3 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Multiple injuries as Russia attacks Kyiv with drones and missiles

Explosions heard across capital and fires ignited while Russia and Ukraine begin largest prisoner swap of war. What we know on day 1,186See all our Ukraine war coverage Kyiv came under heavy drone and missile attack by Russian forces overnight into Saturday, triggering fires and injuring at least eight people, the Ukrainian capital’s mayor said. Explosions and machine-gun fire were heard throughout the city and many Kyiv residents took shelter in underground subway stations. Debris fell in at least four districts, said the Kyiv military administration, with six people requiring medical care. Pictures posted online showed smoke billowing from the top of one block of flats and flames leaping from part of another as emergency crews trained water on it.Russia and Ukraine on Friday began a major, complicated exchange of military prisoners of war and civilians, write Peter Beaumont and Pjotr Sauer. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, said the first phase brought home 390 Ukrainians,...

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15 h. ago Trump hints at 'something big' coming in Ukraine and reveals 'major prisoner swap' between Russia and Kyiv believed to involve 1,000 from each side

Donald Trump has hinted at 'something big' coming in Ukraine and revealed that Moscow and Kyiv have agreed to hand over 1,000 prisoners of war from both sides. 

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15 h. ago Ukraine’s Zelenskyy confirms major prisoner swap with Russia – Europe live

The first stage of a major prison swap between Ukraine and Russia has taken place in Turkey, with 390 people released todayFor more coverage of Trump’s tariffs threats – which also include a warning that Apple must pay a 25% tariff unless it manufactures its iPhones in the US – follow our business live blog here:US president Donald Trump has just called the EU “very difficult to deal with,” lamenting the bloc’s “powerful Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American Companies, and more” (original capitalisation!).“Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. Continue reading...

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19 h. ago Trump hints at 'something big' coming in Ukraine and reveals 'major prisoner swap' between Russia and Kyiv believed to involve 1,000 from each side

Donald Trump has hinted at 'something big' coming in Ukraine and revealed that Moscow and Kyiv have agreed to hand over 1,000 prisoners of war from both sides. 

Events

19 h. ago Ukrainian official says major prisoner swap with Russia is underway

A senior Ukrainian officials says an exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine from their more than three-year war is underway

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37 h. ago Putin amasses troops at border amid chilling Russia peace talk attack warning

Ukrainian intelligence warns Russia is preparing a major build-up or troops in readiness for a major pre-Summer attack in a bid to gain major new ground ahead of any ceasefire talks

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37 h. ago Putin masses troops at border amid chilling Russia peace talk attack warning

Ukrainian intelligence warns Russia is preparing a major build-up or troops in readiness for a major pre-Summer attack in a bid to gain major new ground ahead of any ceasefire talks

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60 h. ago The Guardian view on Russia sanctions: a brittle economy is Putin’s weakness | Editorial

Ukraine’s allies must dial up sanctions to expose the fragility of the Kremlin’s strategy for perpetual warDonald Trump’s pledge to end the war in Ukraine on the first day of his second term as US president was a sign of his unsuitability as a peace broker. A clearer sign was his apparent sympathy with Vladimir Putin. Mr Trump’s tone regarding the Russian president has cooled somewhat on the discovery that the conflict cannot be frozen by White House diktat. There are hints of recognition that the peace process is failing because the Kremlin is cynically playing for time. Sadly, any such insight hasn’t evolved into outrage at the criminal aggression that started the war in the first place.Accounts of a telephone call between the two leaders earlier this week indicate no increase in American pressure on Russia. Mr Trump’s impatience with the whole issue seems likelier to result in him walking away. Mr Putin relishes that prospect.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this ar...

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63 h. ago European unity against Putin in peril if Trump moves to ease sanctions

EU’s hopes of US increasing pressure on Kremlin have been dashed, and Hungary could yet make situation worseEuropean leaders – who have promised to impose “massive” new sanctions on Russia after Vladimir Putin’s rejection of a ceasefire in Ukraine – face the prospect of having to introduce their planned expansion of economic restrictions on the Russian war economy without the United States.European hopes that Donald Trump might increase the pressure on the Kremlin were dashed after the US president’s two-hour inconclusive phone call with Putin on Monday. Trump did not follow through on previous threats to introduce “large-scale” sanctions on Russia if there was no ceasefire, but instead extolled the prospect of restarting trade with Moscow. Continue reading...

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67 h. ago UK government announces 100 new sanctions on Russia days after huge aerial bombardment

Russia carried out the biggest drone onslaught of the war so far on Ukraine last weekend

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3 d. ago UK and Europe target Russia with major sanctions after Putin

Sanctions are aimed at entities supporting Russia’s military machine after call failed to deliver meaningful concessionsWar in Ukraine – live updatesThe UK and Europe have announced major sanctions against Russia as it became clear that Monday’s call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had failed to deliver any meaningful concessions from Moscow.The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accused Russia of “trying to buy time in order to continue its war and occupation”. Continue reading...

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5 d. ago Donald Trump is losing patience with Russia, says Finnish leader

Alexander Stubb says Putin’s intransigence could pave way for ‘bone-crushing’ sanctions packageDonald Trump is losing patience with Vladimir Putin, Finland’s president has said after a lengthy conversation with his US counterpart.Alexander Stubb said Trump and Putin, who are scheduled to speak by telephone on Monday, must not decide the fate of Ukraine over the head of its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Stubb also said there was a chance, depending on how the phone call goes, that US senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal will introduce into Congress this week a sanctions package to make Russia’s finances untenable. Stubb has been in near daily contact with Graham, who describes the sanctions package as “bone-crushing”. Continue reading...

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8 d. ago NATO and Russia warplanes in dramatic 'dogfight' over Putin's secret oil tanker

Estonian forces attempted to board the oil tanker Jaguar - believed to be part of Vladimir Putin’s clandestine fleet used to dodge international sanctions - before a Russian warplane was launched

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9 d. ago Putin blasts West’s ‘moron’ leaders for hitting Russia with sanctions

Vladimir Putin blasted the West’s “moron” leaders for threatening Russia with new sanctions if he refuses to meet Volodymyr Zelensky for ceasefire negotiations on Thursday.

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1 week ago Putin mocks the West's 'moron' leaders for hitting Russia with sanctions and 'tipping their own countries into recession'

Western leaders have lined up to warn the Russian President that his country will face yet more sanctions if he fails to engage in peace talks in Turkey.

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1 week ago Major Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 update as UN makes landmark Russia ruling

The UN's Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has ruled Russia was behind the MH17 tragedy in 2014, which resulted in the deaths of 298 people

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1 week ago Jonah Ayunga set for Europe mission as St Mirren target quickfire return

The Kenyan international is in fine form as the Premiership season reaches an exciting climax for the Paisley side.

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1 week ago Putin offers new peace talks as West demands ceasefire and threatens sanctions

Vladimir Putin has proposed restarting direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next week, but stopped short of agreeing to a Western-backed ceasefire due to begin on Monday.

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1 week ago Vladimir Putin rejects ceasefire ultimatum proposed by European leaders

Leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland told Russian president to accept unconditional 30-day ceasefire by Monday or face increased sanctions and weapons transfers to UkraineVladimir Putin has rejected an ultimatum by European leaders to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine or face increased sanctions, but has proposed holding direct negotiations with Kyiv this week.The leaders of Britain, France, Ge. rmany and Poland told the Russian president either to sign up to an unconditional ceasefire by Monday or face increased sanctions and weapons transfers to Ukraine. Continue reading...

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1 week ago Ukraine war live: European leaders tell Putin to agree to unconditional ceasefire by Monday or face ‘massive’ sanctions

European leaders, in coordination with Donald Trump, are proposing a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting 12 MayIt is the first time the leaders of the four European nations (France, the UK, Germany and Poland) have made a joint visit to Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).“We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion,” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding:Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine. Continue reading...

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