The Ukrainian capital Kyiv has been subjected to a heavy air attack by Russia, the eighth time this month, leaving three people injured. In video on social media, air defence systems can be seen shooting down missiles over the city. Government messages warned people to keep away from windows as debris from intercepted missiles fell from the sky. City mayor Vitali Klitschko said some rocket debris had fallen in central districts, including on the city’s zoo. The air raid alert sounded at around 02:30 local time and was lifted only two hours later. The complex attack, which used both drones … Continue reading Ukraine’s capital comes under heavy missile and drone attack

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the UK to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In a tweet, he said he would meet his “friend” Mr Sunak to hold “substantive negotiations”. The UK announced on Thursday that it would supply Ukraine with the long-range missiles it had requested to fight the Russian invasion. Mr Zelensky has been meeting Western leaders in recent days seeking to bolster support for Ukraine. “The UK is a leader when it comes to expanding our capabilities on the ground and in the air. This cooperation will continue today,” he said on Twitter. No 10 said Mr … Continue reading Zelensky arrives in UK for surprise meeting with Sunak

The UK has confirmed it is supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles it requested for its fight against invading Russian forces. The Storm Shadow cruise missile has a range of over 250km (155 miles), according to the manufacturer. By contrast, the US-supplied Himars missiles used by Ukraine only have a range of around 80 km (50 miles). The weapons will give Ukraine the “best chance” of defending itself, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said. They are fired from aircraft, so the longer range means Ukrainian pilots will be able to stay further from the frontlines. Once launched, the Storm Shadow drops … Continue reading UK confirms supply of Storm Shadow long-range missiles in Ukraine

Ukrainian officials say air defences downed 15 Russian cruise missiles which were launched overnight against the capital, Kyiv. No casualties were reported from the attack, according to Serhiy Popko, a senior Kyiv military official. He said he believed the missiles had been launched from four bombers flying from the Caspian sea region. The new missile attacks came hours before Russia was due to celebrate Victory Day. The 9 May holiday commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War Two. Russian President Vladimir Putin has compared the Ukraine war – which he falsely defines as a battle against … Continue reading Ukraine says it downed Russian cruise missiles aimed at Kyiv

An explosion in the Russian border region of Bryansk derailed a freight train on Monday, authorities said. Local governor Alexander Bogomaz said an explosive device went off along the Bryansk-Unecha line, 60km from Ukraine. The incident, which occurred at 10:17 local time, saw the locomotive catch fire and seven freight wagons derailed, Russian Railways said. The region – which borders Ukraine and Belarus – has seen acts of sabotage since Russia invaded Ukraine. The train was reportedly carrying oil products and timber. No injuries were reported. “An unidentified explosive device went off at the 136-kilometre mark on the Bryansk-Unecha railway … Continue reading Explosion in Russian border region derails freight train

Russian air strikes have hit cities across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, killing at least nine people. Seven people died and nine were taken to hospital in the central city of Uman after missiles hit residential buildings, officials said. And a woman and her three-year-old daughter were killed in the city of Dnipro, according to the local mayor. There were also explosions in the cities of Kremenchuk and Poltava, according to the Interfax news agency. The head of the Kyiv city military administration said this was the first Russian missile attack on the capital in 51 days. There are no … Continue reading Nine people dead as Russian missiles hit cities across Ukraine

The defence ministry in Moscow says a Russian fighter jet accidentally bombed the city of Belgorod near the border with Ukraine. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the blast had left a huge crater about 20 metres (60 ft) wide in the city centre. Two women were injured and several buildings were damaged, he said. A Su-34 fighter-bomber jet accidentally discharged aircraft ordnance, the ministry said. The incident took place at 22:15 local time on Thursday, Russian news agencies said. An investigation is under way. Photos and videos on social media show apartments damaged by the blast, while one image appears … Continue reading Russian warplane accidentally bombs its own city

The Russian parliament has approved legislation to start serving call-up papers online. The Kremlin has denied the move is aimed at speeding up further mobilisation of Russian men or putting a stop to widespread draft-dodging. Thousands of Russians have avoided the draft to escape the war in Ukraine. Critics say the law is further evidence of authorities creating an “electronic Gulag”, referring to the Soviet-era network of prison camps. Until now, conscription papers in Russia have had to be served in person or via an employer. In reality, it has meant many avoiding the draft by moving away from where … Continue reading Russian parliament approves online call-up amid war in Ukraine

The UK is among a number of countries with military special forces operating inside Ukraine, according to one of dozens of documents leaked online. It confirms what has been the subject of quiet speculation for over a year. The leaked files, some marked “top secret”, paint a detailed picture of the war in Ukraine, including sensitive details of Ukraine’s preparations for a spring counter-offensive. The US government says it is investigating the source of the leak. According to the document, dated 23 March, the UK has the largest contingent of special forces in Ukraine (50), followed by fellow Nato states … Continue reading Leaked documents shows Western special forces on the ground in Ukraine war

The first shipment of Leopard 2 tanks from Germany has been sent to Ukraine, the German defence ministry says. Eighteen cutting-edge main battle tanks were delivered after Ukrainian crews were trained to use them. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said he was sure the tanks could “make a decisive contribution” on the frontlines of the war. Challenger 2 tanks from the UK have also arrived, according to reports from Ukraine. Ukraine has been calling for more modern vehicles and weapon systems for months to help fight Russia’s invasion. The Ukrainian government is yet to comment on the arrival of the Leopard … Continue reading Germany finally sends much-awaited Leopard tanks

President Vladimir Putin has said Russia would be “forced to react” if the UK sent shells made with depleted uranium to Ukraine. He accused the West of deploying weapons with a “nuclear component”. The UK confirmed it would provide Kyiv the armour-piercing rounds alongside Challenger 2 tanks – but insisted they have a low risk of radiation. Depleted uranium “is a standard component and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons”, the MoD said. “The British Army has used depleted uranium in its armour piercing shells for decades,” the statement added. “Russia knows this, but is deliberately trying to disinform. … Continue reading UK defends sending depleted uranium shells after Putin warning

More than a dozen European Union member states have agreed to supply Ukraine with at least one million artillery shells over the next year. The plan, worth €2bn in total, was agreed in Brussels on Monday. Ukraine had told the EU it needed 350,000 shells a month to hold back advancing Russian troops and launch a counter-offensive this year. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hailed the “game-changing decision” from the EU. “Exactly what is needed,” he wrote on twitter. “Urgent delivery and sustainable joint procurement.” The deal comes as Russia grows concerned at a Ukrainian counter-offensive near Bakhmut or in southern … Continue reading EU gives Ukraine €2bn of ammunition after shell plea