Zelensky says Hamas-Israel war is ‘taking away the focus’ from Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted the new war between Hamas and Israel was overshadowing the grinding conflict taking place in his country, where soldiers continue to fight to free their territories.

Speaking at Saturday’s briefing in Kyiv with visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mr Zelensky said: “It’s clear that the war in the Middle East is taking away the focus”.

The “weakening” of the attention on Ukraine is something Russia welcomes – but, Mr Zelensky also said, “everything is in our powers”.

The Ukrainian leader also commented on claims by his chief military commander Valery Zaluzhny, who said the war was evolving into a “positional” stage, beneficial to Moscow as it would allow it to beef up its troops and make up for the losses suffered on the battlefield.

But Mr Zelensky stressed he does not think the war in Ukraine has reached “a stalemate”, despite acknowledging “everyone is getting tired”.

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Desperate Putin’s Russia heading for collapse as Donbas assault ‘flounders’

Vladimir Putin’s latest attempt at securing a wartime victory in Ukraine ended in a humiliating disaster.

The Russian military’s assault on the Donbas region has “floundered,” according to Britain’s Ministry of Defence.

The MoD said the Kremlin has lost around 200 armoured vehicles during its assaults on Avdiika over the past three weeks.

Russia has poured substantial military resources, including soldiers, artillery, and tanks, into an attack on the Donetsk city.

This comes as experts warn that a faltering economy and frustrated youth in Russia could spell the end of President Putin’s grip on power.

Ukraine files criminal charges against Russia’s Orthodox Church leader

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) announced it had filed criminal charges against Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, in absentia for “justifying” Russia’s invasion.

Kirill has been a vocal supporter of the war in Ukraine over the past years.

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Good morning from London. I’m Alice Scarsi, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the war in Ukraine.

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