Key Points
- Lukanshenko threatens Ukraine, says 'major' target in sights
- Putin questions whether Russia was behind Romania drone strike
- Kyiv denies Russian accusations of drone strike on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
- Zelensky says Ukraine has limited window for negotiations with Russia
- Russian oil refinery and energy infrastructure hit in Ukrainian drone attacks
Zelensky calls for progress on peace talks before winter
Sunday 31 May 2026 23:45 , Harriette Boucher
Volodymyr Zelensky is looking to revive talks on securing peace with Russia before the onset of winter.
The Ukrainian president is seeking negotiations amidst his country’s improved strategic position, as he says the advance of Russian forces has slowed on the ground while Ukraine has intensified its strikes.
He told Face the Nation on CBS: “It began in December 2025, Russia began to lose the initiative on the battlefield.
“I think that we have window for the negotiations, because each month they will lose more and more people, and they will lose, because of these reasons, they will lose initiative on the battlefield.”
He added: “So now we have this period of time before the winter... before the winter we need to find a way, diplomatic way, to sit and to speak.”
President Zelensky said negotiations depend on the pressure on Vladimir Putin.
US-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv have stalled as Washington focuses on the war in Iran.
He said there was also the possibility of negotiations organised with European help or of bilateral talks with Russia, but reiterated his call to impose tougher sanctions on Russia.
Last week, Ukrainian Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky said the country had a six-month window in which to seize the battlefield initiative and strengthen its hand for peace talks.
He believed Russia's army was exhausted and incapable of making major breakthroughs.
Ukraine receives new Iris-T launcher from Germany, says Zelensky
05:46 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine received a new Iris-T air defence launcher from Germany on Saturday, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"We thank Germany for its constant contribution to protecting people; thousands upon thousands of lives have been saved thanks to such strong support," Zelensky said on X.
"We also need missiles for air defence systems to have sufficient capabilities to repel Russian attacks," Zelensky said on Telegram.
Ukraine heavily relies on the Iris-T for its layered air defence system, which comprises of multiple different systems it sources from its allies.
The portable launchers can carry eight missiles each.
The German defence launcher is a short-range system capable of hitting targets at a distance of 12km (8 miles) and up to an altitude of 8km. It also has a medium-range system that can reach targets up to 40km (24 miles) and at an altitude of 20km (13 miles).
Over this week, the Russians have launched more than 2,300 attack drones, nearly 1,560 guided aerial bombs, and 108 missiles of various types against our people. All these strikes were directed simply at ordinary civilian infrastructure – residential buildings and energy… pic.twitter.com/RYMLNQCKam
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 31, 2026
Watch: Zelensky seeks to revive peace talks with Moscow ahead of winter
05:10 , Arpan Rai
Lukanshenko threatens Ukraine, says 'major' target in sights
04:56 , Arpan Rai
Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has said his country has a “major” target in Ukraine in its sights.
Amid concerns about Minsk becoming more involved in the war, Ukraine’s commander of Unmanned Systems Forces had warned last week that his forces have identified 500 potential targets in Belarus.
"They may have identified 500 targets. But we have one major target, with precise coordinates, and it is very close to Belarus. They understand that too,” Lukashenko said yesterday.
Russia's ally also claimed that Ukraine does not seek any conflict with Belarus.
"The Ukrainian military does not want any war with Belarus. I know that for sure," he said.
"Because they understand that this means a thousand kilometres of additional front lines, a border – and a difficult border – between Belarus and Ukraine. Do they need that? No,” Lukashenko said.
Zelensky says Ukraine has limited window for negotiations with Russia
04:31 , Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kyiv is facing a limited window to hold effective peace talks with Russia, which will remain open until winter this year.
His assessment was based on Kyiv’s performance on the battlefield, with Ukraine regaining and holding the initiative.
Kyiv is better positioned to negotiate after Ukrainian troops regained the initiative in December 2025 and the window is expected to last till next winter, he told CBS News.
Zelensky said he has informed the US who are working on holding peace talks with Russia.
“It began in December 2025, Russia began to lose initiative on the battlefield," Zelensky said.
"And from this point of view, I shared this information with our American partners. I said to them in January, I think that we have a window for the negotiations, because each month they will lose more and more people... So now we have this period of time before the winter. So I think that in winter — we have, before the winter, we need to find a way, diplomatic way, to sit and to speak,” he said.
Beginning in December 2025, Russia started to lose the initiative on the battlefield. In January 2026, I told our American partners: “I think there is a window for negotiations, because each month Russia will be losing more and more troops.” Now they can’t occupy more territory…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 31, 2026
Russian oil refinery and energy infrastructure hit in Ukrainian drone attacks
04:15 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine’s General Staff said Ukrainian drones struck the Saratov oil refinery in southwestern Russia, causing a large-scale fire.
It claimed the refinery has been supplying Moscow’s war effort.
The refinery belongs to Russia’s state oil enterprise, Rosneft. Local Russian governor Roman Busargin said Ukrainian drones had damaged civilian infrastructure, but did not give details.
Astra, an independent Russian news channel, said an oil refinery was on fire in the city of Saratov.
Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russia’s oil and gas facilities in recent months, arguing the energy sector funds and directly fuels Moscow’s more than four-year invasion.
“Tonight, our soldiers applied Ukraine’s long-range sanctions against an oil refinery in Saratov, Russia — approximately 700 kilometres (435 miles) from the front line. A significant achievement,” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukraine's General Staff also confirmed its forces were behind the strike on the facility in the town of Matveev Kurgan. Local authorities said a drone strike on the depot had caused a large-scale fire across a wide area.
According to its General Staff, Ukraine also struck the Lazarevo pumping station in Russia's Kirov region northeast of Moscow, more than 1,200 kilometres (745 miles) from Ukrainian-controlled land.
The station helps ship Russian oil from Siberia to Belarus.
Regional governor Alexander Sokolov said drones had hit a facility in the Kirov region, without giving further details.
Russia says one killed and 11 injured in Ukrainian attack on Kherson
03:54 , Arpan Rai
A Russian-appointed official said a Ukrainian drone struck an apartment building in a Russian-held part of southern Kherson region, killing a child and injuring 11 people.
Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of the parts of Kherson region in eastern Ukraine under Moscow's control, wrote on Telegram that the strike occurred in the city of Henichesk, on the shore of the Sea of Azov.
Watch: UK intelligence suggests almost half a million Russian soldiers have died in Putin’s invasion
03:00 , Bryony Gooch
Recap: Zelensky warns Russia preparing ‘massive’ new strike on Ukraine
02:00 , Bryony Gooch
Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Friday that Russia was preparing a “massive” new strike against Ukraine as Kyiv renewed calls for western allies to accelerate deliveries of Patriot air defence systems.
In a Telegram post and later video address, the Ukrainian president said intelligence assessments indicated Moscow was preparing intensified attacks in the coming days. “We understand what Russia is preparing for and what it is counting on,” Zelensky said, urging Ukrainians not to ignore air raid alerts.
Zelensky also defended Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure, saying Kyiv would continue targeting Russia’s logistics networks and oil industry to weaken its war effort. “We are defending ourselves actively,” he said. “Everything that makes it harder for Russia to wage war helps bring peace closer.”
He added that Ukraine was working “with all partners” to strengthen air defences amid escalating Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Recap: Kyiv says Russia's claim they struck the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is a 'propaganda ploy'
01:00 , Bryony Gooch
Kyiv denied a Russian claim that a Ukrainian drone struck the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe's largest.
Russia's state nuclear energy company, Rosatom, said on Saturday that the drone exploded after tearing a hole in the wall of a turbine hall. Rosatom's CEO Alexei Likhachev accused Ukraine of a "deliberate" attack.
"This afternoon, a Ukrainian kamikaze combat drone struck the turbine hall building of Power Unit No. 6, resulting in a detonation," Likhachev said. He added there was no damage to main equipment.
Ukraine's military said it did not target or strike the plant, and described the Russian claim as "yet another propaganda ploy." A military statement said that it adheres to international humanitarian law and is aware of the "consequences of any actions targeting nuclear facilities."
"Along the relevant section of the front line, there was no active fighting at the time of the incident, and no weapons were used," it added.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, voiced "serious concern" in a post on X following the incident.
The IAEA said in an online statement on Sunday that its inspectors "observed damage to the exterior of a turbine building" that was "consistent with the impact of the drone." It gave no details of where the drone may have come from, but said radiation levels at the site remained normal."
During a site walk down, the team saw damage to a metal access hatch located several levels up in the building, as well as a few pieces of debris and burned optical fiber remains on the ground," the agency said in a post on X. It added its inspectors had requested access to the inside of the turbine hall, "for further examination."
Bankers who helped Putin’s friend set up Swiss accounts lose appeal
Monday 1 June 2026 00:01 , Bryony Gooch
Four bankers who helped Putin’s friend set up Swiss accounts lose appeal
Child killed and 11 injured in drone attack in Russian-held Kherson region
Sunday 31 May 2026 23:13 , Harriette Boucher
A child was killed after a Ukrainian drone struck an apartment building in a Russian-held part of the southern Kherson region.
Another 11 people were injured in the attack, Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-appointed governor of Russian-held parts of Kherson region, claimed.
He said the strike occurred in the city of Henichesk, on the shore of the Sea of Azov.
Recap watch: Putin denies Russian drone struck Romania
Sunday 31 May 2026 23:00 , Bryony Gooch
Ukraine's military says it hit Russia's Saratov oil refinery
Sunday 31 May 2026 22:00 , Bryony Gooch
Ukraine's military said on Sunday it had struck Russia's Saratov oil refinery overnight, causing a large fire to break out at the facility.
The military said in a post on Telegram that it had also hit the Lazarevo oil pumping station in Russia's Kirov region.
In pictures: Rescuers work at site of apartment buildings hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine in Dnipro
Sunday 31 May 2026 21:00 , Bryony Gooch
Zelensky: Russian drones in neighbouring countries are a test of Nato's defences
Sunday 31 May 2026 20:00 , Bryony Gooch
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said the country is trying to intercept all Russian drones, even those going into neighbouring country’s airspace.
He said: “We are trying to intercept all Russian drones, even when some of them are going in the direction of other countries, like Romania, Moldova, Poland, or the Baltic states. If we can't, we immediately notify our partners and try to help them.”
He continued that Russia used drones to pressure Nato countries not to support Ukraine and test their air defences.
“Russia uses drones to pressure Nato countries and gauge the reaction.
“This is their typical message: Don’t help Ukraine. I think there should be a stronger response from a united Nato. Putin is comparing this reaction to what he saw in previous years.
“And he is also testing air defenses of Nato countries bordering Russia or Belarus. Are they capable of intercepting all the missiles and drones?”
We are trying to intercept all Russian drones, even when some of them are going in the direction of other countries, like Romania, Moldova, Poland, or the Baltic states. If we can't, we immediately notify our partners and try to help them.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 31, 2026
Russia uses drones to pressure NATO… pic.twitter.com/YH0vAlV69J
Russia's hybrid war in UK akin to 'state terrorism' says Poland's deputy foreign minister
Sunday 31 May 2026 19:00 , Bryony Gooch
Poland’s deputy foreign minister Radosław Sikorski commiserated that the UK had also been a “victim of Russia’s actions”, declaring the hybrid warfare was akin to “state terrorism.”
He said on Times Radio: “Britain has been magnificent in its support for Ukraine, for many of the same reasons that we are helping Ukraine. You, too, have been a victim of Russia's actions.
“In fact, the term 'hybrid war' does not quite capture it; this has amounted to state terrorism. Your citizens have been murdered by Russian death squads, while in Poland we have faced attempts to derail trains and incursions by Russian drones.
“So even though Russia is geographically further from you than it is from us, I think you feel some of that pressure as well.”
💬 Britain has been magnificent in its support for Ukraine, for many of the same reasons that we are helping Ukraine.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇵🇱 (@PolandMFA) May 31, 2026
You, too, have been a victim of Russia's actions. In fact, the term 'hybrid war' does not quite capture it; this has amounted to state terrorism. Your citizens…
Zelensky: US not producing enough anti-ballistic missiles
Sunday 31 May 2026 18:00 , Bryony Gooch
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned the US is not producing enough anti-ballistic missiles, which could lead to a global crisis as Russia ramps up its ballistic missile production.
“There is not enough anti-ballistic missile production in the United States and this could lead to a crisis in different parts of the world. Russia is ramping up its internal production of ballistic missiles. I sent a letter to the White House and to the US Congress.
“I hope they will understand and respond. 60–65 anti-ballistic missiles per month, compared to current challenges, is nothing. It is no secret and Russia knows this. We need to expand the production.
“I asked the previous US administration, and I am asking today’s administration to give Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles. We can increase the production of Patriot missiles. This will help us. This will help the Middle East and any other country that the United States decides to help. Until we produce a European anti-ballistic system, we will need support from the United States.”
There is not enough anti-ballistic missile production in the United States and this could lead to a crisis in different parts of the world. Russia is ramping up its internal production of ballistic missiles. I sent a letter to the White House and to the U.S. Congress. I hope they…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 31, 2026
Zelensky: US want to test Ukrainian drones as part of new deal
Sunday 31 May 2026 17:00 , Bryony Gooch
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that the US and Ukraine could approve a drone deal as the United States want to test the country’s drones.
“We wanted to conclude the first Drone Deal with the United States. The US wanted to test all types of our drones. We agreed to the way they wanted to test, train with, and use our systems in the air, on land, and at sea. But we still don’t have a bilateral Drone Deal – a big framework document.
“The Drone Deals we have are with some countries in the Middle East and Europe, and now we are preparing a big Drone Deal with the EU. I hope we will reach the same agreement with our American partners. I count on it. American companies have advanced AI technologies we don't have.
“In turn, we have many things they don't have, due to our extensive experience on the battlefield. I think this cooperation can be huge — the most powerful of its kind in the world. We need to negotiate, not just talk about it. Take the necessary steps and do it as quickly as possible. For this, we need President Trump to say yes.”
We wanted to conclude the first Drone Deal with the United States. The U.S. wanted to test all types of our drones. We agreed to the way they wanted to test, train with, and use our systems in the air, on land, and at sea. But we still don’t have a bilateral Drone Deal – a big…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 31, 2026
Zelensky: US want to test Ukrainian drones as part of new deal
Sunday 31 May 2026 17:00 , Bryony Gooch
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that the US and Ukraine could approve a drone deal as the United States want to test the country’s drones.
“We wanted to conclude the first Drone Deal with the United States. The US wanted to test all types of our drones. We agreed to the way they wanted to test, train with, and use our systems in the air, on land, and at sea. But we still don’t have a bilateral Drone Deal – a big framework document.
“The Drone Deals we have are with some countries in the Middle East and Europe, and now we are preparing a big Drone Deal with the EU. I hope we will reach the same agreement with our American partners. I count on it. American companies have advanced AI technologies we don't have.
“In turn, we have many things they don't have, due to our extensive experience on the battlefield. I think this cooperation can be huge — the most powerful of its kind in the world. We need to negotiate, not just talk about it. Take the necessary steps and do it as quickly as possible. For this, we need President Trump to say yes.”
We wanted to conclude the first Drone Deal with the United States. The U.S. wanted to test all types of our drones. We agreed to the way they wanted to test, train with, and use our systems in the air, on land, and at sea. But we still don’t have a bilateral Drone Deal – a big…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 31, 2026
Drone strike causes damage to turbine building at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, IAEA says
Sunday 31 May 2026 16:30 , Bryony Gooch
The International Atomic Energy Agency on Sunday said it observed damage to the exterior of a turbine building at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine after a drone strike.
The IAEA's team at the Russian-held power plant confirmed normal radiation levels at the site in Zaporizhzhia.
Zelensky: Ukraine has evidence stolen children are being pushed onto battlefield
Sunday 31 May 2026 16:00 , Bryony Gooch
President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed Ukraine has evidence that Russia is putting the country’s stolen children on the battlefield.
He told Face the Nation on CBS: “They taught these children to hate their native country, to hate native people. And Ukrainians, can you imagine, such young Ukrainians, young boys, come to the battlefield and kill- kill Ukrainians.
“So, I mean, this is- this is a practical way of disinformation of Russia.”
Thousands of children are estimated to have been forcibly taken to Russia.
Recap: Putin questions whether Russia was behind Romania drone strike
Sunday 31 May 2026 15:24 , Bryony Gooch
Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Friday that it was too early to say if the drone which crashed into an apartment block in Romania was Russian and suggested it could have been a Ukrainian drone.
Nato accused Moscow on Friday of reckless behaviour and pledged to "defend every inch of Allied territory" after Romania said a Russian drone had crashed into an apartment block in the alliance member state during an attack on neighbouring Ukraine.
"Who in Romania says that this is a Russian drone?" Putin asked reporters at a news conference in Astana, Kazakhstan. He said he had only just heard of the incident as he had been in talks all day. "No one can say what the origin of this or that drone is until an examination has been carried out," he said.
Putin said that Ukrainian drones had previously been spotted in Finland, Poland and in the Baltic countries.
"The first reaction was exactly the same as it is now in Romania: The Russians are coming," Putin said. "Then, after a short time, it turned out that it had nothing to do with Russian drones."
Romania finds Russia 'unequivocally' responsible for drone strike in investigation report
Sunday 31 May 2026 15:19 , Bryony Gooch
Romanian president Nicusor Dan has shared findings from an investigation into a Russian drone strike on a residential building in Romania.
He said that the drone that crashed in Galați was a Geran-2 of Russian origin, with the inscription in Cyrillic characters "ГЕРАН-2" identified on the recovered fragments.
“This is the unequivocal conclusion of the technical report finalized by Romanian state specialists. The investigation established this based on a substantial body of technical evidence,” he said.
He added that the electronic components, navigation systems, control modules, engine, and structural elements analysed were similar to other Geran-2 drones recovered previously on Romanian territory which were definitively identified as manufactured in the Russian Federation.
“The report also shows that the manufacturing markings, technical inscriptions, structural characteristics, and materials used follow the same technological process found in Geran-2 drones analysed in recent years.
“Physico-chemical analyses have confirmed the presence of the same types of materials and fuels repeatedly identified in devices from this series.
“Based on all these elements, the investigation unequivocally concludes that the fragments recovered in Galați come from a Geran-2 drone of Russian origin.”
He continued: “The fact that such a device struck a residential building in Romania, causing injuries and material damage, is of particular gravity, and the sole responsible party is Russia.
“The safety of Romanian citizens and the integrity of national territory are fundamental obligations of the Romanian state and will be defended with the utmost firmness.
“The results of this investigation will be communicated to our allies and to the competent structures within NATO and the European Union.
“Romania will continue to act together with its partners to strengthen security at the Alliance's eastern border and to protect its citizens.
“Romania will not ignore or downplay any incident that endangers the lives of its citizens, national security, or the sovereignty of the Romanian state.”
Drona prǎbușitǎ joi noapte la Galați este Geran-2, de proveniențǎ ruseascǎ. Aceasta este concluzia fǎrǎ dubiu a raportului tehnic finalizat de specialiștii statului român.
— Nicușor Dan (@NicusorDanRO) May 31, 2026
Ancheta a stabilit acest lucru pe baza unui ansamblu consistent de probe tehnice.
Pe fragmentele… pic.twitter.com/0ICBAEpSF6
Pictured: Smoke rises in the city during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine in Dnipro
Sunday 31 May 2026 15:00 , Bryony Gooch
Thousands of attack drones and aerial bombs from Russia in the past week, Zelensky reports
Sunday 31 May 2026 14:30 , Bryony Gooch
President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported more than 2,300 Russian attack drones over this week, nearly 1,560 guided aerial bombs, and 108 missiles of various types against Ukraine.
He wrote on social media: “All these strikes were directed simply at ordinary civilian infrastructure – residential buildings and energy facilities. Every day, we are working to ensure greater protection against Russian terror. Yesterday, we received a new IRIS-T launcher. We thank Germany for its constant contribution to protecting people; thousands upon thousands of lives have been saved thanks to such strong support. But we also need missiles for air defense systems so that we have sufficient capabilities to repel Russian attacks.
“This week, there were significant arrangements with Sweden – a new support package, including for strengthening our aviation with Gripen fighter jets. As for the PURL initiative, there are new contributions this year, and support for this initiative must continue. We are counting on both the United States and European partners. It is anti-ballistic defense that is one of the key priorities for Ukraine. Strong air defense can provide greater protection for our people and deprive Russia of its last remaining advantage.
“I thank all partners who are helping, who are ready to respond effectively to Moscow’s attempts to expand and escalate its war. It is very important that this be clearly understood there: choosing war will have consequences. I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine.”
Over this week, the Russians have launched more than 2,300 attack drones, nearly 1,560 guided aerial bombs, and 108 missiles of various types against our people. All these strikes were directed simply at ordinary civilian infrastructure – residential buildings and energy… pic.twitter.com/RYMLNQCKam
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 31, 2026
Recap: Russia’s war spending to exceed budget by $28bn this year
Sunday 31 May 2026 14:00 , Bryony Gooch
Russia’s ballooning $28bn Ukraine war bill forces Putin to make spending cuts
Recap: UK spy chief warns of 'unstoppable' AI and threats from Russia
Sunday 31 May 2026 13:30 , Bryony Gooch
Ukraine targeted with 229 drones and missiles in overnight Russian bombardment
Sunday 31 May 2026 13:00 , Bryony Gooch
Ukraine’s air force has reported that Russia attacked with 229 drones in an overnight bombardment.
Shaheds, Gerberas, Italmas and imitation drones came from the directions of Orel, Krusk, Bryansk, Millerovo, Shatolovo, Primorsk-Akhtarsk, Gvardeyskoy and Crimea.
The military estimated downing 212 drones. At least 14 strikes were recorded in 11 locations. The fall of drone debris was recorded in five locations.
Nato must be more willing to push back when the Kremlin goes too far
Sunday 31 May 2026 12:30 , Shahana Yasmin
That a Russian drone, probably fired from Crimea, crashed into a Romanian residential block and injured two people, is a gratuitous, unprovoked and serious act of aggression against an independent Nato state.
It demands a suitable response. That the incident is hardly a surprise is no reason for complacency.
It is true that in Romania, Poland and other states neighbouring Ukraine, Russian munitions and aircraft have been venturing into Nato airspace since before the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The danger was always that they’d stop landing harmlessly in a field. Not all were “accidents” – and there’s been too much activity more openly on the offensive.
Nato must be more willing to push back when the Kremlin goes too far
Deadly Russian strikes reported across eastern and southern Ukraine
Sunday 31 May 2026 12:00 , Shahana Yasmin
At least five people were killed and 37 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, Ukrainian officials said.
Two people were killed in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and another two in neighbouring Donetsk Oblast, according to local authorities. In Chernihiv Oblast, a driver was killed after Russian forces struck a parking lot in the town of Koriukivka, reported The Kyiv Independent.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast reported the highest number of injuries, with 12 people wounded in attacks on the Nikopol and Kryvyi Rih districts. Eleven people were also injured in Kharkiv Oblast, while two men were wounded in drone strikes in Sumy Oblast.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 229 drones overnight, 212 of which were intercepted. Fourteen drones hit targets across 11 locations, while debris fell at five sites.
UK spy chief warns of 'unstoppable' AI and threats from Russia
Sunday 31 May 2026 11:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Hegseth says US will ‘find a way’ to help Ukraine defend itself
Sunday 31 May 2026 11:00 , Shahana Yasmin
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington would “find a way” to help Ukraine defend itself after Volodymyr Zelensky appealed for more Patriot air defence missiles amid escalating Russian attacks.
Speaking at the US embassy in Singapore on Friday, Hegseth praised European countries for increasing defence spending and military support for Kyiv. “We want them to be able to defend, and we’ll find a way to make sure we can help them do that,” he told reporters.
Hegseth said the US was ramping up production of “important munitions” and helping European allies increase support for Ukraine. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Kyiv faces worsening shortages of anti-ballistic missile systems as Russia escalates long-range drone and missile strikes.
Ukraine keeps up assault on Russian oil infrastructure as Kyiv braces for more strikes
Sunday 31 May 2026 10:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Ukraine keeps up assault on Russian oil infrastructure as Kyiv braces for more strikes
Ukraine receives new German air-defence launcher
Sunday 31 May 2026 10:00 , Shahana Yasmin
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv received a new IRIS-T air-defence launcher from Germany on Saturday.
Announcing the delivery on Telegram on Sunday, Zelensky thanked Berlin for its support but said Ukraine still needed additional air-defence ammunition. “We also need missiles for air defence systems to have sufficient capabilities to repel Russian attacks,” he said.
Germany is one of Ukraine’s leading suppliers of air-defence systems and has committed to a long-term programme of IRIS-T deliveries.
Fuel shortages hit occupied Crimea amid Ukrainian attacks on supply routes
Sunday 31 May 2026 09:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Russian-installed authorities in occupied Crimea have announced fuel vouchers and limits on petrol sales after weeks of Ukrainian strikes on supply routes and oil infrastructure.
Sergey Aksyonov, the Moscow-backed head of Crimea, said from Saturday that sales of 95-octane petrol at the peninsula’s two largest fuel chains would be available only through a voucher system, according to The Kyiv Independent.
Residents will also be restricted to purchasing no more than 20 litres of 92-octane fuel per vehicle. Aksyonov said fuel supplies would be prioritised for public and social transport and claimed shortages would stabilise within 30 days.
Ukraine has intensified strikes on fuel depots, rail links, and logistics infrastructure connecting occupied Crimea to Russian-controlled territory in recent months.
Russia reports fresh Ukrainian drone attacks on energy infrastructure
Sunday 31 May 2026 09:00 , Shahana Yasmin
Russian authorities said Ukrainian drones struck energy and industrial targets across several regions overnight into Sunday, with damage reported in Saratov, Kirov, Belgorod, Rostov and Voronezh.
Saratov governor Roman Busargin said “civil infrastructure” had been damaged in the Volga region, which hosts several oil refineries and has faced repeated Ukrainian attacks in recent months. In the Kirov region, more than 1,300km from Ukrainian-held territory, governor Alexander Sokolov said drones hit a facility in the Urzhumsky district.
Governors in Belgorod, Rostov and Voronezh also reported strikes, while Belgorod authorities said three civilians were injured.
In occupied Crimea, Moscow-backed governor Sergei Aksyonov announced restrictions on petrol sales following continued Ukrainian attacks on fuel infrastructure near the peninsula.
Concerns mount that Belarus could be a launchpad for a new Russian offensive in Ukraine
Sunday 31 May 2026 08:24 , Shahana Yasmin
Over four years ago, Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko allowed longtime ally Russia to use his territory to invade Ukraine. Now officials in Kyiv are warning that Lukashenko could again allow his land to serve as a launchpad for more attacks by the Kremlin's forces.
While Belarus has not contributed troops to battle, Lukashenko has backed President Vladimir Putin’s war effort by hosting Russia’s nuclear weapons and military infrastructure, as well as producing components for Moscow’s military industries. Earlier this month, the countries held joint drills of nuclear forces involving Russian weapons deployed in Belarus.
Kyiv denies Russian claim of attacking Zaporizhzhia reactor
Sunday 31 May 2026 07:32 , Shahana Yasmin
Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone strike on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest.
Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear company, said a drone struck part of reactor 6 on Saturday, damaging a turbine hall wall but causing no radiation leak.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said it had been informed of the reported strike and was seeking access to inspect the damage directly. It said in its statement that “attacking nuclear sites is like playing with fire”.
Ukraine denied responsibility for the strike, accusing Moscow of spreading “propaganda” and using the occupied plant for “nuclear blackmail”. The Zaporizhzhia facility has repeatedly been at the centre of safety concerns since Russian forces seized it in the early weeks of the war.
500,000 Russian soldiers killed in Putin’s war on Ukraine, says GCHQ
Sunday 31 May 2026 03:00 , Bryony Gooch
500,000 Russian soldiers killed in Putin’s war on Ukraine, says GCHQ
Russia's Rosatom says Ukrainian drone struck Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Sunday 31 May 2026 02:00 , Bryony Gooch
Russia's state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom said on Saturday that a Ukrainian drone struck the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
There was no damage to key equipment, but the attack left a hole in the wall of a turbine hall, Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev said. He was quoted as saying by Russian state media that the fact that the drone was controlled via fiber optics "completely rules out the possibility of an accidental impact."
Ukraine did not immediately comment on the incident.
The plant is in an area under Russian control since early in Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is not in service, but it needs reliable power to cool its six shutdown reactors and spent fuel to avoid any catastrophic nuclear incidents.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly expressed alarm about the nuclear plant, Europe's biggest.
Watch: Russian drone strikes apartment building in Nato member Romania
Sunday 31 May 2026 01:00 , Bryony Gooch
Russia’s war spending to exceed budget by $28bn this year
Sunday 31 May 2026 00:00 , Bryony Gooch
Russia’s ballooning $28bn Ukraine war bill forces Putin to make spending cuts
Recap: Putin claims remarks about ending war were based on analysis of Russia's advances on battlefield
Saturday 30 May 2026 23:00 , Bryony Gooch
Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Friday his remarks on 9 May about the Ukraine war coming to an end were based on an analysis of Russian advances on the battlefield. Putin, though, refused to give any specific timeline for an end to the war.
He said Western claims that Russia was preparing for war with Europe were lies. He added that Western media should feel ashamed of themselves for their coverage of what Moscow said was a Ukrainian drone attack on a student dormitory in Russian-controlled Luhansk which left 21 people dead.
Recap: Putin pushes Nato to the brink with drone attack in Romania
Saturday 30 May 2026 22:00 , Bryony Gooch
What happens next as Putin pushes Nato to the brink with drone attack in Romania?
Analysis: Putin has adopted a 'reckless policy' as Russian drones increasingly enter Nato airspace
Saturday 30 May 2026 21:00 , Bryony Gooch
As more Russian drones enter Nato airspace, analysis from the Institute of War suggests that president Vladimir Putin has adopted a new “reckless policy” towards the West.
“Increasingly frequent Russian drone incursions into Nato airspace indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin has adopted a reckless policy that accepts the risk of Russian drones entering Nato airspace as an acceptable consequence of Russia's strikes in Ukraine.
“Putin now appears to accept the risk of inflicting civilian casualties in Nato states as an acceptable consequence of Russia’s strike campaign.
“Given the restrictions on Romania’s air defense operations, Nato may need to consider negotiating possible air defense agreements with Ukraine and Moldova as a matter of self-defense against Russian drone strikes against Nato countries, regardless of whether the Russian drone incursions are accidental or intentional.”
MORE: Increasingly frequent Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin has adopted a reckless policy that accepts the risk of Russian drones entering NATO airspace as an acceptable consequence of Russia's strikes in Ukraine. Putin… https://t.co/Z7q0VQFg7n pic.twitter.com/hcgNzx1Y94
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) May 30, 2026
Bankers who helped Putin’s friend set up Swiss accounts lose appeal
Saturday 30 May 2026 20:00 , Bryony Gooch
Four bankers who helped Putin’s friend set up Swiss accounts lose appeal
Stalin’s secret wine cellar of 40,000 bottles unsealed for first time
Saturday 30 May 2026 19:00 , Bryony Gooch
Stalin’s secret wine cellar of 40,000 bottles unsealed for first time
Watch: UK intelligence suggests almost half a million Russian soldiers have died in Putin’s invasion
Saturday 30 May 2026 18:00 , Bryony Gooch
Russian oil facility in Armavir struck, Zelensky claims in new 'long-range sanctions'
Saturday 30 May 2026 17:00 , Bryony Gooch
Ukraine’s military has struck a Russian oil facility in Armavir, 500km from the border, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said as part of “long-range sanctions”.
“We are rightfully bringing the war back to where it came from. Russia could have ended its aggression long ago, but instead chose to prolong and continue it.”
Our new long-range sanctions – and this is 500 kilometers from our state border. We are rightfully bringing the war back to where it came from. Russia could have ended its aggression long ago, but instead chose to prolong and continue it. So another facility of Russia’s oil… pic.twitter.com/YrrTsLDMqP
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 30, 2026
Recap: Zelensky warns a 'massive attack' from Russia is
Saturday 30 May 2026 16:31 , Bryony Gooch
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that they have intel suggesting Russia is preparing a new attack Ukraine.
He told citizens: “Please pay attention to air raid alerts and stay safe. Air defense and the continued need to help Ukraine protect its skies are our key priorities. I am grateful to every partner, every leader, and every country that is ready to help and that implements our arrangements in full.
“The PURL initiative must work. This concerns both the United States and Europe. We are pooling funds from our European partners and other friends to purchase missiles, including for Patriot systems. Sufficient supplies depend on America, and we hope that Ukraine will be heard.”
We have intel indicating that Russia is preparing a new massive attack. Please pay attention to air raid alerts and stay safe.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 29, 2026
Air defense and the continued need to help Ukraine protect its skies are our key priorities. I am grateful to every partner, every leader, and every… pic.twitter.com/sjXecyOjfW
