Putin's defence minister 'suffers huge heart attack not from natural causes'

Ukraine to help blast Vladimir Putin's aircraft out of the sky, according to reports.Britain will soon send the Stormer High Velocity Missile (HVM) launchers, the Sun reports, with the Ministry of Defence demonstrating them for Ukrainians on Salisbury Plain, southern England, two weeks ago.It is understood the 13-tonne vehicles can be flown to the war on C-17 transport planes in days.The news comes as Putin's war machine begins a new phase of its bloody invasion with a full-scale offensive to take control of the mostly-Russian speaking Donbas in the east.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had pleaded with the West for greater firepower, and now he has had his wish granted. Dr Alan Mendoza, of security think tank the Henry Jackson Society, told the Sun: “These vehicles are the best kit yet sent to Ukraine and will leave Russian pilots quaking.

Vladimir Putin has handed out military honours to soldiers reportedly involved in the mass killing of civilians in Bucha.The Russian President's shocking decision to award Russia's 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade with the esteemed title of 'Guards', comes despite evidence mounting of their involvement in the murder at least 403 innocent people in the Ukrainian town.The soldiers withdrew from the city of Bucha earlier in the month after allegedly filling several graves with tortured civilian corpses.They left a trail of destruction and suffering in neighbourhoods around Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities say.In a presidential decree from the Kremlin, Putin praised the troops for "mass heroism and courage, fortitude and courage shown by the personnel of the brigade in combat operations to protect the Fatherland and state interests in armed conflicts."Describing them as a model to be followed by other soldiers, he added: "Skilful and resolute actions of the unit's personnel during the special military operation in Ukraine are an example of the performance of military duty, courage, selflessness and high professionalism."I am convinced that you, soldiers and officers - guardsmen, will continue to be faithful to the Oath, serve the Motherland with honour, and reliably ensure the safety and peaceful life of our citizens."Last week it was claimed that a Ukrainian teenager was raped, murdered and then dumped in a mass grave in Bucha in a sickening act of violence.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.A family friend of Karina Yershova, 16, said she was shot in the back of the head before she was thrown in the "trash".Speaking on Facebook, a

Vladimir Putin's pal and propaganda chief raged on live TV trying to explain why Russian has not won its war on Ukraine.Margarita Simonyan who is the editor-in-chief of RT, Russia's state-controlled news organisation kicked off when pundits questioned the country's ongoing invasion. The propagandist fumed that Russia is not only up against Ukrainian soldiers but NATO too, which is delaying the bloodthirsty "operation" now 53 days in, the Express reports.Live on Vladimir Solovyov's popular Russia-1 show, Ms Simonyan — a friend of the president — struggled to explain "why we haven't won yet".Julia Davis, from Daily Beast, tweeted a clip of Ms Simonyan's response "when one pundit on Russian state TV tries to ask why it's taking so long for Russia to win in Ukraine".Ms Davis tweeted: "Head of RT Margarita Simonyan nearly pecks his head off, as she argues that Russia is fighting NATO in Ukraine.

Ukrainian sniper, who previously vowed to slaughter Vladimir Putin's troops one by one, has trolled Russian soldiers by saying they "are afraid of Ukrainians" and "run away" from fights.The sniper nicknamed Wali, who fought alongside the Kurds against ISIS in Syria, in March answered the call of Ukraine's President for foreign troops to join the war effort, saying: "I want to help people, it's as simple as that."Ever since, he has been picking off Russian soldiers and giving Vladimir Putin's forces a good trolling. In his latest blog post Wali wrote about the "greatest Russian defeat in decades," namely their recent withdrawal from Kyiv.

Vladimir Putin has lost his eighth general fighting in Ukraine, in another major blow to his war effort.Major General Vladimir Frolov, deputy commander of the 8th Combined Arms Army, was laid to rest with full military honours in St Petersburg.It is unknown how he died or where he met his demise but it is believed he had been deployed in the area around besieged Mariupol.Alexander Beglov, the governor of St Petersburg, said at his burial: “A true patriot, a brave and brave man, he honestly and to the end fulfilled his military and human duty. The people will not forget their heroes.

UFC fighter celebrated his latest victor by sending a message of support to a Chechen warlord who has close links with Vladimir Putin.Khamzat Chimaev continued his unbeaten streak in the MMA promotion as he outpointed Gilbert Burns in Jacksonville, Florida, last Saturday night. It was a close battle between two fighters who acquitted themselves well in the octagon, but Chimaev secure a narrow 29-28 victory in the eyes of the judges.But he was soon making headlines for more sinister reasons as he used his post-fight speech to send a message to Ramzan Kadyrov. The Chechen is a major player in Russian MMA and a close friend of Putin's.

Vladimir Putin met with a European leader for the first time since he launched an invasion of Ukraine and issued a chilling rebuke of Western criticism of his regime's war crimes. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer met with President Putin in Moscow last week, however the Chancellor told NBC News that “it was not a friendly conversation”.Chancellor Nehammer had visited Bucha in Ukraine, the site of a disturbing massacre after a Russian retreat where more than 350 bodies were found, some of which showed evidence of torture under Russian occupation.Days later, he travelled to Russia where he wanted "to confront President Putin" about what he saw in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin's forces before being paraded on Russian TV. Ex-British Army soldier Shaun Pinner, 48, was serving as a 'contract soldier' with Ukrainian forces in Russian-occupied Mariupol as the area has been decimated by shelling.He claims to have been there for five to six weeks before appearing on the broadcast with no visible wounds, giving information about his service.He told the journalist Andrey Rudenko on the military TV channel: "I am Shaun Pinner.

Ukraine could have been the key to helping defeat Vladimir Putin's prize Moskva. Admiral Lord Alan West, a Falklands War hero, made the claims after Russian authorities admitted the vessel had been sunk on the Black Sea.According to reports, Ukraine claims to have hit the vessel with a cruise missile after using drones to distract the 12,490-tonne warships defences.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has banned Boris Johnson from ever entering Russia. The UK prime minister and members of his Cabinet are on a list of people sanctioned by the Kremlin over 'hostile actions of the British government'.

Boris Johnson from entering Russia in response to the UK government's Ukraine war sanctions. Boris Johnson tops the Russian "stop" list of UK subjects no longer allowed to enter the Russian Federation, alongside Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and others.Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement: "In connection with the unprecedented hostile actions of the British government, expressed, in particular, in the imposition of sanctions against top officials of the Russian Federation, a decision was made to include key members of the British government and a number of political figures in the Russian 'stop list'."Also in Vlad's bad books is Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and former Prime Minister Theresa May, who authorised sanctions after the Salisbury poison incident in 2018.Dominic Raab, Priti Patel and Ben Wallace are also listed on the no-fly list as Putin seeks to exercise his authority.

Russia has banned the UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson and a list of other senior ministers from entering the country over what it describes as the UK’s “hostile” position regarding its war with Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials have claimed.First Rank Captain Anton Kuprin, 44, was reportedly killed after the ship was fatally holed by Ukrainian Neptune missiles, according to Kyiv sources.The Moskva was one of Vladimir Putin's largest ships and had already been used to devastating effect in the conflict, most notably at Snake Island.After asking the defenders of the island to surrender, the Moskva's captain was told to "go f*** himself" by the brave soldiers.Kuprin gave the order to bombard Snake Island on the first day of the war.He “died during an explosion and fire on board the former flagship of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation,” said Anton Gerashenko, advisor to the Kyiv interior ministry.The official added: “We do not mourn.”Other sources support the claim that Captain Kuprin was killed.Russia has claimed that the crew was evacuated but there are increasing fears for lost lives on the battleship.A “farewell ceremony” to the cruiser is due to be held in Sevastopol today at a monument in honour of the 300th anniversary of the Russian fleet.There was no immediate confirmation from Moscow on Kuprin, but Russia has failed to announce many prominent military deaths in the 51-day war.For more shocking stories from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.Exiled Russian politician Ilya Ponomarev, 46, who eight years ago was the only MP to vote against Vladimir Putin ’s annexation of Crimea, said today he believes only 58 out of a usual crew number of 510 survived the Moskva disaster.There are also reports that Vice Admiral Igor Osipov, commander of the Black Sea Fleet, has been detained over the loss of the flagship.It comes following fears that the Moskva ship may have had nuclear cruise

Russian military have attacked Kyiv with an air assault and promised more missile assaults following the sinking of one of their top ships in the Black Sea.

Steven Seagal. The martial arts star isn’t exactly a ubiquitous presence on the late-night talk show circuit. The action hits of his heyday don’t festoon the banners at the top of Netflix.

Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine invasion has halted the hunt for aliens. The European Space Agency has ended cooperation with Russia on a series of missions that could unearth extraterrestrial life.

troops are currently in Estonia and are prepared to face down the Russian army.The soldiers are there as part of the NATO battle group deployed to protect the Baltic country in case of a Russian invasion.Lieutenant Colonel Ru Streatfeild, who commands the NATO battle group, said his troops are "100%" ready if Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Estonia, adding “our soldiers are immensely proud to be here”.But it is an “immense responsibility”, he said, adding that he knows his battle plan in the event of a Russian attack.Estonian officials told the Daily Express they “must assume” Vladimir Putin will one day invade their country.Asked if NATO forces were prepared in the event of a Russian invasion, Lt Col Streatfeild said: “100%. There is swagger. They are on their game and they are ready.

Russia's missing defence minister is fighting for his life after reportedly suffering from a "massive" heart attack. Sergei Shoigu, 66, is thought to be in intensive care and his debilitating condition is not from natural causes, according to one of Vladimir Putin's enemies.

Latest reports from Ukraine suggest that yet another high-ranking Russian army officer has been killed as Vladimir Putin’s invasion reaches its 50th day. Lieutenant Colonel Denis Mezhuev, commander of the 1st Guards Motor Rifle Sevastopol Red Banner regiment, is the 40th Russian commander to die in Ukraine, in a war that has taken a particularly high toll on the Russian officer class.

Vladimir Putin "through thick and thin" after flying to Moscow to celebrate his 70th birthday. The Under Siege star, a well-known friend of the Russian leader, attended a lavish party in Moscow to celebrate his birthday on Sunday, April 10.

violating Ukraine’s sovereignty, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced ambitious plans to reach new territory.Speaking on Tuesday (April 12), Putin stressed that the Russian Space Agency would need to “successfully stand up to the challenges of space exploration.”To do this, he claimed they would develop a “next-generation spaceship” as well as new nuclear space technology.He also said they would be sending an unmanned spacecraft to the moon later this year in what would be a long-awaited return to the rock. The Luna 25 launch date had initially been planned for 2016, but was pushed back to 2018 and then 2021.Putin's ambitious plans come just weeks after Russia announced it would pull out of the International Space Station, ending 23 years of international co-operation in space.Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin announced that a timetable for completion of the ISS project will soon be submitted to the Russia’s leadership.It was thought the move was prompted by international sanctions over the war in Ukraine, and is a major blow for the future of space exploration.