Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using the tankers of its “shadow fleet” for intelligence gathering and sabotage operations.
“Russians are utilising tankers of their ‘shadow fleet’ – not only to finance the war, but also for sabotage and various destabilisation attempts in Europe,” he said on social media, citing the launch of drones from tankers as a recent example brought to his attention by the Head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence.
The announcement follows an investigation by the French into the sanctioned Boracay tanker, suspected to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” which unexpectedly departed its anchorage off western France days ago.
French President Emmanuel Macron said it was unclear whether the vessel was involved in drone incursions in Denmark last week, which shut Danish airports close to the route the ship had been sailing from the Baltic to the North Sea.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has said he has “sort of” decided on whether to supply long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, after Moscow warned such a move would spell the end of Russia-US relations.
"I think I want to find out what they're doing with them," the US president told reporters after signing several executive orders at the White House on Monday evening.
Putin warned on Sunday that Moscow’s relationship with Washington would be over if the missiles were sent to Ukraine for long-range strikes into Russia.
Key Points
- Trump 'sort of made a decision' on supplying Tomahawk missiles
- British parts discovered in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine
- Ukrainian attacks have contributed to Russian fuel shortages
- Merkel says Poland and Baltic states bear some blame for Putin's war
- Russian forces destroy drone flying towards Moscow, mayor says
British parts discovered in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine
04:00 , Bryony Gooch
British parts discovered in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine
Recap: IAEA discussing proposals with Russia, Ukraine to restore power to Zaporizhzhia plant, Grossi says
03:00 , Bryony GoochInternational Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said on Friday he is discussing detailed proposals with Russia and Ukraine on how to restore off-site power to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
The plant, Europe's largest, has been cut off from external power for more than a week. It is being cooled by emergency diesel generators.
Recap: Power restored in Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, officials say
02:00 , Bryony GoochThe Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region was left largely without electricity for a time on Tuesday after a Ukrainian drone strike, Russian-installed governor Yevgeny Balitsky said.
Balitsky, in a later post on Telegram, said power had been restored throughout those parts of Zaporizhzhia region under Moscow's control. He thanked emergency crews for their fast work.
The Russian-appointed governor of the neighbouring Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said separately that around 38,000 people there were without power, though he did not say whether it was connected to the outages in Zaporizhzhia.
Russia controls around three-quarters of the two southern Ukrainian regions, with frontlines largely unchanged since 2022.
Reuters was unable to confirm the reports, and there was no immediate comment from Kyiv.
Patrolling Nato’s skies with the RAF: A bird’s-eye look at Europe’s creeping frontline
01:00 , Bryony Gooch
Patrolling Nato’s skies with the RAF: A birds-eye look at Europe’s creeping frontline
Russia utilising tankers of 'shadow fleet' to finance war and sabotage Europe, says Ukrainian intelligence
Wednesday 8 October 2025 00:00 , Bryony GoochUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia is utilising the tankers of its “shadow fleet” to finance the war and destabilise Europe.
“The Head of Foreign Intelligence reported in detail on how the Russians are utilising tankers of their ‘shadow fleet’ – not only to finance the war, but also for sabotage and various destabilisation attempts in Europe,” he said on social media. “Recent launches of drones from tankers are one such example. We share the information we have with our partners, and it is crucial that they take tangible steps in response to Russia.
“We are working toward this at all levels, and there will be further meetings and negotiations with partners, both public and behind closed doors. We are convincing them not to hold back on determination.
“The Russians must know that none of their destructive actions – all the vile things they do – will go unanswered by the world.”
The Head of Foreign Intelligence reported in detail on how the Russians are utilizing tankers of their “shadow fleet” – not only to finance the war, but also for sabotage and various destabilization attempts in Europe. Recent launches of drones from tankers are one such example.… pic.twitter.com/B09UQo9EZK
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 7, 2025
Ukraine unlikely to receive Tomahawks, says humanitarian aid organisation
Tuesday 7 October 2025 23:20 , Bryony GoochHumanitarian aid organisation Hope For Ukraine has expressed doubt that the war-torn country will receive Tomahawks requested from the United States as Trump teases he has “sort of” made a decision on whether to grant the request.
CEO Yuriy Boyechko has said that it remains unlikely that Ukraine will receive the highly-coveted missiles, which have a range of 2,500 km, because “Traditional launch platforms for Tomahawk missiles are sea-based, primarily deployed from US Navy ships and submarines.
“Ukraine has a very small navy, and the chances of it acquiring a Tomahawk‑capable surface ship or submarine are nearly zero.”, the organisation added.
“The U.S. also has ground‑based launchers for Tomahawk missiles (the Typhon), but these systems are scarce and the U.S. will not sell them to European NATO members.
The only way Ukraine could receive Tomahawks would be if the US sent already‑retired LRF launchers, the organisation explained, adding that the country does not possess the specialised launch equipment or the trained personnel needed to field the Tomahawk missile system.
Putin says Russia has captured nearly 5,000 square km in Ukraine this year
Tuesday 7 October 2025 23:00 , Bryony GoochRussian president Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russian forces had captured almost 5,000 square km (1,930 square miles) of land in Ukraine in 2025 and that Moscow retained complete strategic initiative on the battlefield.
Putin, addressing a meeting with Russian top military commanders, said Ukrainian forces were retreating in all sectors of the front. He said Kyiv was trying to strike deep into Russian territory, but it would not help it to change the situation in the more than 3 1/2-year-old war.
"At this time, the Russian armed forces fully hold the strategic initiative," Putin told the meeting in northwestern Russia, according to a Kremlin transcript.
"This year, we have liberated nearly 5,000 square km of territory - 4,900 - and 212 localities."
Ukrainian forces, he said, "are retreating throughout the line of combat contact, despite attempts at fierce resistance."
Russia's Defence Ministry on Tuesday reported the capture of two more villages along the front, which Ukraine's top commander says now extends over 1,250 km (775 miles).
Ukrainian accounts of the situation on the front line say Kyiv's forces have made gains in the Donetsk region, particularly near the town of Dobropillia. President Volodymyr Zelensky has also said Ukrainian forces have regained ground in the border Sumy region, where Russia has established a foothold.
Pictured: First Icon of Our Lady of Victories unveiled in Aldershot in mark of solidarity with Ukraine
Tuesday 7 October 2025 21:00 , Daniel Keane
Russia hosts Taliban delegation and warns against foreign military presence in Afghanistan
Tuesday 7 October 2025 20:00 , Daniel KeaneRussia hosted a delegation of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban government Tuesday and issued a strong warning against a foreign military presence in the country.
Speaking at the start of an international meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised the Taliban government for efforts to combat the Islamic State and other extremist groups, as well as eradicate illegal drugs.
Lavrov emphasized that “the deployment of military infrastructure of any third countries on the territory of Afghanistan, as well as on the territories of neighboring states, is categorically unacceptable under any pretext.”
Read our full story here.
Russia hosts Taliban delegation and warns against foreign military presence in Afghanistan
Russia to send Medvedev to North Korea this week
Tuesday 7 October 2025 19:00 , Daniel KeaneRussia will send Dmitry Medvedev to North Korea for celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country’s ruling party.
It comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un joined Vladimir Putin and others at a Chinese military parade in Beijing last month.
China’s Premier Li Qiang will also travel to North Korea in its highest-level visit since 2019.
A statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry called China and North Korea "traditional friends and neighbors" and said it is "an unswerving strategic policy" of the Chinese government and the ruling Communist Party "to maintain, consolidate and develop" relations with North Korea.
Zelensky says Russia using tankers for reconnaissance
Tuesday 7 October 2025 18:00 , Daniel KeaneUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using oil tankers for intelligence gathering and sabotage operations.
Zelensky, writing in a post on Telegram after receiving a briefing from Ukraine's foreign intelligence chief, said Ukraine was co-operating with allies on the matter.
"Currently, Russians are using tankers not only to earn money for the war, but also for reconnaissance and even sabotage activities. It is entirely possible to stop this."
Russia and India begin joint military drills
Tuesday 7 October 2025 17:30 , Daniel KeaneRussia and India have begun joint military drills in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan in a sign of deepening cooperation between Delhi and Moscow.
The Russian defence ministry said the “Indra 2025” drills would take place at the Mahajan range and continue until 15 October.
"The main goal of the drills is honing the cohesion of both countries' units in the fight against terrorism, including the perfection of counter-terrorism operations' tactics," the ministry said.
Ukrainian soldiers carried out 'successful' counter-attack in eastern region, says military
Tuesday 7 October 2025 17:00 , Daniel KeaneUkrainian soldiers carried out a successful counter-attack in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Kyiv’s military said.
The Skhval unit “eliminated” 50 Russian troops in a battle in Sichneve while eight others were taken prisoner, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Footage published on Telegram appeared to show Ukrainian troops advancing to a settlement and clearing out Russian positions. The footage could not be independently verified.
Sichneve lies at the administrative border with the key region of Donetsk, which Russian forces are desperate to capture.
Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers launch reconnaissance drones in Donetsk
Tuesday 7 October 2025 16:30 , Daniel Keane
Shadow defence secretary accuses Farage of 'blaming Nato for provoking Putin'
Tuesday 7 October 2025 16:00 , Daniel KeaneBritain’s shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge has accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of “blaming Nato for provoking Putin”.
Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, Mr Cartlidge said: "There are those who claim that Nigel Farage's party are the true conservatives, but let us remind ourselves what happened when Putin launched his all-out invasion.
"On that day, what did Farage do? Whose side was he on as our continent was suddenly threatened with war for the first time since 1945? That day, he chose to blame Nato for provoking Putin.”
Farage has previously faced criticism for suggesting that the eastwards expansion of Nato was responsible for Russia’s invasion, rather than Putin’s imperialist ambitions.
Erdogan tells Putin more momentum is needed to achieve piece
Tuesday 7 October 2025 15:55 , Daniel KeaneTurkish president Tayyip Erdogan told Vladimir Putin in a phone call that more momentum is needed to achieve peace in Ukraine, his office said.
The statement cited Erdogan as saying Turkey will continue to work for peace.
It said bilateral relations and regional and global issues, including Turkey's efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, were also discussed on the call.
Russia 'awaiting clarity' on US supply of Tomahawks to Ukraine
Tuesday 7 October 2025 15:30 , Daniel KeaneRussia has said it is waiting for clarity on the possible supply of US Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
It comes after President Donald Trump said he had “sort of made a decision” on whether to send the missiles to Kyiv, but was waiting to hear how Ukraine planned to use them.
Asked about the comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "We understand that we need to wait, probably, for clearer statements, if any come."
Russia claims Ukrainian drone crashed into nuclear plant but did not cause damage
Tuesday 7 October 2025 15:00 , Daniel KeaneRussia's state nuclear energy company has claimed that a Ukrainian drone attempted to strike a nuclear plant in the Voronezh region, but did not cause damage.
In a statement, Rosenergoatom said the drone was "suppressed by technical means" and detonated after crashing into a cooling tower at the Novovoronezh plant.
"There was no damage or injuries; however, the detonation left a dark mark on the cooling tower. The safe operation of the nuclear power plant is ensured," the company said, adding that radiation levels were normal and unchanged.
Ukraine wants to increase gas imports by 30% after Russian attacks
Tuesday 7 October 2025 14:29 , Daniel KeaneUkraine wants to increase natural gas imports by 30% following Russian airstrikes on its gas infrastructure, the country’s energy minister has said.
It comes amid an increase in Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector in recent weeks. Last Friday, an attack on Ukraine’s main gas fields raised fears of a possible gas shortage.
"We plan to increase imports by around 30% if we manage to expand our import capacity," Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk told a press briefing.
"We plan to import throughout the coldest months, although the priority now is to secure imports for October-December and, if necessary, for other months."
In pictures: Moscow delegation meets the Taliban
Tuesday 7 October 2025 14:01 , Alex Croft
Finnish president to deliver messages from Kyiv to Trump
Tuesday 7 October 2025 13:32 , Alex CroftFinland's president Alexander Stubb said on Tuesday he would this week deliver messages from his recent visit to Ukraine's capital Kyiv to US president Donald Trump.
Stubb is due to visit Washington DC on October 9-10 for a meeting with Trump to discuss US-Finnish relations and Russia's war in Ukraine.
Kyiv says Russian airstrikes caused 'significant' damage to Ukraine gas capacity
Tuesday 7 October 2025 13:00 , Alex CroftUkraine's energy minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said on Tuesday that Russian airstrikes had caused 'significant' damage to Ukraine's gas production capacity.
But Ms Hrynchuk declined to give specific details on the extent of this damage.
She said Russian attacks were targeting Ukraine's regional gas infrastructure, as well as power transmission facilities in Ukraine's frontline regions.
The country was considering increasing LNG imports, Ms Hrynchuk said.
Russia captures two villages in Ukraine, claims defence ministry
Tuesday 7 October 2025 12:30 , Alex CroftThe Russian Defence Ministry said on Tuesday its troops had captured two villages in Ukraine.
The villages are Novovasylivka in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region and Fedorivka in the eastern Donetsk region, the defence ministry said.
The Independent could not verify the battlefield report.
Full report: British parts discovered in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine
Tuesday 7 October 2025 12:00 , Alex CroftVolodymyr Zelensky is calling for more stringent sanctions against British companies implicated in supplying components for Russian drones, which are actively being deployed in attacks across Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president criticised allied nations for their role in providing parts to Russia, asserting that hundreds of thousands of foreign-made components were used in a deadly strike on Sunday morning.
Writing on X, Mr Zelensky stated that microcomputers for flight control, manufactured in the UK, were discovered in drones involved in the assault. Other parts from allied countries, including the US, were also identified.
The Sunday attack, a combined drone and missile strike on Lviv, resulted in the deaths of four people, including a 15-year-old, and left six others injured, according to regional officials.
Read the full report here:
British parts discovered in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine
Watch: Zelensky criticises allies over 'zero real reaction' to Russian strikes
Tuesday 7 October 2025 11:29 , Alex CroftTrump says he has 'sort of' made decision on sending Tomahawks to Ukraine
Tuesday 7 October 2025 11:18 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has said he has “sort of” made a decision on whether the US will supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
The US president was speaking to reporters after signing several executive orders at the White House on Monday evening.
"I think I want to find out what they're doing with them," he said in response to a question about sending Tomahawks to Ukraine.
"Where are they sending them? I guess I'd have to ask that question. I would ask some questions. I'm not looking to escalate that war."
The questions came after a video clip from Vladimir Putin released on Sunday which said Moscow’s relationship with Washington would be over if the missiles were sent to Ukraine for long-range strikes into Russia.
Bulletin | Zelensky demands action on British firms supplying parts for Russian drones
Tuesday 7 October 2025 11:01 , Alex Croft- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for more stringent sanctions against British companies implicated in supplying components for Russian drones.
- Zelensky criticised allied nations, stating that hundreds of thousands of foreign-made components, including UK-manufactured microcomputers, were used in recent Russian attacks.
- A combined drone and missile strike on Lviv on Sunday resulted in four fatalities, including a 15-year-old, and six injuries, marking the most significant aerial assault on the city since February 2022.
- Zelensky detailed that a massive strike on 5 October involved 549 weapon systems containing over 100,000 foreign-made components from various countries, including the UK, US, and China.
- Ukraine is preparing new sanctions against those aiding Russia, with Zelensky calling for G7 nations to implement systemic decisions to ensure sanctions are effective and prevent circumvention.
Russian national arrested after allegedly spying for Moscow in Ukrainian military
Tuesday 7 October 2025 10:31 , Alex CroftA Russian national who spied for Moscow’s intelligence while serving for Ukraine’s military has been detained, Kyiv’s security service said.
The man is accused of helping Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) coordinate strikes on his unit’s temporary base and other positions in the Lviv region.
He also sent locations of armoured convoys, transit depots and vehicle parks to his Russian handler through anonymous chat apps, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said according to The Kyiv Independent.
The suspect joined the military “under the guise of a volunteer”, the SBU said. He was detained while heading to an ATM where he was due to receive payments from Russia.
The detainee started spying for Russia after joining Ukrainian forces and is believed to have been recruited through his brother, who now lives in Russia.
Russia attack on Kharkiv damages local businesses
Tuesday 7 October 2025 10:07 , Alex CroftA Russian attack on the city of Kharkiv has caused damage and prompted fires at civilian businesses, Ukrainian authorities have said.
The attack was carried out in the Nemyshlianskyi district of the city, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said.
No people were injured or killed, it said, and firefighting crews, medical teams and bomb disposal experts are dealing with the aftermath.
Man killed in Russian attack on Kherson
Tuesday 7 October 2025 09:39 , Alex CroftOne man was killed after Russian forces dropped explosives from a drone on a public transport stop in the city of Kherson on 7 October, the regional prosecutor’s office has said.
A 65-year-old man was killed instantly and a 70-year-old man was injured and hospitalised in the attack.
"Our investigators revealed that Russian forces had dropped explosives from an unmanned aerial vehicle onto a public transport stop in the city of Kherson on 7 October 2025 at around 06:30,” the office said in a statement.
Russia attacks Ukraine with 154 drones and missiles
Tuesday 7 October 2025 09:10 , Alex CroftRussian forces fired two ballistic missiles and 152 drones at Ukraine in an overnight attack, Kyiv’s air force has said.
Ukrainian air defences destroyed or jammed 88 Russian drones across the north and east of the country, the air force added according to Ukrainska Pravda.
Strikes were recorded by two missiles and 52 drones across 10 locations.
The attack is still ongoing with several Russian drones still in Ukrainian air space, the force reported shortly after 7am UK time (9am Ukraine time).
We haven’t yet seen reports of any casualties but will keep you updated on the overnight attack.
Pictured: Rescuers sift through rubble after Russian strike on energy facility
Tuesday 7 October 2025 08:43 , Alex Croft
Ukraine's Donetsk region seen as Russia’s gateway, not the ultimate prize in war
Tuesday 7 October 2025 08:22 , Alex CroftFrom a bunker in eastern Ukraine, the 33-year-old soldier asks her comrade to fly a reconnaissance drone over her childhood home, hoping for a final glimpse before it becomes just another city pulverized by years of fighting.
The soldier took up arms a decade ago to defend her home region, Donetsk, where Ukraine has been battling Russian-backed forces since 2014. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the region has become synonymous with Ukraine’s fight for survival. Battlefield developments in Donetsk are considered a gauge of each side’s fortunes in the war.
In over 10 years of fighting, Ukraine has lost control of around 70% of the region.
“I watched my school destroyed, the community center where I once took dance lessons reduced to rubble,” Fox said in the dugout close to her beloved Kostiantynivka, where Russian forces are steadily closing in.
Ukraine's Donetsk region seen as Russia’s gateway, not the ultimate prize in war
Watch: British parts found in Russian drones being used to bomb Ukraine, claims Zelensky
Tuesday 7 October 2025 08:02 , Alex CroftEU governments agree to limit travel of Russian diplomats in fresh sanctions
Tuesday 7 October 2025 07:45 , Alex CroftEuropean Union governments have agreed to limit the travel of Russian diplomats within the bloc, the Financial Times said on Tuesday.
The move is a response to sabotage attempts, which intelligence agencies believe are often led by spies working under diplomatic cover.
Russian diplomats in EU capitals will be forced to inform other governments of their travel plans before leaving their host countries under the proposed rules, the outlet reported.
The move is part of fresh sanctions being issued by Brussels in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Russian air defences destroy 184 Ukrainian drones, defence ministry says
Tuesday 7 October 2025 07:29 , Alex CroftRussian air defence units destroyed 184 Ukrainian drones overnight, the country's RIA news agency reported on Tuesday, citing data from the defence ministry.
We’ll bring you more on the Ukrainian air attack as it comes in.
Attacks on Russia now include domestic missiles, says Zelensky
Tuesday 7 October 2025 07:10 , Arpan RaiPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has said the recent attacks by Ukraine's military on Russian infrastructure included domestically produced missiles.
"It's important to understand that in recent days Ukraine has been using exclusively Ukrainian products (and) not just drones," he said at a briefing in Kyiv, when asked whether Ukraine has fired its new long-range Flamingo missile against Russian targets.
"And judging by the strikes, I think it's clear to people where drones were used, and where drones were not used."
Zelensky added that the supply of US-produced weapons to Ukraine has not been affected by the ongoing government shutdown in Washington.
