a & j travel agency

A & J Travel

732-604-7224

Your Luxury Travel Experts

For over 30 years, our family has been helping people make their vacation dreams come true at an affordable price. With the knowledge and tools to find the best deals, we make your experience as easy as possible. Contact us today to learn more.

Get to know us

A & J Travel was founded in 1989, and is a family owned enterprise.  

With over 30 years of experience booking trips and traveling the world ourselves, we can help you plan your next amazing vacation. Our specialties begin with booking Cruises, Walt Disney World vacations, Destination Weddings/Honeymoons, Ski Vacations, Italy, Aruba and the Caribbean.... but it doesn't end there.

Since the day we opened our doors, we have dedicated ourselves to planning trips that provide our clients with unforgettable memories for years to come. So whatever type of trip you’re dreaming of, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with us today and we’ll take care of the rest.

Testimonials

"I recently traveled to Aruba on the recommendation of A and J Travel. John and Toni rented me a Villa on the North end of the island, and it was simply spectacular. They have access to many vacation clubs in addition to knowing all the places to get a great meal. John's contacts set us up for daily activities and we had an incredible time. My kids went scuba diving, we all went snorkeling and dined at fantastic ocean side restaurants. John's meticulous planning resulted in a flawless and spectacular trip from beginning  to end."

Dave Parks

"Aruba is our home away from home. We are unmatched in the Travel industry when it comes to finding the right personal touch. With my dad's connections and updated knowledge of the best resorts and restaurants, we know how to make it a perfect fit for you, your family and your friends."

John Costanza Jr.

"Mr. Costanza is my best friend's Uncle. He helped me book my trip to Belize last spring. It was an amazing experience for me and my family, and he took all the stress out of it. I am definitely working with him again next time I travel."

Ryan Persaud

"I have been booking Trips with John for as along as I can remember. He always finds the right balance when I am being too picky with price or location. He knows all the great restaurants and I highly recommend using him to help you with your next vacation."

Gloria Hayes

"John Costanza hooked our family vacation up in Aruba! We have 4 boys, there is so much to do at the Surf Club with the Lazy River. All the restaurants he recommended were amazing. We loved their partner in Aruba, Junior, the boys did so many tours, including Para Sailing. Can't wait for John to help us with our next vacation."

Diana Brush

Have made many cruises with this company. All without a hitch. Thorough and professional. Highly recommended.

Robert Sozanski

At A & J Travel, the sky’s the limit in terms of creating your next travel itinerary. Contact John Costanza  to begin planning your next unforgettable adventure today.

Toms River New Jersey

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How Did We Do?

We do the planning for you

Let's book the vacation of your dreams!

Our Background

We are people who are well-versed in the fun and rigors of traveling. Our travel agency came together to help other people plan and book their dream vacations. We have over 40 years of travel planning between us!

Our Services

Whether you're looking for a cruise, plane tickets, accommodations, or the whole package, we have you covered. Simply tell one of our specialists where you want to go, and we'll help you figure out the rest. We work directly with other companies to get the best deals.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

While working with us, we want you to be completely happy with the experience. If you have questions about us, our services, get in touch! We hope you continue to book with us for many years to come. 

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130 Market St

Havre De Grace, MD 21078

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Certified International Travel Coach

Making life the adventure you deserve.

J&A Travel Adventures is here to help you get the most out of your next trip!

Picture this: you're planning your dream vacation, but the process is just getting too stressful and you yearn for more than just the typical tourist traps.

Well, here I am, Ashley, the international travel coach from Texas, and the mastermind behind J&A Travel Adventures .

Over the last 28 years, I have accumulated a treasure trove of insider knowledge from my world travels and use it when designing custom travel just for you.

My expertise goes beyond booking flights and hotels; I am the secret ingredient that transforms your trip into an unforgettable adventure.

A Travel Coach, not just a travel agent.

Keep calm and book yourself a holiday.

I'm not your ordinary travel agent—I'm your Travel Coach, a seasoned explorer who has roamed the far corners of the world, gathering invaluable personal experiences along the way.

I'm here to be your guide, confidant, and ally in discovering the hidden gems that lie beyond the touristy façade.

Together, we'll embark on a journey of exploration and uncover the true essence of each destination we encounter.

Discover Hidden International Treasures

Ashley has cultivated friendships with remarkable locals and partnered with extraordinary companies that specialize in planning trips within their own countries.

Her vast personal experience and local connections are enough to make even the most adventurous travelers envious.

With Ashley's connections, you can unlock hidden treasures, off-the-beaten-path wonders, and cultural delights that remain unseen by the masses.

Prepare to explore an authentic world, far from the tourist crowds, with your travel advisor, Ashley, and her network of experts.

Book your 30-minute phone consultation now and start planning your next adventure.

Great Destinations Are Just Ahead

Whether you're seeking to explore the bustling markets of Marrakech, trek through the lush rainforests of Costa Rica, or indulge in the mouthwatering cuisine of Tokyo.

My travel agencies team and I are ready to transform your journey into an extraordinary tale.

Prepare to be enchanted, captivated, and immersed in the wonders of the world as my local connections and I craft a personalized adventure just for you.

Let's dive in and discover the extraordinary together!

Why You Should Book Your Next Trip Through a Travel Coach

Travel coaches are huge time savers. Hours of research that would normally go into planning an amazing trip can be pushed to the side so you can focus on having a great time.

We specialize in booking vacations and have the experience, connections, and knowledge to book you a great vacation.

I can eliminate hours of research and as your travel coach. I have first-hand experience, local connections, and I can score great deals for you all over the world.

Money Saver

Travel advisors are experts in traveling. They know the ins and outs of traveling and many times this makes booking with a travel advisors less expensive than booking separately.

We are experts in finding the absolute best deals to make your journey fit your budget. Travel coaches also can have connections that can lead to getting you better deals. With my expertise, you can experience an amazing trip while saving money!

Experience and Expertise

At the end of the day, travel advisors bring comfort. We can answer questions, give insight and advice, and I as your travel coach can give you insider information on all the secrets of your destination.

I can elevate your trip and take you to hidden gems all over the world. So what are you waiting for, book with me so I can give you an unforgettable travel experience.

Bringing The World To You

From My Experience to Your Adventures

Happy Clients

I love hearing clients' stories about their adventures.

Continents Lived On In The Past 28 Years

From Asia to Europe, I've traveled the globe.

Countries Visited

There are more than just seven world wonders out there.

Sunsets in 2023 Other Countries

I don't just create trips. I am always traveling to gain first-hand experiences

Average Miles Flown Annually

That's 6 times around the globe every year!

Over the last 27 years, I have lived on five continents and visited more countries than I even want to count. I have a knack for continuing relationships and communicating with guides, drivers, and hoteliers that I have used before. Those long-term relationships mean that I can produce a more personalized itinerary for you than a travel agent who is just clicking on a computer and finding a hotel or driver that they’ve never spoken to and probably never will.

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Visit Moscow Tours

Saint Petersburg - Karelia 9 days - 8 nights

Moscow - Saint Petersburg tour package 8 days/7 nights

Moscow - saint petersburg 5 days/4 nights.

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Murmansk 4 days/3 nights

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Baikal tour package 7 days/6 nights

Christmas tour package- best price 5 days/4 nights

Moscow tour package 4 days/3 nights.

Special Winter Edition Tour 8 days/7 nights

Saint Peterburg tour package 4 days/3 nights

Moscow-Kazan-Saint Petersburg 9 days/8 nights

Moscow-Suzdal-Saint Petersburg 9 days/8 nights

Moscow-Saint Peterburg tour package 8 days/7 nights BEST DEAL (15th of MAY-22d of MAY only)

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Moscow - Velikiy Novgorod - Saint Petersburg tour package 9 days/8 nights

Moscow-Saint Petersburg-Baikal lake 14 days/13 nights

Moscow-Saint Petersburg-Sochi tour package 10 days/9 nights

Moscow-Altai tour package 14 days/13 nights

Moscow-Murmansk-Saint Petersburg 11 days/10 nights

Saint Petersburg - Karelia 8 days/7 nights

Moscow tour package 5 days/4 nights including tank riding and Stalin Bunker visit

Moscow-Saint Petersburg tour package 7 days/6 nights including tank riding and Stalin Bunker visit

Magic Ice of Baikal Lake - 7 days / 6 nights

SPA tour package Grozny (Chechnya) 4 days - 3 nights

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Welcome to visit moscow tours.

We provide authentic, informative and memorable tour packages and city tours, at very competitive prices. Visit Moscow Tours are available not only in Moscow, but also in other cities: Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Suzdal and Sergiev Posad.  We also organise customised individual programs tailored just for you.

Our guests come in large groups, small private groups, as couples or as single travellers. We take care of and treat our guests with respect in a friendly and warm family environment. We show people our beautiful cities with passion and deep knowledge of their history, culture and traditions.

Our guides are extremely hospitable, helpful and well-informed. They are simply the best because only by providing the best services can we make the world fall in love with Russia. And we are very happy when our guests say that they will definitely come back to Russia and that they will tell all their friends how great Russia is! That is what inspires us to put even more dedication and hard work into our tours, knowing that what we do is positive and meaningful.

Our classic tours include tours of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, two main Russian cities.

Moscow is a big and busy  megalopolis and Russia’s capital city, where more than 12 million people live and work. Our capital city is happening place; it is mysterious, elegant, luxurious, fashionable, clean and bright, with its unique legends, traditions and events. It is with great pride that we show the Red Square and the Kremlin, our Underground and Tretyakovskaya Gallery, among other stunning attractions.

Saint Petersburg is our second capital,  the second largest city in the Russian Federation. This wonderful city has a strong and lively aristocratic spirit, uniquely Russian royal architecture, magnificent museums and theatres. Saint Petersburg bears the royal heritage of Russia, which can be felt in its air, its streets, parks, monuments, museums and citizens.  In Saint Petersburg tours, we will take you to the Hermitage, Peter and Paul Fortress, Faberge Museum and Orthodox Cathedrals. We’re sure you will love it!

If you have a few more days to spare, venture into the dreamy Russian countryside in Suzdal or Sergiev Posad. Suzdal is a small town with a population of about ten thousand people, situated on less than 15 square kilometres. This tiny area is home to 53 historic cathedrals, five monasteries and a kremlin. Church domes are visible like mushrooms from anywhere and everywhere in the town like in a fairy tale. No wonder Suzdal is called the ‘Town Museum”.  It is definitely worth visiting!

Just try any of Visit Moscow Tours’ tour packages or any individual city tour, and we promise that you will want to come back to Russia again.  Russia is huge with countless amazing places to visit. There are so many unique experiences to be had and energies to be felt that one tour is definitely not enough to explore this vast land. It is also a very safe destination to travel, and we have a tradition of warm hospitality. Our people adore and take care of visitors as our own guests, and even if they do not know your language very well, they still try to be helpful and hospitable.

Our guides will show you the most interesting attractions and historical places, taking you on a journey to the past to enjoy stories of medieval times, the Romanov monarchy, the Soviet Era. And of course, we will show you the contemporary life of our country through authentic local experiences.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

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Where Journeys to Russia Begin

Award-winning Private & Small Group Tours to Russia

Award-winning Private & Small Group Tours to Russia.

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Due to the current geopolitical situation, we temporarily stopped accepting new bookings for travel to Russia.

Russian Journey of Your Lifetime

St. petersburg, volga river, golden ring, the world-leading company for tours to russia..

To this day, we have organized more than 200,000 trips to Russia, private and small group, Trans-Siberian and Volga river cruises . Our tours have become the golden standard for the industry of inbound travel to Russia. Each year, we take thousands to Russia and show them the very best of this enigmatic country.

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Our Approach

Plan with us because we care about your journey..

We cared from the very start of our company when we helped around-the-world travelers to cross Siberia, and we continue to work with simple, yet powerful principles. We work with the very best suppliers, with the best hotels, with best guides, with the best transportation companies. We negotiate the very best rates, and we pass many of the savings to our customers offering a remarkable overall quality of service and travel experience.

Discover more about how we plan your trip

We are rated 4.9 based on 422 reviews

WOW. From the choice of hotels, amazingly planned itineraries, to the amazing guides and drivers, and, of course, the stunning cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. No long queues for museums, churches, and palaces entries. I would gladly recommend using Travel All Russia to anyone.

- Chris Wimpenny from Australia traveled to Russia in 2020

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Should I Use a Travel Agent? Our Travel Expert Says It Makes All the Difference.

The new age of travel agents know how to find deals, book off-the-beaten path adventures, and get you out of any jam. Especially if you know who to use.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I’ve always thought that planning my own trips was the most cost-effective way, but I’ve been hearing more about travel agents making a comeback and saving their clients a lot of money. What kinds of outdoor trips should I turn to a travel agent for, and are there any who specialize in working with adventurers like me?

Technically, I’m a professional traveler. As a journalist, it’s my job to research and connect with locals to get beneath the surface of a destination. So I have never really used travel agents. What could they plan better than I could?

A lot, it turns out. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many travel specialists, and I consider them magicians. My big aha moment happened two winters ago on a trip to Iceland . A massive storm shut down internal flights for a day, causing me to miss my return flight to the U.S. Normally, I would have spent frustrating hours on hold with the airline. But because I’d paid $65 to have Ana Gloria Garcia, an air-support specialist at the travel agency EmbarkBeyond, find and book the most affordable and convenient flight option for me, she handled the rebookings while I soaked in the Blue Lagoon.

During the pandemic, agents became advocates helping travelers get refunds on canceled flights and trips. As travel has come roaring back, an agent’s superpower is now their access to the best hotel rooms, most in-the-know guides, free amenities, and more, says Cory Hagopian, senior vice president of sales and partnerships for Virtuoso , a global network of travel agencies.

And they’re attracting a young clientele. According to a recent industry survey , 38 percent of millennials and Gen Zers are opting to use travel agents as opposed to booking on their own trips. That number is far greater than Gen Xers and baby boomers, of whom only 12 and 2 percent respectively use agents.

What Do I Gain from Using a Travel Agent?

I recently had a friend tell me she spent close to 40 hours researching a family trip online. She probably could have gleaned the same intel from an hourlong conversation with a travel adviser. Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks for things you might not have considered, says Erika Richter, a spokesperson for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Their firsthand knowledge, vast network, and on-the-ground connections all combine to provide a unique perspective for crafting the perfect itinerary for you.

Most travel advisers specialize in certain regions and countries and travel to them frequently, so they have up-to-date intel on not only the best safari camps but the perfect tent to book for the most incredible views and the best local restaurants you won’t find on Tripadvisor. They want their client’s trips to go well to keep them coming back, so it’s in their interest to have sussed out hotels and itineraries before they send you out into the world.

Nicole Forster, 29, considers herself a savvy traveler. She’s been to 20-plus countries and enjoys destination research. But when it came to planning her honeymoon in Africa, she felt overwhelmed, so she reached out to Danielle Meyer at Coastline Travel Advisors , which specializes in bespoke itineraries. “Originally, I wanted to go to South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Madagascar,” Forster recalls. “Danielle convinced me that if we wanted to relax, we should stay in South Africa and save the other countries for separate trips.”

Over five phone conversations and multiple emails, they crafted a 15-night itinerary that included Cape Town, the winelands, the Cape Peninsula, and a safari at the Thornybush Game Reserve. Forster established her budget early in the process, and Meyer sent her a variety of lodge options to choose from.

“I initially wanted to start with the safari, but she pointed out that we’d be jet-lagged and would need to wake at sunrise for game drives,” says Forster. “The safari was our highlight, so it was a perfect way to end the trip.”

Not only did Meyer book all of the flights, hotels, and transfers, but she created a detailed, day-by-day trip app for the couple that included useful information like check-in times at hotels and how much to tip guides .

Agents also act as advocates. If something goes wrong during your travels, they’re on call 24/7 to handle it. When Forster left the battery and charger for her camera at a hotel, Meyer arranged for an on-the-ground contact to go to a camera store and buy new ones that would be delivered to her hotel the next day.

The cost for the honeymoon planning: $150 per person. “I wouldn’t use a planner for a trip to Hawaii ,” Forster says, “but if I ever took a big trip like this again, I’d 100 percent work with an expert.”  

When to Consider Using a Travel Agent

For savvy trip planners, the best time to use a travel agent is for complicated international travel. It can save you hours of planning and peace of mind that if anything goes wrong in your chosen far-flung destination, there’s someone a What’sApp message away to handle it.

Domestically, I’d consider using a travel agent when planning a multi-week national park trip or multi-island trip in Hawaii. They will save you time, guarantee you get the best guides, and help you land reservations at always-booked lodges and hotels.

Dream Trips Delivered

Jessica Cook and her husband both work in the travel industry. Decision fatigued, they handed their honeymoon logistics over to the team at Askari Travel , an agency that specializes in South Africa. Their original plan was also an African safari, but just as they were about to put a deposit down, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus made headlines. Worried about getting stuck abroad, they reached out to Askari’s founder, Muriel Truter, who is from Zimbabwe, and upon her advice, changed their focus to South America.

Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks of things you might not even have considered.

Truter suggested they stick to Colombia rather than country-hop. Cook supplied a budget and a wish list: 12 days, no more than three destinations, a barefoot-luxe feel, and adventures like horseback riding and mountain biking. The rest was a surprise that Askari pretty much nailed, with the exception of one hotel.

“Everything felt so authentic, but this one hotel on Barú island felt really fabricated and was full of American tourists,” recalls Cook. She immediately messaged the Askari team, saying, “Hey, this place really isn’t our vibe,” and within an hour they were on a water taxi headed to Blue Apple, a B Corp hotel—and an Outside pick for tropical adventures —on Tierra Bomba island. “It was honestly the best trip we’ve ever taken,” she says.

Are Travel Agents Expensive?

It depends. Cost varies. Some travel agencies won’t charge any fee, as they receive a commission from the bookings, while some high-end agencies will charge pricey annual membership fees for their services. Still others charge nominal “professional” fees starting at $150. Fees often fluctuate based on the length and intricacy of a trip and how far out you do the planning (6 to 12 months is recommended). You may occasionally come across agents who charge a percentage of the total trip price or hourly rates.

Basic travel enquiries are generally free. In 2016, Leah Smith, founder of Tafari Travel , opened an old-school brick-and-mortar location in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood so her services would feel less intimidating to first-time users. “With our retail-office location, we’ve become part of the community, and both clients and non-clients are welcome to pop in and ask whatever questions they may have, no charge,” she says.

Matt Lindsay, founder of the surf-guiding and travel company LuxSurf Travel , builds relationships with resorts and property owners to get discounted rates that he can then pass on to guests.

Dominic Allan, the founder of Real Latin America , specializes in travel to Belize and Nicaragua and caters to independent travelers who are happy to book their own flights and hotels but are seeking his local intel. Allan’s three-tier pricing structure starts at $300 for up to three hours of phone calls, during which he might weigh in on where to eat (or not to), the best room to request in a certain lodge, or whether you really need a guide to hike.

Value Versus Savings

If you’re just looking for deals and steals, you might not be ready to work with a travel adviser, says Richter of the ASTA. “Anything you invest in with a travel adviser comes back to you in the form of amenities, customer service, peace of mind, better access to unique experiences, and handcrafted itineraries,” she says. “You could save money by cutting your own hair, too, but most people go to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Agents work with preferred partners who can guarantee perks for clients, such as free upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, and resort credits. Those add-ons often translate into savings, says Justin Huxter, cofounder of the UK-based Cartology Travel . “We had a client go to Maui for a week, and because of our partnership with the resort, breakfast was included,” he says. When breakfast costs $120 for two, that’s a savings of $840.”

Some of the Best Travel Agents in the Adventure World

Some of my go-to resources for finding a person to work with include travel expert Wendy Perrin’s annual Wow List of tried and trusted agents, the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s adviser network , and the ASTA’s advisor directory .

In addition to the agents mentioned throughout this story, others I highly recommend for adventurous travelers include:

• Dan Achber of Trufflepig , for Africa and the Middle East
• Miguel Cunant of Sri Lanka in Style
• Javier Echecopar of Journey Costa Rica
• Daniel Fraser of Smiling Albino , for Southeast Asia
• Elizabeth Gordon of Extraordinary Journeys , for Africa
• Kleon Howe of the Art of Travel , for French Polynesia
• Jay Johnson of Coastline Travel , for Hawaii and California
• Antonello Losito of Southern Visions Travel , for Puglia, Italy
• Rabia Malik of Fora Travel , for general worldwide travel
• Robyn Mark of Mayamaya Travel , for Africa, the Alps, Patagonia, and Japan
• Marisol Mosquera of Aracari , for Peru and Bolivia
• Zach Rabinor of Journey Mexico
• Raluca Spiac of Beyond Dracula , for Romania

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy is now a believer in using a travel agent. Thanks to their expertise and connections, she’s avoided dozens of trip catastrophes. 

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Ukraine war latest: Russia's troops 'partially pushed back' from key town, Ukraine claims - as Putin's offensive 'appears to slow'

The Ukrainian president has cancelled visits to Spain and Portugal after Moscow's forces began a new offensive in the northeast of the country. Submit your question on the war for our experts to answer in the box below.

Wednesday 15 May 2024 16:58, UK

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• Ukraine 'partially pushes back' Russian troops from Kharkiv town
• Russian offensive in Ukraine 'going to plan', Putin says
• Analysts say Russian offensive 'appears to have slowed'
• Situation there 'extremely difficult'
• Zelenskyy postpones all foreign visits due to 'situation in Kharkiv'
• US announces $2bn in extra aid for Ukraine
• Russia downs missiles launched at Crimea
• Analysis:  Putin's 'baffling' reshuffle explained
• Live reporting by Lauren Russell

Ask a question or make a comment

Earlier today, Volodymyr Zelenskyy postponed all foreign trips due to the situation in the Kharviv region.

Russia has also claimed to have taken three more settlements in the country - two of which are in the Kharkiv region.

The offensive by Moscow started at the end of last week, and today our military analyst Michael Clarke says Russia has already achieved some of what it intended to do. 

He says by targeting the Kharkiv region Moscow's main goal is to "draw Ukrianian forces from elsewhere". 

"The Russians are trying to stretch the Ukrainian forces all the way round the front.

"If the Russians get to the village of Lyptsi then they can put Kharkiv under artillery barrage, because it is within range of normal artillery weapons.

"More importantly, the village of Vovchansk, may mark the beginning of a bigger offensive that could go southwards or maybe eastwards to link up with other forces."

Despite fierce fighting in Vovchansk, Clarke says the Ukrainians have slowed Russian advances down, by redirecting their best units from the south.

"Parts of their best brigades have been sent north to stem the tide," he says.

"But the Russians have already achieved what they wanted, which is to draw off some of the best troops and equipment which are fighting in Chavis Yar down in the south, which really mattered to the Ukrainians."

Watch Clarke's full analysis here:

Finland will change its legislation to allow thousands of reservists to patrol the country's border with Russia, should there be a sudden wave of migrants. 

"With the changed security situation, we need to complement existing methods with new ways to maintain border security," defence minister Antti Hakkanen said in a statement.

Finland, which joined NATO in April last year, has accused Moscow of weaponising migration against the Nordic nation, which the Kremlin denies. 

Finland shut its 1,340km-long border with Russia late last year amid a growing number of arrivals from countries such as Syria and Somalia via Russia.

Away from Kharkiv, and Ukraine has denied Russian claims of progress in the Zaporizhzhia region. 

The Ukrainian military dismissed reports that Moscow's forces had taken control of the village of Robotyne in the southern part of the region. 

"This information is not true," military spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk was quoted by Ukrinform agency as saying.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. 

Russia's offensive in northern Kharkiv has been the focus of much of the reporting on the war in Ukraine over recent days.

Sky News military analyst Michael Clarke has said the aim of Moscow is to draw Ukraine's forces to that area from the south, thus stretching the country's military resources.

And the latest analysis from US thinktank the Institute for the Study of War suggests that the pace of the offensive "appears to have slowed over the past 24 hours".

The group's experts said the pattern of Russian offensive activity in the area was consistent with assessments that Vladimir Putin's forces are prioritising the creation of a "buffer zone" in the international border area over a deeper penetration of Kharkiv Oblast.

It said several Ukrainian military officials reported yesterday that they believed the situation in Kharkiv Oblast was slowly stabilising.

"Drone footage purportedly from Vovchansk shows Russian foot mobile infantry operating within the settlement in small squad-sized assault groups, consistent with Ukrainian reports," the analysis added.

Two people have been killed after a Russian air attack on infrastructure in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, the regional governor has said.

Serhiy Lysak said on  Telegram that there were a number of people who had been injured, but gave no other details.

Dnipro is Ukraine's fourth-largest city, it sits on the Dnipro River  and is around 300 miles from Kyiv.

Within the last hour, the UK's House of Commons addressed an urgent question on "Russia's aggression relating to Ukraine and the situation in Georgia".

Ukraine has come under vast assault from Russia in recent days, while in Georgia there have been riots as Russia asserted its influence to see a controversial "foreign agents" law passed.

The question was tabled by Jim Shannon, a Democratic Unionist Party politician, and answering on behalf of the government was armed forces minister Leo Docherty.

He noted today was "day 811 of Putin's 'special military operation' - an operation that was supposed to last three days, and he has failed in all his objectives".

But the minister went on to say the conflict was "evolving", and confirmed Russia's latest assault on the Kharkiv region, which was "almost certainly" a bid to "divert Ukrainian resources away from other parts of the front line and to threaten Kharkiv - the second-largest city in Ukraine".

He declared the UK would "not be diverted from our commitment to provide Ukraine with the support they need to prevail", pointing to the vast package announced in January and ongoing efforts to support the Ukrainian military.

Turning to Georgia, the minister said the government was observing events "with concern".

"The United Kingdom, along with our partners, is of course committed to the right of peaceful protest, as we are concerned by the introduction of the law" on foreign influence, he said.

He added that the UK was "a close friend of Georgia" and called for "calm and restraint on all sides".

Vladimir Putin has said Russian troops in Ukraine are "improving positions in all directions every day" and Moscow's military offensive in the country is "going to plan". 

The Russian leaders comments come moments after the Ukrainian military claimed to have "partially pushed back" Russian forces in the town of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region.

Moscow begun a pressing offensive on the Kharkiv region on Friday, after weeks of speculation that Russia was preparing to establish a new frontline there.

The towns of Vovchansk and Lyptsi appear to be the focus of the offensive, the latter of which could provide Russia with an opportunity to put Kharkiv under an artillery barrage, if captured.

Ukraine's forces have "partially pushed back" Russian troops from the town of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, the Ukrainian military has said.

In an update on the battlefield situation, the military said a total of 18 Russian assaults were repelled as active combat clashes rage on in north and northwestern parts of the town.

Our  military analyst,  Michael Clarke ,  said Ukraine was able to push back Russian advances by redirecting troops from military units in the south.

"Parts of their best brigades have been sent north to stem the tide," he said.

Earlier, the head of the Ukrainian police force in the Kharkiv region described the situation in the town of Vovchansk as "extremely difficult". 

Oleksiy Kharkivskiy, Vovchansk's patrol police chief, said Russian forces were establishing positions inside the town. 

With a second front opening in the war and Russia claiming control of several settlements, it's been an important week for the war in Ukraine.

Readers have been sending in their questions to our senior correspondents and military experts for their take on the changing battlefield environment.

Today, Lamas asked:

Given the impressive success of Ukraine to contain the operational degrees of freedom of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, why hasn't the West supplied the Ukrainian navy with ships in order to consolidate its dominance and pose a serious new challenge to the Russian army?

Military analyst Sean Bell had this to say...

Thank you for this interesting question.

At the start of the Russian ground offensive the Ukrainians scuttled their remaining naval warships to stop them falling into the hands of the Russia invaders. 

However, since then the Ukrainians have proven very effective at using naval drones to target Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) vessels, forcing the remainder of the Russian naval forces to move east for their own protection.

This Ukrainian operational success has limited Russia's ability to conduct an amphibious assault against the Ukrainian port of Odessa, and has also provided vital freedom of movement on the western edge of the Black Sea to enable Ukraine to continue exporting its grain and provide vital revenues to help fund its war effort.

Late last year the UK Ministry of Defence announced that two Royal Navy minehunter ships were to be transferred from the Royal Navy to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in a move to strengthen Ukraine's ability to operate at sea.  

As the UK and Norway launched a new Maritime Capability Coalition, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced the procurement of two Sandown Class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) by Ukraine through UK export finance.

Strengthening the Ukraine's maritime capabilities, in particular countering the threat from Russian sea mines, was expected to help restore Ukraine's maritime exports.

However, the only maritime access route into the Black Sea is through the Bosphorus straits, and that is controlled by Turkey. 

Under the terms of the Montreux Convention of 1936 - which is still in place -  the straits are treated as an international shipping lane, except that Turkey has the power to restrict warships' access to the Black Sea.  

This restriction applies to warships from any country, whether or not they border the Black Sea, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  

As a result, although the UK was prepared to bolster Ukraine's maritime capability in the near term, the Maritime Capability Coalition will be primarily focused on helping Ukraine rebuild its military maritime capability once the current hostilities have ended.  

The international community retains the ability to donate maritime capabilities that are land (or air) transportable, but for now that will not include the UK Naval Minehunters that can only be delivered once access to the Black Sea is re-opened.

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