British military intelligence says Russia may have found new Ukraine attack axis

British military intelligence says Russia may have found a new axis of attack closer to Kyiv, as forces continue to hammer Bakhmut.

Overnight, Russia again attacked Ukraine with Iranian-made single-use drones, with four Shaheds launched from the north. All were shot down by the Ukrainian air force.

On February 27, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence confirmed it had shot down 11 Shahed one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV, or kamikaze drones) out of 14 that were launched.

Nine were shot down in the vicinity of Kyiv airspace, according to the latest Ministry of Defence daily intelligence update.

It said: “Due to the vector of the attack, these Shahed-UAVs were [most] likely launched from the Bryansk Oblast, Russia. Previously, the only observed launch site since mid-December 2022 was from the Krasnodar region, across the Sea of Azov.

Residents look at parts of an unmanned aerial vehicle that Ukrainian authorities believe is an Iranian-made drone. Reuters

“A second launch site would give the Russians a different axis of attack, closer to Kyiv.

“This is likely to decrease time in the air over Ukraine and an attempt to further stretch Ukrainian air defences.”

The MoD added: "Prior to this 26 February 2023 attack, there have not been any reports of OWA UAVs being used in Ukraine since around 15 February 2023.

The ministry said the decrease in attack tempo using kamikaze drones was an indication that Russia had run down its current stock and that it would probably seek a resupply.

Both sides have taken heavy casualties, with Russia's "60,000 to 70,000" military deaths estimated to be higher in Ukraine than in all of its wars since the Second World War combined, according to a recent analysis by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

"The average rate of Russian soldiers killed per month is at least 25 times the number killed per month in Chechnya and 35 times the number killed in Afghanistan, which highlights the stark realities of a war of attrition," it said.

"The Ukrainian military has also performed remarkably well against a much larger and initially better-equipped Russian military, in part due to the innovation of its forces."

On Wednesday the country’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Ukraine had survived “the most difficult winter” in its history.

"On March 1, 2023, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin suffered his fifth major defeat since his full-scale invasion ― Ukraine defeated his winter terror," Mr Kuleba said.

"We survived the most difficult winter in our history. It was cold and dark, but we were unbreakable."

Meanwhile, Bakhmut is “the most difficult situation” facing Ukrainian forces, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address on Tuesday.

“Russia does not count people at all, sending them to constantly storm our positions. The intensity of fighting is only increasing.”

Ukraine has decided to send additional troops to Bakhmut as Russian forces focus efforts on the offensive there, aiming to reach the administrative borders of the Donetsk region, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary force, said on Wednesday that Ukrainian troops were "trying to hold the town with all their strength" in a short audio message released by his press service.

"Tens of thousands of Ukrainian army fighters are putting up furious resistance. The bloodiness of the battles is growing by the day."

Thousands of residents are still in the ruined city from a pre-war population of about 70,000. As Russia kept Ukraine under pressure around Bakhmut, its defence ministry said its forces had repelled what it described as a huge drone attack on Crimea by Kyiv's forces, Russian news agencies reported.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Kyiv demands that Moscow hand it back. The defence ministry said the attempted Ukrainian drone attack had not inflicted any casualties.

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

Plastic tipping point

Plastic associations point to recycling and consumer behaviour for pollution

Woman with genetic disorder says single use plastics are 'vital' to her life

Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.

As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.

Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.

Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.

Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."

The Bio

Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride

She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.

Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years

Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves

She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

An arms embargo
A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods

Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule

1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele

About Karol Nawrocki

• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.

• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.

• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.

• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.