Ukraine war latest: Talks with Russia progress and ‘some results days’ away as Putin’s forces hit military base

‘Time is running out’

All parties have been urged by The Red Cross to come to an agreement over humanitarian aid as “time is running out” in Mariupol.

Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross said: “We call on all parties involved in the fighting to place humanitarian imperatives first.

“People in Mariupol have endured a weeks-long life-and-death nightmare. This needs to stop now. Their safety and their access to food, water and shelter must be guaranteed.”

Protestors tell glam ‘stepdaughter’ of Russian foreign minister ‘your dad’s a MURDERER’

PROTESTORS told a Russian foreign minister’s alleged step-daughter “your dad’s a murderer” outside her £4.4million London flat.

Activists also branded Polina Kovaleva, 26, the daughter of a war criminal who allegedly launders his money in the capital.

They gathered outside her flat in Kensington, South London, yesterday to protest Sergei Lavrov’s involvement in the Ukraine war.

Security staff refused to say whether she was still in London earlier this week.

And MPs have called for her to be added to the hundreds of people already sanctioned for having links to Putin’s regime.

Her mother Svetlana Polyakova, 51, has reportedly been the mistress of foreign minister Lavrov, 71, for around 20 years.

800 detained at Russia anti-war protests

There have been anti-war protests in Russia, where police detained more than 800 people.

The OVD-Info NGO said police had detained 817 people during demonstrations in 37 cities in Russia.

World War Z has begun and Putin’s REAL target is us

This is a comment piece by Mark Almond

VLADIMIR PUTIN’S brutal invasion of Ukraine has sparked a potential global conflict.

If it spirals out of control — dragging in neighbouring Nato countries — World War Three could be on the cards.

Even without a nuclear Armageddon between Russia and the West, this crisis is the beginning of a long arm-wrestling match between the Kremlin and us (the West). I call it World War Z.

“Z” is the call-sign painted on the Russian tanks pouring into Ukraine. It symbolises the Russian term “Onward to Victory”.

Eighty years ago Churchill had his V for Victory sign as a symbol of hope against the Nazis.

Putin’s Z for victory is his sign for a grim future, with Russia’s neighbours under his heel and the rest of us under constant pressure.

Maybe a ceasefire will be arranged between Russia and Ukraine. There will be relief at anything that stops the slaughter of civilians.

But it will only be a pause in the new worldwide competition between Russia and the West. World War Z is only starting.

‘We’re taking in refugees because it’s our moral obligation’

A BRITISH couple have said they want to open their home to Ukrainian refugees because it is their “moral obligation”.

Matthew and Hannah Hornsby are among those across the UK offering their spare rooms for people fleeing the war after the invasion by Russia.

The Hornsby’s told Sky News they already have a room prepared ready to welcome a family from Ukraine.

Mrs Hornsby said: “It’s a moral obligation, I think for us all here to be able to do something.”

Her husband said: “We’ve got the space to do this.

“We’ve got a family, we’ve got children, but what why would we refuse these people that are in desperate need?”

Horror as Russian tank ‘runs over car killing two men and a teenage boy’

A RUSSIAN tank killed two men as it ran over a car while teenage boy burnt to death in the wreckage, according to Ukrainian police.

The trio were trying to flee when they were reportedly pulled over by Vladimir Putin’s troops in the city of Zaporizhzhia, southeastern Ukraine.

White House adviser warns Russia of ‘severe price’ if it carried out a chemical attack

The White House national security adviser has warned Russia that it would pay a “severe price” if it carried out a chemical weapon attack.

Jake Sullivan said the US and allies were consulting closely about the increased threat.

He added that any attack on the territory of a Nato member state would trigger a full response by the alliance.

Brits to be given £350-a-month to open homes to Ukraine refugees with applications launched from TOMORROW

BRITISH families who open their homes to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war will be given a £350-a-month “thank you” payment.

The venture will kick off from tomorrow with hopes the cash incentive will encourage people to take in those who have been forced to leave their homeland behind.

Ukrainian West Ham star Yarmolenko scores in first game since Russian invasion

ANDRIY YARMOLENKO broke down into tears after scoring on his return to first-team action for West Ham in the 2-1 win against Aston Villa.

The Ukraine superstar was given compassionate leave after Russia invaded his homeland and hasn’t featured since February 5 against Kidderminster.

Chelsea given £110m Government lifeline to ensure they finish Premier League season

CHELSEA have been handed a £110million cash lifeline — to ensure they can finish the season.

The Government’s decision to ease their financial stranglehold on the Blues came as sanction-hit Russian owner Roman Abramovich was BANNED by the Premier League.

World and European club champions Chelsea were in danger of plunging into administration after the Government’s  stringent licence limited funds to meet their £28m monthly wage bill and all other outgoings.

But MPs yesterday revealed that two days of negotiations with club chiefs had resulted in a revised licence which will now allow the Blues to access previously FROZEN television and prize money.

Chelsea are permitted to use all the  potential £35m in TV income from the Prem and Uefa until the end of the season PLUS all prize money they are due from domestic and European competitions.

They are set to pocket £39m from the Prem if they stay in third place — and up to £36m if they retain their Champions League crown.

More than 2,100 Mariupol residents killed

The City council of Mariupol have said that 2,187 residents in the city have been killed due to the Russian invasion.

Local officials said there had been at least 22 Russian strikes on the city in the past day.

“People have been in a difficult situation for 12 days. There is no electricity, water or heating in the city. There is almost no mobile communication. The last reserves of food and water are running out,” a statement said.

Chelsea fans display Roman Abramovich flag

CHELSEA fans proudly displayed a banner in support of Roman Abramovich after the billionaire was slapped with sanctions by the UK government.

The oligarch was sanctioned over his close ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

Chelsea are now unable to sell tickets to matches, with only season ticket holders able to attend games at Stamford Bridge.

Abramovich is also banned from selling the club or any players, with the Russian unable to make any money from the club with his assets frozen.

The Blues are not allowed to flog any club merchandise or extend stars’ contracts either, with only sales of food and drink in the stadium permitted.

With the club in disarray, fans have shown their support for Abramovich – who took over the club in 2003.

Martin Roberts reveals he’s halfway through 26-hour ‘mercy dash’ to drop supplies in Ukraine

HOMES Under The Hammer star Martin Roberts has revealed he’s halfway through a 26-hour “mercy dash” in Ukraine.

The TV star took to Twitter in a video update as he admitted he had been driving through the night through France.

Martin, 58, looked exhausted as he filmed from his phone standing behind a van packed from top to bottom with supplies.

He admitted he had only slept a few hours as he prepared for the second leg of his journey across Germany and Poland.

It comes days after the star revealed his plans to drive the packed van across Europe to help those affected by Putin’s attacks in Ukraine.

The New York Times have released a statement

The New York Times (NYT) have said that they are ‘deeply saddened’ to hear of the passing of Brent Renaud.

They have confirmed however, that he was not currently working for NYT and was carrying a badge that had been assigned to him ‘many years ago’.

Zelensky’s incredible speech to the House of Commons was up there with Churchill in 1940

This is a comment piece by Karren Brady

I DON’T keep a journal, but when something remarkable happens, I make a point of writing it down in the back of my diary.

Sometimes that is once a month. Sometimes it’s once a year.

I had one of those moments last week when, in my role as a member of the House of Lords, I was invited to the Commons to watch Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s historic address.

All business in both houses stopped so we could hear him speak, and translation was provided. And it was truly remarkable.

As I waited for the address to start, I sat chatting to Lord Fellowes (who wrote Downton Abbey and the fantastic new Sky series The Gilded Age).

My first impression was that the poor man looked exhausted.

Zelensky said he hadn’t slept and it showed.

American journalist killed by Russian troops

AN AMERICAN journalist has been killed by Russian troops while covering the war in Ukraine, according to police in Kyiv.

Reporter Brent Renaud was reportedly shot dead in Irpin, just outside the capital.

Kyiv police said on Twitter that a journalist had been shot dead and another had been wounded in Irpin.

It said: “In Irpin, the Russian occupiers have just shot the international journalists of the New York Times. 

“One killed, one wounded. Now militiamen try to take out the victim from a combat zone.”

Zelensky outlines most important task

Zelensky says the most important task is to bring aid to the besieged city of Mariupol.

He said a humanitarian convoy was just 80km which has been under constant attack from Russian forces for almost a week.

“We are doing everything to break the resistance of the occupiers, who are blocking even priests of the Orthodox Church,” Zelensky wrote, in a post on Facebook.

Russian convoy ambushed by Ukrainians using anti-tank missiles

ANOTHER Russian convoy is ambushed by brave Ukrainians using lethal anti-tank missiles.

Footage of the successful counterattack – the latest of several caught on film in a matter of days amid Putin’s crumbling invasion – shows a rocket make a direct hit.

Posted online, the clip shows what appears to show one of the convoys being obliterated as Russian troops quickly scatter.

At least one Russian tank and one armoured personnel carrier seems to have been hit by the missiles – which were fired from behind trees.