Ukraine-Russia war latest: UK ‘greenlights’ strikes against Putin’s forces in Russia as Kyiv on path to Nato

The UK has informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that British-supplied missiles can be used to strike targets inside Russia. UK Defence Secretary John Healey approved the use of Storm Shadow missiles for defensive strikes within Russian territory. Healey emphasized Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in repelling Putin’s invasion but did not discuss specific operational details.

Meanwhile, NATO members have declared Ukraine is on an “irreversible” path to joining the alliance, reaffirming support for its full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership. Norway also pledged to send six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, becoming the fourth country to offer such critical weaponry.

China, accused by NATO of being a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war against Ukraine, responded by condemning NATO’s allegations as unreasonable and malicious. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused NATO of inciting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific and defended China’s stance on the Ukraine issue as fair and objective.

Additionally, China has started joint military exercises in Belarus near the NATO-member state Poland, following Belarus’s membership in the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). These exercises aim to strengthen Belarusian-Chinese military cooperation.