5 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Maritime drone shoots down Russian fighter jet for first time, says Kyiv

Ukrainian military intelligence claims Su-30 destroyed over waters near Russian port city of Novorossiisk, drawing no comment from Moscow. What we know on day 1,166See all our Ukraine war coverageUkraine has destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet using a missile fired from a seaborne drone, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, in what it said was the world’s first downing of a combat plane by a maritime drone. The GUR’s statement on social media on Saturday said the fighter had been shot down by a military intelligence unit called Group 13 on Friday over waters near Novorossiisk, a major Russian port city on the Black Sea. The Russian defence ministry did not comment on the Ukrainian claim, but an authoritative Russian blogger believed to be close to the ministry said the jet had been shot down. “The pilots ejected and were picked up by civilian sailors,” the blogger, who goes by the name Rybar, said on Telegram. Meanwhile, the mayor of Novorossiisk declared a state o...

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29 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russia attacks Kharkiv with drone barrage, injuring 46

Nighttime strikes in four districts prompt fresh appeal from Volodymyr Zelenskyy to boost air defences. What we know on day 1,165See all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

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55 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy hails ‘historic’ minerals deal as an equal partnership with US

Ukrainian president says the deal was the result of Vatican meeting with Donald Trump. What we know on day 1,164See all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago US and Ukraine sign deal to set up reconstruction investment fund – Europe live

US treasury department announces deal after reports of last-minute obstacles apparently overcome Ukraine war briefing: US and Kyiv ‘ready to sign’ minerals deal amid uncertainty over last-minute hurdlesIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: US and Kyiv ‘ready to sign’ minerals deal amid uncertainty over last

Ukraine’s first deputy PM travels to Washington to sign deal as later reports claim US pushing Ukraine to sign extra documents Kyiv felt were not ready Ukraine and the US said they were ready to sign a minerals deal, amid reports that a last-minute obstacle injected uncertainty into the timing. “Our side is ready to sign. The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes,” US treasury secretary Scott Bessent told reporters. “We’re sure that they will reconsider that and we are ready, if they are.”Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, is on her way to the US to sign the minerals deal, according to a senior source in the Ukrainian presidency. Ukraine’s prime minister, Denis Shmyhal, said on Wednesday that the reworked deal would be signed within the next 24 hours and would have to be ratified by the Ukrainian parliament.But later reports claimed the US was pushing Ukraine to sign additional documents, but that Kyiv felt they were not ready yet. The ...

Economics

4 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: UN slashes humanitarian aid after ‘sharp’ fall in funding

Official says UN and its partners have ‘reprioritised’ operations in Ukraine, amid wider drop in aid funding from the US. What we know on day 1,162Faced with a drastic drop in funding, the United Nations will scale back its humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine, an official from its humanitarian affairs office said on Tuesday. In January, the UN appealed for $2.63bn in funding to assist 6 million people who need aid in Ukraine. But due to a “sharp contraction” in humanitarian funding, “the UN and its partners have further reprioritised” operations in Ukraine to reach 4.8 million people with $1.75bn, Joyce Msuya of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told the UN security council.“The objective is to reach those most at risk and most in need, centring on four core response priorities: people near the frontline, evacuations, emergency response after strikes, and aid to the most vulnerable among the internally displaced people,” she said. “Without increased supp...

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5 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy calls Putin’s offer of brief ceasefire ‘manipulation’

Ukraine president urges month-long truce after Russia suggests three-day one to mark a world war two victory. What we know on day 1,161Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for an immediate month-long ceasefire after Vladimir Putin unilaterally announced a three-day truce for next month during a second world war anniversary. The Ukrainian president said: “Now there’s a new attempt at manipulation. For some reason, everyone is supposed to wait for May 8 and only then have a ceasefire to ensure calm for Putin during the parade.” He added: “We value people’s lives and not parades. We believe that the world believes that there is no reason to wait for May 8. And the ceasefire should be not for a few days only to resume the killing afterward.” Ukrainian officials also pointed out that Russia announced a similar truce over the Easter period only to violate it. The Russian president suggested the ceasefire in May to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union in the second world ...

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7 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Suspect held in Moscow car bombing of general, Russia claims

Russian security service alleges Ukrainian agent Ignat Kuzin rigged car with homemade explosives; Trump meets Zelenskyy and expresses doubt that Putin wants a ceasefire. What we know on day 1,159Russia’s FSB secret service said on Saturday that it had detained a man it suspects of killing a senior general with a car bomb outside Moscow. Russia has accused Kyiv of being behind the blast on Friday, which killed Gen Yaroslav Moskalik. The FSB alleged a Ukrainian agent it named as Ignat Kuzin rigged a Volkswagen Golf in the city of Balashikha with a homemade explosive device from a Ukrainian secret service stash in the Moscow area and that the bomb was then detonated remotely from Ukraine. A video released by the FSB showed a man identified as Kuzin, and what was said to be his arrest taking place on a forest road. Kyiv has not commented on the blast, which bore the hallmarks of previous attacks on military figures and high-profile backers of the Kremlin’s offensive.Donald Trump has sai...

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8 d. ago We hid in the bathroom as bombs fell on Kyiv. Is this Trump’s idea of peace?

In the early hours of 24 April the realisation dawned: Putin will get a deal that humiliates Ukraine – or continue to slaughter our civiliansDay 1,156 of the invasion; 24 April 2025. Thirty hours after the end of Russia’s fake “Easter ceasefire”. It is 6.21am: feeling anxious, I call my father. He is travelling by train from the western part of Ukraine to Kyiv, due to arrive in 40 minutes. He picks up the phone, and from his cheerful tone I gather that he has not yet heard the news. I ask if the train is running late. My father says everything is fine, he can already spot familiar places in the Kyiv region. He wants to know why I doubt the arrival time. I tell him that sadly Russia has been shelling the country all night long. In Kyiv, I say, we have lived through one of the worst nights. “I’m jumping in a taxi,” I add. “I’ll see you soon.”Those who survive shelling often imitate the sounds of explosions when they talk about the experience. I instantly think of this when an early mo...

Politics

1 week ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy reposts US missive from first Trump term that Crimea is Ukrainian

Casualities as Russian missiles hit Kyiv and Kharkiv; strike damages Shahed factory in Tatarstan, says Ukrainian military. What we know on day 1,156Europe live: latest news updates on Ukraine and moreVolodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that peace talks in London had been marked by “emotions” and pledged that Ukraine would abide by its constitution, which he has previously pointed out forbids surrendering territory such as Crimea. “Emotions have run high today. But it is good that five countries met to bring peace closer,” the Ukrainian president posted. “The American side shared its vision. Ukraine and other Europeans presented their inputs. And we hope that it is exactly such joint work that will lead to lasting peace.”Zelenskyy posted a 2018 Crimea Declaration from Mike Pompeo, secretary of state during Donald Trump’s his first term, which said: “The United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial inte...

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1 week ago Ukraine war briefing: Putin suddenly open to bilateral talks with ‘Kyiv regime’

Russian president has previously spurned direct negotiations unless Ukraine holds elections; Ukrainian delegation headed to London. What we know on day 1,154 Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv sanctions three Chinese companies accused of helping Russia

The companies are believed to have helped produce Iskander missiles used by Russia in the conflict; Trump says he could soon ‘pass’ on peace talks. What we know on day 1,151Russia-Ukraine war – latest news updates Continue reading...

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2 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: China arming Russia and building weapons on its soil, says Zelenskyy

Just as much Russian bombing under energy ceasefire, says Ukrainian president. What we know on day 1,150China is supplying weapons to Russia, including gunpowder and artillery, and Chinese representatives are involved in weapons production on Russian territory, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on Thursday, citing reporting by Ukrainian security and intelligence agencies. “We are ready to speak in detail about this,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine expects to share documentation to support the claims next week.Zelenskyy said: “We have finally received information that China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation. We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on Russian territory We see the cooperation between these two countries in this area, and we must acknowledge it is happening.” The Associated Press could not confirm Zelenskyy’s statement. At the time of writing there was no response from China to the latest claim...

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2 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy hails ‘good progress’ on minerals deal talks

Ukrainian president says legalities almost finalised and officials signal US concessions in talks that are progressing ‘quite fast’; deadly Shahed strike on Dnipro. What we know on day 1,149Minerals deal negotiators have made “good progress”, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on Wednesday. A senior official with knowledge of the negotiations told Agence France-Presse that newer drafts of the US-Ukraine accord appeared not to recognise previous US military aid as a debt owed by Ukraine, adding that talks were moving forward “quite fast”. That assessment echoed a report by Bloomberg News that said Washington had eased a demand that Kyiv pay for aid already delivered since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.“The basic legal stuff is almost finalised, and then, if everything moves as quickly and constructively, the agreement will bring economic results to both our countries,” Zelenskyy said in his daily address on Wednesday. The Trump administration has demanded some sort o...

Economics

2 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Nato chief visits Odesa, declares ‘unwavering’ support for Kyiv

Nato’s Mark Rutte makes his pledge after Donald Trump blames Volodymyr Zelenskyy for starting the war. What we know on day 1,148See all our Ukraine-Russia war coverageNato secretary general Mark Rutte has visited the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and declared “unwavering” support for Ukraine in the aftermath of a Russian attack on the northern city of Sumy that killed 35 people. Rutte said the military alliance was still strongly behind Kyiv, even as it also supported the ceasefire push by US president Donald Trump, who has issued fresh criticism of Zelenskyy, accusing him of starting the war. “Nato stands with Ukraine,” Rutte said at a press conference with Zelenskyy on Tuesday. “You and I know that this has been true all along. I also know that some have called Nato’s support into question in the last couple of months. But let there be no doubt: our support is unwavering.” Rutte also said: “Russia is the aggressor, Russia started this war. The...

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2 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Captive Chinese soldiers appear before the press in Kyiv

Republicans increase pressure on Trump after 35 killed in Sumy, with US president calling for ‘death and destruction to stop’. What we know on day 1,147Ukraine held a press conference with Chinese soldiers captured on the frontline after Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of recruiting fighters from China using social media. The men were led into a press centre handcuffed and flanked by armed Ukrainian guards and it was unclear if they were speaking of their own volition. The pair told journalists they hoped to be part of a prisoner swap.Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, has accused Moscow of dragging Beijing into its invasion, saying that several hundred Chinese nationals were fighting at the frontline. The Kremlin has denied it claim while Beijing has warned parties to the conflict against making “irresponsible remarks”.Zelenskyy accused Vladimir Putin of remaining focused on continuing the war, saying Russia had openly refused to engage in ceasefire talks. “There is only one re...

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2 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy to Trump – come and see Putin’s war for yourself

Impose ceasefire on Russia, says France’s Macron, as leaders condemn deadly Palm Sunday strike on Sumy. What we know on day 1,146Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, has urged Donald Trump to visit Ukraine to “understand what Putin did”. In a CBS interview broadcast on Sunday, Zelenskyy said: “Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead.”Russia’s missile strike on Sunday on the Ukrainian city of Sumy showed the urgent need to impose a ceasefire on Russia, declared the French president, Emmanuel Macron. “Everyone knows it is Russia alone that wants this war. Today it is clear that Russia alone wants to continue with it, showing its scorn for human life, international law and diplomatic efforts made by President [Donald] Trump,” said Macron. “Strong measures are needed to impose a ceasefire on Russia. France is working tirelessly toward this goal, alongside it...

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Ukraine could be partitioned like Berlin after second world war, says US envoy

Gen Keith Kellogg appears to suggest Ukraine could be split into zones of control after a peace deal; Trump warns Putin to ‘get moving’ ahead of US-Russia talks. What we know on day 1,144See all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Europe unveils new military support for Kyiv ahead of defence summit

The UK has pressed nearly 30 countries to forge ahead with plans to deploy peacekeeper troops to Ukraine. What we know on day 1,143See all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says US ‘very surprised’ after Chinese fighters captured on frontline

Ukraine president says more than 150 Chinese involved in fighting for Russia; US lawmakers criticise reports of planned troop pullbacks in Europe. What we know on day 1,142See all our Ukraine war coverageVolodymyr Zelenskyy accused Beijing of turning a blind eye to the recruitment of Chinese nationals to fight for Russia, adding he believed the US was “very surprised” by the revelation. The Ukrainian leader said Kyiv has obtained passport details of at least 155 fighters from China in the war. While Zelenskyy said Beijing knew its citizens were there, he didn’t believe the country had given “some kind of command” they join the fight.Zelenskyy added he believes Russia is using social media, including TikTok, to recruit. He said he was prepared to exchange captured Chinese soldiers with Ukrainian servicemen in detention.China called those claims “groundless”, saying they are contrary to an effort to find a political solution to the ongoing war. “The Chinese government always asks Chin...

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