If we needed reminding why standing against Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is so vital, it was provided on 6 June when the Nova Kakhovka dam, 20 miles east of the city of Kherson, collapsed.

Shadow defence secretary John Healey is determined to do better by our armed forces. He tells Tali Fraser it’s time for Britain to reboot defence plans, improve spending and restore the nation’s moral contract with its military. Photography by Wilde Fry

CEO of Veterans Aid Dr Hugh Milroy's recent interactions on the international stage have caused him to reflect on both the universality and complexity of individual nations' post-service problems - and the need to take a 'bottom up' approach to resolving them.

Despite turbulent times, I believe Britain should still aspire to be a leading power and a global force for good. Not out of some unchecked idealism, but because building a better and fairer world is vital to our own best interests. But doing that requires change: better political leadership, a reinvigorated approach, and a new spirit of internationalism.

On 13 March 2023, it was an auspicious day for the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. In the warm spring sunshine of a San Diego shipyard, the leaders of our three nations gathered by the dockside to announce the next stage of the AUKUS partnership.

His Majesty has ascended the throne in an increasingly volatile period. Threats from autocratic states will dominate the coming decades; with Russia’s savage and illegal war in Ukraine, volatility in the Western Balkans and within allied nations, and China threatening our freedoms, security and prosperity.

More than 300 people have been evacuated by the UK from Sudan as part of British efforts to help people escape the region following the outbreak of violence, Downing Street has confirmed.

In 2017, as a foreign office minister, I proposed 3 Commando Brigade should protect the key port of Hudaydah in Yemen under a UN mandate, allowing its huge port cranes to offload vital aid for the millions caught up in the civil war.

The United Kingdom is interdependent, interwoven, and inextricably linked to the rest of the world in our challenges, opportunities and responsibilities. This is a principle leaders of our great nation should understand and live-by. The notion that we can be masters of our own destiny by ignoring these truths is pure fantasy.

Military veterans from more than 60 countries pledged their commitment to respecting peace and security, diversity and the wellbeing of the ex-service community when they met for the 2023 World Veterans Congress in Belgrade. The March Congress incorporated the 30th World Veterans Federation General Assembly and was facilitated with the co-operation of SUBNOR of Serbia.

The House of Lords Committee on Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems has just launched its call for evidence.

Dr Hugh Milroy, CEO of the charity Veterans Aid, has been appointed Honorary Professor in Social Work at the University of East Anglia.

I arrive in Kyiv in time for lunch at my favourite restaurant, “Beef Meat and Wine”. I love Ukrainian beef and order a steak with a salad. The war notwithstanding, many restaurants have remained open and this steak is as close as I can get to a USDA prime cut, but a third of the price.

Although western intelligence agencies knew of Vladimir Putin’s plans for a lightning strike on Kyiv, and the absorption of Ukraine into a Russian puppet state, it is now crystal clear that the Russian military leadership in the field were totally unaware of the strategic intentions of the Kremlin.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will use the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine to pressure other world leaders to "move faster" in arming its military.

The UK still plays a crucial role in defending democracy and preserving Europe's security. Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the global economic aftershocks caused by Russia's hostile aggression, delegates gathered at the Global Britain Summit to discuss these challenges.

When Russian tanks crossed the border of Ukraine on 24 February last year the European order, which had survived seven decades, was shattered.

It shouldn’t take the shooting down of spy balloons to wake us up to the increasing threats to United Kingdom security posed by Xi Jinping’s Chinese Communist Party (CCP) dictatorship in Beijing.

Inflation slowed in January, according to official figures, but remains near record-highs with rates still higher than ten per cent.

Transport minister Richard Holden has said that it is “possible” China has flown spy balloons over the UK after the US shot down four aerial objects over North America in recent days.

Boris Johnson has called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to help bolster Ukraine's defences against Russia by giving President Volodymyr Zelensky the British jets he is asking for.

In a historic speech in Westminster, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky gave his thanks to the UK for its support in its battle against Russia.

Keir Starmer challenged the Prime Minister at Prime Minister’s Questions on why the deputy prime minister still has a job despite allegations of bullying after Nadhim Zahawi was sacked over his tax affairs.

As we come to the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, our attention turns to the deliberate cruelty and violence being wrought on Ukrainian civilians.