The game of chess has long been associated with Russia. But, like in many other sports, the war in Ukraine has led to Russian teams and players being banned from international competitions. Now, the International Chess Federation, whose president is a former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, is due to hold a vote this weekend at a meeting in Budapest, that could lift all sanctions against Moscow. Ukraine and its allies are mounting a campaign to prevent that from happening. Our correspondent Will Vernon reports now on how the war in Ukraine is being played out on the international chessboard…

Ukraine & Russia: the battle for chess

A British businessman caught on camera confessing to illegally selling millions of pounds of luxury perfume to Russia is not facing criminal charges, the BBC has learned.
David Crisp was arrested last year but his case was later dropped by HM Revenue and Customs, the tax collecting agency which is also responsible for enforcing sanctions.
Selling luxury goods to Russia is a serious offence punishable by up to 10 years in prison but campaigners say the UK is far behind other countries when it comes to punishing violators. 
Our correspondent Will Vernon reports…

The prefume boss who made millions in Moscow - illegally

‘Depraved’ is the word Number 10 (/the UK govt) used to describe the escalating nuclear threats coming from the Kremlin. Following the decision by the US and UK to allow Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russian territory, President Putin announced he was lowering the threshold for the potential use of Russia’s nuclear weapons. Now, for the first time, a Russian military officer who served inside one of Russia’s top-secret nuclear bases has spoken out. The man fled the country after being threatened with deployment to the frontline in Ukraine. The BBC’s Will Vernon went to meet him at a secret location outside Russia…

Exclusive: Russian nuclear deserter speaks out

‘Depraved’ is the word Number 10 (/the UK govt) used to describe the escalating nuclear threats coming from the Kremlin. Following the decision by the US and UK to allow Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russian territory, President Putin announced he was lowering the threshold for the potential use of Russia’s nuclear weapons. Now, for the first time, a Russian military officer who served inside one of Russia’s top-secret nuclear bases has spoken out. The man fled the country after being threatened with deployment to the frontline in Ukraine. 

Report for BBC Radio 4's 'From Our Own Correspondent' programme

BBC FOOC: Russian nuclear deserter

Zelensky’s Christmas message

A Ukrainian official has told the BBC they hope a New Year prisoner exchange with Russia will happen ‘any day,’ although arrangements can fall through at the last minute. Petro Yatsenko, from Ukraine’s Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, said negotiations with Moscow have become more difficult in recent months since Russian forces began making significant advances on the frontline. Thousands of relatives of Ukrainian prisoners are now spending Christmas without their loved ones. 

Correspondent: Will Vernon 
Producer: Daniel Wittenberg

BBC: Will Russia release thousands of Ukrainians for Christmas?

Ukrainian officials say Russia is using prisoners of war it holds in captivity as leverage to recruit their families back in Ukraine as saboteurs. Russian agents use bribery and threats to force worried relatives to commit treason by firebombing military vehicles or revealing the location of air defences. The BBC has been told around half of all families of POWs have been approached by suspected Russian operatives. 

Correspondent Will VERNON

"Your husband's being tortured, and it's your fault"

"People will take up arms" - Poland prepares for war

BBC From Our Own Correspondent: Poland prepares for war

Ukrainians living in Poland have told the BBC that abuse and hostility towards them is on the rise. Poland initially welcomed around a million refugees who settled in the country following the full-scale invasion three years ago, joining another one and a half million already living in Poland. But surveys show there’s been a steep fall in the level of sympathy towards Ukrainians in recent months. From Warsaw, the BBC’s Will VERNON reports…

"People will take up arms" - Poland prepares for war

Will Vernon

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