The Kremlin is “almost certainly” getting weapons from Iran and North Korea as it faces supply shortages, Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has said. Defense experts believe the Russian military has been forced to buy from rogue states in part because of the impact of Western sanctions. “Russia is very likely to deploy Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Ukraine for the first time,” the Foreign Ministry said in a military briefing on Wednesday. Her report comes a day after Ukrainian officials said their forces shot down an Iranian-made drone in Kharkiv province, where Kyiv has enjoyed spectacular success in recent days. After Ukraine liberated part of the northeastern region, reports of Russian torture have emerged. A resident from the town of Balaklia told the BBC that he was held captive by Russians and tortured with electric shocks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his troops had recaptured about 8,000 square kilometers of land this month.

Basic points

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Zelensky thanks the troops in the Kharkiv region

Volodymyr Zelensky visited Izium on September 14, 2022. (Ukraine PRESIDENTIAL PRESS) The Ukrainian flag was raised over the occupied city. (Ukraine PRESIDENTIAL PRESS) Ukrainian troops take part in the flag raising ceremony. (Ukraine PRESIDENTIAL PRESS) Rory Sullivan September 14, 2022 12:20 pm 1663153235

Zelensky visits the recently recaptured city of Izium

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the recently recaptured city of Izium in northeastern Ukraine. His troops captured the city a few days ago after pushing back the Russian army. “The president of Ukraine thanked the soldiers for the liberation of Ukrainian territories and officially raised the Ukrainian flag over the city council,” the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade Sychelav said on Facebook. Rory Sullivan September 14, 2022 12:00 p.m 1663152035

Retreat Russian troops in Kharkiv accused of torture by Ukrainians

Russian troops have been accused of torturing Ukrainians in the Kharkiv provinces, parts of which were recently retaken from Kyiv.

Retreat Russian troops in Kharkiv accused of torture by Ukrainians

Ukrainian officials say they will look for evidence of alleged crimes Rory Sullivan September 14, 2022 11:40 am 1663150835

The Ukrainian war in photos

A lightning-quick Ukrainian counterattack saw Russian troops flee their positions in Kharkiv province. Here are some images of the territory Ukraine has reclaimed: A damaged vehicle near the town of Izium, recently liberated by the Ukrainian army. (via REUTERS) Russian artillery shells seized from Ukraine in Kharkiv province. (via REUTERS) Ukrainian soldiers in Izium, Kharkiv, on September 13, 2022. (AP) Rory Sullivan September 14, 2022 11:20 am 1663149635

Ukrainian advance brings front line closer to Luhansk “separatist” border

Ukrainian troops are advancing near the border of land claimed by separatist fighters in Luhansk province, a pro-Russian commander said. Since 2014, pro-Russian troops have taken control of parts of eastern Ukraine, aiming to wrest the entire Donbas region from Kiev’s control. But a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive in the past week is pushing the new front line closed to the self-proclaimed border, Andrey Marochko said. Rory Sullivan September 14, 2022 11:00 am 1663148435

Vladimir Putin rejected a deal brokered by one of his envoys with Ukraine as the war broke out, sources told Reuters. The Ukrainian-born envoy, Dmitry Kozak, is believed to have brokered a temporary deal that satisfied the Kremlin’s desire that Ukraine never join NATO. However, the Russian leader reportedly changed his mind, deciding he wanted to annex parts of Ukraine. “After February 24, Kozak was given carte blanche: he was given the green light. got the deal. He brought it back and was told to clear it up. Everything was cancelled. Putin simply changed the plan as he went along,” a Kremlin source said. Responding to the story, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said: “Today, we clearly understand that the Russian side was never interested in a peaceful settlement.” The Kremlin claimed that Reuters’ exclusivity was based on “absolutely incorrect information”. Rory Sullivan September 14, 2022 10:40 am 1663147235

Russia spent $300 million to covertly influence world politics, US says

The Biden administration has released a cable suggesting that Russia has spent $300 million over the past eight years in efforts to influence politicians and other officials in dozens of countries.

USA: Russia spent $300 million to covertly influence world politics

The State Department says Russia has secretly spent more than $300 million since 2014 to try to influence politicians and other officials in more than a dozen countries Rory Sullivan September 14, 2022 10:20 am 1663146035

Taiwan learns from Ukraine’s communication strategy

Taiwan is learning from Ukraine’s communications strategy, the country’s digital technology minister said. After US Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei last month, China began large-scale warfighting off the island, sparking fears it could invade Taiwan. “We are looking at the experience of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. We found that the whole world can know what’s happening there in real time,” said Taiwan’s Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang. “It is not only for our own people, but also for the people who care about us around the world, so that we can ask for the help of international friends.” Rory Sullivan September 14, 2022 10:00 am 1663144922

EU ‘not complete’ without eastern neighbours, says von der Leyen

The EU is not complete without some of its eastern neighbours, said Ursula von der Leyen. Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Western Balkan countries are part of the European family, he added. “You are part of our family, you are the future of our union,” said Ms von der Leyen. “Our Union is not complete without you.” Rory Sullivan 14 September 2022 09:42 1663143608

Kremlin “recognizes defeat” in Kharkiv, ISW says

The Kremlin has acknowledged its defeat in Kharkiv province, the first time it has been open about one of its failures in Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said. In less than a week, Kiev forces have recaptured thousands of square kilometers of land in the northeastern region. Moscow has sought to reframe past setbacks — including its withdrawal from areas around Kyiv in the spring — as strategic decisions. However, the approach to defeat in Kharkiv was slightly different. “The Kremlin’s admission of defeat is part of an effort to soften and deflect criticism of such a catastrophic failure away from Russian President Vladimir Putin and to the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and uniformed military command,” ISW said. Rory Sullivan 14 September 2022 09:20