At least 11 people have been killed in a Russian missile attack on Dnipro, in south east Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is planning to meet with US president Donald Trump on the sidelines of the two-day Nato summit.
Governor Serhiy Lysak has said 18 children were among the 153 injured in the two-wave strike on the region.
Zelensky has urged Kyiv's 32 allies at a NATO summit to bolster Ukraine's defence industry, after signing a deal with Sir Keir Starmer on Monday which they said would strengthen both countries.
The deal comes after details of an assassination attempt against Zelensky were revealed.
Ukrainian security services said that in an attack planned last year, a retired Polish military officer who had been a sleeper agent for Russia was recruited to assassinate Zelensky at Rzeszów Airport in Poland.
Polish media reports that the attack was thwarted in April 2024 by Poland’s internal security agency, and the man, identified as Pawel K, was charged in May this year.
Those revelations come as waves of Russian drones and missiles in and around Kyiv overnight killed nine people including one child, Ukrainian officials said on Monday
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Key Points
- Zelensky says Ukrainian intelligence shows Russia is planning military operations in other countries
- Ukrainian president says materials from Europe, the US found in Russian drones and missiles
- Zelensky says meeting with Trump planned during Nato summit
- Russian attacks on Ukraine kill 14 civilians, including nine in Kyiv
- Ukraine and UK agree to jointly produce long-range drones
- Recap: New details in assassination attempt on Zelensky revealed
NATO chief praises Trump for making Europe 'pay in a BIG way'
19:30
,
Rebecca Whittaker
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised US President Donald Trump for making Europe "pay in a BIG way".
Trump while flying aboard Air Force One en route to The Hague, published a screenshot of a private message from Rutte saying: "Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe and the world. You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done."
"Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win," Rutte wrote.
NATO confirmed that he sent the message.
The allies are likely to endorse a goal of spending 5 per cent of their gross domestic product on their security, to be able to fulfil the alliance's plans for defending against outside attack.
Watch: Recap - When Zelensky and Starmer met in London before NATO talks
19:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Zelenskyy calls for pressure on Russia’s energy and banking sectors
18:45
,
Rebecca Whittaker
Following a meeting with with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, and the NATO Secretary General Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X that the the EU’s 18th sanctions package should put pressure on Russia’s energy and banking sectors.
“This package must significantly increase pressure on Russia’s energy and banking sectors, as well as on the shadow fleet. The key element here must be a strong price cap on Russian oil, and we count on the appropriate decisions,” he wrote.
I had a joint meeting with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, and the NATO Secretary General — António Costa @eucopresident, Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen, and Mark Rutte @SecGenNATO. We are working to ensure unity among all our allies.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 24, 2025
We… pic.twitter.com/4HePCCUyUF
Recap: Missile attack killed at least 17 people
18:30
,
Rebecca Whittaker
A Russian missile attack in southeastern Ukraine earlier today killed at least 17 people and caused sweeping damage, officials said.
The two-part strike killed 15 and wounded more than 200 in the regional capital Dnipro, said governor Serhiy Lysak, where a blast wave showered scores of train passengers with broken glass.
Among the wounded were at least 18 children, he added.
The rare daytime strike also damaged dozens of apartment buildings and educational facilities among other sites, according to Mayor Borys Filatov, who said the attack caused an "unprecedented amount of destruction" in the city.
Two people were also killed in the town of Samar, around 10 km (six miles) from Dnipro, Lysak said, adding that an infrastructure facility was damaged.
The attack came as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pressed NATO member states in the Netherlands to boost their investment in Ukraine's growing defence sector and crack down on the supply of foreign components that he said Russia uses to build its weapons.
"I think Ukraine can win," says Trump's nominee for top US general in Europe
18:00
,
Bryony Gooch
President Donald Trump's nominee to become the top U.S. general in Europe said on Tuesday he believed Ukraine could prevail against Russia's more than three-year-old invasion.
"I think Ukraine can win," Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich said in testimony at his Senate confirmation hearing. "I think any time your own homeland is threatened, you fight with a tenacity that's difficult for us to conceive of."
'No signs Putin wants to stop this war', warns Zelenskiy
17:45
,
Rebecca Whittaker
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has warned that there are no signs Putin wants to stop this war nor that he will accept a peace proposal.
In a post on X he said: “At the Defense Industries Forum in The Hague I stressed: there are no signs Putin wants to stop this war. Russia rejects all peace proposals, including from the US Maybe Putin connects his own political survival with his ability to keep killing: so long as he kills, he lives.”
At the Defense Industries Forum in The Hague I stressed: there are no signs Putin wants to stop this war. Russia rejects all peace proposals, including from the U.S. Maybe Putin connects his own political survival with his ability to keep killing: so long as he kills, he lives. pic.twitter.com/wGblcT0cNx
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 24, 2025
Trump says he will probably meet Zelenskiy at NATO summit
17:30
,
Bryony Gooch
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he will probably meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a NATO summit this week, opening a door for Kyiv to press its case for buying U.S. Patriot missile systems and tougher sanctions to fight Russia.
Trump made the comments to reporters on board Air Force One on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, a White House official said Trump was scheduled to meet Zelenskiy at some point during the NATO summit, taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday in The Hague.
Trump pulled out from a hoped-for meeting with Zelenskiy last week, when the U.S. president left the G7 meeting in Canada early, saying he needed to focus on the crisis in the Middle East.
In comments released by his office on Saturday, Zelenskiy outlined his three priorities if a meeting with Trump were to take place at the NATO summit.
Firstly, he said he wanted to discuss weapons, saying that during the G7 summit, his aides had given U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent a wish-list of arms, including Patriot missile defence systems, which he described as worth "a very large amount".
Secondly, he wanted to talk about sanctions on Russia, and thirdly about other diplomatic ways of applying greater pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Pictured: Ukraine defence minister sits with Dutch and British defence secretaries at Nato
17:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Watch: Zelensky warns Russia could attack Nato country within next five years
16:40
,
Bryony Gooch
In pictures: Emergency services fight fires after Russian drone attack in Ukraine
16:20
,
Rachel Clun
Emergency personnel work at a site following a Russian drone attack at a location given as Sumy region of Ukraine.
Zelensky speaks out as 11 people die in Dnipro attack
15:55
,
Bryony Gooch
Volodymyr Zelensky has shared an update as 11 people have died in Dnipro.
He said on social media: “Right now, in the Dnipro region, assistance is being provided to everyone affected by the Russian ballistic missile strike.
“As of now, over 160 people have been reported injured. Tragically, 11 people have been killed. The rubble is still being cleared, so unfortunately, the death toll may rise. My condolences to all the families and loved ones.
“This strike hit numerous civilian infrastructure: homes, schools, and even a regular passenger train. There were more than 500 passengers on board. Five train cars were destroyed. There were no fatalities. All the injured have received medical assistance. It was another Russian strike on life.”
He continued: “Russia cannot produce ballistic missiles without components from other countries. Russia cannot manufacture hundreds of other types of weapons without the parts, equipment, and expertise that this deranged regime in Moscow does not possess on its own. That is why it is so important to minimize the schemes that connect Russia with its accomplices.
“There must also be a significant strengthening of sanctions against Russia. We know exactly what we are fighting for — and it is the protection of life. Russia knows exactly why it continues this war — and it is a complete disregard for life and an attempt to cleanse our land of people.
“This is not a fight where it’s hard to choose a side. Standing with Ukraine means defending life. I am grateful to everyone who is helping. Right now, these very days, we are doing everything to secure even more support for our people, for our state.”
Right now, in the Dnipro region, assistance is being provided to everyone affected by the Russian ballistic missile strike. As of now, over 160 people have been reported injured. Tragically, 11 people have been killed. The rubble is still being cleared, so unfortunately, the… pic.twitter.com/Rs5bbTbXWb
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 24, 2025
Trump shares message from Mark Rutte claiming all Nato allies will sign on to five per cent
15:37
,
Bryony Gooch
President Donald Trump has shared what appears to be messages from Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte congratulating him for his “decisive action” on Iran.
The message continues: “You are flying into another big success in The Hague this evening. It was not easy but we’ve got them all signed on to five per cent!”
“Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe, and the world. You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done.
“Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win.”
The message on Truth Social, posted from the president’s official account, was signed off by Mark Rutte.
EU and Ukraine are aligning defence industries
14:58
,
Rachel Clun
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU and Ukraine are integrating their defence industries to help support Kyiv’s efforts against Russia.
“We are integrating our defence industries as if Ukraine was in the EU,” she said.
“This is good for Ukraine. And just as good for Europe, as Ukraine is now home to extraordinary innovation.”
Volodymyr Zelensky said the unity would help strengthen Ukraine.
Analysis: All eyes on Donald Trump as Nato faces an existential test
14:38
,
Millie Cooke
After a week of rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East, Western leaders are in The Hague for what could be the most significant Nato summit since the Cold War, writes Millie Cooke.
Russian attacks kill 18 Ukrainian civilians, injures dozens more
14:25
,
Rachel Clun
Russian drones, missile and artillery attacks have killed at least 18 civilians and injured more than 100 more in Ukraine, officials said, as Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to boost aid for his country’s fight against Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky has been meeting with leaders attending the two-day Nato summit in The Hague, Netherlands, asking for additional military support for Ukraine's fight against Russia's bigger army.
Russian forces have relentlessly blasted civilian areas of Ukraine throughout the war, and more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, according to the United Nations.
Ukraine has also launched long-range drones against Russia, hitting residential areas.
A Russian ballistic missile attack on Dnipro hit multiple civilian sites in the central Ukrainian city around midday on Tuesday, killing nine people and injuring more than 100, local officials said.
In the nearby town of Samar, an attack killed two people and injured 11, Dnipro's regional administration head Serhii Lysak wrote on Telegram. The barrage damaged key infrastructure including schools, kindergartens, and medical facilities, the Dnipro mayor Borys Filatov said.
On his way to Nato summit, Trump won't say if he supports mutual defence provision
14:10
,
Andrew Feinberg
White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg reports:
President Donald Trump on Tuesday has again refused to state whether he would commit the United States to continued support of the mutual defence provision in the Nato treaty that saw America’s allies come to her aid after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while flying to The Hague for the alliance’s annual leader-level summit, the president was asked if he was still committed to Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all of the organisation’s 32 member nations.
Trump declined to say for sure.
He replied: “It depends on your definition. There's numerous definitions of Article Five. You know that, right?”
Read the full report below:
Calling for more investment, Zelensky urges leaders to work for peace and not ‘Russia’s madness’
14:02
,
Rachel Clun
Addressing the leaders and ministers assembled in The Hague for the two-day Nato summit, Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the alliance for its ongoing investment in Ukraine’s defence and European capabilities.
“European countries need to increase defence spending: we believe that 5 per cent of GDP is the right level,” he said.
“A united Europe can create a defence capability that will destroy Russia's illusion that war with Europe could bring it anything. To kill that illusion faster, we must take away Russia's ability to continue this war against Ukraine with impunity.”
The Ukrainian president continued: “I thank every leader who has already decided to commit part of their national defence spending to supporting Ukraine. If every European country commits at least 0.25 per cent of its GDP for this - and we are thankful to those countries who commit more, like Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and such big commitment like from Germany - something quite reasonable, the chances for peace in Europe will grow.”
Zelensky concluded his remarks: “Please. Let's make sure that our defence potential and the potential of our partners works for our peace not for Russia's madness.”
Zelensky says Ukraine ‘must lead in the drone race’ against Russia
13:53
,
Rachel Clun
The Ukrainian president said the country must boost its drone and traditional weapons production in the war against Russia.
“We must lead in the drone race, both in strike drones and interceptors, and keep moving forward in producing traditional weapons, taking into account all the lessons learned in this in this long war, please increase your investments in Ukraine, in joint weapons protection, and all the weapons we produce become part of a new, stronger European Defence and Security System,” he said.
Zelensky says materials from Europe, the US found in Russian drones and missiles
13:39
,
Rachel Clun
Volodymyr Zelensky urged world leaders to ensure that equipment and materials were not ending up in Russia.
“There is no significant Russian weapon today that is produced without components, without equipment, or materials from other countries, sadly, including some from your European and NATO. Yes, of course, this must stop,” the Ukrainian president said.
“Such components can be found in every Russian missile, in most of their drones and in military vehicles. And it's not just China, also Taiwan. Some of these parts come from the European countries and from the United States.
“And every single component or machine tool delivered to Russia's defence sector helps prolong the war and is a crime against peace.”
He continued: “Every scheme that helps them build Shaheed drones or any other tools of killing is not just aiding a war against us. It's a threat to you and to the way of life that millions in our countries value deeply.”
Zelensky says Ukrainian intelligence shows Russia is planning military operations in other countries
13:34
,
Rachel Clun
Volodymyr Zelensky says European leaders need to prepare for Russia to potentially invade more countries.
“There are no signs that Putin wants to stop this war. Russia rejects all peace proposals, including those from the United States of America,” he said.
“Putin only thinks about war. That's a fact.”
He continued: “Maybe he connects his own political survival with his ability to keep killing, so long as he kills, he lives. And our intelligence confirmed this, Russia is even planning new military operations on Nato territory, meaning your countries.”
Zelensky says Ukraine could make 8 million drones a year, but needs more funding
13:32
,
Rachel Clun
Volodymr Zelensky said Ukraine needs more funding to achieve its defence production potential.
“Our defence production potential has surpassed 35 billion US dollars. This includes nearly 1000 types of products, from artillery and traditional army vehicles to advanced drones, of by the way, of all types and missiles,” he said.
“But around 40 per cent of this potential lacks proper funding. It’s true. That’s a problem.”
He continued: “For example, we can produce over 8 million drones of different types each year, but the financing allows for far fewer.
“At the same time, Russia is using not only its oil revenues for defence, but also the resources of regimes like North Korea and Iran and Russia's corrupt connections in other countries.”
Zelensky addresses Nato
13:29
,
Rachel Clun
Volodymyr Zelensky is now addressing Nato.
The Ukrainian president said all the Nato members understand the source of the war, and “the long-term threat to the European way of life”, is Russia.
“But in reality, we are not just facing Russia alone. We are facing a network of state and non state actors that are serving the cause of aggression,” he said. “This network includes Russia, North Korea, the current regime, in Iran, Chinese companies.”
Watch: Zelensky delivers special message to UK as he meets army troops at Downing Street
13:13
,
Rachel Clun
Ukraine says it attacked Russian oil depot
12:42
,
Reuters, Rachel Clun
The Ukrainian military said it attacked an oil depot in Russia's southern Rostov region, setting it alight on Monday.
The depot is used to supply Russian forces in occupied parts of Ukraine.
The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said the military's special operations units, in conjunction with rocket forces and artillery, had hit the Atlas plant in the Rostov region, not far from Ukraine's eastern border.
"A strike by our forces in the area of the target has been confirmed," the General Staff said in a statement on Telegram. "A fire has been observed. The results of the strike are being clarified."
Reuters could not independently verify the report. The Russian defence ministry did not immediately reply to Reuters' request for comment.
Ukrainian forces have been engaged in cross-border attacks, including energy industry targets, which the General Staff said was aimed at curbing Russia's economic potential to proceed with the more than three-year-old war in Ukraine.
Nato secretary general welcomes Zelensky to summit
12:19
,
Rachel Clun
Mark Rutte has welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to the sidelines of the Nato summit.
“There is this irreversible path for Ukraine into Nato,” the secretary general said, reiterating his comments from Monday.
Zelensky is in The Hague for meetings with world leaders, but will not attend the official summit itself.
Mr Rutte said “everyone is very motivated” to keep Ukraine strong.
Recap: New details in assassination attempt on Zelensky revealed
12:09
,
Rachel Clun
A plot to assassinate Volodymyr Zelensky at a Polish airport last year involved a Polish pensioner who had been a Russian sleeper agent for decades, new reports have revealed.
Ukrainian security services said in a closed briefing with local media on Monday that in an attack planned last year, a retired Polish military officer who had been a sleeper agent for Russia was recruited to assassinate Zelensky at Rzeszów Airport in Poland.
Polish media reports that the attack was thwarted in April 2024 by Poland’s internal security agency, and the man, identified as Pawel K, was charged in May this year.
US Nato ambassador says 'the United States isn't going anywhere'
11:58
,
Rachel Clun
The US ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker said “the United States is here to stay” as the two-day summit begins.
The 32 Nato allies are expected to agree to increase broad defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP to counter Russian aggression.
The spending boost comes after ongoing criticism from Donald Trump about member nations paying their fair share for defence capabilities.
“The United States is going to be a reliable ally,” Mr Whitaker said in a public Nato forum. “We’ve never been more engaged.”
Ukraine has an 'irreversible path' to Nato membership, Rutte says
11:41
,
Rachel Clun
Nato’s secretary general said Ukraine has an “irreversible path” to enter the security alliance.
Ukraine’s potential membership of the group, originally founded to counter Russian power, has been a sticking point for the Kremlin in any peace talks.
But Mark Rutte said that path for Ukraine remains open, ahead of a two-day summit in The Hague beginning today.
“Last year in Washington, Nato allies agreed that for Ukraine, there's an irreversible path of Ukraine to enter Nato. And that is still true today, and it will still be true on Thursday after this summit,” he said.
Nato boss says the security organisation will continue to support Ukraine
11:22
,
Rachel Clun
Mark Rutte said Nato will continue to support Ukraine against Russia in the ongoing war.
Speaking ahead of the two-day summit which begins today, the Nato secretary general said all of the 32 allies want peace in Ukraine.
“We must continue to make sure Ukraine has what it needs to defend today and deter in the future. Our support for Ukraine is unwavering and will persist,” he said in a pre-summit press conference on Monday.
Mr Rutte said European and Canadian allies have now upped their pledged support for Ukraine from €20 billion (£17 billion) to €35 billion.
“Here in The Hague, allies will reaffirm our ongoing support for Ukraine,” he said.
Zelensky thanks Netherlands for support
10:55
,
Rachel Clun
Volodymyr Zelensky said it was important for Russia to be held accountable for its crimes, and singled out the Netherlands, Germany and the UK for their support for Ukraine since the war began.
Speaking after arriving at The Hague, he also thanked the Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof for its ongoing assistance on drone production.
Earlier this morning, the Netherlands announced that Ukraine will get 100 drone-detecting radars and 20 medical evacuation vehicles in a new €175 million (£149 million) aid package, following a a €500 million deal to produce 600,000 drones with the Ukrainian defence industry.
“I want to thank you for this military package … it will be very very helpful for us on the battlefield,” he said.
“We fight for freedom, for our wellness and for our future.”
In pictures: Zelensky welcomed to The Netherlands ahead of summit
10:47
,
Rachel Clun
Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in The Hague for Nato summit
10:39
,
Rachel Clun
Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof has welcomed Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to The Hague for the two-day Nato summit.
Ukraine to get drone-detecting radars in new deal with the Netherlands
10:10
,
Rachel Clun, Reuters
Ukraine will get 100 drone-detecting radars and 20 medical evacuation vehicles in a new €175 million (£149 million) aid package from the Netherlands.
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said ahead of a Nato summit in The Hague that the new aid agreement follows a €500 million deal to produce 600,000 drones with the Ukrainian defence industry.
Delivery of the radars, which will help identify incoming drones and relay data to air defence systems, is expected to be completed by year-end.
In a statement on Friday, the Dutch Defence Ministry specified that €80 million of the package will go towards drone support through the international drone coalition.
The Netherlands has pledged about €10 billion in military support for Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in early 2022.
Upcoming Nato summit could be historic, or marred with division
09:39
,
Rachel Clun
Donald Trump is heading to The Hague to meet with his Nato counterparts today, for a summit that could either unite the security organisation over a new defence spending pledge or widen divisions between the 32 allies.
Just a week ago, things had seemed rosy. Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte was optimistic that European members and Canada would commit to investing at least as much of their economic growth on defence as the US does for the first time.
Then Spain rejected the new Nato target for each country to spend 5 per cent of its gross domestic product on defence needs, calling it "unreasonable." Trump also insists on that figure. The alliance operates on a consensus that requires the backing of all 32 members.
The following day, Trump said the US should not have to respect the goal.
"I don't think we should, but I think they should," he said.
The summit begins with an informal dinner today and one working session on Wednesday. Already, a very short summit statement has been drafted to ensure the meeting is not derailed by fights over details and wording.
Watch live: Nato summit takes place in Netherlands after 'assassination attempts' on Zelensky revealed
09:11
,
Rachel Clun
Watch: The Ukrainian leader said Vladimir Putin could carry out an attack on another Nato country to test the alliance.
08:38
,
Rachel Clun
Zelensky says meeting with Trump planned during Nato
08:08
,
Rachel Clun
Volodymyr Zelensky plans to meet with US president Donald Trump during this week’s Nato summit.
Zelensky said during a Sky News interview aired on Tuesday that their teams were working on organisational details and the timing of the meeting.
The Ukrainian president said his plan was to meet with Trump on the sidelines of the event in The Hague.
The pair held an extraordiary in-person meeting just before the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
In photos: Russia's Krasnogorsk comes under Ukrainian drone attack
07:55
,
Arpan Rai
