Thread by @AFP

Russia says it will annex four occupied regions of Ukraine at a ceremony at the Kremlin on Friday.

President Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons to defend the territories have not deterred a sweeping Ukrainian counter-offensive

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As Russia prepares to annex four Ukrainian regions, Kyiv's forces are pushing ahead with driving Moscow's retreating troops out

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@AFP photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba captures scenes in Kupiansk on September 29, after Ukrainian forces reclaimed the area

#BREAKING UK 'will never accept' Russian annexation of four Ukrainian territories: PM Truss

#BREAKING Kremlin says 'needs to clarify' borders of two Ukraine regions Russia intends to annex

#UPDATE An attack on a frontline civilian convoy in the Zaporizhzhia region of southern Ukraine killed at least 25 people on Friday, just hours before Moscow was due to annex the occupied region along with three others ▶️ u.afp.com/iJU9

#BREAKING Putin begins speech at Kremlin ceremony to annex Ukraine regions

#BREAKING Russian President Putin says people of Ukraine occupied regions are 'our citizens forever'

#BREAKING Russian President Putin calls on Kyiv to 'immediately' cease military action

#BREAKING President Putin says West wants to make Russia a 'colony'

#BREAKING EU leaders 'firmly reject' Russia's 'illegal annexation' of Ukraine regions: statement

#BREAKING Russian President Putin signs accord to annex four occupied Ukraine regions

#BREAKING Putin, separatist leaders join hands after annexation ceremony, chant 'Russia!': TV

#UPDATE Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday annexed four territories in Ukraine controlled by his army at a grand ceremony in the Kremlin and urged Kyiv to lay down its arms and negotiate an end to seven months of fighting ▶️ u.afp.com/iJ5J