Russia Ukraine war live: US targets Putin’s war machine with 600 new sanctions ahead of anniversary

UK political leaders have marked the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine by vowing to stand with Kyiv “until they prevail”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “tyranny will never triumph” as President Volodymyr Zelensky’s troops defend the country against an emboldened Russia.

Mr Sunak said the UK was “going further in our support”, and Britain was prepared to do “whatever it takes, for as long as it takes”.

Saturday marks two years since the Kremlin launched its attack on Ukraine, starting the biggest incursion in a European country since the Second World War.

Mr Sunak, who visited Kyiv last month to sign a new security agreement and announce an increase in military funding for the country, said on Friday: “When (Russian President Vladimir) Putin launched his illegal invasion two years ago, the free world was united in its response.

“We stood together behind Ukraine. And on this grim anniversary, we must renew our determination.

“I was in Kyiv just a few weeks ago and I met wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Each harrowing story was a reminder of Ukraine‘s courage in the face of terrible suffering.

“It was a reminder of the price they are paying not only to defend their country against a completely unjustified invasion, but also to defend the very principles of freedom, sovereignty and the rule of law on which we all depend.”

“We are ready to carry on fighting and spill our blood whatever happens,” says Ivan, from the front line not far from Avdiivka. “But we know victory probably won’t be possible without the help of our allies.”

A lieutenant colonel says his battalion is facing Russian men and weaponry freed up by the capture of Avdiivka to attempt further advances while Ukrainian forces are reeling and off balance.

Switzerland has told the United Nations it intends to organise a high-level Ukraine peace conference by the summer, as the 193-member world body met to mark the second anniversary of Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour.

Ukraine is seeking to rally support for president Volodymyr Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan amid signs of war fatigue as the front lines remain largely unchanged and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has become a more pressing focus of global attention.

“At Ukraine‘s request, we intend to organise by the summer a high-level conference on peace in Ukraine,” Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told the UN General Assembly. “I would therefore like to take this opportunity to invite all nations … to work together towards our common goal.”

Mr Zelensky’s peace plan envisages the restoration of Ukraine‘s territorial integrity, withdrawal of all Russian troops, protection of food and energy supplies, nuclear safety and the release of all prisoners of war.

“Russia cannot ignore the voice of the world majority if we all take a principled stance and act together. The peace formula … represents exactly such an opportunity,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the General Assembly.

Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said: “One should not waste time on Kyiv’s futile plans to negotiate on the basis of Zelensky’s so-called peace formula.

“It is nothing other than an ultimatum to Russia and an attempt to lure as many countries as possible into endless meetings on this utopian project.”

The people of Ukraine are unsurprisingly weary of death and destruction, but two years on Kim Sengupta finds their spirit still burns bright

Pauline Amos has written, directed and performs in ‘Branded’ a film in support of artists who face repression. As we reach the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the film goes on a UK tour, she talks about how important Art is and the heroic Kateryna Polishchuk who provides the voice for the film

Sanctions and export controls have been announced to slow Russia down, “making it harder for them to fight their war of choice,” Deputy US Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said.

Russian authorities have told Alexei Navalny’s mother that she has just three hours to decide whether to agree to a secret funeral for her son or allow him to be buried in the colony where he is being held, his spokesperson has claimed.

In a statement on X, Kira Yarmysh wrote: “An investigator called Alexey’s mother an hour ago and gave her an ultimatum. Either she agrees to a secret funeral without a public farewell within 3 hours, or Alexey will be buried in the colony.

“She refused to negotiate with the IC, as they are not authorised to decide how and where her son should be buried. She is demanding compliance with the law, according to which investigators are obliged to hand over the body within two days of establishing the cause of death.

“According to the medical documents she signed, these two days expire tomorrow. She insists that the authorities allow the funeral and memorial service to take place in accordance with normal practice.”

Russian forces have advanced further to the west after taking control of the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, the defence ministry has claimed.

It said Russian forces had also destroyed a number of Western-provided Ukrainian weapons in the past week including seven British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles, a US Patriot anti-aircraft guided missile and launch vehicle, and 42 HIMARS rockets fired by multiple launch systems.

These reports could not be verified.

The frontlines in the war, which started two years ago on Saturday, had not shifted substantially since late 2022 before the taking of Avdiivka, and Russia still controls just under a fifth of Ukrainian territory.

The capture of Avdiivka, following months of fighting with heavy casualties on both sides, was Russia’s first significant gain since taking the city of Bakhmut last May.

After taking Avdiivka, units of the “Centre” group of Russian forces “continued advancing in a westerly direction”, the defence ministry statement said.

“In cooperation with aviation and artillery, they defeated accumulations of manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces” in six nearby settlements, it said.

The Justice Department announced a series of arrests and indictments Thursday against Russian businessmen and their facilitators in five separate federal cases that span New York, Florida, Georgia and the District of Columbia.

The action was timed to coincide with the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began Feb. 24, 2022.