A semi-truck driver on TikTok narrowly escaped death after he was involved in a multi-car accident inside of a tunnel.
Read More »
Trucker’s haunting escape goes viral after deadly tunnel accident
Did Brian Laundrie fake his death? Why the conspiracy theory doesn’t add up
Brian Laundrie didn’t fake his own death, but the conspiracy theory was circulated after her murdered Gabby Petito.
Read More »
EA FC 25 Fantasy FC promo: Upgrades & everything we know so far
Fantasy FC is set to return in EA FC 25, so here’s everything we know about the promo and card upgrades so far.
Read More »
The 15 best Stephen King movies of all time
Stephen King has penned some of the scariest and most compelling stories ever told but which movie adaptation of his work is best?
Read More »
Major phone provider slashes £100 off Android flagship with ‘mindblowing camera’
NOW is the perfect time for fans of Google’s smartphones to upgrade.
Mobiles.co.uk is offering the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL with 400GB of data for £32 a month and just £65 upfront using an exclusive code.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, 400GB data, £32/month (£165 £65 upfront)
(Save £100 with code PIXEL100)
It’s no secret that mobile providers like to reel in customers with enticing deals, whether it’s slashing prices or bundling in free gadgets.
This time, Mobiles.co.uk is leading the charge with an exclusive £100 discount across the entire Google Pixel 9 range.
This offer is available solely at Mobiles.co.uk, so you won’t find it elsewhere.
Using the promo code PIXEL100, you can knock £100 off the upfront cost of any handset in the Pixel 9 series, including the top-tier Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The clock’s ticking though, there’s no confirmed end date for this deal, so if you’re interested, act quickly to avoid missing the boat.
While the deal is available on both Vodafone and iD Mobile networks, the Vodafone plan is the real showstopper in my book.
For just £32 per month, you can bag the Pixel 9 Pro XL with a huge 400GB of data to see you through the month.
Even better, the upfront cost has been slashed from £165 to just £65 when you use the discount code.
And with Vodafone’s reputation for reliable coverage and solid connection, you’re in safe hands with the network.
If your current contract is winding down or you’re considering switching providers, this is the perfect opportunity to snag the latest tech at a bargain price.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the largest of the lineup, boasting a 6.8-inch display and a 50MP triple-lens camera setup.
Our Assistant Tech & Science Editor, Jamie Harris, raves about its “mind-blowing” camera in his hands-on Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review.
With Google’s signature AI-powered photo tools like Magic Eraser and the impressive Add Me feature, your photography game will level up a gear.
And don’t forget, this deal isn’t limited to just the Pro XL, it’s available across the entire Pixel 9 range.
Best Google Pixel 9 deals
Here are my top picks, with upfront costs shown after applying the discount code (PIXEL100).
- Google Pixel 9, 400GB data, £25/month, £110 upfront on Vodafone (with code) – buy here
- Google Pixel 9, Unlimited data, £27.99/month, £19 upfront on iD Mobile (with code) – buy here
- Google Pixel 9 Pro, 500GB data, £35.99/month, £29 upfront on iD Mobile (with code) – buy here
- Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Unlimited data, £34/month, £40 upfront on Vodafone (with code) – buy here
2025 is shaping up to be a stellar year for Android fans.
Earlier this month, the Samsung Galaxy S25 launched with great excitement, and we’ve got all the best deals for it on our Samsung Galaxy S25 pre-orders page.
And if you’re more budget-conscious, keep an eye out for the Pixel 9a, set to launch in March.
We’ll be the first to bring you the best deals, so stay tuned.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, 400GB data, £32/month (£165 £65 upfront)
(Save £100 with code PIXEL100)
Don't miss out...
Visit The Sun’s shopping tech hub for more news, explainers and tech deals.
For more discounts and recommendations from the Sun Shopping team, sign up to our newsletter and join the WhatsApp group.
‘Who are these people?’ – Stephen Hendry blasts snooker players for ‘horrendous’ common gesture in fiery rant
STEPHEN HENDRY has slammed the antics of snooker players in a fiery rant.
The seven-time world champion hit out at stars that show their opponents too much respect and apologise after a fluke shot.
Hendry labelled modern-day sporting gestures as “horrendous” and did not hold back in his criticism.
He told the Snooker Club podcast: “You know what’s even worse? After every good safety shot, it’s a tap on the table now.
“What is going on? Sometimes it’s not even getting to the cushion and it’s ‘tap the table, tap the table, it’s so nice, lovely shot’.
“I mean, bore off. You’re there to win. Who are these people?”
Hendry praised Judd Trump for not engaging in these antics and had a theory about the five-time Triple Crown winner.
He continued his theory: “Trump never apologises for a fluke, hardly ever.
“And he never says ‘good shot’ and taps the table, ever.
“He’s world No1, he’s won everything, you do the maths.“
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Ronnie O’Sullivan, who has pulled out several tournament recently, is set to feature against Stuart Carrington at the World Open on Sunday.
Hendry said he would be “shocked” if the Rocket withdrew as he “loves” playing in China.
However, he does worry we may not see O’Sullivan until the Crucible in April.
Hendry said: “Part of me thinks, is he just going to play in the World Championship? Is that the goal now? Is that the game for the season, the plan?
“I don’t know, but there’s no doubt if he’s not in an event, the event suffers a little. There’s no doubt about it.”
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.
- 1969 – John Spencer
- 1970 – Ray Reardon
- 1971 – John Spencer
- 1972 – Alex Higgins
- 1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
- 1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
- 1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
- 1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
- 1977 – John Spencer (2)
- 1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
- 1979 – Terry Griffiths
- 1980 – Cliff Thorburn
- 1981 – Steve Davis
- 1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
- 1983 – Steve Davis (2)
- 1984 – Steve Davis (3)
- 1985 – Dennis Taylor
- 1986 – Joe Johnson
- 1987 – Steve Davis (4)
- 1988 – Steve Davis (5)
- 1989 – Steve Davis (6)
- 1990 – Stephen Hendry
- 1991 – John Parrott
- 1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
- 1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
- 1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
- 1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
- 1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
- 1997 – Ken Doherty
- 1998 – John Higgins
- 1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
- 2000 – Mark Williams
- 2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 2002 – Peter Ebdon
- 2003 – Mark Williams (2)
- 2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
- 2005 – Shaun Murphy
- 2006 – Graeme Dott
- 2007 – John Higgins (2)
- 2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3)
- 2009 – John Higgins (3)
- 2010 – Neil Robertson
- 2011 – John Higgins (4)
- 2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4)
- 2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5)
- 2014 – Mark Selby
- 2015 – Stuart Bingham
- 2016 – Mark Selby (2)
- 2017 – Mark Selby (3)
- 2018 – Mark Williams (3)
- 2019 – Judd Trump
- 2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6)
- 2021 – Mark Selby (4)
- 2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7)
- 2023 – Luca Brecel
- 2024 – Kyren Wilson
Most World Titles (modern era)
- 7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
- 4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
- 3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
- 2 – Alex Higgins
Radio 2 star QUITS show three years after taking over from Paul O’Grady
ROB Beckett has quit his BBC Radio 2 show just three years after taking over the slot from Paul O’Grady.
The BBC announced that today Rob has decided to step down due to scheduling issues, with him putting down the headphones for good in April, shortly before Easter.
While Beckett will be leaving the afternoon 5pm to 7pm show, he will still make appearances for the radio channel as a cover presenter.
On the announcement, Beckett said: “I’ve had such a laugh each Sunday getting to know the listeners, but as my tour schedule hots up and my family forget what I look like, I’ve decided to step away from a weekly show.
“But you won’t get away from me that easily as I’ll be back presenting shows on Radio 2 later in the year when normal service is resumed!”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, added: “I’d like to thank Rob for his brilliant work every Sunday evening. He’ll stay within the Radio 2 family and will be heard on the station at a later date.”
His replacement is yet to be confirmed.
Beckett took over the show from O’Grady in 2022, with the beloved presenter saying at the time it was “time to go” after 14 years in the timeslot.
For a period before his permanent placement, Beckett shared the slot with O’Grady in a 50/50 split – with both having 13 weeks on air, before 13 weeks off.
O’Grady later admitted he didn’t enjoy sharing the slot with Beckett, and suggested that it had an influence of his exit choice.
He later wrote on Instagram: “I did the honourable thing, I honoured my contract, gave my notice in and now I’m off.”
He was later critical of Radio 2’s shake ups, telling Metro the radio station “wasn’t what it was” as it brought in younger presenter.
“They’re trying to aim for a much younger audience, which doesn’t make sense because you’ve got Radio 1,” he told Metro in 2023.
He also noted: “I’m a great believer in continuity. If you go off for 13 weeks and somebody else comes on, the listeners don’t know when you’re back on.”
O’Grady died in March 2023 from sudden cardiac arrhythmia at the age of 67.
Owner suddenly closes restaurant with rant about ‘unreliable staff’ while blasting customers for ‘critiquing us hard’
THE owner of a newly-opened restaurant has suddenly shut up shop after going on a rant about ‘unreliable staff’.
Otterburns opened in Sandymoor, Runcorn, last March after months of planning and construction.
The restaurant offered breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as boasting a coffee house and bar.
A full drinks menu was also available, with coffee being served in the day, transitioning to a luxury and premium wine and cocktail menu in the evening.
However, owner David Watson has since decided to temporarily close, blaming staffing and ‘ too critical’ customers.
In a statement on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Dave revealed that “various problems have plagued us”, leading to him looking for a new owner.
The statement reads: “Historically, a professional general manager has been extremely difficult to find, with unreliable staff constantly adding to the daily operational issues.
“We’ve had a chef consultant, been through seven chefs, five general managers, eight supervisors and goodness knows how many servers – maybe that’s a testament to how difficult it is to run a hospitality business post COVID, or maybe just a comment about generational differences in attitude to real work?”
The owner also blamed ‘critiquing’ customers, writing: “You’ve critiqued us hard and if I’m honest, sometimes too hard, and the online ‘bashing’ has blown our minds.
“You’ve been a tough and fairly unique crowd to please, often rightfully so but sometimes not – grown adults making young servers cry is never acceptable.”
Dave said because of the staffing issues and the ongoing criticism, the restaurant has struggled to keep up with service levels, leading to Otterburns’ reputation suffering.
Over the last year, the restaurant has tried to keep up with the community’s demands, offering live music every month, drink and food offers, Sky Sports and party events.
As Dave said: “We’ve tried, tirelessly, to meet your expectations.”
But, he added, he doesn’t feel the restaurant has the “support of the community” anymore to continue to keep going.
He said: “I know from speaking to various regular customers that we got it right an awful lot of the time and I know that the set-up is right for any new owner to come in with a fresh broom and a clear head to make it work.”
Dave has said that when the business eventually gets a new owner and it reopens, he hopes the community will give the new owner ‘a chance and a revisit’.
Ending the announcement with a plea, he said: “Understand that, even your simple coffees/breakfasts take a great deal of effort and planning to get to your table.
“Understand that the UK Government make it extremely hard for businesses, suppliers make it hard, the local council make it hard, but the new owners will be doing it just for your enjoyment.
“Please be kind.”
Gardening expert reveals the 3 vegetables to plant in February for an early spring harvest
WITH spring almost here, there’s plenty to look forward to — longer days, warmer temperatures, and, of course, the return of gardening season.
And March may feel like it can’t come soon enough for those eager to get their hands back in the soil.
So people may be happy to hear that February is actually the perfect time to kickstart your growing season with three specific vegetables.
John Collins, nursery manager at Ashridge, says: “These hardy crops can withstand cooler temperatures, making them ideal for early sowing.
“Getting them in the ground now gives you an earlier harvest and helps spread out the workload in the garden.”
First up, John reveals that broad beans are one of the best vegetables to plant in February, as their robust nature allows them to thrive in cooler temperatures.
He adds: “Sowing these national favourites now can lead to an earlier harvest, often by late spring or early summer.
“Soaking the seeds overnight is a good way to encourage germination, and planting them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil will help them develop.”
The gardening pro recommends planting them about 20cm apart and leaving 60cm between each double row, to allow air circulation and easy access to the crops.
“As the plants grow, staking or installing nets can provide them with extra support and prevent them from toppling over”, he adds.
“Another great tip is pinching out their tips when they reach about one metre in height, as this will encourage bushier growth and deter pests like aphids.”
Early peas are another excellent choice for February, with varieties such as ‘Kelvedon Wonder’ or ‘Meteor’ being particularly suited to cooler temperatures.
Planting them now means that you’ll be able to enjoy sweet peas by late spring, bringing a taste of early summer to your dishes.
Unlike broad beans, early peas should be planted on a sheltered site.
They also don’t require as much space and can be sown 5cm apart, with rows spaced at 60cm intervals.
You should, however, consider providing them support with sticks or netting, as this will help them climb and grow even more.
John says: “A great way to ensure your early peas survive and develop is to plant them indoors in biodegradable pots and transplant them later once they’ve grown.
“This will drastically reduce damage from pests like mice and birds.”
Rounding off your February vegetable patch, you should consider spinach.
This veg grows quickly, and hardier varieties such as ‘Perpetual Spinach’ can withstand lower temperatures, allowing gardeners to enjoy fresh greens in early spring.
John recommends picking a sunny or partially shaded area with rich, moisture-retentive soil, and planting the seeds 30cm apart to give them room to mature.
Another possibility is sowing the seeds in containers for easier management—this can also help if you don’t have as much space.
But make sure you water your crops regularly to prevent bolting, applying mulch to retain soil moisture.
“Spinach is a vegetable that keeps on giving”, John says.
“It’s extremely rich in nutrients, and you can prolong the cropping period by harvesting its leaves regularly, always cutting the outer leaves first.
“This encourages new growth, allowing you to enjoy fresh veggies in your meals for longer.”
Historic US-Russia peace talks explained: The landmark deals reached on DAY ONE…but no date yet on Putin-Trump meeting
A CONCLUSION to the gruelling three-year war in Ukraine is edging closer after today’s historic peace talks between Russia and the US.
Moscow said the conversations “went well” as Washington labelled the crucial meeting “useful” – with both parties already reaching a number of landmark deals.
Earlier today, a team of top diplomats from Russia and the US spoke about negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The talks – which were quickly drawn up – represent the rapidly growing ties between the two nations under Donald Trump‘s new leadership.
Present at the negotiating table was US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz all sit down in Riyadh’s Diriyah Palace.
They were joined by outspoken Putin cronies Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushako.
Notably missing was any representative from Ukraine.
All we know from day one of the peace talks
- No new details on when Putin and Trump will meet
- Full embassy staffing agreed
- Both sides agree to create “high level teams”
- Vlad will speak to Zelensky “if necessary”
- Russia won’t allow Ukraine to join Nato
- Kremlin wants to end Western sanctions
- Zelensky postpones Saudi trip as he blasts unfair meeting
The meeting lasted for almost five hours with Moscow and Washington being joined by Saudi representatives who helped monitor the talks.
Following the peace chats, which mark the first time Russia and US delegates have met in person since the war broke out, both sides said they were hugely beneficial.
Close Putin aide, Yuri Ushakov, said the talks “went well” as he also revealed negotiators have been agreed to talk about the war in Ukraine from either side, IFAX reported.
Russia‘s lead negotiator told reporters after the talks: “It was a very serious conversation on all the questions we wanted to touch upon.”
Secretary of State Rubio said the meeting showed him that the Kremlin is finally “willing to begin to engage in a serious process”.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce later said the two sides have agreed to appoint “respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible”.
They added that all talks will be done “in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides”.
Trump’s Middle East envoy Witkoff even described the meeting as positive, upbeat and constructive.
Rubio stressed that despite the initial chats being positive, it was just the first of many chats which need to take place in the coming weeks and months.
He added that everyone involved in the war “has to be okay with it” ending with both sides needing to make concessions to make a deal work.
One of the key stumbling blocks which could dampen the negotiations would be from Ukraine’s side.
They were notably excluded from Riyadh today in a move which left both President Zelensky and his European allies annoyed and frustrated.
Brave Zelensky was in Turkey as the US-Russia talks went ahead without him with the comedian turned top politician heavily criticising the talks.
He said any negotiations “should not take place behind our backs” as he reiterated a peace deal will only be agreed if it is fair for all those involved – not just Putin.
Zelensky even announced he has postponed his official visit to the Saudi Arabia until March 10 – despite him initially being scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
The move has been done in order to not give any “legitimacy” to the US-Russia meeting, two sources told Reuters.
One of the main differences in opinion Kyiv has compared to their counterparts in Moscow is over Ukraine’s Nato membership.
Zelensky has long been campaigning with European leaders to grant Kyiv a spot in the organisation as it would give them protection over Putin’s army in case of any future invasion.
Putin and the Kremlin say this cannot ever be allowed to happen with blocking Ukraine from joining Nato being of the highest priority.
Without promises that Zelensky will never be able to enter the group – headed up by the US and European stalwarts – Putin is unlikely to accept any terms.
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, who was at the meeting, again made Russia’s stance clear on the matter.
He said after the first peace talk: “We’ve told the US that deployment of Nato troops in Ukraine, even under other flags, is unacceptable for Russia.”
Before adding that expanding the alliance to include their neighbours will be seen as a “direct threat to Russia”.
US OR BUST
By Jerome Starkey, Defence Editor
ONLY US might can deter Vladimir Putin, Defence Secretary John Healey said today.
Britain and Europe must play their part – but have no hope on their own.
Speaking after Keir Starmer demanded a “US backstop” to guarantee Ukraine’s security, he said: “In the end it is only the US that can provide the deterrence to Putin that will prevent him attacking again.”
He said deals crashed between Putin and Trump will need “a security guaruntee” to ensure it is a durabe peace.
Speaking at London’s institute for Government, he said: “We need a security guarantee for Ukraine in Ukraine that is capable of delivering what President Trump has says he wants, which is a durable peace.
“That requires an end to the Russian attack and no repeat of that in the future.
“The European countries have to play a leading part in that guarantee.
“But it will require a backstop from the US, because in the end it is only the US that can provide the deterrence to Putin that will prevent him attacking again.”
The focus of the talks was not only to help secure a deal which ends the conflict but to also improve the powerful two nations diplomatic and economic ties.
Russia are hoping to return to the global sphere after being essentially banished from the world stage since they first broke past Ukraine’s borders.
Putin’s struggling country has been constricted by damaging sanctions which have seriously stunted their economic growth.
Moscow expects “progress” will soon come on the economic front to get Western sanctions removed, a negotiator said.
A growing bond with Trump’s new look America could prove to be Vlad’s way back in – despite him still being despised by many across the globe.
PUTIN SPEAKING UP
One of the main goals of the Saudi Arabia peace talks was to open up the door for tyrant Vlad to speak with President Trump in the near future.
Trump has already said he and Putin will speak in person soon as he offered up Saudi Arabia as a likely first spot.
Putin gleefully responded by offering the US president to come to Moscow as well after their first meet.
But an official date or location is still yet to be agreed with nothing being confirmed during today’s talks.
Kremlin aide Ushakov said conditions for a meeting are being discussed, but they are still undecided on the details.
He added: “We are ready for this, but it is still difficult to talk about a specific date for the meeting of the two leaders.”
Another key takeaway from today saw the Kremlin confirm that Putin is ready to speak to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to achieve a peace deal “if necessary”.
Putin and Zelensky have never spoken directly to one another since Vlad’s illegal invasion three years ago.
But the dictator is now said to be ready to negotiate if he must.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced Putin will talk to Zelensky if a few conditions are met.
Peskov said: “Putin himself said that he would be ready to negotiate with Zelensky if necessary but the legal basis of agreements needs discussion considering the reality that Zelensky’s legitimacy can be questioned.”
Moscow has constantly labelled Ukraine’s heroic leader as an illegitimate president due to Zelensky continuing to be in charge despite his official term ending in 2024.
Ukraine has been trapped under martial law since Putin’s cross-border massacre meaning a fair election hasn’t been able to take place -leaving Zelensky as the president. – annoying a disgruntled Putin.
The Kremlin said the tense presidential sit down between the long term enemies would only take place after the wider issue of European security is addressed by all.
Peskov added: “A lasting and long-term viable resolution is impossible without a comprehensive consideration of security issues on the continent.
“With regard to Ukraine joining the EU, it is the sovereign right of any country… Nobody can dictate to another country and we do not plan on dictating.
“But it is completely different when it comes to security issues and military alliances.
“Here we have a different approach that is well known.”
EUROPEAN TROUBLES
European leaders have tried to muscle their way into the talks to try and make sure stability in the continent can continue even if Putin gets his way in the negotiations.
Europe was also absent from today’s peace talks with Zelensky saying leaders must be present at any upcoming conversations.
He said on Telegram: “Ukraine, Europe – in a broad sense, which includes the European Union, Turkey and Britain – must be involved together with America in the talks and development of the necessary security guarantees that concern the fate of our part of the world.”
Rubio insisted that “nobody” is being frozen out of peace negotiations.
He added the European Union “is going to have to be at the table at some point” and that the time will soon come.
Waltz, the White House’s national security adviser, added: “Our allies are being consulted almost on a daily basis.”
The conversation comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a rallying cry to Europe urging them to “step up” and deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.
The PM vowed the UK will “do our bit” to try and enforce a peace deal and pressure Putin.
The bold move put pressure on Britain’s allies to also publicly back the idea of a European peacekeeping force in war-torn Ukraine.
But the idea was dramatically rejected by a number of other fellow leaders.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Starmer’s pleas as “premature” and “highly inappropriate”.
He then stormed out of the meeting adding that the shear thought of making decisions seemingly on behalf of Ukraine was “irritating”.
Poland, Spain and Italy all joined Germany in scrutinising Starmer’s plan.
British boots in Ukraine has been met with Ukrainian joy
BY Noa Hoffman in Lviv and Kyiv
SIR Keir Starmer’s pledge to deploy “British boots in Ukraine” has been met with jubilance in Kyiv.
But in Britain it’s raised more questions than answers as to how Europe must respond to the war.
In eerie Kyiv men between 20 – 50 are few and far between on the frozen streets.
Most of them are stationed across the frontline, have been injured or died fighting what they see as not just a battle for Ukraine – but for the West and Europe and democracy.
From the UK they need certainty. Not empty words.
The PM knows he desperately needs to set out a path to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence.
How is it feasible for thousands of troops to come and help desperate Ukrainians when Sir Keir hasn’t even explained how he will fund them?
In an empty restaurant in quiet Lviv, I watched as five Ukrainian security chiefs guzzled a shot of vodka.
It was around their fourth toast of night – easy work for these hard as nails military men.
Having drunk to the health of their country and army, this next drink was for Britain.
The chiefs had heard Sir Keir Starmer pledge the possibility of peacekeeping British boots on Ukrainian soil. And for that they were elated.
The promise from the PM came in the wake of US President Donald Trump side-lining Kyiv to kickstart discussions on a deal to end the war with Vladimir Putin.
“Even hearing the words British boots, before anything has happened, is a huge morale boost for my people”, one military top brass told me as he slurped bright red Borscht.
The human tank added: “Many steps in the war are being made first by Britain and then others followed.
“It’s good leadership and this is how it should be. Someone needs to take the lead.”
What he and his top brass colleagues around the table weren’t seeing was the chaos the PM’s announced had sparked.
At home, former British Army chief Lord Dannatt warned the UK military is “so run down” it couldn’t lead any future peacekeeping mission to Kyiv.
Other military sources told The Sun’s defence man Jerome Starkey the army will be stretched to breaking point if thousands of troops go to hold the line in Ukraine.
In Paris last night, at an emergency meeting of leaders to strategize Europe’s response to Trump, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz slated Sir Keir’s proposal.
He told reporters: “It is completely premature and the completely wrong time to be having this discussion now.”
While the response went down more like a cup of cold sick than vodka with military leaders I met in Kyiv, Mr Scholz has somewhat of a point.
There are questions Sir Keir must answer – and fast.
Security chiefs tell me that more than anything, including British boots, they need weapons.
The future of the war is in the air, they say.
Drones, missiles, and air defence capabilities are in short supply but are key to stopping “idiot” Putin’s killing spree.
The war will be far more focused on tech than people in the not distant future.
Responding to Scholz’s backlash against British peacekeepers, a former Ukrainian SAS man told me: “Germany doesn’t have to be afraid of the Russians. There’s no point in being scared.
“If we have well trained British military here on the second or third line it can be very helpful so we can send our people to the frontline.”
He added: “What I’m hearing from Germany is disappointing. Historically, Germany they are scared of Nazi flashbacks.
“There are people saying Germans can’t be on sovereign Ukrainian soil.
“This is bull**** said by people who support Russian propaganda.”
In Lviv I received a warning.
“We will fight until the death,” a security chief told me.
“We have nothing to lose. We are not going anywhere.
“But the war is not about Ukraine and it won’t stop in Ukraine.
“Putin is coming to Europe and we can’t stop him forever.”
Sir Keir’s words are welcomed – but it will be his plan of execution that really has any bearing on the devastating war.
So far that is missing.
