A Russian military intelligence officer has been critically injured in a car bomb explosion in Moscow.
Kremlin-approved media reported that the officer, believed to be the deputy head of a military unit specialising in communication, was wounded after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated inside his car.
Footage published on the Telegram messenger app showed the burnt remains of a Toyata Land Cruiser with its left side ripped off.
The motive for the bombing is not yet clear, but Russian officials often – without evidence – try and blame Ukraine for such incidents.
It comes as Ukrainian forces have “seriously damaged” a ferry in occupied Crimea which was being used by Russian forces to transport military equipment, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said last night.
The apparent destruction of Russia’s last railway ferry “Slavyanin” in Port Kavkaz took place as Ukraine launched a major aerial attack on Putin’s forces for the second night in a row in the early hours yesterday, targeting occupied Crimea using at least 21 drones.
Key Points
- Victim of Moscow car blast identified as Kremlin intelligence officer
- Footage shows moment Kremlin officer’s car explodes
- Ukraine says it is open for talks if Russia ready to negotiate in good faith
- Swiss NGO office hit by Russian shelling in Kharkiv
- Kyiv says Russian ferry in Crimea ‘seriously damaged'
Turkish police arrest suspect in Moscow car bomb attack
16:20
Tom Watling
Turkish authorities have detained a man Russia claims is responsible for the Moscow car bomb attack from earlier this morning.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a post on X that a Russian citizen suspected of the attack had been arrested in Bodrum, southern Turkey, having arrived from Moscow by plane at around 10am.
Footage circulating on Telegram appears to show someone fixing an improvised explosive device (IED) to the vehicle in Moscow yesterday evening.
The Toyota Land Cruiser that exploded this morning reportedly belonged to a Kremlin military intelligence officer.
RUSYA’DA BOMBALI SALDIRI DÜZENLEYEN TERÖRİST BODRUM’DA YAKALANDI❗️
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) July 24, 2024
Bugün saat 10.30’da Rusya Interpol Birimi yetkilileri tarafından İnterpol/Europol Daire Başkanlığımız telefonla aramış, “Rusya uyruklu Evgenii Serebriakov isimli şahsın Moskova’da bombalı araçla terör saldırısı… pic.twitter.com/2u277bK0UP
We have some photos from Ukraine and Russia
15:45
Tom Watling
Below we have some of the latest photos coming out of Ukraine and Russia.
Ukraine’s rowers ready for Paris 2024
15:15
Tom Watling
Ukraine’s female rowers are getting ready for Paris 2024 as they are pictured taking to the water ahead of the Rowing at Vaires-Sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
Russia intelligence officer injured in Moscow car bomb blast as Kyiv’s top diplomat holds ‘deep’ China talks
14:45
Tom Watling
Swiss NGO office hit by Russian shelling in Kharkiv
14:15
Tom Watling
A Swiss NGO building in Ukraine’s northeast Kharkiv region has been damaged by a Russian shell.
The office of the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), tasked with conducting demining operations across Ukraine, was damaged in the early hours of this morning, according to local officials.
Kharkiv governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that, as a result of shelling, the facade and ceilings on several floors were destroyed, including six cars used by the organisation’s medics.
Photos show meeting between Ukraine and China
14:03
Tom Watling
Photos published by Xinhua News Agency have shown the meeting between Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in southern China.
It is the first time a Ukrainian official has visited Russian-allied China since Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The pair reportedly held three hours of “deep and concrete” conversations, according to a source in Mr Kuleba’s delegation, that went on beyond the allocated time.
Mr Kuleba says he is seeking “common ground” in talks with his Chinese counterpart on ending his country’s war with Russia.
Mr Kuleba was expected to lobby Chinese officials to attend another peace conference planned for sometime before the US presidential election in early November. His visit reflects a calculation that any peace deal favorable to Ukraine would likely be a non-starter without China on board.
Chinese officials maintained that the two countries have friendly and cooperative relations. Noting the growth in trade between them, Wang said in his opening remarks that ties have continued to develop normally “despite complex and ever-changing international and regional situations”.
British army not as strong as it should be because of ‘historic underinvestment’ says defence chief
13:45
Tom Watling
Belarus' foreign minister arrives in North Korea for talks expected to focus on Russia cooperation
13:15
Tom Watling
Japan protests against Russia's entry ban on 13 mostly business leaders over sanctions
12:45
Tom Watling
12:15
Tom Watling
Images taken from a drone have detailed the devastation wrought by Russian forces on a Ukrainian city less than a mile from the frontline.
The city of Toretsk in eastern Ukraine has been increasingly bombarded with Russian missiles and drones in recent months, with swathes of residential buildings razed to the ground.
Yesterday, rescuers evacuated a dozen more residents still living in Toretsk. Most of the city’s residents have already fled the city.
EU countries look to extend freeze on Russian assets to secure G7 loan to Ukraine
11:45
Tom Watling
European Union member states are set to discuss options for extending the renewal period of sanctions on the Russian central bank’s assets to secure a Group of Seven plan to extend a major loan to Ukraine, a EU draft document has showed.
Leaders of the G7 major democracies and the EU agreed in June to use the interest on frozen Russian assets to back a $50 billion (£39 bn) loan for Ukraine to help it defend itself against Moscow’s invasion.
The bulk of the some $300 billion in assets is held in EU financial institutions, mostly in Belgium. According to EU regulations, the sanctions regime on Russia needs the unanimous approval of EU states to be renewed every six months.
EU ambassadors will on Wednesday discuss two options to ease these concerns. One would be an “open-ended” extension of the sanctions regime that immobilised Russia’s central bank assets.
“This shall be reviewed by the Council at regular intervals (e.g. twelve months), on the basis of clear predefined criteria (i.e. the end of the war of aggression and assurances of non-repetition, the payment of compensation by Russia, etc.),” the document said.
The other option would be to extend the renewal period to up to three years. Unanimity among EU member states would still be required in either case and these extensions would apply only to the Russian central bank assets.
The two options aim to “enhance legal certainty and predictability for G7 partners for the extraordinary revenue streams, which shall be made available to Ukraine to service and repay additional bilateral loans by the EU and G7 partners.”
11:32
Tom Watling
The below image shows the moment a Kremlin military intelligence officer’s car exploded in a carpark in northwest Moscow.
The intelligence officer is believed to be in critical condition.
Russia launches air attack on Ukraine's Kharkiv, mayor says
11:18
Tom Watling
Russia launched an air attack on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight, setting at least one building ablaze, officials said on Wednesday.
The city’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, initially said one civilian was killed, though his message on the Telegram messaging app was later edited to say the death had not been confirmed.
Terekhov said Russia launched several waves in its attack on Kharkiv - the administrative centre of the broader Kharkiv region which borders Russia.
Also on Telegram, Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said the strikes set a building ablaze in the city.
Images show aftermath of Russian strike on Ukrainian port city
10:40
Tom Watling
We have images detailing the extent of damage sustained by Ukraine’s southern port city of Izmail following a Russian drone strike overnight.
The city, located on the border with Romania, is a key port in the Danube river for Ukraine to import fuel.
Ukraine says it is open for talks if Russia ready to negotiate in good faith
10:11
Tom Watling
Ukraine is ready for talks with Russia if Moscow is prepared to negotiate in good faith, though it has seen no sign of that, Kyiv’s foreign minister said on Wednesday according to his ministry.
Dmytro Kuleba made the remarks during talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, the ministry added.
Ukraine's foreign minister seeking 'common ground' with China in talks on ending war with Russia
10:02
Tom Watling
Romania's defense ministry says no drone fragments found after strikes in Ukraine
09:30
Tom Watling
Romania’s defense ministry said on Wednesday that no drone fragments had been found on its territory following overnight attacks by Russia on Ukrainian infrastructure near the Romanian border.
We reported earlier that at least three people had been wounded as a result of Russian drone attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Izmail, which is located on the border with Romania.
The Romanian defence ministry added that two F-16s were deployed to monitor from the air, part of regular procedure.
A few moments ago (03:30 AM RO/UA time), filmed from Tucea, Romania. russian are hitting Izmail port, Ukraine.
— Radu Hossu (@RaduHossu) July 24, 2024
People told me the Romanian F-16s are in the air and that some the drones or rockets have hit something and some have been destroyed before touching ground. pic.twitter.com/HUjZdstQT9
Zelensky pays thanks to Ukraine’s emergency services
09:15
Tom Watling
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked his country’s emergency services for “steadfastly committed to protecting human lives”.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Zelensky praised the state emergency service, who have frequently been targeted in Russian double-tap strikes, where Moscow forces fire a second missile at damaged sites after rescue personnel arrive.
Day and night, following Russian strikes and tragic events, we can always count on those who will definitely be there and ready to help. No matter when or where it happens—near the frontlines or in every city and region across our country.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 24, 2024
I extend my gratitude to all those who… pic.twitter.com/DdUjSIpHK4
Russian man arrested over plot to ‘destabilise’ Paris Olympics
09:00
Tom Watling
Moscow intelligence office injured in car blast - pictures
08:42
Tom Watling
While more information comes out about the Kremlin intelligence officer injured in a car blast this morning in Moscow, we have some pictures below of the incident.
They have been compiled from a range of state-approved media outlets on the Telegram messenger app.
The vehicle appears to be a Toyata Land Cruiser.
China's top diplomat seeks long-term ties with Ukraine: Chinese foreign ministry
08:35
Tom Watling
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has stressed that China and Ukraine should look at and plan bilateral relations from a long-term perspective, according to China’s foreign ministry.
Wang held talks with his Ukrainian counterpart in Guangzhou earlier, Chinese state media reported.
In the meeting, Wang said the two countries should maintain communication and exchanges, enhance mutual trust and renew friendship, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said at a regular press briefing.
Victim of Moscow car blast identified as Kremlin intelligence officer
08:27
Tom Watling
Earlier, we reported that an explosion was reported in Moscow. It has now been reported that the victim was an officer from the Kremlin’s military intelligence (GUR).
Russia’s Kommersant daily reported, citing unnamed sources, that the man was a GRU officer.
Reports from Kremlin-approved online media site Shot claimed that the man is in critical condition in hospital, while his wife suffered minor injuries from the passenger seat.
The site is claiming that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) wedged under the pedal of the driver’s seat, and that it exploded upon the car’s ignition.
Ukraine air defences downed 25 Russian drones, air force says
07:36
Arpan Rai
Ukraine’s air defences shot down 17 out of 23 attack drones as well as eight reconnaissance drones fired by Russia in an overnight attack, the Ukrainian air force said this morning.
Russian forces also used two missiles in their overnight strike on Ukraine, the air force said.
Belarus' foreign minister arrives in North Korea for talks expected to focus on Russia cooperation
07:00
Tom Watling
Russian drone injures three in Ukraine
06:56
Arpan Rai
At least three people were wounded after a Russian drone attack hit the southern Ukrainian city of Izmail overnight. The strike damaged port infrastructure and a residential building, officials said.
Rescuers were working to clear up the consequences of the strike, officials from Izmail’s state administration said.
Ukraine working on own missiles as Zelensky eyes ‘maximum independence’
06:42
Arpan Rai
Ukraine will gradually move away from seeking military aid from the West as Volodymyr Zelensky lauded Kyiv’s missile programme yesterday, backing the war-hit nation to achieve “maximum defence independence”.
“Our missile programme is showing good dynamics, and although it is a challenging task, we are gradually approaching the possibility of using our own missiles, and not just relying on missiles supplied by our partners,” he said in his nightly address.
He held a meeting with top army officials, including Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi where he discussed Ukraine’s “real” frontline situation with Russia’s “intentions and capabilities”.
“Over time, Ukraine should achieve maximum defence independence, as such states always find effective allies and realise their interests more easily,” Mr Zelensky said.
Kyiv has enjoyed successes against Russia using its domestically-produced drones, but has relied heavily on its partners in the US and Europe for missiles and anti-missile systems.
“Ukrainian warriors have already proven to be real innovators in many areas of drone use. And it is worth continuing, and we will continue this,” the Ukrainian president said.
Car blast in Moscow injures two people
06:41
Arpan Rai
Two people were injured in a car blast in Moscow, Russia’s interior ministry said this morning.
The ministry said that the blast was caused by the detonation of an unidentified object. No further details on the type of unidentified object and injuries were immediately available.
One civilian killed in Russian attack on Kharkiv
06:05
Arpan Rai
A civilian was killed in Russia’s air attacks on Kharkiv, the mayor of the city in Ukraine’s east said this morning. The details of the casualty are not immediately clear.
The Russian missile and drone strikes also targeted several neighbourhoods in the city around 5am, regional governor Oleh Sinegubov said. The strikes hit a non-residential building in the Nemshlyan district and damaged at least five cars.
Another two civilians were injured in a Shahed drone attack on Malodanyliva community which caused a fire in the area, the governor said. The injured were nursed by doctors provided on the spot, he added.
A private residential building was also set ablaze after coming under a rocket attack. The law enforcement officers are investigating the type of rocket used by Russian forces. “All emergency services are working to eliminate the consequences of Russian aggression,” the head of the regional Kharkiv administration said.
Russia launched several waves in its attack on the city, which is also the administrative centre of the broader Kharkiv region and which borders Russia.
Both sides deny targeting civilians in the 27-month-old war, which Russia started with a full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbour.
Thousands in Ukraine attend funeral of former lawmaker and critic of Russia who was killed in Lviv
06:00
Tom Watling
French interior minister praises law enforcement for security work at Paris Olympics
05:00
Tom Watling
Kyiv says Russian ferry in Crimea ‘seriously damaged'
04:46
Arpan Rai
Ukrainian forces have “seriously damaged” a ferry in occupied Crimea which was being used by Russian forces to transport military equipment, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said last night.
“Today, the grouping of forces and means of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with units of other components of the Defence Forces, caused significant damage to the enemy ferry ‘Slavyanin’ in the port ‘Kavkaz’,” the General Staff said.
Russian occupiers were using the ferry to transport railway wagons, motor vehicles and containers for military purposes, it said. The Ukrainian forces also hinted at a “next target” in the region, without providing more details.
The ferry was reportedly the third and last railway ferry being used by Russian forces in the region. The attack, which took place in the early hours yesterday, killed one and injured others, local governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Telegram.
Putin’s forces set up new military base 200km from Ukraine frontline – report
04:11
Arpan Rai
Russian forces have built a military base just 200km from the Ukraine war frontline in Rostov city, a new investigation has found.
The new military base is being used to conduct strikes into Ukraine and has been set up near to a penal colony and two secondary schools, reported Skhemy, a Ukrainian investigative media outlet.
“According to Planet Labs satellite images, the Russian army set up a new military base in May 2024 between a penal colony and two half-built secondary schools, on the site of another abandoned military facility – cooks’ school No 195 of the Civil Defence Forces, which closed in 2011,” it said.
Work on the base likely began last summer as, after 12 years of inactivity, changes began to take place at the abandoned premises of the former military school, the outlet said.
EU takes away Hungary’s right to host ministerial meet over its stance on Ukraine
04:00
Tom Watling
Pentagon reaffirms support for Ukraine in defence heads call
03:50
Arpan Rai
US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov dialled each other to discuss Washington’s unwavering support for Ukraine, the Pentagon said late yesterday.
This is the first call between the defence heads since US president Joe Biden’s announcement of bowing out of his reelection bid and endorsing vice president Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination to take on Republican former president Donald Trump.
“During the call, the secretary reaffirmed the unwavering support of the United States for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression,” the Pentagon’s press secretary, Major General Pat Ryder, told journalists at a news briefing.
In Kyiv, Mr Umerov said he and Mr Austin also discussed the recent developments on the frontline and Ukraine‘s urgent battlefield needs.
“I once again highlighted the importance and urgency of lifting the bans on long-range fires,” the Ukrainian defence minister said in a statement on X.
The calls comes as a steadfast move to assure Kyiv of Washington’s unrelenting support in the wake of turbulent political atmosphere in the US. On Tuesday Ms Harris national security adviser and his chief of staff spoke with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky said it was important that “the dynamics of our joint work for a just peace do not diminish.”
The first 2 of 14 new F-16 fighter jets from the US land in Slovakia
03:00
Tom Watling
Civilians killed and wounded as Russia and Ukraine trade attacks. Russia claims gains in the east
02:00
Tom Watling
Starmer’s words will be welcomed in Kyiv – but Zelensky needs action more than ever
01:00
Tom Watling
The loneliness of an Olympic athlete training in wartime Ukraine through an AP photographer’s lens
Wednesday 24 July 2024 00:00
Tom Watling
British army not as strong as it should be because of ‘historic underinvestment’ says defence chief
Tuesday 23 July 2024 23:00
Tom Watling
Belarus' foreign minister arrives in North Korea for talks expected to focus on Russia cooperation
Tuesday 23 July 2024 21:00
Tom Watling
Zelensky holds briefing with top military chiefs
Tuesday 23 July 2024 20:00
Tom Watling
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has held a briefing with his top military chiefs, including army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi.
“A lot of attention was paid to the ability to strike behind the front line. We analysed the effectiveness of our drones of various types, as well as the tactics of the Russian army regarding drones,” Mr Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messenger app. The effectiveness of EW (electronic warfare) and other methods of combating UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) was evaluated.
“Rocket program. We are actively working to reduce dependence on the supply of missiles by partners, in particular for air defence.”
Ukraine’s Olympic team readies for Paris 2024
Tuesday 23 July 2024 19:00
Tom Watling
Zelensky holds phone call with newly-appointed Estonia PM
Tuesday 23 July 2024 18:00
Tom Watling
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has held a phone call with newly-appointed Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal hours after he took over from former Ukraine champion Kaja Kallas.
Mr Michal is taking over from Ms Kallas after the former Estonian PM accepted a role as the new foreign policy chief for the European Union. Support for Ukraine is expected to continue to be high on Tallinn’s agenda.
Estonia, which shares a border with Russia, has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies. It also has a strong defensive alliance with the United Kingdom, hosting around 900 British soldiers as part of the enhanced forward presence (eFP) programme.
I had a productive phone call with @KristenMichalPM on his first day as Estonia’s Prime Minister, wishing him every success in his work for the prosperity of his nation.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 23, 2024
Estonia is one of our most principled allies, and we are grateful for their annual defense support to… pic.twitter.com/bT6VcoWBZL
EU takes away Hungary’s right to host ministerial meet over its stance on Ukraine
Tuesday 23 July 2024 17:00
Tom Watling
Estonia will support Ukraine 'until victory', new PM says
Tuesday 23 July 2024 16:10
Tom Watling
Estonia’s incoming government will support Ukraine until “victory” in its war with Russia, newly-appointed prime minister Kirsten Michal told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday, pledging continuity on the issue with the former administration.
Michal, 49, has replaced Kaja Kallas, who recently resigned to become the European Union’s foreign policy chief after emerging as one of the strongest critics of Russia and supporters of Ukraine in the European Union and Nato.
“We will support Ukraine until the victory of Ukraine in this war. We are in this for a long term, I hope our allies are too,” Michal said after taking the oath of office.
“The message to our enemies is that Estonia is well-defended, we will increase our (defence) expenditure,” he added.
On my first day in office, spoke with @ZelenskyyUa. Thank you, dear Volodymyr, for your warm wishes.
— Kristen Michal (@KristenMichalPM) July 23, 2024
Estonia's support for Ukraine is unwavering. Your victory is our shared goal. European security is at stake.
We will continue to give 0.25% of GDP to Ukraine in military aid. pic.twitter.com/RvgD6cGJk6
We have some more photos coming out of Ukraine
Tuesday 23 July 2024 15:50
Tom Watling
Below, you can see passers-by visiting Independence Square in central Kyiv, where a memorial has been set up honouring all those who have lost their lives fighting against Russia.
Independence Square is also where protesters gathered to oppose pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych in 2013 and 2014, eventually forcing the politician to flee to Moscow. More than a hundred demonstrators were killed during the protests after Yanukovych’s forces are believed to have opened fire on the crowds.
Each flag brought by relatives bears a name of a soldier killed in battle with Russian troops. International flags mark foreign volunteers who was fighting in the Ukrainian Army
