Downing Street has denied Russia’s claims that an expelled British diplomat in Moscow was a spy. The Russian FSB security service named the diplomat as Edward Wilkes and accused him of providing false information upon entry into Russia. However, the UK Foreign Office dismissed these allegations as baseless.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is withdrawing 100,000 faulty mortar shells from the frontline after numerous reports of malfunctions. The shells, which were made in Ukraine, have been recalled due to complaints and videos showing that they did not explode or hit their intended targets. The Ukrainian defense ministry is investigating the issue and plans to provide imported shells to the troops.
On the war front, Russian forces are rapidly advancing in Ukraine, taking an area half the size of London over the past month. The Russian army has captured significant territory, setting new records for the occupied territory. This escalation in the conflict has raised concerns about the dangerous phase the war may be entering.
In response to the ongoing conflict, a Ukrainian delegation led by defense minister Rustem Umerov is in South Korea to seek weapons aid. President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that Kyiv will send a detailed request for arms support, including artillery and air defense systems. South Korea is considering the request in light of the conflict and the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia.
As Russia continues its aggression, Ukraine is calling for international support to force Moscow to end the war. The use of foreign components in Russian drones and the circumvention of sanctions highlight the need for a joint effort against Russian aggression. The air raid alerts in Kyiv also underscore the efforts to unnerve civilians and undermine Ukrainian resistance.
Source
Photo credit www.independent.co.uk
