The Ukrainian army is using British Challenger 2 tanks in its incursion into Russia’s Kursk region.

Footage released by Russian and Ukrainian sources suggested that the Nato-standard main battle tank has joined the incursion force for the first time in recent days.

A now-deleted photograph shared by Ukraine’s 82nd Air Assault Brigade, elements of which are fighting on Russian soil, showed the British-donated war machine in the background.

Russia’s defence ministry also shared video of a Challenger 2 racing through the Russian countryside. It claimed the tank had been destroyed by a drone.

The Telegraph could not independently verify the Russian claim, but analysts said the footage had been heavily edited and it was unlikely the tank had been destroyed.

Britain handed Ukraine 14 Challenger 2 tanks last year in the first donation of Nato-standard main battle tanks.

The Ministry of Defence has never placed restrictions on the use of British weapons on Russian soil, as long as they are used against targets in accordance with international law.

However, Storm Shadow cruise missiles have been restricted to targets on Ukraine’s sovereign soil and the occupied peninsula of Crimea.

Classified US intelligence documents leaked shortly after their delivery to Ukraine said Challengers were assigned to Kyiv’s 82nd brigade.

Ukraine has captured more than 1,000 sq km of Russia’s Kursk region since its forces launched a surprise cross-border raid early last week.

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British tank commander, said the introduction of the Challenger 2 was likely a sign that Kyiv was attempting to “reinforce success”.

Kyiv’s top general announced on Thursday that Ukraine was establishing its first military administration in the Kursk region.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi said that the administration was required “to maintain law and order and address the population’s urgent needs”.

Each Ukrainian region has been given its own military administration since Russia invaded in February 2022 to help coordinate civilian-military issues.

Meanwhile, Russia ordered the evacuation of some 20,000 residents from the Kursk region’s Glushkov district, which borders Ukraine, regional governor Alexei Smirnov announced.

Local officials in Kursk’s neighbouring Belgorod also announced that additional resources would be freed up for the region after a state of emergency was declared.

Western analysts have recorded a slowing in Ukraine’s operational tempo after the lightning assault captured large swathes of Russian territory.

Moscow has started digging trenches and building a network of fortifications some 30 miles north of its border with Ukraine.

The Russian resistance to the invasion, the first of its soil since the Second World War, has somewhat slowed Ukraine’s advance.

Russian sources have also contested Ukrainian claims about areas Kyiv controls.

Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Chechen Akhmat special forces, says Ukrainian troops do not have complete control over Sudzha, a town Kyiv has claimed to have under its occupation, Russian state media reported.

The number of students achieving top A-level grades has made a surprise increase to become the highest on record outside of the pandemic despite efforts to curb grade inflation.

Pupils across the UK defied expectations as the share of A*s and As rose to 27.8 per cent this year, up from 27.2 per cent in 2023.

In total, 10,600 more top grades were handed out to pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland this summer compared to 2023, with A*s in particular up almost 5,000.

It means almost one in 10 A-levels were awarded an A* this year, making up 82,000 out of 887,000 total entries.

It will be welcome news for hundreds of thousands of 18-year-olds opening their A-levels today and marks the best set of grades in a non-pandemic year.

Up until and including 2019, the record for the overall share of A*s and As was 27 per cent, achieved in 2010 and 2011.

The proportion of A* grades handed out also rose to the highest in any year outside of pandemic disruption. The level of A-level entries achieving the top possible grades climbed 0.4 percentage points to hit 9.3 per cent – the highest since the A* was introduced for A-levels in 2010.

It means the proportion of A*s and As remains above pre-pandemic levels for the second year in a row, despite efforts to return grading to normal following years of disruption.

Forecasts had predicted that any push to return the share of top grades back to the 2019 level of 25.5 per cent would have seen 16,000 fewer A*s and As handed out.

But this year’s sixth form leavers, who are the first in five years to have sat both their GCSE and A-level exams following disruption from the pandemic, outperformed predictions.

Universities hope for higher intake

It will provide a needed boost for cash-strapped universities, who are hoping that better-than-expected A-level grades could buoy more school leavers into taking up a degree.

In total, 62.4 per cent of 18 year-olds in the UK got into their first choice of university, according to Ucas – up from 58.8 per cent last year.

However, this year’s A-level results will also raise concerns that some grade inflation may have become baked into the system since exams were temporarily ditched for teacher assessments during Covid disruption.

Sir Ian Bauckham, the head of exams regulator Ofqual, said this year’s students “had the benefit of GCSE results to guide their selections” for A-level subjects.

He insisted the new Government had no input in setting standards this year, and that “it’s likely that the most significant factor was the ability of the cohort”.

Pupils in England were again outdone by their counterparts elsewhere in the UK. While 27.6 per cent of candidates in England achieved an A* or A, this rose to 29.9 per cent in Wales and 30.3 per cent in Northern Ireland.

However, Northern Ireland still saw the biggest drop in the share of top grades year-on-year, falling 7.2 percentage points.

Wales and Northern Ireland made 2024 their target for returning A-level grades to pre-pandemic normality, while England aimed to return to normal last year but still fell short.

Boys widened their lead in achieving the top possible marks this year, with their share of A*s rising 0.4 percentage points to reach 9.5 per cent, against girls’ 9.1 per cent. It marks a slight increase from 2023, when 9.1 per cent of boys achieved A*s compared to 8.8 per cent of girls.

But girls slightly edged boys to lead the overall share of A*s and As, with 28 per cent of female A-level entries achieving the top two grades, compared to 27.6 per cent of boys.

It marks a record for both boys and girls in a non-pandemic year.

Private schools

Private schools pupils in England extended their lead to remain the top-performing set of students. Almost half – or 49.4 per cent – of all A-level entries by private school pupils achieved an A* or A, up from 47.4 per cent last year.

Meanwhile, 41 per cent of grammar school pupils achieved top grades and 26.5 per cent did at academies.

It comes at a crucial moment for private schools as they try to prove their worth ahead of the Government’s plans to start charging VAT from January.

A-level entries for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) subjects surged to remain some of the most popular subjects among sixth form pupils across the whole of the UK.

Maths entries rose 10.9 per cent to exceed the 100,000 mark for the first time and remain the most popular A-level choice for sixth formers. Further maths also jumped 19.9 per cent – the largest of any subject. It means around one in three pupils sat an A-level exam in maths – almost two-thirds of whom were boys.

A-level entries in physics jumped 12.3 per cent, while the number of pupils taking computer science, economics and chemistry also saw healthy rises.

While psychology was the second most popular subject behind maths, entries declined 2.4 per cent this year. The number of pupils taking sociology sank 6.5 per cent, and those taking history dropped 2.2 per cent.

It comes amid increasing emphasis on the value of university degrees that can boost students’ earning potential.

But some humanities subjects bucked the trend, including English Literature, which saw entries climb 8 per cent to mark the second rise in a row. French appeared to reverse decades of decline to rise 6.8 per cent.

Across the whole of the UK, other modern languages saw the biggest increase in A* and A grades, up 7.9 percentage points from 60.4 per cent last year to 68.3 per cent this summer. German climbed 2.5 percentage points to mark the second biggest rise in top grades.

The biggest drops were in Irish, where the level of A*s and As sank 9.7 percentage points, and Welsh as a first language, which dropped 7.9 percentage points.

The overall boost in top grades comes as A-level pupils will have more choice of university places than in any recent year.

The drop in demand from mature and international students means the number and variety of places available in clearing on Thursday will far exceed the norm.

Universities face increased pressure to fill places this year amid warnings of a looming financial crisis. It means pupils could be welcomed on to degrees even if they miss their offers, with one education source describing it as a “buyer’s market” this year.

Results show ‘tremendous resilience’, says Phillipson

Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, congratulated this year’s A-level pupils for showing “tremendous resilience”.

“They’ve been through an awful lot in recent years,” she told Times Radio. “They’ve had fantastic support from the staff and teachers within their schools and colleges, and it’s a big and exciting day for them.”

State high schools were the only school type to see a decline in A* and A grades, dropping from 19.3 per cent to 17.2 per cent between 2023 and 2024.

While every other school type improved compared to 2019, the share of top grades for state high schools was below pre-pandemic levels.

It comes as the overall pass rate – the proportion of entries graded A* to E – has fallen to 97.2 per cent across England, Wales and Northern Ireland this year. It marks a slight dip from 97.3 per cent in 2023 and 97.6 per cent in 2018.

Jill Duffy, chairwoman of the Joint Council for Qualifications, said: “With A-level grades similar to last year, Gen Z students and their teachers will see some much-needed continuity and stability after the disruptions of the pandemic.

“Whether going to university or into training or straight into a career, their qualifications help them move on to their next stage, and we wish them every success in the future.”

The overall boost in top grades comes as A-level pupils will have more choice of university places than in any recent year.

A record number of pupils are also expected to use the clearing system to “trade up” their university offers, and many Russell Group institutions have saved space for high-performing students.

Top universities reported receiving hundreds of phone calls this morning as top-performing pupils tried to cut a better university deal.

Jo Saxton, the head of Ucas, told The Telegraph earlier this week that “some of the most selective institutions have talked to me about recognising [students using clearing] and wanting to keep that option open for students”.

The University of Sheffield said that almost 550 high-achieving pupils had called up so far this morning after receiving their A-level results.

The most popular enquiries for students looking to trade up were for courses in economics and management, though there was interest across the board including for humanities and sciences.

Dan Barcroft, director of admissions at Sheffield, said: “Competition for clearing places remains fierce, especially for popular courses at top universities, with many students reassessing their options post-results and using clearing to ‘shop around’ and find the best university for them.

“At Sheffield, we have some places available through clearing for high-achieving students and we guarantee accommodation to everyone who accepts an offer by the end of August, to help ease the stress of results day.”

Scotland has a different qualification system and students received their results last week.

A 15-year-old boy has become the first person to be charged with the offence of rioting in relation to the recent unrest in the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

The CPS said the teenager – who cannot be named for legal reasons – is due to appear at South Tyneside youth court on Thursday, where he will be asked to enter a plea.

Riot is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, double that of a charge of violent disorder.

The boy, from Sunderland, is accused of rioting following disorder in his home city on Aug 2.

It comes a day after a judge called for prosecutors to use the charge because it carries a longer maximum sentence.

Gale Gilchrist, the chief crown prosecutor for CPS North East, said: “Following a review of further evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has laid a charge of riot in relation to a 15-year-old boy, following disorder that took place in Sunderland on Aug 2.

“This is the first such charge to be authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service in the wake of recent unrest. The boy will appear at South Tyneside youth court today [Thursday], where he will be asked to enter a plea.

“This defendant is one of a number of individuals who we expect will be charged with riot, and as these are live proceedings we remind all concerned that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Chris Wilson, defending the teenager, told South Tyneside youth court: “This morning I was contacted by the Crown Prosecution Service and informed that it was the intention of the prosecution to lay a charge of riot. This raises a number of complex issues.”

Mr Wilson asked for an adjournment of two weeks to discuss the evidence fully with the boy.

He said the situation “doesn’t sit comfortably with me, professionally or personally”, adding: “Clearly there are complex issues, and those issues may well have far wider repercussions.”

‘I hope this sends a really strong message’

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, said: “I hope this sends a really strong message that, no matter how old you are, if you took part in the recent appalling events in Sunderland you will face really serious charges.”

On Wednesday, Judge John Thackray KC urged prosecutors to be tougher on rioters and suggested they should face up to a decade in prison.

The remarks came as he handed a three-year prison term to Connor Whiteley, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker after kicking a female police officer to the ground during riots in Hull.

Sentencing him on Wednesday, the judge said: “The prosecution do need to look, for those who are playing front and central roles, at the alternative charge of riot rather than violent disorder.”

Extinction Rebellion (XR) is encouraging elderly supporters to take part in mass demonstrations in which the group plans to occupy restricted areas of Windsor Castle’s grounds, according to a report by security analysts.

The climate change protesters are planning three days of action at Windsor Great Park, the site of one of the King’s main residences. 

The grounds of the castle are also home to Adelaide Cottage, where the Princess of Wales has spent time recuperating from cancer.

Activists plan to create a diversion with protesters in fancy dress on the park’s Long Walk, allowing others to slip into areas that are out of bounds to the public, according to security documents seen by The Telegraph.

The information was revealed after private investigators, acting on behalf of a local businesses, reportedly infiltrated online discussions by XR activists.

‘As inclusive as possible’

In an online discussion, members of the XR leadership team said they wanted to make the protest “as inclusive as possible”, extending to elderly and disabled activists, according to the report by ASG Pivotal.

XR leadership members pointed out that elderly and disabled activists can contribute to the success of direct action. Others affiliated with the group said the optics of removing elderly or disabled activists were “extremely challenging” for the police.

The report also said activists affiliated with XR had discussed plans to target hotels and restaurants in Windsor town centre, while blocking local roads.

But in a statement XR said it “does not have any plans to storm Windsor Castle, any hotels, nor cause public disruption during our three-day ‘Upgrade Democracy’ event in Windsor.

The statement said: “We won’t be storming any castles – but we will be hatching exciting plans to fix the current broken system that is burning down the planet.”

Marijn van de Geer, of XR, added that the gathering was “about uniting communities for positive change, not disruption or alienation”.

XR got permission for a three-day mass demonstration within the park, and cited King Charles’s commitment to environmental causes when it was announced last month. The organisation’s Catherine Bartlett said: “Windsor Castle has been chosen as an embodiment of a broken and unjust system, where our message will resonate powerfully.”

Windsor Castle was considered the main residence of the late Queen, and her remains are interred in the King George VI Memorial chapel on the grounds, alongside her husband.

The chapel and parts of the grounds are usually open to ticket-holding members of the public during the summer months, including the days of planned protests from Aug 30 to Sep 1.

The King and Queen are currently in Scotland, while the Prince and Princess of Wales are at their residence in Norfolk but are expected to return to Windsor in time for the start of the school year on Sept 4.

Former Olympic canoeist Etienne Stott is among the leading organisers of the protest, because of his links to the local area including the nearby Dorney Lakes, where he trained for the 2012 London Games.

‘Several high-end hotels mentioned’

The report said: “Activists will be meeting at The Long Walk to carry out that mass trespass into Windsor Castle Grounds at 6pm.

“Activists have been asked to dress in business suits or as oil barons – there will be the XR red and black brigade doing their pageantry on the Long Walk itself. However, this will be a choreographed distraction to allow other activists to attempt to mass trespass into restricted areas of Windsor Castle grounds.

“Should this be prevented or dispersed, online chatter suggested targeting local businesses that serve high net worth individuals as secondary targets. Several high-end hotels were mentioned as part of this list. So those in the local area should be vigilant Friday early evening.”

Thames Valley Police said it would not stop the demonstration going ahead but that criminal activity would be dealt with quickly.

A spokesman for the force said: “Thames Valley Police is aware of a planned demonstration in Windsor from Aug 30 until Sep 1. We have been in contact with the organisers and are working closely with partners to put a comprehensive plan in place to facilitate peaceful protest and ensure the safety of all those in attendance and other members of the public. 

“We will not tolerate criminal behaviour, and those choosing to commit offences can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”

Monty Don has admitted that sometimes shop-bought veg is just as tasty as the homegrown variety.

The gardener, who has grown vegetables since he was a child, said throughout his life he has “steadfastly adhered” to the view that homegrown food is “always better” than shop-purchased.

However, he admitted that a quarter of the produce he grows in his allotment is thrown away, and questioned how often allotment-grown veg is eaten “with real enjoyment” in Britain.

Writing in Gardeners’ World, Don said that over the past few years his homegrown asparagus has “declined” and “we found the locally grown asparagus to be just as good as our own”.

He said: “I stress that this goes against all my opinions that I have steadfastly adhered to all my life.

“I have blindly held to the belief that homegrown is always better than bought. I am not abandoning that but modifying it a little.”

Don has previously spoken about the “luxury” of strolling into the garden to handpick homegrown produce.

“The pleasure of growing your own food, eating it in season fresh and ripe, remains paramount,” he continued.

“But sometimes I have to admit others are doing it better.”

His biggest advice to first-time veg growers is “grow what you like to eat”.

“If I’m honest, I grow a wide range of vegetables that include a few I don’t like much and would never buy or eat in a restaurant,” he continued. “Why do I do this? Because that is what I have always done.”

Don admitted that while his “horticultural head is open and inquisitive”, his “secret horticultural heart clings to a very old-fashioned take on growing veg”.

He continued: “My guess is that a lot of people follow the same horticultural selection without really connecting the produce to their plates.

“How much of Britain’s garden and allotment vegetables actually get eaten, let alone with real enjoyment? Does that matter?

“I know that I probably consign as much as a quarter of everything I grow to the compost heap or recycle via the chickens.

“I claim some exoneration on account of having to make the vegetable garden look good for the TV cameras and thus probably grow more of everything than I need, but there is certainly wastage, albeit all recycled.

“But the best advice remains to grow what you like to eat.

“See the vegetable plot as a place for raising ingredients, rather than an end in itself.”

One of Britain’s oldest donkey beach-ride companies has hit back at calls to ban the seaside tradition in Weston-super-Mare.

Campaigners are trying to prohibit the popular activity, claiming that it is “outdated and cruel”.

But the family-run Somerset company Weston Donkeys, which has existed for nearly 140 years, insist that the animals are well cared for and are urging the protesters to “come down and talk to us if you’ve got concerns”.

A Change.org petition, launched on Aug 1, slammed the tradition, claiming that donkeys are “sentient beings capable of feeling pain and experiencing emotional stress”.

They say the donkeys are “often subjected to long hours of work in high temperatures with limited access to water and shade, which compromise their well-being”.

The petition adds: “There are plenty more exciting attractions to visit in Weston-super-Mare that do not compromise animal welfare.

“These alternatives ensure that our town remains a vibrant and family-friendly destination without causing unnecessary distress to innocent animals.

“By putting a ban on these rides, we will not only be protecting the welfare of the animals but also setting an example moving toward more humane practices across the board.”

If the petition reaches 500 signatures, it will be sent to the local council and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with a view to it being reviewed.

Many towns across the UK have made regulations in a bid to reassure the public that donkeys are cared for. These set out the donkey’s working hours and its right to have one day off each week, as well as the maximum age and weight of the riders.

Donkey rides on Weston-super-Mare beach have been run by family business RG Mager and Sons since 1886. There are two teams of donkeys who work on rotation – meaning the donkeys have days off between their shifts.

Richard Warburton, a donkey-ride operator who has worked for Weston Donkeys for over 40 years, said the arguments in the petition are “irrelevant” and urged campaigners to “come see the donkeys for yourselves”.

He said: “The arguments in the petition just aren’t relevant to us. Yes there are donkeys in the world that need protecting – that are being used, have no food, no water, just aren’t being looked after.

“My donkeys and the donkeys along the Weston beach are all looked after. We’re in the public eye all day long – so if people have concerns or want to know something, just ask.

“Come down and talk to us, come and meet the donkeys – and if you find an issue then please let me know.

“But they’ve got plenty of water, they’re never without food, they’re unbridled and free to walk around as they please, and the rides are for children only.”

Mr Warburton said they have about 30 donkeys, all of which were bred or rescued by the company.

He said: “We’ve put so much time and investment into them. They don’t come out onto the beach until they’re four – by that time they’re very used to and comfortable around people.”

Vicky Brown, a 70-year-old beachgoer, said: “I’ve been coming to Weston for the past 40 years and the way I’ve seen the owners treat the donkeys over that whole time has always been very well.

“I’ve never seen them harmed, the children love them, and they’ve been a part of Weston for so many years – a ban is absolutely not necessary.”

Becky and Athena, both teachers, 25, from Stoke, were at the resort this week.

Athena said: “I think it’s fair for people to have their concerns about donkey riding. I can see it might be stressful for the donkeys being taken back and forth from their homes to the beach.”

Becky added: “The donkeys clearly bring in a lot of tourism which is good but I do think it’s a bit unfair to actually ride them.

“I’m not sure a complete ban is necessary but they do need to be well-looked after and there should definitely be age restrictions for riders.”

Fiona Lovibond, 44, from Burnham-on-Sea, agreed that donkey rides are a “part of seaside tradition”.

She said: “The donkeys seem well-looked after and I think it’s the same family here that owns all the donkeys – they’ve been doing it for years, they know what they’re doing.

“Families and children love them. A ban isn’t necessary.”

A mother-of-five was mauled to death by her own dog, an inquest has heard. Michelle Hempstead, 34, was attacked on July 29 by one of two dogs she lived with in her ground-floor flat in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

Neighbours recalled how she climbed over her balcony railing to escape, and ran away screaming before collapsing near a playground area. Local residents ran out of their homes to give her first aid before paramedics arrived.

The dog involved is said to have been a Bull Mastiff-type breed which Ms Hempstead kept in her flat along with a Pomeranian.

Essex Coroner’s Court in Chelmsford heard how she died of her injuries on July 30 at the Royal London Hospital.

The inquest was opened and suspended by senior Essex coroner Lincoln Brookes, after he revealed that police had launched a criminal investigation into Ms Hempstead’s death.

Court coordinator Andy Flack told the hearing that Ms Hempstead had been found with lacerations to her left arm on July 29.

She was taken to Southend Hospital before being transferred to the Royal London Hospital where she died the next day.

A post-mortem by Home Office pathologist Ben Swift gave her provisional cause of death as multiple organ failure, hypovolemic shock, transection of a left axillary artery and a dog bite wound to her upper left arm.

Mr Brookes said: “Ordinarily, I would adjourn for an inquest to be heard, but I have had a request from Essex Police to suspend the coroner’s proceedings pending a criminal investigation, and I grant that request. I will review that suspension after three months.”

The coroner said he wanted to pass his “deepest condolences” to Ms Hempstead’s family.

Ms Hempstead’s friend of ten years Liah Smith revealed in a GoFundMe appeal, launched to help pay for her funeral and support her children, that she had only just lost her daughter.

Her appeal said: “Thank you for clicking onto this post. My name is Liah and with permission I will be speaking on behalf of the Hempstead family as well as friends and anyone close who knew our Chelle.

“I truly appreciate you taking a moment to read her story. Myself and her nearest and dearest have been completely blindsided by this news.

“Michelle wasn’t just a mother to five beautiful children, she was a daughter, a friend, a neighbour, a big support system for the people around her but undoubtedly the kindest soul to have crossed everyone’s paths.

“We are absolutely heartbroken by her absence, and we’d like to do her justice by coming together as a community at this unfortunate time.”

Describing Ms Hempstead as “fun, bubbly and selfless” and who was “fun no matter the situation”, Ms Smith said her death had left her family “absolutely heartbroken”.

Acting Detective Inspector James McLean-Brown, who is leading this investigation into Ms Hempstead’s death, said earlier this month: “My officers have worked tirelessly for the last three days. That work has been supported by a number of members of the public who have come forward to assist our enquiries.

“This was a very distressing incident to witness, so I’d like to thank everyone who has spoken to us so far and ask anyone else with information to contact us.

“The details you have may be important, and we need the fullest picture of Monday evening to complete our enquiries.

“Our sympathies remain with the family of the victim, who are being supported by our specialist officers.”

One neighbour of Ms Hempstead who asked not to be named said: “I was at home with my partner when we heard screaming.

“He went to help, and I called an ambulance. By the time he had got down to her, she had run across to near the playground area and had collapsed.

“She was unconscious and had a really nasty wound to the top of her arm. It was evidently a dog bite.

“I think she had climbed out of her flat out over her balcony. I came out to help. She had run screaming and made it against a wall.

“We had to move her to see where the blood was coming from. It is just awful that she has died. I can only think it was because of the blood loss.”

The neighbour said Ms Hempstead had a partner and was devoted to her dogs.

She added: “She was quite friendly. We had a puppy last year and she would stop us to see how he was getting on.

“I was not aware of any problems with her dogs. There was a boy aged around 14 or 15 who would come to her flat to walk the big dog.

“We saw both dogs being taken out early in the morning and they were both walking happily on a lead.”