Russia and Iran accused of escalating Ukraine war

Russia and Iran are escalating the war in Ukraine, the UK and US’s most senior diplomats have warned.

The accusation from David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, and Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, paves the way for a possible change in policy to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to hit targets in Russian territory.

Speaking during a press conference in Kyiv during a joint visit to the city, the pair insisted that Iran’s move to give ballistic missiles to Russia had “clearly changed the debate”.

Mr Lammy condemned Tehran’s move as “a significant and dangerous escalation”.

The duo’s claim that it is Moscow – not Washington or London – which is responsible for escalating the conflict could signal a potential change of position over the supply of Storm Shadow missiles to Kyiv.

Currently, Ukrainian troops are not allowed to use such weaponry to hit targets in Russian territory, despite the missiles having a range of about 155 miles.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, on Wednesday urged the UK and US to make a “strong decision” ahead of expected fighting this autumn and winter.

Sir Keir Starmer and Joe Biden will discuss the potential move in Washington DC on Friday, though any final decision may come later.

Meanwhile, Russian bombers have been spotted flying over Norwegian waters as part of the largest naval exercise carried out by Moscow in the post-Soviet era.

The Russian defence ministry released footage of the “Ocean 2024” military drills, which showed missiles and gunfire aimed at water surface targets.

Around 400 warships, 120 aircraft and 90,000 personnel are taking part in the war games, which are scheduled to last until Sept 16.

Mr Lammy and Mr Blinken’s press conference on Wednesday evening wrapped up the first joint overseas trip by the UK and US’s leading diplomats for more than a decade.

The pair described their visit as a “listening” exercise – including understanding what change Ukraine wanted on its use of long-range missiles – with the findings to be fed back to their respective leaders.

However, when challenged on whether there were concerns that a change in the terms of use would be escalatory, they pointed the finger of blame back at Moscow.

Mr Blinken said: “Just speaking for the United States, from day one … we have adjusted and adapted as needs have changed, as the battlefield has changed, and I have no doubt that we’ll continue to do that, as this evolves.”

Escalation was “one of the factors that we always consider but it’s certainly not the only factor and it’s not necessarily a dispositive factor,” he said.

Mr Blinken added: “We’ve seen Russia now pursue and indeed escalate its attacks inside Ukraine, on civilians, on energy infrastructure, as well as on the Ukrainian military that’s defending its country.

“And we’ve now seen this action of Russia acquiring ballistic missiles from Iran, which will further empower their aggression in Ukraine. So if anyone is taking escalatory action, it would appear to be Mr Putin [the Russian president] and Russia.”

Mr Lammy said: “It is Putin who has escalated this week with the shipment of ballistic missiles from Iran and we’re seeing this new axis, Russia, Iran, North Korea. We urge China not to throw their lot in with this group of renegades.”

The US and UK declassified intelligence this week to accuse Iran of providing Fatah-360 ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Sky News on Wednesday published satellite imagery said to show a Russian-flagged cargo ship suspected of transporting ballistic missiles from Iran at a port in Russia a week ago.

Mr Lammy, on his first visit to Ukraine as foreign secretary, held joint talks alongside Mr Blinken with Mr Zelensky, as well as other senior figures in the Ukrainian government.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Zelensky piled further pressure on his Western allies for a change in policy on long-range missiles.

He said: “I will have a little bit later a talk with him [Blinken] and minister of foreign affairs for the UK [Lammy].

“I don’t know all the details of our conversation. I will be ready to be open and honest after these consultations. If I am optimistic about their decision to give us permission to use long distance, it is a pity it doesn’t depend on my optimism. It depends on their optimism.

“Let’s count on some strong decisions on this. For us, it is very important for today. Anyway, I will tell you after the meeting and anyway, I am counting on my dialogue with President Biden this month.”

It was also announced on Wednesday that Ukraine is to receive £600 million worth of extra support from the UK, including to build up its energy supply after targeted Russian attacks.

At least £242 million of funding will be sent directly to Ukraine. The figure was confirmed by Labour after being announced by Rishi Sunak, the then prime minister, earlier in the summer.

The Government has provided a new breakdown of how the money will be spent, including £20 million towards improving Ukraine’s energy supply as winter looms.

Follow the latest updates below

06:57 PM BST

Thank you for following today’s live coverage of the war in Ukraine.

We’ll be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

06:38 PM BST

Fresh siren rings out in Kyiv

Seconds after the press conference finished and Mr Lammy, Mr Blinken and Mr Sybiha were escorted out, an air raid siren sounded across Kyiv.

It was an eerie scene as it is now night-time in the Ukrainian capital.

The siren lasted a couple of minutes before going silent.

06:20 PM BST

Lammy hails ‘Blitz spirit’ in Ukraine

David Lammy hailed what he described as a “Blitz spirit” he witnessed the last time he visited Ukraine.

The Foreign Secretary praised “what we would call a Blitz spirit, evoking the Second World War” on display during his last trip.

“It’s humbling, it’s moving to see people do all they can to prevent this Russian aggression,” he said.

06:18 PM BST

Lammy condemns Russian ‘imperialism’

David Lammy has condemned Russia’s “imperialism and fascism”, describing Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine as part of a “very old and evil story”.

He hailed his visit alongside Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, as an “important and historic visit” that showed the iron-clad support among Ukraine’s allies.

He also unveiled that the UK would provide £400 million in humanitarian support to Kyiv this year, along with “hundreds of additional air defences and tens of thousands of artillery shells”.

06:11 PM BST

Binken and Lammy deflect on long-range missile question

Both Mr Blinken and Mr Lammy keep pointing to the UN General Assembly [Unga] meeting when discussing the long-range missile use question.

That gathering in New York happens later this month.

The emphasis sounds very much like an attempt to downplay the chance of a change in position on Storm Shadow use this Friday, when Joe Biden and Sir Keir Starmer meet in Washington.

Mr Lammy just explicitly said conversations will play out “over the next few weeks”.

06:02 PM BST

Lammy calls Iran sending ballistic missiles a ‘significant and dangerous escalation’

Mr Lammy called this week’s news that Iran is sending ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine a “significant and dangerous escalation”.

It appears this development - revealed by the US and UK - is being used to argue the situation is changing on the ground.

Which is relevant as both countries’ leaders consider approving the use by Ukraine of long-range missiles to hit deep into Russian land.

05:59 PM BST

Blinken promises to work ‘with urgency’ on Ukraine defence requests

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised to work quickly on Ukraine’s requests to ease restrictions on weapons able to strike deep inside Russia.

“We’re working with urgency to continue to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to effectively defend itself,” Mr Blinken told the conference.

He added that the US and British leaders would discuss the requests on Friday.

05:58 PM BST

‘Any restrictions’ on using US, UK weapons on Russia must be lifted, says Ukraine

Ukraine said Wednesday that “any restrictions” on using US and British weapons against Russia needed to be lifted.

“It is important to lift any restrictions on the use of US and British weapons against legitimate military targets in Russia,” Ukrainian foreign minister Andriy Sybiga told reporters.

05:51 PM BST

Lammy announces $3 billion in military aid every year

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced that they will provide $3 billion in military aid every year that the war continues.

05:47 PM BST

‘We are united in our iron clad support for Ukraine,’ says Lammy

David Lammy is now speaking.

‘We are united in our iron clad support for Ukraine,’ he said to reporters.

05:44 PM BST

Blinken announces more than $700 million in new funding

Mr Blinken has announced more than $700 million in aid for Ukraine Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv, aiming to bolster the energy grid that Russia has repeatedly pounded in systematic attacks ahead of an expected difficult winter.

The $325m in energy support in the package will help repair and restore Ukraine’s power generation facilities, provide emergency backup power and strengthen the physical security of energy infrastructure.

Some $290 in humanitarian support, including safe drinking water, food and medicine.

The remaining $102 million in additional humanitarian demining, to help remove unexploded ordnance.

05:41 PM BST

‘We want Ukraine to win,’ says Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is now speaking.

“The bottom line is this: ‘We want Ukraine to win,” said Mr Blinkon

“Our collective message to Putin in clear, out support will not wane, our unirty will not break.”

05:36 PM BST

The news conference is beginning

David Lammy and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken are holding a joint press conference in Ukraine as pressure builds to remove restrictions on long-range missiles.

Britain and the US are in talks to drop a veto that would allow long-range Storm Shadow missiles to be fired deep inside Russia.

05:19 PM BST

Press conference delayed

We are still waiting for David Lammy and Anthony Blinken to arrive.

The press conference should be starting imminently.

05:06 PM BST

Air raid alarm sounds in Ukrainian capital as Blinken and Lammy visit

An air raid alarm sounded for more than 30 minutes in Kyiv on Wednesday afternoon as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Minister David Lammy were visiting the Ukrainian capital .

The Air Force announced a ballistic missile threat on the Telegram messaging platform.

It said that a missile was moving in the direction of the Poltava region from the northern Sumy region.

Sumy regional officials later said on Telegram that the missile had been downed.

It added that preliminary information indicated there was no damage to infrastructure and civilians.

04:46 PM BST

Zelensky calls for ‘strong’ British decision on missiles

Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Britain and America to make a “strong decision” by letting him use long-range missiles deep in Russian land.

The Ukrainian President made the public call at a conference on Crimea for international leaders being held in Kyiv on Wednesday.

The conference was attended by David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, and Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, who are visiting the city together.

Currently it is understood Ukraine is not allowed to use Storm Shadow missiles, provided by the UK and France with some US components, to strike targets deep into Russia, with the West concerned about escalation in the conflict.

Mr Zelensky said of long-range missile use in Russia: “I will have a little bit later a talk with him (Blinken) and minister of foreign affairs for the UK (Lammy).

“I don’t know all the details of our conversation. I will be ready to be open and honest after these consultations. If I am optimistic about their decision to give us permission to use long distance, it is a pity it doesn’t depend on my optimism. It depends on their optimism.

“Let’s count on some strong decisions on this. For us it is very important for today. Anyway, I will tell you after the meeting and anyway I am counting on my dialogue with President Biden this month.”

04:26 PM BST

Russia should consider restricting exports of uranium, titanium and nickel, warns Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow should consider limiting exports of uranium, titanium and nickel in retaliation against the West.

In televised comments to government ministers, he said such restrictions could also be introduced for other commodities, and noted that Russia was a major producer of natural gas, diamonds and gold.

But he said that measures did not need to be taken “tomorrow”, and “mustn’t do anything to harm” Russia itself.

Russia is the world’s fourth largest uranium producer, according to the World Nuclear Association’s data.

US President Joe Biden has signed into law a ban on enriched uranium imports from Russia, a trade worth around $1 billion annually.

04:09 PM BST

‘Crimea and Sevastopol are Ukraine,’ says EU head

The EU will always support “the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Wednesday.

Callin in via video, during the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit, she said: “It has been 10 years since Russia began its aggression against Ukraine. It is clear: Crimea and Sevastopol are Ukraine.”

“The EU will always support the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” she added.

03:49 PM BST

UK announces £600m worth of support for Ukraine

Ukraine is to get £600 million worth of extra support from the UK, including to build up its energy supply after targeted Russian attacks, it has been announced.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, made the news during his Kyiv visit alongside the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday.

At least £242 million of funding will be sent directly to Ukraine. The figure was confirmed by Labour after being announced by Rishi Sunak earlier in the summer when he was prime minister.

The money will pay for essential repairs and protection to the Ukrainian power network. Recent efforts have seen the UK help with back-up generators to keep the lights on across the country and power generation equipment in Kharkiv and Odesa.

£100million of the funding will be spent on humanitarian support, often delivered by third parties like charities on the ground, and £40 million on helping Ukraine prepare to “win the peace” should that come about.

“The UK’s support to Ukraine is unwavering. Our commitment of over £600 million worth of support is the latest installment in our enduring support to Ukraine,” said Mr Lammy.

03:38 PM BST

Three women killed in ‘Russian strikes on residential areas’

Three women have been killed and five others injured during Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine, prosecutors have said.

Russian troops shelled the residential area of Kostiantynivka, a town in the Donetsk region, which is around 14km (nine miles) from the frontline.

Two of those killed were elderly women, the prosecutor’s general office wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

A middle-aged woman was later reportedly killed in a strike in a separate residential area. Five others were injured.

The Donetsk region, which Russian troops partially occupy, is regularly hit by Russian shelling and airstrikes.

Moscow denies targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure in its invasion of Ukraine, although thousands of people have been killed in its attacks.

03:32 PM BST

Russia holds biggest post-Soviet navy drills with China

Russian bomber planes have been spotted flying over Norwegian waters as part of the largest naval exercise carried out by Moscow in the post-Soviet era.

The Russian Tu-160 strategic bomber planes were also flown over the Barents sea, the defence ministry said, as part of “Ocean-2024” military drills that were launched on Tuesday. Around 400 warships, 120 aircraft and 90,000 personnel will take part in the drills until Sept 16.

The defence ministry released footage of the drills, which showed missile launches and gunfire being aimed at water surface targets.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said the purpose of the exercise was for Moscow’s forces to learn the lessons from its “special military operation” in Ukraine as he accused Washington of provoking a new arms race.

Fifteen countries have been invited to observe the drills, Putin said, though the US only expects China to take part.

The military drills pose “no threat to the US homeland or to the Nato alliance,” Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, said.

03:22 PM BST

Pictured: Hollywood actor visits Kyiv as ‘guest of honour’

Hollywood actor Michael Douglas has been pictured in Kyiv, where he is visiting with his son.

The Academy Award winner, 79, is in the Ukrainian capital to attend the First Ladies and Gentlemen Summit - an event organised by Olena Zelenska, which is due to take place tomorrow, according to local media reports.

“The guest of honour was impressed by the beauty of the architecture of our beloved city, and was also actively interested in the historical events that took place in Kyiv,” Kyiv’s department of tourism and promotions wrote in a post on Facebook.

It added that Douglas has “actively supported Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion”.

03:18 PM BST

‘France continues to stand resolutely with Ukraine,’ says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed that France will “stand resolutely” with Ukraine.

“As the Crimea Platform Summit takes place, I want to reaffirm that France continues to stand resolutely with Ukraine and its people in defense of their territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he wrote in a post on X.

03:00 PM BST

Pictured: Russian ship ‘delivering ballistic missiles from Iran’

New satellite imagery has captured a Russian-flagged cargo ship suspected of transporting ballistic missiles from Iran docked at a port in Russia last week.

the Port Olya 3 vessel had shipped around 220 short-range ballistic missiles via the Caspian Sea to Russia to be used for its war in Ukraine, a Ukrainian source told Sky News.

The source added that the ship arrived at the Russian port on 4 September.

It comes just a day after the US said it believes the Russian military has received shipments of Iranian Fatah-360 ballistic missiles.

02:54 PM BST

Britain and America are “listening carefully” to Ukraine, says Lammy

David Lammy has said Britain and America are “listening” to Ukraine’s plea to let it use Storm Shadow missiles deep into Russian territory.

During his Kyiv visit, the Foreign Secretary said he wanted to better understand the strategy being proposed by Ukrainian leaders.

Asked if Ukraine would be given permission to use long-range missiles to strike Russian land, Mr Lammy said: “We’re here to listen, to understand the plan, to understand the strategy and understand the needs across a whole range of fronts.

“Yes, of course, equipment but of course energy that has been sabotaged, the support that’s needed on the humanitarian front over these next few months and how we continue to mobilise the international community on Ukraine’s behalf.

”So we are listening carefully and, of course, we are having discussions on a range of issues including the military equipment that Ukraine needs to win.”

He also called the development of Iran giving missiles to Russia, disclosed by the US and UK this week, “horrendous”.

Mr Lammy said: “We’re seeing Russia amplify its work with its friends and we’ve seen this horrendous transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia over the last few days.”

02:31 PM BST

What is a storm shadow cruise missile?

Earlier, we reported that president Zelensky had asked the UK for “help and support” in using long-range missiles to strike Russian territory as he met the Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Kyiv (see post at 1:39).

Last year the UK donated Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine but the weapons remain off limits beyond Ukraine’s borders despite repeated requests from Kyiv.

So, what are the Storm Shadow missiles and why are they so valuable?

They are fired from aircraft and have a range of more than 155 miles, dwarfing the range of the US-supplied Himars currently used by Ukraine, which only stretch around 50 miles.

The longer range will allow Ukrainian pilots to remain further away from the front lines.

Powered by a turbo-jet engine, the 1,300kg Storm Shadow travels at speeds of more than 600mph, is just over five metres long and has a wingspan of three metres.

The weapons have been used by British and French air forces in the Gulf, Iraq and Libya.

02:02 PM BST

Russia and China will react if US deploys missiles in Japan, says Moscow

Russia and China will react, and not only politically, if the United States deploys missiles in Japan, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

The Japan Times reported last week that the United States had expressed an interest in deploying a Typhon mid-range missile system to Japan for joint military exercises.

The deployment of Typhon in Japan would allow the United States to reach the territory of China, Russia and North Korea at once.

01:39 PM BST

Moscow vows to destroy long-range missiles fired into Russia

Moscow has warned the United States it will destroy any long-range missiles that are fired into Russia as Washington mulls changing restrictions on the use of the weapons by Ukraine.

Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, also warned the US on Wednesday of “the dangers and risks” of sending Kyiv long-range missiles, the state TASS news agency reported.

The comments came as Ukraine’s prime minister urged the Foreign Secretary to let Ukrainian soldiers fire long-range missiles into Russia.

Denys Shmyhal made the plea in the opening remarks of his meeting in Kyiv with David Lammy on Wednesday morning.

Mr Shmyhal said: “We hope that long-range equipment for strikes on the territory of our enemy will be reached and we will have it. And we hope for your help and support in this issue.”

The face-to-face request comes as the UK and US consider whether to grant Ukraine their request to fire British Storm Shadow missiles deep into Russian territory.

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01:16 PM BST

Moscow ‘shoots down drones 1,600km from Ukraine border’

Russia shot down three drones over its northern Murmansk region on Wednesday, the regional governor said.

The drones were allegedly fired by Ukraine more than 1,600 kilometres from its border.

Two regional airports were closed “to ensure the safety of civil aircraft”.

Murmansk airport, one of those closed, is around 1,850 kilometres from Ukraine.

12:51 PM BST

Pictured: Russia advertises for recruits on Moscow billboard

12:24 PM BST

We did not give Russia ballistic missiles, Iran insists

Iran has insisted that it did not send any ballistic missiles to Russia.

Abbas Araqchi, the Iranian foreign minister, also criticised the sanctions that have been imposed by the UK and the US in the wake of the weapons being send for Moscow’s use.

Antony Blinken, who is in Kyiv today, said the US had confirmation that Fath 360 missiles were sent to Russia and would be used in Ukraine “within weeks”.

11:55 AM BST

‘Leave Putin’s name out of US politics’, says Kremlin

The Kremlin has asked Donald Trump and Kamala Harris to stop using Vladimir Putin’s name in debates about the upcoming US election.

“Of course, we noticed that both candidates mentioned our president, mentioned our country. Of course, the position is quite clear - the U.S. as a whole, no matter which party the candidates are from, maintains a negative attitude, an unfriendly attitude towards our country,” Putin’s spokesperson said.

“Putin’s name is used as one of the instruments in the domestic political struggle in the U.S. We really, really don’t like it, and we hope that they will leave our president’s name alone.”

The Russian president’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, made the comments hours after the debate between Trump and Ms Harris concluded and around one week after Putin said he wanted the vice president to win in November.

11:39 AM BST

‘We will destroy any US-made missiles sent to Ukraine,’ warns Moscow

Russia will destroy any new deliveries of long-range Atacms to Ukraine by the United States, Moscow has warned.

Sergei Ryabkov warned the US of the “the dangers and risks” of sending Kyiv long-range missiles as Joe Biden considers whether to lift restrictions on the weapons being used to strike targets inside Russia.

11:09 AM BST

Iran missile accusation ‘baseless’, says Kremlin

The Kremlin rejected reports on Wednesday that Iran had shipped missiles to Russia, describing them as “baseless”.

Antony Blinken said at a press conference on Tuesday that the Iranian-made Fath 360 ballistic missile will likely be used in Ukraine “within weeks”.

The US secretary of state warned that relations between Moscow and Tehran threatened European security, not just in Ukraine or the Middle East.

Tehran called the US claim “ugly propaganda”.

10:52 AM BST

Discussions to take place over Storm Shadow missiles

The overnight train carrying the Foreign Secretary and the US Secretary of State rolled into sunny Kyiv around 11.30am local time.

The message being sent by UK and US delegations in the trip is one of unwavering joint support for Ukraine in their fight against the Russians.

Behind the scenes discussions about the specifics of Kyiv’s request for permission to use long-range Storm Shadow missiles deep inside Russia will be taking place.

Information will be fed back to Joe Biden and Sir Keir Starmer for their face-to-face meeting, which is expected to include the terms of use for Storm Shadow, in Washington DC on Friday.

10:41 AM BST

‘Sense of expectation’ in Kyiv

There is a sense of expectation in Kyiv as David Lammy and Antony Blinken touch down in the Ukrainian capital.

It is anticipated that the Foreign Secretary and US secretary of state will finally engage in the finer details of Volodmdyr Zelensky’s request to use Western-provided, long-range missiles on targets inside Russia.

The Telegraph has heard from multiple sources that Ukrainian officials expect these talks to end in good news for Kyiv, after months of trying to secure permission for deep, cross-border strikes.

“Yes,” one source answered when asked whether they were hearing that the UK and US were finally ready to budge.

Another senior source added: “Of course, Kyiv understands everything perfectly well what topics will be discussed and why today given the intensification of missile attacks on our energy infrastructure by the Russians, as well as the data from American officials on Iranian ballistic missiles being transferred to Russia for use against the civilian population of Ukraine.”

The decision might not be taken by Messrs Lammy and Blinken on Wednesday, with President Joe Biden meeting Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, in Washington later this week.

But the green-light for Kyiv has already been sign-posted, giving Ukrainian officials involved in the discussions optimism ahead of that meeting in the US capital.

10:27 AM BST

What are Lammy and Blinken doing in Ukraine?

David Lammy and Antony Blinken have arrived in Kyiv at what they described as a “critical moment” for Kyiv in its fight against Russia.

The pair are scheduled to take part in a series of talks with senior Ukrainian officials, including Volodymyr Zelensky.

Speaking at a joint news conference in London on Tuesday, the pair condemned Iran for sending ballistic missiles to Russia, which Mr Blinken said would likely be used in Ukraine “within weeks”.

It comes at a time when the Ukrainian president has been pleading with Western allies to let Kyiv use long-range missiles to strike targets deep into Russia.

Joe Biden, the US president, is considering changing the policy which currently restricts Kyiv from using British Storm Shadow Missiles to hit targets inside Russia.

10:04 AM BST

Pictured: Lammy and Blinken arrive in Kyiv

We have more pictures coming in from Kyiv where David Lammy and Antony Blinken have arrived for a series of meetings with senior Ukrainian officials.

09:54 AM BST

London sanctions 10 vessels from Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’

As David Lammy arrived in Kyiv, London announced it had sanctioned 10 ships in Russia’s “shadow fleet” of vessels which it says use illicit practices to avoid Western embargoes on Russian oil.

“Today’s sanctions further undermine Russia’s ability to trade in oil via its shadow fleet,” the Foreign Secretary said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Alongside our partners, we will continue to send a stark message to Russia that the international community stands with Ukraine and we will not tolerate this illicit fleet.”

09:44 AM BST

Blinken and Lammy arrive in Kyiv

Antony Blinken and David Lammy have arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday, where they will attend a series of meetings with senior government officials including Volodymyr Zelensky.

Blinken and Lammy pulled into Kyiv’s main train station ahead of a busy schedule that comes at a crucial time in the war, as Russia continues its advances in the Donetsk region.

09:23 AM BST

Russia launches counter-offensive in Kursk

Russia has launched a counter-offensive to liberate land captured by Ukrainian forces in its region of Kursk.

Both Russian and Ukrainian sources acknowledged the assault, although pro-Kremlin military bloggers said it had been successful in driving the Ukrainian back.

It came after battlefield footage emerged purporting to show at least eight armoured vehicles and tanks operated by a Russian VDV air assault unit advancing towards the Kursk region village of Snagost.

Russian military bloggers said that Ukrainian units had been pushed back from Korenevo, which lies about six miles south of Snagost.

Maps published by Russian sources showed what was claimed to be Russian forces pressing across the entire left flank of Ukraine’s bridgehead into Kursk.

Ukraine captured more than 1,300 square kilometres in a surprise incursion into Russia more than a month ago. The Russians are believed to have captured just 10 square kilometres of that territory back.

09:02 AM BST

Russia will consider US ‘party’ of war if they give Ukraine long-range weapons

Russia will consider the United States and its allies to be parties to the Ukraine war if they allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons for strikes deep into Russia, Moscow said on Wednesday.

“Washington and other European states are becoming parties to the war in Ukraine,” Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia’s Duma, said on Telegram.

President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that his administration was “working that out now” when asked if the U.S. would lift those restrictions.

08:32 AM BST

IMF to give Ukraine $1.1 billion

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday it had reached a preliminary agreement with Ukraine that would give the war-torn country access to about $1.1 billion in financial assistance.

The agreement follows what Kyiv said on Tuesday were “difficult” talks and is subject to approval by the fund's executive board, which the IMF said in a statement is expected to happen in coming weeks.

The IMF is a key international lender to Kyiv and its four-year $15.6 billion program is a crucial part of a bigger global economic support package to Ukraine as it gears up for a third winter trying to fend off Russia's full-scale invasion.

"Russia's war in Ukraine continues to have a devastating impact on the country and its people," Gavin Gray, who led the IMF's monitoring mission to Kyiv for the fifth review of the lending program, said in a statement.

08:06 AM BST

Pictured: Russian ‘Uragan’ rocket launcher fires missile

07:41 AM BST

Trump won’t say if he wants Ukraine to win war

Donald Trump refused to say in last night's debate with Kamala Harris whether he wants Ukraine to win the war.

Asked if he supports Ukraine in its fight against Russia, Trump said: “I want the war to stop.”

The former US president then went on to say that if he wins the election, he would negotiate a deal before becoming president.

07:27 AM BST

Biden poised to lift ban on firing British Storm Shadow missiles into Russia

Joe Biden is poised to lift a ban on British Storm Shadow missiles being fired into Russia by Ukraine.

The president is considering changing policy after it emerged Iran is now arming Russia with ballistic missiles, which could be used in Ukraine within weeks.

Antony Blinken, Mr Biden’s secretary of state, is due in Ukraine on Wednesday with David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, to discuss lifting restrictions with Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Biden and Sir Keir Starmer would then discuss changing the policy in a White House summit on Friday, Mr Blinken said, adding that the president was “not ruling it out”.

Read the full story here.

07:17 AM BST

Blinken: Iran sending missiles to Russia a ‘dramatic escalation’

In case you missed it, Antony Blinken confirmed on Tuesday that Russia had received a batch of Fath-360 ballistic missiles which will likely be used in Ukraine “within weeks”.

“We’ve warned Tehran publicly, we’ve warned Tehran privately, that taking this step would constitute a dramatic escalation…Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles,” Mr Blinken said at a joint press conference with David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, on Tuesday.

Mr Blinken revealed that the close-range Fath-360 ballistic missiles have a maximum range of 75 miles and would likely be used in Ukraine “within weeks”.

A senior Iranian official denied reports on Monday that the weapons had been delivered, describing them as “psychological warfare”.

07:10 AM BST

Welcome to our live coverage

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.

We’re bringing you the latest updates from the Ukraine war.