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France and other allies are evacuating their diplomats from Sudan in a high-risk operation, a day after US special forces airlifted all American staff from their embassy in the capital.

In a fast-moving situation, the French foreign ministry said it was operating with “European and allied partners” to coordinate “a rapid evacuation operation”, without naming which countries are also involved.

The French said: “This operation includes nationals of these states as well as European diplomatic personnel.”

The Netherlands said it would also evacuate its citizens and embassy staff on Sunday “with other countries”, again without naming them.

The UK has been ready to rescue its diplomats from the British embassy in Khartoum as soon as feasible amid intense fighting between the Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary group.

UK troops and military aircraft have been moved to an overseas base to prepare for what would be a high-risk rescue mission into an active conflict zone – in case the order is given.

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Sky’s Sophy Ridge asks Oliver Dowden if the UK is looking to evacuate citizens from Sudan

‘Rapidly moving’ situation

A spokesperson on Sunday morning said: “The UK government has been working with a number of international partners to support diplomatic staff and British nationals in Khartoum.

“It is not for us to comment on international partners’ military activity in Sudan, but we are fully aware of each other’s plans and integrated with those operations.”

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme the situation was “rapidly moving” and “complex”.

However, he refused to confirm whether the UK would evacuate British nationals from Sudan.

“The Ministry of Defence is acting in support of the Foreign Office, but clearly you wouldn’t expect me to comment for security reasons on the current situation in terms of movement on the ground,” he said.

He added: “This is a very different situation, for example, to the situation that you saw in Afghanistan.

“First of all, this situation has arisen very rapidly and, secondly, we just don’t have the kind of scale of resources on the ground that were there in Afghanistan.

“Clearly, we need to make sure that we support our British nationals. At the moment, the advice to British nationals is to make sure they stay indoors, that they stay safe and get in contact with the Foreign Office.”

Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth said the government should provide more clarity as to why it did not appear to be acting in line with other governments regarding evacuation efforts.

“I hope we can have a clarification from the Foreign Office in the coming days,” he told Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

Read more:
Why has violence erupted in Sudan?
Dramatic before-and-after images show impact of deadly clashes

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‘Clarification needed on UK nationals in Sudan’

Biden’s order amid ‘tragic violence’

On Saturday, about 70 American nationals were flown from a landing zone at the US Embassy in Khartoum to an undisclosed location in Ethiopia, an unnamed US official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the mission.

President Joe Biden ordered the evacuation of US embassy staff after receiving a recommendation on Saturday from his national security team with no end in sight to the fighting.

In a statement, Mr Biden said: “Today, on my orders, the United States military conducted an operation to extract US government personnel from Khartoum.

“I am proud of the extraordinary commitment of our embassy staff, who performed their duties with courage and professionalism and embodied America’s friendship and connection with the people of Sudan.

“I am grateful for the unmatched skill of our service members who successfully brought them to safety. And I thank Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia, which were critical to the success of our operation.”

He added: “This tragic violence in Sudan has already cost the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians. It’s unconscionable and it must stop.

“We are temporarily suspending operations at the US Embassy in Sudan, but our commitment to the Sudanese people and the future they want for themselves is unending.”

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‘We’re being shelled to shreds’

Embassy evacuations conducted by the US military are relatively rare and usually take place only under extreme conditions.

The US State Department said it has suspended operations at the embassy due to the dire security situation.

It added it would “continue to assist Americans in Sudan in planning for their own safety and provide regular updates to US citizens in the area”.

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Incessant gunfire in Sudan’s capital

Hundreds dead in past week

According to the World Health Organization, fighting between forces loyal to two top generals has killed more than 400 people since erupting on 15 April.

The violence has included an unprovoked attack on a US diplomatic convoy and numerous incidents in which foreign diplomats and aid workers have been killed, injured or assaulted.

The White House said it has no plans for a government-coordinated evacuation of American citizens trapped in Sudan.

The US embassy said on Saturday that “due to the uncertain security situation in Khartoum and closure of the airport, it is not currently safe to undertake a US government-coordinated evacuation of private US citizens”.

An estimated 16,000 US citizens are registered with the embassy as being in Sudan, although that figure is probably inaccurate because there is no requirement for Americans to register or notify the embassy when they leave.

The conflict between the armed forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has derailed Sudan’s transition to democratic rule after decades of dictatorship and civil war.

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Al Burhan said on Saturday he would facilitate the evacuation of American, British, Chinese and French citizens and diplomats from Sudan after speaking with the leaders of several countries that had requested help.

The RSF in a Twitter posting said it had cooperated with US forces during their evacuation mission.

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Biden adding ‘fuel to fire’, Kremlin says – as Ukraine allowed to fire US missiles into Russia

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Biden adding 'fuel to fire', Kremlin says - as Ukraine allowed to fire US missiles into Russia

The Kremlin has criticised President Joe Biden for adding “fuel to the fire” after giving Ukraine permission to launch US missiles into Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “It is obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends to… continue adding fuel to the fire and provoking further escalation of tensions around this conflict.”

Russia‘s Foreign Ministry added that the action by Mr Biden‘s administration would fundamentally alter the nature of the war and trigger “an adequate and tangible” response.

The UK has refused to reveal if it plans to follow suit, for example extending the use of British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine to hit targets inside Russia.

Follow latest: Ukraine war live updates

Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons commenting would “compromise operations and security”, adding that he will speak with the US and Ukrainian defence secretaries on Monday evening.

At the G20 Summit in Brazil, Sir Keir Starmer gave a similar response: “I’m not going to get into operational details because the only winner, if we were to do that, is [Vladimir] Putin, and I’m not prepared to do that.”

For over a year Ukraine has been calling on America changes its policy on the use of long-range missiles.

Joe Biden attends the G20 Summit.
Pic AP
Image:
Joe Biden attends the G20 Summit. Pic: AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given a muted response to Mr Biden’s decision to expand the use of the American-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

“Strikes are not made with words… the missiles will speak for themselves,” he said.

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‘The missiles will speak for themselves’

Biden risks triggering ‘World War Three’

The US has eased restrictions on the use of ATACMS, which has a range of up to 190 miles, after Russia began deploying North Korean ground troops to supplement its own forces in the conflict.

Donald Trump Jr, the son of president-elect Donald Trump, suggested in a post on X that Mr Biden was risking a third world war “before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives”.

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The use of tactical missile systems for Ukraine

Hungary: Policy is ‘astonishingly dangerous’

There has been a strong, but mixed, reaction across Europe to America’s change of policy.

Hungary’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, said the decision was “astonishingly dangerous” – although the country’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has a close and often sympathetic relationship with Moscow.

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Why has US let Ukraine use its missiles?

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Slovakia’s leader Robert Fico, who has also fostered a stronger relationship with his Russian counterpart, said it was an “unprecedented escalation of tensions” and “a decision that thwarts hopes for the start of any peace talks”.

But other countries have been more positive.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said: “This decision was very necessary… Russia sees that Ukraine enjoys strong support and that the West’s position is unyielding and determined.”

Meanwhile, Estonia’s foreign minister Margus Tsahkna was equally positive. He said easing restrictions on Ukraine was “a good thing”, adding: “We have been saying that from the beginning – that no restrictions must be put on the military support [for Ukraine].”

How could Russia respond?

In the past, Russia’s president has mentioned sending weapons to the West’s adversaries to strike Western targets abroad. He didn’t mention any nations specifically, but the assumption was it was a reference to Iran.

Moscow has also recently changed its nuclear doctrine, to allow it in theory to respond with nuclear weapons if the West attacks targets on Russian soil.

So are these threats genuine? Or is it more sabre-rattling?

The calculus in Washington seems to be that this is another bluff from Moscow, following the obliteration of previous red lines without consequence.

The West has supplied missiles, battle tanks and fighter jets to Kyiv, all without invoking the escalation that was threatened.

But could Russia respond in other, more subtle ways, which it doesn’t want to broadcast? Think sabotage, cyber attacks, closer alignment with Iran (and of course North Korea).

So in that sense, it’s not the Kremlin’s public fury the West will be worried about, it’s what happens behind the scenes.

Missiles are ‘not a game changer’

Former British ambassador to Russia Sir Toby Brenton has told Sky News: “Nobody is really expecting this to be a game changer.

“They’re expecting it to make life more difficult for the Russians, slow the Russian advance down, but… from all the stories I’m hearing, there are not actually that many of these missiles available to be used.”

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A view shows cars and a building heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine November 18, 2024. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. DO NOT OBSCURE LOGO.
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A Russian missile strike on Odesa killed 10 people on Monday. Pic: Ukrainian Emergency Services/Reuters

A view shows a residential building, which was damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Sumy, Ukraine November 18, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer
Image:
A residential building damaged by a Russian missile strike in Sumy. Pic: Reuters

On Monday, a Russian ballistic missile with cluster munitions killed 11 people in a residential area of Sumy in northern Ukraine.

Another missile barrage sparked apartment fires in the southern port of Odesa, killing at least 10 people, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said.

Meanwhile, Tuesday marks 1,000 days since Russia began its full-scale invasion in 2022.

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Ukrainians mourn their dead after almost 1,000 days of war – but US move sparks hope

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Ukrainians mourn their dead after almost 1,000 days of war - but US move sparks hope

Barely anyone speaks – there is virtual silence apart from the sounds of passing vehicles and the wind whipping through flags and photographs commemorating the dead in a war that started 1,000 days ago when Russia invaded.

What is really striking is the sheer number of people who have died, and this memorial in Kyiv’s Maidan Square represents just some of those who gave their lives defending their country.

Soldiers in camouflage fatigues pause to pay their respects to comrades, civilians stop and stare, heads often bowed.

At the same time, on mobile phones, news alerts announce another missile strike on Ukraine. This time in the port city of Odessa.

More dead, more injured, it never stops here.

A commemoration in central Kiev

As this war grinds on, with Russia making significant gains in the east, it says something about the Ukrainian people’s resolve to keep going.

For months the Ukrainian government has been pleading with the United States and its western partners for permission to use long range weapons to attack deep inside Russia.

The wreckage of a building in Odessa
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A ruined building in Odessa

Follow latest: Moscow warns US over missile decision
Analysis: Moscow’s words won’t worry the West – but what will happen behind the scenes?

These weapons would allow Ukraine to target airfields and bases where drones and missiles are launched against Ukraine, and to attack supply routes and military camps. In effect – to take the fight to Russia.

Time and again civilians and soldiers alike tell me the West and the United States are scared of annoying or provoking Russia. Wrongly or rightly, most believe the West is happy for Ukraine to hold the line but not beat Russia.

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Ukraine allowed to use US long-range missiles in Russia

News that President Biden, in the twilight of his time in office, has changed his position allowing American missiles to be fired into Russia, has been greeted with euphoria.

Although it’s tempered by his decision to allow them to be used only in the Kursk region of Russia, where North Korean troops are augmenting the Russian military.

MP Lesia Vasylenko says spirits have been lifted by president Biden's decision to allow long-range weapons to be fired into Russia.
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MP Lesia Vasylenko

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I met Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko in the capital, she heard the news as she arrived back in Ukraine from a trip abroad.

She says the decision has “lifted spirits here” and calls the move “extremely significant” but says it needs to go further.

“As members of parliament we have been echoing the president in every single meeting we have abroad, asking for the permission to strike inside Russia’s territory, what this means is permission to liquidate 16 airbases from which Russia on a daily and nightly bases sends airplanes carrying missiles that are hitting Ukrainian homes, Ukrainian infrastructure, and basically making civilian life impossible in the country,” she told me.

She continued: “Having permission to strike inside of all of Russia would really change things round for the people of Ukraine first and foremost, but also on the battlefield.”

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She told me that despite the war dragging on, the Ukrainian people remain resolute and united.

“The resilience is still there, for us this resilience equals survival, if Ukraine stops fighting there will be no Ukraine, there will be no us as Ukrainians, there will be no housing, we would not be allowed to live under the Ukrainian flag, so the only option here is to make sure that Russia stops fighting and that Russia can never fight again.”

Over the past almost two weeks I have driven from the west to the east of this huge country.

It strikes me that you can barely pass a town or a village cemetery without the blue and gold colours of the Ukrainian flag punctuating the grey skies – marking the graves of the war dead.

Flags mark the graves of Ukraine's war dead
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Flags mark the graves of Ukraine’s war dead across the country

A thousand days since the Russian invasion began, soldiers and civilians alike are still dying, but Ukraine is still fighting.

A thousand days ago, few thought that was likely.

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Sabotage suspected after Baltic Sea telecoms cable C-Lion1 suddenly stops working

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Sabotage suspected after Baltic Sea telecoms cable C-Lion1 suddenly stops working

An undersea fibre optic cable between Germany and Finland has stopped working and might have been deliberately cut by an unknown party, according to authorities.

The 729 mile (1,173km) C-Lion1 cable under the Baltic Sea from Helsinki to Rostock went offline just after 2am GMT on Monday.

The outage was reported by Finnish state-controlled cyber security and telecoms company Cinia.

A physical inspection has not yet been done but the abrupt nature suggests it was completely severed by an outside force, said chief executive Ari-Jussi Knaapila.

Germany and Finland‘s foreign ministers said they were “deeply concerned” and it “immediately raises suspicions of intentional damage”.

A joint statement said: “Our European security is not only under threat from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors.

“Safeguarding our shared critical infrastructure is vital to our security and the resilience of our societies.”

Cinia said “corrective measures” were under way and a repair ship was being prepared.

The damage to the fibre optic cable could take around five to 15 days to fix, Mr Knaapila told reporters.

The pipe runs under the Baltic Sea between Helsinki and Rostock
Image:
The pipe runs under the Baltic Sea between Helsinki and Rostock

He said the damage occurred near the southern tip of Sweden’s Oland island and that Cinia was working with authorities to investigate.

The cable links central European telecoms networks to Finland, other Nordic countries and Asia.

Handout picture of the damaged Balticconnector gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia in the Baltic Sea
Image:
A Chinese ship was blamed for damaging another cable, the Balticconnector gas pipeline, last year. Pic: Finnish Border Guard/Reuters

Another submerged gas line and several telecoms cables were seriously damaged last year in the Baltic Sea.

A Chinese container ship dragging its anchor was named as prime suspect by Finnish police. However, they have not said if they think the damage was intentional.

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Read more from Sky News:
Missile decision a ‘stunning shift in US policy’
Russian ballet star dies aged 39 after ‘fall from building’

Two years ago, a gas pipeline from Russia to Germany – the Nord Steam – was also damaged by explosions.

Many suspected Moscow of foul play but German authorities are still investigating the case.

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