The US has urged Nato to boost its firepower amid a growing Russian threat to the military alliance.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said that Washington expects its allies to have “strong and real capabilities that adversaries respect”.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of Nato defence ministers held in Brussels, he urged members of the alliance to invest more into the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) arms initiative for Ukraine, which allows Nato to buy US weapons and supply them to Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump is said to be “optimistic” about ending Putin’s war in Ukraine after his successful ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, according to the White House.
The US president, who has made concerted efforts to bring Putin to the negotiating table over the last three months, warned Russia that the war must end because it is not making the country look good earlier this week.
Trump said the Russian “economy is going to collapse” and claimed there were “long lines waiting for gasoline” – but Moscow has hit back, saying it has a “stable supply”.
Ukraine has relied on trains during the war. Russia is creating new technology to target them
UK sends 85,000 drones to Ukraine as Russian strikes surge
Nato chief mocks ‘broken’ Russian submarine as it resurfaces off English Channel
Putin’s top ally warns if Trump gives missiles to Ukraine it could lead to ‘nuclear war’
Key Points
- UK jets to keep flying over Poland until year end
- Poland warns of Russia's deep strike into Europe
- Trump again says he is disappointed in Putin and asks him to 'settle the war'
- UK sends more than 85,000 drones to Kyiv in six months
- Zelensky strips Odesa mayor of Ukrainian citizenship
- Sam Kiley: Zelensky is buying into Trump’s Gaza delusion – so he can repeat the trick with Ukraine
Ukraine has relied on trains during the war - Russia is creating new technology to target them
22:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs war rages on in Ukraine, the country has become reliant on its rail networks, which it has so far managed to keep running despite repeated strikes.
But officials and analysts are warning that advances in Russian drone capabilities and the growing tempo of attacks pose a serious threat to the vital infrastructure.
You can read more below...
Ukraine relies on trains. Russia is creating new technology to target them
Trump has threatened to give Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine - but can they turn the tide of the war?
21:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWashington may give access to powerful Tomahawk missiles, with Moscow threatening to respond. Experts tell Nicole Wootton-Cane that the weapons could significantly boost Ukraine - but their power shouldn’t be overstated.
Trump may give Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv - but can they turn the tide of the war?
Watch: Zelensky confirms meeting with Trump in Washington
21:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneZelensky revokes citizenship of Odesa mayor accused of holding Russian passport
20:30 , Nicole Wootton-CanePresident Volodymyr Zelensky stripped Odesa’s long-serving mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov of his Ukrainian citizenship after security services alleged he held a passport from Russia.
Mr Trukhanov, 60, who has governed the Black Sea port city for over a decade, rejected the accusation.
You can read more below...
Zelensky revokes citizenship of Odesa mayor accused of holding Russian passport
Ukraine needs up to $20bn in US weapons through Nato programme, defence minister says
20:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkraine will need between $12 billion and $20 billion worth of military aid next year as part of a new NATO initiative to purchase US weapons, defence minister Denys Shmyhal said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a defence summit in Brussels, he added that Ukraine is capable of producing 10 million drones in 2026 with sufficient financing from allies, but that it also needs more long-range artillery shells as it fights Russian forces.
Ukraine introduces power cuts in all regions, energy ministry says
19:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkrainian authorities are introducing emergency power cuts in all but two regions following earlier Russian attacks on the country's energy system, the energy ministry said on Wednesday.
Officials had earlier implemented planned power cuts in the Donetsk and Chernihiv regions.
Sharp drop in military spending in Ukraine, thinktank says
19:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThere has been a steep drop in military aid spending in Ukraine over the the last three months, according to a report from a thinktank.
The analysis by the Kiel Institute in Germany shows military aid to Ukraine saw a sharp decline in July and August 2025, despite the introduction of NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.
“As military support for Ukraine increasingly depends on new weapons procurement—which often takes months or even years to implement—the NATO PURL initiative is an important vehicle to provide Ukraine with ready-to-use weapons from US stockpiles,” said Christoph Trebesch, head of the Ukraine Support Tracker and Research Director at the Kiel Institute.
“At the same time, the decline in military aid in July and August is surprising. Despite the NATO PURL initiative, Europe is scaling back its overall military support. What will be crucial now is how the figures evolve in the autumn.”
US can 'impose costs' on Russia if war doesn't end, Hesgeth says
18:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUS defence secretary Pete Hegseth warned Moscow on Wednesday that the United States and its allies would "impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression" if the war in Ukraine does not come to an end.
"If we must take this step, the U.S. War Department stands ready to do our part in ways that only the United States can do," Hegseth said at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group of Kyiv's allies at NATO headquarters.
Hegseth did not elaborate. His comments came as US president Donald Trump's administration is considering a request by Ukraine for long-range Tomahawk missiles.
Recap: Former Russian president responds to Trump’s Tomahawk threat
18:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Former Russian president responds to Trump’s Tomahawk threat
Zelensky urges leaders to 'build on momentum' after Gaza peace plan
17:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneZelensky has urged leaders to “build on the momentum” of the Gaza peace plan following a successful ceasefire in the Middle East.
Following a call with the Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Ukrainian president wrote on X: “PM Mitsotakis has just returned from the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, which marked an important peace achievement for the Middle East. And it would be right to maintain and build on this momentum.
“Global unity succeeded in that region, and now everything must be done to end Russia’s war against Ukraine – this war remains the greatest source of global instability and danger today.
“But just as everywhere else, peace is possible through strength, and in the case of Russia’s aggression, it must be forced to stop the war.
“I informed the Prime Minister about the situation in Ukraine and about Russia’s strikes against our energy system.
“We are working to strengthen our air defense as much as possible before winter begins. Greece can truly help save lives, and I am grateful for that.”
I spoke with the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis @kmitsotakis.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 15, 2025
PM Mitsotakis has just returned from the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, which marked an important peace achievement for the Middle East. And it would be right to maintain and build on this momentum. Global… pic.twitter.com/nRuZIHzNzc
Germany to spend $500m on US weapons package for Kyiv, says minister
17:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneGermany will finance a US weapons package for Ukraine amounting to $500 million, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said at a meeting of the so-called Ramstein group of Kyiv's allies in Brussels on Wednesday.
The package will include air defence systems, Patriot missiles, radar systems, precision-guided artillery rockets and ammunition, he said, adding that additional German military aid in total comprised over two billion euros.
Pistorius also announced the delivery of another two IRIS-T air defence systems include a large number of missiles and shoulder-fired air defence missiles.
Ukraine's PM meets with IMF bosses
16:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko has met with IMF bosses Kristalina Georgieva and Dan Katz to discuss support programmes for the country.
In a post on X, Ms Svyrydenko wrote: “Under the current Extended Fund Facility program, Ukraine has successfully passed a record eight reviews and received $10.6 billion in financing.
“This program helped us maintain macro-financial stability even amid the uncertainty and challenges of the largest war in Europe in 80 years. It is important for us that the next program seamlessly continue the previous one.
“We were glad to hear the IMF leadership’s positive assessment of Ukraine’s progress — particularly on economic, fiscal, monetary, anti-corruption policies within our joint program.”
The team and I held meetings with the leadership of the International Monetary Fund — Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and newly appointed First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz.
— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) October 15, 2025
We continued the practical implementation of the agreements initiated last week by the… pic.twitter.com/06AUIKjelv
US ready to tariff China over Russian oil buys, but Europe must follow, Bessent says
16:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe US is ready to slap China with tariffs over its purchasing of Russian oil - but has warned European allies must be ready to do the same.
"It is the purchase of Russian oil by China that fuels the Russian war machines. China buys 60%, six zero percent, of Russian energy. They buy 90% of Iranian energy," treasury chief Scott Bessent said.
It comes after President Donald Trump told European leaders that countries in the continent must stop buying Russian oil in September, claiming that it is helping Moscow fund its war against Ukraine.
The European Commission has proposed legislation to phase out EU imports of Russian oil and gas by January 1, 2028, as Brussels seeks to sever its decades-old energy relations with Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Watch: Zelensky is buying into Trump’s Gaza delusion – so he can repeat the trick with Ukraine
15:31 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUK sanctions Russias largest oil companies
15:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Government has sanctioned Russia's biggest oil producer Rosneft as part of its latest set of measures targeting Russia's economy amid the war in Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced Rosneft, along with Lukoil - two of the world's largest energy companies - would face restrictions from the UK.
The Foreign Office said the two firms export 3.1 million barrels of oil a day. Rosneft, Russia's largest firm, is responsible for 6% of global oil production, and makes up nearly half of Russian oil produced.
Other action was taken against the so-called "shadow fleet", which allows Russia to export oil.
The new sanctions came as the speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament visited the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Speaking in the Commons, Ms Cooper said: "We will ramp up the pressure on Russia to ensure that their escalation comes at a clear cost.
"So I am today setting out a further new set of sanctions, among our strongest so far, to tighten the pressure on Russia's economy."
Donors have given $4.5 billion to Czech ammunition scheme for Ukraine
14:30 , Daniel KeaneForeign donors have provided £3.3 billion to a Czech-led initiative to find and deliver large-calibre ammunition to Ukraine, the Czech defence minister has said.
The programme matches Czech arms producers and traders with potential sellers who often prefer to remain unnamed, and foreign donors.
Jana Cernochova said the Czech Republic has arranged supplies of 3.7 million artillery rounds to Ukraine, including 1.3 million so far this year.
Nato chief says he is 'very happy' about Trump-Zelensky meeting
13:56 , Daniel KeaneNato chief Mark Rutte says that he is “very happy” that Zelensky and Trump will meet in Washington on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, he says Nato “is ready and willing to do what it takes to keep our 1 billion people safe and our territory secure”.
Asked whether he believes Trump will provide Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles that could significantly tip the war in Kyiv’s favour, he responds: “I will not get into that, it's up to individual allies."
Germany and France sign agreement for early warning system for missile launches
13:45 , Daniel KeaneGermany and France have signed an implementation agreement for a satellite-based early warning system called "Odin's eye".
The system will significantly improve capabilities to detect missile launches, as Europe seeks to spend more on defence to deter Russia.
Zelensky appoints new mayor of Odesa after citizenship row
13:15 , Daniel KeaneUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed a former regional governor to lead the port city of Odesa after revoking the citizenship of the former Mayor.
The appointment of Serhiy Lysak, who had led the Dnipropetrovsk region, came a day after the removal of mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov over his alleged possession of a Russian passport.
Mr Trukhanov, 60, who has governed the Black Sea port city for over a decade, rejected the accusation.
“I will appeal the decision to strip me of my Ukrainian citizenship in the Supreme Court. And, if that is not enough, I will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights,” he said in a video statement.
Putin to discuss fate of Russian military bases
12:45 , Daniel KeanePresident Vladimir Putin will hold talks in Moscow with Syria's Ahmed al-Sharaa over the fate of Russia's military bases in Syria, the Kremlin said.
The Kremlin said that Sharaa, who once headed the Syrian branch of al Qaeda and who toppled close Russian ally Bashar al-Assad late last year, was in Russia on a working visit.
The fate of Russia's two main bases in Syria - the Hmeimim airbase in Syria's Latakia province, and its naval facility at Tartous on the coast - will be discussed, the Kremlin said.
Russia could strike ‘deep into Europe’, Poland’s foreign minister warns
12:15 , Daniel KeaneMoscow has the ability to strike “deep into Europe”, Poland’s foreign minister has warned, as he told European leaders it would be “irresponsible” not to build a drone wall on the eastern flank of the continent.
Speaking in London on Tuesday, Radosław Sikorski unveiled a Russian-flown Shahed-136 drone downed in Ukraine and urged leaders to pledge support to Ukraine for at least the next three years.
He said Ukraine was planning resources to fight for the next three years and that Western leaders “need to convince Putin that we are ready to stay the course for at least those three years”.
He added he hoped US President Donald Trump would make long-range Tomahawk missiles available to the country to bolster strikes against Russian infrastructure.
Read our full story below.
Russia could strike ‘deep into Europe’, Poland’s foreign minister warns
Zelensky revokes citizenship of Odesa mayor accused of holding Russian passport
11:45 , Maira ButtZelensky revokes citizenship of Odesa mayor accused of holding Russian passport
Hegseth urges Nato to have 'strong and real capabilities that adversaries respect'
11:23 , Maira Butt“You get peace when you are strong. Not when you use strong words or wag your fingers, you get it when you have strong and real capabilities that adversaries respect,” Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of War, told reporters ahead of a meeting at Nato headquarters on Wednesday.
“Our expectation today is that more countries donate even more, that they purchase even more to provide for Ukraine, to bring that conflict to a peaceful conclusion.”
Putin official pushes back at Trump warning of Russian economic collapse
10:57 , Maira ButtDeputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees energy and the economy for the government, denied the claims of US President Donald Trump that the Russian economy would collapse due to “long lines waiting for gasoline”.
Mr Novak said Russia had a stable supply of gasoline.
"We have a stable domestic market supply, we see no problems in this regard," he said on Wednesday.
“The balance is maintained between production and consumption, and we, on the part of the government and the relevant ministries, are doing everything to ensure that this remains the case.”
Russian military says it has pushed Ukraine out of two settlements
10:40 , Maira ButtUkrainian forces have been pushed out of two settlements by Russian forces, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
Russian forces took control of the village of Oleksiivka in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region as well as the settlement of Novopavlivka in the Donetsk region, it said.
Analysis: Zelensky is buying into Trump’s Gaza delusion – so he can repeat the trick with Ukraine
10:15 , Maira Butt
Zelensky is buying into Trump’s Gaza delusion – so he can repeat the trick in Ukraine
Hungary reluctant to cut off Russian energy
09:47 , Maira ButtHungary’s foreign minister has warned that the country would suffer if they phased out Russian gas.
The foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, said the country would not give in to external pressure dictating how it manages its own energy supplies.
Mr Szijjarto is in Moscow to attend the Russian Energy Week forum.
UK sends 85,000 drones to Ukraine
08:57 , Maira ButtThe UK has delivered more than 85,000 military drones to Ukraine over the last six months, defence secretary John Healey is expected to announced on Wednesday.
At least £600m has been invested to accelerate drone delivery for Kyiv, Mr Healey will tell the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels.
US expects Nato to invest more into arms initiative for Ukraine
08:51 , Maira ButtThe United States expects Nato countries to invest more into the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), an arms initiative for Ukraine, American Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday.
He told reporters that the US expects its partners to increase military capabilities and firepower.
Russia launches major attacks on Ukraine gas facilities overnight, says Naftogaz
08:21 , Maira ButtUkraine’s largest national oil and gas company has accused Russia of targeting its production facilities overnight.
Naftogaz said Russia had struck its thermal power plant and production facilities overnight.
The company said Russia has launched three major attacks on its gas infrastructure over the last seven days, including in its eastern Kharkiv region and gas infrastructure in Sumy and Chernihiv.
Nato pushes for more weapons for Ukraine amid fading support and rising airspace tensions
08:00 , Arpan RaiNato defense ministers will meet on Wednesday to try to drum up more military support for Ukraine amid a sharp drop in deliveries of weapons and ammunition to the war-ravaged country in recent months.
The ministers will also debate a call from Nato’s commander to lift restrictions on the use of their aircraft and other equipment so they can be used to defend the alliance’s eastern border with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine more effectively.
A series of mysterious drone incidents and airspace violations by Russian war planes has fueled concerns that President Vladimir Putin might be testing Nato’s defensive reflexes. Some leaders have accused him of waging a hybrid war in Europe. Moscow denies probing Nato’s defenses.
Nato pushes for more weapons for Ukraine amid rising airspace tensions
Putin’s top ally warns if Trump gives missiles to Ukraine it could lead to ‘nuclear war’
07:45 , Arpan RaiBelarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a loyal ally of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, has warned President Donald Trump that the U.S. handing subsonic Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would mean “nuclear war.”
Trump is reportedly considering a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the Tomahawks, which have a 1,500-mile range that would enable Kyiv to strike much deeper into Russian territory, hitting strategic targets such as the invader’s enemy infrastructure, military bases, and munitions factories.
Zelensky has argued that ramping up the arms available to his country would increase the pressure on the Kremlin to agree to a peace deal.
Putin ally warns Trump giving missiles to Ukraine could mean ‘nuclear war’
Ukrainian PM discusses attacks on energy in US talks
07:30 , Arpan RaiUkraine's prime minister said she was focusing on Russian attacks on her country's energy grid in talks in Washington ahead of a visit later this week by president Volodymyr Zelensky.
"At every meeting in Washington we raise the topic of defending Ukrainian energy and supporting our resilience over the winter and ways to defend it," prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.
She described the priorities of her visit as "energy, sanctions and the development of cooperation with the USA in new ways that can strengthen both our countries".
Zelensky meets US president Donald Trump on Friday to discuss Ukraine's air defence and long-range strike capabilities. The leaders spoke twice last weekend amid intensifying discussions about the potential provision of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv.
I'd like to thank U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for his continued support and constructive discussions.
— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) October 14, 2025
Our dialogue with American partners is advancing dynamically. The U.S.–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund has begun its operations — an important milestone in… pic.twitter.com/dU12lF4Wvn
Network overload triggers blackouts in Kyiv, other Ukrainian regions
07:15 , Arpan RaiA network overload and the residual effects of previous Russian attacks triggered blackouts in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions late last night, officials said.
Water pressure was also affected in parts of the capital.
The Kyiv City State Administration said the overload had caused a problem in one of the capital's energy sites.
Power was cut in three central Kyiv districts on the west bank of the Dnipro River running through the city. The Kyiv metro was temporarily forced to rely on reserve power to keep operating. The administration later said emergency crews had restored power to affected areas, though outages were still being reported. It said water pressure would be restored to normal levels within two to three hours.
Ukrenergo, which operates Ukraine's high-voltage lines, said lingering problems from Russian attacks on the energy system had triggered outages in regions across northern, central and southeastern Ukraine.
Analysis: Trump does not have leverage with Russia that he had with Israel-Hamas
07:00 , Arpan RaiHot on the heels of a major diplomatic victory in Gaza that saw the remaining Israeli hostages released by Hamas, president Donald Trump is looking to repeat his success in a far more challenging arena: The nearly four-year-old Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Trump, who has said he thought this conflict would be the “easiest” to settle, is set to host Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday in what could be a pivotal visit for Zelensky, who is openly seeking access to more advanced American weaponry that would let his armed forces strike targets deep inside Russia.
While Trump was able to leverage America’s relationship with Netanyahu’s government to force the Israeli leader to accept a settlement over the objections of several members of his right-wing coalition, the president doesn’t have the same pressure points to work with Putin.
Trump turns back to Ukraine-Russia conflict with Zelensky visit after Gaza ‘peace’
UK jets to keep flying over Poland until year end
06:59 , Shweta SharmaBritain's defence secretary John Healy said on Wednesday his country's jets will keep flying over Poland until the end of this year as the British commitment to the Eastern sentry mission is extended.
"We are also ramping up our drone production for Ukraine," he told reporters before attending a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels.
In photos: Poland's deputy PM observes downed Shahed drone in London
06:45 , Arpan Rai
UK sends more than 85,000 drones to Kyiv in six months
06:30 , Arpan RaiThe UK has delivered more than 85,000 military drones to Ukraine over the past six months, the defence secretary is to announce, amid a surge in Russian attack drone strikes.
John Healey will say that £600m has been put towards drones for Kyiv's armed forces.
The drones - including tens of thousands of short-range first-person-view models - are being used for reconnaissance, precision strikes and to disrupt Russian operations behind the front lines.
He will tell the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels tomorrow that Western countries need to "ramp up drone production to outmatch (Vladimir) Putin's escalation".
Western officials said that in September, Russia launched around 5,500 one-way attack drones into Ukraine - a significant increase from 4,100 in August.
In October so far, more than 2,400 have already been launched, with attacks focused on Ukrainian gas storage and production facilities.
Nato chief mocks ‘broken’ Russian submarine as it resurfaces off English Channel
06:28 , Arpan RaiNato chief Mark Rutte has mocked one of Russia’s submarines for “limping home from patrol”, claiming the vessel had been forced to surface because of technical problems.
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet denied its diesel-powered submarine Novorossiysk had suffered a serious malfunction, after it surfaced in French waters on the weekend and was escorted by Dutch authorities through the English Channel.
Mr Rutte’s public ridicule of Moscow’s military capability signals tensions between Europe and Russia continue to escalate in the midst of the war in Ukraine.
In a speech in Slovenia, Mr Rutte dismissed Moscow’s argument that the vessel surfaced because it was complying with navigation rules in the English Channel, as he argued it was broken.
Nato chief mocks ‘broken’ Russian submarine as it resurfaces off English Channel
WHO chief says staff came under attack in Ukraine
06:11 , Arpan RaiA World Health Organization team came under attack while accompanying a United Nations convoy in Ukraine, but managed to deliver medical supplies to the city of Bilozerka, director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X.
Two World Food Programme trucks were damaged in the incident, Tedros said. He reiterated calls for attacks on humanitarian workers to end.
The @WHOUkraine team came under attack yesterday while on a mission with a @UN convoy. Our staff are safe and still managed to deliver medical supplies to city of Bilozerka. Two @WFP trucks were damaged.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 15, 2025
We cannot repeat loudly and often enough that humanitarians are… https://t.co/886uqliWzU
Ukraine order mass evacuations from around devastated Kupiansk
05:59 , Arpan RaiLocal authorities in Ukraine ordered the evacuation of families from dozens of villages near the all-but-destroyed northeastern city of Kupiansk, citing the "worsening security situation", in a region that has faced heavy Russian attacks.
Oleh Syniehubov, governor of northeastern Kharkiv region, wrote on Telegram that a total of 409 families with 601 children were told to leave 27 localities.
Another official in the affected area later told public broadcaster Suspilne that the list of localities to be evacuated by families had been expanded to 40.
For months, Russian forces have been attacking and advancing on the city of Kupiansk, seen as a key target in their push westward through central and eastern Ukraine in the more than three-and-a-half-year-old war.
The town was initially seized by Russian forces in the early weeks of the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but Kyiv's forces recaptured it later that year.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky last week said Ukrainian forces were defending key frontline areas, including Kupiansk. He has also in recent days spoken of a Ukrainian counter offensive near the town of Dobropillia further south.
Chinese airlines oppose Trump plan to stop flying over Russia on US routes
05:47 , Arpan RaiMajor Chinese airlines have urged the Trump administration to abandon a plan to bar them from flying over Russia on US flights, saying it would increase flight times, raise air fares and could disrupt some routes.
China Eastern, one of six Chinese airlines that sent letters, said in a filing with USDOT that the move could extend the flight time on some of its most important routes by two to three hours, significantly increase risks of missed connections and boost fuel consumption.
Air China and China Southern said the decision would adversely affect a substantial number of passengers in the United States and China.
China Southern projected at least 2,800 passengers scheduled to travel during the peak holiday season of 1 November to 31 December would need to be rebooked "jeopardizing their travel plans."
Separately United Airlines urged the Trump administration to extend the prohibition to Cathay Pacific, which flies over Russia on flights to the United States from Hong Kong and other Hong Kong-based carriers.
Last week the US Transportation Department proposed banning Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on routes to and from the United States, saying the reduced flight time puts American carriers at a disadvantage.
Why flattering Trump on Gaza is Zelensky’s new weapon against Russia
05:34 , Arpan RaiThe worldwide delusion that Donald Trump’s bizarre approach to diplomacy has delivered a ceasefire – or even “peace” – in Gaza is being enthusiastically embraced by Ukraine’s president as he prepares for a White House meeting this week.
It suits Volodymyr Zelensky to join the chorus of world leaders praising Trump for having pushed Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire rather than point out the truth, which is that the Israeli prime minister had no further need of war.
In Trump’s words to the Knesset, Netanyahu had “won” in Gaza.
Zelensky is buying into Trump’s Gaza delusion – so he can repeat the trick in Ukraine
Trump again says he is disappointed in Putin
05:12 , Arpan RaiUS president Donald Trump has again criticised Russian president Vladimir Putin during comments to reporters at the White House yesterday, saying the Russian leader is simply unwilling to end his war in Ukraine.
"Look, I'm very disappointed because Vladimir and I had a very good relationship, probably still do," Trump said.
"He's gotta really settle this war. And you know they have long lines waiting for gasoline in Russia right now... And all of the sudden his economy is going to collapse."
Watch: Zelensky confirms meeting with Trump in Washington
05:08 , Arpan RaiPoland warns of Russia's deep strike into Europe
04:50 , Arpan RaiEurope should prepare for Russia to strike deep into the region, Poland’s foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski has warned.
The Polish leader was unveiling an Iranian Shahed-136 drone downed in Ukraine as he warned that not building defences like a “drone wall” on Europe’s eastern flank would be “irresponsible”.
"We should be prepared to counter that, and so I think not to build anti-drone and drone capacity these days would be irresponsible," he said on countering future incursions, standing next to the Iranian drone in the house of the British parliament's speaker.
Russia could "reach, unfortunately, deep into Europe", he said.
Sikorski, a long-time and strident critic of Putin, urged Europe to also plan to support Ukraine for three more years, a timeframe, he said, Kyiv was also planning for.
"The Ukrainians are planning this war for three years, which is prudent," he said. "And we need to convince Putin that we are ready to stay the course for at least those three years."
Zelensky strips Odesa mayor of Ukrainian citizenship
02:00 , Daniel KeaneUkraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has revoked the Ukrainian citizenship of the mayor of Odesa, Hennadiy Trukhanov, due to allegations that he is also a Russian citizen.
Trukhanov denied that he was also a Russian citizen and said he would take his case to court.
Ukrainian law prohibits citizens from also holding Russian citizenship.
Ukraine's SBU security service said the decision to strip Trukhanov's citizenship had been made thanks to evidence it had provided that Trukhanov had a valid Russian passport.
It posted a picture on Telegram appearing to show a photocopied Russian passport page bearing Trukhanov's name and face.
Sam Kiley: Zelensky is buying into Trump’s Gaza delusion – so he can repeat the trick with Ukraine
01:00 , Daniel KeaneSikorski says Europe should prepare for 'deep' Russian strike
Wednesday 15 October 2025 00:01 , Daniel KeanePoland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has warned that Europe must be prepared for Russia to strike deep into the region.
Speaking in London, he said it would be "irresponsible" not to build defences such as a "drone wall" on its eastern flank.
Asked about the possibility of expanding an initiative for a "drone wall" to counter future incursions, Sikorski told Reuters that Russia could "reach, unfortunately, deep into Europe".
"We should be prepared to counter that, and so I think not to build anti-drone and drone capacity these days would be irresponsible," he said, standing next to the Iranian drone in the house of the British parliament's speaker.
Pictured: Poland's deputy PM observes downed Shahed drone in London
Tuesday 14 October 2025 23:00 , Daniel KeaneUK sends more than 85,000 drones to Kyiv in six months
Tuesday 14 October 2025 22:30 , Jane DaltonThe UK has delivered more than 85,000 military drones to Ukraine over the past six months, the defence secretary is to announce, amid a surge in Russian attack drone strikes.
John Healey will say that £600m has been put towards drones for Kyiv's armed forces.
The drones - including tens of thousands of short-range first-person-view models - are being used for reconnaissance, precision strikes and to disrupt Russian operations behind the front lines.
He will tell the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels tomorrow that Western countries need to "ramp up drone production to outmatch (Vladimir) Putin's escalation".
Western officials said that in September, Russia launched around 5,500 one-way attack drones into Ukraine - a significant increase from 4,100 in August.
In October so far, more than 2,400 have already been launched, with attacks focused on Ukrainian gas storage and production facilities.
Georgian rights groups condemn proposal to punish protesters
Tuesday 14 October 2025 22:00 , Daniel KeaneA group of non-profit groups in Georgia has condemned a series of amendments proposed by the government that would strengthen punishment for protesters and effectively ban some opposition figures from running for political office.
The ruling Georgian Dream party announced a slate of amendments on Monday to strip "persons associated with a political party violating constitutional principles" of the right to run as candidates in parliamentary elections and to bar them from holding higher office, among other restrictions.
The proposals come as Georgian Dream, in power since 2012, clamps down on opposition figures it accuses of trying to overthrow the government at large rallies earlier this month that culminated in clashes between police and demonstrators.
Relations with the West have soured under Georgian Dream, though the party rejects accusations that it is pro-Russian and says it wants to eventually join the EU while retaining what it calls Georgia's traditional values.
EU Commission approves expansion of 'drone wall'
Tuesday 14 October 2025 21:00 , Daniel KeaneThe European Commission has proposed expanding an initiative for a “drone wall” on its eastern flank to protect the continent.
Sources told Reuters that the proposal for a broader “European Drone Defence Initiative” would be included in a “defence readiness roadmap” to be presented on Thursday at the European Commission.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested the idea after Russian drone incursions into Poland and Denmark last month.
Commission officials said the idea was to counter future incursions by building a network of sensors, electronic jamming systems and weapons, from the Baltic states to the Black Sea.
Analysis: Trump does not have leverage with Russia that he had with Israel-Hamas
Tuesday 14 October 2025 20:20 , Jane DaltonTrump turns back to Ukraine-Russia conflict with Zelensky visit after Gaza ‘peace’
UN says humanitarian convoy hit by Russian drones
Tuesday 14 October 2025 20:00 , Daniel KeaneThe United Nations (UN) has said that one of its humanitarian convoys was hit by Russian drones while delivering aid to a front-line area in southern Ukraine.
Matthias Schmale, the UN’s Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Ukraine, condemned the attack, saying that two World Food Programme trucks were hit and damaged by drones.
He said these strikes were a severe breach of international law and possible war crime.
Trump warns Putin war not making Russia look good
Tuesday 14 October 2025 19:53 , Jane DaltonUS president Donald Trump says the continued war is not making Russia look good.
He said: "I had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin, but he just doesn't want to end that war, and I think it's making them look very bad.
“He could end it... he could end it quickly.”
He also praised Ukraine’s long efforts to fight back against Russia.
“And I have to tell you I give credit, because who would think that Ukraine could have fought Russia for four years, to essentially a standstill."
Russia will be able to deploy nearly two million reservists under amendment to law
Tuesday 14 October 2025 19:00 , Daniel KeaneRussia says it will be able to deploy around two million military reservists to fight in Ukraine if needed, under amendments to the law likely to be backed by parliament.
The amendment would allow reservists to be called up during peacetime, rather than only during martial law or when war has been declared.
Russia claims that its invasion of Ukraine is a “special military operation”, rather than a full-scale war.
But the amendment could allow Moscow to avoid another round of mobilisation, which would prove unpopular with the public.
Moldova's ruling party to nominate new PM
Tuesday 14 October 2025 18:00 , Daniel KeaneMoldova's pro-European ruling party will nominate financier Alexandru Munteanu to be the country's new prime minister, the head of the party, Igor Grosu has said.
Munteanu, an economist who also founded an investment firm, has not previously held political office.
It comes after President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) clinched a majority in parliament following the 28 September election.
She will appoint a new government in coming weeks tasked with taking former Soviet republic Moldova further out of Russia's orbit.
The Kremlin had been accused of interference by attempting sway the vote behind pro-Russia party led by former Moldovan president Igor Dodon.
Who is Mikhail Khodorkovsky?
Tuesday 14 October 2025 17:00 , Daniel KeaneRussia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has said it has opened a criminal case against exiled businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and other prominent Kremlin critics.
The oil company boss who was once Russia's richest man, served 10 years in a Siberian prison on fraud charges that he and many Western countries said were politically motivated, before being pardoned in 2013 and leaving Russia.
Since 2022 he has positioned himself as a leading figure among Russian exiles opposed to Putin. Shortly after the war's outbreak, he was designated a "foreign agent" by Russia.
Khodorkovsky, who is now based in London, said the latest accusations were a "black mark" from the FSB.
"Without a doubt, such a decision increases the level of risk for those who decide for themselves that they are ready to be an alternative to Putin's regime," he said.
Polish minister warns Europe to build 'drone wall' against Putin
Tuesday 14 October 2025 16:38 , Jane DaltonPolish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has warned Europe must be prepared for Russia to strike deep into the region, calling it irresponsible not to build defences such as a "drone wall" on its eastern flank.
In London to unveil an Iranian Shahed-136 drone downed in Ukraine, Mr Sikorski urged European nations to "stay the course" in their support of Ukraine, saying he hoped US President Donald Trump would make long-range Tomahawk missiles available to the country.
Mr Sikorski told Reuters Russia could "reach, unfortunately, deep into Europe".
"We should be prepared to counter that, and so I think not to build anti-drone and drone capacity these days would be irresponsible," he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described as "nonsense" the idea that his country would potentially target a Nato member.
Pictured: Rescue workers put out a fire of a hospital damaged by a Russian strike in Kharkiv
Tuesday 14 October 2025 16:00 , Daniel Keane
UN says its humanitarian convoy hit by Russian drones in Ukraine
Tuesday 14 October 2025 15:46 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA United Nations humanitarian convoy was hit by Russian drones while delivering aid to a front-line area in southern Ukraine, according to the organisation.
The UN's Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Ukraine said the attack could be a war crime in a post on social media.
OCHA's humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, condemned the attack, saying that two World Food Programme trucks were hit and damaged by drones, but that nobody was injured.
Schmale added such strikes were a severe breach of international humanitarian law.
Zelensky holds security briefing in apparent swipe at Odesa mayor
Tuesday 14 October 2025 15:04 , Nicole Wootton-CaneZelensky has said he was briefed on the citizenship of “certain individuals” during a security meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
It comes after Reuters news agency reported Gennady Trukhanov, mayor of the Odesa region, had his Ukrainian citizenship revoked after he was found to be a Russian national.
I held a meeting on the security situation in some of our regions – these are matters of principle.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 14, 2025
Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk reported on countering Russian agent networks and collaborators in the frontline and border regions, as well as in the south… pic.twitter.com/MxKyKjPYc9
Zelensky revokes Odesa mayor's citizenship over Russian ties, source says
Tuesday 14 October 2025 14:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly revoked the citizenship of Odesa mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov on Tuesday, a source familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity, adding that Trukhanov has Russian citizenship.
Trukhanov, who has been the mayor of Ukraine's biggest port city since 2014, has previously denied holding Russian citizenship.
Former Russian president responds to Trump’s Tomahawk threat
Tuesday 14 October 2025 14:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA former Russian president has responded to Trump’s threats to send long-range missiles to Ukraine.
Dmitry Medvedev said supplying such weapons could end badly for everyone, adding it would threaten ties between Washington and the Kremlin.
Medvedev said it is impossible to distinguish between Tomahawk missiles carrying nuclear warheads and conventional ones after they are launched.
He hinted at a nuclear response on Telegram, writing: "How should Russia respond? Exactly!"
You can read more below...
Former Russian president responds to Trump’s Tomahawk threat
