Ukraine-Russia latest: Six Russian soldiers given France visas after fleeing Vladimir Putin’s war
Russian soldier says ‘worst is behind me’ after fleeing Putin’s war on Ukraine
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France has reportedly granted visas to six Russian soldiers who fled Vladimir Putin’s invasion in Ukraine.
An organisation assisting deserters said the six had all reached Paris on separate flights over the past few months, with one telling The Guardian “it was the first time I could breathe fully”.
Neither France nor Russia have commented officially on the report. If confirmed, it would be the first case of a European nation granting political asylum to Russian deserters.
On the frontline, Russia’s advance has forced Ukrainian officials to order the evacuation of Kupiansk city and three other locations in the Kharkiv region. Kupiansk was captured by Russia in the early stages of the war but liberated later in 2022.
At least 19 battles have taken place near Kupiansk over the past 24 hours, with seven still raging, Ukrainian military officials said.
Late last night the US said it was “concerned” by reports of North Korean soldiers deployed by Russia in Ukraine.
“Such a move would also indicate a new level of desperation for Russia as it continues to suffer significant casualties on the battlefield in its brutal war against Ukraine,” White House national security council spokesperson Sean Savett said.
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Report: Jared Leto accused of ‘insulting’ Ukraine after likening Russia’s war to ‘problems’
Jared Leto is facing backlash from Ukraine after he praised Russia during a Thirty Seconds to Mars concert on 11 October.
The 52-year-old actor and musician made the comments during a gig in the Serbian capital in Belgrade as part of his band’s Seasons Tour, which he promoted by climbing the Empire State Building in November 2023.
Speaking to the crowd in Serbia, Leto asked them if there were many Russians in attendance, which was met with enthusiastic cheers.
Read the full report from Greg Evans:
Jared Leto accused of ‘insulting’ Ukraine after controversial Russia comments
The actor and musician made the comments during a concert in Serbia
Ukraine ‘stands firm’ in Russia’s Kursk region, says Zelensky
Kyiv’s forces are holding firm as Russian troops attempt to break through their lines in the Kursk region for a fifth straight day, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“For five days now, the Russians have been trying to break through our defence in the Kursk region. Our guys are standing firm and counterattacking,” the Ukrainian president said on X after holding a meeting with Ukraine’s top commander.
Ukraine pressed past Russia’s western region’s border on 6 August and rapidly secured control of 1,300 sq km (501.93 square miles), with over 100 settlements. The initial advance has stalled, and Moscow said it took back several settlements last week.
Ukrainian General Staff said on Facebook the Kursk operation was going on while Moscow’s troops continued hitting Russian territories with guided bombs.
Kremlim not sure if Putin is going to Brazil for G20
The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said it is not clear if Russian president Vladimir Putin will be attending the G20 Summit in Brazil next month.
On being asked if a decision had been made on whether Mr Putin would attend the meeting of the world’s 20 leading economies, Mr Peskov said: “No. When a decision is made, we will let you know.”
Ukrainian officials said they have intelligence inputs indicating Mr Putin may attend the G20 summit in Brazil next month, and called on authorities there to carry out a warrant for his arrest if he showed up.
Brazil sent the Russian president a standard invitation for the 18 to 19 November meetings in Rio de Janeiro of the G20 group but has received no indication he planned to attend, according to two Brazilian government officials.
Russian forces claim Ukrainian settlement captured
Russia has claimed it captured a small village in southern Ukraine as it probes for weaknesses along the war’s roughly 1,000km (600 mile) front line.
Levadne is a tiny settlement in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, southwest of the Donetsk region where Russia has concentrated the bulk of its recent offensive operations.
Eastern areas of Ukraine are currently are the main focus of Moscow’s military effort before winter arrives.
In Moscow, the defence ministry said Russian troops took Levadne in the Zaporizhzhia region. Levadne was seized by the Russians early during the war but was recaptured by Ukrainian forces during a counteroffensive in the summer of 2023.
Russia was desperate to capture a tiny village in Ukraine before winter arrived
Ukraine says it needs more Western help to have a chance of holding back Russia’s invasion
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