The EU has transferred €4bn to Ukraine using revenue generated from frozen Russian assets, the country’s finance ministry revealed on Wednesday.
It comes as European leaders discuss the possibility of transferring up to €140bn in the same manner this week.
Moscow has warned it considers the procedure “theft” of its sovereign assets and will seek the prosecution of countries and individuals involved.
Leaders including Macron have expressed support for the initiative, but have stressed it must take place in accordance with international law.
“We need a more structural solution for military support,” the European Commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Tuesday. “This is why I have put forward the idea of a reparations loan that is based on the immobilized Russian assets.”
European leaders are meeting in Copenhagen this week to discuss the formation of a "drone wall" along their borders with Russia and Ukraine to stop drones violating European airspace.
Read More
Key Points
- EU transfers €4bn to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets
- Putin knows he cannot win the war in Ukraine, says Kellogg
- Zelensky warns of 'emergency situation' at nuclear power plant after Russian shelling
- Ukraine warns of critical situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Family-of-five among nine killed in Ukraine flash flooding as torrential downpours hit Odesa
03:00
,
Joe Middleton
Nine people including a family-of-five have died after severe flash flooding struck the Ukrainian city of Odesa.
Over two months of rain fell on the coastal area in seven hours, leading to storms, downpours and power outages across the region. The family was killed when they were swept away by flood waters from their ground floor flat according to emergency services.
EU transfers €4bn to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets
02:00
,
Joe Middleton
Ukraine has received €4bn in funding from the EU with the help of frozen Russian assets, the country’s finance ministry revealed on Wednesday.
It comes as European leaders are set to discuss the possibility of transferring up to €140bn in the same manner.
Moscow has warned it considers the procedure “theft” of its sovereign assets and will seek the prosecution of countries and individuals involved.
Leaders including Macron have expressed support for the initiative, but have stressed it must take place in accordance with international law.
Watch: Locals rescued from cars and homes as flash floods turn deadly in Odesa
01:00
,
Joe Middleton
Is Britain already at war with Russia?
Wednesday 1 October 2025 23:59
,
Joe Middleton
The forthright and eloquent former head of MI5, Eliza Manningham-Buller – one of the outstanding intelligence intelligences of our time – has said that Britain is now in a condition of war, meaning war in its new contemporary terms.
Robert Fox reports:
Zelensky warns of 'emergency' at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Wednesday 1 October 2025 23:00
,
Joe Middleton
Ukrainian leader Zelensky has warned of an “emergency” threat at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which he called a ”threat to everyone”.
“It is now the seventh day – something that has never happened before – of an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,” he wrote on X/Twitter.
“Because of Russian shelling, the plant has been cut off from power, disconnected from the electrical grid, and is being supplied with electricity by diesel generators.”
He added: “This is extraordinary. The generators and the plant were not designed for this, have never operated in this mode for long, and we already have information that one generator has failed. It is Russian shelling that prevents repair of the power lines to the plant and the restoration of basic safety.
“This is a threat to everyone – no terrorist in the world has ever dared to do to a nuclear plant what Russia is doing. And it is right that the world does not stay silent.”
Russia denies blaze at oil refinery was caused by Ukraine drone attack
Wednesday 1 October 2025 21:52
,
Joe Middleton
A fire at a major oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region northeast of Moscow, has been contained, according to emergency services.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday and was suspected to be a drone attack by Ukraine.
However, regional governor, Mikhail Yevrayev, said the incident was under control.
“Residents were concerned it might have been the result of an enemy drone attack,” Yevrayev said on Telegram.
“But what happened has nothing to do with that...The fire is of a technological nature.”
Ukraine has reportedly been attacking refineries in an attempt to disrupt fuel supplies and revenue.
Family-of-five among nine killed in Ukraine flash flooding as torrential downpours hit Odesa
Wednesday 1 October 2025 21:00
,
Maira Butt
Nine people including a family-of-five have died after severe flash flooding struck the Ukrainian city of Odesa.
Over two months of rain fell on the coastal area in seven hours, leading to storms, downpours and power outages across the region. The family was killed when they were swept away by flood waters from their ground floor flat according to emergency services.
Can Ukraine regain all the land lost to Russia? Maps show huge scale of task despite Trump’s call to ‘fight and win’
Wednesday 1 October 2025 20:31
,
Maira Butt
Donald Trump has claimed that Ukraine could win back all of the land captured by Russia since the beginning of its invasion in February 2022, in a major shift in his position on the war.
The US president said in a Truth Social post that Kyiv’s military could win “all of Ukraine back in its original form”, adding that Putin and Russia are in “BIG economic trouble”.
Military experts say Ukraine could push Russia back towards the border as it stood in 2022, and force Vladimir Putin to seek a peace deal – but only in the presence of a strict, and unlikely, set of conditions.
Alex Croft reports:
Pattern of 'hybrid war against Europe', warns Danish PM
Wednesday 1 October 2025 20:01
,
Maira Butt
"It is the pattern we need to observe, and in my view that pattern is essentially a hybrid war against Europe, and that is what we need to respond to," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters on Wednesday.
It follows violations of Danish airspace by unidentified drones. Russia has insisted it is not responsible.
The drones were located near airports in Denmark.
UN atomic agency warns of safety risks at nuclear power plant
Wednesday 1 October 2025 19:32
,
Maira Butt
“Europe’s largest nuclear power plant has been without external power for more than a week now, which is by far the longest lasting such event during more than three and a half years of war,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said, according to Reuters.
Fuel reserves allow the plant to operate for ten days, however he said: “Nevertheless, it is extremely important that off-site power is restored.”
Poland's Prime Minister says 'it will be too late' if action not taken soon
Wednesday 1 October 2025 19:00
,
Maira Butt
Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, has delivered a speech at an EU summit being held on Wednesday to discuss the bolstering of European defences.
“It will be too late if we are not ready to act today,” he warned, urging EU countries to move from “reaction to action”.
Poland had previously called for a no-fly zone to be implemented after drone incursions into its airspace.
Danish PM warns Europe in most 'dangerous' situation since World War II
Wednesday 1 October 2025 18:30
,
Maira Butt
“I think it is serious. I think the war in Ukraine is very serious,” she said in a speech on Wednesday.
“When I look at Europe today, I think we are in the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the second world war - not the Cold War.”
It follows the comments of US envoy, Keith Kellogg, who reiterated that the numbers of dead and wounded across both Russia and Ukraine had not been seen since World War II.
Princess Anne makes surprise visit to Kyiv and leaves teddy as tribute to children killed in Ukraine war
Wednesday 1 October 2025 17:57
,
Maira Butt
The Princess Royal has made a surprise trip to Ukraine in a show of solidarity with children and families facing the horrors of the Russian invasion.
The King’s sister travelled to the war-torn country on Tuesday, where she left a teddy at a children’s memorial in a poignant tribute to youngsters killed in the conflict, saying her daughter Zara Tindall had the same bear.
Russia denies blaze at oil refinery was caused by Ukraine drone attack
Wednesday 1 October 2025 17:20
,
Maira Butt
A fire at a major oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region northeast of Moscow, has been contained, according to emergency services.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday and was suspected to be a drone attack by Ukraine.
However, regional governor, Mikhail Yevrayev, said the incident was under control.
“Residents were concerned it might have been the result of an enemy drone attack,” Yevrayev said on Telegram.
“But what happened has nothing to do with that...The fire is of a technological nature.”
Ukraine has reportedly been attacking refineries in an attempt to disrupt fuel supplies and revenue.
In pictures: Aftermath of Russian drone strike in Ukraine
Wednesday 1 October 2025 16:45
,
Maira Butt
Zelensky warns of 'emergency' at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Wednesday 1 October 2025 16:15
,
Maira Butt
Ukrainian leader Zelensky has warned of an “emergency” threat at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which he called a ”threat to everyone”.
“It is now the seventh day – something that has never happened before – of an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,” he wrote on X/Twitter.
“Because of Russian shelling, the plant has been cut off from power, disconnected from the electrical grid, and is being supplied with electricity by diesel generators.”
He added: “This is extraordinary. The generators and the plant were not designed for this, have never operated in this mode for long, and we already have information that one generator has failed. It is Russian shelling that prevents repair of the power lines to the plant and the restoration of basic safety.
“This is a threat to everyone – no terrorist in the world has ever dared to do to a nuclear plant what Russia is doing. And it is right that the world does not stay silent.”
Is Britain already at war with Russia?
Wednesday 1 October 2025 15:40
,
Maira Butt
he forthright and eloquent former head of MI5, Eliza Manningham-Buller – one of the outstanding intelligence intelligences of our time – has said that Britain is now in a condition of war, meaning war in its new contemporary terms.
Watch: Locals rescued from cars and homes as flash floods turn deadly in Odesa
Wednesday 1 October 2025 15:17
,
Maira Butt
EU transfers €4bn to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets
Wednesday 1 October 2025 14:51
,
Maira Butt
Ukraine has received €4bn in funding from the EU with the help of frozen Russian assets, the country’s finance ministry revealed on Wednesday.
It comes as European leaders are set to discuss the possibility of transferring up to €140bn in the same manner.
Moscow has warned it considers the procedure “theft” of its sovereign assets and will seek the prosecution of countries and individuals involved.
Leaders including Macron have expressed support for the initiative, but have stressed it must take place in accordance with international law.
Ukraine secures €300m loan for gas purchases ahead of winter
Wednesday 1 October 2025 14:27
,
Maira Butt
Ukraine has secured a €300m loan for gas purchases this winter.
State energy firm Naftogaz signed a deal with the European Investment Bank, the company said on Wednesday.
Efforts were intensified after Russian strikes damaged 40 per cent of the country’s domestic output for gas volumes.
Ukrainian diver arrested over Nord Stream explosions appears in court
Wednesday 1 October 2025 13:51
,
Maira Butt
A Ukrainian diver arrested in Poland on suspicion of being involved in the Nord Stream explosions, has appeared in a court in Warsaw today.
The explosions took place in September 2022 and largely destroyed the pipelines to Europe, squeezing energy supplies on the continent, and forcing countries to use alternatives.
Denmark and Sweden concluded the explosions were an act of sabotage, but closed their investigations last year.
The court decided that the man, wanted by Berlin, must be kept in custody while a decision is made on whether to transfer him to Germany.
Family-of-five among nine killed in Ukraine flash flooding as torrential downpours hit Odesa
Wednesday 1 October 2025 13:35
,
Maira Butt
Nine people including a family-of-five have died after severe flash flooding struck the Ukrainian city of Odesa.
Over two months of rain fell on the coastal area in seven hours, leading to storms, downpours and power outages across the region. The family was killed when they were swept away by flood waters from their ground floor flat according to emergency services.
Putin knows he cannot win the war in Ukraine, says Kellogg
Wednesday 1 October 2025 13:21
,
Maira Butt
Russian leader Vladimir Putin knows he cannot win the war in Ukraine, US president Donald Trump’s special envoy has said.
“I think probably in his heart of hearts he realises he can’t win this. This is an unwinnable fight for him, long-term. It’s not going to happen,” US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said.
Speaking at a conference in Poland, Kellogg said that the US is focusing on efforts to “stop the largest land war in Europe since the Second World War,” stressing that the losses have far exceeded any other major recent conflict.
Danish PM warns Europe in most 'dangerous' situation since World War II
Wednesday 1 October 2025 12:58
,
Maira Butt
"I think it is serious. I think the war in Ukraine is very serious,” she said in a speech on Wednesday.
“When I look at Europe today, I think we are in the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the second world war - not the Cold War."
It follows the comments of US envoy, Keith Kellogg, who reiterated that the numbers of dead and wounded across both Russia and Ukraine had not been seen since World War II.
Medvedev mocks Trump claim that US submarines are stationed on Russian coast
Wednesday 1 October 2025 12:40
,
Maira Butt
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has mocked US President Donald Trump after the American leader suggested that he was a “stupid person”.
Mr Trump said he had moved a “submarine or two” to the Russian coast on Tuesday. In August, he said that he had ordered two nuclear submarines to “appropriate regions” in response to threats from Medvedev.
“New episode of the thriller series,” Medvedev wrote on X/Twitter. “Trump once again brought up the subs he allegedly 'sent to the Russian shores' insisting they are 'very well hidden.”
Princess Anne makes surprise visit to Kyiv and leaves teddy as tribute to children killed in Ukraine war
Wednesday 1 October 2025 12:17
,
Maira Butt
Princess Anne has met with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for an official visit at the request of the Foreign Office.
The Royal made the surprise visit on Tuesday and left a toy bear at the Children’s Memorial for children killed since Russia’s invasion. She was joined by First Lady Olena Zelenska.
She wanted to highlight “the traumatic experiences of children living on the frontline of the conflict”, according to Buckingham Palace.
According to Ukraine, 19,500 children have been displaced since February 2022.
UN atomic agency warns of safety risks at nuclear power plant
Wednesday 1 October 2025 11:50
,
Maira Butt
“Europe’s largest nuclear power plant has been without external power for more than a week now, which is by far the longest lasting such event during more than three and a half years of war,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said, according to Reuters.
Fuel reserves allow the plant to operate for ten days, however he said: “Nevertheless, it is extremely important that off-site power is restored.”
Romania to produce defensive drones with Ukraine
Wednesday 1 October 2025 11:35
,
Maira Butt
Romania hopes to work with Ukraine to ramp up its production of defensive drones – both for domestic use as well as by European Union and Nato allies, foreign minister Oana Toiu said in an interview.
Toiu told Reuters talks with Ukraine began before a spate of airspace incursions that the region has blamed on Russia in recent weeks.
"We believe it is strategic for the eastern flank to be better protected, especially in air defence. So what we are doing in that direction is to create the partnerships needed, for example, with Ukraine to build defensive drones for the future," she said.
"We believe in our capacity to make it a reality fast," she said on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly that ended on Monday.
Tensions with Moscow edged up in recent weeks as Estonia accused Russia of sending fighter jets into its airspace and Nato jets shot down drones over Poland. Romania also said its jets almost engaged a drone that entered its airspace.
Russia has said it has never targeted EU or Nato nations and has no plans to do so in the future.
In photos: Rescuers battle through flood chaos after 9 killed in Odesa
Wednesday 1 October 2025 10:56
,
Maira Butt
Poland's Prime Minister says 'it will be too late' if action not taken soon
Wednesday 1 October 2025 10:45
,
Maira Butt
Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, has delivered a speech at an EU summit being held on Wednesday to discuss European defences.
“It will be too late if we are not ready to act today,” he warned, urging EU countries to move from “reaction to action”.
Poland had previously called for a no-fly zone to be implemented after drone incursions into its airspace.
US has moved submarines near Russian coast to 'be careful', says Trump
Tuesday 30 September 2025 22:01
,
Maira Butt
American submarines have been stationed near the Russian coast, according to the US President.
“I moved a submarine or two, over to the coast of Russia, just to be careful, because we can't let people throw around that word [nuclear],” he said.
He boasted that US submarines were 25 years ahead of Moscow’s.
EU moves to sidestep Hungary for Ukraine membership
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:35
,
Maira Butt
Technical work has begun to advance Ukraine and Moldova’s accession to the EU despite Hungary’s attempts to block membership, according to the Financial Times.
Ukraine hopes to persuade Hungary to enable negotiations to continue as the final decision requires unanimity, according to Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for European integration.
“But meanwhile we have and we really appreciate that we have, an offer from EU institutions and other member states to go with technical work on clusters,” she told the publication.
Who’s arming the Ukraine-Russia war? Every nation involved as US considers sending Tomahawks
Tuesday 30 September 2025 21:01
,
Maira Butt
As Donald Trump is set to decide whether to send long-range missile to Ukraine, The Independent takes a look at which countries are the key military backers behind war in Europe.
Alex Croft and Bryony Gooch report:
'So what?': Hungarian PM shrugs off alleged drone incursion into Ukraine
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:28
,
Maira Butt
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has denied Ukraine’s sovereignty as he shrugged off accusations that his country engaged in drone incursions into Ukraine.
“Let’s suppose they flew a few meters in there [Ukraine], and so what?” said on the Fighter’s Hour podcast produced by the Fidesz party, which he leads.
“Ukraine is not an independent country. Ukraine is not a sovereign country … If we, that is the West, decide not to give it a single forint [Hungarian currency], tomorrow Ukraine could shut down.”
Hungary continues to block Ukraine’s attempts to join the European Union.
Ukrainian diver detained in Poland over Nord Stream explosions
Tuesday 30 September 2025 20:01
,
Maira Butt
A Ukrainian citizen has been detained in Poland over his alleged involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream explosions.
Identified only as Volodymyr Z., the suspect was held after a German court issued a European arrest warrant, according to Polish radio station RMF FM.
His Polish lawyer confirmed Volodymyr, a diving instructor, was being detained on Tuesday. There was no immediate comment from Polish or German prosecutors.
Ukraine and Denmark begin joint exercises to counter drones, says Zelensky
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:30
,
Maira Butt
“Our group of specialists has begun deploying a mission in Denmark to share Ukraine’s experience in countering drones,” the Ukrainian president wrote on X/Twitter on Tuesday.
“Our guys arrived to take part in the joint exercises with partners, which could become the foundation for a new system to counter Russian and any other drones.”
It follows unexplained drone activity near Danish airports last week, with the Russian prime minister Mette Fredriksen refusing to rule out Russian involvement. Russia has denied it initiated drone incursions into European airspace.
Our group of specialists has begun deploying a mission in Denmark to share Ukraine’s experience in countering drones. Our guys arrived to take part in the joint exercises with partners, which could become the foundation for a new system to counter Russian and any other drones.…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 30, 2025
Donald Trump 'disappointed' in Putin
Tuesday 30 September 2025 19:02
,
Maira Butt
Addressing America’s military in Virginia, he said about the war in Ukraine: “I think we'll get that done, but that's turned out to be the toughest one.”
He added: “I'm so disappointed in President Putin, I thought he would get this thing over with.
“He should have had that war done in a week, and I said to him.
“And I said to him, you know, you don't look good. You're four years fighting a war that should have taken a week. Are you a paper tiger?
Russia to expel Austrian diplomat in tit-for-tat move
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:34
,
Maira Butt
Russia is seeking to expel its Austrian diplomat in a retaliatory move after Austria expelled its Russian diplomat on suspicion of espionage.
Earlier this month, an OMV employee was fired after he was accused for spying for Russia and its diplomat, according to Profil.
The employee allegedly attracted attention through meetings with the diplomat suspected of being an agent of the Russian intelligence service (FSB).
Russia struggling to meet mobilisation target in occupied Crimea
Tuesday 30 September 2025 18:01
,
Maira Butt
Russia is struggling to meet mobilisation targets in occupied Crimea, Ukraine’s Centre of National Resistance has shared with the Kyiv Independent.
Despite Putin’s push for an additional 135,000 soldiers to be recruited by the end of the year, this falls far below Russ’a targets in occupied Crimea.
Only 963 people of an expected 1,636 people have been mobilised, accounting for 59 per cent of the annual target.
War in Ukraine driving criminal gangs to target rural farm machinery for ‘lucrative rewards’
Tuesday 30 September 2025 17:32
,
Maira Butt
The war in Ukraine is driving a wave of organised crime gang operations in rural parts of Britain, with stolen farm machinery being sent to eastern Europe for “lucrative rewards”, a police officer has warned.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago, police say a black market has opened up for equipment in the region, which has seen production plummet and sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Alex Ross reports:
Putin to conscript record 135,000 soldiers
Tuesday 30 September 2025 17:00
,
Maira Butt
Russia is pushing for its biggest conscription drive since 2016.
President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree for plans to recruit 135,000 soldiers from Wednesday until the end of the year, according to the Russian government website.
It is the single largest draft for mandatory service since 2016, when 152,000 soldiers were enlisted.
Citizens of Russia aged between 18 to 30 who are not in the reserve will be drafted.
Rare daytime attack kills one in Ukraine
Tuesday 30 September 2025 16:58
,
Athena Stavrou
Russia launched a rare daytime drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Tuesday.
One man was killed and 20 others were injured in the attack that also damaged medical, residential and office buildings, officials said.
Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor, said the attack targeted the centre of the industrial city at a time when people were at work and children were in schools
.On the Telegram app, he shared a video