Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones against Russia and set an oil terminal ablaze in St Petersburg after the US resumed intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
The attacks, which sparked fires at the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the city’s Ruchi oil depot, killed one person and injured five.
Russia, in turn, unleashed strikes on Ukraine’s energy, oil, and gas sectors, carrying out at least 76 times over the last 24 hours.
The latest attacks came after Volodymyr Zelensky told the NBC he was “very thankful” that the US had resumed intelligence sharing to help defend Ukraine against Russian strikes.
Earlier, Donald Trump criticised Zelensky and called Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries “a disgrace”. He accused the Ukrainian leader of not wanting to end the war.
“Zelensky doesn’t care, and frankly, with all of the money that Europe is famously giving him, he doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did,” the US president said on Truth Social.
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Zelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
Key Points
- Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Ukraine launches more than 1,000 drones
- US resumes intelligence-sharing with Ukraine after pause
- Ukraine will 'not prevail' if Trump sides with Russia - Zelensky
- Nato jets scrambled as Lithuania tells residents to go to shelters over flying object
- Ukraine 'regrets' possible diversion of its drones over Lithuania
- Zelensky hopes for revival of Russian sanctions
Putin proposes summit with Trump and Xi - report
05:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussian president Vladimir Putin has proposed a summit next month with US president Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the four-year Ukraine conflict that would favour Moscow, the Wall Street Journal said.
Citing a former Russian intelligence officer, the paper said on Sunday that Putin’s suggestion came in a 9 October telephone call with Trump that also yielded a deal for the US to buy Russian diesel and facilitate its sale on the global market.
Russian strike kills woman, hits Kyiv subway station, mayor says
04:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarA Russian air strike killed a woman in Ukraine's Kyiv overnight while also hitting a subway station on the left bank of the capital city and damaging a 25-storey residential building, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram on Monday.
The attack, which also saw non-residential buildings and a medical facility hit, injured three other people in Kyiv, he said.
A Reuters witness heard explosions in the city.
After a brief pause, the US has resumed sharing critical intelligence to help Ukraine defend against Russian missile strikes, president Volodymyr Zelensky said, a key to providing warning of the fast-moving missiles that Moscow has fired in waves.
Zelensky spoke with US peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner after the two visited Kyiv earlier this month as the US administration tries to mediate a deal to end the war, which Russia started by invading its neighbour in 2022.
Why a mysterious Russian satellite is threatening to spark a space war
03:00 , Harriette BoucherIf Russia were to detonate a nuclear weapon in low orbit, it would be a game-changer – an escalation in conventional military strategy that would kill no one directly. More alarming still, it would not require the industrial capacity Moscow lacks, but rely on technology it already possesses, says missile defence expert Dr Sidharth Kaushal
Why a mysterious Russian satellite is threatening to spark a space war
ICYMI: Ukraine will 'not prevail' if Trump sides with Russia
02:00 , Harriette BoucherUkraine will “not prevail” if Donald Trump sides with Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
He said it would be a “big tragedy” for the US to take Vladimir Putin’s side and “very difficult for Ukraine to win the war without US support.
He told NBC’s Meet the Press he didn’t “want to live in illusions” and had to be pragmatic.
“If the United States will officially take the side of Russia, if these two countries will be together, of course, we will not prevail, and we will not be able to stand.
“That's why we hope that the president, his team will be on our side, minimum, in the middle.”
He added: “If the United States supports Putin, it's unbelievable. It's a tragedy. It's a historic mistake and big tragedy.”
Watch: Video shows Ukrainian drone hunting down Russian helicopter
01:00 , Harriette BoucherIn full: Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
Monday 19 October 2026 00:00 , Harriette BoucherUkrainian attacks set an oil export terminal ablaze in St. Petersburg on Sunday, as Kyiv launched more than 1,000 drones across Russia in one of its largest ever aerial bombardments.
The attack comes amid deepening tensions between Ukraine and Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing Kyiv for its strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.
One person was killed and five more were wounded in the attack, which sparked fires at both the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the city’s Ruchi oil depot, said local Gov. Alexander Beglov. A logistics center belonging to Russian retailer Ozon and a data center for local tech giant VK were also targeted, both companies confirmed.
Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
Ukraine 'regrets' possible diversion of its drones over Lithuania, foreign ministry says
Sunday 18 October 2026 23:00 , Harriette BoucherUkraine has said it “regrets” the possible diversion of its drones into Lithuanian airspace on Sunday.
Its foreign ministry said it may have been caused by electronic warfare diverting drones during an attack on Russia.
Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi wrote on X: “We regret the incident that occurred this morning in Lithuanian airspace, which may have resulted from Russian electronic warfare diverting drones during an operation against legitimate military targets in Russia.
“We apologise for any disruption, risks, and concern this may have caused. We are committed to sharing all relevant information with our Lithuanian partners to establish the full circumstances of the incident.”
German authorities investigate a hole cut into a fence at Leipzig airport
Sunday 18 October 2026 22:00 , Harriette BoucherGerman authorities on Sunday were investigating how a gaping hole was cut overnight into a fence around Leipzig airport.
The unexplained damage to the fence took place at the same airport where an attack with an explosives-laden drone was attempted in August. German authorities blamed that on Russia, an allegation denied by Moscow.
The damage was discovered at around 11 p.m. on Saturday, the dpa news agency reported. Police said initial evidence suggested that a vehicle had plowed through the fence along a publicly accessible road.
German authorities investigate a hole cut into a fence at Leipzig airport
Comment: Why a mysterious Russian satellite is threatening to spark a space war
Sunday 18 October 2026 21:00 , Harriette BoucherIf Russia were to detonate a nuclear weapon in low orbit, it would be a game-changer – an escalation in conventional military strategy that would kill no one directly. More alarming still, it would not require the industrial capacity Moscow lacks, but rely on technology it already possesses, says missile defence expert Dr Sidharth Kaushal
Why a mysterious Russian satellite is threatening to spark a space war
Zelensky says he is 'very honest' with Trump
Sunday 18 October 2026 20:30 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has said he is “very honest” with Donald Trump after the US president said he was more difficult to deal with than Vladimir Putin.
“I'm very honest with the president of the United States, and very clear, and very supportive of America, because we are strategic partners.
“This is the kind of relations I understand and I respect,” he told NBC’s Meet the Press.
“I can't applaud any decisions or any words of one or another leader if they go against Ukraine, if they are support for Russia and directly for Putin, he is a killer.
“That's why I'm very honest and open to say that he's a killer, and maybe it’s not very polite, and maybe not the things that the president of the United States wants from me, but I'm better to have partners who are very open and clear than to have those who are killers, even with a smile on their face.”
He also said he couldn’t be compared to Putin, telling the broadcaster: “We can't compare with Russia. We can't compare me and Putin. He is an aggressor, he's occupied us, he’s killed adults and children and soldiers. He is a terrorist.”
Editorial: Ukraine has been betrayed by Trump – but Europe must not abandon it
Sunday 18 October 2026 20:00 , Harriette BoucherThe easing of US sanctions on Russian oil risks strengthening Putin’s war effort. European leaders must resist a return to appeasement, while a weary Zelensky must go all out to win America back:
Ukraine has been betrayed by Trump – but Europe must not abandon it
Ukrainian electrical plant halts operations after Russian attack
Sunday 18 October 2026 19:30 , Harriette BoucherAn electrical wiring plant has halted operations following Russian attacks on the facility yesterday.
The Kromberg & Schubert plant in the city of Lutsk, which manufactures wiring systems for BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Skoda vehicles, said “business has stopped”.
“Our absolute priority is the safety, life and health of each of the employees,” it wrote on social media.
“We are currently assessing the current circumstances and coordinating all further steps."
Putin 'feels victory' from Trump's pause on sanctions - Zelensky
Sunday 18 October 2026 19:00 , Harriette BoucherVladimir Putin feels “victory” after Donald Trump signed an executive order pausing a new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
The Ukrainian leader said the waiving on the sweeping sanctions “is really big support for Putin.
“He feels victory,” the Ukrainian leader told NBC’s Meet the Press.
“I think that a mistakes, and it will not help us, and it will not help United States. But, it's not my choice, and I hope that [President Trump] will change his decisions, change his attitude to Putin.”
Watch: Moment British-made sea drones strike Russian Olympic sea port in Ukraine's Black Sea blockade
Sunday 18 October 2026 18:30 , Harriette BoucherZelensky urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
Sunday 18 October 2026 18:00 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky urged supporters Saturday to speak out in defense of new U.S. sanctions against Russia, hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order pausing a sweeping package of restrictions targeting the Russian economy.
The White House's decision has further raised fears that Ukraine could be left exposed to Moscow’s escalating assaults with winter approaching.
Zelensky described Trump's move to put sanctions on hold as unfortunate, but did not directly criticize the U.S. leader despite deepening tensions between Ukraine and Washington in recent days.
“A decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end,” Zelensky wrote.
Zelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
Zelensky speaks to Witkoff and Kushner as Ukraine pushes for peace
Sunday 18 October 2026 17:33 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has spoken with Donald Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as he tries to secure a new peace meeting.
The Ukrainian president said his side was “doing everything” to make peace happen and ensure that the US’s position was strong.
“Peace comes only through strength and cooperation built on trust,” he wrote on X.
“Peace that everyone, except Russia, has been waiting for over the past four and a half years.”
President Zelensky added: “In particular, we discussed the results of our teams’ meeting in Florida. Our teams maintain virtually nonstop communication. We are also preparing the next steps in diplomacy. We constantly inform our partners about the real situation with Russian strikes, which do not cease for a single minute, and about air defense issues.
“A lot here depends precisely on America’s position. Ukraine remains ready to work constructively, honestly, and toward a real result. I thank everyone in America who supports Ukraine and this particular approach.”
It is understood that President Zelensky hoped to arrange a new peace meeting next week, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing an interview with the leader.
In pictures: Aftermath of a Russian air attack in Sloviansk
Sunday 18 October 2026 17:30 , Harriette Boucher
EU ‘quickly preparing sanctions on Russia’ in case Le Pen elected in 2027
Sunday 18 October 2026 17:02 , Harriette BoucherThe EU is working quickly to prepare sanctions on Russia before French presidential elections that could see eurosceptic Marine Le Pen enter the Élysée Palace, according to a report.
Le Pen is the leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), and the current favourite to win France’s presidential election next year. She has declared that she would end support for Ukraine within six months if she is elected in the April 2027 contest.
February may present the “last opportunity [to impose sanctions] because of the French elections”, one source involved in the EU discussions told The Telegraph. Officials told the outlet Brussels would be “lucky” to secure sanctions after February as France enters campaign mode.
EU ‘quickly preparing sanctions on Russia’ in case Le Pen elected in 2027
Ukraine was blindsided by Russian attacks when intelligence-sharing was paused
Sunday 18 October 2026 17:00 , Harriette BoucherUkraine was blinded by Russian ballistic missile attacks after intelligence-sharing with the US was paused, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
The Ukrainian leader said Donald Trump has since resumed intelligence-sharing with Ukraine to help defend against Russian missile strikes.
He told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday that Ukraine was “very thankful for this.”
Ukraine has relied on US intelligence to spot the fast-moving ballistic missiles that Russia has fired in waves at its cities.
“Only United States has this unique intelligence to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles, and we didn't get it during ballistic attacks over three days,” he added.
In full: Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
Sunday 18 October 2026 16:30 , Harriette BoucherUkrainian attacks set an oil export terminal ablaze in St. Petersburg on Sunday, as Kyiv launched more than 1,000 drones across Russia in one of its largest ever aerial bombardments.
The attack comes amid deepening tensions between Ukraine and Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing Kyiv for its strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.
One person was killed and five more were wounded in the attack, which sparked fires at both the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the city’s Ruchi oil depot, said local Gov. Alexander Beglov. A logistics center belonging to Russian retailer Ozon and a data center for local tech giant VK were also targeted, both companies confirmed.
Read more:
Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
Zelensky: It would be a 'historic mistake' for Trump to side with Putin
Sunday 18 October 2026 16:00 , Harriette BoucherIf Donald Trump sides with Vladimir Putin it would be a “historic mistake”, Ukraine’s president has warned.
Volodymyr Zelensky said he still views the US president as an ally and wants to trust him after he waived sanctions against Russia, saying the move “is in the national interests of the United States.”
He told NBC’s Meet the Press: “I hope that he will change his decisions, because I think that it’s all mistakes, and it will not help us, and it will not help United States.”
President Zelensky it was a “pity” that the President Trump waived sanctions in a bill named for the late Lindsay Graham, who he said “a great supporter of peace and of Ukraine.”
Ukraine will 'not prevail' if Trump sides with Russia
Sunday 18 October 2026 15:58 , Harriette BoucherUkraine will “not prevail” if Donald Trump sides with Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
He said it would be a “big tragedy” for the US to take Vladimir Putin’s side and “very difficult for Ukraine to win the war without US support.
He told NBC’s Meet the Press he didn’t “want to live in illusions” and had to be pragmatic.
“If the United States will officially take the side of Russia, if these two countries will be together, of course, we will not prevail, and we will not be able to stand.
“That's why we hope that the president, his team will be on our side, minimum, in the middle.”
He added: “If the United States supports Putin, it's unbelievable. It's a tragedy. It's a historic mistake and big tragedy.”
