Ukraine-Russia war latest: Europe condemns Trump’s oil sanctions move as Zelensky bemoans Middle East conflict

European leaders have condemned Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil as Vladimir Putin's forces continued to bombard Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia fired 430 drones and nearly 70 missiles in a massive attack overnight into Saturday morning.

He said the strikes primarily targeted Kyiv's energy infrastructure but hit a host of other civilian buildings, killing at least four people.

Poland briefly scrambled its jets in response.

Earlier, Trump issued a 30-day waiver on war-related sanctions to allow countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products.

Zelensky warned the move could divert as much as $10bn to Putin's war chest. European Council president Antonio Costa called it "very concerning", and German chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised it as the "wrong" decision.

Zelensky expressed frustration over waning attention on the Ukraine war amid the crisis with Iran, saying it was “understandable that the attention of the world is moving to the Middle East" but that "it's not good for us".

Key Points

Zelensky says Russia fire 430 drones and 68 missile in massive attacks
European leaders criticise Trump's decision to ease oil sanctions
Zelensky says global focus on Middle East 'not good for Ukraine'
How Trump’s bid to cut oil prices will help fund Russia's war in Ukraine
Starmer risks Trump’s wrath with split from US over lifting Russia oil sanctions
Zelensky says US's pause on Russian oil sanctions 'not the right decision'

US postpones Ukraine-Russia talks due to Middle East war

15:50 , Stephanie Cockroft

The US has postponed its sponsored talks planned this week between Ukraine and Russia due to the war in the Middle East.

As US and Israeli missiles and bombs rain on Iran, Russia is already profiting from a surge in global energy prices. Vladimir Putin may also hope that the conflict will detract attention from Ukraine, deplete Western arsenals and force NATO allies to reduce military support for Kyiv.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday has on Kyiv's Western partners to pay "one hundred percent attention" to the need to boost the production of air defense missiles.

"Russia will try to exploit the war in the Middle East to cause even greater destruction here in Europe, in Ukraine," he said in a post on social media.

"We must be fully aware of the real level of the threat and prepare accordingly, namely: in Europe, we need to develop the production of air defense missiles — especially those capable of countering ballistic threats — as well as all other systems necessary to truly protect lives.”

Missile and drone attack kills four

15:23 , Stephanie Cockroft

A combined missile and drone attack on the Kyiv region killed at least four people and wounded at least 15 overnight into Saturday, an official said.

The attack hit four districts, damaging residential buildings, educational institutions, enterprises and critical infrastructure, the head of the regional administration Mykola Kalashnyk wrote in a social media post.

He said three of the wounded were critical.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the main target of the strikes was the energy infrastructure of the Kyiv region.

He said Russia launched around 430 drones and 68 missiles.

Russia convicts 19 people over Moscow concert hall attack that killed 149

12:30 , Shweta Sharma

A Moscow court has convicted 19 individuals in connection with the deadly 2024 concert hall attack that claimed 149 lives and injured over 600.

The March 22 rampage at Crocus City Hall, one of the capital's most devastating attacks in years, saw four gunmen open fire on concert-goers before setting the venue ablaze. A faction of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the atrocity.

All 19 defendants received substantial prison terms following the verdict. Fifteen were sentenced to life imprisonment, one was given 22 and a half years, and three others were handed 19 years and 11 months each.

Russia convicts 19 people over Moscow concert hall attack that killed 149

Zelensky says Russia is exploiting war in Middle East to intensify attacks

12:00 , Shweta Sharma

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia could try to exploit the war in the Middle East to intensify attacks on Ukraine and urged faster implementation of agreements to boost air defence.

In remarks on Saturday, Zelensky said all agreements on missile supplies must be implemented as quickly as possible, stressing that expanding the production of air defence missiles was a critical priority.

“Russia will try to exploit the war in the Middle East to cause even greater destruction here in Europe, in Ukraine,” he said.

Zelensky called for Europe to accelerate the production of air defence missiles, particularly systems capable of intercepting ballistic threats, as well as other defence technologies needed to protect civilians.

He said Europe was capable of ensuring a reliable level of protection if it moved quickly to strengthen its defence production.

Zekensky says Ukraine hit with 430 drones and nearly 70 missiles

11:30 , Shweta Sharma

Volodymyr Zelensky said Russians launched around 430 drones of various types and a significant number of missiles overnight.

There were 13 ballistic missiles alone, and the total number of missiles in this attack was 68, he said on X.

Ukrainian emergency crews were undertaking operations to tackle massive Russian attacks in Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv regions.

“The main target for the Russians was the energy infrastructure of the Kyiv region, but unfortunately, there were also direct hits on and damage to ordinary residential buildings, schools, and civilian businesses,” he said.

“As of now, four people have been reported killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Many people have been injured, and some are still seeking medical assistance.”

Trump rejects Ukraine's help with drones

11:00 , Shweta Sharma

US President Donald Trump said the United States does not need help with drone defence when asked whether Ukraine was helping providing such assistance.

Trump made the comments in an interview on Fox News Radio's "The Brian Kilmeade Show" that aired on Friday.

Team of Ukraine experts were sent to Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia earlier this week to give advice on how to combat drones, given their experience during the war with Russia.

Zelensky said his country had “the greatest experience in the world in countering attack drones”.

Trump admits that Putin could be helping Iran despite what his envoy claimed

10:30 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump has admitted that Russian president Vladimir Putin could be helping Iran in its military efforts against the US, contrary to claims made previously by his envoy to the Middle East.

“I think he might be helping them a little bit, yeah, I guess, and he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” Trump said, speaking to Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade in a Friday interview. “Yeah, we’re helping them also.”

Trump admits that Putin could be helping Iran despite what his envoy claimed

Recap: Russia-Ukraine talks in limbo as US negotiator refuse to travel amid Iran war

09:30 , Shweta Sharma

President Volodymyr Zelensky says three-sided peace talks with Russia and the US are stalling after the Americans sought a postponement due to the war in Iran.

Zelensky, whose comments were quoted by various Ukrainian media outlets at the end of a visit to France, said the US side had indicated its negotiators were not permitted to leave the United States in view of circumstances in the Middle East.

He said discussions about the next round were akin to a soap opera "because of the war in the Middle East".

"The Americans said they were ready to meet, but only in America as the war and the security situation barred them from leaving the US," the state news agency Ukrinform quoted Zelensky as saying.

The Ukrainian delegation, he said, was ready to meet in Miami or Washington, but Russia rejected the proposal and suggested meeting in Turkey or Switzerland, a proposal ruled out by the US.

"We immediately said that we were ready for a meeting next week. We are preparing for a meeting in America, in Switzerland, in Turkey, and even, if they are not afraid, in the Emirates," Zelensky was quoted as saying.

Ultimately, he said, staging the next round of talks depended on the US side. Washington's negotiating team has been led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, president Donald Trump's son-in-law.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Zelensky's remarks.

Russia convicts 19 people over Moscow concert hall attack that killed 149

09:00 , Shweta Sharma

A Moscow court has convicted 19 individuals in connection with the deadly 2024 concert hall attack that claimed 149 lives and injured over 600.

The March 22 rampage at Crocus City Hall, one of the capital's most devastating attacks in years, saw four gunmen open fire on concert-goers before setting the venue ablaze. A faction of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the atrocity.

All 19 defendants received substantial prison terms following the verdict. Fifteen were sentenced to life imprisonment, one was given 22 and a half years, and three others were handed 19 years and 11 months each.

Russia convicts 19 people over Moscow concert hall attack that killed 149

In pictures: Two killed in Russian strikes on Kyiv

08:30 , Shweta Sharma

Two people were killed and four were injured in the Brovary district after a Russian strike.

Another person was injured in the Vyshhorod district, according to the governor.

The drone and missile strike sparked a massive fire, forcing evacuations.

Zelensky shares video of firefighters tackling massive fire

08:05 , Shweta Sharma

Volodymyr Zelensky said Russians launched around 430 drones of various types and a significant number of missiles overnight.

There were 13 ballistic missiles alone, and the total number of missiles in this attack was 68, he said on X.

Ukrainian emergency crews were undertaking operations to tackle massive Russian attacks in Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv regions.

“The main target for the Russians was the energy infrastructure of the Kyiv region, but unfortunately, there were also direct hits on and damage to ordinary residential buildings, schools, and civilian businesses,” he said.

“As of now, four people have been reported killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Many people have been injured, and some are still seeking medical assistance.”

Efforts to deal with the aftermath of the massive Russian attack are currently underway in the Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv regions. All necessary services are involved. The main target for the Russians was the energy infrastructure of the Kyiv region, but… pic.twitter.com/ddqRUmQFkt
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 14, 2026

Drones strike Russian oil refinery

07:50 , Shweta Sharma

Drones struck Russia’s Krasnodar Krai overnight on Wednesday, hitting the Afipsky oil refinery and sparking a large fire, according to Russian media and local officials.

Residents said they heard dozens of explosions beginning around 1am local time as air defence systems were activated and sirens sounded across the region

.Local authorities said the refinery was damaged, which they attributed to falling drone debris, adding that no casualties had been reported.

The strike reportedly hit a key processing unit at the facility, igniting a major blaze and causing a gas leak from a nearby overpass structure.

The Afipsky refinery – one of the largest in southern Russia – has been targeted repeatedly in previous drone attacks. The plant processes about 6.25 million tonnes of oil annually, accounting for around 2.1 per cent of Russia’s refining output.

Russian authorities also reported a separate drone attack on the Port Kavkaz facility in Krasnodar Krai, where three people were injured and a technical vessel was damaged after drone debris fell on the dock complex.

The port, located on the Chushka Spit in the Kerch Strait, is one of Russia’s largest passenger ports and serves the Kerch ferry crossing linking Russia with Russian-occupied Crimea.

Residents also reported another drone strike in the city of Tolyatti in Russia’s Samara region targeting the KuibyshevAzot chemical plant, though the extent of the damage there remains unclear.

Poland scrambles aircraft as Russia strikes Ukraine

07:33 , Shweta Sharma

Polish and allied aircraft were deployed early on Saturday as Russia carried out strikes in neighbouring Ukraine.

Poland's armed forces said its aircraft were scrambled to ensure the safety of Polish airspace and that no violation of that airspace was observed.

The operational command of the Polish armed forces later confirmed in a post on X that the operations by its aircraft had ended.

Four killed in Russian air attack on Kyiv region, officials say

07:13 , Shweta Sharma

At least four people were killed and 15 wounded in an overnight Russian air attack outside the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, officials said on Saturday.

The attack targeted residential buildings, educational institutions, enterprises and critical infrastructure facilities in four districts of the Kyiv region, Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the regional military administration, said.

Damage reports were still coming in and the number of victims was rising, he added.

Russian forces have carried out regular air strikes on Ukrainian towns and cities far behind the front line of their four-year-old war, including on energy facilities and other critical infrastructure.

Sweden investigates Russian captain after dramatic coastguard operation

07:00 , Shweta Sharma

Swedish authorities have launched an investigation into the Russian captain of a stateless vessel in the Baltic Sea, following a coastguard operation that saw the ship boarded and taken control of. This marks the second such incident in Swedish waters within a week.

The captain, a Russian national, is under suspicion for the use of false documents, serious crimes, and violations of Sweden's maritime act, according to the prosecution authority.

Senior prosecutor Adrien Combier-Hogg stated: "What we are doing now is, among other things, to continue with the search on board, conduct interrogations and investigate suspected false documents." He confirmed that no detentions have been made in connection with the case so far.

The 228-meter-long tanker, named Sea Owl I, was reportedly flying the Comorian flag, though the coastguard suspects it was operating under a false flag. The vessel is also listed on the sanctions lists of several nations, including the European Union.

Sweden investigates Russian captain after dramatic coastguard operation

Russia offers to sell back energy to Ukraine from captured nuclear plant

06:30 , Shweta Sharma

Russia intends to control the relaunch operations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant when it is safe to do so and could sell its electricity to Ukraine, the head of the Russian state nuclear corporation said on Friday.

The comments by Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev highlighted the gulf between Moscow and Kyiv on the status of the plant, which Russian forces captured in the first weeks of the war in 2022.

The fate of the plant in southern Ukraine is one of the key issues in peace talks. US president Donald Trump has proposed American ownership or management of Ukrainian nuclear plants, including Zaporizhzhia.

The plant's six reactors are currently shut down and being kept cool to ensure safety, but Russia's Likhachev said preparations were being made to restart them when security conditions allowed.

He said Russia had issued operating licences for two of the units, a third was coming soon, and licences for the rest were also being prepared.

"We are ready to restart work, the necessary equipment is ready," Likhachev told reporters after a meeting with Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"As soon as the opportunity arises, we will begin starting up and operating the station under IAEA supervision," he said.

Likhachev described a scenario in which Rosatom would operate the plant but "commercial aspects can be viewed multilaterally".

"Under certain conditions there could be discussion of supplying electricity, including to Ukraine," he added.

With 6 gigawatts of capacity, the plant could also be used to power data centres, Likhachev said. "Here, we may well have new partners... we are talking about the United States, among others."

Grossi told reporters: "We need peace, we need calm. No nuclear power plant can operate under the threat of any violent or kinetic act against it. But of course, you cannot start up a nuclear power plant overnight."

Trump says US does not need Ukraine's help with drone defence

06:00 , Shweta Sharma

US president Donald Trump said the United States does not need help with drone defence when asked whether Ukraine was providing such assistance.

Speaking in an interview on Fox News Radio's "The Brian Kilmeade Show" that aired on Friday, he said: No, we don't need their help in drone defence.

"We know more about drones than anybody. We have the best drones in the world, actually."

European leaders criticise Trump's decision to ease oil sanctions

05:36 , Shweta Sharma

European leaders have reacted sharply to a US decision to temporarily ease sanctions on the purchase of Russian oil.

The waiver will allow countries to buy Russian oil already on vessels at sea but unsold due to sanctions.

European Council President Antonio Costa said the decision was "very concerning" as it "impacts European security".

"Weakening sanctions increases Russian resources to wage the war of aggression against Ukraine," he wrote in a post on X.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said at a news conference the move could allow Russia to gain about $10bn, adding: "It certainly does not help peace.

"French president Emmanuel Macron, speaking alongside Zelensky, said the reported shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz "in no way" justified lifting sanctions.

Canada's prime minister Mark Carney said earlier that Canada's position was to "maintain sanctions on Russia".

German chancellor Friedrich Merz also criticised the decision, calling it "wrong" at a separate news conference.

How Trump’s bid to cut oil prices will fill Russia’s war chest with billions

05:30 , Shweta Sharma

Russia could earn more than $10bn (£7.8bn) in additional oil and gas revenues to help fuel its war on Ukraine – thanks to Donald Trump, experts warn.

The US president lifted restrictions on countries buying Russian crude stranded at sea, after the closure of the key shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, due to the Iran war he started, sent prices soaring. A fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait.

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent claimed the 30-day waiver would “not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government”.

He said the “tailored, short-term” move would only provide Moscow with a limited financial boost from oil sales, adding that it would address the “instability posed by the terrorist Iranian regime”.

How Trump’s bid to cut oil prices will fill Russia’s war chest with billions

Starmer risks Trump’s wrath with split from US over lifting Russia oil sanctions

05:00 , Shweta Sharma

Sir Keir Starmer has risked a fresh rift with Donald Trump by confirming that Britain won’t be following the US in lifting sanctions on Russian oil, saying that the move risks helping Vladimir Putin’s “war machine”.

No 10 has instead urged its international allies to maintain pressure on Moscow, and to avoid inadvertently funding Putin’s war in Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil.

Mr Trump’s decision to issue exemptions for Russian oil already at sea has sparked fears that Putin could use the Iran conflict to boost Russia’s own war chest, with foreign secretary Yvette Cooper accusing Russia and Iran of attempting to “hijack the global economy”.

Starmer says UK will not follow US in easing Russia sanctions

Explosions heard in Kyiv

04:45 , Shweta Sharma

Explosions have been reported in Ukraine's capital in the early hours of today, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground.

The blasts were heard at around 3.10am local time.

At around the same time, Ukraine's Air Force warned of the threat of Russian ballistic missiles.

Russia designates a US academic as a foreign agent

04:30 , Shweta Sharma

Russia has designated a US academic as a foreign agent for disseminating false information about Russian policies and opposing Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Nina Khrushcheva, the great-granddaughter of a former Soviet leader, is a professor at The New School university in New York and has continued to make research trips to Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The term "foreign agent" has connotations of spying that Moscow applies to people it views as engaged in anti-Russian activity.

Her ancestor Nikita Khrushchev led the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, when he was ousted by fellow members of the ruling Politburo.

Khrushcheva said she was not surprised at being added to Russia's "foreign agent" list, which as of Friday contained 1,164 names including politicians, journalists, artists, NGOs and media organisations.

"It would have been sloppy on their part not to do this sooner or later," she said, adding that it was too early to say what the practical impact would be.

"There is certainly historical irony but not anything shocking. When Stalin is up, Khrushchev is down," she said.

Khrushchev was the Soviet leader who transferred Crimea to Ukraine from Russia in 1954, an act reversed in 2014 when Russian forces invaded the peninsula and President Vladimir Putin declared its annexation.

Khrushchev is also remembered for facing off against US President John F Kennedy in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war.

People listed as foreign agents are subjected to onerous bureaucratic requirements and restrictions on their income in Russia. They are obliged to place the foreign agent label on social media posts or anything else they publish.

Some Kremlin critics have worn the label as a badge of honour, while others say it is a burden that hampers them in their work because it causes other Russians to shun them.

Zelensky says global focus on Middle East 'not good for Ukraine'

04:00 , Shweta Sharma

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky expressed frustration over waning attention on the Ukraine war amid the crisis in the Middle East as he denounced US decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil.

"There is nothing good for Ukraine in the war in the Middle East. It is understandable that the attention of the world is moving to the Middle East. It's not good for us," Zelensky told students in Paris during a speech at the Sciences Po university.

He said the decision to waive oil sanctions was not helping to end the conflict in Ukraine as he sought reassurances of support in Paris.

"This single easing by the US could provide Russia with around $10 billion for the war. It certainly does not help to achieve peace," Zelensky told a joint news conference with French president.

Zelensky says US's pause on Russian oil sanctions 'not the right decision'

03:30 , Tom Barnes

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the US 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions amid the Iran war is "not the right decision" and will not help bring a stop to Russia's more than four-year-old invasion of Ukraine.

"This easing alone by the United States could provide Russia with about 10 billion dollars for the war," Mr Zelensky said on Friday.

"This certainly does not help peace.

"I believe that lifting sanctions will, in any case, lead to a strengthening of Russia's position."

"It spends the money from energy sales on weapons, and all of this is then used against us," Mr Zelensky said at a news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to Paris.

"Therefore, ultimately lifting sanctions only so that more drones will later be flying at you is, in my opinion, not the right decision."

The US Treasury Department announced on Thursday a 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions.

The step aims to free up Russian cargoes stranded at sea and ease supply shortages caused by the Iran war.

Analysts say that spiralling oil prices due to Persian Gulf production blockages are benefiting the Russian economy.

Russia-Ukraine talks in limbo as US negotiator refuse to travel amid Iran war

03:15 , Shweta Sharma