Ukraine-Russia war latest: Moscow warns it could go to war with NATO over US move - as Germany follows Washington in approving strikes inside Russia with its weapons (2024)

Key points
  • Biden partially lifts ban on Ukraine using US arms to attack Russia, US officials say - with cross-border strikes allowed
  • Moscow warns it could go to war with NATO over US move - as Putin ally says Russia 'not bluffing' over nuclear threats
  • Germany follows US in announcing Ukraine can now use its weapons to strike targets in Russia
  • At least four dead in Kharkiv from overnight Russian missile strikes
  • Analysis: Sharp change of US policy increases chance of direct confrontation with Russia
  • The big picture: What you need to know about the war right now
  • Live reporting by Lauren Russell and Dylan Donnelly

14:22:01

Russia confirms it launched 25 'precision' strikes in Kharkiv over six days

After last night's missile strike on a block of flats, Russia's defence ministry says it has carried out 25 attacks in Kharkiv.

According to the Interfax news agency, the strikes were carried out between 25 May and 31 May with precision-guided weapons, and targeted Ukrainian military facilities.

The ministry adds Russian troops are advancing in several directions - and have captured two villages - Berestove and Ivanivka - in the Kharkiv region.

14:09:33

Watch: Aftermath of strike on Kharkiv

Several people were killed by Russian missiles that hit a block of flats, a shop and a sewing factory.

At least four people were killed in the strike, which Kyiv's air force said was done using five S-300/S-400 ballistic missiles (see 10.23am post).

Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov claimed the Russian's used a "double tap" technique, where a second strike happens soon after an initial attack.

In footage filmed after the attack, firefighters were seen trying to put out fires in the residential area, while people climbed out of windows and down ladders to safety.

13:26:01

Zelenskyy: Using Western weapons to attack Russia only 'a question of time'

Fresh off signing a security pact with Sweden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said it is a matter of time before Ukraine uses Western weapons to strike Russian territory.

The Ukrainian president has just signed his 13th security agreement with a Western nation, and is signalling that Kyiv will be striking north of Kharkiv after the US and Germany gave the green light to do so.

He says: "I think that using any weapon, Western kind of weapon, on the territory of Russia is a question of time."

Going further, Zelenskyy called for next month's NATO summit in June to address letting Ukraine join the military alliance.

Russia has consistently threatened to retaliate if Ukraine is allowed to join NATO.

Later today, Zelenskyy will sign more security agreements with Norway and Iceland - both also NATO countries.

13:05:01

Ukrainian civilians and soldiers freed after first prisoner swap with Russia for months

Russia and Ukraine have today carried out their first prisoner swap since February.

The exchange, brokered by the United Arab Emirates, saw 75 Ukrainians and 75 Russians released.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says four of the Ukrainians released were civilians held as prisoners of war.

Ukrainian officials added that 19 were defenders of Snake Island, which became the focus of global attention when a soldier stationed on the rocky outcrop told a Russian warship "go f*** yourself" at the start of the war.

Russia also handed back the bodies of 212 Ukrainians.

12:35:01

At least half a million Russian casualties since war began, UK says

The Ministry of Defence says it's likely there have been 500,000 Russian casualties since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine.

It says in its defence intelligence update that, during May, Russia has suffered its highest rate of reported casualties since February 2022 - at more than 1,200 per day.

12:15:01

Analysis: Sharp change of US policy increases chance of direct confrontation with Russia

By Alex Rossi, international correspondent

The change in US policy will not be a game changer in the Ukraine conflict but it does represent a significant shift in Washington's position.

It has far-reaching ramifications - and not just on the battlefield.

The frontlines on Ukraine's north eastern border around Kharkiv are looking increasingly shaky.

The second city is now in striking distance of Russian artillery.

Washington’s change in policy is limited in scope but it means the defenders will now be able to fire US munitions into Russia in this area only, to try and stymie a new front opening further and stop Russian forces advancing.

Again, the emphasis is being placed on defensive action rather than offensive operations - but that is a matter of interpretation and will look very different in Kyiv, Washington and of course Moscow.

Using American weapons for attacks inside Russia has always been a red line for the Americans.

Since the conflict started, the Kremlin has continuously played up with bellicose rhetoric that such moves could lead to a direct conflict with America - and the spectre of a nuclear war.

But the precarious situation in North East Ukraine and the subsequent appeals from the Zelensky administration appear to have changed the calculation of policy-makers in Washington.

It marks a sharp departure from where the Americans were at the beginning of the war.

Then the supply of weapons was only meant to be defensive in nature and to be used inside Ukrainian territory.

Now you have a situation where American guns and rocket launchers can be used to target positions inside a nuclear armed country and enemy.

Russia's response has been predictable - it's warning that the move is a serious escalation and will have serious consequences.

The move though is unlikely to change the course of the war.

For many months Ukraine has been striking deeper inside Russian territory and it has not changed Russia’s will to fight.

But it's hoped the power of American weapons will help Ukraine stabilise an area that has been under constant attack for the last three weeks and looks increasingly weak.

Time is a valuable commodity on the battlefield and the change in policy will give Kyiv the room to regroup and solidify positions as it takes arrival of the latest weapons package from the US, which was approved by Congress last month.

But America's decision also brings with it peril.

Moscow has made many empty threats since it launched its calamitous invasion but, although incremental, this represents an even deeper involvement by the US and its allies in the war.

And increases the possibility of a direct confrontation with Russia in the future.

11:51:04

Kremlin: Ukraine already trying to strike inside Russia with US weapons

The Kremlin says Ukraine is already trying to strike targets inside of Russia with American weapons - less than a day after Joe Biden gave Kyiv the green light to do so.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says: "What we know is that generally, there are already attempts to strike Russian territory with weapons produced by the United States.

"This is enough for us and it speaks volumes about the degree to which the United States is involved in the conflict."

He doesn't specify what attempts have been made by Ukraine to strike inside Russia.

As other officials have said today, Peskov blames the West for escalating the conflict and says that support for Ukraine in Europe is being whipped up to the point of "pre-war hysteria".

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said earlier today that Ukraine striking with US weapons inside of Russia could mean war with NATO (see 9.14am post).

11:27:42

Two Russian soldiers found dead in Crimea after 'stabbing' - Telegram

Two Russian soldiers were found stabbed to death in Crimea this morning, according to Telegram report.

Sapa 15, a Russian-language Telegram channel, reports a 40-year-old local resident attacked three men with a knife.

Two men, who were servicemen, died in the attack. The third man was hospitalised in shock and suffered injuries to his hand and to the area near his kidneys.

Sapa 15 named the two men killed as Niyazbek, 39 from Vladikavkaz, and Alexander, 32 from Rostov-on-Don.

According to the Telegram channel, some reports claim the three men attacked a passerby and began to beat him. The passerby then took out a knife and stabbed the trio.

Other reports say the three men "made a remark to a group drinking on a bench" before a fight broke out.

Sapa 15 also said that "it is known that the attacker was convicted of robbery almost ten years ago".

10:53:19

China defends stance on Ukraine peace conference

China has insisted its demands for an international peace conference that is recognised by both Russia andUkraineare "fair" and "impartial", and not directed at any party.

Mao Ning, a foreign ministry spokesperson, made the remarks at a news briefing after Reuters reported that China would not attend aUkrainepeace conference to be hosted by Switzerland next month - to which Russia is not invited.

"China attaches great importance to Switzerland hosting the firstUkrainePeace Summit, and has been working with the Swiss side and all parties involved since the beginning of this year," Ms Mao said.

While continuing to insist it is neutral in the conflict, China remains a strong ally of Russia - with Vladimir Putin being welcomed for a state visit in the country earlier this month.

10:30:20

Germany says Ukraine can now use its weapons to strike targets in Russia

Berlin has announced Ukraine can now use German weapons to strike inside Russia, following the US and NATO allies in loosening rules on Kyiv.

In line with the US, a government spokesperson says Ukraine can use military supplies to strike targets behind the border, but only to defend Kharkiv from attacks from the north.

"We are jointly convinced that Ukraine has the right, guaranteed under international law, to defend itself against these attacks," government spokesmanSteffen Hebestreit said.

"To do so, it can also use the weapons supplied for this purpose in accordance with its international legal obligations; including those supplied by us."

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Moscow warns it could go to war with NATO over US move - as Germany follows Washington in approving strikes inside Russia with its weapons (2024)

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