The UK is expelling a Russian diplomat and summoning ambassador Andrey Kelin in a tit-for-tat move after Moscow expelled a British diplomat on accusations of spying last month.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was taking “reciprocal action” for Russia’s “unjustified” decision in March to remove a British diplomat from the country.
A Government spokesperson said: “We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified decision last month to expel another British diplomat and the malicious public smear campaign that followed. This behaviour is wholly unacceptable, and we will not tolerate harassment or intimidation of our diplomatic staff.
“Any further action by Russia will be treated as an escalation and met with a firm and proportionate response.”
Meanwhile, Russia is once again scaling back its annual Victory Day parade in Red Square, saying no military equipment will be used amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The parade is a key event in Russia and is held in Moscow on 9 May every year, marking the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945.
It comes as Ukraine announced that its air defences shot down more than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March, a new monthly record in the four-year war.
Russia struggles to contain ‘massive’ fire at oil refinery after third Ukrainian strike in two weeks
Inside Ukraine’s battle to defeat the dreaded Shahed – Russia’s most feared weapon
Russia holds Victory Day parade without tanks and missiles for first time since Ukraine war
Kim Jong Un confirms self-destruct policy for North Korean fighters in Ukraine war
Key Points
- UK expels Russian diplomat and summons ambassador in political tit-for-tat
- Russia pares back annual military parade amid constraints of Ukraine war
- US ambassador to Ukraine to step down amid stalled talks to end war
- Putin accuses Ukraine of escalating strikes on civilian infrastructure
- King Charles says US ‘lies at the heart of Nato’ in historic Congress speech
- Ukraine says it shot down 33,000 Russian drones in March, a monthly record
Ukraine urges Israel to seize vessel suspected of carrying stolen grain
18:30 , Alex CroftUkraine has urged Israel to seize the Panoramitis vessel suspected of carrying grain from Russia-occupied regions, Ukraine's foreign minister said on Wednesday.
"We expect the Israeli side to take it seriously rather than responding with emotional statements,"
“The vessel is suspected of carrying a grain cargo that was illegally transported from a closed port in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine in violation of international law and Ukrainian legislation,” Andrii Sybiha said on X.
"We expect the Israeli side to take it seriously rather than responding with emotional statements.”
Why has the UK expelled a Russian diplomat?
17:29 , Alex CroftAs we earlier reported, the UK is expelling a Russian diplomat and summoning ambassador Andrey Kelin in a tit-for-tat move.
But what did Moscow do to prompt this action?
Last month, an unnamed British diplomat was expelled from Russia over spying allegations, the second to be removed this year for similar reasons.
Moscow’s security and counterintelligence agency uncovered an “undeclared intelligence presence” who was “carrying out intelligence and subversive activities that threaten the security of the Russian Federation,” Russian state media reported in March.
The FCDO called the claims “malicious” and “baseless” as it accused Moscow of an “aggressive and co-ordinated campaign of harassment”.
British charge d’affaires Danae Dholakia was summoned by Russia’s foreign ministry on March 30, with the diplomat ordered to leave within two weeks.
In January this year, President Vladimir Putin’s foreign ministry said it would not “tolerate the activities of undeclared British intelligence officers in Russia” after a different UK diplomat was expelled.
Inside Ukraine’s battle to defeat the dreaded Shahed – Russia’s most feared weapon
16:31 , Alex CroftIn a foggy field in northeast Ukraine, four soldiers stare at red and yellow dots on a screen in the back of a van, armed with interceptor drones and energy drinks to get through the night.
These pilots, and about a thousand other crews like them, are on the frontlines of Ukraine's drive to knock one of Russia's most potent weapons out of the war: the Shahed drone.
"Even if you use 50 drones to shoot down one Shahed, it's worth it," said Borys, the commander of the crew, who was a TV news producer before the war upended his life. "One Shahed can fly in and destroy something far more valuable."
Read more here:
Inside Ukraine’s battle to defeat the dreaded Shahed – Russia’s most feared weapon
UK expels Russian diplomat and summons ambassador in political tit-for-tat
15:23 , Alex CroftThe UK is expelling a Russian diplomat and summoning ambassador Andrey Kelin in a tit-for-tat move following similar action by Moscow last month.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was taking “reciprocal action” for Russia’s “unjustified” decision in March to remove a British diplomat from the country.
A Government spokesperson said: “We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified decision last month to expel another British diplomat and the malicious public smear campaign that followed. This behaviour is wholly unacceptable, and we will not tolerate harassment or intimidation of our diplomatic staff.
“We have therefore summoned the Russian ambassador to announce we are taking reciprocal action, revoking the accreditation of a Russian diplomat.
“Russia’s repeated unprovoked and unjustified actions are designed to disrupt our diplomatic work and form part of a wider campaign of aggressive behaviour towards the UK.
“Any further action by Russia will be treated as an escalation and met with a firm and proportionate response.”
Russia struggles to contain ‘massive’ fire at oil refinery after third Ukrainian strike in two weeks
14:48 , Alex CroftA Ukrainian drone strike sparked a “massive” fire at a Russian oil refinery in Tuapse on Tuesday, as Kyiv stepped up its efforts to target a critical generator of funding for Vladimir Putin’s war chest.
It was the third attack on the Black Sea port facility in less than two weeks as the Ukrainian military sought to disrupt the Russian oil and gas industry, which accounts for a big slice of Moscow’s federal budget.
After the Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for the latest strike, Russia’s president Vladimir Putin said in remarks that were broadcast on Russian television that "drone attacks against civilian infrastructure are becoming more frequent”.
“The latest example is the strike against energy facilities in Tuapse,” he added, “which could potentially cause serious environmental consequences.”
The president dispatched Aleksandr Kurenkov to Tuapse where the emergency situations minister said the situation was "complicated but controllable”.
Watch: Zelensky warns of 'distracted' US as acting ambassador Davis prepares to exit
14:48 , Alex CroftZelensky warns Israel of sanctions for importing grain ‘stolen’ by Russia
14:49 , Alex CroftUkraine has accused Israel of allowing the import of grain it says Russia stole from occupied territories, prompting a sharp exchange between officials in Kyiv and Jerusalem.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a vessel carrying grain had arrived at an Israeli port and was preparing to unload, calling the trade illegal and warning of sanctions against those involved.
Israel claimed that the vessel had not entered the port and had not yet submitted its documents. The MarineTraffic.com marine tracking website showed the ship had been in Haifa for several days.
“In any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability,” Zelensky wrote on X, adding that Ukraine’s intelligence services were preparing sanctions targeting companies and individuals profiting from the shipments.
“We will also coordinate with European partners to ensure that the relevant individuals are included in European sanctions regimes,” he said.
Mapped: Ukraine targets Russia's Black Sea oil refinery
11:30 , Arpan RaiA Ukrainian drone attack caused a major fire at a Russian oil refinery in the city of Tuapse yesterday, officials said, in what president Vladimir Putin described as evidence of increased Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets.
The fire was only contained this morning, after raging for more than 24 hours.
It was the third attack on the Black Sea port in less than two weeks. Ukraine's military confirmed it had carried out the strike, the latest in a series designed to disrupt Russia's oil industry and slash revenue that helps Moscow fund the war in Ukraine.
Zelensky warns Israel of sanctions for importing grain ‘stolen’ by Russia
11:00 , Arpan RaiUkraine has accused Israel of allowing the import of grain it says Russia stole from occupied territories, prompting a sharp exchange between officials in Kyiv and Jerusalem.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a vessel carrying grain had arrived at an Israeli port and was preparing to unload, calling the trade illegal and warning of sanctions against those involved.
Israel claimed that the vessel had not entered the port and had not yet submitted its documents. The MarineTraffic.com marine tracking website showed the ship had been in Haifa for several days.
“In any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability,” Zelensky wrote on X, adding that Ukraine’s intelligence services were preparing sanctions targeting companies and individuals profiting from the shipments.
“We will also coordinate with European partners to ensure that the relevant individuals are included in European sanctions regimes,” he said.
Putin's 'shadow fleet' undeterred by Starmer's threat as nearly 100 ships cross UK waters
10:40 , Arpan RaiSir Keir Starmer's announcement last month that the Navy could board ships belonging to Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet" has had no clear impact on the number passing through British waters, according to a new Reuters analysis.
In the month after Sir Keir's threat on 25 March, at least 98 Russian vessels subject to UK sanctions transited its waters, about the same as each of the last three months.
The UK has a total of 544 vessels linked to Russia’s "shadow fleet" on its sanctions list.
There has been no announcement of any boarding or detention of the ships, which typically have an opaque ownership structure and can transport oil, grains and arms, often in support of Russia's war in Ukraine.
LSEG tracking data shows that 63 ships passed within 12 nautical miles of the coastline in the English Channel, the most direct route between the Baltic Sea and southern Europe.
Another 35 travelled through Britain's Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast, mainly around north Scotland.
Elderly woman rescued by Ukrainian ground robot in Donetsk
10:20 , Arpan RaiUkrainian forces have evacuated a 77-year-old woman in the embattled Donetsk region using a ground drone, its military said.
“From battlefield tool to rescue mission. @ab3army defenders used a ground robot to pull a 77-year-old woman out of a frontline danger zone. War tech saving lives,” the defence ministry of Ukraine said, sharing a video of the evacuation operation on X.
The woman was seen walking along a road hit by drones and artillery shells in the Lyman area when the drone operators from the 60th Brigade’s unmanned ground systems unit spotted her.
Without scaring her, the drone operators placed a blanket on the platform and left a message reading, “Grandma, get on!”.
The ground robot is seen moving under incoming shells to extract the elderly woman from the frontline area.
From battlefield tool to rescue mission. @ab3army defenders used a ground robot to pull a 77-year-old woman out of a frontline danger zone. War tech saving lives.
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 27, 2026
📹: @United24media pic.twitter.com/eOQyQqtmnP
Europe needs Ukraine and its military experience more, not other way round – Stubb
10:00 , Arpan RaiFinnish president Alexander Stubb has said with Russia posing a threat to all of Europe, the continent may need Ukraine more than Ukraine needs Europe, lauding its war-tested military.
“Instead of us thinking that Ukraine needs Europe, perhaps we should think that we in Europe need Ukraine more," Stubb said at a joint press conference yesterday in Helsinki.
“It is the largest, most efficient and most modern military in Europe,” he said.
Stubb and his Estonian counterpart Alar Karis expressed support for Ukraine's desire to join both the European Union and Nato, at a time other members have said the war-hit nation may get a “symbolic membership”.
"We need to seriously start to think [about] how much Europe actually needs Ukraine, whether it's EU membership or, as a matter of fact, Nato membership," Stubb said.
King Charles says US ‘lies at the heart of Nato’ in historic Congress speech
09:30 , Arpan RaiKing Charles has told Congress the United States lies at “the heart” of Nato in an apparent rebuke to president Donald Trump’s threats to leave the alliance.
In a historic address, he said Britain had committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, addressing the president’s claims the US has propped up Europe in military power.
“From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice caps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of Nato, pledged to each other’s defence, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries,” he said.
“Our defence, intelligence and security ties are hardwired together through relationships measured not in years, but in decades.”
King praises 9/11 response in support for Nato and Ukraine after Trump’s criticism
Mapped: Ukraine targets Russia's Black Sea oil refinery
09:24 , Arpan RaiA Ukrainian drone attack caused a major fire at a Russian oil refinery in the city of Tuapse yesterday, officials said, in what president Vladimir Putin described as evidence of increased Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets.
The fire was only contained this morning, after raging for more than 24 hours.
It was the third attack on the Black Sea port in less than two weeks. Ukraine's military confirmed it had carried out the strike, the latest in a series designed to disrupt Russia's oil industry and slash revenue that helps Moscow fund the war in Ukraine.
Zelensky warns Israel of sanctions for importing grain ‘stolen’ by Russia
09:05 , Arpan RaiUkraine has accused Israel of allowing the import of grain it says Russia stole from occupied territories, prompting a sharp exchange between officials in Kyiv and Jerusalem.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a vessel carrying grain had arrived at an Israeli port and was preparing to unload, calling the trade illegal and warning of sanctions against those involved.
Israel claimed that the vessel had not entered the port and had not yet submitted its documents. The MarineTraffic.com marine tracking website showed the ship had been in Haifa for several days.
“In any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability,” Zelensky wrote on X, adding that Ukraine’s intelligence services were preparing sanctions targeting companies and individuals profiting from the shipments.
“We will also coordinate with European partners to ensure that the relevant individuals are included in European sanctions regimes,” he said.
Russia's equipment shortage in spotlight amid rising Ukrainian attacks
08:45 , Arpan RaiUkraine's commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has said Russia is running low on air-defence missiles to counter drone strikes.
"I noted that systematic strikes on Russian production facilities further degrade the enemy's air defense capabilities, which are already experiencing a shortage of missiles to counter Ukrainian unmanned systems and strike assets," Syrskyi said during a meeting with Canada’s defence chief in Kyiv on Sunday.
This morning, reports from Russia confirmed that there would be no military equipment on display for their Victory Day parade next month.
Experts monitoring the war have said increasing Ukrainian attacks are impacting Moscow’s war-depleted defences.
Ukraine has been steadily increasing the tempo of its strikes across Russia, and "will likely continue to exploit the large attack surface area of Russia's deep rear and overstretched Russian air defences”, said the Institute for the Study of War on Sunday.
EU mulls stricter conditions on its 90bn loan to Ukraine – report
08:41 , Arpan RaiThe European Union is considering imposing stricter conditions on its €90bn loan to Ukraine, including making some payouts dependent on the introduction of an unpopular tax change for businesses, Bloomberg News reported today, citing people familiar with the matter.
The plan would affect €8.4bn in so-called macro-financial assistance expected to be granted this year under the program, the report said.
Putin's 'shadow fleet' undeterred by Starmer's threat as nearly 100 ships cross UK waters
08:09 , Arpan RaiSir Keir Starmer's announcement last month that the Navy could board ships belonging to Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet" has had no clear impact on the number passing through British waters, according to a new Reuters analysis.
In the month after Sir Keir's threat on 25 March, at least 98 Russian vessels subject to UK sanctions transited its waters, about the same as each of the last three months.
The UK has a total of 544 vessels linked to Russia’s "shadow fleet" on its sanctions list.
There has been no announcement of any boarding or detention of the ships, which typically have an opaque ownership structure and can transport oil, grains and arms, often in support of Russia's war in Ukraine.
LSEG tracking data shows that 63 ships passed within 12 nautical miles of the coastline in the English Channel, the most direct route between the Baltic Sea and southern Europe.
Another 35 travelled through Britain's Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast, mainly around north Scotland.
Russia struggles to contain ‘massive’ fire at oil refinery after third Ukrainian strike in two weeks
08:01 , Arpan RaiA Ukrainian drone strike sparked a “massive” fire at a Russian oil refinery in Tuapse on Tuesday, as Kyiv stepped up its efforts to target a critical generator of funding for Vladimir Putin’s war chest.
It was the third attack on the Black Sea port facility in less than two weeks as the Ukrainian military sought to disrupt the Russian oil and gas industry, which accounts for a big slice of Moscow’s federal budget.
After the Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for the latest strike, Russia’s president Vladimir Putin said in remarks that were broadcast on Russian television that "drone attacks against civilian infrastructure are becoming more frequent”.
“The latest example is the strike against energy facilities in Tuapse,” he added, “which could potentially cause serious environmental consequences.”
The president dispatched Aleksandr Kurenkov to Tuapse where the emergency situations minister said the situation was "complicated but controllable”.
Russia struggles to contain ‘massive’ fire at oil refinery after Ukrainian strike
Russia pares back annual military parade amid constraints of Ukraine war
07:40 , Arpan RaiA Ukrainian drone attack caused a major fire at a Russian oil refinery in the city of Tuapse yesterday, officials said, in what president Vladimir Putin described as evidence of increased Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets.
It was the third attack on the Black Sea port in less than two weeks.
Ukraine's military confirmed it had carried out the strike, the latest in a series designed to disrupt Russia's oil industry and slash revenue that helps Moscow fund the war in Ukraine.
Putin, in comments broadcast on Russian television, said: "Drone strikes against civilian infrastructure are becoming more frequent.
“The latest example is the strikes against energy facilities in Tuapse, which could potentially cause serious environmental consequences," he said.
Putin said regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev had reported there were no major threats.
"It seems there are no serious dangers, and people are managing to deal with the challenges they face on the ground," he added.
Ukraine says it shot down 33,000 Russian drones in March, a monthly record
07:25 , Arpan RaiUkraine used interceptor systems to shoot down more than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March, a record monthly figure since Moscow launched its all-out invasion more than four years ago, Ukraine's defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov claimed.
Ukraine's offensive capabilities have also improved, with the country's forces have more than doubled the range of their deep-strike capabilities since Russia's February 2022 invasion.
At that time, Ukrainian forces were able to hit military targets about 630km (400 miles) away, it said. They are now striking targets as far as roughly 1,750km (1,100 miles) behind enemy lines, the ministry said in a statement.
That improvement has allowed Ukraine to hit Russian oil installations that provide crucial revenue for Moscow's war effort. It has also targeted manufacturing plants that supply Russia's armed forces.
Ukraine accuses Russia of turning to cannibalism as war hunger sets in
07:05 , Arpan RaiUkraine has accused Russia of cannibalising soldiers on the battlefield as basic supplies dwindle.
A Ukrainian intelligence source told The Sunday Times they had evidence of at least five instances of Russian soldiers eating their comrades, according to their fellow soldiers.
Ukrainian military intelligence provided the newspaper with photos and purported intercepts of audio transmissions between senior Russian officers that they say evidence their claims.
In one case, an infantryman was ostensibly caught after killing two soldiers and attempting to eat the leg of one of his victims while stationed near Myrnohrad, in the Donetsk region, in November 2025.
The incidents, if true, were said to be “seemingly isolated and limited in number”, occurring in the winter where supply chains were stretched.
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in London said it saw “no reason to comment” on the allegations, calling the claims “fabrications”.
Watch: Zelensky warns of 'distracted' US as acting ambassador Davis prepares to exit
06:45 , Arpan RaiUkraine’s land robots are revolutionising the shapeshifting war with Russia
06:25 , Arpan RaiFirst came the infantry, next the missiles, then the drones.
Now, after more than four years of a bloody and grinding war in Ukraine, remote-controlled ground robots are assuming command over the battlefield.
Last Wednesday, Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade had regained territory exclusively using a combination of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and drones – a mission he says was a first in the war.
“The occupiers surrendered, and the operation was carried out without infantry and without losses on our side,” he went on, referring to an operation from the northeastern Kharkiv region last year, in which Ukrainian infantry occupied a position gained using the UGVs.
Ukrainian robots are revolutionising the shapeshifting war with Russia
Ukraine says it shot down record 33,000 Russian drones last month
06:09 , Arpan RaiUkraine’s defence minister says the country’s forces shot down a record 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March, marking the highest monthly figure since Moscow’s full-scale invasion began over four years ago.
It comes as Ukraine’s domestically developed long-range attack drones struck a Russian oil refinery and terminal on the Black Sea for the third time in less than two weeks, prompting local evacuations as a precautionary measure.
Kyiv has developed advanced, battle-tested drone technology, which has proven crucial in resisting Russia’s larger military and has attracted international military interest. Ukrainian officials report that interceptor drones, as part of a comprehensive air defence system, are now being sought by Middle Eastern and Gulf countries for protection amid the war in Iran.
Ukraine says it shot down record 33,000 Russian drones last month
Elderly woman rescued by Ukrainian ground robot in Donetsk
05:39 , Arpan RaiUkrainian forces have evacuated a 77-year-old woman in the embattled Donetsk region using a ground drone, its military said.
“From battlefield tool to rescue mission. @ab3army defenders used a ground robot to pull a 77-year-old woman out of a frontline danger zone. War tech saving lives,” the defence ministry of Ukraine said, sharing a video of the evacuation operation on X.
The woman was seen walking along a road hit by drones and artillery shells in the Lyman area when the drone operators from the 60th Brigade’s unmanned ground systems unit spotted her.
Without scaring her, the drone operators placed a blanket on the platform and left a message reading, “Grandma, get on!”.
The ground robot is seen moving under incoming shells to extract the elderly woman from the frontline area.
From battlefield tool to rescue mission. @ab3army defenders used a ground robot to pull a 77-year-old woman out of a frontline danger zone. War tech saving lives.
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 27, 2026
📹: @United24media pic.twitter.com/eOQyQqtmnP
Zelensky warns Israel of sanctions for importing grain ‘stolen’ by Russia
05:30 , Arpan RaiUkraine has accused Israel of allowing the import of grain it says Russia stole from occupied territories, prompting a sharp exchange between officials in Kyiv and Jerusalem.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a vessel carrying grain had arrived at an Israeli port and was preparing to unload, calling the trade illegal and warning of sanctions against those involved.
Israel claimed that the vessel had not entered the port and had not yet submitted its documents. The MarineTraffic.com marine tracking website showed the ship had been in Haifa for several days.
“In any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability,” Zelensky wrote on X, adding that Ukraine’s intelligence services were preparing sanctions targeting companies and individuals profiting from the shipments.
“We will also coordinate with European partners to ensure that the relevant individuals are included in European sanctions regimes,” he said.
King Charles says US ‘lies at the heart of Nato’ in historic Congress speech
05:00 , Arpan RaiKing Charles has told Congress the United States lies at “the heart” of Nato in an apparent rebuke to president Donald Trump’s threats to leave the alliance.
In a historic address, he said Britain had committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, addressing the president’s claims the US has propped up Europe in military power.
“From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice caps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of Nato, pledged to each other’s defence, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries,” he said.
“Our defence, intelligence and security ties are hardwired together through relationships measured not in years, but in decades.”
King says US ‘lies at the heart of Nato’ in rebuke to Trump’s threats to leave
Europe needs Ukraine and its military experience more, not other way round – Stubb
04:48 , Arpan RaiFinnish president Alexander Stubb has said with Russia posing a threat to all of Europe, the continent may need Ukraine more than Ukraine needs Europe, lauding its war-tested military.
“Instead of us thinking that Ukraine needs Europe, perhaps we should think that we in Europe need Ukraine more," Stubb said at a joint press conference yesterday in Helsinki.
“It is the largest, most efficient and most modern military in Europe,” he said.
Stubb and his Estonian counterpart Alar Karis expressed support for Ukraine's desire to join both the European Union and Nato, at a time other members have said the war-hit nation may get a “symbolic membership”.
"We need to seriously start to think [about] how much Europe actually needs Ukraine, whether it's EU membership or, as a matter of fact, Nato membership," Stubb said.
Putin accuses Ukraine of escalating strikes on civilian infrastructure
04:39 , Arpan RaiA Ukrainian drone attack caused a major fire at a Russian oil refinery in the city of Tuapse yesterday, officials said, in what president Vladimir Putin described as evidence of increased Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets.
It was the third attack on the Black Sea port in less than two weeks.
Ukraine's military confirmed it had carried out the strike, the latest in a series designed to disrupt Russia's oil industry and slash revenue that helps Moscow fund the war in Ukraine.
Putin, in comments broadcast on Russian television, said: "Drone strikes against civilian infrastructure are becoming more frequent.
“The latest example is the strikes against energy facilities in Tuapse, which could potentially cause serious environmental consequences," he said.
Putin said regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev had reported there were no major threats.
"It seems there are no serious dangers, and people are managing to deal with the challenges they face on the ground," he added.
Russia pares back annual military parade amid constraints of Ukraine war
04:17 , Arpan RaiRussia will mark victory over Nazi Germany next month with a military parade on Moscow's Red Square, but with no military equipment displayed in view of the operational situation in the war in Ukraine, the defence ministry said late yesterday.
The parade, traditionally held on 9 May, the day the Soviet Union signed Germany's surrender, will this year mark the 81st anniversary of victory in what Russians call the Great Patriotic War.
No military hardware will pass through the square, the ministry said.
"Military personnel from the higher military educational institutions of all types and individual branches of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will take part in the parade as part of the marching column," the statement said.
The statement said representatives of certain educational institutions would not participate "and nor will a column of military equipment take part in the military parade in connection with the current operational situation".
Ukraine says it shot down 33,000 Russian drones in March, a monthly record
04:07 , Arpan RaiUkraine used interceptor systems to shoot down more than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March, a record monthly figure since Moscow launched its all-out invasion more than four years ago, Ukraine's defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov claimed.
Ukraine's offensive capabilities have also improved, with the country's forces have more than doubled the range of their deep-strike capabilities since Russia's February 2022 invasion.
At that time, Ukrainian forces were able to hit military targets about 630km (400 miles) away, it said. They are now striking targets as far as roughly 1,750km (1,100 miles) behind enemy lines, the ministry said in a statement.
That improvement has allowed Ukraine to hit Russian oil installations that provide crucial revenue for Moscow's war effort. It has also targeted manufacturing plants that supply Russia's armed forces.
Watch: Zelensky blames Iran was for stalled weapon supply
03:00 , Daniel KeaneUkraine says it shot down record 33,000 Russian drones in March,
02:00 , Daniel KeaneUkraine used interceptor systems to shoot down more than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March.
It is a record monthly figure since Moscow launched its all-out invasion more than four years ago, Ukraine's defence minister claimed.
Ukraine is scaling up supplies of interceptor drones to thwart Russian aerial attacks, and its military has introduced a new command within the air force to boost the country's capabilities, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in a post on Telegram late Monday.
Ukraine hits Russia's Tuapse oil refinery again
01:00 , Daniel KeaneA Ukrainian drone attack caused a major fire at a Russian oil refinery in the city of Tuapse on Tuesday, officials said.
The attack is the third on the Black Sea port in less than two weeks.
Ukraine's military confirmed it had carried out the attack, the latest in an intensified series of strikes designed to disrupt Russia's oil industry and slash revenues that help Moscow to fund the war in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin ordered Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov to travel to Tuapse to oversee firefighting efforts and deal with the aftermath of the incident.
US ambassador to Ukraine to step down amid stalled talks to end war
Wednesday 29 April 2026 00:01 , Daniel KeaneThe acting US ambassador to Kyiv, Julie Davis, will step down from her post and retire, a U.S. official and the State Department said.
It comes amid a lull in US-brokered talks to achieve a ceasefire and end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Financial Times first reported Davis' departure and said it was because of differences of opinion with President Donald Trump's policies and that Davis had grown frustrated with her role over his dwindling support for Ukraine.
The State Department pushed back on that characterisation, saying it was "false" to say she was leaving over differences with Trump.
"Ambassador Davis has been a steadfast proponent of the Trump Administration's efforts to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine," Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.
Ukraine says it shot down record number of Russian drones last month
Tuesday 28 April 2026 23:00 , James ReynoldsUkraine’s defence minister says the country’s forces shot down a record 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March, marking the highest monthly figure since Moscow’s full-scale invasion began over four years ago.
It comes as Ukraine’s domestically developed long-range attack drones struck a Russian oil refinery and terminal on the Black Sea for the third time in less than two weeks, prompting local evacuations as a precautionary measure.
Ukraine says it shot down record number of Russian drones last month
Smoke rises over Russia's Krasnodar following Ukrainian drone strike on oil refinery
Tuesday 28 April 2026 22:00 , James Reynolds
Watch: Zelensky blames Iran was for stalled weapon supply as Russia continues to attack Ukraine
Tuesday 28 April 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsBelarus frees journalist Andrzej Poczobut in prisoner swap
Tuesday 28 April 2026 20:00 , James ReynoldsProminent journalist Andrzej Poczobut has been released from jail in Belarus in a swap with Poland that also saw a total of 10 prisoners released as the authoritarian leader of Belarus seeks improved relations with the West, officials in both countries said Tuesday.
Poczobut, a correspondent for the influential Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza and a leading figure among Belarus’ Polish minority, was serving eight years in prison in a case condemned as politically motivated.
His arrest in 2021 drew widespread criticism from Europe and he was later awarded the European Union’s most prestigious human rights award, the Sakharov Prize.
Germany to 'borrow close to 200 billion euros' in defence-heavy budget
Tuesday 28 April 2026 19:00 , James ReynoldsThe German government is working on a draft budget for 2027 which includes total borrowing of 196.5 billion euros ($229.73 billion) as it aims to bolster infrastructure and defence, sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
This compares with 50.5 billion euros in 2024 under the previous government, before Europe's biggest economy threw off decades of fiscal conservatism last year in a bid to revive growth, modernise crumbling infrastructure and scale up military spending.
The budget also features a strong commitment to defence spending, which is set to climb to 105.8 billion euros in 2027 from 82.7 billion euros in 2026 in the core budget, the sources said.
Including the special fund for defence and funds for Ukraine, total defence spending is planned to reach 144.9 billion euros in 2027.
A further increase to 179.9 billion euros in the core budget is planned by 2030, the sources said.
Recap: Zelensky hits out at Israel for buying ‘stolen grain’ in growing rift
Tuesday 28 April 2026 18:00 , James ReynoldsVolodymyr Zelensky has hit out at Israel amid a burgeoning row over the purchase of grain “stolen” by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories.
The Ukrainian president said on Tuesday that Israel’s decision to buy from Russia “cannot be legitimate business” and that Kyiv was preparing sanctions against those attempting to profit from it.
A Ukrainian diplomatic source, speaking earlier on condition of anonymity, said that if Israel did not reject the latest cargo, Kyiv would “reserve the right to deploy a full suite of diplomatic and international legal responses”.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said on Monday it had summoned Israel’s ambassador for not acting to stop Russian shipments of grain from entering the country. Kyiv confronted Israel earlier this month over another Russian ship allowed to dock in Israel with ‘stolen’ grain.
Israel’s foreign minister said that Ukraine had provided no evidence to support the claims that the grain was stolen, accusing him of conducting diplomacy through the media.
Kyiv considers all grain produced in the four regions Russia claimed as its own since invading Ukraine in 2022, and Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, to have been stolen by Moscow.
Ukraine accuses Russia of turning to cannibalism as war hunger sets in
Tuesday 28 April 2026 17:00 , James ReynoldsUkraine has accused Russia of cannibalising soldiers on the battlefield as basic supplies dwindle.
A Ukrainian intelligence source told The Sunday Times they had evidence of at least five instances of Russian soldiers eating their comrades, according to their fellow soldiers.
Ukrainian military intelligence provided the newspaper with photos and purported intercepts of audio transmissions between senior Russian officers that they say evidence their claims.
In one case, an infantryman was ostensibly caught after killing two soldiers and attempting to eat the leg of one of his victims while stationed near Myrnohrad, in the Donetsk region, in November 2025.
The incidents, if true, were said to be “seemingly isolated and limited in number”, occurring in the winter where supply chains were stretched.
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in London said it saw “no reason to comment” on the allegations, calling the claims “fabrications”.
Kim Jong Un confirms self-destruct policy for North Korean fighters in Ukraine war
Tuesday 28 April 2026 16:31 , James ReynoldsKim Jong Un has confirmed for the first time that North Korean soldiers follow a policy of killing themselves on the battlefield to avoid capture while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Speaking at the inauguration of a memorial museum dedicated to North Korean soldiers killed in the conflict, the North Korean dictator praised what he described as the “extraordinary heroism” of troops who “unhesitatingly opted for self-blasting, suicide attack”, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
Read the full story:
Kim Jong Un confirms self-destruct policy for North Korean fighters in Ukraine war
Recap: Germany suggests Ukraine must lose territory for Russian peace deal
Tuesday 28 April 2026 16:00 , James ReynoldsUkraine might have to lose territory in order to achieve a peace deal with Russia and – eventually – membership of the EU, German chancellor Friedrich Merz has suggested.
“Hopefully, there will eventually be a peace treaty with Russia. Then, possibly, part of Ukraine’s territory will no longer be Ukrainian,” he said, speaking during a discussion with students in Germany’s Marsberg.
He said Zelensky would need to convince Ukrainians to back such a step at a referendum, telling them: “But I have opened the way to Europe for you.”
Earlier, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said Israel's ambassador had been summoned over what he described as Israeli inaction in allowing shipments of grain to enter the country from Russian-occupied Ukraine.
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar told Sybiha that Ukraine had provided no evidence to support allegations that the grain was "stolen" and accused him of conducting diplomacy through the media.
Ukraine claims record number of drones shot down in March
Tuesday 28 April 2026 15:30 , James ReynoldsUkraine used interceptor systems to shoot down more than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March, a record monthly figure the 2022 invasion, Ukraine’s defense minister claimed.
Ukraine has developed cutting-edge and battle-tested drone technology that has proved essential in holding back Russia’s bigger army and has drawn military interest from around the world.
Here’s how it happened:
Ukraine says it shot down 33,000 Russian drones in March, a monthly record
Watch: Zelensky blames Iran was for stalled weapon supply as Russia continues to attack Ukraine
Tuesday 28 April 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsUkrainian teens are being recruited by Russians online to betray their country
Tuesday 28 April 2026 14:00 , James ReynoldsSince Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, more than 1,100 Ukrainians have been accused of committing arson, terrorism or sabotage in betrayal of their country, according to Ukraine’s security service, the SBU. One in five have been minors.
Since the war’s start, roughly half of the minors accused of betraying their country have been convicted, while half have been acquitted, freed on bail or sentenced to community service, according to Ukraine’s justice ministry.
The minors are usually recruited online by strangers using aliases, mostly assumed by Ukrainian investigators to be working for Russia’s special services.
Read how Ukrainian teens are being recruited by Russians online to betray their country:
Ukrainian teens are being recruited by Russians online to betray their country
European drones to Ukraine could have 'unpredictable consequences', warns Russia
Tuesday 28 April 2026 13:30 , James ReynoldsRussia's defence minister Andrei Belousov said on Tuesday that Europe's supply of drones to Kyiv for strikes on Russian territory could lead to “unpredictable consequences”.
Earlier in April the defence ministry said it believed governments in a number of EU countries had decided to increase the production and supply of drones to Ukraine, a move Moscow views as a step that is escalating the conflict.
Row with Israel over 'stolen Ukrainian grain' grows
Tuesday 28 April 2026 13:10 , James ReynoldsUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Israel's purchase of grain from occupied Ukrainian territory "stolen" by Russia "cannot be legitimate business" and that Kyiv was readying sanctions against those attempting to profit from it.
"Another vessel carrying such grain has arrived at a port in Israel and is preparing to unload," Zelensky said on X. "This is not – and cannot be – legitimate business."
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said on Monday it had summoned Israel’s ambassador for not acting to stop Russian shipments of grain from entering the country.
Ukraine’s foreign minister said it was "difficult to understand Israel’s lack of appropriate response to Ukraine’s legitimate request regarding the previous vessel that delivered stolen goods to Haifa".
"Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations," he wrote.
Earlier this month, Kyiv urged Israel to detain a Russian ship containing grain taken by Russia from occupied territories.
Ukraine accuses Russia of turning to cannibalism as war hunger sets in
Tuesday 28 April 2026 13:00 , James ReynoldsUkraine has accused Russia of cannibalising soldiers on the battlefield as basic supplies dwindle.
A Ukrainian intelligence source told The Sunday Times they had evidence of at least five instances of Russian soldiers eating their comrades, according to their fellow soldiers.
Ukrainian military intelligence provided the newspaper with photos and purported intercepts of audio transmissions between senior Russian officers that they say evidence their claims.
In one case, an infantryman was ostensibly caught after killing two soldiers and attempting to eat the leg of one of his victims while stationed near Myrnohrad, in the Donetsk region, in November 2025.
The incidents, if true, were said to be “seemingly isolated and limited in number”, occurring in the winter where supply chains were stretched.
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in London said it saw “no reason to comment” on the allegations, calling the claims “fabrications”.
Kim Jong Un confirms self-destruct policy for North Korean fighters in Ukraine war
Tuesday 28 April 2026 11:06 , Joe MiddletonKim Jong Un has confirmed for the first time that North Korean soldiers follow a policy of killing themselves on the battlefield to avoid capture while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Speaking at the inauguration of a memorial museum dedicated to North Korean soldiers killed in the conflict, the North Korean dictator praised what he described as the “extraordinary heroism” of troops who “unhesitatingly opted for self-blasting, suicide attack”, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
North Korea remains the only third party to deploy troops directly to the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as part of a deal that cemented the axis between Vladimir Putin’s invading forces and the east Asian hermit kingdom.
Kim Jong Un confirms self-destruct policy for North Korean fighters in Ukraine war
Three killed in Ukrainian drone attacks in Russia's Belgorod
Tuesday 28 April 2026 10:30 , Arpan RaiUkrainian drone attacks on civilian cars killed three people and wounded three others in different districts of Russia's Belgorod region, governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.
Evacuation under way in Russia's Tuapse refinery after drone attack
Tuesday 28 April 2026 10:00 , Arpan RaiAn evacuation was under way after a Ukrainian drone attack sparked a major fire at Russia's Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea, regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev said this morning.
Just hours earlier, authorities said Ukrainian drones attacked Russia's Tuapse oil refinery, which has an annual production capacity of about 12 million metric tons, or 240,000 barrels per day, turning out naphtha, diesel, fuel oil and vacuum gasoil.
It was the latest of repeated drone attacks in the past few weeks on the Rosneft-owned refinery and the port of Tuapse that led to an oil spill at sea and a blaze that took several days to put out.
The refinery, which delivers oil products mainly for exports, had stopped operations from 16 April after a drone attack, industry sources have said.
Ukraine has ramped up its strikes on Russia since March as the US-brokered peace talks have been paused with Washington mainly focusing on the war in Iran.
Ukraine to take measures against Israel if grain ship docks, source says
Tuesday 28 April 2026 09:30 , Arpan RaiIsrael risks a diplomatic and legal response from Kyiv if it allows a vessel carrying grain from Russian-occupied Ukraine to dock at the port of Haifa, a Ukrainian diplomatic source told Reuters on Monday.
Haaretz reported earlier that the vessel Panormitis, which is reported to be carrying grain from occupied Ukrainian territory that Kyiv regards as stolen, was waiting for permission to dock at the Israeli port.
“If this ship and its cargo isn't rejected, we reserve the right to deploy a full suite of diplomatic and international legal responses,” the Ukrainian source said on condition of anonymity.
Israel's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request by Reuters for comment.
On Sunday Haaretz reported that four shipments of grain from occupied Ukraine had already been unloaded in Israel this year.
Germany's Merz cautions against Ukraine's rapid accession to EU
Tuesday 28 April 2026 09:15 , Arpan RaiGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz cautioned against raising hopes for rapid accession, however, saying Ukraine cannot join the bloc while at war and must first meet strict criteria including those regarding the rule of law and on fighting corruption.
"[Volodymyr] Zelensky had the idea of joining the EU on January 1, 2027. That will not work. Even January 1, 2028 is not realistic," Merz said.
He proposed intermediate steps such as observer roles for Ukraine in EU institutions, which he said met broad approval among European leaders at their summit last week in Cyprus, which Zelensky attended.
The European Union last week approved a €90bn loan to Ukraine, covering most of its needs through 2027, but the bloc remains divided over the pace of accession talks.
Germany says Kyiv could cede territory to achieve peace
Tuesday 28 April 2026 09:00 , Arpan RaiGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Ukraine might have to lose territory in order to reach a peace deal with Russia, which could in turn bring it closer to EU membership.
“Hopefully, there will eventually be a peace treaty with Russia. Then, possibly, part of Ukraine’s territory will no longer be Ukrainian,” he said, speaking during a discussion with students in Germany’s Marsberg.
He added that Zelensky would need a referendum for such a step, something the Ukrainian leader has previously noted himself.
To pass such a vote, Zelensky will have to tell the Ukrainians: “But I have opened the way to Europe for you,” Merz said.
Merz said that the European Union should offer Kyiv a clear and credible roadmap to the EU amid its accession efforts.
"Ukraine must have a European perspective. We must not lose Ukraine to Russia, but rather tell the people of Ukraine that they have a future in Europe," he said.
