine said in a statement that officials had found and inspected “four premises” where Putin's bloodthirsty troops “illegally detained people and brutally tortured them”.
Parts of rubber truncheons, a wooden bat, an incandescent lamp and "a device with which the occupiers tortured civilians with electricity" were found in one location – as well as paperwork documenting the administration of the detention sites.
Sickening images show athe regime's 'Z'symbol graffiti'd across the walls in the pre-trial detention centre – with an ominous-looking contraption that appears to be a torture device.
Meanwhile, the Zaporizhzhia plant – Europe's largest nuclear station -has been subject to intense shelling over the last three days, heightening fears of a nuclear disaster as the Ukraine war rages on.
Read our Ukraine-Russia live blog below for the latest updates…
- Henry Moore
Russia and Iran reach an agreement on manufacturing hundreds of unmanned weaponised aircraft
According to the Washington Post, Russia has reached an agreement with Iran to begin manufacturing hundreds of unmanned weaponised aircraft on Russian soil.
Citing intelligence seen by US, the deal took place earlier this month.
Adrienne Watson, a National Security Council spokesperson, told The Washington Post: “Iran and Russia can lie to the world, but they can’t hide the facts: Tehran is helping kill Ukrainian civilians through the provision of weapons and assisting Russia in its operations.
“It’s another sign of how isolated both Iran and Russia are.”
- Henry Moore
New Zealand launches new wave of sanctions against Russia
New Zealand has launched a new set of sanctions against Putin's regime, reports the Kyiv Independent.
These sanctions focus on 22 Russian and Belarussian individuals, as well as several companies in the oil, gas, steel, and transport sectors.
The West has used sanctions against Russia as a key way to support Ukraine since the invasion began.
- Henry Moore
Kherson reportedly evacuated following constant blackouts
According to reports from Al Jazeera, Ukraine has begun evacuating the city of Kherson amid fears the damage to its infrastructure is too severe.
This comes after Russia retreated from the region, leaving much of the city's infrastructure completely destroyed.
The entirety of Ukraine is facing rolling blackouts, as the country attempts to save electricity before winter.
- Henry Moore
A look at the battlefield in Ukraine
Here is the current state of play on the battlefield in Ukraine, according to the British Ministry of Defence.
Since its retreat from Kherson, the Russian army has reportedly focused much of its attention on Luhansk.
- Henry Moore
Ukraine seeks 'guaranteed protection' from nuclear disaster
Speaking via video link to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Madrid, President Zelensky called for guaranteed protection from a nuclear disaster at the Zaporizhzhia power plant.
“All our nations are interested in not having any dangerous incidents at our nuclear facilities,” Mr Zelensky said.
“We all need guaranteed protection from Russian sabotage at nuclear facilities.”
- Henry Moore
Poland confirms Germany will patrol airspace following missile strike
Following last week's missile strike on the Polish village of Przewodow, Poland has confirmed that Germany will help patrol its airspace.
While the exact cause of the strike hasn't been determined yet, many sources claim it was a Ukrainian defence missile hit off-course by a Russian shell.
Two people were killed in the accident.
- Henry Moore
At least 437 children killed in the Ukrainian war so far says prosecutor general
Ukraine’s prosecutor general said that at least 437 children lost their lives because of the war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, more than 837 have been injured.
His statement said: “As of the morning of November 19, 2022, 1,274 children were affected in Ukraine as a result of Russia’s full-scale armed aggression.
“According to the official reports by juvenile prosecutors, 437 children were killed and 837 sustained injuries of varying severity.”
- Henry Moore
Ukraine celebrates Air Assualt Forces Day
Ukraine's Minister of Defence took to Twitter this afternoon to pay tribute to the nation's airforce.
He said: "I congratulate our service members on Ukrainian Air Assault Forces Day!
"Thank you for the courage and professionalism shown in the fierce battles for the freedom of Ukraine. We remember the fallen.
"We honour the living. Glory to the ones who are Always First!"
- Henry Moore
Supermarkets reopen in Kherson for the first time in eight months
Supermarkets are open once in Kherson, as life slowly returns to normality following Russia’s retreat from the region last week.
The clip below, shared by Ukrainian advisor Anton Gerashchenko, shows Kherson residents flocking to the supermarket as they stock up on food and goods for the first time in months.
Last week Kherson’s train service to Kyiv relaunched, as the city recovers from the effects of Russian occupation.
- Henry Moore
Ukrainian locates 'four' places where troops were tortured in Kherson
Ukraine has reportedly discovered several sites where Russian forces "tortured" Ukrainians during the occupation of Kherson.
“Four premises” where Russian troops “illegally detained people and brutally tortured them” have been located, according to a statement issued by the Office of the General Prosecutor in Ukraine.
Russia has denied any claims of torture and instead claims Ukraine has committed war crimes during the conflict.
- Henry Moore
Russia says Europe is at risk of a 'nuclear accident' amid Zaporizhzhia shelling
Russia's state-run atomic energy agency, Rosatom, has warned Europe of a "nuclear accident" as the Zaporizhzhia power plant continues to face shelling.
“The plant is at risk of a nuclear accident. We were in negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) all night,” Interfax quoted Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev as saying.
Europe's largest nuclear power plant has been subject to an assault over the weekend, with both sides of the conflict blaming their enemy.
- Henry Moore
The US will support Ukraine for 'as long as it takes'
A top US official has reaffirmed the country's commitment to helping Ukraine defeat Russia.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said it is “hard to predict how things will evolve and on what timeline, but we’re in this in support of Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
He added that the US will “make sure they’re doing everything to take back every inch of their sovereign territory,”
- Henry Moore
Russia shells civilian infrastructure in Kherson
Reports have emerged this morning of Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure in the recently-liberated city of Kherson.
According to the deputy head of the Kherson Oblast Council Yurii Sobolevskyi, several civilians were injured in the assault.
No further details have been provided.
- Henry Moore
Russian troops turn their focus to Luhansk – President Zelensky
Following their retreat from Kherson last week, Putin’s forces have reportedly turned their attention to the region of Luhansk, claims President Zelensky.
As they attempt to take the region, the Kremlin’s troops have bombarded Ukraine’s army with 400 artillery attacks.
“The fiercest battles, as before, are in the Donetsk region,” Mr Zelensky said.
“Although there were fewer attacks today due to worsening weather, the amount of Russian shelling unfortunately remains extremely high.”
“In the Luhansk region, we are slowly moving forward while fighting. As of now, there have been almost 400 artillery attacks in the east since the start of the day,” he added.
- Henry Moore
In Pictures: The Zelenskys pay tribute to the 'heavenly hundred'
Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Olena, have been pictured in Kyiv today, paying tribute to the so-called "heavenly hundred" who died during a pro-EU rally in 2014.
- Henry Moore
Russian losses continue to mount as Putin bombards Luhansk
Russian losses have hit 84,600, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.
This marks a further 390 casualties for the invading nation in the past 24 hours.
- Henry Moore
Zelensky hails the sacrifices made by Ukrainian people on the National Day of Dignity
Speaking in a video address, President Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed the sacrifices made by the people of Ukraine, as they look to repel Russia's bloodthirsty invasion.
“We can be left without money. Without gasoline. Without hot water. Without light. But not without freedom,” he said in recognition of Ukraine's National Day of Dignity.
The steadfast President honoured the work of teachers, soldiers and all Ukrainians in his speech.
- Henry Moore
UN nuclear watchdog to investigate Europe's largest atomic power plant
The International Atomic Energy Agency has said the recent shelling of the Zaporizhzhia power plant has been "critical" and the organisation will begin investigating the attacks soon.
"Even though there was no direct impact on key nuclear safety and security systems at the plant, the shelling came dangerously close to them," IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said.
"We are talking metres, not kilometres. Whoever is shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, is taking huge risks and gambling with many people’s lives.”
- Henry Moore
Russia continues to bombard Luhansk, MoD intel reveals
The British Ministry of Defence has shared some more intel on the Russian bombardment of Luhansk.
The statement reads: "Over the last seven days, intense artillery exchanges have continued around the Svatove sector in Luhansk Oblast in north-eastern Ukraine.
"As on other parts of the front, Russian forces continue to prioritise constructing defensive positions, almost certainly partially manned by poorly trained mobilised reservists.
"With Russia’s south-western front line now more readily defendable along the east bank of the Dnipro River, the Svatove sector is likely now a more vulnerable operational flank of the Russian force.
"As a significant population centre within Luhansk Oblast, Russian leaders will highly likely see retaining control of Svatove as a political priority.
"However, commanders are likely struggling with the military realities of maintaining a credible defence, while also attempting to resource offensive operations further south in Donetsk.
"Both Russian defensive and offensive capability continues to be hampered by severe shortages of munitions and skilled personnel."
- Henry Moore
Russia’s nuclear blackmail could lead to other nations seeking nukes, official claims
A top US official has said that Russia’s successful use of nuclear blackmail during its invasion of Ukraine could see other nations follow suit.
“They could well conclude that getting nuclear weapons would give them a hunting license of their own,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
The west has been unable to militarily support Ukraine during Russia’s brutal invasion out of fear it could trigger nuclear war.
- Joseph Gamp
UN nuclear chief denounces strikes on Ukraine power plant
The UN's atomic watchdog chief on Sunday denounced "targeted" strikes at Ukraine's Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, calling for a "stop to this madness", as Kyiv and Moscow traded blame.
Ukraine meanwhile dismissed Russian accusations that it had executed surrendering soldiers.
"The news from our team yesterday and this morning is extremely disturbing," said a statement Sunday from Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"Explosions occurred at the site of this major nuclear power plant, which is completely unacceptable.
"Whoever is behind this, it must stop immediately," he added.
"As I have said many times before, you're playing with fire!"
There were more than a dozen blasts overnight Saturday to Sunday, some of which a team of experts from the agency on site had themselves seen, the IAEA said in a statement.
- Joseph Gamp
Warehouse fire near Moscow train stations leaves several dead
At least five people have been killed in a fire at a warehouse in central Moscow near three railway stations linking the Russian capital to major cities.
Russian emergency services say the fire broke out at a two-storey brick warehouse on Sunday afternoon near the usually busy stations connecting Moscow to cities such as Saint Petersburg in the north-west, Kazan in the east or Vladivostok in the Far East.
The blaze was fully extinguished late on Sunday.
"Unfortunately, during the inspection of the debris, five people were found dead and one person was injured," Moscow's branch of the emergency situations ministry said on social media late on Sunday.
Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said the number of victims was still being clarified and attributed the blaze to the "violation of fire standards".
- Joseph Gamp
Putin congratulates new Kazakhstanian president
Vladimir Putin has congratulated Kazakhstan's incumbent president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on his landslide victory in a snap presidential poll held months after deadly unrest in the oil-rich Central Asian country.
In a statement released by the Kremlin, the despot said: "You have received a convincing mandate of trust from fellow citizens, which opens up new opportunities for the implementation of the course of national development that you are advancing,"
- Louis Allwood
'By the end of the spring, this war will be over'
Retired major general Volodymyr Havrylov said it is "only a matter of time" before Ukraine recaptures Crimea.
He told Sky News: "Of course, we would like to make it sooner than later."
Havrylov said Ukraine's aim to retake Crimea could be helped by a "black swan" event in Russia, such as an unexpected, drastic political change.
He said it was "possible" Ukrainian forces could be back in Crimea by the end of year without such an event, however.
Havrylov said he also believes the war could be wrapped up shortly after the year anniversary in February.
He added: "Of course, in this case, the war will take some time.
"But my feeling is that by the end of the spring, this war will be over."
- Louis Allwood
Russia claims Ukraine have shelled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Russia has claimed that Ukraine has shelled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant Reuters reports Russian media TASS as saying.
Fifteen shells were fired at the plant's facilities, TASS quoted Rosenergoatom adviser Renat Karchaa.
According to the reports, the shells had been fired near a dry nuclear waste storage facility and a building that houses fresh spent nuclear fuel.
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