The EU has transferred €4bn to Ukraine using revenue generated from frozen Russian assets, the country’s finance ministry revealed on Wednesday.
It comes as European leaders discuss the possibility of transferring up to €140bn in the same manner this week.
Moscow has warned it considers the procedure “theft” of its sovereign assets and will seek the prosecution of countries and individuals involved.
Leaders including Macron have expressed support for the initiative, but have stressed it must take place in accordance with international law.
“We need a more structural solution for military support,” the European Commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Tuesday. “This is why I have put forward the idea of a reparations loan that is based on the immobilized Russian assets.”
European leaders are meeting in Copenhagen this week to discuss the formation of a "drone wall" along their borders with Russia and Ukraine to stop drones violating European airspace.
Key Points
- EU transfers €4bn to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets
- Putin knows he cannot win the war in Ukraine, says Kellogg
- Zelensky warns of 'emergency situation' at nuclear power plant after Russian shelling
- Ukraine warns of critical situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
- Princess Anne visits Ukraine to support children affected by war
- Family of four killed in Ukraine's Sumy region, governor says
Princess Anne makes surprise visit to Kyiv and leaves teddy as tribute to children killed in Ukraine war
17:57 , Maira ButtThe Princess Royal has made a surprise trip to Ukraine in a show of solidarity with children and families facing the horrors of the Russian invasion.
The King’s sister travelled to the war-torn country on Tuesday, where she left a teddy at a children’s memorial in a poignant tribute to youngsters killed in the conflict, saying her daughter Zara Tindall had the same bear.
Princess Anne makes surprise visit to Kyiv and leaves teddy as tribute to children
Russia denies blaze at oil refinery was caused by Ukraine drone attack
17:20 , Maira ButtA fire at a major oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region northeast of Moscow, has been contained, according to emergency services.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday and was suspected to be a drone attack by Ukraine.
However, regional governor, Mikhail Yevrayev, said the incident was under control.
“Residents were concerned it might have been the result of an enemy drone attack,” Yevrayev said on Telegram.
“But what happened has nothing to do with that...The fire is of a technological nature.”
Ukraine has reportedly been attacking refineries in an attempt to disrupt fuel supplies and revenue.
In pictures: Aftermath of Russian drone strike in Ukraine
16:45 , Maira Butt
Zelensky warns of 'emergency' at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
16:15 , Maira ButtUkrainian leader Zelensky has warned of an “emergency” threat at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which he called a ”threat to everyone”.
“It is now the seventh day – something that has never happened before – of an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,” he wrote on X/Twitter.
“Because of Russian shelling, the plant has been cut off from power, disconnected from the electrical grid, and is being supplied with electricity by diesel generators.”
He added: “This is extraordinary. The generators and the plant were not designed for this, have never operated in this mode for long, and we already have information that one generator has failed. It is Russian shelling that prevents repair of the power lines to the plant and the restoration of basic safety.
“This is a threat to everyone – no terrorist in the world has ever dared to do to a nuclear plant what Russia is doing. And it is right that the world does not stay silent.”
Is Britain already at war with Russia?
15:40 , Maira Butthe forthright and eloquent former head of MI5, Eliza Manningham-Buller – one of the outstanding intelligence intelligences of our time – has said that Britain is now in a condition of war, meaning war in its new contemporary terms.
Watch: Locals rescued from cars and homes as flash floods turn deadly in Odesa
15:17 , Maira ButtEU transfers €4bn to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets
14:51 , Maira ButtUkraine has received €4bn in funding from the EU with the help of frozen Russian assets, the country’s finance ministry revealed on Wednesday.
It comes as European leaders are set to discuss the possibility of transferring up to €140bn in the same manner.
Moscow has warned it considers the procedure “theft” of its sovereign assets and will seek the prosecution of countries and individuals involved.
Leaders including Macron have expressed support for the initiative, but have stressed it must take place in accordance with international law.
Ukraine secures €300m loan for gas purchases ahead of winter
14:27 , Maira ButtUkraine has secured a €300m loan for gas purchases this winter.
State energy firm Naftogaz signed a deal with the European Investment Bank, the company said on Wednesday.
Efforts were intensified after Russian strikes damaged 40 per cent of the country’s domestic output for gas volumes.
Ukrainian diver arrested over Nord Stream explosions appears in court
13:51 , Maira ButtA Ukrainian diver arrested in Poland on suspicion of being involved in the Nord Stream explosions, has appeared in a court in Warsaw today.
The explosions took place in September 2022 and largely destroyed the pipelines to Europe, squeezing energy supplies on the continent, and forcing countries to use alternatives.
Denmark and Sweden concluded the explosions were an act of sabotage, but closed their investigations last year.
The court decided that the man, wanted by Berlin, must be kept in custody while a decision is made on whether to transfer him to Germany.
Family-of-five among nine killed in Ukraine flash flooding as torrential downpours hit Odesa
13:35 , Maira ButtNine people including a family-of-five have died after severe flash flooding struck the Ukrainian city of Odesa.
Over two months of rain fell on the coastal area in seven hours, leading to storms, downpours and power outages across the region. The family was killed when they were swept away by flood waters from their ground floor flat according to emergency services.
Family-of-five among nine killed in downpours as Ukraine hit by flash flooding
Putin knows he cannot win the war in Ukraine, says Kellogg
13:21 , Maira ButtRussian leader Vladimir Putin knows he cannot win the war in Ukraine, US president Donald Trump’s special envoy has said.
“I think probably in his heart of hearts he realises he can’t win this. This is an unwinnable fight for him, long-term. It’s not going to happen,” US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said.
Speaking at a conference in Poland, Kellogg said that the US is focusing on efforts to “stop the largest land war in Europe since the Second World War,” stressing that the losses have far exceeded any other major recent conflict.
Danish PM warns Europe in most 'dangerous' situation since World War II
12:58 , Maira Butt"I think it is serious. I think the war in Ukraine is very serious,” she said in a speech on Wednesday.
“When I look at Europe today, I think we are in the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the second world war - not the Cold War."
It follows the comments of US envoy, Keith Kellogg, who reiterated that the numbers of dead and wounded across both Russia and Ukraine had not been seen since World War II.
Medvedev mocks Trump claim that US submarines are stationed on Russian coast
12:40 , Maira ButtFormer Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has mocked US President Donald Trump after the American leader suggested that he was a “stupid person”.
Mr Trump said he had moved a “submarine or two” to the Russian coast on Tuesday. In August, he said that he had ordered two nuclear submarines to “appropriate regions” in response to threats from Medvedev.
“New episode of the thriller series,” Medvedev wrote on X/Twitter. “Trump once again brought up the subs he allegedly 'sent to the Russian shores' insisting they are 'very well hidden.”
Princess Anne makes surprise visit to Kyiv and leaves teddy as tribute to children killed in Ukraine war
12:17 , Maira ButtPrincess Anne has met with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for an official visit at the request of the Foreign Office.
The Royal made the surprise visit on Tuesday and left a toy bear at the Children’s Memorial for children killed since Russia’s invasion. She was joined by First Lady Olena Zelenska.
She wanted to highlight “the traumatic experiences of children living on the frontline of the conflict”, according to Buckingham Palace.
According to Ukraine, 19,500 children have been displaced since February 2022.
Princess Anne makes surprise visit to Kyiv and leaves teddy as tribute to children
UN atomic agency warns of safety risks at nuclear power plant
11:50 , Maira Butt“Europe’s largest nuclear power plant has been without external power for more than a week now, which is by far the longest lasting such event during more than three and a half years of war,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said, according to Reuters.
Fuel reserves allow the plant to operate for ten days, however he said: “Nevertheless, it is extremely important that off-site power is restored.”
Romania to produce defensive drones with Ukraine
11:35 , Maira ButtRomania hopes to work with Ukraine to ramp up its production of defensive drones – both for domestic use as well as by European Union and Nato allies, foreign minister Oana Toiu said in an interview.
Toiu told Reuters talks with Ukraine began before a spate of airspace incursions that the region has blamed on Russia in recent weeks.
"We believe it is strategic for the eastern flank to be better protected, especially in air defence. So what we are doing in that direction is to create the partnerships needed, for example, with Ukraine to build defensive drones for the future," she said.
"We believe in our capacity to make it a reality fast," she said on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly that ended on Monday.
Tensions with Moscow edged up in recent weeks as Estonia accused Russia of sending fighter jets into its airspace and Nato jets shot down drones over Poland. Romania also said its jets almost engaged a drone that entered its airspace.
Russia has said it has never targeted EU or Nato nations and has no plans to do so in the future.
In photos: Rescuers battle through flood chaos after 9 killed in Odesa
10:56 , Maira Butt
Poland's Prime Minister says 'it will be too late' if action not taken soon
10:45 , Maira ButtDonald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, has delivered a speech at an EU summit being held on Wednesday to discuss European defences.
“It will be too late if we are not ready to act today,” he warned, urging EU countries to move from “reaction to action”.
Poland had previously called for a no-fly zone to be implemented after drone incursions into its airspace.
Ukraine loan from Russian frozen assets would fund EU defence industry, von der Leyen says
10:39 , Maira ButtEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has revealed that a reparations loan to Ukraine, proposed by the EU Commission, will fund defence procurement within Europe.
It will be backed by frozen Russian assets, but Von der Leyen said the proposal did not involve seizing the assets. Ukraine would repay the loan if Russia paid reparations.
“We need a more structural solution for military support and this is why I have put forward the idea of a reparations loan that is based on the immobilized Russian assets,” she said on Tuesday, alongside Nato chief Mark Rutte.
“We will strengthen our own defense industry by ensuring that part of the loan is used for procurement in Europe and with Europe.”
Zelensky warns of 'emergency' at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
10:04 , Maira ButtUkrainian leader Zelensky has warned of an “emergency” threat at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which he called a ”threat to everyone”.
“It is now the seventh day – something that has never happened before – of an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,” he wrote on X/Twitter.
“Because of Russian shelling, the plant has been cut off from power, disconnected from the electrical grid, and is being supplied with electricity by diesel generators.”
He added: “This is extraordinary. The generators and the plant were not designed for this, have never operated in this mode for long, and we already have information that one generator has failed. It is Russian shelling that prevents repair of the power lines to the plant and the restoration of basic safety.
“This is a threat to everyone – no terrorist in the world has ever dared to do to a nuclear plant what Russia is doing. And it is right that the world does not stay silent.”
Flash flooding in Odesa kills 9 including child
09:31 , Maira ButtNine people have died after severe flooding in Odesa southern Ukraine. Among the dead were a family of five who were swept away from their flat, according to emergency services.
Some 362 people were rescued.
“In just seven hours, almost two months' worth of rain fell in Odesa,” Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov said on Telegram on Wednesday.
“No stormwater drainage system can withstand such a load.”
In pictures: Aftermath of Russian drone strike in Ukraine
09:28 , Maira Butt
Russia denies blaze at oil refinery was caused by Ukraine drone attack
09:15 , Maira ButtA fire at a major oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region northeast of Moscow, has been contained, according to emergency services.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday and was suspected to be a drone attack by Ukraine.
However, regional governor, Mikhail Yevrayev, said the incident was under control.
“Residents were concerned it might have been the result of an enemy drone attack,” Yevrayev said on Telegram.
“But what happened has nothing to do with that...The fire is of a technological nature.”
Ukraine has reportedly been attacking refineries in an attempt to disrupt fuel supplies and revenue.
What is a 'drone wall'?
08:56 , Maira ButtAs EU leaders meet to discuss bolstering their defences on Wednesday and Thursday, a priority on the agenda will be plans for a drone alliance with Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said €6bn would be earmarked for the initiative.
Talks about a “drone wall” began after Poland and Estonia reported violations of their airspace.
The “wall” is not a physical barrier and would consist of equipment intended to plug gaps in Europe’s defences across Nato’s eastern flank and counter drone incursions.
It is anticipated to be a network of tools, which could include drone trackers using radar, jammers and acoustic sensors. Information sharing across countries is also envisaged to be a part of the plan.
Last week, Von der Leyen said the EU “must heed the call of our Baltic friends and build a drone wall.”
Copenhagen hosts EU summit today to discuss 'drone wall'
08:40 , Maira ButtEuropean leaders will meet in Denmark today to discuss defence across the continent after a series of drone incursions violated Nato airspace.
Denmark was the latest country to be unsettled by unidentified drone activity near airports.
An informal European Council summit will take place on Wednesday, involving 27 EU leaders.
Over 40 heads of state will gather on Thursday for a meeting of the European Political Community.
In pictures: Princess Anne and Zelensky discuss UK's ongoing support for Ukraine
08:21 , Maira Butt
Princess Anne makes official visit to Ukraine
08:11 , Maira ButtPrincess Anne has met with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for an official visit at the request of the Foreign Office.
The Royal made the surprise visit on Tuesday and left a toy bear at the Children’s Memorial for children killed since Russia’s invasion. She was joined by First Lady Olena Zelenska.
She wanted to highlight “the traumatic experiences of children living on the frontline of the conflict”, according to Buckingham Palace.
According to Ukraine, 19,500 children have been displaced since February 2022.
Medvedev mocks Trump claim that US submarines are stationed on Russian coast
07:45 , Maira ButtFormer Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has mocked US President Donald Trump after the American leader suggested that he was a “stupid person”.
Mr Trump said he had moved a “submarine or two” to the Russian coast on Tuesday. In August, he said that he had ordered two nuclear submarines to “appropriate regions” in response to threats from Medvedev.
“New episode of the thriller series,” Medvedev wrote on X/Twitter. “Trump once again brought up the subs he allegedly 'sent to the Russian shores' insisting they are 'very well hidden.”
In photos: Rescuers battle through flood chaos after 9 killed in Odesa
07:18 , Arpan RaiRescuers worked through the night after severe weather and floods in Ukraine's southern city of Odesa killed nine people, a child among them, the state emergency service said this morning.
The workers helped evacuate people from water traps, shift cars, pump water from buildings, and trace a missing girl who was found in the early hours, the service said on the Telegram messaging app.
It posted pictures of passengers being taken off a flooded bus and cars pulled from the water.
"In just seven hours, almost two months’ worth of rain fell in Odesa," mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov said on Telegram earlier.
"No stormwater drainage system can withstand such a load."
A total of 362 people were rescued in the continuing effort, the emergency service added.
Family of four killed in Ukraine's Sumy region, governor says
06:58 , Arpan RaiAn entire family of two brothers aged four and six and their parents were killed in an overnight Russian drone attack on a village in the northern Sumy region, the regional governor Oleh Hryhorov said.
"Last night, the enemy purposefully hit a residential building with an attack drone in the village of Chernechchyna," Hryhorov said on his Telegram channel.
He added the family's bodies were pulled from under the rubble.
Russian forces are engaged in a long, grinding war along the front line through eastern and southern Ukraine, but have also tried to gain a foothold in areas like Sumy, which borders Russia's Kursk region.
Russia denies targeting civilians in its almost daily drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. Thousands of civilians have been killed and homes, apartment blocks and commercial property damaged and destroyed.
Nine people die in Ukraine's Odesa region due to floods
06:36 , Arpan RaiAt least nine people, including a child, died in Ukraine's southern city of Odesa and surrounding region as a result of severe weather and floods, state emergency service said this morning.
Donald Trump says he is 'so disappointed' in Putin
06:18 , Arpan RaiDonald Trump has yet again reiterated his frustrations with Russia's Vladimir Putin.
In a speech before military commanders in Quantico in Virginia yesterday, Trump said that the Russian president and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky need to get together to settle Moscow's war.
“I think we'll get that done, but that's turned out to be the toughest one,” Trump said.
He said: “I'm so disappointed in President Putin, I thought he would get this thing over with.
“He should have had that war done in a week, and I said to him.
“And I said to him, you know, you don't look good. You're four years fighting a war that should have taken a week. Are you a paper tiger?” the US president said.
Donald Trump says he is 'so disappointed' in Putin
06:18 , Arpan RaiDonald Trump has yet again reiterated his frustrations with Russia's Vladimir Putin.
In a speech before military commanders in Quantico in Virginia yesterday, Trump said that the Russian president and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky need to get together to settle Moscow's war.
“I think we'll get that done, but that's turned out to be the toughest one,” Trump said.
He said: “I'm so disappointed in President Putin, I thought he would get this thing over with.
“He should have had that war done in a week, and I said to him.
“And I said to him, you know, you don't look good. You're four years fighting a war that should have taken a week. Are you a paper tiger?” the US president said.
Romania to produce defensive drones with Ukraine
05:59 , Arpan RaiRomania hopes to work with Ukraine to ramp up its production of defensive drones – both for domestic use as well as by European Union and Nato allies, foreign minister Oana Toiu said in an interview.
Toiu told Reuters talks with Ukraine began before a spate of airspace incursions that the region has blamed on Russia in recent weeks.
"We believe it is strategic for the eastern flank to be better protected, especially in air defence. So what we are doing in that direction is to create the partnerships needed, for example, with Ukraine to build defensive drones for the future," she said.
"We believe in our capacity to make it a reality fast," she said on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly that ended on Monday.
Tensions with Moscow edged up in recent weeks as Estonia accused Russia of sending fighter jets into its airspace and Nato jets shot down drones over Poland. Romania also said its jets almost engaged a drone that entered its airspace.
Russia has said it has never targeted EU or Nato nations and has no plans to do so in the future.
Putin knows he cannot win the war in Ukraine, says Kellogg
05:32 , Arpan RaiRussian leader Vladimir Putin knows he cannot win the war in Ukraine, US president Donald Trump’s special envoy has said.
“I think probably in his heart of hearts he realises he can’t win this. This is an unwinnable fight for him, long-term. It’s not going to happen,” US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said.
Speaking at a conference in Poland, Kellogg said that the US is focusing on efforts to “stop the largest land war in Europe since the Second World War,” stressing that the losses have far exceeded any other major recent conflict.
Ukraine warns of critical situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
04:51 , Arpan RaiThe situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station has become critical amid shelling from Russian forces, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Russian shelling is preventing restoration of a power line needed to cool the reactors and prevent a meltdown, Zelensky said last night.
Speaking in his nightly video address, Zelensky said one of the diesel generators providing emergency power was no longer working, seven days after external power lines went down.
"This is the seventh day. There has never before been such an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant. The situation is critical. Russian shelling has cut the plant off from the electricity network," Zelensky said.
"This is a threat to everyone. No terrorist in the world has ever dared to do with a nuclear power plant what Russia is doing now. And it is right that the world not remain silent,” he said.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, said it was working with both sides to restore the external power line. Rafael Grossi said there was no immediate danger as long as diesel generators remained in operation, providing emergency power for the facility.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest with six reactors, was seized by Russian troops in the first weeks of Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and each side regularly accuses the other of attacks that endanger nuclear safety.
It produces no electricity at the moment, but needs power to ensure fuel in the reactors remains cool and no meltdown occurs. It was the 10th occasion since the start of the conflict that the plant has been disconnected from the power grid.
EU leaders to discuss 'drone wall' in Denmark today
04:38 , Arpan RaiEuropean Union leaders will discuss proposals for a "drone wall" to protect the continent at a summit in Copenhagen today.
The security talks for enforcing a drone barrier against Russian incursions comes just days after airspace intrusions by unidentified unmanned aircraft forced a temporary closure of Danish airports.
The summit will also be the first opportunity for leaders of the EU’s 27 countries to debate a proposal to use Russian assets frozen in Europe to fund a loan of €140bn(£122.25bn) to Ukraine.
France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Britain, Finland and Ukraine have committed troops and anti-drone systems to help Denmark protect the leaders, many of whom have accused Russia of brazen violations of European airspace with recent incursions by drones over Poland and fighter jets over Estonia.
Denmark has stopped short of saying who it believes is responsible for the incidents in its airspace last week, which disrupted air traffic at six airports, but prime minister Mette Frederiksen has suggested it could be Moscow.
Six injured in Russian air attack on Kharkiv
04:19 , Arpan RaiA Russian guided aerial bomb attack on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight injured six people and sparked several fires, regional officials said this morning.
Five of those injured, all adults, have been hospitalised, regional governor of Kharkiv Oleh Synehubov said.
Ihor Terekhov, mayor of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city that is also the capital of the Kharkiv region, said the attack also sparked a fire at one of the city's markets and at some residential buildings.
Photos and videos showed firefighters battling through the night as flames engulfed what appeared to be market stalls and other structures.
The Kharkiv region, which lies near the border with Russia, has been the target of regular Russian aerial attacks since the start of the war.
Watch: Zelensky warns Europe of drone attacks after 'treacherous' Ukraine strikes
04:12 , Arpan RaiPrincess Anne visits Ukraine to support children affected by war
04:00 , Arpan RaiPrincess Anne, the late Queen Elizabeth's only daughter, visited Ukraine to express her solidarity with children and families enduring the impact of the war, Buckingham Palace said today.
Anne, who celebrated her 75th birthday in August, met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky during her visit to Kyiv yesterday, where they discussed Britain's ongoing support for Ukraine, among other issues.
The royal paid her respects at a memorial honouring the children who have died since the start of the conflict in February 2022. She was accompanied by Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska and laid a toy as a tribute.
Anne also spoke with Ukrainian children who have been displaced or deported by Russia and she visited a rehabilitation centre, where she met veterans returning from the frontline.
Anne's visit to Ukraine follows that of Prince Harry, the younger son of King Charles, who travelled to Kyiv earlier this month with a team from his Invictus Games Foundation to highlight the charity's plans to support the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.
IAEA working to restore power to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Grossi says
03:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe International Atomic Energy Agency is engaging with both sides of the military conflict to restore offsite power to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as soon as possible, the UN atomic watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday in a statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had earlier said the situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station had become critical, with Russian shelling preventing restoration of power needed to cool the reactors and prevent a meltdown.
Princess Royal leaves bear at children's memorial in powerful Ukraine visit
02:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Princess Royal has made a surprise trip to Ukraine in a show of solidarity with children and families facing the horrors of the Russian invasion.
The King's sister travelled to the war-torn country on Tuesday, where she left a toy bear at a children's memorial in a poignant tribute to youngsters killed in the conflict.
Anne, travelling at the request of the Foreign Office, made the official visit to Kyiv to highlight the traumatic experiences of children living on the front line, Buckingham Palace said.
She also met with President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the UK's support for Ukraine and the country's ongoing resistance.
Anne's secret overseas mission, which was not publicised beforehand for security reasons, came just two days after a Russian aerial bombardment killed at least four people in Kyiv including a 12-year-old girl and injured at least 70 others.
Zelensky condemns Russia over 'emergency' at nuclear power plant
01:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneZelensky has condemned Russia’s decision to attack a nuclear power plant as a “threat to everyone”.
The Ukrainian president said “no terrorist in the world has ever dared to do to a nuclear plant what Russia is doing” in a post on X.
“It is now the seventh day – something that has never happened before – of an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
“Because of Russian shelling, the plant has been cut off from power, disconnected from the electrical grid, and is being supplied with electricity by diesel generators,” he wrote.
“This is extraordinary. The generators and the plant were not designed for this, have never operated in this mode for long, and we already have information that one generator has failed.
“It is Russian shelling that prevents repair of the power lines to the plant and the restoration of basic safety.
“This is a threat to everyone – no terrorist in the world has ever dared to do to a nuclear plant what Russia is doing. And it is right that the world does not stay silent.”
It is now the seventh day – something that has never happened before – of an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Because of Russian shelling, the plant has been cut off from power, disconnected from the electrical grid, and is being supplied with… pic.twitter.com/hUSusfgVjy
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 30, 2025
Ukraine loan from Russian frozen assets would fund EU defence industry, von der Leyen says
Wednesday 1 October 2025 00:30 , Maira ButtEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has revealed that a reparations loan to Ukraine, proposed by the EU Commission, will fund defence procurement within Europe.
It will be backed by frozen Russian assets, but Von der Leyen said the proposal did not involve seizing the assets. Ukraine would repay the loan if Russia paid reparations.
Trump tells military leaders he wants to get Putin and Zelensky together
Tuesday 30 September 2025 23:59 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDonald Trump touted what he described as his peacemaking abilities during a speech to military personnel on Tuesday, but said that conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine were still raging despite his administration's mediation.
In a speech before military commanders in Quantico, Virginia, Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President President Volodymyr Zelensky need to get together to settle Moscow's war in Ukraine.
It comes after the US president failed to persuade Putin to make progress on the conflict after the two met in Alaska for a high-stakes summit last month.
Ukrainian journalist held by Russia wins Vaclav Havel rights award
Tuesday 30 September 2025 23:31 , Maira ButtMaksym Butkevych, a Ukrainian journalist and human rights activist who was released last year after being captured by Russian forces, was handed the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize by the Council of Europe on Monday.
Butkevych, who confounded the independent Hromadske radio station and Zmina human rights centre in Kyiv, was detained by Russia in June 2022 and convicted for war crimes in March 2023.
Sentenced to a 13-year prison term on charges of wounding two civilians while serving as a soldier in the Ukrainian army, he was released last year in October during prison exchange.
Ukraine assassinates Russian lieutenant colonel far from frontlines, intelligence claims
Tuesday 30 September 2025 23:03 , Maira ButtUkraine has killed a senior Russian military official and two service members during an intelligence operation.
HUR, the state’s military intelligence agency said that the Russian National Guard senior officer, his aide and a driver were killed while travelling to a training ground on Saturday.
The agency released footage of the officer being monitored from afar, before an explosion hit his moving vehicle near the village of Tambukan in Russia’s Stavropol Krai, Tuesday.
A Russian National Guard senior officer and two other service members were killed in a Ukrainian intelligence operation in the North Caucasus on Sept. 27, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said.
US envoy says Russia-Ukraine war on scale 'not seen since World War II'
Tuesday 30 September 2025 22:32 , Maira ButtUS envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, told the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland that the war Russia-Ukraine war is on a scale and severity that “Europe has not seen since World War II”.
“The killing is industrial strength,” he said as he estimated approximately one million people across both sides could have died or been wounded since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
US has moved submarines near Russian coast to 'be careful', says Trump
Tuesday 30 September 2025 22:01 , Maira ButtAmerican submarines have been stationed near the Russian coast, according to the US President.
“I moved a submarine or two, over to the coast of Russia, just to be careful, because we can't let people throw around that word [nuclear],” he said.
He boasted that US submarines were 25 years ahead of Moscow’s.
EU moves to sidestep Hungary for Ukraine membership
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:35 , Maira ButtTechnical work has begun to advance Ukraine and Moldova’s accession to the EU despite Hungary’s attempts to block membership, according to the Financial Times.
Ukraine hopes to persuade Hungary to enable negotiations to continue as the final decision requires unanimity, according to Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for European integration.
“But meanwhile we have and we really appreciate that we have, an offer from EU institutions and other member states to go with technical work on clusters,” she told the publication.
Who’s arming the Ukraine-Russia war? Every nation involved as US considers sending Tomahawks
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:01 , Maira ButtAs Donald Trump is set to decide whether to send long-range missile to Ukraine, The Independent takes a look at which countries are the key military backers behind war in Europe.
Alex Croft and Bryony Gooch report:
Who’s arming the Ukraine-Russia war as US considers sending Kyiv Tomahawks
'So what?': Hungarian PM shrugs off alleged drone incursion into Ukraine
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:28 , Maira ButtHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has denied Ukraine’s sovereignty as he shrugged off accusations that his country engaged in drone incursions into Ukraine.
“Let’s suppose they flew a few meters in there [Ukraine], and so what?” said on the Fighter’s Hour podcast produced by the Fidesz party, which he leads.
“Ukraine is not an independent country. Ukraine is not a sovereign country … If we, that is the West, decide not to give it a single forint [Hungarian currency], tomorrow Ukraine could shut down.”
Hungary continues to block Ukraine’s attempts to join the European Union.
Ukrainian diver detained in Poland over Nord Stream explosions
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:01 , Maira ButtA Ukrainian citizen has been detained in Poland over his alleged involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream explosions.
Identified only as Volodymyr Z., the suspect was held after a German court issued a European arrest warrant, according to Polish radio station RMF FM.
His Polish lawyer confirmed Volodymyr, a diving instructor, was being detained on Tuesday. There was no immediate comment from Polish or German prosecutors.
Ukraine and Denmark begin joint exercises to counter drones, says Zelensky
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:30 , Maira Butt“Our group of specialists has begun deploying a mission in Denmark to share Ukraine’s experience in countering drones,” the Ukrainian president wrote on X/Twitter on Tuesday.
“Our guys arrived to take part in the joint exercises with partners, which could become the foundation for a new system to counter Russian and any other drones.”
It follows unexplained drone activity near Danish airports last week, with the Russian prime minister Mette Fredriksen refusing to rule out Russian involvement. Russia has denied it initiated drone incursions into European airspace.
Our group of specialists has begun deploying a mission in Denmark to share Ukraine’s experience in countering drones. Our guys arrived to take part in the joint exercises with partners, which could become the foundation for a new system to counter Russian and any other drones.…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 30, 2025
Donald Trump 'disappointed' in Putin
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:02 , Maira ButtAddressing America’s military in Virginia, he said about the war in Ukraine: “I think we'll get that done, but that's turned out to be the toughest one.”
He added: “I'm so disappointed in President Putin, I thought he would get this thing over with.
“He should have had that war done in a week, and I said to him.
“And I said to him, you know, you don't look good. You're four years fighting a war that should have taken a week. Are you a paper tiger?
Russia to expel Austrian diplomat in tit-for-tat move
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:34 , Maira ButtRussia is seeking to expel its Austrian diplomat in a retaliatory move after Austria expelled its Russian diplomat on suspicion of espionage.
Earlier this month, an OMV employee was fired after he was accused for spying for Russia and its diplomat, according to Profil.
The employee allegedly attracted attention through meetings with the diplomat suspected of being an agent of the Russian intelligence service (FSB).
Russia struggling to meet mobilisation target in occupied Crimea
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:01 , Maira ButtRussia is struggling to meet mobilisation targets in occupied Crimea, Ukraine’s Centre of National Resistance has shared with the Kyiv Independent.
Despite Putin’s push for an additional 135,000 soldiers to be recruited by the end of the year, this falls far below Russ’a targets in occupied Crimea.
Only 963 people of an expected 1,636 people have been mobilised, accounting for 59 per cent of the annual target.
War in Ukraine driving criminal gangs to target rural farm machinery for ‘lucrative rewards’
Tuesday 30 September 2025 17:32 , Maira ButtThe war in Ukraine is driving a wave of organised crime gang operations in rural parts of Britain, with stolen farm machinery being sent to eastern Europe for “lucrative rewards”, a police officer has warned.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago, police say a black market has opened up for equipment in the region, which has seen production plummet and sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Alex Ross reports:
War in Ukraine drives gangs to chase ‘lucrative rewards’ in English countryside
Putin to conscript record 135,000 soldiers
Tuesday 30 September 2025 17:00 , Maira ButtRussia is pushing for its biggest conscription drive since 2016.
President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree for plans to recruit 135,000 soldiers from Wednesday until the end of the year, according to the Russian government website.
It is the single largest draft for mandatory service since 2016, when 152,000 soldiers were enlisted.
Citizens of Russia aged between 18 to 30 who are not in the reserve will be drafted.
Rare daytime attack kills one in Ukraine
Tuesday 30 September 2025 16:58 , Athena StavrouRussia launched a rare daytime drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Tuesday.
One man was killed and 20 others were injured in the attack that also damaged medical, residential and office buildings, officials said.
Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor, said the attack targeted the centre of the industrial city at a time when people were at work and children were in schools
.On the Telegram app, he shared a video showing heavy smoke billowing above buildings and firefighters battling the blaze in the centre of Dnipro, which serves as an industrial and business hub for southeastern Ukraine.
Lysak said an office building was on fire, adding that several other buildings and dozens of cars were damaged.
President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a fresh appeal for stronger sanctions against Russia."With every such strike, Russians prove time and again that they must face strong pressure," Zelensky said in a post on X.
"Joint action is essential. Only through united and strong action can these terrorists be defeated. Russia must be held accountable for its actions."
Right now in Dnipro, rescuers and all emergency and utility services are responding after a Russian drone strike on the city, a brazen attack in broad daylight, targeting civilian infrastructure.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 30, 2025
So far, more than 10 people have been reported injured. All of them are receiving… pic.twitter.com/QVE01AA5RJ
In pictures: Family of four killed in overnight Russian drone attack in Sumy
Tuesday 30 September 2025 16:27 , Maira Butt
Britain might already be at war with Russia, ex-MI5 chief warns
Tuesday 30 September 2025 16:00 , Maira ButtBritain might already be at war with Russia, a former MI5 chief has warned, pointing to the rising number of cyber attacks as well as sabotage and covert operations on UK soil.
Eliza Manningham-Buller, who was head of the security service between 2002 and 2007, said Moscow could be waging a different kind of conflict against the West, echoing comments from foreign policy expert Fiona Hill.
Tara Cobham reports:
Britain might already be at war with Russia, ex-MI5 chief warns
US has moved submarines near Russian coast to 'be careful', says Trump
Tuesday 30 September 2025 15:15 , Maira ButtAmerican submarines have been stationed near the Russian coast, according to the US President.
“I moved a submarine or two, over to the coast of Russia, just to be careful, because we can't let people throw around that word [nuclear],” he said.
He boasted that US submarines were 25 years ahead of Moscow’s.
From Moldova to the UK: How Russia is using interference to try and disrupt elections
Tuesday 30 September 2025 15:08 , Maira ButtWestern leaders applauded as Moldova’s pro-EU party beat several pro-Kremlin opponents to victory in an election marred by allegations of Russian interference.
The ruling party secured more than 50 per cent of the vote, compared to less than 25 cent for the Russian alligned outfit. Moscow was charged with trying to sway the vote through widespread disinformation and vote-buying, something it denied.
But this isn’t the first time Putin’s government has been accused of interfering in other country’s democracy; Russia was accused of helping to bring US president Donald Trump into power back in 2016, has been linked to attempted coups in Montenegro, and even been connected to interference in the UK, such as the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko on British soil.
Bryony Gooch reports:
From Moldova to the UK: How Russia is using interference to try and disrupt elections
Zelensky and Putin need to get together, says Trump
Tuesday 30 September 2025 14:53 , Maira ButtPresident Trump has said that Ukrainian leader Zelensky and Russian President Putin must meet together in person in order to solve Russia’s war with Ukraine.
The American leader made the suggestion in before military commanders in Quantico, Virginia on Tuesday.
The battle has been raging for over three years, after Putin’s forces invaded the country in February 2022.
US envoy, Keith Kellogg, estimated that approximately one million people could have been killed or wounded across both sides since fighting began.
Family of British man killed in Ukraine says foreign office 'not helpful'
Tuesday 30 September 2025 14:35 , Maira ButtThe parents of a young British man killed in Ukraine has said that the foreign office was “not helpful” after his death.
Christopher and Michaela Tarmey told PA that their son Marlyn Tarmey was "so much more than a soldier or a statistic" and that he was "a much loved son, grandson, cousin, brother and friend with a big heart and a great wit".
They called for more help for the families of fallen soldiers.
Mr Tarmey died at the age of 20 in June 2024, three months after joining the fighting in Ukraine.
War in Ukraine driving criminal gangs to target rural farm machinery for ‘lucrative rewards’
Tuesday 30 September 2025 14:23 , Maira ButtThe war in Ukraine is driving a wave of organised crime gang operations in rural parts of Britain, with stolen farm machinery being sent to eastern Europe for “lucrative rewards”, a police officer has warned.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago, police say a black market has opened up for equipment in the region, which has seen production plummet and sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Alex Ross reports:
War in Ukraine drives gangs to chase ‘lucrative rewards’ in English countryside
