Vladimir Putin’s main spokesman has said that sanctions on trade and oligarchs were akin to “total war” against Russia, and that the west has pushed the Kremlin “into the corner” with Nato expansion, as officials prepare for the resumption of peace talks with Ukraine on Tuesday.
Dmitry Peskov said in an interview on American television that the punitive sanctions levelled against Russia were “quite unfriendly” and made the country feel as it were at war with the US and its western allies.
The interview came amid more claims from UK and Ukrainian military intelligence that Russia’s war effort is in serious trouble.
As the Russian and Ukrainian sides were due to meet in Turkey for a new round of negotiations, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Russia was expected to bolster its flagging war effort by sending more than 1,000 mercenaries from the private Wagner military group into eastern Ukraine as the Kremlin continues to suffer heavy losses.
UK seizes first superyacht in British waters
The UK has seized its first superyacht in British waters as part of sanctions against Russia.
The £38m yacht, named Phi, is owned by an unnamed Russian businessman, but the government said its ownership is “deliberately well hidden”.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the move was “a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies”.
The UK has already introduced a raft of sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
#Ukraine: A Russian T-80U, previously unseen, appears to have won the turret throw contest in this round.
Precise location unknown. pic.twitter.com/UtN7VSjdKj
— 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) March 28, 2022
#Ukraine: Video showing a claimed Russian Mi-24/35 being shot down or crashing. Whilst the footage is unseen, we cannot verify location or operator. pic.twitter.com/sr703RqYAL
— 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) March 28, 2022
