MOSCOW, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Russia accused Ukraine on Tuesday of trying to obtain a nuclear weapon with help from Britain and France, an allegation Kyiv called an absurd lie. A French foreign ministry spokesperson said the allegation was "blatant disinformation".

In the war's first year, Ukraine forced back the Russian offensive at the gates of Kyiv and reclaimed swathes of occupied land. But a Ukrainian counteroffensive failed the following year, and since then Moscow has made slow but relentless gains in costly battles along a 1,200-km (750-mile) front.

Russia is increasingly reliant on foreign fighters from around the world to prosecute its war in Ukraine, writes

Four years of war in Ukraine has brought seismic evolution to the world - to the nature of warfare, the balance of global powers, and to European security.

Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war shows no clear end in sight as costly battlefield advances continue and renewed diplomatic efforts struggle to deliver a breakthrough.

Loss of Starlink access is disrupting Russian artillery operations in Ukraine, reducing the effectiveness of Moscow’s core combat power.

Russia has forcefully deported at least 20,000 Ukrainian children since the beginning of its full-scale invasion. Kyiv managed to bring back 2,000 minors. In some cases, returns took years.View on