A Ukrainian drone attack owned by a major Russian oil company has been damaged in an overnight attack as Vladimir Putin’s forces are staging relentless assaults to try to advance towards the town of Pokrovsk.
Officials from the Krasnodar region in southern Russia claimed that debris from a drone that had been shot down caused a fire at the Black Sea Tuapse oil refinery, owned by oil major Rosneft.
Russia’s defence ministry claimed to have destroyed 75 drones launched by Ukraine, including eight near the Tuapse, but footage published by online news outlet Mash appeared to show an intact drone reaching the refinery before exploding into a fireball upon impact.
It comes as Putin’s troops are continuing to push along the eastern front as they try to advance towards the town of Pokrovsk.
“The enemy pays no attention to their fairly high level of losses and continues to push through towards Pokrovsk,” Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a statement.
Pokrovsk is less than 15 miles from Russian-occupied land, according to open-source intelligence battlefield maps, and lies at an intersection of roads and a railway that makes it an important logistics point for the military in the east.
Key Points
- Ukraine in mass drone attack on targets in Russia as Putin’s forces launch intense assaults in east
- Footage shows moment Kyiv hits Russian oil refinery
- Zelensky says he respects Biden’s ‘tough but strong’ decision
- Russia targeted Kyiv with new-type of low-flying drones - report
Russia shoots down more than 15 Ukraine-launched drones near Sevastopol, official says
04:28
Shweta Sharma
Russia has claimed that its air defence systems in a Crimean port destroyed more than 15 drones launched by Ukraine overnight.
The Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol said today that the Ukrainian assault in the city was thwarted with no loss of lives or infrastructure.
“No objects in the city were damaged,” Mikhail Razvozhayev said on his Telegram channel.
Ukraine’s foreign minister visits Russian ally China
04:10
Shweta Sharma
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, is arriving for talks in China today to press Russia’s closest ally to end the war.
Mr Kuleba’s visit is unusually long, running from today until Friday 26 July. It comes at the invitation of the Communist Party of China, and will see Mr Kuleba meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Monday.
China has presented itself as a neutral party despite its deepening “no limits” ties with Russia. Beijing has not condemned the war but called for peace, presenting itself as a mediator.
However, the US and Europe have accused China of sending dual use components and equipment that can help Russia in the war.
“This will be the first bilateral visit to your country (China) in my capacity as foreign minister. We will discuss important matters, such as restoration of peace, deepening our bilateral dialogue, expanding trade and economic cooperation,” Mr Kuleba said.
“We have a lot to achieve, if we work together.”
Russian forces make ‘relentless attacks’ as they advance on town of Pokrovsk
04:00
Joe Middleton
Ukraine‘s top commander said on Monday that Russian forces were staging relentless assaults to try to advance towards the town of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub in the east, and that there was active fighting taking place along the entire front line.
“The enemy pays no attention to their fairly high level of losses and continues to push through towards Pokrovsk,” Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a statement from the eastern front.
Pokrovsk is less than 15 miles from Russian-occupied land, according to open-source intelligence battlefield maps, and lies at an intersection of roads and a railway that makes it an important logistics point for the military in the east.
“Active combat operations of varying intensity are taking place along the entire front,” Mr Syrskyi said, noting that Russian forces were also trying to capture floodplain islands near the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson.
Zelensky praises Biden for ‘unwavering support’ of Ukraine
03:00
Joe Middleton
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X that he respected the “tough but strong decision” by US president Biden to drop out of the campaign, and he thanked him for his help “in preventing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from occupying our country.”
In a post, he said: “Ukraine is grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical.
“Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be remembered as bold steps taken by President Biden in response to challenging times. And we respect today’s tough but strong decision. We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership.
“He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war.
“The current situation in Ukraine and all of Europe is no less challenging, and we sincerely hope that America’s continued strong leadership will prevent Russian evil from succeeding or making its aggression pay off.”
Ukraine foreign minister to visit China in July, says Chinese foreign ministry
02:00
Joe Middleton
China’s foreign ministry said on Monday Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba will visit China from 23-26 July.
Starmer’s words will be welcomed in Kyiv – but Zelensky needs action more than ever
01:00
Joe Middleton
The PM is keen to maintain Britain’s position as one of the world’s most vocal supporters of Ukraine – a role that will become even more important as backing from other powers begins to waver, writes Mary Dejevsky
Ukraine in mass drone attack on targets in Russia as Putin’s forces launch intense assaults in east
Monday 22 July 2024 23:59
Joe Middleton
Ukraine has launched dozens of drones in a mass strike across targets in Russia and around the Black Sea, including a major oil refinery.
It comes as the country’s top commander said that Russian forces were staging relentless assaults to try to advance towards the town of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub in eastern Ukraine, and that there was active fighting taking place along the entire frontline.
“The enemy pays no attention to their fairly high level of losses and continues to push through towards Pokrovsk,” Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a statement from the eastern front.
The oil refinery in Tuapse was damaged in an overnight assault, officials from the Kasnodar region confirmed on Monday.
Ammunition deliveries to Ukraine will accelerate, says Czech minister
Monday 22 July 2024 23:00
Joe Middleton
A Czech-led initiative to buy ammunition from around the world for Ukraine will deliver 100,000 rounds to the country in July and August, Czech foreign minister Jan Lipavsky said on Monday.
The Czech Republic has been an avid supporter of Ukraine against Russian aggression and led efforts to raise funds to get more ammunition and shell deliveries to Kyiv.
“During July and August we will send about a total of 100 (thousand) pieces more. From September these deliveries will accelerate,” Mr Lipavsky told reporters in Brussels.
EU foreign ministers to assess Hungary PMs ‘unacceptable’ positions
Monday 22 July 2024 22:00
Joe Middleton
EU foreign ministers are set to evaluate Hungary prime minister Viktor Orban’s “unacceptable” position on the bloc’s role in Ukraine and his trips to Russia and China.
Hungary took over the six-month rotating presidency of the bloc in July and almost immediately went to Moscow and Beijing in what was described as a “peace mission” despite none of his EU partners being aware, or mandating him to do so.
He also left a Nato summit early to meet former US President Donald Trump, has been a stern critic of Western military aid to Ukraine and has warm diplomatic relations with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday that the decisions taken by the Hungarian government were “unacceptable”.
He added: “We will discuss what has happened and positions taken by the Hungarian government.”
Some EU member states would like the bloc to show a tougher stance on Hungary and have suggested boycotting or downgrading the attendance of ministers at an informal meeting in Budapest at the end of August.
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters on arrival in Brussels that Borrell represented EU foreign policy for the ministers and that it was “not surprising that the ego trips” had irritated many.
Speaking on Monday, Hungary’s foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said: “For weeks now, the Brussels foreign bureaucracy and the leaders of some EU countries have been grinding their teeth over our peace mission, out of frustration/envy/exposure of their failed strategy.
“All we get from our Brussels and European friends is a childish sit-in boycott and verbal karate.”
Russian forces make ‘relentless attacks’ as they advance on town of Pokrovsk
Monday 22 July 2024 21:00
Joe Middleton
Ukraine‘s top commander said on Monday that Russian forces were staging relentless assaults to try to advance towards the town of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub in the east, and that there was active fighting taking place along the entire front line.
“The enemy pays no attention to their fairly high level of losses and continues to push through towards Pokrovsk,” Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a statement from the eastern front.
Pokrovsk is less than 15 miles from Russian-occupied land, according to open-source intelligence battlefield maps, and lies at an intersection of roads and a railway that makes it an important logistics point for the military in the east.
“Active combat operations of varying intensity are taking place along the entire front,” Mr Syrskyi said, noting that Russian forces were also trying to capture floodplain islands near the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson.
Zelensky praises Biden for ‘unwavering support’ of Ukraine
Monday 22 July 2024 20:00
Joe Middleton
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X that he respected the “tough but strong decision” by US president Biden to drop out of the campaign, and he thanked him for his help “in preventing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from occupying our country.”
In a post, he said: “Ukraine is grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical.
“Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be remembered as bold steps taken by President Biden in response to challenging times. And we respect today’s tough but strong decision. We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership.
“He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war.
“The current situation in Ukraine and all of Europe is no less challenging, and we sincerely hope that America’s continued strong leadership will prevent Russian evil from succeeding or making its aggression pay off.”
Ukraine is grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine's fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 21, 2024
Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be…
Ukraine’s top diplomat to visit China
Monday 22 July 2024 19:00
Joe Middleton
Ukraine’s top diplomat will visit China on Tuesday at the invitation of Beijing for talks that Kyiv said would focus on how to end Russia’s war in Ukraine and on a possible Chinese role in reaching a settlement.
Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba will discuss bilateral ties at talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a trip to China from July 23 to 25, the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.
“The main topic of discussion will be the search for ways to stop Russia’s aggression and China’s possible role in achieving a stable and just peace,” the Ukrainian ministry said in a statement on its website.
The Chinese statement said Kuleba’s visit would run from July 23 to 26 and provided less detail.
The trip is unusual as China is widely seen as close to the Kremlin, with which Beijing declared a “no limits” partnership in 2022 just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Though the world’s second largest economy has not condemned the Russian invasion and helped keep Russia’s war economy afloat, Kyiv has been cautious in its criticism of Beijing.
China meanwhile says its ties with Russia are built on the basis of non-alliance and do not target any third party.
Starmer’s words will be welcomed in Kyiv – but Zelensky needs action more than ever
Monday 22 July 2024 18:00
Joe Middleton
The PM is keen to maintain Britain’s position as one of the world’s most vocal supporters of Ukraine – a role that will become even more important as backing from other powers begins to waver, writes Mary Dejevsky
Kyiv holds 25,000-person music festival
Monday 22 July 2024 17:00
Joe Middleton
The Ukrainian capital has hosted its largest music festival since the full-scale invasion as images showed festival-goers flocking to the stages.
Atlas United, Ukraine’s biggest music festival, opened its doors on Sunday. While it had none of the usual big names headline - Kasabian, The Chemical Brothers and Liam Gallagher are among past attendees - the event proved hugely popular.
It was staged near the Kyiv shopping centre to offer attendees the chance to shelter should an air raid happen.
Ukraine foreign minister to visit China in July, says Chinese foreign ministry
Monday 22 July 2024 16:00
Joe Middleton
China’s foreign ministry said on Monday Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba will visit China from 23-26 July.
EU foreign ministers to assess Hungary PMs ‘unacceptable’ positions
Monday 22 July 2024 15:00
Joe Middleton
EU foreign ministers are set to evaluate Hungary prime minister Viktor Orban’s “unacceptable” position on the bloc’s role in Ukraine and his trips to Russia and China.
Hungary took over the six-month rotating presidency of the bloc in July and almost immediately went to Moscow and Beijing in what was described as a “peace mission” despite none of his EU partners being aware, or mandating him to do so.
He also left a Nato summit early to meet former US President Donald Trump, has been a stern critic of Western military aid to Ukraine and has warm diplomatic relations with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday that the decisions taken by the Hungarian government were “unacceptable”.
He added: “We will discuss what has happened and positions taken by the Hungarian government.”
Some EU member states would like the bloc to show a tougher stance on Hungary and have suggested boycotting or downgrading the attendance of ministers at an informal meeting in Budapest at the end of August.
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters on arrival in Brussels that Borrell represented EU foreign policy for the ministers and that it was “not surprising that the ego trips” had irritated many.
Speaking on Monday, Hungary’s foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said: “For weeks now, the Brussels foreign bureaucracy and the leaders of some EU countries have been grinding their teeth over our peace mission, out of frustration/envy/exposure of their failed strategy.
“All we get from our Brussels and European friends is a childish sit-in boycott and verbal karate.”
Ammunition deliveries to Ukraine will accelerate, says Czech minister
Monday 22 July 2024 14:30
Joe Middleton
A Czech-led initiative to buy ammunition from around the world for Ukraine will deliver 100,000 rounds to the country in July and August, Czech foreign minister Jan Lipavsky said on Monday.
The Czech Republic has been an avid supporter of Ukraine against Russian aggression and led efforts to raise funds to get more ammunition and shell deliveries to Kyiv.
“During July and August we will send about a total of 100 (thousand) pieces more. From September these deliveries will accelerate,” Mr Lipavsky told reporters in Brussels.
Ukraine in mass drone attack on targets in Russia as Putin’s forces launch intense assaults in east
Monday 22 July 2024 14:01
Joe Middleton
Ukraine has launched dozens of drones in a mass strike across targets in Russia and around the Black Sea, including a major oil refinery.
It comes as the country’s top commander said that Russian forces were staging relentless assaults to try to advance towards the town of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub in eastern Ukraine, and that there was active fighting taking place along the entire frontline.
“The enemy pays no attention to their fairly high level of losses and continues to push through towards Pokrovsk,” Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a statement from the eastern front.
The oil refinery in Tuapse was damaged in an overnight assault, officials from the Kasnodar region confirmed on Monday.
Zelensky praises Biden for ‘unwavering support’ of Ukraine
Monday 22 July 2024 13:31
Joe Middleton
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X that he respected the “tough but strong decision” by US president Biden to drop out of the campaign, and he thanked him for his help “in preventing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from occupying our country.”
In a post, he said: “Ukraine is grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical.
“Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be remembered as bold steps taken by President Biden in response to challenging times. And we respect today’s tough but strong decision. We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership.
“He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war.
“The current situation in Ukraine and all of Europe is no less challenging, and we sincerely hope that America’s continued strong leadership will prevent Russian evil from succeeding or making its aggression pay off.”
Ukraine is grateful to President Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine's fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 21, 2024
Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be…
Ukraine’s top diplomat to visit China
Monday 22 July 2024 12:33
Joe Middleton
Ukraine’s top diplomat will visit China on Tuesday at the invitation of Beijing for talks that Kyiv said would focus on how to end Russia’s war in Ukraine and on a possible Chinese role in reaching a settlement.
Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba will discuss bilateral ties at talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a trip to China from July 23 to 25, the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.
“The main topic of discussion will be the search for ways to stop Russia’s aggression and China’s possible role in achieving a stable and just peace,” the Ukrainian ministry said in a statement on its website.
The Chinese statement said Kuleba’s visit would run from July 23 to 26 and provided less detail.
The trip is unusual as China is widely seen as close to the Kremlin, with which Beijing declared a “no limits” partnership in 2022 just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Though the world’s second largest economy has not condemned the Russian invasion and helped keep Russia’s war economy afloat, Kyiv has been cautious in its criticism of Beijing.
China meanwhile says its ties with Russia are built on the basis of non-alliance and do not target any third party.
Russian forces make ‘relentless attacks’ as they advance on town of Pokrovsk
Monday 22 July 2024 12:00
Joe Middleton
Ukraine‘s top commander said on Monday that Russian forces were staging relentless assaults to try to advance towards the town of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub in the east, and that there was active fighting taking place along the entire front line.
“The enemy pays no attention to their fairly high level of losses and continues to push through towards Pokrovsk,” Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a statement from the eastern front.
Pokrovsk is less than 15 miles from Russian-occupied land, according to open-source intelligence battlefield maps, and lies at an intersection of roads and a railway that makes it an important logistics point for the military in the east.
“Active combat operations of varying intensity are taking place along the entire front,” Mr Syrskyi said, noting that Russian forces were also trying to capture floodplain islands near the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson.
Andrei Nastase was targeted by Russian mafia for exposing corruption. Now he aims to bring Moldova into the EU
Monday 22 July 2024 11:32
Joe Middleton
The former deputy prime minister is running for the country’s presidency, writes Kim Sengupta in Chisinau. He knows support from the West against the Kremlin will be vital
Kremlin ‘not surprised’ by Biden’s abandonment of re-election bid
Monday 22 July 2024 11:08
Joe Middleton
The Kremlin said on Monday that it was not too surprised by US president Joe Biden’s abandonment of his re-election bid and and said that Vice President Kamala Harris had so far made no contribution to Russian-U.S. relations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the vagaries of US politics were not a priority for Moscow which was focused on achieving the goals of what president Vladimir Putin calls the special military operation in Ukraine.
Starmer’s words will be welcomed in Kyiv – but Zelensky needs action more than ever
Monday 22 July 2024 10:30
Tom Watling
Ukraine foreign minister to visit China in July, says Chinese foreign ministry
Monday 22 July 2024 10:00
Tom Watling
China’s foreign ministry said on Monday Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba will visit China from 23-26 July.
We have some more footga of the Ukrainian drone attack
Monday 22 July 2024 09:40
Tom Watling
Below we have some more footage of the Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian oil refinery.
Earlier, we reported that the Black Sea Tuapse oil refinery, owned by oil major Rosneft, had been damaged by a strike.
.@DI_Ukraine launched a drone attack on the Tuapse oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, causing explosions and fire, per media reports.
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 22, 2024
The facility was successfully hit at least two times before today's attack.https://t.co/zETgu5aGJ9
TG/Astra pic.twitter.com/IB5srqsdF6
Civilians killed and wounded as Russia and Ukraine trade attacks. Russia claims gains in the east
Monday 22 July 2024 09:20
Tom Watling
Ammunition deliveries to Ukraine will accelerate, Czech minister says
Monday 22 July 2024 09:05
Tom Watling
A Czech-led initiative to buy ammunition from around the world for Ukraine will deliver 100,000 rounds to the country in July and August, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky has said.
“During July and August we will send about a total of 100 (thousand) pieces more. From September these deliveries will accelerate,” Mr Lipavsky told reporters in Brussels.
Kyiv holds 25,000-person music festival
Monday 22 July 2024 08:47
Tom Watling
The Ukrainian capital has hosted its largest music festival since the full-scale invasion as images showed festival-goers flocking to the stages.
Atlas United, Ukraine’s biggest music festival, opened its doors on Sunday. While it had none of the usual big names headline - Kasabian, The Chemical Brothers and Liam Gallagher are among past attendees - the event proved hugely popular.
It was staged near the Kyiv shopping centre to offer attendees the chance to shelter should an air raid happen.
Footage shows moment Kyiv hits Russian oil refinery
Monday 22 July 2024 08:31
Tom Watling
Footage has appeared to show the moment a Ukrainian drone hit a major Russian oil refinery in the southern Krasnodar region.
The attack took place overnight. Local officials said no-one was injured and that an explosion, as well as the resultant fire that at the Black Sea Tuapse oil refinery, owned by oil major Rosneft, was caused by the debris of an intercepted drone. The footage, however, appears to show an intact drone reaching its target.
The Independent has been unable to verify the images.
This morning, multiple Ukrainian attack drones successfully hit Russia's Tuapse refinery, igniting a blaze in the northern part of the complex.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 22, 2024
Tuapse, on Russia's Black Sea coast, is roughly 450km behind the front line. pic.twitter.com/AlFmItBKLw
Andrei Nastase was targeted by Russian mafia for exposing corruption. Now he aims to bring Moldova into the EU
Monday 22 July 2024 07:45
Arpan Rai
Andrei Nastase became a marked man due to his role in exposing a criminal network run by the Russian mafia and shady powerful oligarchs which had laundered a staggering $22bn (£17bn) of illicit money.
Guns were fired near the lawyer and former prosecutor’s family home in the Moldovan capital Chisinau; a hidden camera was later discovered planted inside the house. Cars with number plates from Transnistria, a Russian enclave, followed him daily. His wife and children were harassed, as was his brother Vasile, a journalist and former MP.
Doctors suspected Nastase was the victim of poisoning when five times the normal level of mercury was found in his blood after he became suddenly ill. He decided, after recovery, to send his wife and children out of the country for their safety.
Kim Sengupta reports:
US journalist Evan Gershkovich jailed for 16 years by Russian court
Monday 22 July 2024 07:00
Alexander Butler
Fire at Russia's Tuapse oil refinery put out, officials say
Monday 22 July 2024 06:35
Arpan Rai
A fire caused by a Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Black Sea Tuapse oil refinery has been put out, officials said this morning.
The refinery, owned by oil major Rosneft, was damaged in the drone attack overnight, officials from the Krasnodar region said earlier.
Russia's Tuapse oil refinery damaged in Ukraine drone attack
Monday 22 July 2024 06:22
Arpan Rai
Russia’s Black Sea Tuapse oil refinery, owned by oil major Rosneft, was damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack overnight, officials from the Krasnodar region said today.
Officials said the damage was caused from debris of a drone that was shot down by Russia sparked a fire at the refinery, which has since been contained. There were no casualties, the regional administration added.
It was not immediately clear if the refinery was operational or the extent of the damage it had sustained. Moscow rarely discloses the full scale of damage from Russian attacks.
Russia’s defence ministry earlier said its air defence systems destroyed 75 drones launched by Ukraine, including eight near the Tuapse.
The Tuapse refinery has been a target of several Ukrainian air attacks since the start of the war that Russia launched against its smaller neighbour in 2022.
Russia downs 75 Ukraine-launched drones, some near Tuapse oil refinery
Monday 22 July 2024 05:46
Arpan Rai
Russia’s air defence systems destroyed 75 drones launched by Ukraine overnight, including eight near the town of Tuapse on the Black Sea where Russia’s oil major Rosneft has a refinery, the Russian defence ministry said this morning.
Of these, 47 drones were downed over the Rostov region in Russia’s southwest, 17 over the waters of the Black and Azov seas, eight over the Krasnodar region, where Tuapse is located, and single drones over the Belgorod, Voronezh and Smolensk region, the ministry said.
The ministry did not say whether its defence systems destroyed the drones, or whether the attack had caused any damage.
Sergei Boiko, head of the Tuapse district in the Krasnodar region, said on Telegram infrastructure and residential buildings had not been damaged.
Russian officials rarely disclose the full extent of damage inflicted by Ukrainian attacks. The Tuapse refinery has been a target of several Ukrainian air attacks since the start of the war that Russia launched against its smaller neighbour in 2022.
Russia’s SHOT and Mash Telegram news channels reported that a series of blasts were heard near the refinery early this morning.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Kyiv has often said that the attacks on Russia’s military, energy and transport infrastructure are in response to Russia’s continuous attacks on Ukraine‘s territory.
The loneliness of an Olympic athlete training in wartime Ukraine
Monday 22 July 2024 05:30
Associated Press
Francisco Seco, based in Istanbul, enjoys making photos of daily life in cities around the world. This assignment, though, took The Associated Press photographer to Ukraine to document the toll Russia’s invasion of the country has had on the lives of athletes trying to train for the Paris Olympics, which starts next week. Here is what Seco had to say about making this extraordinary photo.
Why this photo
This photograph is part of a story about Ukrainian athletes who are going to participate in the Olympic Games this summer in Paris. Because of Russia’s full-scale invasion, many athletes are training outside Ukraine, but high jumper Oleh Doroshchuk is doing his training in the city of Kropyvnytskyi in central Ukraine. The city has been bombed a few times since the beginning of the war.
Our AP team joined Oleh for two days during his training sessions. On the second day, he trained in an open-air stadium, surrounded by other young athletes. A couple of times he had to stop his training because of the sound of anti-aircraft alarms.
Kyiv gets another Patriot missile system, says Zelensky
Monday 22 July 2024 05:08
Arpan Rai
The Ukrainian forces have received another Patriot system from Germany, president Volodymyr Zelensky said, thanking his allies for “more power for Ukraine”.
“The German Patriot system has arrived in Ukraine, and I extend my gratitude to Germany and the United States for this step. We will be able to do more in the skies. While much work remains ahead and this is far from guaranteed protection, nonetheless, it means more power for Ukraine,” he said in his nightly address yesterday, adding that it is likely ready for deployment.
He hinted at the countering of Russian missiles in the frontline update. “Today, the Commander of the Air Forces reported on the operations of our fire teams, the downing of ‘Shahed’ drones, and countering Russian missiles. We can now say that our air defence has been strengthened,” Mr Zelensky said.
Inside the escape from a Ukraine border village as Putin’s forces closed in: ‘Mummy, when will this war end?’
Monday 22 July 2024 05:00
Alexander Butler
Civilians killed and wounded as Russia and Ukraine trade attacks
Monday 22 July 2024 04:26
Arpan Rai
Russia and Ukraine exchanged drone, missile and shelling attacks yesterday, killing at least two people in Ukrainian strikes on the partly Russian-occupied Donetsk region, Russian state media said.
Ukrainian officials said Russian strikes wounded at least five people. Along the frontline in the east, Russia said it had taken control of two villages, one in the Kharkiv region and one in the Luhansk region.
Ukrainian shelling of Russia-held areas of the Donetsk region killed two people in the village of Horlivka, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said.
Three people were wounded by Russian drone strikes in southern Ukraine‘s partly occupied Kherson region, local officials said yesterday morning. In the country’s northeast, officials in the Kharkiv region said two people were wounded when a village was hit by Russian shells.
Overnight into Sunday, Ukraine’s air defences intercepted 35 of the 39 drones launched by Russia, according to air force commander Mykola Oleschuk. In addition, Russia launched three ballistic missiles and two guided air missiles, which did not reach their targets, he said.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed yesterday that its troops had taken control of two villages: Pishchane Nizhne in the Kharkiv region and Andriivka, sometimes referred to as Rozivka, in the Luhansk region. Kyiv did not immediately comment.
Kidnapped, abused, humiliated – the Ukrainian children stolen by Russia
Monday 22 July 2024 04:00
Alexander Butler
Zelensky says he respects Biden’s ‘tough but strong’ decision
Monday 22 July 2024 03:42
Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky said he respected US president Joe Biden’s “tough but strong” decision to end his reelection campaign and not run for a second term.
“Ukraine is grateful to president Biden for his unwavering support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom, which, along with strong bipartisan support in the United States, has been and continues to be critical,” Mr Zelensky said.
“Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be remembered as bold steps taken by President Biden in response to challenging times. And we respect today’s tough but strong decision.”
He added: “We will always be thankful for president Biden’s leadership. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war.”
“The current situation in Ukraine and all of Europe is no less challenging, and we sincerely hope that America’s continued strong leadership will prevent Russian evil from succeeding or making its aggression pay off,” the Ukrainian president said.
Watch: Starmer and Zelensky embrace as new prime minister hosts first major European summit
Monday 22 July 2024 03:00
Alexander Butler
Watch: Zelensky becomes first foreign leader to address UK cabinet for nearly 30 years
Monday 22 July 2024 02:00
Alexander Butler
Starmer’s words will be welcomed in Kyiv – but Zelensky needs action more than ever
Monday 22 July 2024 01:00
Alexander Butler
The PM is keen to maintain Britain’s position as one of the world’s most vocal supporters of Ukraine – a role that will become even more important as backing from other powers begins to waver, writes Mary Dejevsky.
A Ukrainian author turned soldier has a stark warning for the West: ‘Be prepared for war with Russia’
Sunday 21 July 2024 23:00
Alexander Butler
Zelensky calls on European leaders to channel Winston Churchill’s ‘bravery’ against Russia
Sunday 21 July 2024 22:00
Alexander Butler
Volodymyr Zelensky has urged European leaders to channel Winston Churchill’s “bravery” in the fight against Russian aggression.
The Ukrainian leader made his call as he spoke in the former prime minister’s birthplace, Blenheim Palace, during only his third visit to the UK since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
It is his first trip to the UK since Sir Keir Starmer entered Downing Street. Mr Zelensky is also due to meet with King Charles during the visit.
The Ukrainian leader told a summit of European leaders: “Bravery made Churchill Churchill. Bravery won the greatest battle of his life. It was the battle for Britain.
The Russian glide bombs changing the face of the war in Ukraine
Sunday 21 July 2024 21:00
Alexander Butler
How UK’s strategic capabilities compare to the 1980s as defence review rolled out
Sunday 21 July 2024 20:00
Alexander Butler
Prime minister Keir Starmer’s review of Britain’s defences comes as the West faces a “dangerous quartet” of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, according to Nato chief Lord Robertson.
Russia remains the key threat, as it is continuing to wage war in Ukraine, including a deadly missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv last week. Relations with Russia are at their worst since the Cold War period, and military experts believe that European countries need to be prepared for conflict.
But how do Britain’s armed forces compare now to 40 years ago, in 1984, when the UK was engaged in a stand-off with Russia?
Read the full article by The Independent’s data correspondent Alicja Hagopian here:
Watch: Ukrainian prisoners of war return home
Sunday 21 July 2024 19:00
Alexander Butler