Three Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace and remained there without permission for 12 minutes, the Estonian government has said.
It is the third Russian incursion into Nato airspace in a fortnight after drones flew into both Poland and Romania, in moves condemned by the military alliance.
US president Donald Trump said on Friday he would soon be briefed on the situation, but made clear he was not pleased.
He told reporters: "I don't love it. I don't like when that happens. Could be big trouble.”
Estonian foreign minister Margus Tsakhna said that Russia had already violated Estonian airspace four times this year "but today's incursion, involving three fighter aircraft entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen."
His ministry said that the incursion took place over the Gulf of Finland and three Russian MIG-31 fighters were involved. The Russian charge d'affaires was summoned and given a protest note, a ministry statement said.
The North Atlantic Council, Nato’s main political decision-making body, is due to meet in Estonia early next week to discuss the Russian incursion.
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Key Points
- Trump says Russian incursion "could be big trouble"
- Two Russian jets violated drilling platform in safety zone, Poland says
- NATO to meet in Estonia to discuss Russia's airspace violations
One dead and 13 injured after Russia launches missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight
06:30 , Stuti MishraOne person died and 13 were injured after Russia carried out a large-scale missile and drone strike on Ukraine in the early hours of Saturday, hitting regions from Kyiv to the country’s far west.
Explosions were reported in Pavlohrad and Mykolaiv around 4.40am local time during an initial wave of attacks, followed by further blasts in Dnipro shortly after 6am.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast governor Serhii Lysak said on Telegram that one person was killed and 13 injured in the attack on the region.
The Kyiv Oblast Military Administration said strikes damaged a home, 10 garage units and five parked cars in Bucha, Boryspil and Obukhiv. Mykolaiv mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said on Telegram there was damage in a residential area, though no casualties were reported.
Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine from 5.45am until around 7am as dozens of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles were launched, according to Ukraine’s air force. Lviv governor Maxim Kozytsky said two cruise missiles were downed over the region.
The attack came after Russia allegedly violated Estonian airspace, prompting Nato consultations under Article 4.
Russia threatening Finland with Ukraine playbook, says thinktank
06:00 , Stuti MishraRussia's alleged violation of Estonian airspace comes just days after a think tank warned Moscow was threatening another Nato neighbour, Finland, using the same "playbook" as it used in Ukraine.
"High-ranking Kremlin officials have increased threats against Finland in recent weeks, including by using language that mirrors the Kremlin's false justifications for its invasions of Ukraine," the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank said in an analysis published on Thursday.
"ISW continues to assess that the playbook Russia is currently using to threaten NATO mirrors the playbook Russia previously used to set informational conditions justifying its aggression against Ukraine."
'Putin is testing the West's resolve'
05:30 , Stuti MishraEurope's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the "violation of Estonia's airspace by Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation".
She added that the EU "stands in full solidarity with Estonia", and said: "We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources.”
"Putin is testing the West's resolve. We must not show weakness."
NATO'S borders are being intentionally tested, says Lithuania's defence minister
05:00 , Stuti MishraLithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said NATO’s borders were being tested for a reason.
In a post on X, she said: “Three russian fighter jets over Tallinn is one more hard proof that #EasternSentry is long due.
“PS. Türkiye set an example 10 years ago. Some food for thought.”
In 2015, a Russian aircraft was shot down by the Turkish air force after it was claimed to have violated its airspace.
Russia denies incursion, says flights were scheduled
04:30 , Stuti MishraA statement from the Russian military said the flight was "scheduled" and had been in "strict accordance" with airspace rules.
The statement read: "On September 19 of this year, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets made a scheduled flight from Karelia to an airfield in the Kaliningrad region.
"The flight was conducted in strict accordance with the International Rules for the Use of Airspace, without violating the borders of other states, as confirmed by objective monitoring means.
"During the flight, the Russian aircraft did not deviate from the agreed air route and did not violate Estonian airspace. The flight route of the aircraft passed over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea basin at a distance of more than three kilometres from the island of Vaindlo."
What have UK leaders said about Russia's incursion into Estonian airspace?
04:00 , Harriette BoucherUK officials have joined leaders across Europe in condemning Russia’s incursion into NATO airspace today.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This is yet another edition of the Putin playbook.
“Putin’s aggression only serves to strengthen the unity of NATO and our resolve to stand with Ukraine.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK was standing in solidarity with its Estonian allies, calling the incursion “reckless”
“We must continue to increase pressure on Putin, including driving forward the important new economic sanctions announced by the UK & EU in recent days,” she said.
NATO articles 4 and 5 explained as North Atlantic Council set to meet in Estonia next week
02:45 , Harriette BoucherWhat is Article 4?
NATO Article 4 has now been triggered nine times in the past 75 years, two of which have occurred in less than two weeks.
The organisation has called a meeting in Estonia early next week to discuss Russia’s incursion into Estonia’s airspace on Friday. The meeting comes after Estonia requested consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.
Article 4 states that members of NATO can bring an issue forward for the North Atlantic Council, the organisation’s principal political decision-making body, to consult. The parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territory, political independence or security of any of them is threatened.
Since NATO was established in 1949, Article 4 has been invoked nine times, including today’s request. On 10 September, it was triggered by Poland after Polish forces shot down 19 drones over its airspace.
What is Article 5?
Article 5 states that "the Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all."
If members decided that Russia had attacked the territory of a member state, then Article 5 would be invoked and members would take the action they deemed necessary.
Article 5 is the cornerstone of the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO’s founding treaty. When the treaty was created in 1949, its key aim was to counter the Soviet Union if it sought to extend its control of Eastern Europe.
US senators seek sanctions to sink Russia's 'shadow fleet'
01:45 , Harriette Boucher
Republican and Democratic senators are seeking a bill which would target Russia’s “shadow fleet”.
The "Sanctioning Harbors and Dodgers of Western Sanctions," or SHADOW Fleets Act, would provide a list of indicators the US could use to identify vessels supporting the fleet, making it easier to sanction them sooner.
It would also put in place strict sanctions liability for any ship that engages in a transfer with a sanctioned Russian vessel.
US Senator Jim Risch said: “Putin will use every trick in the book to evade U.S. sanctions, and the U.S. is cracking down on this illicit shadow fleet of ships that he uses to fund his war.
“These ships and the oil sales they facilitate directly threaten American and European security, and will be stopped.”
Ukraine causes heavy losses on Russia in a frontline counteroffensive
Saturday 20 September 2025 00:30 , Harriette BoucherZelensky said Ukrainian forces caused heavy losses to Russia in a frontline counteroffensive in two of its towns today.
Zelensky said forces had disrupted Russia’s plans to seize the logistics centre in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.
He said: "It was there that one of the most important directions of the Russian offensive was located, and they were unable to launch a full-fledged offensive there. Our military is destroying its forces.
"The Russians have suffered significant losses, and the 'exchange fund' for our country has been significantly replenished - every day more Russian prisoners are being taken."
Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said forces had pressed on from three to seven kilometres through enemy defences and cleared nine settlements of Russian forces.
China's Xi wants to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says Trump
Friday 19 September 2025 23:30 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to wants to help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He said he they pair spoke on the phone for almost two hours today and their discussion included the war in Ukraine.
“I believe that he really would like to see it done also. And I think he's going to work with us to help,” Sky News reported.
Trump says Russian incursion 'could be big trouble'
Friday 19 September 2025 22:22 , Harriette Boucher
US President Donald Trump has now spoken out about the incursion, saying he would soon be briefed on Russia’s airspace violation in Estonia.
"I don't love it. I don't like when that happens. Could be big trouble,” he said.
“I’m going to have to look at it. They’re going to be briefing me in a short while so I’ll let you know about it tonight or tomorrow.”
During his state visit to the UK on Thursday, Trump said Putin "has really let me down" in peace efforts.
Estonia gives protest note to Russian chargé d’affaires
Friday 19 September 2025 22:00 , Harriette BoucherThe Estonian foreign ministry summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires, a diplomat who temporarily serves as an ambassador, to give them a note protesting Russia’s incursion.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: “Russia’s increasingly extensive testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure.”
Pictures: A Russian MIG-31 fighter jet flying above the Baltic sea
Friday 19 September 2025 21:35 , Harriette Boucher
Russia driving a "systematic" campaign, says Zelensky
Friday 19 September 2025 21:08 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has called the incursion in Estonia’s airspace “outrageous” and warned that Moscow’s destabilising measures were expanding into new directions.
“They use every tool: from interference in political processes, as in Romania and Moldova, to violations of airspace, as in Poland, Romania, and now Estonia.”
He emphasised that Moscow’s actions were not accidental but rather a “systematic Russian campaign” against NATO.
“Strong action must be taken—both collectively and individually by each nation.
“Russia must feel increasing pain from the world’s pressure, first and foremost through its economy, and that is best ensured by sanctions.”
NATO to meet in Estonia to discuss Russia's airspace violations
Friday 19 September 2025 20:29 , Harriette BoucherNATO is set to assemble in Estonia next week to discuss Russia’s incursion into its airspace.
Allison Hart, the organisation’s spokesperson, said that the North Atlantic Council would convene early next week.
Estonia requested consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.
The article states that parties will consult together when “the territorial integrity, political independence or security” of any party is at risk.
It was last triggered by Poland on 10 September after Russia’s incursion into its airspace.
Earlier today, Mrs Hart condemned the airspace violence. “This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond,” she said.
NATO has lost none of its relevance, says German foreign minister
Friday 19 September 2025 20:00 , Harriette BoucherGermany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the principle of NATO has lost none of its relevance.
“Russia's unacceptable violation of Estonian airspace today demonstrates this clearly,” he said.
Mr Wadephul said he had assured Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna that Germany stood in full solidarity.
NATO'S borders are being intentionally tested, says Lithuania's defence minister
Friday 19 September 2025 19:30 , Harriette BoucherLithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said NATO’s borders were being tested for a reason.
In a post on X, she said: “Three russian fighter jets over Tallinn is one more hard proof that #EasternSentry is long due.
“PS. Türkiye set an example 10 years ago.Some food for thought.”
In 2015, a Russian aircraft was shot down by the Turkish air force after it was claimed to have violated its airspace.
NATO's response to airspace violation 'quick and decisive' says Mark Rutte
Friday 19 September 2025 19:15 , Harriette BoucherNato’s secretary general Mark Rutte said he has just spoken to Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
“NATO’s response under Eastern Sentry was quick and decisive,” he said.
Estonia to seek NATO Article 4 consultations, says PM
Friday 19 September 2025 18:52 , Harriette BoucherEstonia is requesting NATO Article 4 consultations, Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced.
The article states that parties will consult together when “the territorial integrity, political independence or security” of any party is at risk.
It was triggered by Poland last week after Russia’s incursion into its airspace.
Pictured: Lithuania's foreign minister gifts map to Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv
Friday 19 September 2025 18:30 , Daniel Keane
Two Russian jets violated drilling platform in safety zone, Poland says
Friday 19 September 2025 18:16 , Harriette BoucherTwo Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic drilling platform in the Baltic sea, according to Polish Border Guards.
Officials said that the Polish Armed Forces and other services had been notified.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister says NATO must step up policing in airspace above Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
Friday 19 September 2025 18:02 , Harriette BoucherLithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said NATO must transform Baltic air policing into Baltic air defence.
NATO’s Baltic air policing mission aims to protect the airspace above Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
“These are not accidents. The Alliance is being tested militarily. We must sharpen NATO’s posture to the point where no one dares to test our deterrence,” said Mr Budrys.
“These provocations will only escalate until the Alliance fully transforms Baltic air policing into Baltic air defence, rotational air defense models become a reality and Estern Sentry comes up and running 24/7.”
European Union to address a response to Russia in October
Friday 19 September 2025 17:45 , Harriette BoucheEuropean Council president Antonio Costa said EU leaders would address its collective response to Russia’s incursion on 1 October.
Russia showing 'contempt for diplomacy and international law', EU chief says
Friday 19 September 2025 17:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEU chief Ursula von der Leyen has accused Russia of showing “contempt for diplomacy and international law” as she laid out the bloc’s 19th set of proposed sanctions on the country.
Russia is showing the full extent of its contempt for diplomacy and international law.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 19, 2025
So we're increasing the pressure.
With our 19th package of sanctions covering energy, financial services and trade restrictions ↓ https://t.co/uW7HuZp3br
Italian fighter jets responded to Estonia incursion
Friday 19 September 2025 16:43 , Daniel KeaneItalian Air Force F-35 fighter jets, currently deployed as part of the Nato Baltic Air Policing Mission, responded to Russia’s violation of Estonian airspace, according to the statement.
The Russian MIG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace in the area of Vaindloo Island, which is a small island located in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, the Estonian military said in a separate statement.
Russian forces take control of two eastern Ukrainian villages, authorities say
Friday 19 September 2025 16:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRussian authorities have announced their forces have taken control of two eastern Ukrainian villages on Friday.
The country’s news agenct TASS reported Moscow had taken control of Muravka, a village in the Donetsk region, and the village of Novoivanivka in the neighbouring Zaporizhzhia area.
The Independent could not independently verify the reports.
Nato intercepted the Russian aircraft that violated Estonian airspace
Friday 19 September 2025 16:29 , Daniel KeaneNato responded immediately and intercepted the Russian jets which violated Estonian airspace, a Nato spokesperson said in a statement on social media X on Friday.
"This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato’s ability to respond," the spokesperson said.
EU foreign policy chief condemns 'dangerous provocation'
Friday 19 September 2025 16:07 , Daniel KeaneThe violation of Nato member Estonia's airspace by three Russian military jets on Friday was an "extremely dangerous provocation", the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
"This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region," Kallas said in a post on X.
"We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources. Putin is testing the West's resolve. We must not show weakness."
Estonia summons Russian diplomat after fighter jets violate airspace
Friday 19 September 2025 15:37 , Daniel KeaneEstonia summoned a Russian diplomat to protest after three Russian fighter aircraft entered its airspace without permission on Friday and stayed there for 12 minutes, the Foreign Ministry said.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhna said that Russia had already violated Estonian airspace four times this year "but today's incursion, involving three fighter aircraft entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen."
His ministry said that the incursion took place over the Gulf of Finland and three Russian MIG-31 fighters were involved.
The Russian charge d'affaires was summoned and given a protest note, a ministry statement said.
UK announces fresh sanctions on 'shadow-fleet vessels' and Georgia-linked supporters of Russia's war
Friday 19 September 2025 15:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAside from the EU’s new proposals, the UK has announced fresh sanctions on "shadow fleet" vessels and Georgia-linked supporters of Russia's war in Ukraine, the Foreign Office has said.
Two oil tankers have been targeted for transporting Russian oil to the Georgian port of Batumi, and will now be barred from entering UK ports and will be refused access to the UK Ship Register.
Georgian politician and media mogul Levan Vasadze has been sanctioned for using his platforms to promote pro-Russian disinformation as well as businessman Otar Partskhaladze, who allegedly has extensive links to Russia and to the highest levels of the Georgian Dream party, the department said.
Businesses Aeza International, which provides internet services to Russian disinformation campaigns, and HeliCo Group, which operates in Russia's transport industry, have also been newly designated, the Foreign Office said.
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said: "Putin's war machine relies on an international web to spread lies and fund this network. We're cutting off another lifeline by targeting and deterring those in Georgia who provide support for Putin's illegal war in Ukraine.
"The Kremlin must be in no doubt: the UK will continue to expose the shadowy networks propping up Putin."
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Russian jets violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, Estonia says
Friday 19 September 2025 15:16 , Daniel KeaneThree Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes on Friday, Estonia's government said in a statement.
Eight EU countries believed to be importing Russian gas
Friday 19 September 2025 15:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEuropean Council bosses have outlined eight countries they believe to still be importing Russian gas amid their announcement over a fresh package of sanctions on Russia.
EU energy spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said Belgium, France, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, and Spain are all still importing Russian gas via pipelines or LNG (liquefied natural gas).
It comes as US president Donald Trump puts pressure on EU countries to sever all ties with Russian oil and gas.
EU proposes sanction on those 'abducting and indoctrinating' Ukrainian children
Friday 19 September 2025 14:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs part of the proposed 19th sanctions package, the EU has also suggested a sanction on those “abducting and indoctrinating” Ukrainian children.
It comes after a report found some 210 sites where Ukrainian children are believed to have been taken for military training by Russia.
Researchers at Yale's School of Public Health estimated Russia had illegally deported or forcibly displaced around 35,000 children to Russia and Belarus.
What are the financial measures in the EU's proposed package of sanctions?
Friday 19 September 2025 14:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneNext, we’ll take a look at the financial and economic sanctions Russia could face if this fresh set of sanctions are approved.
For the first time, these involve transaction bans on cryptocurrency platforms and crypto-services for Russian nationals.
• A full transaction ban on more Russian banks and their operations in third countries
• A full transaction ban on cryptocurrency platforms as well as restrictions on crypto-services for Russian nationals
• Restriction on the Russian credit card system (MIR) and fast payments system (SBP) EXPORT BANS
• Tighter export controls on an additional 45 Russian and third country entities, including in China and India
• Bans on chemicals, metal components, salts, and ores useful to Russia's military
• Bans on investment in certain Special Economic Zones in Russia relevant for the war effort with the option to extend to list ports outside Russia used for weapons transfers or the shadow fleet
• Bans on high-tech services including geospatial information, AI, and high-performance computing
• Restrictions related to tourism in Russia
What energy measures are in the EU's proposed 19th package of Russia sanctions?
Friday 19 September 2025 13:50 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe EU has given more detail on its proposed 19th sanctions package aimed at curbing Russia’s economic might.
First up, we’ll take a look at the energy measures announced.
• A ban on Russian liquefied natural gas from 1 January, 2027, bringing forward the date from 1 January, 2028 that was proposed to member states via other legal texts
• The EU banned trans-shipments of Russian LNG (liquefied natural gas) in a previous package
• The EU will list 118 new vessels in Moscow's shadow fleet, bringing the total to over 560
• Ban on re-insuring listed vessels and reinsurance for used Russian aircraft
• Ends exemptions for Russian oil companies Rosneft and Gazpromneft
• List oil traders, refineries and petrochemical companies in third countries that breach sanctions including in China
Member states will now have to discuss the package before adopting it unanimously.
New missile parts uncovered in Poland after drone incursion
Friday 19 September 2025 13:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDebris from a missile likely used to shoot down Russian drones in Poland has been found over a week after Moscow violated Warsaw’s airspace.
Polish military police reported on Thursday missile fragments, likely from a weapon used to shoot down a drone, were discovered in the village of Choiny, some 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Lublin and 70 kilometres (40 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
They added forensic investigations are underway.
To repel Russia, Ukraine wants Western allies to invest in its defence industry
Friday 19 September 2025 13:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkraine has been the receipt of millions of dollars worth of military aid from countries across the world - and particularly those in the European Union.
But allies are also using a different strategy to support the besieged country - invest ing billions in Ukraine's weapons industry so it can better defend itself.
Ukraine's weapons industry now meets nearly 60% of its army's needs, up from 10% when Russia's full-scale invasion began 3 1/2 years ago, according to its defence minister.
But its military budget — $64 billion in 2024 — is less than half the size of Russia's, which is why it turns to Western allies for weapons and, increasingly, money.
To repel Russia, Ukraine wants Western allies to invest in its defense industry
Putin's claims of 'inevitable victory' branded 'lies' by spy chief
Friday 19 September 2025 12:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneBritish spy chief Sir Richard Moore has said Putin’s claims Russian victory in Ukraine is “inevitable” are “lies”.
Speaking at the British consulate in Istanbul on Friday, Sir Richard said the Russian leader was “mortgaging his country’s future for his own personal legacy and a distorted version of history” and that the war was “accelerating this decline”.
“Bluntly, Putin has bitten off more than he can chew,” he said. “He thought he was going to win an easy victory. But he – and many others – underestimated the Ukrainians.”
European Commission authorises new package of sanctions
Friday 19 September 2025 12:01 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe European Commission has authorised a new package of sanctions against Russia, chief spokesperson Paula Pinho has just confirmed.
She said the details will be set out in a press statement by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a press statement later on Friday.
Russia and Vietnam's secret deal to avoid sanctions
Friday 19 September 2025 12:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRussia is a major supplier of military goods to Vietnam - but their relationship is under threat from looming sanctions over the war in Ukraine.
But internal Vietnamese documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal that Hanoi and Moscow have prepared for the possibility of increased sanctions.
The papers show the two countries have devised a complex system through which Vietnam can conceal its payments to Russia for defence goods by avoiding any open transfers of cash through the global banking system.
David Rising has more below...
Avoiding sanctions: Takeaways from AP's report on a secret deal between Russia and Vietnam
'No evidence' Putin wants peace, says British spy chief
Friday 19 September 2025 11:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneBritish spy chief Sir Richard Moore has warned there is "absolutely no evidence" Vladimir Putin wants to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine.
The head of MI6, who will step down in September after five years in the role, used an outgoing speech to say the Russian president is "stringing us along" amid faltering efforts to broker a truce.
Moscow has continued to pound Ukraine with attacks in recent weeks and peace appears no closer despite months of Washington-led talks.
Speaking at the British consulate in Istanbul on Friday, Sir Richard said there was "absolutely no evidence" that the Russian leader wants to settle the conflict as he seeks to "impose his imperial will by all means at his disposal"
"But he cannot succeed," Sir Richard said.
"Bluntly, Putin has bitten off more than he can chew. He thought he was going to win an easy victory. But he - and many others - underestimated the Ukrainians."
European Council boss says EU must ' accelerate and deepen efforts' after airspace violation
Friday 19 September 2025 11:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEuropean Council president Antonio Costa has told EU leaders they must “accelerate and deepen” their efforts against Russia following Moscow’s violation of Poland’s airspace.
Polish forces shot down a number of Russian drones that they said entered their airspace last week, for the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Mr Costa said he would host leaders in Copenhagen in October to discuss how to strengthen their response to Moscow.
“Russia’s recent airspace violations in Poland and Romania are a stark reminder that we must accelerate and deepen our efforts,” he wrote.
“Our security is tied to Ukraine’s security. In Copenhagen, I would also like to discuss how to further support Ukraine and reach a just and lasting peace.”
Trump says Putin would not have started war if he were president
Friday 19 September 2025 10:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDuring his state visit to the UK on Thursday, Donald Trump suggested Russian leader Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine in 2022 if he had been president at the time.
“If I were president, it would have never happened, and it didn’t happen for four years,” Mr Trump told reporters. “People, most people, agree. It didn’t happen, nor was it close to happening.
“I spoke to President Putin about Ukraine, it was the apple of his eye. I’ve said that many times, it was, but he would have never done what he did, except that he didn’t respect the leadership of the US.”
'Thousands' of Cubans fighting for Russia, Kyiv says
Friday 19 September 2025 10:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane“Thousands” of Cuban mercenaries are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, according to Kyiv.
Officials told a national security briefing in Washington on Wednesday there were around 20,000 mercenaries fighting against Ukraine.
“Unfortunately, a lot of them are from Cuba,” officials added.
They said at least 1,038 Cubans had signed a contract with the Russian army between 2023 and 2025, with the average age of the mercenaries being 35.
Trump: Putin let me down
Friday 19 September 2025 09:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDonald Trump has said Vladimir Putin “really let me down” over his refusal to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference at Chequers alongside the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, the US president said he believed the conflict would be the “easiest to solve” due to his personal relationship with the Russian leader.
Mr Trump met with Mr Putin in Alaska last month, but emerged with no deal.
“I thought this war would be one of the easiest to solve because of my relationship with Putin. But he has really let me down,” Mr Trump told reporters. “I mean, frankly, Russian soldiers are being killed at a higher rate than the Ukrainian soldiers. But, yeah, he’s let me down.”
Two injured in overnight Russian attacks, Zelensky says
Friday 19 September 2025 09:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneTwo people were injured in a Russian attack on Ukraine overnight, Zelensky has said.
In a post on X, the Ukrainian leader said recovery efforts are also underway in Kyiv after strikes damaged public transport infrastructure.
He said the Donetsk, Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Dnipro regions were all targeted in the attack.
Since last night, Russia has been carrying out a drone attack on Ukraine – nearly 90 strike UAVs. Our warriors managed to neutralize most of them. I thank them for defending our skies. The Donetsk region, Kyiv region and the capital, Sumy region, Kharkiv region, Chernihiv region,… pic.twitter.com/EeQumy5yva
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 19, 2025
Thousands of children taken from Ukraine to be ‘re-educated’ by Russia, report says
Friday 19 September 2025 08:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThousands of Ukrainian children have been illegally deported or forcibly displaced to Russia and Belarus to be ‘re-educated’, a new report says.
The study from Yale's School of Public Health identified some 210 sites where Ukrainian children are believed to have been taken for military training.
It "represents the highest number of locations to which children from Ukraine have been taken that has been published to date," the report said.
Thousands of Ukrainian children given military ‘re-education’ by Russia, report finds
Pictured: Russian drone attack in Kyiv overnight
Friday 19 September 2025 07:19 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
How Europe can help Ukraine against Russia by investing in its defence industry
Friday 19 September 2025 06:45 , Arpan RaiWith little chance of Nato membership for Ukraine, the country's Western allies have bought into an alternate strategy for helping it repel Russian aggression: invest billions in Ukraine's weapons industry so it can better defend itself.
If the strategy works, Ukraine's weapons industry will eventually be able to help equip US and European armies, too, with cutting-edge drones and other military technology being developed in the midst of its war with Russia.
One recent advance in Ukraine's homegrown arsenal is a quadcopter drone that can evade Russian jamming devices, fly more than 20km (12 miles) and drop six kg(13 pounds) of guided explosives onto tanks and other high-value targets.
"The Ukrainians are the leaders in the world in terms of drone technology," Keith Kellogg, the Trump administration's special envoy for Ukraine said last week at a conference in Kyiv.
"We are working with Ukrainians now to make sure we have got this drone technology exchange, which I think is very important."
Europeans have been taking the threat from Russia more seriously since the second Trump administration began signaling that Nato members shouldn't be overly reliant on the US to defend them.
Anxieties across Europe were heightened last week after Russian drones launched from Belarus were shot down in Polish airspace.
‘Putin really let me down’: Trump says he thought war in Ukraine would be ‘easy to solve’
Friday 19 September 2025 06:30 , Arpan RaiDonald Trump has said that Vladimir Putin “really let me down” over his failure to take steps to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference at Chequers alongside the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, the US president said he believed the conflict would be the “easiest to solve” due to his personal relationship with the Russian leader.
Hopes of a potential peace deal have not materialised following a summit held between Putin and Trump in Alaska last month, during which Mr Trump urged the Russian president to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. Since then, Mr Trump’s various deadlines and ultimatums for the Russian leader to engage with proposals have passed without obvious consequences.
‘Putin let me down’: Trump says he thought Ukraine war would be ‘easy to solve’
Trump says 'good news' coming up on Ukraine war
Friday 19 September 2025 06:13 , Arpan RaiNot for the first time, Donald Trump hinted at a coming positive development in the war in Ukraine as he addressed a press conference alongside Keir Starmer in the UK yesterday.
“The Russia situation, I hope we’re going to have some good news for you coming up,” he said at Chequers, without sharing details.
The US president said he feels obligated to end the war in Europe.
“Millions of people have died in that war, millions of souls... They’re being killed, and I feel I have an obligation to get it settled for that reason,” he said.
The US leader has hit a dead end with his push to broker a ceasefire and get Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine. Sir Keir said he and Trump had discussed how to "decisively increase the pressure on Putin" and that Trump had "led the way here."
Ukraine receives 1,000 bodies of soldiers killed in war with Russia
Friday 19 September 2025 05:22 , Arpan RaiUkraine has received the remains of 1,000 service personnel killed in the war during its latest exchange with Russia, Ukrainian officials said yesterday.
“Repatriation measures took place today. 1,000 bodies, which according to the Russian side belong to Ukrainian servicemen, have been returned to Ukraine,” the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said on Telegram in a statement.
More than 7,000 mostly unidentified bodies have been brought to Ukraine in recent months in multiple exchanges, a result of talks between the two sides in Istanbul earlier this year.
In a statement, Kyiv's coordinating council for prisoners of war said officials would work on identifying the bodies.
Watch: UK and US 'working together' to end wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Starmer says
Friday 19 September 2025 05:15 , Arpan RaiFragments from downed drone damage Kyiv trolley bus lines
Friday 19 September 2025 04:40 , Arpan RaiFragments from a downed Russian drone damaged trolley bus lines in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the early hours today, the head of the city's military administration said.
Tymur Tkachenko said drone fragments had fallen in several locations, including on a road in central Shevchenkivsky district.
"The trolley bus network has been damaged," he wrote. "According to preliminary reports, there are no injuries."
Two air raid alerts were announced in quick succession after midnight in the city.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said drone fragments had also fallen in another district.
Trump says there are ways to end Ukraine war
Friday 19 September 2025 04:30 , Arpan RaiDonald Trump has said he still believed there would be a solution to the conflict, and that one of the ways to get there was for Europe to stop buying Russian oil.
"Ultimately, if oil prices go down, or if Russia is not selling oil, they have no choice but to settle and European Union nations or the Nato nations... when they're buying oil from Russia, that's not the greatest thing," Trump said.
Earlier this month, Trump told European leaders that countries in the continent must stop buying Russian oil, claiming that it is helping Moscow fund its war against Ukraine.
On Sunday, the US president made a lengthy post on Truth Social and said he believes the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all Nato countries stopped buying oil from Moscow and placed tariffs on China of 50 per cent to 100 per cent for its purchases of Russian petroleum.
Since 2023, Nato member Turkey has been the third largest buyer of Russian oil, after China and India, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Other members of the 32-state alliance involved in purchasing Russian oil include Hungary and Slovakia.
Trump says US would help secure peace after Russia's war in Ukraine ends
Friday 19 September 2025 04:10 , Arpan RaiThe United States would help to secure peace after Russia's war in Ukraine is settled, president Donald Trump said.
"After the war is settled, we would help secure the peace. And I think ultimately that'll happen," Trump told Fox News last night.
Trump also said that helping to bring about an end to the war in Ukraine had been more challenging than he anticipated and that he was "very disappointed" in Russian president Vladimir Putin.
"The one I thought was going to be easiest (to settle) was going to be Russia-Ukraine, because of my relationship with president Putin. So I'm disappointed," Trump said.
Trump has repeatedly set deadlines for Moscow to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine or face new sanctions, only to see the deadlines ignored.
He warmly welcomed Putin at what was billed by the White House as a peace summit in Alaska in mid-August but failed to secure major concessions.
Watch: Trump says Putin has really let him down
Friday 19 September 2025 04:00 , Athena StavrouEU defence chief to convene talks on 'drone wall' to protect against Russia
Friday 19 September 2025 03:00 , Athena StavrouEuropean Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Thursday he plans to convene talks with defence ministers next week on creating a "drone wall" along the EU's eastern border - a project infused with urgency by a Russian drone incursion into Poland.
Kubilius told Reuters that some European Union countries had already been discussing the idea of a line of defence against drones before last week's incursion and the EU's executive arm now wanted to move quickly to turn the concept into reality.
‘Putin really let me down’: Trump says he thought war in Ukraine would be ‘easy to solve’
Friday 19 September 2025 00:01 , Athena Stavrou‘Putin let me down’: Trump says he thought Ukraine war would be ‘easy to solve’
Poland turns to Ukraine for drone warfare expertise
Thursday 18 September 2025 23:04 , Tom BarnesPoland's defence chief travelled to Kyiv on Thursday in search of Ukrainian help in developing his country's drone warfare capabilities, just over a week after Russian drones entered Polish airspace and exposed Nato's vulnerability to drone warfare.
Drones used for defence and attack have taken a central battlefield role in the more than three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, transforming how wars are waged, and countries are keen to master the new and quickly developing battlefield technology.
"We will be signing an agreement concerning co-operation between the (defence) ministries, but also acquiring capabilities when it comes to operating drones," Polish defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said in published comments.
Trump says he is very disappointed in Putin
Thursday 18 September 2025 22:03 , Tom BarnesDonald Trump said on Thursday that he was very disappointed in Russian President Vladimir Putin because the Russian leader has not agreed to end the war in Ukraine.
"I'm disappointed in Putin ... I'm very disappointed in him," Trump said in an interview with Fox News' "The Story with Martha MacCallum."
"The one I thought was going to be easiest (to settle) was going to be Russia-Ukraine, because of my relationship with President Putin. So I'm disappointed," Trump added.
EU looks to accelerate ban on Russian LNG in 19th package of sanctions, EU official says
Thursday 18 September 2025 21:00 , Steffie BanatvalaThe European Commission is discussing a proposal to accelerate a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas in its 19th package of sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, an EU official said.
The package is due to be presented to member states on Friday.
Pictures: Trump says Putin ‘really let me down’ amid stalled peace efforts
Thursday 18 September 2025 20:00 , Steffie Banatvala
The weapons Ukraine hopes will help resist Russian invasion
Thursday 18 September 2025 19:00 , Steffie Banatvala
Poland wants to benefit from Ukraine's knowledge about drones
Thursday 18 September 2025 18:00 , Steffie BanatvalaPoland wants to benefit from Ukraine's knowledge and skills regarding drone warfare, Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has said as Warsaw and Kyiv announced the creation of a joint operational group for unmanned systems.
"We want to benefit from your knowledge and skills, and we want Polish companies, both public and private, to be able to participate in this together," Kosiniak-Kamysz said during a news conference in Kyiv.
Uzbekistan takes stake in Russia-backed Eurasian Development Bank
Thursday 18 September 2025 17:00 , Steffie BanatvalaUzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree this week on the country's accession to the Eurasian Development Bank, a Russian-backed alternative to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.
The decree signed on Tuesday provides for Uzbekistan to pay $168.411 million from its state budget for EDB membership, becoming the bank's seventh member and third largest shareholder, with a stake of 10%.
Zelensky says he visited frontline Donetsk region
Thursday 18 September 2025 16:30 , Steffie BanatvalaPresident Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that he visited Ukraine's frontline Donetsk region.
Zelenskiy said on X that he had met soldiers taking part in fighting to recapture land near Dobropillia after Russian troops made rapid advances in the area in August.
"Step-by-step, the warriors are liberating our land: since the start of the operation, 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) and seven settlements have been reclaimed," he added.
Explained: What is a no-fly zone? Poland and Ukraine call for protection of European airspace
Thursday 18 September 2025 16:00 , Steffie Banatvala
What is a no-fly zone? Poland and Ukraine call for protection of European airspace
