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The most binge-worthy Lonely Planet travel videos

Mar 13, 2020 • 0 min read

At Lonely Planet, we're all about exploring the world, but when you can't make the trip, the next best thing is traveling vicariously through Lonely Planet's videos. Here are our favorite travel videos from around the world.

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17 Best YouTube Travel Channels to Follow

Written By: The Planet D

Digital Nomads

Updated On: December 14, 2022

You may have seen our list of the best youtube travel vloggers written by the outstanding Christine of GrrlTraveler . She introduced us to some of the best travel vloggers who have endured through the years. That list of youtube channels features the heavy hitters and best travel vloggesr on YouTube, including Vagabrothers, Mark Weins, Kristen and Siya, Samuel and Audrey and Hey Nadine. So check that out here .

We didn’t want to mess with Christine’s list, but we did want to share more amazing youtube travel channels with you that we check out weekly. Christine had a strict criteria for her choices for the best travel channel like consistent updates, niche, and channels that bring a new spin on the word Travel Show – (She knows what she likes and she has a TV producing background after all).

Table of Contents

Best Travel YouTube Channels

We chose our list of YouTube travel channels in a similar fashion. They are people we watch regularly, they update consistently, and have entertaining videos and personalities and do creative work. These travel YouTubers combined with Christine’s list are the best travel channels on youtube. They make us want to travel and I know they will do the same for you. 

Most Inspiring YouTube Travel Channels

These are not in a particular order. Everyone on this list is a great travel channel on YouTube. There is something to suit everyone’s taste.

1. MIKE COREY

Mike is one of the most innovative storytellers in travel on YouTube. With his unique editing, fantastic footage and wild sense of adventure you’ll love watching his videos from around the world. Because of his high production value, Mike is hired a lot for companies and brands to make professional travel videos on their channels. Mike is so charismatic, he is a host on the BBC Travel channel too!

2. Drew Binsky

When we first wrote this list (and Christine wrote hers) Drew Binskey wasn’t even on the radar yet. And now he has exploded to become the most successful youtube travel channel out there. He is on a mission to visit every single country on earth and Drew shares videos that take you off the beaten path. He is always showing you what it is really like to travel to a place and he features locals in interviews showcasing their culture and every day life.

3. ARIENNE PARZEI

Arienne has burst onto the scene in the past year, but we’ve known her for quite some time. Winning the Best in Travel at the Buffer Festival in Toronto (this is considered the Oscars of YouTube Travel) she has gone none stop producing quality videos. Her 8 part video series highlights her climb of Mount Kilimanjaro with World Vision Canada. Her videos are professional quality and she is highly sought after by brands and destinations to produce travel videos.

4. Going Awesome Places

Will of Going Awesome Places covers everything travel. From what travel gear he uses, to giving you inspiration to create your own trips. We love his editing style, use of drones and the feeling of taking you into the destination as you travel along. Will has some great adventures and is a serious adventure traveler but he also has a lot of fun showing travels that everyone can do too!

5. Tourist2Townie

Gareth travels slow and really delves into the destination that he visits. Tourist2Townie travelled extensively in Brazil and became a sensation in Brazil. While visiting a Rio favela, we even saw his logo plastered on the walls of the community. Now that’s fame! 

He’s now left South America and is bigger than ever traveling the world and sharing his video series from each country he visits on his exceptional travel channel.

6. Expert Vagabond

Matthew Karsten is the king of adventure travel doing everything from diving with sharks in South Africa (without a cage) to trekking solo across Greenland. If you want inspiration or need some motivation to get your lazy butt off the couch, check out his videos that he’s posted from his years of travelling around the world.

Update: We shared Matt’s video above in 2019 when updating this article and couldn’t believe this moment never went viral. Well guess what? It finally hit the big time and everyone is buzzing about that penguin now. Check it out.

7. Steve Hanisch

Steve is another travel videographer with high production value on his travel channel that is sought after by tourism board and travel brands. He speaks around the world about making travel videos and produces his videos in both English and German. He’s also got a great sense of humour and is an all-around nice guy.

8. Be My Travel Muse

Kristin is one of the top female travel bloggers and is making waves in the travel vlogging world now too! Travel along with your laid back vibe as she goes around the world to places like the Philippines and Mexico to everywhere in between. She does adventure travels and we love how she chats directly to the audience making you feel like a friend.

Maiku runs his own production company and has won several video awards. We always love checking out his videos. He has put together some great video series that keep you hooked on what is coming next. I really like his behind the scenes information and journalist quality videos like the video above showcasing the Toronto restaurant market.

10. David’s Been Here

David Hoffmann has been traveling the world since 2008. We met him in Istanbul and since that time his YouTube Channel that focuses on food and travel has skyrocketed! With videos uploaded nearly every day from 77 countries and over 1,000 destinations, you’ll never run out of things to watch!

11. Getting Stamped

Adam and Hanna are that dreamy couple that you see on commercials showcasing exotic destinations. They were made for starring in their own travel channel. We love going to island destinations with them as they showcase beautiful locales with their drone work and fanstastic cinematography.

12. Vacation Couple

Kristin and Shadi specialize in resort tours and when we book vacations, we check out their travel channel first. Shadi is a graphic artist by trade, so his work is second to none. When you watch their travel videos, you feel like you are watching a Club Med advertisement and will want to book a luxurious getaway right now!

13. Nomadasaurus

Alesha and Jarryd are an Australian adventure couple that have been on the go for since meeting in a hostel in 2008. They’ve recently returned home after a decade of traveling the world and are showcasing their life in a van through fun videos. We love their organic style and sense of adventure in their videos.

14. Christopher Rudder

Chris is a fellow Canuck who shares his love for travel through his cinematic style and very sexy voiceovers. (this is Deb talking here 🙂 I feel like I am watching a full on travel show when watching Chris as he covers everything from adventure to food, culture and city guides.

15. CAILIN O’NEIL

Cailin was one of the first travel bloggers/youtubers we ever discovered. Coming from a film and TV background she puts a lot of information and personality into her videos. Cailin is a fellow Canuck who has a great sense of humour and a talent for storytelling. Coming from a film and tv background, she makes her travel videos feel like a proper documentary-like one of our favourites the Tomatino Festival.

16. Cammy D

Cameron is the son of one of the world’s top travel writers, Heather Greenwood Davis and he is going to be a star. While still in school, he’s been producing travel vlogs about travels that he’s been on with his family. He’s been branching out recently from travel to tackle subjects like racism, the importance of youth voices, and even showing off his talents in video games.

17. Brendan Vanson

Brendan has a great mix of photography tuturials and day vlogging. Mixing his talents for photography and his great sense of humour, he has been able to carve out a unique niche that has attracted a large following. If you love to take pictures of your travels, you’ll love his getting the shots series “Where he explains how he takes his breathtaking images.

18. ThePlanetD

While you are browsing, check out our travel channel on YouTube. We put up new videos every week.

We have adventure travel videos from all seven continents doing everything kayaking in Antarctica and learning to whitewater kayak, to taking a luxury train journey through the Rocky Mountains.

Give us a Follow us on YouTube: We’ve posted nearly 400 videos on our Travel Channel from our 100+ countries visited. You’ll have hours of entertainment and a few laughs.

If you haven’t noticed, there are a lot of Canadians on this list. I didn’t know it until I compiled this one but clearly We Canucks tend to have a lot of love for each other. This list is also not in a particular order.

What’s Your Favourite YouTube Travel Channel?

Do you have a favourite YouTube Travel Channel? Make sure to leave a link in the comments below. We’ll keep adding as we find them! 

• 15 Top Travel Vloggers on YouTube
• 16 Amazing Instagram Travel Photographers – Girl Power
• Best Travel Blogs by Category
• 101 Best Travel Quotes in the World with Pictures

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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360° Panoramic Creations:

We create high-quality stabilized video having 8k and 4k resolution, 48 or 24 frames per second together with high-quality post-processing. Videos are supported by the most advanced technologies, such as virtual reality headsets (including Samsung Gear VR), different electronic devices and YouTube channels.

We use different types of moving and fixed objects (tripods, monopods, cars, helicopters, building cranes, etc.) to record videos. For aerial shooting we usually use drones with fully gyro-stabilized unique suspension. Panoramic video covers up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

360° videos are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the videos are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate with the resolution up to 8k.

360° PHOTOGRAPHY

Our team creates high-quality 360° photo-panoramas with 35000x17500 pixels resolution (in the equidistant projection) and carries out professional post-processing and corrections of any complexity. We develop virtual tours which are suitable for all browsers, support both Flash and HTML5 technologies and are compatible with different mobile devices and virtual reality headsets (including Samsung Gear VR).

We use different types of moving and fixed objects (tripods, monopods, cars, helicopters, building cranes, etc.) to record videos. For aerial shooting we usually use drones with the fully gyro-stabilized unique suspension. Panoramic video covers up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

Ready 360° photo-panoramas cover up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

Info-points (description buttons that can be placed in the panorama), embedded pictures, video and audio can be added to the virtual tour.

360° GIGAPANORAMA

Our team creates high-quality 360° photo-panoramas with resolution from 1 to 3 gigapixel and carries out professional post-processing and corrections of any complexity. We develop virtual tours which are suitable for all browsers, support both Flash and HTML5 technologies and are compatible with different mobile devices and virtual reality glasses (including Samsung Gear VR).

Info-points (description buttons that can be placed in the panorama), embedded pictures, video and audio can be added to the ready virtual tour.

360° TIMELAPSE

We can make panoramic timelapses with the given viewing angle and resolution up to 12k with professional post-processing and without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle. 360° timelapses are supported by the most advanced technologies, such as virtual reality glasses (including Samsung Gear VR), different electronic devices and YouTube channels.

360° timelapses are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the timelapses are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate with the resolution up to 12K.

Content sales:

VIRTUAL TOURS

On the basis of 360° panoramas we create virtual tours of any complexity, branded with logos and design elements of the company’s website together with embedding interactive elements, such as photos, slideshows, videos, descriptions, switch-points to other panoramas, audio descriptions, 3D sounds.

Our clients receive a fully functional virtual tour developed in HTML5 and supported by any computer or mobile device (iOS, Android, Windows Phone).

360° Photo    Price List

STOCK PHOTOS

For almost 10 years of travelling around the world our team has gathered an extensive stock of pictures, taken from both flying devices and the ground.

Any picture presented at our stock can be licensed for any kind of possible use. We can also offer the photos of ultra-high quality (the longer side up to 103,000 pixels).

You can also take a look at the spherical panoramas published on the website www.airpano.ru . Any of the 360° panoramas represented on the website can be converted into a printed image of very high quality.

Photogallery    Price List

STOCK 360° VIDEOS

By filming 360° video since 2011, our team has gathered an extensive stock of clips, taken from both flying devices and the ground.

Any video presented on our website can be licensed for any kind of possible use.

360° videos are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the videos are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate.

360° Video    Price List

APPLICATIONS

We are one of the software developers of applications based on 360° photos and videos. Currently, there are 7 applications in our portfolio. One of them was top-rated in 84 countries and listed among the best applications of the year 2014 according to App Store.

These applications can also be used for demonstration of panoramic content with the help of virtual reality devices, such as Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard and analogues.

Exhibition installations:

EXHIBITION INSTALLATIONS

AirPano team has the experience of creating panoramic cinemas and video-walls, making it possible to demonstrate our panoramic content at different kinds of events, exhibitions and in museums. The size is only defined by the premises, the quality of projector and the dimensions of plasma screens. Such solutions usually make a deep impression on visitors.

The control is carried out by a tablet or Kinect devices.

TOUCH SCREENS

We are ready to create applications with panoramic content working on touch screens of any size. Both AirPano panoramas and the client’s material can be the basis for this kind of software.

We create virtual tours of any complexity, branded with logos and design elements of the company’s website together with embedding interactive elements, such as photos, slideshows, videos, descriptions, switch-points to other panoramas, audio descriptions, 3D sounds.

VR HEADSETS

Our virtual tours and 360° videos are supported by all the types of virtual reality headsets (VR): Google Cardboard, Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, Sony Morpheus and others.

We can also develop special software for operating on Samsung Gear VR, if required.

AirPano in cooperation with Polden Studio carries out the installation of the binocular usage of the client’s or our own content. With the help of binoculars, the client can present the panoramic content at different kinds of events, exhibitions and in museums. This kind of devices usually attract a lot of visitors and leave a deep impression on them.

Princess is launching an all-inclusive, 4-month, around-the-world cruise for $20,000— see what it'll be like

• Princess Cruises announced a 114-day  world cruise to 52 destinations in 2026, starting at $20,000 per person. 
• Guests who book early would get a free, all-inclusive package, a first for Princess' global itineraries.
• Extended and all-inclusive cruises have emerged as big trends in the vacation industry.

Princess Cruise's new around-the-world voyage will hit two vacation trends in one itinerary.

In January 2026, the company says its Coral Princess will embark on a 114-day cruise to 52 ports in 28 countries and six continents — more destinations than any of its previous global sailings .

It's the Carnival Corp brand's latest appeal to the extended cruising trend . But it's not the only fad this four-month vacation is targeting.

The sailing, which starts at $20,000 per person, also marks the first time Princess is offering a complimentary all-inclusive package as a way to entice early bookings.

Ultra-long and all-inclusive cruises have emerged as big trends in the industry.

Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, and Oceania's 2024 around-the-world cruises all sold out before departing in January. The former was fully booked within three hours, while every cabin on the latter was called for in 30 minutes.

Besides being high-end, these three companies share one commonality: some level of all-inclusiveness , as is common with premium cruise lines.

Mass-market cruise companies rarely go the all-inclusive route.

Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian are generally beloved for their affordability.

But if you want to experience all their ships have to offer, be prepared to face a list of up-charged amenities like pay-to-play rides and specialty restaurants . After all, there's a reason their base fares are much cheaper than their increasingly popular ultra-luxury, all-inclusive counterparts.

But Princess has been increasingly vying for a slice of the luxury cruiser pie.

The cruise line says guests who book its 2026 world cruise early (that is, by the end of October) will receive its most inclusive Princess Premier package for free. The perk — launched two years ago — covers amenities that typically have a fee, like WiFi, premium drinks, some specialty restaurants, and workout classes.

Travelers who reserve one of the ship's high-end cabins by the same deadline would also receive complimentary airport transfers and airfare, services normally exclusively offered by luxury cruise lines .

The itinerary would have two roundtrip embarkation options: Fort. Lauderdale, Florida, on January 5, 2026, or Los Angeles 16 days later.

From there, the 2,000-guest Coral Princess would sail more than 35,000 nautical miles to ports in North America, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Central and South America.

It wouldn't be Princess' longest voyage — that title goes to its 116-day world cruise in 2025 — but it would be one of its most destination-heavy.

While two days longer, next year's around-the-world cruise would hit six fewer ports and four fewer countries than its 2026 counterpart.

According to the itinerary, about half of the 2026 voyage consists of sea days.

That's a lot of time on the water with no land in sight. Luckily, travelers can keep themselves entertained by attending lectures and programs related to the destinations, leisuring around the adult-only lounge, or taking a dip in Coral Princess' four pools.

The 21-year-old ship also has 10 places to grab a bite, although the Italian and steakhouse restaurants are considered specialty. Premier is the cruise line's most inclusive package, but it only includes 16 free dinners at these upcharge restaurants, paced once a week.

Princess is still a mass-market cruise line, after all.

The company has been increasingly dangling its inclusive package as a big perk.

The company says its two-month-old Sun Princess will debut in the US in October with its first-ever Sanctuary Collection . Travelers who splurge on these expensive and luxurious accommodations would be rewarded with two major benefits: a private lounge and Princess Premier.

• Main content

28 countries for $25K? Princess' World Cruise will offer 'more all-inclusive experience'

On Princess Cruises’ 2026 world cruise, the line will one-up itself.

The 114-day sailing will visit 52 ports, the most destinations for any of the line’s world cruises.

Terry Thornton, the line’s chief commercial officer said the voyage “addresses a growing interest in longer voyages that make stops at more exotic destinations, and the urge to do it as part of a more all-inclusive experience,” according to a news release .

“Our 2026 World Cruise offers our most destination-rich itinerary ever so guests can immerse themselves in a global experience rich with landmarks, ancient ruins, unique landscapes, wildlife, gastronomy, cultures and heritage,” he added.

What is a world cruise? It's not a 'shoot-from-the-hip decision'

When is Princess’ 2026 world cruise?

The cruise will sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 5, 2026, on the line’s 2,000-guest Coral Princess ship.

 Guests can also opt to sail round-trip from Los Angeles on Jan. 21 instead.

Where will the cruise go?

Guests will sail to 28 countries on six continents, and the stops will give passengers access to 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The itinerary also features late departures from more than a dozen ports, including Honolulu, Hawaii, Singapore, and Sydney, Australia. Guests will also stay overnight in Hong Kong.

The cruise will include the line's first-ever stop in Boracay, an island in the Philippines, and Coral Princess will make new world cruise calls to Puerto Chiapas, Mexico and Ponta Delgada in Portugal’s Azores Islands . Guests can enjoy destination-specific programming on board, such as themed deck and sail-away parties, lectures on Mediterranean history and art, World War II and more.

How much does the cruise cost?

The round-trip Fort Lauderdale departure currently starts at $25,214 per person based on double occupancy, while the Los Angeles option starts at $24,004, according to the line’s website .

Guests who book by Oct. 31, 2024, will get a complimentary Princess Premier package that includes Wi-Fi, premium alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee and more; $500 in onboard credit each for two passengers; and transfers from local airports, among other perks.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Breaking News

Three surfers on a dream trip to Mexico were brutally killed. Here’s what we know

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A trio of tourists on a surfing trip in Mexico were living an idyllic life. They were posting photos of themselves on the beach, on rooftops, drinking beer, listening to music as they explored the country’s scenic coastline.

Then, they disappeared.

Here’s what we know about what happened:

Who were they?

The men who were killed were Australian brothers Callum Robinson, 33, his brother Jake, 30 , and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, 30.

Callum was a high-level lacrosse player. He played Division III college lacrosse at Stevenson University in Maryland.

World & Nation

Bodies found in Baja California during search for missing tourists, Mexican officials say

Mexican officials say three bodies are found in the Baja California area where two Australian brothers and their American friend went missing while on a surf trip.

May 4, 2024

“He lived an extraordinary life, but what is most impressive about Callum is what a loyal friend he was. Once you were his friend, you were friends for life,” said Stevenson University lacrosse team coach Paul Cantabene.

“My heart is shattered into a million pieces,” wrote Callum Robinson’s girlfriend, Emily Horwath, in an Instagram post.

His brother Jake was a doctor, and Jack Carter Rhoad founded an online apparel company in San Diego called Loma Apparel. He also worked for a consulting company called ITCO Solutions.

Rhoad had recently proposed to his girlfriend, and his final Facebook post, from July 2023, showed pictures of the proposal.

What were they doing in Mexico?

The three men were on a surfing trip in Baja California and were expected to check into an Airbnb in Rosarito on April 27 but never showed up, according to Debra Robinson, Callum and Jake’s mother.

The three arrived in Mexico on April 26 for their idyllic beachside trip. Callum Robinson posted photos of the trio drinking beer on a rooftop, as well as pictures of the men at the beach and in a rooftop Jacuzzi.

3 bodies in Mexican well identified as Australian and American surfers killed for tires

Mexican authorities say three suspects killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip in Baja California to steal tires from their truck.

May 5, 2024

Their disappearance triggered a manhunt and investigation by local Mexican police, the FBI and the Mexican marines.

What happened?

Mexican authorities have determined that the three men were killed by thieves who were looking to steal their white pickup truck in order to sell its tires.

The Chevrolet truck was posted in the first picture Callum Robinson shared when the men arrived in Baja California on April 26. It had a California license plate.

The bodies of the victims were found about 4 miles from where they were killed, just south of the city of Ensenada. A tent the men were staying in, as well as their burned-out truck, was found nearby.

María Elena Andrade Ramírez, chief state prosecutor of the state of Baja California, said investigators discovered their bodies 50 feet deep in a remote well.

Inside the well was a fourth cadaver as well, she said.

Three Mexicans are being held in connection with the case, the prosecutor said.

This gentrifying Mexico City neighborhood has a Soho House — and a migrant encampment

An encampment in the Juarez neighborhood of Mexico City shows how migration is impacting countries south of the U.S. border.

May 7, 2024

What does it mean for tourists?

The killings have set off pitched discussions over safety as well as the prioritization of solving the homicides of other tourists killed in Mexico.

On the Talk Baja Facebook group, concerned surfers and potential visitors to the Northern Mexico state have discussed whether they should still visit the area.

The U.S. State Department said in its 2023 report that Americans should “reconsider” travel to Baja California due to kidnapping and crime. The “reconsider” category is the second-worst category, after the department’s “do not travel to” recommendation.

More to Read

Testimony details alleged motives in Mexico surfer slayings: ‘Money, devices and the pickup’

May 9, 2024

Three friends drove from California to Mexico for a surfing trip. Then they disappeared

May 3, 2024

U.S. couple likely thrown overboard by boat hijackers are dead, Grenada police say

Feb. 27, 2024

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Abandon the doom and gloom narrative around Azerbaijan and Armenia

Elin Suleymanov , Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the UK, responds to an article by Patrick Wintour

Patrick Wintour ( Armenia turns towards west in search of allies amid Azerbaijan tensions, 30 April ) offers an oddly dark view from his visit to Armenia, just as Azerbaijan and Armenia, for the first time since their independence, have reached a breakthrough agreement to begin delimiting the border between two countries – a move widely praised by the international community and advocated for by Armenia’s prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan.

Moreover, he fails to mention that the main reason for hostilities and instability over the years was the 30-year illegal occupation of the internationally recognised Azerbaijani lands by Armenia. So much so, that Mr Wintour described the return of four Azerbaijani villages previously occupied by Armenia and clearly located in Azerbaijan , as acknowledged by all existing maps and even Armenian officials, as “ceded” to Azerbaijan.

Mr Wintour is right, however, about Armenia’s history of perpetual and futile search for allies outside the region, while a lasting peace requires normalisation with immediate neighbours. He is also correct to quote an ethnic Armenian resident of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region referring to separatists urging local Armenians to leave by stoking fears and ethnic division.

Perhaps, it is time to abandon narratives of doom and gloom, and support the remarkable progress that Azerbaijan and Armenia are making towards peace. Elin Suleymanov Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the UK

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Ukraine war latest updates: Russia launches surprise advance on Ukraine - but why has Moscow opened up second front in war?

Russia has launched an attack in Kharkiv away from recent battlegrounds, Ukraine has said - as Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists his forces were "prepared" for the assault. Two civilians have been killed in the attack, a local governor has said.

Friday 10 May 2024 21:49, UK

• Putin's military launched an advance away from the frontline in the early hours of this morning
• Ukraine says its forces are fighting to repel the attack on the Kharkiv region
• Russian forces have advanced a kilometre, according to Ukrainian sources
• Analysis: Why has Russia opened up second front in war?
• Sky's Deborah Haynes witnesses terror in attacked town as evacuations under way
• Ukraine's president says forces were 'prepared' for assault
• Ed Conway : Russian oil still seeping into UK - the reasons why sanctions are not working
• Live reporting by Jess Sharp and (earlier)  Narbeh Minassian

In our previous post, we told you about a reported Ukrainian strike on the occupied region of Luhansk. 

Now, Russian news agencies have quoted officials as saying three people have been killed and seven others have been injured. 

According to Russian state media, the attack triggered a large fire at an oil storage depot in the region.

"The enemy opened fire on the peaceful city of Rovenky," Russia installed regional Governor Leonid Pasechnik wrote on Telegram. 

"Because of the shelling, the oil depot was engulfed by flames and nearby houses were damaged."

Ukrainian bloggers and Telegram channels reported the strike, saying the oil depot was directly hit. 

It was the second such attack in three days.

On Wednesday, an attack on an oil depot in the regional centre of Luhansk injured five people.

Mr Pasechnik reported at least one of the dead was an employee at the depot. 

The Ukrainian military has launched a strike and triggered a fire near an oil storage depot in the occupied Luhansk region, Russian state news agency TASS has reported. 

Ukrainian bloggers and Telegram channels said the depot in the town of Rovenky was hit. 

Several photos have emerged online appearing to show a large blaze, but these have not been verified by Sky News. 

In Vovchansk, Ukrainian officials have been helping civilians evacuate due to the heavy shelling.

The border town in the Kharkiv region came under intense attacks. 

In his evening address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi had reported to him that "heavy fighting" was taking place all along the more than 1,000-km (600-mile) front line.

Ukraine chased Russian troops out of most of the Kharkiv region in 2022, following Russia's full-scale invasion in February of that year.

But after weathering a Ukrainian counteroffensive last year, Russian forces are back on the offensive and slowly advancing in the Donetsk region that lies further south. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued an updated statement on the situation in Kharkiv. 

In a post on  Telegram , the Ukrainian president said Russian troops have tried to expand their operations. 

But he added that Ukraine understands the "scope of the occupier's forces". 

"We see his plan," he said. "Our soldiers, our artillery, our drones respond to the occupier." 

He also said Ukrainian forces were adding their "strength" along the state border and the entire frontline near Kharkiv. 

"We will invariably destroy the occupier in such a way as to thwart any Russian offensive intentions," the 46-year-old leader wrote. 

"Everything depends on the stability of our soldiers, and everyone who holds a position now protects the position of all of Ukraine.

"It is important that partners support our soldiers and Ukrainian stability with timely supplies. Really timely. The package that really helps is the weapons brought to Ukraine, not just the announcement of the package." 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked Joe Biden after a $400m military aid package was announced by the US. 

The Ukrainian president said the assistance will "help save civilian lives" and strengthen troops on the frontline. 

"The United States maintains its leadership role in supporting Ukraine and this has historic significance," he added. 

This is the third tranche of aid for Ukraine since Congress passed supplemental funding in late April after months of gridlock.

The package includes: 

• High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and rockets for them
• Munitions for Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems
• Anti-aircraft and anti-tank munitions
• An array of armoured vehicles, such as Bradley and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles
• Coastal and riverine patrol boats
• Demolition munitions
• High-speed anti-radiation missiles
• Protective gear, spare parts and other weapons and equipment

The weapons are being sent through presidential drawdown authority, which pulls systems and munitions from existing US stockpiles so they can go quickly to the war front. 

By Deborah Haynes , security and defence editor, in Vovchansk

Terror and grief were the overwhelming emotions from dozens of mainly elderly men and women who fled the Ukrainian border town of Vovchansk after Russian forces attacked.

Gathered at an evacuation point just outside the town, they said it had been the fiercest fighting they had ever experienced since the full-scale invasion.

Sky News followed a pair of volunteer rescuers, who drove a white van into the tow to help residents evacuate.

Smoke hung over the road on the way – we were told all roads into Vovchansk were being targeted by Russian artillery, rockets and drones.

One of the attacks had ignited a fire in a forest that lined the road, sending clouds of smoke into the air.

The streets of the part of the town we entered were almost completely empty.

We pulled into a residential area of bungalows.

A group of five elderly men and women sat or stood on a bench on the side of the road, seemingly happy to stay put.

The rescue team pulled up outside an address where they had been told four residents wanted to be evacuated.

They knocked on the door, but no one replied. Instead, a petite, grey-haired woman who lives in the next door house pushed open her green gate and told the rescuers that her neighbours had already gone.

Distraught, Valentina, 74, had no plans to leave, but the rescuers managed to persuade her.

"Let's go, don’t stay here, it is dangerous," they said.

Suddenly there was a boom – it seemed to change her mind.

Gathering a few simple belongings, she was led out of her home and into the minibus.

The mayor said some 500 people from the town have been evacuated since the attack began, but he said the town’s population was 3,000, with many more yet to leave.

Evacuation operations are set to continue.

By Sean Bell , military analyst 

At 5am, the Russians launched a surprise attack on the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine, killing two civilians and injuring at least five others. 

The Ukrainian border community of Vovchansk was one of the targets - this community is only 5km away from the Russian border, and the attack led to the evacuation of 3,000 residents. 

Russian forces are reported to have advanced around 1km, before Ukrainian reinforcements were deployed.

So why has Russia opened up a second front in the war?

There are probably two key reasons for this latest Russian attack.

First, the Russian border town of Belgorod is a logistics hub for Russian military activity, and is regularly targeted by artillery from Ukrainian territory.

President Putin has long promised to create a buffer zone to push Ukrainian forces out of artillery range, which would limit the attacks on this frontier town. 

Secondly, although most analysts believe Russia would struggle to seize Kharkiv, the attack does force Ukraine to spread its limited resources across a broader front, leaving it more vulnerable to further attacks.

Russian's priority still appears to be the Donbas - a primary objective of what it calls its special military operation. 

Russia's military are evidently exploiting the window of opportunity created by Ukraine's current shortage of weapons, and are reported to be preparing for a major summer offensive. 

Ukraine's strategy appears to be to trade territory for time, making Russia pay a high price for every metre of ground seized, pending the arrival of the West's next delivery of military aid.

But, momentum and initiative are vital commodities in war, and Russia has both at this crucial juncture.  Ukraine is on the back foot, and could face a very difficult next few weeks on the battlefield.

The UK's foreign secretary, Lord Cameron, said last week Ukraine has a right to use British-supplied weapons against targets inside Russia.

Referring to those comments, senior Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev warned the West against greenlighting Ukrainian attacks on its territory using Western-supplied weapons.

After what Moscow said were threats from France, Britain and the US, Russia said earlier this week it would practise the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons as part of a military exercise.

These exercises are to work out Russia's response to any attacks on the country using weapons supplied by the West, Mr Medvedev claims.

He said the Russian response would "be aimed not only at Kyiv" - and took personal aim at Lord Cameron.

"I remember this guy quite well. I worked with him when he became prime minister. An ordinary dull Brit. At that time, he was joyfully stupid and looked like a young devil who was revelling in his unexpectedly acquired position," he wrote on the Telegram messaging app, which has been translated.

"Under certain circumstances, the response [to such attacks] will be aimed not only at Kyiv," he added.

He added: "And not just with conventional explosives, but also with a special kind of arms."

As we have been reporting throughout the day, Russian forces gave started the first stage of an operation in Kharkiv. 

Fierce fighting has been taking place in parts of the northeastern region, and Ukrainian officials have claimed Russian troops have advanced by 1km. 

Leading US thinktank the Institute for the Study of War has said evidence indicates the initial Russian attacks have been carried out for reconnaissance and not as a major drive to seize Kharkiv city. 

It has also suggested five objectives Russia might be trying to achieve with the operation: 

• To thin out Ukrainian forces along the 600-mile frontline, and create opportunities in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.
• Draw Ukraine forces towards Vovchansk in Kharkiv to facilitate Russia's efforts to seize Kupyansk - another city in Kharkiv. 
• Create a demilitarised or sanitary buffer zone in Ukraine.
• Instil panic in Ukraine.
• Set conditions for a larger future offensive on Kharkiv. 

The ISW added that Russia was unlikely to take control of Kharkiv city. 

Open source data suggests Moscow's forces have an insufficient number of troops in nearby areas to seize it, the thinktank added. 

"If the Russian command intended to seize Kharkiv city, then Russian forces would have likely also attacked to the west and northwest of Kharkiv city as well," it said. 

It also explained that Russia's use of its airspace for the Kharkiv attacks highlights the "urgent need" for the US to provide more long-range air defences to Ukraine. 

"Ukraine would be better able to defend Kharkiv oblast if Ukrainian air defenders could intercept Russian aircraft in Russian airspace before they drop their glide bombs," it added.

Although there is growing expectation that the initial tranche of F-16 fighter jets being donated to Ukraine could arrive as soon as early July (see our 3.50pm post), it is not clear when the other ingredients of this powerful air power capability will be in place by that time.

Providing a credible and effective Ukrainian combat air capability requires suitably trained and experienced pilots, groundcrew, weapons, defensive aids and radar.  

All these components need to be in place before the Ukrainian air force will be ready to go into battle with the Russian military. 

Once the F-16s are place, the challenge facing Ukraine will be when and where to use these valuable resources - and how to avoid them being destroyed before they can contribute to the Ukrainian defensive effort.

When the F-16s arrive, they will provide Ukraine with an invaluable - albeit scarce - resource. 

They could be used to support the frontline, but they will be very vulnerable in that dynamic and hostile air environment.

They could also be used to conduct strikes against key Russian military targets inside Russian territory, which would certainly force a change in Russian tactics.

Or, if Ukraine wanted to threaten Crimea, the F-16s could be used in a co-ordinated attack in support of a wider campaign.

Regardless, with Russia on the front-foot in the Donbas, Ukraine needs all the help it can to reverse Russian momentum on the battlefield.

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