Today’s news summary – Paper Talk 

Monday’s front pages report on a variety of stories; the latest from the Ukraine war and the divisions within the Conservative party. 

Ukraine war – the latest 

The Russian president’s claims that Ukraine is behind the bombing of a bridge to Crimea paves the way for an escalation in Moscow’s handling of the war, the Daily Telegraph says. The paper quotes a former Kremlin adviser saying “it’s time for Russia to stop talking and instead begin silently and painfully beating them.” 

The Sun reports Putin’s backers have urged him to launch an all-out war in order to “plunge Ukraine into dark times.”

The Guardian agrees there is a growing expectation that Russia will respond with an “imminent and harsh escalation.” 

The Metro says that a Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhia was revenge for the bridge blast and shows what it calls the “wrath of Putin.” 

UK politics – Liz Truss U-turn

Another lead story for this morning’s papers is the make-or-break week ahead for UK prime minister Liz Truss.

The Guardian claims the PM is heading towards another major U-turn on real terms cut to benefits. 

Whilst the Express says Jacob Rees-Mogg and Therese Coffey are the latest top Tories in the cabinet to demand rebel Tory MPs to “stop the plots” and show loyalty to the prime minister. 

The Times says Ms Truss will launch a charm offensive including policy lunches to try to win over MPs. 

The Mirror calls for the benefits rise to be linked to inflation arguing that a failure to do so would condemn hundreds of thousands of people into poverty. 

The i says some of the Tory rebels are still hopeful to force PM Truss out of office “within weeks.” One of the rebels tells the paper “we will get rid of her” with another adding that “a lot of what she’s doing is only going to appeal to the Fargesque wing of the party.” 

But the Express calls on Conservatives to rally behind the PM’s vision, adding “shame of those who seem intent on sniping from the sidelines.”