The Kremlin has said that Russia is open to dialogue with Europe but “won’t accept ultimatums” in a statement on Friday.
Russian strikes killed at least two people and wounded two others in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Sumy after Moscow threatened escalation for Ukraine’s biggest assault so far.
Another nine people, including four children, suffered injuries in Kharkiv, which was attacked with Russian guided aerial bombs.
Ukraine on Friday morning claimed that a crew member of a Panama-flagged ship was killed in a Russian drone attack in the Black Sea waters. Oleksiy Kuleba said that another vessel under the Saint Kitts and Nevis flag was also hit.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov previously warned of “massive coordinated strikes on a regular basis” in response to Ukraine's attack on a Moscow oil refinery for the second time this week.
Ukraine earlier launched a heavy drone strike on Russia in retaliation for damage done to a historic monastery in Kyiv this week. Hundreds of drones targeted Moscow overnight, hitting the Russian capital's oil refinery for the second time this week, in one of the biggest aerial assaults on Russia of the war so far.
Read MoreHow Ukraine’s new drone tactics are causing chaos in Russia after largest-ever attack on Moscow
Ukraine sends Moscow oil refinery up in flames with largest drone attack on city in two years
Trump tells Putin it is ‘vital’ he end Ukraine war and offers to help broker peace in hour-long call
Russia is firing warning shots off the Isle of Wight: How worried should Britain be?
Key Points
- Nato and Russia escalation could lead to nuclear strikes, says Lavrov
- EU extends sanctions against Russia for 12 months
- Russia says Ukraine drone attack hit Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
- Four children among nine injured in Russian attack
- Zelensky says he wants years-long war to end before winter
Europeans must be at the table when Ukraine peace talks occur, says Macron
16:10 , Maira ButtEuropeans must be at the table as and when there are peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, said French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday.
“We have always backed the idea that when the talks take place, Europeans must be at the table, because this concerns the interests of Europe,” said Macron, speaking at an EU summit in Brussels drew to a close.
Macron added that Antonio Costa - president of the European Council - could have his place at such negotiations, if his role in this capacity was clearly specified.
Pentagon chief's review appears out of step with what Nato allies are already doing
15:41 , Maira ButtHours after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth upbraided his Nato allies and announced a Pentagon review of their performance, the leaders of many European nations were assessing a check list of progress made on security priorities.
In essence, Hegseth was telling the Europeans things they already know.
The list included their hike in defence spending, investment in industry to boost the production of military equipment, best use of lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, and the need to buy or develop drones, air defence systems and long-range weapons.
Pentagon chief's review appears out of step with what NATO allies are already doing
The European Union has quietly sought to reopen communication with Russia
15:00 , Maira ButtThe European Union has reached out to Moscow in a tentative bid to open a line of communication so the continent is not sidelined in any potential talks to end Russia’s grinding war in Ukraine, officials said Thursday.
The news emerged as Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone attacks since Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbour more than four years ago, Russian officials said Thursday. A major Moscow oil refinery was hit for a second time in a week and commercial flights at Moscow airports were disrupted.
Against the backdrop of conflict, the EU has been quietly seeking to reopen communications with Moscow even as it doubles down on its support for Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, has tried to cut out Europe and Kyiv and negotiate Ukraine’s future with Washington.
The European Union has quietly sought to reopen communication with Russia
Crew member killed as Russia attacks two vessels in Black Sea
14:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAt least one crew member was killed after Russia attacked two vessels in the Black Sea, Ukraine's deputy prime minister Oleksii Kuleba said.
"One crew member of a Panama-flagged ship was killed as a result of a Russian UAV attack on civilian vessels in the Black Sea," he said on social media.
He added that two more sailors had been injured, one of them critically.
The minister said three other crew members on board a vessel sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis suffered injuries following a Russian attack.
"This is further proof that Russia is waging a war against freedom of navigation, international trade and global food security. Civilian crews, merchant vessels and maritime infrastructure that supports humanitarian and export routes are all under threat," he added.
Russia rejects Europe's 'ultimatum' on Ukraine
14:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarRussian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Europe’s latest proposal for peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv amounts to an ultimatum.
Lavrov argued that Moscow cannot negotiate based on EU's earlier demands.“
Trust cannot be restored, nor can dialogue be resumed, through ultimatums such as the one issued to Russia in London,” he wrote in an op-ed his ministry said was prepared for Politico-Europe. The essay was later pulled from publication, Bloomberg reported.
Watch: Russian forces hit energy facilities in Ukraine's Sumy region
13:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarLavrov says Nato and Russia escalation could lead to nuclear strikes
13:09 , Maira ButtRussian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that an escalation between Russia and Nato could lead to a nuclear strikes exchange with catastrophic consequences.
“A direct confrontation between Nato and Russia could rapidly escalate into an exchange of nuclear strikes, with catastrophic consequences,” he wrote in an article posted on the Russian foreign ministry’s website.
“Under the banner of ‘strategic autonomy,’ Europe is witnessing a significant build-up of its military capabilities, including in the nuclear sphere.
“Paris's intention to extend its ‘nuclear umbrella’ to several EU and NATO member states is a source of deep concern.
“This will do nothing to strengthen the security of France itself or the recipients of its so-called protection.”
EU extends sanctions against Russia for 12 months
12:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe EU leaders have agreed to extend sanctions against Russia over its war against Ukraine for another 12 months.
The decision was taken during a European Council summit in Brussels, which saw the participation of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky.
The decision marked the first time such sanctions, which target certain sectors of the Russian economy, have been renewed for a year. They had previously been rolled over every six months.
Latvian PM says no point in having diplomatic channel with Russia
12:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarLatvian prime minister Andris Kulbergs has said there is no point in having diplomatic channels with Russia if Moscow doesn't want to engage in diplomacy.
Kulbergs previously told Bloomberg that the EU needs to appoint an envoy for peace talks with Russia when the time is right as the bloc seeks to play a role in ending the war in Ukraine.
“Europe has to be at the table,” Kulbergs said, adding: “There should be one person if the peace talks are in place who has the political mandate to do that."
Employees work at a mall previously destroyed in Russian strike
11:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Recap: Zelenskyy says G7 leaders pledge more vital help for Ukraine
11:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkraine has won key pledges of further support for its fight against Russia from world leaders attending the Group of Seven summit in France, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday.
The leaders of the world’s leading industrial economies promised to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses and ensure its energy supply, as well as step up international economic pressure on Moscow, as Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s all-out invasion stretches into its fifth year with no end in sight.
“The G7 Summit in France delivered important results for Ukraine. Most importantly, we agreed on additional strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense,” Zelenskyy, who attended the gathering, said on X.
More here.
Zelenskyy says G7 leaders pledge more vital help for Ukraine against Russia
Russian gas returns to pre-war levels in Belgium
10:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarBelgium imported more natural gas from Russia in 2025 than it did before Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, data from the Belgian economy ministry showed.
Russian gas made up more than 11 per cent of Belgium’s gas imports in 2025, climbing back to pre-war 2019 levels after dropping to around 5 per cent in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
While Belgium has phased out Russian pipeline gas, imports of Russian LNG have surged, offsetting much of the decline and driving a renewed rise in Russian gas imports.
Slovakia’s government faces confidence vote
10:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Slovak government is set to face a parliamentary confidence vote that was triggered by the country’s debt surpassing fiscal limits set by the Constitution.
The motion was called after the Constitutional Court, the country’s highest authority, ruled Wednesday that the government has to ask for such a vote without delay.
Populist Prime Minister Robert Fico said he respected the court's ruling and called for the vote.
His coalition government has a majority of 78 seats in the 150-seat parliament, known as the National Council, and is therefore expected to win the vote. Coalition lawmakers limited the time for the debate to 12 1/2 hours.
More here.
Slovakia’s government faces confidence vote as debt exceeds constitutional limit
Pope laments rising deaths in Ukraine
09:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPope Leo reportedly lamented the growing number of deaths in Ukraine due to intensified Russian attacks.
“There are many innocent victims, rescuers killed, churches, and places of cultural heritage devastated by flames,” he said, according to Vatican News.
“I am close to all those who mourn their loved ones, to the wounded, and to those who, amid violence, continue courageously to serve life.”
How Ukraine’s new drone tactics are causing chaos in Russia
09:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkraine launched a powerful barrage of drones on Moscow on Thursday, triggering a huge explosion in one of the Russian capital’s key oil refineries.
Kyiv’s strategic deployment of medium-range drones is inflicting significant damage on Russia's struggling war effort, experts have said as Moscow’s ground offensive stalls.
Kyiv has scaled up its targeting of Russia’s critical oil infrastructure, the lifeblood of the Kremlin’s wartime economy, as part of a wider campaign to weaken its capacity to continue its war on Ukraine.
More here.
How Ukraine’s new drone tactics are causing chaos in Russia
Russian court hands Romanian citizen 15-year jail term for espionage
08:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA Romanian citizen has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by a Russian court for carrying out espionage on behalf of Ukraine, the Interfax news agency reported this morning, citing Russia's Federal Security Service.
Zelensky says EU membership for Ukraine will guarantee Europe's future
08:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told an EU summit that the future of Europe was being shaped by the defence of Ukraine and the best security guarantee for the bloc's future would be to grant Kyiv fast-track membership.
Zelensky said he told member states that Ukraine wanted the war against Russia to be over by the end of the year and urged them to help Kyiv prepare for another winter with air defence missiles and fuel.
Every democratic nation in Europe deserved to be in the EU and "Ukraine merits this because it has paid more than any other country for its right to be free, independent and ... European", Zelensky said in excerpts of his address posted on X.
"The future of Europe – free, united and of course in peace – is being decided in our defence. That shows how unique our situation is.
"Hours earlier, Ukrainian air strikes struck targets deep inside Russia, including an oil refinery in Moscow, the latest long-range attacks in a campaign Zelensky highlighted as proof of Ukraine's capabilities in meetings with US president Donald Trump and other G7 leaders in France this week.
Macron says Trump thought Ukraine would lose war
07:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarFrench president Emmanuel Macron said Donald Trump initially believed Ukraine would lose its war against Russia and pushed for a deal.
Macron told France TV that Trump entered office in 2025 convinced that Kyiv was on the verge of collapse.“What he saw, when he arrived, was that Ukraine would lose. That’s why he wanted to conclude a quick peace,” Macron said.
“Remember, January-February 2025, it seemed like an eternity. He thought that Ukraine was going to lose. Things were going badly in the Oval office with President Zelensky,” Macron said.
Russian attack damages dozens of homes in Kharkiv
07:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA Russian attack this morning damaged over 40 homes in the Kharkiv region, the mayor said.
Ihor Terekhov said that Russia attacked the city with guided bombs after Ukraine's Air Force issued an air raid alert around 3.30am local time.
EU has quietly sought to reopen communication with Russia
07:06 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe European Union has reached out to Moscow in a tentative bid to open a line of communication so the continent is not sidelined in any potential talks to end Russia’s grinding war in Ukraine, officials said Thursday.
The news emerged as Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone attacks since Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago, Russian officials said Thursday. A major Moscow oil refinery was hit for a second time in a week and commercial flights at Moscow airports were disrupted.
Against the backdrop of conflict, the EU has been quietly seeking to reopen communications with Moscow even as it doubles down on its support for Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, has tried to cut out Europe and Kyiv and negotiate Ukraine’s future with Washington.
More here.
The European Union has quietly sought to reopen communication with Russia
UK to provide 150,000 drones to Ukraine
06:47 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarBritain will provide 150,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of 2026 as part of a £752m funding package, defence minister Dan Jarvis said on Thursday at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels.
The package, funded by Britain's £2.26bn loan to Ukraine, includes 350 air defence missiles and ground-based radar systems.
Russia says drone attack hit transport workshop at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
06:42 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe transport workshop of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in eastern Ukraine came under a massive overnight drone attack, with at least 14 strikes recorded, the Russian-installed management said this morning.
A fire broke out in one section and buildings were damaged, but no casualties were reported, the management said, adding that damage could not yet be fully assessed due to ongoing threat of further attacks.
Russian attack kills ship crew member on Black Sea
06:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA Russian drone strike has killed a crew member of a Panama-flagged ship in the Black Sea waters, claimed the Ukrainian deputy prime minister.
Oleksiy Kuleba said that another vessel under the Saint Kitts and Nevis flag was also hit and its three crew members were lightly injured.
Russia appears to have launched coordinated strikes targeted multiple cities in Ukraine after vowing to retaliate for Ukraine's drone attack on Moscow.
Ukraine develops naval drone to hunt Russian aircraft
06:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkraine has developed a new maritime drone equipped with electronic warfare capabilities and missiles to target Russian aircraft, according to local reports.
The SIRENA unmanned trimaran, designed for high-risk missions, debuted at the Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris, where it was showcased as a purpose-built platform for electronic warfare operations in confined maritime environments.
The drone has an integrated multi-band jamming system that operates across a wide frequency range from 300 to 6000 MHz, which allows it to simultaneously block enemy communications, navigation signals, and control channels of other unmanned aerial vehicles.
Four children among nine injured in Russian attack
06:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarFour children were among the nine injured in Russia's attacks on Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv with bombs.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city was targeted by guided aerial bombs in the early hours of the morning.
Watch: Russian attacks energy facilities in Ukraine's Sumy region
06:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS issues Russia warning
05:54 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe US State Department has issued a security alert for its citizens in Russia following Ukraine's massive drone attack on Moscow.
It advised American citizens to move away immediately in the event of a drone sighting and seek cover if necessary.
“In an emergency, you should follow instructions from local Russian authorities and seek shelter,” the alert said.
It also warned citizens against touching or photographing drones and debris of other unmanned vehicles.“
Russian law prohibits sharing or publishing photos or videos depicting the aftermath of drone attacks, including images of UAVs or UAV parts,” the alert said. “Violating this law may result in a fine or imprisonment.”
Ukraine allies announce $1bn weapons package
05:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkraine's allies have announced contributions to Nato's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List programme for $1bn at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, known as the Ramstein group, defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
Fedorov, speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, said that the total value of support packages could exceed $4bn.
Two killed as Russia launches retaliatory attack on Ukraine
05:28 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAt least two people were killed and another two wounded after Russia hit the northeastern Ukrainian region of Sumy with bombs, drones and missiles.
Another five, including three children, needed medical assistance after Russia hit Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv with bombs, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram.
The attacks come after Russia vowed to launch a "massive" retaliation against Ukraine after Kyiv launched its biggest attack on Russia.
How Ukraine’s new drone tactics are causing chaos in Russia
05:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkraine launched a powerful barrage of drones on Moscow, triggering a huge explosion in one of the Russian capital’s key oil refineries.
Kyiv’s strategic deployment of medium-range drones is inflicting significant damage on Russia's struggling war effort, experts have said as Moscow’s ground offensive stalls.
Kyiv has scaled up its targeting of Russia’s critical oil infrastructure, the lifeblood of the Kremlin’s wartime economy, as part of a wider campaign to weaken its capacity to continue its war on Ukraine.
More here.
How Ukraine’s new drone tactics are causing chaos in Russia
Putin hails ties with Southeast Asia at summit in Russia
05:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Vladimir Putin has hailed Russia's ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as he hosted a summit intended to strengthen economic and political ties with the bloc.
The leaders who took part in the meeting in Kazan agreed to further expand "strategic partnership" between Russia and Asean nations that include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam.
"It is a strategic partnership that serves as an essential stabilizing factor in the Asia-Pacific amidst geopolitical turbulence, contributing to the formation of a balanced security architecture and equitable mutually beneficial cooperation," Putin said at the summit, which marked the 35th anniversary of Russia-Asean relations.
Putin noted that Russia and Asean have "expanded the scope of practical cooperation in such areas as combating new security challenges and threats, as well as trade and investment, energy, agriculture, digitalization, science and technology, tourism, and humanitarian contacts.
"In a declaration signed at the summit, its participants reaffirmed their shared aspiration toward a "just multipolar world as guided by international law and the principles of the UN Charter to promote mutual benefit and respect for all states."
Russia strikes Kharkiv
04:53 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarRussian forces struck Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs in the early hours of Friday after Moscow vowed to retaliate against Ukraine's biggest attack.
Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said the attack hit the city’s Kholodnohirskyi district and damaged almost 15 homes and injured people.
“As a result of the KAB strike on the Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv, there are injured people. Their number and condition are being clarified,” Terekhov said.
EU extends sanctions against Russia for 12 months
04:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe EU leaders have agreed to extend sanctions against Russia over its war against Ukraine for another 12 months.
The decision was taken during a European Council summit in Brussels, which saw the participation of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky.
The decision marked the first time such sanctions, which target certain sectors of the Russian economy, have been renewed for a year. They had previously been rolled over every six months.
Zelensky says he wants years-long war to end before winter
04:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkraine wants to end the war this year, pesident Volodymyr Zelensky said in comments posted on Telegram.
"Of course, we want to end this war before winter – through diplomacy and by putting pressure on Russia. But we understand who we're dealing with," he said."Putin is war," he added, referring to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine would need gas, diesel fuel, the energy equipment and a missile package of at least 300 missiles if the war extends further, Zelensky said.
The security of Europe depended on securing funding for Ukraine's military, and the EU and the "coalition of the willing" countries supporting Kyiv could develop the financial instruments to ensure that, he added.
Zelensky says EU membership for Ukraine will guarantee Europe's future
04:18 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told an EU summit that the future of Europe was being shaped by the defence of Ukraine and the best security guarantee for the bloc's future would be to grant Kyiv fast-track membership.
Zelensky said he told member states that Ukraine wanted the war against Russia to be over by the end of the year and urged them to help Kyiv prepare for another winter with air defence missiles and fuel.
Every democratic nation in Europe deserved to be in the EU and "Ukraine merits this because it has paid more than any other country for its right to be free, independent and ... European", Zelensky said in excerpts of his address posted on X.
"The future of Europe – free, united and of course in peace – is being decided in our defence. That shows how unique our situation is.
"Hours earlier, Ukrainian air strikes struck targets deep inside Russia, including an oil refinery in Moscow, the latest long-range attacks in a campaign Zelensky highlighted as proof of Ukraine's capabilities in meetings with US president Donald Trump and other G7 leaders in France this week.
Watch: Trump claims Moscow losing more troops than Kyiv as he admits Putin on ‘the offensive’
03:00 , Bryony GoochAustria's chancellor encourages EU to reopen negotiations with Putin
02:00 , Bryony GoochThe European Union should take advantage of "momentum" around peace talks in Ukraine to push ahead with efforts to reopen negotiations with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Austrian chancellor Christian Stocker told the Financial Times in an interview published on Thursday.
"Wars end not with weapons, but with successful diplomacy. And for diplomacy to be successful, you need conversations, you need negotiations, and those channels need to be opened first,” Stocker told the newspaper.
At least 150,000 drones and 350 missile and radar systems to be delivered to Ukraine by the UK by end of year
01:00 , Bryony GoochThe Ministry of Defence has promised at least 150,000 drones and 350 air defence missiles and radar systems will be delivered to Ukraine from the UK by the end of this year.
The new package announced on Thursday “will strengthen Ukraine’s crucial protection against Russia’s indiscriminate attacks”, the ministry claimed.
In pictures: Zelensky attends Ukraine Defence Contact Group on the sidelines of a Nato Defence Ministers meeting
Friday 19 June 2026 00:00 , Bryony Gooch
Russia-Singapore cooperation curbed by sanctions, Putin says
Thursday 18 June 2026 23:00 , Bryony GoochRussian president Vladimir Putin told Singapore's prime minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday that the potential for economic cooperation between their two countries had not been fully realised due to the impact of sanctions.
A wide range of countries have imposed sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict.
