A Russian drone armed with a "high-explosive warhead" has damaged a radiation shelter at Chernobyl's nuclear power plant, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said this morning, just hours before officials from Russia and the US were set to meet for security talks in Munich.
Mr Zelensky said the drone struck the protective shell of reactor four at the plant, causing a fire that has since been extinguished. Initial assessments of the damage, he said, showed damage to the shelter was “significant”.
The shell is a protective cover for the exploded reactor that is designed to limit the release of radioactivity. This morning, the International Atomic Energy Agency said no elevations in radiation levels had been detected.
The Ukrainian military said Russia launched a total of 133 drones against the country overnight, dozens of which were shot down by the country's air force.
Ukraine earlier said it will not be participating in a joint meeting in Munich today with officials from Russia and the US after Donald Trump "invited" Kyiv to take part in three-way peace talks.
In a new interview, France's Emmanuel Macron said talks should only take place with Ukrainian involvement, and warned Mr Trump against a peace deal to end the war that would amount to “capitulation” to Moscow.
Key Points
- Radiation shelter of Chernobyl damaged in Russian drone attack, says Zelensky
- Macron says only Zelensky can negotiate peace for Ukraine
- International Atomic Energy Agency reacts to Chernobyl 'drone attack'
- No Ukraine peace talks without Ukraine, says Starmer
- Ukraine denies participation in today's US-Russia meeting
Trump says Russia should rejoin G7 after call with Putin
09:54
,
Alex Ross
President Donald Trump says he wants to permit Russia to rejoin G7.
“I'd love to have them back, I think it was a mistake to throw them out,” said Mr Trump, who blamed then-president Barack Obama for the collective decision by the world’s largest industrialized economies to exclude Russia from the group.
The American president made the declaration in the Oval Office during a marathon question-and-answer session with reporters.
Read the full story here:
Ukraine on 'irreversible path to Nato' - Starmer
09:51
,
Alex Ross
This week, we’ve reported how the US said Nato membership for Ukraine was not a realistic prospect.
That goes against Nato’s official position that Kyiv is on an “irreversible” path to joining the alliance.
Such a stance was last month endorsed by Sir Keir Starmer’s UK/Ukraine 100-year partnership.
And today, a Downing Street spokeswoman maintained that position. She said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this morning.
“The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed. He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.
She added: “The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to NATO, as agreed by Allies at the Washington Summit last year.
“Discussing the upcoming third anniversary of Ukraine’s courageous defence of its sovereignty in the face of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion, the leaders agreed that it would be an important moment to demonstrate international unity and support for Ukraine.”
No Ukraine peace talks without Ukraine, says Starmer
09:32
,
Alex Ross
Sir Keir Starmer has told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that there can be no peace talks in the Ukraine-Russia conflict without Ukraine's involvement.
Trump has said he plans to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin for talks to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Although he had initially appeared non-committal about involving Ukraine in talks about its future, Mr Trump said yesterday that it would have a seat at the table.
At the Munich Security Conference today, UK foreign secretary David Lammy will be among the G7 allies, with Ukraine likely to dominate the agenda.
"(Starmer) was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine," a readout of a call between Sir Keir and Mr Zelensky issued by Starmer's office said.
"Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added," the readout said.
Zelensky condemns Russia's 'terrorist threat to the entire world'
09:18
,
Alex Ross
Following the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Kyiv has accused Russia of a drone attack, and has shared images of, what it says, is the burnt-out drone engine inside the wreckage.
Posting on X, Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, explaining that the shelter for the reactor was there to protect humanity.
He said: “The only country in the world that attacks such sites, occupies nuclear power plants, and wages war without any regard for the consequences is today’s Russia. This is a terrorist threat to the entire world.”
Vance to discuss Ukraine peace talks at Munich confence
09:01
,
Alex Ross
As world leaders enter the Munich Security Conference, the main topic of conversation is Donald Trump’s efforts to strike a negotiated settlement in the Ukraine war.
Mr Trump said he had invited Ukraine to three-way peace talks with Russia and the US today.
As he arrived at the council, vice president JD Vance told reporters he had plans to discuss conflict and how to bring it to a negotiated settlement.
He added that the US wanted to make sure that NATO was built for the future.
Everything we know about the 'drone attack' on Chernobyl
08:46
,
Alex Ross
This morning, Ukrainian’s president Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement on X on an explosion at Chernobyl, blaming it on a Russian drone attack.
Here’s what we know so far:
The explosion took place in the protective shell over reactor four at the nuclear power plant.
It resulted in a fire that was quickly extinguished.
The explosion too place at 1.50am local time.
Built in 2016, the protective shell is designed to limit the release of radioactivity left in the reactor to the atmosphere.
Mr Zelensky said the explosion was caused by a high-explosive warhead on a Russian drone.
Russian officials made no immediate comment, and it was not possible to independently confirm Ukraine's claim of Russian responsibility.
Damage to Chernobyl - pictures released by Ukraine
08:38
,
Alex Ross
Following news of the explosion at Chernobyl this morning, we’re now getting images from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service of the damage and apparent remains of a Russian drone.
Ukraine say the drone hit the protective confinement shell of a reactor. Radiation levels have not increased, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky and the UN atomic agency said.
International Atomic Energy Agency issues statement on Chernobyl 'drone attack'
08:22
,
Alex Ross
As we’ve been reporting, there was an explosion at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant site last night.
It happened in the shelter that protects the remains of reactor 4 at the plant, which is in the process of being decommissioned.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) posted on X: “They [the IAEA team at the site] were informed that a UAV had struck the NSC roof.
“Fire safety personnel and vehicles responded within minutes. At this moment, there is no indication of a breach in the inner containment.
“Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable. No casualties reported. IAEA continues monitoring the situation.”
During the night of 13-14 Feb, at around 01:50, IAEA team at the Chornobyl site heard an explosion coming from the New Safe Confinement, which protects the remains of reactor 4 of the former Chornobyl NPP, causing a fire. They were informed that a UAV had struck the NSC roof. pic.twitter.com/Ee5NSRgDo8
— IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) February 14, 2025
Watch: Zelensky claims Russian drone struck Chernobyl reactor
08:13
Nato tests new deployment model without US
08:01
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Nato is testing its ability to rapidly deploy across eastern Europe — without direct US assistance — as Washington shifts its approach toward European defence and the war in Ukraine.
The six-week Steadfast Dart 2025 exercises across Bulgaria, Romania and Greece are taking place as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches the three-year mark. They involve some 10,000 troops from nine nations and represent the largest Nato operation planned this year.
The US absence from the exercises comes as European nations scramble to build greater military self-sufficiency over their concerns about the Trump administration’s commitment to common defense and demands for increased European military spending.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced his intention to negotiate with Russia directly and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth argued that European nations should dramatically increase their defence spending and shoulder the “overwhelming share” of funding for Ukraine.
Zelensky says Russian drone attack damaged radiation shelter of Chernobyl
07:35
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky this morning said a Russian drone attack significantly damaged the radiation shelter of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant overnight.
The Russian drone struck the shelter of the destroyed power unit at the plant, causing a fire that has since been extinguished, he said.
Radiation levels at the site had not increased as of this morning, he added.
Latest pictures from Ukraine
07:30
,
Athena Stavrou
Live: Russia hold weekly press briefing as Trump calls for Ukraine peace talks
07:20
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Modi says India 'on side of peace' in Russia-Ukraine war
07:16
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, speaking during his meeting with US president Donald Trump yesterday, claimed that India did not have a "neutral" stance when it came to Russia's war in Ukraine.
"I have always been in close contact with Russia and Ukraine... Many people are in a misconception that India is neutral, but I want to reiterate that India is not neutral; we are on a side, and that is peace," Mr Modi said at the White House.
The Indian prime minister added: "We want to end the war."
Russia launches 133 drones in overnight attack on Ukraine
07:01
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The Ukrainian military this morning said that Russia launched 133 drones against the country overnight.
The air force said it shot down 73 drones and 58 others did not reach their targets, likely due to electronic countermeasures. It did not specify what happened to the remaining two drones.
Lammy to meet G7 allies today amid Ukraine peace talks
06:30
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
David Lammy is set to meet G7 allies today as the fallout continues from US president Donald Trump's phone call with Russian president Vladimir Putin over Ukraine.Western leaders, including prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, had insisted yesterday that Ukraine must be fully involved in any peace negotiation, with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky saying he could not accept "any agreements (made) without us".
The US has suggested that as part of a peace deal, Ukraine must accept it will have to give up some territory to Russia, and that Nato membership is not a realistic prospect.
But Nato's official position – endorsed by Sir Keir's government in the UK/Ukraine 100-year partnership – is that Kyiv is on an "irreversible" path to joining the alliance.
Mr Lammy is expected to partake in an event on Ukraine and meet representatives from European, Middle Eastern and North American nations.
Watch: Zelensky says he won't accept Russia peace deal unless Ukraine involved in talks
06:01
,
Athena Stavrou
Starmer and Lammy warned not to repeat Chamberlain’s mistakes
05:30
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A former foreign secretary has warned Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy that they must use this weekend’s Munich defence and security conference as an opportunity to stand up to Donald Trump over Ukraine.
Tory grandee Sir Malcolm Rifkind raised the spectre of the infamous 1938 Munich conference, where the then British prime minister Neville Chamberlain struck the “peace for our time” deal with Hitler and allowed him to invade Czechoslovakia.
It comes as Sir Keir, in an interview with ITV’s Robert Peston, did not guarantee that Ukraine would have a seat at the table in the talks about ending the war with Russia, only saying that President Volodymyr Zelensky “must be involved”.
More here.
Moldova and Romania say Russian drones exploded on their soil
05:04
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Russian drone attacks damaged port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, officials said, while neighbouring Moldova said two drones had blown up on its soil and Nato member Romania found drone fragments and remnants of explosives at two sites.
Kyiv said Moscow attacked Ukraine with 140 drones overnight, injuring one person in the Izmail district of Ukraine's Odesa region which lies on the Danube River and borders Romania and Moldova
Out of 140 drones, the Ukrainian air force said it shot down 85 and 52 did not reach their targets, probably due to electronic countermeasures. Moldova's foreign ministry said four Russian drones had fallen on its territory and two had exploded.
Moldovan president Maia Sandu said Russian actions were "putting Moldovan lives at risk". "Russia respects no borders, attacks civilians, spreads terror... Leave us, peaceful nations, alone," she said.
In Romania, residents of the eastern counties of Tulcea and Galati were advised to take cover. Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and two of Spain's Eurofighters currently taking part in air policing missions, the defence ministry said.
Zelensky warns leaders not to trust Putin's claims
05:02
,
Athena Stavrou
Volodymyr Zelensky has warned world leaders not to trust “Putin’s claims of readiness to end the war.”
Recounting his phone call with the Polish prime minister, Zelensky wrote on social media: “I emphasized that Ukraine must negotiate from a position of strength, with strong and reliable security guarantees, and that NATO membership would be the most cost-effective for partners. Another key guarantee is serious investment in Ukraine’s defense industry.”
He added: “I also warned world leaders against trusting Putin’s claims of readiness to end the war.”
Zelensky praises frontline result near Pokrovsk
04:34
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised a "good result" on the frontline of Ukraine's nearly three-year-old war against Russia.
In his nightly video address, the president praised the actions of the 425th separate assault regiment, appearing to indicate the action had taken place near the frontline city of Pokrovsk.
"There is a good result," Mr Zelensky said. "It would be improper to describe the geography. I won't make this political, but I want to congratulate the boys of the 425th separate assault regiment.
Your strength clearly has meaning. Well done!"Russian forces have been advancing towards Pokrovsk for weeks as part of their steady drive through eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, capturing a string of villages.
Ukraine denies participation in today's US-Russia meeting
03:52
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A Ukrainian official has denied Ukraine's participation in today's joint meeting between US and Russian representatives in Munich.
US president Donald Trump yesterday told reporters that Ukraine has also been invited to the Munich meeting. "Not sure exactly who’s going to be there from any country, but high-level people from Russia, from Ukraine and from the United States," he told reporters.
Dmytro Lytvyn, an advisor to Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, said there was nothing on the table from Ukraine. "No talks with the Russians are planned in Munich," he said, according to Kyiv Independent.
"Ukraine’s position remains unchanged. Ukraine must first speak with America. Europe must be part of any serious conversation for a genuine and lasting peace. Only a coordinated, unified position should be on the table for talks with the Russians. We don’t meet with Russians at an empty table."
British military chiefs rage over fears of Trump sell out of Ukraine
03:47
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer faces a possible diplomatic breach with Donald Trump over the president’s shock talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war.
After learning of Mr Trump’s plan to meet Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss the issue, defence secretary John Healey said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky must have a say.
And British defence figures are said to reacted furiously to claims Ukraine will be forced to give up land to Russia in a peace deal, saying of the US administration’s stance: “The bastards are going to do this”.
Read the full story:
Macron says only Zelensky can negotiate peace for Ukraine
03:29
,
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
French president Emmanuel Macron said only Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky could negotiate on behalf of his country with Russia to end the war, warning a "peace that is a capitulation" would be "bad news for everyone".
"The only question at this stage is whether president Putin is genuinely, sustainably, and credibly willing to agree to a ceasefire on this basis. After that, it is up to the Ukrainians to negotiate with Russia," Mr Macron told the Financial Times.
US president Donald Trump on Wednesday separately discussed the war with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Mr Zelensky and told US officials to begin talks on ending the nearly three-year-long conflict.
Mr Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, said Ukraine would have a seat at the table during any peace negotiations with Russia over ending the war.
The French president said Mr Trump had created a "window of opportunity" for a negotiated solution, where "everyone has to play their role", adding that it is now up to Mr Zelensky to discuss territorial and sovereignty issues.
Zelensky 'will not accept' peace agreement without Ukraine at talks
02:28
,
Athena Stavrou
Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will not accept any peace agreement that does not include Ukraine in talks.
The Ukrainian president spoke to journalists on Thursday, following a call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
"We cannot accept it, as an independent country, any agreements (made) without us," Mr Zelensky said as he visited a nuclear power station in western Ukraine.
"I articulate this very clearly to our partners. Any bilateral negotiations about Ukraine, not on other topics, but any bilateral talks about Ukraine without us, we will not accept."
01:12
,
Athena Stavrou
Ukraine has reiterated its plea that no peace deal is possible if it is forced to give up territory to Russia, after the US said supporting Kyiv to retake occupied land was “unrealistic”.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth signaled a dramatic shift in American military policy towards Europe during a speech in Brussels on Wednesday.
“We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine,” Mr Hegseth said. “But we must start by recognising that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective. Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering."
This marks a stark turn from the previous Joe Biden administration’s support for Ukraine to eject Russian forces from its land completely. The hardline stance under the Trump regime has already faced backlash, with accusations that the US is “betraying” Ukraine.
See where the 2014 borders were mapped and read the full story here:
‘Putin will use this to take Europe’: Outraged Ukrainians slam Trump’s peace talks with Russia
00:01
,
Athena Stavrou
Senior officers, veterans, politicians and ordinary soldiers have lashed out at Donald Trump’s plans to meet Vladimir Putin in peace talks that exclude Ukraine.
Ukrainian rap star Oleksandr Yarmak, who is also head of research and development in the country’s new unmanned aerial vehicle force, told The Independent: “Regardless of the plans of Trump and the murderous Putin, we will defend our country.
“If Russia is not punished for its bloody deeds, this world has no future.”
Read the full story here:
Latest pictures from Ukraine
Thursday 13 February 2025 22:33
,
Athena Stavrou
Trump says US, Russian officials to meet in Munich on Friday, Ukraine invited
Thursday 13 February 2025 21:47
,
Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump said on Thursday that U.S. and Russian officials would meet in Munich on Friday and that Ukraine was also invited.
"They're having a meeting in Munich tomorrow. Russia's going to be there with our people. Ukraine is also invited by the way. Not sure exactly who's going to be there from any country, but high level people from Russia, from Ukraine and from the United States," Trump told reporters.
When asked for further details, the White House declined comment.
Trump wants to halve US defense spending and let Russia back into G7 after call with Putin
Thursday 13 February 2025 21:04
,
Athena Stavrou
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A decade after Russia was expelled from the Group of Eight for invading and illegally annexing Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, President Donald Trump says he wants to reverse the decision and permit Russia to rejoin the group of the world’s major industrialized democracies, while also slashing America’s defense budget by 50 percent.
Read the full story here:
Trump says Russia should be readmitted to G7
Thursday 13 February 2025 20:17
,
Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump has said he would love to have Russia return to the Group of Seven nations, saying it was a mistake for Moscow to be expelled.
Russia had been a member of the G7 club of industrialised democracies, then known as the G8, until Moscow was excluded following its annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014.
"I'd love to have them back. I think it was a mistake to throw them out. Look, it's not a question of liking Russia or not liking Russia. It was the G8," Trump said at the White House when he announced new US reciprocal tariffs.
"I said, 'What are you doing? You guys - all you're talking about is Russia and they should be sitting at the table.' I think Putin would love to be back."
There was no immediate reaction to Trump's comments from Canada, which is chair of the G7 this year.
Trump says Ukraine would be in involved in peace talks with Russia
Thursday 13 February 2025 20:17
,
Athena Stavrou
Donald Trump has confirmed that Ukraine would have a seat at the table during any peace negotiations with Russia over ending the war.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said the war in Ukraine has to end.
It comes after president Zelensky said he would reject any peace deal made without Ukraine’s input.
Ukraine must be at heart of talks, says Healey
Thursday 13 February 2025 19:29
,
Athena Stavrou
UAE offers to host talks aimed at ending Ukraine war, sources say
Thursday 13 February 2025 18:59
,
Athena Stavrou
The United Arab Emirates has told the United States it wants to host talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, several people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Donald Trump has said one of his top priorities is to end the nearly three-year conflict, which began when Russia invaded Ukraine, saying on Wednesday that he could meet Putin in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE has eagerly pitched itself to play a key role in trying to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, said five sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Three of those sources - in the US and UAE - said UAE officials had proposed to Washington that the Gulf country host a "peace summit."
Two of those people said such a summit could eventually include a meeting between Putin and Zelensky.
A fourth source - close to Trump - said the UAE had emerged as a top candidate for the first meeting between Trump and Putin. The Kremlin said no decision has been made.
Comment: Trump’s behaving like an agent of the KGB – it’s time Starmer stood up to him
Thursday 13 February 2025 18:26
,
Athena Stavrou
As the US president brags about talks with Putin, Starmer must now decide whether he has what it takes to lead the country – or go down in history as an appeasement prime minister like Neville Chamberlain, warns world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
‘Putin will use this to take Europe’: Outraged Ukrainians slam Trump’s peace talks with Russia
Thursday 13 February 2025 17:59
,
Athena Stavrou
Senior officers, veterans, politicians and ordinary soldiers have lashed out at Donald Trump’s plans to meet Vladimir Putin in peace talks that exclude Ukraine.
Ukrainian rap star Oleksandr Yarmak, who is also head of research and development in the country’s new unmanned aerial vehicle force, told The Independent: “Regardless of the plans of Trump and the murderous Putin, we will defend our country.
“If Russia is not punished for its bloody deeds, this world has no future.”
Thursday 13 February 2025 17:42
,
Athena Stavrou
Volodymyr Zelensky has warned world leaders not to trust “Putin’s claims of readiness to end the war.”
The Ukrainian prime minister said on social media that he had spoken with the Polish prime minister Donald Tusk.
“We discussed the conditions needed for a lasting and real peace in Ukraine and agreed that no negotiations with Putin can begin without a united position from Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S,” he wrote.
“I emphasized that Ukraine must negotiate from a position of strength, with strong and reliable security guarantees, and that NATO membership would be the most cost-effective for partners. Another key guarantee is serious investment in Ukraine’s defense industry.”
He added: “I also warned world leaders against trusting Putin’s claims of readiness to end the war.”
I spoke with Polish Prime Minister @donaldtusk. We discussed the conditions needed for a lasting and real peace in Ukraine and agreed that no negotiations with Putin can begin without a united position from Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 13, 2025
I informed the Prime Minister about my…
British military chiefs rage over fears of Trump sell out of Ukraine
Thursday 13 February 2025 17:30
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer faces a possible diplomatic breach with Donald Trump over the president’s shock talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war.
After learning of Mr Trump’s plan to meet Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss the issue, defence secretary John Healey said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky must have a say.
And British defence figures are said to reacted furiously to claims Ukraine will be forced to give up land to Russia in a peace deal, saying of the US administration’s stance: “The bastards are going to do this”.
Read the full story: