The agreement makes Kiev an “Anglo-Saxon bargaining chip,” the Russian Foreign Ministry says | The security agreement signed last week by Ukraine and the UK is further proof that London is maintaining a firm grip on the Kiev government and is eliminating any prospect of peace, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said. ● On Friday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) military assistance package for Ukraine – Britain’s largest to date. The two sides also signed a ten-year security guarantee, with the UK pledging “swift and sustained” aid for Ukraine in the event of a Russian attack in future. Kiev also promised to come to Britain’s defense in the event of Russian “aggression” against the country. ● Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Zakharova suggested that the deal was an indication that “Ukraine is literally being stripped of any chance to get out of the conflict through negotiations.” As a result, Kiev is being turned into “a bargaining chip in the reckless ventures of the Anglo-Saxons,” she added, claiming that the UK wants to keep the country in conflict with Russia.

Predicts things will only get worse in next five years | As top officials defend the decision to join the US in attacks on Yemen, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps has informed parliament of potential wars in the years to come with several major nations, including Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. ● Shapps described the situation as a “pre-war” phase, and cautioned that wars with one or more of these nations could break out within the next five years. Britain would of course be directly involved. ● Russia seems potentially the most likely of the four, as Britain continues to embroil itself in the Ukraine conflict, recently announcing an increase in military funding to help Ukraine purchase new military drones. In response, Russia directly warned that British deployment of troops into Ukraine would be tantamount to a declaration of war.

Israeli occupation forces simultaneously carry out a large-scale arrest campaign amid fierce confrontations. | Israeli occupation forces (IOF) carried out Wednesday a drone strike on a vehicle in Nablus, the occupied West Bank, killing at least three Palestinians, sources told Al Mayadeen. ● The drone strike was carried out at the junction of al-Quds Street near the Balata camp east of Nablus, with the Palestinian Red Crescent being prohibited by the IOF from reaching the scene to tend to any possible survivors, as the crime scene was cordoned off. ● After they were allowed to reach the site, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that its crews managed to recover the remains of a Palestinian martyr who was taken to the Rafidia Surgical Hospital, while Israeli occupation forces seized the body of another. Nablus issued the obituaries of the martyrs identified as Seif and Yazan al-Najmi, as well as Mohammad al-Qattawi.

■ 'Every single person in Gaza' is grappling with hunger: UN (Al Mayadeen)
■ Day 103: 24,448 Palestinians martyred, 61,504 injured (Al Mayadeen)
■ “Israel” Abducted Almost 6k Palestinians from West Bank Since Oct. 7 (Alahed News)
■ APPLICATION INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS (.pdf)(84 pages) Press Release (.pdf)