Volodymyr Zelensky says at least 30 of civilians have been injured in a “savage” attack on a passenger train in Ukraine's northern Sumy region.
Russia's attack had targeted a railway station and a train heading to Kyiv was hit, regional governor Oleh Hryhorov said. The governor posted a picture of a burning passenger carriage.
It comes after Russia carried out its biggest attack yet on Ukrainian gas facilities on Friday, according to Ukraine’s largest national oil and gas company.
Naftogaz said Russian forces had launched the largest strike on its gas production facilities since the start of the invasion in 2022, causing “critical” damage.“Facilities in Kharkiv and Poltava regions were hit with 35 missiles, many of them ballistic, along with 60 drones,” they said in a statement.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin warned Donald Trump on Thursday that the US risked “a new stage of escalation” if Washington provides Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.
Meanwhile, Munich Airport resumed services earlier on Saturday, after it was shut down for the second time in less than 24 hours over suspected drone sightings.
Key Points
- Russian strike hits passenger train in Ukraine, causing casualties
- At least 30 injured in ‘savage’ Russian strike on passenger train, says Zelensky
- Russian drones and missiles pound Ukraine’s power grid
- Russia 'carries out major strikes on Ukrainian gas'
- Munich airport shuts again after suspected drone sightings
- Putin says ‘impossible to believe’ Moscow wants a war with Nato
Russia ‘using deadly new missile upgrade’ to bypass Ukraine’s Patriot air defence systems
02:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Russia ‘using deadly new missile upgrade’ to bypass Ukrainian air defence systems
Watch: Locals rescued from cars and homes as flash floods turn deadly in Odesa
01:00 , Rebecca WhittakerPopulist billionaire Babis seeks comeback in Czech election
00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerCzechs voted on Saturday in the final day of an election likely to return populist billionaire Andrej Babis to power on pledges to raise wages and lift growth, while reducing aid for Ukraine.
The change from the current centre-right cabinet would boost Europe's populist, anti-immigration camp and could harden opposition to the European Union's climate goals.
Czechs endured surges in inflation after the global pandemic and Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and have only slowly recovered from one of Europe's worst drops in real incomes.
That, as well as several corruption scandals, damaged prime minister Petr Fiala's Spolu coalition and its liberal government allies, who focused on a gradual reduction of the budget deficit.
Babis, whose Ano party held double-digit leads in most opinion polls, is an ally of Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban in the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament.
Babis, who was previously prime minister from 2017-21, has taken an ambivalent line on aid to Ukraine - a departure from Fiala's government which has supported Kyiv throughout the war with Russia.
Pictured: Open air exhibition of destroyed Russian military equipment in Kyiv
23:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Watch: Sam Kiley joins Nato plane fuelling British fighter jets defending Europe's eastern flank
22:00 , Rebecca WhittakerPutin launches devastating attack on Ukraine’s energy network as Denmark warns of repeated provocations at sea
21:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
One of Russia's largest oil refineries hit in drone strike, says Ukrainian military
20:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Ukrainian military said it has hit one of Russia's largest oil refineries.
It claims a drone strike caused blasts and a fire at the Kirishi refinery near St Petersburg, more than 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
The refinery, operated by Russian oil major Surgutneftegas, produces close to 17.7 million metric tons per year (355,000 barrels per day) of crude, and is one of Russia's top three by output.
Watch: Putin warns supplies of US long-range missiles to Ukraine will badly hurt ties
19:00 , Rebecca WhittakerDozens injured in 'savage' Russian drone strike on Ukrainian railway station
18:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Dozens injured in 'savage' Russian drone strike on Ukrainian railway station
Pictured: Russian strike on passenger train
17:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Moscow has stepped up strikes on Ukraine's rail and power grids
16:30 , Rebecca WhittakerMoscow stepped up strikes on Ukraine's rail and power grids which is essential for military transport, hitting it almost every day over the past two months.
The head of Ukraine's national rail operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, Oleksandr Pertsovsky, called the recent strike on a passenger train "a vile attack aimed at stopping communication with our front-line communities."
Russia struck two passenger trains in quick succession, first targeting a local service and then a second bound for Kyiv, said Oleksiy Kuleba, Ukraine's deputy prime minister and reconstruction minister.
He said the second drone hit while an evacuation was underway.
"This is one of the most brutal Russian tactics — the so-called 'double strike,' when the second strike hits rescuers and people who are evacuating," Ukraine's top diplomat, Andrii Sybiha said, according to a Telegram post by the foreign ministry.
Man found dead and at least 30 injured following attack on a passenger train
16:00 , Rebecca WhittakerA 71-year-old man was found dead in one of the wrecked carriages following the “savage” attack on a passenger train heading to Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least 30 people have been injured in the attack.
But hours later, local prosecutors said that a 71-year-old man was found dead in one of the wrecked carriages.
Russian strike on passenger train 'terror the world must not ignore', says Zelensky
15:30 , Rebecca WhittakerAn attack on a passenger train in Ukraine's northern Sumy region has left at least 30 people injured.
Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post on X: “The Russians could not have been unaware that they were striking civilians. And this is terror the world must not ignore.”
A savage Russian drone strike on the railway station in Shostka, Sumy region. All emergency services are already on the scene and have begun helping people. All information about the injured is being established. So far, we know of at least 30 victims. Preliminary reports… pic.twitter.com/ZZoWfPmpL5
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 4, 2025
Why Hungary's Orban is refusing to give up Russian oil and gas
15:00 , Namita SinghAs the European Union pushes to fully sever its reliance on Russian energy and the administration of US president Donald Trump urges Nato members to abandon Russian oil, one country's populist government stands firm.
Read more here:
Hungary clings to Russian oil and gas as EU and NATO push to cut supplies
Moscow's strikes
14:36 , Tom WatlingMoscow has recently stepped up airstrikes on Ukraine's railway network, which is essential for military transport, hitting it almost every day over the past two months. As in previous years since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, the Kremlin has also ramped up attacks on Ukraine's power grid, in what Kyiv calls an attempt to weaponize the approaching winter by denying civilians heat, light and running water.
Overnight into Saturday, Russian drones and missiles pounded Ukraine's power grid again, a Ukrainian energy firm said, a day after what officials described as the biggest attack on Ukrainian natural gas facilities since Moscow's all-out invasion more than three and a half years ago.
The strike damaged energy facilities near Chernihiv, a northern city west of Shostka that lies close to the Russian border, and sparked blackouts set to affect some 50,000 households, according to regional operator Chernihivoblenergo.
How Europe aims to support Ukraine using seized Russian assets
14:20 , Tom Watling
How Europe aims to support Ukraine using seized Russian assets
Russia using ‘new missile upgrade to bypass Ukraine’s air defence’
13:20 , Tom WatlingRussia ‘using deadly new missile upgrade’ to bypass Ukrainian air defence systems
Putin warns support for Ukraine will ‘damage’ US-Russia relations
12:20 , Tom Watling
Putin praises ‘listener’ Trump but warns support for Ukraine will ‘damage relations’
Russian drones and missiles pound Ukraine’s power grid
12:10 , Namita SinghRussian drones and missiles pounded Ukraine's power grid overnight into Saturday, a Ukrainian energy firm said, a day after what officials described as the biggest attack on Ukrainian natural gas facilities since Moscow's all-out invasion more than three-and-a-half years ago.
The strike damaged energy facilities near Chernihiv, a northern city close to the Russian border, and sparked blackouts set to affect some 50,000 households, according to regional operator Chernihivoblenergo.
The head of Chernihiv's military administration, Dmytro Bryzhynskyi, confirmed a night time Russian attack on the city caused multiple fires, but did not immediately say what was hit.
The day before, Russia launched its biggest attack of the war against natural gas facilities run by Ukraine's state-owned Naftogaz Group, Ukrainian officials said.
Russia fired a total of 381 drones and 35 missiles at Ukraine on Friday, according to Ukraine's air force, in what officials said was an attempt to wreck the Ukrainian power grid ahead of winter and wear down public support for the three-year-old conflict.
Naftogaz's chief executive, Serhii Koretskyi, said on Friday the attacks had no military purpose, while Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko accused Moscow of "terrorising civilians".
Moscow claimed the strikes targeted facilities that support Kyiv's war effort.
Overnight into Saturday, Russian forces launched a further 109 drones and three ballistic missiles at Ukraine, the Ukrainian military reported.
It said 73 of the drones were shot down or sent off course.
At least 30 injured in ‘savage’ Russian strike on passenger train, says Zelensky
12:09 , Namita SinghAt least 30 people sustained injuries in a "savage" Russian drone strike on Saturday on a Ukrainian railway station, said Volodymyr Zelensky,
The attack took place in Shostka, a city northeast of Kyiv that lies some 70km from the Russian border.
"All emergency services are already on the scene and have begun helping people. All information about the injured is being established," he said in a post on X.
A savage Russian drone strike on the railway station in Shostka, Sumy region. All emergency services are already on the scene and have begun helping people. All information about the injured is being established. So far, we know of at least 30 victims. Preliminary reports… pic.twitter.com/ZZoWfPmpL5
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 4, 2025
‘Shadow fleet’ vessel leaves court days after French troops raid
12:01 , Tom Watling
‘Shadow fleet’ vessel leaves court days after French troops raid
Zelensky condemns Russian 'terrorism' as drone strikes passenger train
11:40 , Namita SinghUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Russia's drone strike on a passenger train in Ukraine, sharing video of a wrecked, burning carriage and others with their windows blown out."A brutal Russian drone strike on the railway station in Shostka, Sumy region," he wrote on Telegram.
He said dozens of passengers and rail workers were wounded.
Regional governor Oleh Hryhorov said the attack hit a train heading from Shostka to the capital, Kyiv.
Medics and rescuers were working on the scene, he said.
The head of the local district administration, Oksana Tarasiuk, told Ukraine's public broadcaster that about 30 people were injured by the strike.
No fatalities were reported in the immediate aftermath."The Russians could not have been unaware that they were targeting civilians. This is terrorism, which the world has no right to ignore," Zelensky wrote.
Moscow has stepped up its airstrikes on Ukraine's railway infrastructure, hitting it almost every day over the last two months.
Patrolling Nato’s skies with the RAF: A birds-eye look at Europe’s creeping frontline
11:40 , Tom Watling
Patrolling Nato’s skies with the RAF: A birds-eye look at Europe’s creeping frontline
Populist billionaire Babis seeks comeback in Czech election
11:30 , Namita SinghCzechs voted on Saturday in the final day of an election likely to return populist billionaire Andrej Babis to power on pledges to raise wages and lift growth, while reducing aid for Ukraine.
The change from the current centre-right cabinet would boost Europe's populist, anti-immigration camp and could harden opposition to the European Union's climate goals.
Czechs endured surges in inflation after the global pandemic and Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and have only slowly recovered from one of Europe's worst drops in real incomes.
That, as well as several corruption scandals, damaged prime minister Petr Fiala's Spolu coalition and its liberal government allies, who focused on a gradual reduction of the budget deficit.
Babis, whose Ano party held double-digit leads in most opinion polls, is an ally of Hungary's nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban in the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament.
Babis, who was previously prime minister from 2017-21, has taken an ambivalent line on aid to Ukraine - a departure from Fiala's government which has supported Kyiv throughout the war with Russia.
Hungary clings to Russian oil and gas as EU and NATO push to cut supplies
11:20 , Tom WatlingHungary clings to Russian oil and gas as EU and NATO push to cut supplies
Russian strike hits passenger train in Ukraine, causing casualties
11:01 , Namita SinghA Russian strike hit a passenger train in Ukraine's northern Sumy region causing casualties among the passengers, regional governor Oleh Hryhorov said on Saturday.
Hryhorov said the Russian attack had targeted a railway station, and that a train heading to Kyiv had been hit.
No figure was given for the number of casualties, but the governor posted a picture of a burning passenger carriage and said medics and rescuers were working on the scene.
Moscow has stepped up its air strike campaign on Ukraine's railway infrastructure, hitting it almost every day over the last two months.
Russia launches devastating attack on Ukrainian energy
11:01 , Tom WatlingUkrainian minister warns Europe of ‘serious’ Russian threat
10:40 , Namita SinghEurope needs to “get serious” about the threat posed by Russia, said Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister.
“I’m sure [Russian president Vladimir] Putin gets emotional if not physical satisfaction humiliating the West by showing what he perceives as his super-strength,” Sergiy Kyslytsia told the Guardian.
Russia’s next course of action will be dependent on the collective resolve displayed by Europe and the Trump administration, as he predicted Trump would “escalate escalating” and take more measures to paralyse the continent.
Warning about the ruthless and “unscrupulous adversary”, he said: “Many politicians are still keeping in their heads in the patterns and algorithms of the last century, where a war means boots on the ground and tanks moving in.”
“In the 21st century you don’t need tanks to put technologically advanced countries on their knees. Cyberwar is a reality,” Kyslytsia said.
“Howitzers are not necessary to paralyse the banking system. By using drones in a smart way you can achieve your goals better than with a nuclear bomb.”
UN aviation assembly closes with rebuke of Russia over satellite navigation jamming
10:20 , Namita SinghThe UN aviation agency's assembly concluded on Friday with delegates agreeing to condemn Russia for disturbances to critical satellite navigation systems that they say violate international rules.
Estonia and neighbour Finland have blamed Russia for jamming GPS navigation devices in the region's airspace, charges that Moscow has denied.
The region experienced two recent high-profile instances of GPS disturbances, including one involving a Spanish military jet with the country's defence minister onboard.
Most modern airliners have sensors and sources to determine their positioning in addition to GPS, meaning they can fly if there is interference. But European countries supported by the US and Canada earlier this week flagged safety concerns over global navigation satellite system (GNSS) radio frequency interference in the Baltic, Eastern and Northern European regions from Russian territory.
It was the International Civil Aviation Organisation assembly's latest rebuke of Russia, which failed to win back its seat at ICAO's 36-member governing council over actions taken since Moscow's 2022 invasion and war against Ukraine.
The vote went against Russia, in part, due to deepening US pressure after president Donald Trump's rhetoric shifted in favor of Ukraine during a speech last week at the United Nations, one European diplomat told Reuters.
Russia has not issued a comment.
Russian drone kills French photojournalist in eastern Ukraine, military says
10:00 , Namita SinghA Russian drone attack killed a French photojournalist on Friday in eastern Ukraine on the frontline of the three and a half year old war with Russia, the Ukrainian military said.
The Fourth Separate Mechanised Brigade, writing on Facebook, said photojournalist Antoni Lallican was killed in a drone strike. A Ukrainian photographer accompanying him, Hryhory Ivanchenko, was injured in the incident.
Both were wearing protective equipment and armoured vests clearly indicating that they were journalists, the statement said.
The head of the Ukrainian Union of Journalists, Serhiy Tomilenko, told Ukrainian media that Lallican had been killed near the town of Druzhkivka, one of the hottest sectors of the 1,250km front line in Ukraine's Donbas region.
The European Federation of Journalists said it was the first time a journalist had been killed by a drone in the conflict. It said 17 journalists had died in the combat zone since Russia invaded its smaller neighbour in February 2022.
The federation said Lallican, who was based in Paris, was on assignment for France's Hans Lucas photo agency and had his work published in various European media outlets.
French media said he had also worked in the Middle East."By targeting journalists, the Russian army is deliberately hunting those trying to document war crimes," Tomilenko said in a statement.
"For journalists, every trip to the frontline zone is a deadly risk. Antoni Lallican took this risk again and again, coming to Ukraine, travelling to Donbas, documenting what many prefer not to see."
French president Emmanuel Macron, in a post on X, expressed condolences to his family and to journalists placing themselves in danger while on assignment.
UN nuclear chief calls for ‘political will’ to restore power to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia
09:40 , Namita SinghThe head of the UN's nuclear watchdog urged Ukraine and Russia on Friday to show the "political will" required to keep the area around the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant safe to allow the external power line to be reconnected to the facility.
The plant, Europe's largest with six reactors, was seized by Russian forces in the early weeks of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
The facility has been cut off from external power since 23 September – the 10th time the line has come down.
The plant produces no electricity, but fuel in its reactors is being cooled by emergency diesel generators. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the external line had to be restored.
"Both sides say they stand ready to conduct the necessary repairs on their respective sides of the frontline. But for this to happen, the security situation on the ground must improve so that the technicians can carry out their vital work without endangering their lives," Grossi said in a statement.
"I'm calling on both sides to do what is necessary to prevent a further deterioration. It is a question of political will, not whether it is technically possible, which it is."
Each side accuses the other of compromising nuclear safety.
Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned Ukraine that it was playing a dangerous game by launching strikes near the plant.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha accused Moscow of deliberately cutting the link in order to connect the station to its own grid.
Which countries have reported suspicious drone activities?
09:20 , Namita SinghBefore Germany shut down Munich airport on Friday due to suspicious sightings, they were also spotted overnight in Belgium above a military base.
A drone incident in Oslo, the capital of Norway, which is a Nato member but not part of the EU, also affected flights there late last month.
It was not immediately clear who has been behind the flyovers.
Russian authorities have rejected claims of involvement, including in recent drone incidents in Denmark.
Munich Airport said in a statement early on Friday that there had been "several drone sightings", without elaborating.
In a later statement, it clarified that "detection and defence against drones" falls to federal and state police.
Federal police are investigating the reported drone sightings, German news agency dpa reported on Friday.
In Belgium, several drones were spotted overnight on Thursday into Friday above a military base near the German border, defence minister Theo Francken told Le Soir newspaper.
The minister did not confirm how many drones were flying in the vicinity of the Elsenborn military base - which serves mainly as an army training facility with a firing range - just after midnight.
Belgian public broadcaster VRT said that 15 drones were spotted near the base, which is roughly 600km from Munich.
Francken underlined that the nature of the flights was "suspicious and unknown", Le Soir said.
A Defence Ministry investigation is ongoing.
Munich Airport reopens after closure due to suspected drones
09:01 , Namita SinghMunich Airport reopened on Saturday morning after authorities shut it down the night before for the second time in less than 24 hours over suspected drone sightings.
The closures were the result of the latest mysterious drone overflights in the airspace of European Union member countries.The airport, one of Germany's largest, reopened gradually beginning at 7am local time on Saturday. Planes typically begin taking off at 5am.
Report:
Germany's Munich Airport reopens after second closure in less than 24 hours due to suspected drones
Sanctioned tanker sets off down French coast after navy raid
08:36 , Namita SinghThe Boracay, a tanker under Western sanctions and facing a French investigation as part of Russia's suspected "shadow fleet", has unexpectedly departed its anchorage off western France, raising questions after a recent raid by French Navy commandos.
MarineTraffic data showed the vessel heading southwest down the Bay of Biscay at cruise speed on Friday morning.
Its departure remains unexplained, with neither local French maritime authorities nor the Brest prosecutor's office, investigating the Benin-flagged vessel's nationality, responding to requests for comment.
Detained vessel linked to Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ makes shock move
Russian warships target Danish helicopters, intelligence says
08:23 , Namita SinghRussian warships have targeted Danish helicopters and naval vessels with tracking radars and weapons, Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service has said.
Director Thomas Ahrenkiel told a press conference that Russian ships had also sailed on collision courses with Danish vessels in the Danish straits.
One vessel has been anchored in Danish waters for over a week, raising concerns about Moscow’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers used to bypass Western sanctions.
Russian warships have reportedly operated sonar and jamming equipment in the straits, with at least one incident likely disrupting GPS signals. Ahrenkiel said Russia appears to be conducting hybrid warfare, applying military pressure without triggering full-scale conflict.
Moscow denies such actions, with president Vladimir Putin calling claims that Russia might target a Nato member “nonsense”.
The White House said reports of Russian naval provocations were being taken “very seriously” and that the National Security Council is in constant contact with Nato allies.
Denmark reports repeated Russian naval provocations in its straits
07:59 , Namita SinghRussian warships have repeatedly sailed on collision courses, aimed weapons at Danish naval vessels and disrupted navigation systems in Denmark's straits that connect the Baltic Sea to the North Sea, its defence intelligence service said on Friday.
Such incidents risk unintended escalation, it said.
The Baltic region remains on high alert after incidents involving undersea cables, gas pipeline outages, airspace violations and drone sightings since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which increased tensions between Moscow and the West.
Denmark, a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its war with Russia, has beefed up its military budget and committed to acquiring long-range precision weapons capable of striking targets inside Russia.
A bird-eye look at Europe’s creeping frontline
06:57 , Namita SinghWorld affairs editor Sam Kiley joins RAF support patrols over Poland on what is effectively Nato’s eastern flank against Vladimir Putin’s Russia - and sees a war without end.
Report:
Patrolling Nato’s skies with the RAF: A birds-eye look at Europe’s creeping frontline
Space command boss warns Russia is targeting UK satellites on a ‘weekly’ basis
06:49 , Namita SinghRussian forces are regularly attempting to jam UK military satellites, the head of UK Space Command has revealed.
Major General Paul Tedman told the BBC that these efforts to disrupt UK-based military activities occur "weekly", with Russia also closely monitoring the country’s space assets.
"We’re seeing our satellites being jammed by the Russians on a reasonably persistent basis," Maj Gen Tedman stated.
Report:
Russia targeting UK satellites on a ‘weekly’ basis, warns UK space command boss
Russia to upgrade ballistic missile to bypass Ukraine’s Patriot air defence systems
06:45 , Namita SinghRussia appears to have upgraded its ballistic missiles in use against Ukraine to bypass US-made Patriot air defence systems, according to a report.
The upgrades likely involve Russia’s Iskander-M and Kinzhal missiles, which have ranges of up to 500km and 480km respectively.
These missiles follow a standard flight path before suddenly diving steeply, making interception by Patriot systems difficult, Ukrainian and Western officials told the Financial Times.
Report:
Russia ‘using deadly new missile upgrade’ to bypass Ukrainian air defence systems
Ukrainian minister warns Europe of ‘serious’ Russian threat
06:24 , Namita SinghEurope needs to “get serious” about the threat posed by Russia, said Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister.
“I’m sure [Russian president Vladimir] Putin gets emotional if not physical satisfaction humiliating the West by showing what he perceives as his super-strength,” Sergiy Kyslytsia told the Guardian.
Russia’s next course of action will be dependent on the collective resolve displayed by Europe and the Trump administration, as he predicted Trump would “escalate escalating” and take more measures to paralyse the continent.
Warning about the ruthless and “unscrupulous adversary”, he said: “Many politicians are still keeping in their heads in the patterns and algorithms of the last century, where a war means boots on the ground and tanks moving in.”
“In the 21st century you don’t need tanks to put technologically advanced countries on their knees. Cyberwar is a reality,” Kyslytsia said.
“Howitzers are not necessary to paralyse the banking system. By using drones in a smart way you can achieve your goals better than with a nuclear bomb.”
UN aviation assembly closes with rebuke of Russia over satellite navigation jamming
05:39 , Namita SinghThe UN aviation agency's assembly concluded on Friday with delegates agreeing to condemn Russia for disturbances to critical satellite navigation systems that they say violate international rules.
Estonia and neighbour Finland have blamed Russia for jamming GPS navigation devices in the region's airspace, charges that Moscow has denied.
The region experienced two recent high-profile instances of GPS disturbances, including one involving a Spanish military jet with the country's defense minister onboard.
Most modern airliners have sensors and sources to determine their positioning in addition to GPS, meaning they can fly if there is interference. But European countries supported by the US and Canada earlier this week flagged safety concerns over global navigation satellite system (GNSS) radio frequency interference in the Baltic, Eastern and Northern European regions from Russian territory.
It was the International Civil Aviation Organisation assembly's latest rebuke of Russia, which failed to win back its seat at ICAO's 36-member governing council over actions taken since Moscow's 2022 invasion and war against Ukraine.
The vote went against Russia, in part, due to deepening US pressure after president Donald Trump's rhetoric shifted in favor of Ukraine during a speech last week at the United Nations, one European diplomat told Reuters.
Russia has not issued a comment.
Russian drone kills French photojournalist in eastern Ukraine, military says
05:20 , Namita SinghA Russian drone attack killed a French photojournalist on Friday in eastern Ukraine on the frontline of the three and a half year old war with Russia, the Ukrainian military said.
The Fourth Separate Mechanised Brigade, writing on Facebook, said photojournalist Antoni Lallican was killed in a drone strike. A Ukrainian photographer accompanying him, Hryhory Ivanchenko, was injured in the incident.
Both were wearing protective equipment and armoured vests clearly indicating that they were journalists, the statement said.
The head of the Ukrainian Union of Journalists, Serhiy Tomilenko, told Ukrainian media that Lallican had been killed near the town of Druzhkivka, one of the hottest sectors of the 1,250km front line in Ukraine's Donbas region.
The European Federation of Journalists said it was the first time a journalist had been killed by a drone in the conflict. It said 17 journalists had died in the combat zone since Russia invaded its smaller neighbour in February 2022.
The federation said Lallican, who was based in Paris, was on assignment for France's Hans Lucas photo agency and had his work published in various European media outlets. French media said he had also worked in the Middle East.
"By targeting journalists, the Russian army is deliberately hunting those trying to document war crimes," Tomilenko said in a statement."For journalists, every trip to the frontline zone is a deadly risk. Antoni Lallican took this risk again and again, coming to Ukraine, travelling to Donbas, documenting what many prefer not to see."
French president Emmanuel Macron, in a post on X, expressed condolences to his family and to journalists placing themselves in danger while on assignment.
UN nuclear chief calls for ‘political will’ to restore power to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia
04:52 , Namita SinghThe head of the UN's nuclear watchdog urged Ukraine and Russia on Friday to show the "political will" required to keep the area around the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant safe to allow the external power line to be reconnected to the facility.
The plant, Europe's largest with six reactors, was seized by Russian forces in the early weeks of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The facility has been cut off from external power since 23 September – the 10th time the line has come down.
The plant produces no electricity, but fuel in its reactors is being cooled by emergency diesel generators. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the external line had to be restored.
"Both sides say they stand ready to conduct the necessary repairs on their respective sides of the frontline. But for this to happen, the security situation on the ground must improve so that the technicians can carry out their vital work without endangering their lives," Grossi said in a statement.
"I'm calling on both sides to do what is necessary to prevent a further deterioration. It is a question of political will, not whether it is technically possible, which it is."
Each side accuses the other of compromising nuclear safety.
Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned Ukraine that it was playing a dangerous game by launching strikes near the plant.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha accused Moscow of deliberately cutting the link in order to connect the station to its own grid.
EU in stalemate over Russia-linked Raiffeisen compensation, diplomats say
04:44 , Namita SinghAustria told the EU on Friday it would not support the bloc's latest sanctions package against Russia unless the EU unfroze some Russian assets to compensate Austria's Raiffeisen Bank for penalties imposed by Russia, diplomats said.
But other EU governments said they could not accept such a move because it would legitimise Russian courts that have retaliated against EU sanctions by ordering the confiscation of Western assets.
They fear it could encourage other oligarchs to take this approach. The clash between Austria and other EU countries took place at a closed-door meeting of ambassadors of EU countries in Brussels, devoted to finalising the EU's 19th sanctions package against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
In January, a Russian court ordered Raiffeisen Bank International to pay €2bn in damages following a lawsuit brought by a company previously owned by Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska.
The court said the bank could recover that fine by taking over its equivalent in shares in Austrian construction company Strabag, previously part-owned by Deripaska. Raiffeisen has so far been unable to do, because they are immobilised under EU sanctions.
Vienna wants to use the 19th sanctions package to unfreeze the €2bn worth of Strabag shares so that Raiffeisen can take them.
"Austria said they can't agree with the package if Raiffeisen is not included," one EU diplomat said. Two others confirmed that was the Austrian position in the meeting.
"Of course Austria is defending the interests of Austrian companies in Brussels and seeking to ensure that the Russian aggressor does not profit twice," Austria's foreign ministry said in a statement, apparently referring to the damages and eventually recouping Strabag shares.
Shares in Raiffeisen closed 7.4 per cent higher on Friday, before the end of the ambassadors' discussions.
Which countries have reported suspicious drone activities?
04:12 , Namita SinghBefore Germany shut down Munich airport on Friday due to suspicious sightings, they were also spotted overnight in Belgium above a military base.
A drone incident in Oslo, the capital of Norway, which is a Nato member but not part of the EU, also affected flights there late last month.
It was not immediately clear who has been behind the flyovers.
Russian authorities have rejected claims of involvement, including in recent drone incidents in Denmark.
Munich Airport said in a statement early on Friday that there had been "several drone sightings", without elaborating.
In a later statement, it clarified that "detection and defence against drones" falls to federal and state police.
Federal police are investigating the reported drone sightings, German news agency dpa reported on Friday.
In Belgium, several drones were spotted overnight on Thursday into Friday above a military base near the German border, defence minister Theo Francken told Le Soir newspaper.
The minister did not confirm how many drones were flying in the vicinity of the Elsenborn military base - which serves mainly as an army training facility with a firing range - just after midnight.
Belgian public broadcaster VRT said that 15 drones were spotted near the base, which is roughly 600km from Munich.
Francken underlined that the nature of the flights was "suspicious and unknown", Le Soir said.
A Defence Ministry investigation is ongoing.
Munich airport shuts again after suspected drone sightings
03:51 , Namita SinghAuthorities shut down Munich Airport late on Friday, the second closure in less than 24 hours after more suspected drone sightings, the airport said in a statement.
The closures are the latest after mysterious drone overflights in the airspace of European Union member countries.
The airport suspended flight operations on Friday night until further notice "as a precautionary measure due to unconfirmed sightings", the statement said.
Germany's air traffic control previously restricted flights at the airport shortly after 10pm on Thursday and then halted them altogether, the airport said in a previous statement.
Seventeen flights were unable to take off, affecting almost 3,000 passengers, while 15 arriving flights were diverted to three other airports in Germany and one in Vienna, Austria.
Flights in and out of the airport then resumed at 5am on Friday, said Stefan Bayer, a spokesperson for Germany's federal police at Munich airport.
Authorities were not immediately able to provide any information about who was responsible for the overflights.
European authorities have expressed concerns that they are being carried out by Russia, though some experts have noted that anybody with drones could be behind them.
13,000 pigs killed after Russian attack on Ukrainian farm - emergency services
03:00 , Joe MiddletonA Russian drone attack caused a fire on a farm in Ukraine’s north east, killing some 13,000 pigs, emergency services said on Friday.
“About 13,000 pigs died as a result of a Russian UAV attack on a farming enterprise in the Novovodolazka community” in Kharkiv, the state emergency service said.
A farm worker was also injured in the attack, they added.
Bavarian PM calls for permission to shoot down drones after Munich airport closure
02:00 , Joe MiddletonBavaria’s prime minister demanded permission to shoot down drones “immediately” after Munich airport was closed due to a reported sighting.
Markus Söder told the Bild newspaper on Friday: “The drone incidents demonstrate the immense pressure. From now on, the rule must be: Shoot down drones instead of waiting! And do so consistently!
“Our police must be able to shoot down drones immediately,” he said.
Russia not considering diesel export ban
Saturday 4 October 2025 00:01 , Joe MiddletonRussia's Energy Ministry is not currently considering a diesel export ban for producers, it said on Friday.
Earlier this week Russia imposed a partial ban on diesel exports and extended an existing gasoline export ban until the end of the year, the government said on Tuesday.
Two injured in drone attack on Russia's Kursk
Friday 3 October 2025 23:54 , James ReynoldsTwo people were injured in a Ukrainian drone attack that struck a shopping centre in the village of Belaya in Russia’s Kursk region, local officials claimed on Friday.
Regional governor Alexander Khinshtein wrote on Telegram that a man and a woman “sustained shrapnel wounds”, and a truck was damaged.
Ukrainian MP says Tomahawks deal would be 'peace through strength' as touted by Trump
Friday 3 October 2025 23:08 , James ReynoldsThe issue of striking deep into russia is long overdue. So why not supply Ukraine with Tomahawks? That would be a real "peace through strength" – the very strategy President Trump declared.
— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) October 3, 2025
Last week, the U.S. said it was considering supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin said such a move would damage relations between Washington and Moscow.
The UN human rights chief said on Friday the war in Ukraine has entered an “even more dangerous and deadly stage for civilians” and “needs to end”.
Volker Türk told the Human Rights Council in Geneva: “Harm to Ukrainian civilians has risen sharply, with total casualties in the first eight months of the year increasing by 40 per cent compared to 2024.
“In July, we documented the highest number of civilian casualties in a month in more than three years,” he said.
Türk added: “This war needs to end. The human toll on civilians, and on soldiers and their families, is staggering and heartbreaking.”
US defence firm tests longer-range anti drone calibres following Ukrainian feedback
Friday 3 October 2025 21:07 , James ReynoldsAmerican defence firm Northrop Grumman is testing higher calibre bullets capable of taking down drones at a lower cost, a top company executive told Reuters.
Vice President Steve O'Bryan said Ukraine had welcomed its counter unmanned aircraft system, M-ACE, which uses a cannon to shoot down drones.
"They've asked: Hey, we need a higher calibre so it goes further. And that's what we're working on right now. We're in test on that," he said, adding the company was looking into 50mm and higher calibres.
Watch: Putin warns of ‘new escalation’ if US supplies weapons to Kyiv
Friday 3 October 2025 20:08 , James ReynoldsVladimir Putin warned the US that supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles would damage relations between Washington and Moscow.
Speaking on Thursday, the Russian president praised Donald Trump as a “comfortable conversationalist” who “listens, hears, and responds” following their Alaska summit in August.
However, he said that deployment of US Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine “would mark a completely new, qualitatively new stage of escalation”, as well as hurt ties between the US and Russia.
In pictures: Damage to a pig farm in Kharkiv following Russian strike
Friday 3 October 2025 19:05 , James Reynolds
Russia not considering diesel export ban
Friday 3 October 2025 18:00 , James ReynoldsRussia's Energy Ministry is not currently considering a diesel export ban for producers, it said on Friday.
Earlier this week Russia imposed a partial ban on diesel exports and extended an existing gasoline export ban until the end of the year, the government said on Tuesday.
Bavarian PM calls for permission to shoot down drones after Munich airport closure
Friday 3 October 2025 17:12 , James ReynoldsBavaria’s prime minister demanded permission to shoot down drones “immediately” after Munich airport was closed due to a reported sighting.
Markus Söder told the Bild newspaper on Friday: “The drone incidents demonstrate the immense pressure. From now on, the rule must be: Shoot down drones instead of waiting! And do so consistently!
“Our police must be able to shoot down drones immediately,” he said.
