"UN nuclear watchdog closely monitoring Ukraine-Russia conflict's impact on nuclear plants"

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog visited the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine amid an escalation in fighting around it. Russia has stopped informing the US about its nuclear activities, including missile test launches. Germany has agreed to spend an additional €12bn on military support, with €8bn to be spent directly on purchasing weapons and equipment for Ukraine. An explosion was reported near a Russian military airbase in Crimea. Ukrainian forces reportedly shelled the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Melitopol. Russian forces trying to encircle the town of Avdiivka have made only marginal gains despite heavy losses in armoured vehicles. Vladimir Putin conceded that sanctions on Russia could have “negative” consequences for the economy. Ukraine’s sports ministry has condemned the International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international competitions as neutrals.