Recap: Putin’s ‘hidden hands’ may be behind Iran tactics, says UK defence secretary
Vladimir Putin’s “hidden hands” may be behind some of Iran’s tactics in the Middle East conflict, the defence secretary has said, after the US downplayed reports Russia was helping the Tehran regime attack US bases.
John Healey visited the Northwood military headquarters in Hertfordshire on Thursday, where he was briefed on the latest updates on British operations in the region.
The UK’s chief of joint operations, Lieutenant General Nick Perry, told the defence secretary there were “definitively” signs of a link between Russia and Iran, including Iran’s use of drones “as learned from the Russians”.
Vladimir Putin (left, file) has been accused of helping Iran to attack US forces in the Middle East (AFP/Getty)
Asked later by reporters for examples of such links, Mr Healey said: “We will update you and appropriately publish any findings from that when we’ve got them, but I think no one will be surprised to believe that Putin’s hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics, potentially some of their capabilities as well, not least because one world leader that is benefiting from the sky high oil prices at the moment is Putin.”
James Reynolds13 March 2026 15:00
Three killed, 27 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine
At least three people have been killed and 27 have been injured in attacks across Ukraine in the last day, according to local authorities.
Two people were killed in Russian attacks in Kostyantynivka and Lyman, Donetsk oblast, on Thursday. Another six were injured during the day, according to regional governor Vadym Filashkin.
A 32-year-old man was also killed in a Russian drone attack in Sumy oblast, the regional administration said in a statement.
Russian forces launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 126 drones against Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s airforce said, claiming to have taken down 117 drones.
James Reynolds13 March 2026 14:15
The full story: Starmer risks Trump’s wrath as minister says UK will not follow US in easing Russia sanctions
The UK will not follow the US in easing sanctions on Russia amid soaring oil prices, a government minister has said, as Sir Keir Starmer risks being at odds with Donald Trump once again.
Energy minister Michael Shanks told Sky News the UK would not change its position on Russian sanctions despite the move from the US.
“The UK has been really clear that our sanctions on Russia stay in place,” he said.
“This is a moment where I suspect in the Kremlin they are looking at this as an opportunity to fix some of their ailing economy. That is a great shame, because we have to do everything that we possibly can to make sure that we are bringing all pressure to bear on Russia so that we can win this war in Ukraine.”
James Reynolds13 March 2026 13:49
Zelensky: Dropping Russian oil sanctions is not helping piece
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the US decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil was not helping to end the war and achieve peace in Ukraine.
”This single easing by the US could provide Russia with around $10 billion for the war,” he said.
“It certainly does not help (to achieve) peace,” Zelensky, who is visiting Paris, said during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Sam Rkaina13 March 2026 13:46
Watch: Ukraine and Romania sign agreement on drone co-production, says ZelenskyUkraine and Romania sign agreement on drone co-production, says Zelensky
James Reynolds13 March 2026 13:16
What will Zelensky discuss with Macron?
Volodymyr Zelensky is in Paris today to meet with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.
The leaders are expected to discuss how to pile pressure on Russia to agree to a just end to the war, with US-mediated talks on ice amid the war with Iran.
The talks will focus on targeting Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers transporting oil in breach of sanctions. It comes as the US eased sanctions to curb the impact on oil prices of the war in Iran.
The Kremlin said earlier this week that the “very idea of trying to put pressure on Russia is absurd”, and claimed the meeting itself would disrupt peace efforts.
Zelensky (L) and Macron (R) in Paris on Friday (AFP/Getty)
James Reynolds13 March 2026 12:45
In pictures: Zelensky meets with Macron for talks on pressuring Russia as US relents on oil sanctions
Friday marked Zelensky’s 12th visit to France since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 (Reuters)
Macron and Zelensky embraced in front of the cameras as they met in Paris to discuss the war on Friday (Getty)
James Reynolds13 March 2026 12:15
EU warns US against lifting sanctions on Russian oil
The president of the European Council has warned that increasing economic pressure on Russia is necessary to force the Kremlin into serious negotiations over Ukraine.
It comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Thursday that the US government had temporarily removed sanctions on Russian oil at sea to add oil to global markets.
António Costa said on Friday the decision was “concerning, as it impacts European security”.
“Increasing economic pressure on Russia is decisive for it to accept a serious negotiation for a just and lasting peace. Weakening sanctions increases Russian resources to wage the war of aggression against Ukraine,” he wrote on social media.
António Costa criticised the US decision on Friday (file) (AFP/Getty)
James Reynolds13 March 2026 11:45
Russian drones attacked port in Ukraine’s Odesa region
Russian drones attacked port infrastructure in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region late on Thursday, damaging a food warehouse at the port, a local official said on Friday.
A fire broke out, which was quickly extinguished, Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram, adding that no one had been injured in the attack.
Sam Rkaina13 March 2026 10:45
Germany’s Merz says easing Russia sanctions is wrong
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said it is wrong to ease sanctions against Russia, after the United States issued a 30-day waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea.
Merz added that using oil reserves will help to control prices “to some extent”.
Speaking on Friday, Merz added that he would like to know what the US motivation was in making the decision.
Sam Rkaina13 March 2026 10:18