Nato aircraft were deployed over Polish and Romanian airspace overnight and on Wednesday in response to the latest wave of Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine.
Russia pounded Kyiv with drones and ballistic missiles, with falling debris causing damage at a maternity hospital in the capital. At least seven people, including two in Kyiv and five in the eastern Donetsk region, have been killed in the attacks.
Poland scrambled fighter jets “to ensure safety” due to Russian "strikes using jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles on targets in western Ukraine” but said no violations of its airspace were recorded. The alert ended after about an hour.
Romania also scrambled two F-16s after an aerial target was detected near the Ukrainian border.
It came as the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky urged world leaders to keep choking off Russia's revenues and impede its war efforts.
Zelensky told the UN General Assembly in New York that "Russia's revenues must remain a target".
He also spoke out against the use of AI in war, and warned: “The longer Putin can wage war, the more evil he will leave behind.”
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Key Points
- Nato aircraft deployed over Poland and Romania amid Russian strikes on Ukraine
- Zelensky warns against use of AI in war
- Keep choking off trade with Russia, Ukrainian president urges world leaders
- Putin becoming increasingly cavalier and dangerous – top Nato commander
- Zelensky says Kyiv ready for ‘energy ceasefire’ with Russia
- Both sides interested in limited ceasefire, Rubio says
Nato aircraft deployed over Poland and Romania amid Russian strikes on Ukraine
05:11 , Shweta SharmaNato aircraft were deployed over Polish and Romanian airspace overnight and on Wednesday morning as Russia launched another wave of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 161 drones, including 82 jet-powered drones, and an unspecified number of Banderol cruise missiles.
Poland’s Armed Forces Operational Command said Polish fighter jets were scrambled “to ensure safety” amid Russian strikes using jet-powered drones against targets in western Ukraine.
The alert lasted about an hour, with Polish authorities saying no violation of Polish airspace was recorded.
Romania also scrambled two F-16 fighter jets after an aerial target was detected near the Ukrainian border.
Romania’s defence ministry said the aircraft responded to a target manoeuvring near Valkove, on Ukrainian territory, close to the Romanian border. The alert ended about an hour later, with authorities reporting no incursion into Romanian airspace.
Russian attacks in Kyiv kill two as Zelensky calls for peace at UN
04:50 , Shweta SharmaRussian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday with ballistic missiles, killing two people and injuring six, as debris crashed down on several districts, mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Klitschko, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said one of the dead had been in the parking lot of a maternity hospital. Three of the six injured were medical personnel and two of those hurt were in a serious condition. Part of the hospital facade was damaged, as was a nearby clinic.
Debris hit the ground in three districts of the capital and Klitschko said part of a residence had also been destroyed.
"In the Dniprovskyi district, debris fell into the yard of a private property," Klitschko wrote. "People may be trapped under rubble". He urged residents to remain in shelters.
Kyiv's military administration said a 16-storey residential building was damaged, along with private homes.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy decried the new Russian missile attack and said the strikes were recurring because of insufficient pressure on Moscow.
Ukraine's foreign minister holds talks with Iran's Araqchi amid tensions
04:22 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday he discussed ways of keeping tensions in check at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi.
Sybiha said on X the meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York was a follow-up to a telephone conversation the two held in July.
In more than 4-1/2 years of conflict with Russia, Ukraine has faced barrages of Iranian-designed drones. Kyiv has over that time developed technology to counter drone threats and offered its assistance to Middle Eastern countries facing strikes by Tehran.
"Diplomacy is about direct conversation, even in challenging circumstances," Sybiha wrote.
"Our conversation focused on mutual steps to prevent further aggravation of tensions between our countries. We agreed to keep existing channels of communication open."
Sybiha said the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and Europe "as well as various tracks of ongoing peace efforts".
"I reiterated Ukraine's position in support of a sooner restoration of peace and stability in both our regions.
"It comes as a Ukrainian drone strike on an Iranian ship killed one sailor and injured another in July. Iran denounced the attack and threatened retaliation.
Ukraine sent two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea
03:55 , Shweta SharmaUkraine has sent two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, following months of consultations between Kyiv and Seoul after the soldiers were captured in Russia's Kursk region in 2025.
"These guys are not easy to capture alive," he said. "One of them, when he realised he was going to be taken prisoner, tried to kill himself and he was shocked that fate didn't let him die. This is how they raise people in the North."
Following the soldiers' capture in Kursk in January 2025, South Korea urged Kyiv not to send them back to North Korea, where they could face persecution, and said it was willing to accept them if they wished to resettle in the South.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry did not directly confirm Zelenskyy's comments but said it had been consulting with Kyiv and other relevant parties to resolve the matter in a manner that respects the soldiers' free will and complies with international law and humanitarian principles.
The ministry said in a statement that it would not confirm details about the soldiers' "disposition, the timing or route of their transfer or specific contents of consultations" with Ukraine, calling it a sensitive matter concerning the safety of the soldiers and their families.
We can make winter painful for you too, Zelensky warns Russia
03:00 , Jane DaltonPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Moscow at the United Nations that Ukraine will strike back and make the coming winter deeply painful for Russia, if the two sides cannot agree a truce on energy attacks before the cold sets in.
Ukraine and its allies are racing to secure limited agreements on energy infrastructure and Black Sea shipping before winter, fearing renewed Russian strikes on power and heating facilities.
"Ukrainians understand that this winter could be very harsh for us. But in response, we will have no choice but to make it painful for Russia too," Zelensky told the UN General Assembly.
Although Russia has a far bigger arsenal of missiles which it has used to pound its enemy throughout the war, Ukraine has developed and used thousands of long-range drones to strike back at Russian warehouses, port infrastructure and oil refineries.
"That’s exactly why we say that de-escalation steps are needed before winter," Zelensky said.
Zelensky signs drone deals with Finland, Australia and other countries
01:58 , Jane DaltonUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he has signed a "drone deal" with Finland, another in a series of agreements combining Kyiv's technical expertise with other countries' industrial capacity.
"We are always ready to share what has helped us save lives with our closest friends," Mr Zelensky wrote.
When the war began in February 2022, Ukraine had limited experience in drone technology. Kyiv has rapidly developed its expertise and is now able to down drones, many of them designed by Iran.
It has offered its technology to a wide range of countries, many of them in the Middle East, facing Iranian weaponry.
Kyiv has now clinched "drone deals" with 10 countries and has an accord with the European Union.
In his address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Zelensky said a security accord had also been concluded with Australia.
He described the drone deals as "ready-made security formats that we adapt to each specific country and each specific region".
"We are already working with partners in the Gulf, the South Caucasus, and across Europe through drone deals."
Developing drones, he said, allowed countries to control borders, mountain areas and roads "and without them, this would simply be impossible".
Zelensky wants Chinese leader to put pressure on Putin
Thursday 24 September 2026 00:45 , Jane DaltonUkraine’s President Zelensky said he hoped to urge Chinese leader Xi Jinping to pressure Vladimir Putin into ending the war.
He told the UN General Assembly: “Unfortunately, we have not had a chance to speak directly with the leader of China, who is in who is in America today, but not here, and he is someone who can influence Russia too more than many many others can, and we would like him to want peace as much as we do in Ukraine.
“We believe the world has the power to make this happen.”
Watch: Zelensky warns against use of AI in war
Wednesday 23 September 2026 23:30 , Jane DaltonThe latest: Kremlin hits back at Burnham over 'disinformation' comments
Wednesday 23 September 2026 22:25 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin said on Wednesday that British prime minister Andy Burnham was unwise to stir up what they called anti-Russian sentiment, while pouring cold water on hopes of imminent peace talks with Ukraine.
Burnham told the United Nations on Tuesday that London would set up a new National Centre for Information Defence and singled out Moscow for particular criticism when it came to spreading what he called disinformation.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of “stoking anti-Russian sentiment and fostering an atmosphere of total Russophobia”, likely in conjunction with France, Germany and other unnamed European states.
“From our point of view, this is an utterly short-sighted policy,” he said. “It in no way brings us any closer to any steps that might, in the long term, lead to a reduction in tensions and de-escalation on the European continent.”
Speaking ahead of a planned meeting in New York between US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, Peskov signalled that there were still no plans for high-level talks with either Washington or Kyiv to discuss a potential peace deal.
“Zelensky, if he wishes, may come to Moscow. The necessary security guarantees will be provided to him,” he said, as Putin launched another wave of drone attacks on Kyiv, killing two and injuring at least 22.
Drone attacks on Kyiv kill two people and wound 41
Wednesday 23 September 2026 21:21 , Jane DaltonRussia hammered Kyiv with drones in daylight attacks on Wednesday hours before Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to world leaders at the UN General Assembly.
Two people were killed and 41 wounded in Ukraine's capital as the attack stretched into Wednesday afternoon.
Palls of black smoke floated above the city following the latest in what have been daily Russian attacks that torment Ukrainian civilians.
The drones set off fires and damaged buildings in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine overnight, authorities said.
“The Russians launch jet-powered Shaheds every hour, every hour against our cities, our economy, our infrastructure, our combat aircraft are fighting them 24/7,” Mr Zelensky told the General Assembly.
'The longer Putin can wage war, the more evil he will leave behind'
Wednesday 23 September 2026 20:18 , Jane DaltonThe longer Vladimir Putin can wage war, the more evil he will leave behind, President Zelensky has warned world leaders at the UN General Assembly.
Dubbing Russia's leader ‘Patient Zero’ - “the man from whom this war began” - Mr Zelensky said the Kremlin leader was turning the war into the largest war in Europe since World War Two.
“But the longer Putin is able to wage war, the more evil he will leave behind in this war,” he said.
“Today, nothing in war works the same way it did, by the way, in 2022.
“Except the courage of people, everything has changed, and who knows whether courage will still work the same way in the future.”
Diplomacy and strength needed, says Zelensky
Wednesday 23 September 2026 20:15 , Jane DaltonUkraine is building its security so that it can help other countries get the same protection, President Zelensky said.
“Ukrainians understand that this winter could be very harsh for us. But in response, we will have no choice but to make it painful for Russia too,” he said.
If Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy system and heating, steps are needed before winter, he said.
“Now we need diplomacy and we need strength.”
Watch: 'We choose not to die or lose our freedom'
Wednesday 23 September 2026 20:01 , Jane Dalton'Russia creates threat every hour to make life harder and stop children from studying'
Wednesday 23 September 2026 19:44 , Jane DaltonMoscow is using tens of thousands of missiles and drones against Ukraine, Mr Zelensky told the UN General Assembly.
“Russia has already used more than 2,100 missiles of different types again against us, against Ukraine, our people, and our children,” he said.
“More than 950 of them were ballistic missiles. In eight months of this year, Russia used 63,000 attack drones of different types against Ukraine, our people, and more than 7,700 of them were jet-powered shaheds, truly destructive and very dangerous battles.
“Just think about it. The Russians launch jet-powered shaheds every hour, every hour against our cities, our economy, our infrastructure.
“Our combat aircraft are fighting them 24/7, and this is part of Russia's strategy to create a new threat every hour, to make life harder for the economy, and to disrupt people's lives and to stop children from being able to study just to study at school.
“Would your country survive if, God forbid, you had to face some something like this Ukraine has?”
Russia tricks citizens of 47 countries into fighting, Zelensky warns
Wednesday 23 September 2026 19:34 , Jane DaltonRussia tricks citizens of 47 countries into fighting Ukraine, President Zelensky has told world leaders.
“We have had more than just North Korea POWs. We know that,” he said.
People from Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan, South Africa and many others were being recruited to fight, he said.
“And from time to time we receive requests to send to send particular POWs back cold, and through their videos from our drones, we also see people dying on the battlefield, who are not Russians, people from your countries, 47 countries, who ended up in Russia through deception and tricks.
“So I want to speak directly to every representative of these 47 countries.
“You know what Russia is doing with your people, your your citizens, take care of them, and do not let them end up on another front.
“Do not let Putin drag you into this war.”
Do not let Russia cover up its shame or “pay for his madness with the lives of your people”, President Zelensky said.
“Limit his room to act. Limit his money. Limit his war. And please, everyone here, do not be the last to join those who defend life. Be the first to say we guarantee security.”
Watch: Ukrainian president reminds world leaders not to loosen sanctions on oligarchs
Wednesday 23 September 2026 19:28 , Jane DaltonKeep choking off trade with Russia, Zelensky urges world leaders
Wednesday 23 September 2026 19:23 , Jane DaltonPresident Zelensky has urged world leaders to keep choking off Russia's revenues and impede its war efforts, telling the UN General Assembly that "Russia's revenues must remain a target".
"When someone gives Russia more money through trade, they give this war more time. And that is exactly why we insist on limiting trade with the aggressor, and why we are burning Russia's revenues ourselves," he said.
Russia gets its turn Saturday to address the assembly. President Vladimir Putin hasn't traveled to the gathering in years, sending Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov instead.
"Something always seems to stop Putin from saying, 'That's it. Enough, Peace,"' Mr Zelensky said.
"Can you even imagine him without war? He is 'Patient Zero', the one from whom war keeps spreading further. ... 'Patient Zero' must be stopped."
Zelensky warns against use of AI in war
Wednesday 23 September 2026 19:21 , Jane DaltonUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned world leaders against the use of AI in war.
In a speech at the UN General Assembly, he said: “We need to slow it down before we reach the next stage, because as early as next year, there is already a real possibility that AI, not only people, will begin will begin decide what happens on the battlefield, and we need peace before we reach that point.”
He added: “If you listen to some of the biggest believers in the development of AI, they say today AI still remains mostly digital. But one day AI will move from the digital world to shaping atoms.
“And when that happens, we had better be at peace. We certainly need to end the wars that already exist. Ukraine deserves security, just as all of you do, every country and every nation. “
We choose not to die or lose our freedom, says Zelensky
Wednesday 23 September 2026 19:15 , Jane DaltonUkrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has told world leaders in a speech at the UN General Assembly: “Ukrainians did not choose this war. We choose not to die, not to lose our country, our families, not to lose our independence, our freedom, and we are defending ourselves."
Don't weaken sanctions on Russian oligarchs, Zelensky pleads with world leaders
Wednesday 23 September 2026 19:13 , Jane DaltonVolodymyr Zelensky has issued a warning to world leaders not to weaken sanctions on Russian oligarchs.
In a speech at the UN General Assembly, he said: “When someone in the world weakens sanctions, weakens sanctions against Russian oligarchs, it may make life more comfortable for rich Russians.
“But it also gives the war more time, more time for Putin to send poor people into the kill zone, so Russia's revenues must remain a target.
“Russia's budget deficit is now bigger than in any other year, and most Russian regions are already bankrupt.
“Russia planned major operation on the front this summer, all of them failed."
In focus: How Ukraine’s devastating attacks on Putin’s oil refineries brought the war to Russia’s doorstep
Wednesday 23 September 2026 19:00 , James ReynoldsAll but five of Russia’s 32 major oil refineries have been hit by Ukrainian drone attacks, costing the country an estimated $20bn. Experts tell Maira Butt that Zelensky has brought the reality of Putin’s invasion to the doorstep:
How Ukraine’s devastating attacks on Putin’s oil refineries brought the war to Russia
Five people killed and six wounded in Russian bombing in Donetsk
Wednesday 23 September 2026 18:41 , Jane DaltonA Russian aerial bomb attack has killed five people and injured six in the village of Oleksandrivka in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, the regional governor says.
Vadym Filashkin said Russian forces had dropped four bombs on the village, near the city of Kramatorsk.
Filashkin said that, according to preliminary information, seven people remained beneath rubble, including two children.
Recap: Zelensky says Russia preparing major new attack on Ukraine
Wednesday 23 September 2026 18:00 , James ReynoldsVolodymyr Zelensky says Russia is preparing a new major attack on Ukraine, based on Ukrainian intelligence, and that Kyiv is working with allies to strengthen its air defences.
“There’s intelligence right now that Russia is preparing a new massive attack against Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
It comes as a senior Nato commander has warned that Putin is becoming “increasingly cavalier, dangerous and risk-accepting”, as the war in Ukraine continues.
Soon after Zelensky met with US president Donald Trump, he said Ukraine has not received a “concrete answer” from the US on whether it will receive more Patriot missile interceptors, which are vital for defending against Russia’s now daily aerial attacks.
The Ukrainian president was speaking to reporters after a much-anticipated meeting with Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Asked about whether the US would take steps to ease Ukraine’s shortage of Patriot missiles, he said: “They are positive to help us, but I didn’t get the very concrete answer.”
Zelensky also said he hoped Russia’s war with his country would end “before winter”.
Lavrov and Rubio discuss bilateral ties, international agenda, Russia says
Wednesday 23 September 2026 17:37 , Dan HaygarthRussian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and US secretary of state Marco Rubio discussed a wide range of issues on the bilateral `and international agenda at a meeting on Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Lavrov and Rubio discussed situations in several regions, including Ukraine and the Middle East.
The ministry said Lavrov emphasised the need to restore bilateral relations as soon as possible, while the two sides agreed to continue discussions.
