It could cost half a trillion to rebuild Ukraine, but Britain can't back out now

Russia seems intent on spreading the conflict by covert means. A major cyber offensive has started

- Robert Fox

THE fortunes of war in Ukraine are as uncertain as ever — and of deepening global impact. Heavy losses are reported from all sides.

Cities are threatened with blackouts courtesy of strikes by Iranian drones and missiles, on which Russia now increasingly relies.

Unusually, Russian officials have responded to bloggers claiming losses of hundreds of lives of raw recruits in ill-judged battles at Pavlivka and Makiivka in the Donbas. At Makiivka only 130 of the 570-strong battle group survived, according to reports, and most commanders fled.

Ukraine is still far short of adequate air defences to protect its large cities, according to a field report by Jack Watling and Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute. They conclude that Ukraine needs to rebuild its defence industry. Furthermore, it needs its own modern air force rather than leftover aircraft and kit from the Soviet era and cast-offs from Western allies.