Vladimir Putin loses 8th general in Ukraine in latest blow to Russia's dismal war effort

Russian leader Vladimir Putin is suffering from a serious illness was fuelled last night after he attended a church service for Easter.

Russian claims to have captured Ukraine’s important Black Sea port of Mariupol, a determined rearguard of Ukrainian fighters remain in the ruined city – along with some 20 British volunteers.The British fighters, sheltering from the almost-constant Russian bombardment in underground bunkers, have vowed to “save the last bullet for themselves” rather than be taken alive.Hundreds of British Army veterans and others have rushed to Ukraine's defence and a few – like Notts-born Aiden Aslin – have been captured by the Russians.As many as 20,000 civilians in Mariupol are already believed to have been killed by Russian shells and bombs, and many more may die as food supplies run out.Russian leader Vladimir Putin has ordered his troops to surround the city’s industrial district and seal it off to starve out the defenders.A large force of Ukrainian defenders is holed up beneath the near-impregnable Azovstal steel works, along with an unknown number of civilians..Putin has abandoned plans to storm the factory and has ordered Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to instead "block off this industrial area so that a fly couldn't get through".Conceding that his forces couldn’t enter the steelworks without sustaining heavy losses he added: "There is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities."A British volunteer in Kyiv who had previously fought alongside the defenders of Mariupol told The Sun: “There are as many as 20 British lads still there and I fear for them.“Many are veterans of the conflict in the Donbas.

Russia launched an air strike on Odessa. Valerie [Valeriya] Glodan, and her infant daughter, Kira, were among the eight people killed after cruise missiles were dropped on to an apartment block in the southern Ukrainian port city, with Putin's approval. As Ukraine's civilian death toll continues to climb well into the thousands, once again people across the world have expressed horror and sadness at the pointless loss of life, with tributes pouring into social media for Valerie and Kira."The vibrancy in Valeriya’s eyes in this photo just breaks my heart.

Putin's list of targets has reportedly been revealed as warnings are issued of more invasions across Europe. The small country of Moldova that borders with besieged Ukraine is believed to be the next target on Vladimir Putin's expansion list as the Russian president looks to increase his reach across Eastern Europe.The country is less than a third of the size of London with a population of 2.6million people and it has now been suggested that it could be the next country to be targeted by soldiers and missiles as Russia look to create a pathway.

Russia has said it will deploy its Satan II "super-weapon", a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), by autumn. Vladimir Putin recently tested the Sarmat missile, capable of carrying more than 10 nuclear warheads over 6,000km and striking the UK.The launch this week came after the weapon's development was pushed back for years due to funding problems and technical issues.

Russia of planning to enlist Ukrainian nationals in Russian occupied areas, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. They state that this would follow in a similar practice of compulsory assistance in the Russian-occupied areas of Donbas and Crimea.In a statement shared on Twitter, the government body said: "Article 51 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states 'the Occupying Power may not compel protected persons to serve in its armed or auxiliary forces', and 'no pressure or propaganda which aims at securing voluntary enlistment is permitted'."'Protected persons' in this context includes civilians within occupied territories, any enlistment of Ukrainian civilians into the Russian armed forces, even if presented by Russia as being voluntary or military service in accordance with Russian law, would constitute a violation of Article 51 of the Fourth Geneva Convention."The official guidelines set out in the Geneva Convention state: "Protected persons may not be compelled to undertake any work which would involve them in the obligation of taking part in military operations."The Occupying Power may not compel protected persons to employ forcible means to ensure the security of the installations where they are performing compulsory labour." It comes as the ongoing Russian and Ukraine war approaches its third month after Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to storm the country on February 24.

Vladimir Putin's sex-mad gymnast lover has sparked rumours that the two are married after a picture emerged of her wearing what appears to be a wedding ring. Alina Kabaeva, 38, resurfaced in Moscow earlier this week and was photographed at a junior rhythmic gymnastics rehearsal, marking her first public appearance in weeks.Trainer Ekaterina Sirotina shared pictures from the event on Instagram, despite a reported ban on images from inside the rehearsal by the Kremlin.In the picture she can be seen sporting a ring on her right hand's ring finger.In Russia people wear their wedding rings on their right hands, unlike in the UK where wedding rings are worn on the left hand.

Vladimir Putin is purging his inner circle is growing after a reported four "suicides" of gas industry executives linked closely to the brutal tyrant.The alleged suicides have been called "suspicious" by numerous Russian sources including a former FSB colonel.Gennady Gudkov claimed there were similarities in the deaths of top managers and their family members from Russian gas companies.He said: "Don't let the 'rats' escape, they might talk.“If we already understand that the regime is engaged in the elimination of its opponents and enemies, then why will they not deal with those who are considered traitors who have fled the system."Many cases of [suspicious deaths] are like settling scores." His accusations come after the alleged suicide of Sergey Protosenya, a former deputy chairman of Novotek – a company closely linked to Russia. Protosenya's wife Natalia, 53, and their teenage daughter, Maria, were previously stabbed to death allegedly by Protosenya.And just a few days earlier, millionaire Vladislav Avayev, 51, ex-vice-president of Gazprombank and former Kremlin official, was found dead in his Moscow penthouse.His wife Yelena, 47, and daughter, Maria, 13, were found dead with him.Both cases have been labelled as suspicious and some believe they have been staged as suicides, although detectives remain investigating.The two incidents “are united by the former places of work of the victims - both are connected with Putin's inner circle,” according to a Telegram channel.As well as these two cases, there have been two more prominent gas executive deaths this year.The body of Alexander Tyulakov, 61, a security official at deputy general director level was found just a day after the Ukraine invasion started on February 25.

Chelsea.The group, led by former Liverpool chairman Sir Martin Broughton, also includes the backing of tennis star Serena Williams and is one of three remaining suitors looking to purchase the west London side.Roman Abramovich has put last season's Champions League winners up for sale following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has seen him among the oligarch's sanctioned due to his links with Vladimir Putin's regime.

soldier is refusing to take down his British and Ukrainian flags as ordered by his local council.Canterbury City Council in Kent want Nigel Hart, 33, to take down his 14ft flag pole due to 'health and safety' fears.Nigel decided to fly the respective national flags outside his mum’s council house in solidarity with Ukraine as the country defends itself from Vladimir Putin's Russia. Despite being told the pole must come down as it is in a communal area, Nigel remains defiant about showing his support for Ukrainians and fallen British soldiers.

Video: When satire is factchecked without needing to be factchecked (France 24)High stakes rematch: Can Le Pen turn the tide against Macron in TV debate?Fragile coalition under threat in Israel: Arab party suspends government membershipGeothermal power in Kenya: Providing the country with clean energyEU's Borrell says bloc 'will continue' providing military support to UkraineNetflix loses users for first time in a decadeFrench presidential candidates gear up for election debate rematch'There is no independent journalism left in Russia': Exiled journalist Denis KataevUkraine's prosecutor general: 'I expect to find evidence of genocide in Mariupol'France's presidential rivals gird for high-stakes TV debateFake subtitles attributed to Vladimir Putin in parody viral videoThe battle of Donbas: What's Putin's plan for Ukraine now?Made in Hollywood, censored by China: How the film industry is abiding by Beijing's lawsFrance's Macron reveals his war chestFrench presidential candidates spar over wind energy sectorFrench presidential election: Macron 'trying to speak to voters on the centre left'South African military deployed to flood-ravaged provinceJohnson is a calm, pleasant presence throughout, often laughing heartily at the end of the most banal anecdotes, in the manner of someone who has never failed for long enough to sharpen a sense of humour. The way serious issues pose virtually no threat to him does, however, border on comical.

Vladimir Putin looking "astonishingly weakened" has triggered fresh speculation about the Russian President's health.The Russia-Ukraine war appears to have taken a toll on Putin since he first ordered troops to invade the neighbouring nation on February 24. In the televised meeting on Thursday (April 21) a "bloated" Putin is sitting at a desk and discussing the ongoing invasion of Ukraine with his defence minister Sergei Shoigu.The pair are discussing the "liberation" of the heavily-bombed Ukrainian city of Mariupol and Putin looks very unwell.He grips the corner of the desk throughout the entire meeting and appears to be slightly slumped in his chair.Putin also seems to unintentionally grimace in between sentences as if he might be in physical discomfort or even pain.There have been longstanding theories about Putin's health woes, including one that he is suffering from thyroid cancer and has all the symptoms.

ITV show. The show is reportedly filming a spin-off with favourite former campmates. Producers are due to return to Australia to shoot the normal series later this year.

Vladimir Putin’s oldest daughter, Dr Maria Vorontsova, has reportedly been banned from leaving Russia because of fears that she might never return to the country. Dr Vorontsova, who was born when her father was still a KGB agent, had reportedly planned to celebrate her 37th birthday on a tropical beach but according to the the General SVR Telegram channel, when she applied for permission to leave the country: “Putin responded with a categorical refusal, strengthening the security protection of Maria.“According to our information,” the as-yet unconfirmed report continued, “the president’s eldest daughter did not plan to return to Russia.”Dr Vorontsova shares a son with her Dutch ex-husband Jorrit Faassen, who is the son of a senior NATO military officer.She is believed to have been planning the holiday with her new partner, Yevgeny Nagorny.The 33-year-old was once opposed to Putin’s government but since getting together with the leader’s daughter he has changed his views, landing a £90,000-a-year job and an extensive luxury home in exchange for his loyalty.Dr Vorontsova is a noted researcher at the National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology of the Ministry of Health of Russia, specialising in genetic conditions in children.

Primus‘ Les Claypool and Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hütz have shared a tribute song to Eukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky. You can listen to it below.Called ‘Zelensky: The Man With The Iron Balls’, the charity track also features The Police’s Stewart Copeland on drums, John Lennon’s son Sean on guitar and vocals, Hütz’s bandmate Sergey Ryabtseb on violin and Billy Strings on acoustic guitar.The lyrics of the song hear the collective sing: “One person can make a difference/ Be they short, thin, fat, or tall/ That person can live with dignity/ If they stand with some iron balls.”You can listen to the track here:Speaking about the track to Rolling Stone, Hütz, who was born in Ukraine, said: “As soon as Russian aggression broke out, Les and I connected to address the catastrophe ASAP.“We jumped on creating affirmative music that calls for unity and pays respect to the real doers in Ukrainian defence, such as President Zelensky, who demonstrated previously unheard of stamina and heroism.”Claypool said the track “is not intended to be a song of condemnation,” but one of “unity.”All proceeds from the track will go to Nova Ukraine, a non-profit organisation that provides humanitarian relief and support to the people of Ukraine.“It is our way to show that heavyweights like Les, Stewart, Billy, and Sean stand with the people of Ukraine and the country’s sovereignty from the very start of Russian-led terror,” Hütz added.

Piers Morgan has aimed another swipe at Meghan Markle as he compares her relation to veracity to "what Putin is to humanity".The former Life Stories host, 57, made the comments in a new column ahead of the debut of his new TalkTV show, Uncensored, next week.Last year the star left his presenting responsibilities on GMB after saying that he "didn't believe a word" the Duchess of Sussex had said.Piers made the comments following Meghan's landmark interview with Oprah Winfrey where she claimed she faced mental health struggles as part of the royal family.The next morning on GMB, Piers told how he didn't believe the Duchess' claims before disagreeing with ITV weatherman Alex Beresford and storming off set.In a savage new jibe, the host of TalkTV's new show Piers Morgan: Uncensored branded his removal from the ITV programme as "cowardly censorship" while taking another swipe at Meghan."But my enforced removal from Good Morning Britain last year for refusing to apologise for an honest opinion that Meghan Markle is to veracity what Vladimir Putin is to humanity was cowardly corporate censorship, and I’m confident that if Princess Pinocchio writes to my new boss Rupert Murdoch demanding my head on a plate – as she did to ITV’s CEO Dame Carolyn McCall – she won’t be quite so successful," he wrote in The Spectator.Elsewhere, the star spoke at the press event for his new show, revealing that his stance on the Duchess of Sussex hasn't changed.Piers said: "I still don't believe a word Meghan Markle says."I think almost everything that comes out of our mouth is complete b******t."However, the star went on to take issue with the fact that his co-host Susanna Reid was allowed to voice her opinion on Meghan's comment, while he

Russian mothers are encouraging their soldier sons to kill civilians and children in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities. A call tracked by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and shared on Telegram this week is one example of Russian soldiers being egged on during the conflict.

Vladimir Putin's forces have been left out in the open after key positions were reportedly 'exposed' on Google Maps.Writing on Twitter, the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that the search engine had given access to stunning photographs which display important strategic locations of the Russian army.Sites said to be visible online include a nuclear weapons storage base in the city of Murmansk in northwest Russia, and air bases in the east of the country. Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetso and Russia's advanced Su-57 fighter jet can also be seen.

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a “catastrophic mistake,” say Kremlin insiders, and the Russian leader could authorise the use of nuclear weapons to secure some kind of victory. Putin sees the recovery of Russia’s empire as his “historic mission” but some elite Russians fear the massive sanctions imposed by the West are too high a price to pay.

Vladimir Putin has delivered a chilling warning claiming Russia has successfully launched an enormous intercontinental ballistic missile known as ‘Satan-2’.

Vladimir Putin has has launched a long-range missile known as 'Satan II' in a chilling warning to those who "threaten" Russia.Moscow's ministry of defence claims that the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile tested at the Plesetsk cosmodrome.The Russian president claimed the show of strength would be "food for thought for those who try to threaten Russia", according to reports. Specifications of the mighty missile have not been officially revealed however it is understood to be able to fire up to 12 nuclear warheads in one flight, all the while dodging anti-missile systems.It is referred to as a long-range weapon with good reason as the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is believed to boast a maximum flight distance of 6,000 milesTerrifyingly the missile is said to be capable of targeting an area the size of France, the Mirror reports.State TV broadcasted Putin receiving confirmation from the military that the missile had been launched from Plesetsk in Russia's northwest and hit targets in the Kamchatka peninsula in the far east of the country.