Belgian forces seized a suspected Russian shadow fleet vessel in the North Sea with the help of the French navy on Sunday.
Defence minister Theo Francken said the oil tanker was thought to be sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.
The vessel, named Ethera, had long been on the US, EU, and UK sanctions list, and has since been escorted to the port of Zeebrugge.
“Without his shadow fleet Putin can’t wage war against innocent Ukrainians. So we take these vessels out. One by one. Till his war of aggression stops,” Mr Francken said.
Volodymyr Zelensky praised Belgium and French forces for the “decisive decision”, adding that “Russia operates like a mafia organisation, and the response must match that reality.”
Western sanctions imposed on Russia have led to the rise of a "shadow fleet" of tankers helping Moscow to keep its crude exports flowing.
Emmanuel Macron said the seizure, which was assisted by French navy helicopters, was a “major blow” to Russia’s fleet.
“Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine by enforcing sanctions,” the French president said.
Read MoreUkraine reveal major new defence tactic in bid to combat Russia threat
Six charged with smuggling combat drone technology to Russia
Zelenskyy says Ukrainian officials to meet Trump envoys in Geneva for more Russia talks
Key Points
- Belgium seizes oil tanker belonging to Russian shadow fleet
- Macron shares video of Belgian and French forces boarding Russian vessel
- Time and place of peace talks depend on security situation in Middle East, says Zelensky
- Ukrainian foreign minister: 'Domino of deposed dictators must continue'
Macron shares video of Belgian and French forces boarding Russian vessel
22:00 , Harriette BoucherEmmanuel Macron said Russia’s shadow fleet has suffered a “major blow” after French navy helicopters assisted Belgian forces in seizing an oil tanker in the North Sea.
The French president said: “Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine by enforcing sanctions.”
Belgium’s defence minister Theo Francken said on Sunday its armed forces had seized the vessel, which was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.
21:00 , Harriette BoucherPutin gives 'deepest condolences' to Iranian president over killing of supreme leader
20:00 , Harriette BoucherBelgian defence minister shares footage of Russian shadow fleet vessel capture
19:01 , Harriette BoucherBelgium’s defence minister has shared a video of its forces boarding a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker on Sunday.
Dubbed the “Operation Blue Intruder”, he said the mission showed “courage, precision, and determination.”
Theo Francken said: “Without his shadow fleet Putin can’t wage war against innocent Ukranians. So we take these vessels out. One by one. Till his war of agrgession stops.”
Analysis: Trump is making dangerous assumptions about who will take power in Iran
18:15 , Harriette BoucherOne can be forgiven a snigger at Vladimir Putin calling the Israeli-American assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and many of his senior staff "cynical murder”, when that is what he tried and failed to do to Ukraine's president.
His invasion of Ukraine has been a bloody disaster for Russia because he did not understand the country.
The US-Israeli killing of Iran’s supreme leader is blatantly illegal under international law. It may also prove to be as disastrous as Putin’s war on Ukraine – because Trump doesn’t understand the country.
Like Putin, Trump has surrounded himself with “yes” men and women. He removed anyone and everyone who might have shown independent thought, first from the intelligence services, then the armed forces, and then surrounded himself with Maga fanatics in the Oval Office.
His administration is also deeply affected by evangelical Christian extremists, who have blindly backed Israel’s far-right government through its mass slaughter of the Palestinians in Gaza and its land grabs on the West Bank.
The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley writes:
Trump is making dangerous assumptions about who will take power in Iran
In pictures: Belgium seizes Russian shadow fleet vessel in North Sea
17:45 , Harriette BoucherRussia has lost 1.26M troops since war started, Ukrainian defence ministry says
17:01 , Harriette BoucherRussia has suffered an estimated 1,266,770 troop casualties since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to the figures released on Sunday.
The Ukrainian ministry of defence said the number includes 870 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
It has also lost 11,709 tanks, 24,108 armoured tanker vehicles, and 80,510 vehicle and fuel tanks, it said.
Ukraine’s defence ministry has not revealed its own losses, but CSIS estimated that Ukraine has seen 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths
In pictures: Ukrainian recruits train during a military exercise
16:29 , Harriette Boucher 'Ukrainians made it through winter,' says Zelensky
16:02 , Harriette BoucherRussia hit Ukraine with more than 14,670 guided aerial bombs, 738 missiles, and nearly 19,000 attack drones over winter, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
In the last week of February alone, it used more than 1,720 attack drones, nearly 1,300 guided aerial bombs, and over 100 missiles to attack Ukraine.
Ukrainian civilians have faced their toughest winter yet as Moscow repeatedly target’s the country’s energy system, leaving hundreds of thousands without power for long periods.
“But despite everything, Ukrainians made it through this difficult winter, when Russia did not even try to seek justification for its bestial strikes on civilian critical infrastructure,” the Ukrainian president said.
“Evil must be confronted in every part of the world. When the United States and other partners show enough determination, even the bloodiest dictators ultimately pay for their crimes. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine defend itself and save lives.”
US uses Ukraine's drone tactics for first time in attack on Iran
15:31 , Harriette BoucherThe United States used drone tactics pioneered by Ukraine when it launched Operation Epic Fury and attacked Iran.
Its forces used low-cost one-way attack drones in combat for the first time on Saturday, a modern military tactic introduced by Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
“CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike employed low-cost one-way attack drones for the first time in combat,” the US central command said.
Ukrainian foreign minister: 'Domino of deposed dictators must continue'
15:01 , Harriette BoucherVladimir Putin has lost “three of his closest pals” following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ukraine’s foreign minister has claimed, as he calls for the “domino of deposed dictators” to continue.
Andrii Sybiha said: “Assad, Maduro, and now Khamenei. Putin has lost three of his closest pals in little more than a year.
“He has also not helped any of them. This dynamic proves three things.
“First, Russia is not a reliable ally even for those who rely heavily on it.
“Second, while Russia is stuck in its senseless war against Ukraine that it will never win and refuses to end, its influence across the world is dramatically falling.
“Third, the domino of deposed dictators must continue, and Putin’s fall one day is inevitable. Together, we must make every effort to bring this joyous day closer and ensure accountability for all Russian crimes. The justice is inevitable.”
Ukraine hit with record number of missiles in February, analysis claims
14:29 , Harriette BoucherRussia fired more missiles at Ukraine in February than in any other month for at least three years, according to new analysis.
Figures from AFP claimed that Russia hit Ukraine with 288 missiles in February, an increase of around 113 per cent compared to the 135 missiles launched in January, The Moscow Times reported.
The previous record was set in October 2025, when Russia launched 270 missiles at the country, according to Kyiv.
How Starlink became the backbone of Ukraine’s war
14:00 , Harriette BoucherRussia has lost 1,266,770 troops since war started, Ukrainian defence ministry says
13:30 , Harriette BoucherRussia has suffered an estimated 1,266,770 troop casualties since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to the figures released on Sunday.
The Ukrainian ministry of defence said the number includes 870 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
It has also lost 11,709 tanks, 24,108 armoured tanker vehicles, and 80,510 vehicle and fuel tanks, it said.
Ukraine’s defence ministry has not revealed its own losses, but CSIS estimated that Ukraine has seen 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths.
Macron shares video of Belgian and French forces boarding Russian vessel
12:59 , Harriette BoucherEmmanuel Macron said Russia’s shadow fleet has suffered a “major blow” after French navy helicopters assisted Belgian forces in seizing an oil tanker in the North Sea.
The French president said: “Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine by enforcing sanctions.”
Belgium’s defence minister Theo Francken said on Sunday its armed forces had seized the vessel, which was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.
Netherlands to help scale up Ukraine's drone line
12:28 , Harriette BoucherThe Netherlands will help scale up Ukraine’s “drone line” initiative, the Ukrainian defence minister has said.
Mykhailo Fedorov met with the Netherlands deputy prime minister and minister of defence and secured additional resources to expand on its drone wall.
In a post on social media, Mr Fedorov said he was “grateful for the Netherlands’ leadership and continued support through PURL. Together we strengthen Ukraine’s technological edge.”
Over 1,000 crews are currently operating under the project.
Between January and February, they eliminated every third Russian service member on the front line, the Ukranian defence department said.
Last June 2025, the Netherlands signed contracts for the production of 600,000 Ukrainian drones under the initiative.
'Ukrainians made it through winter,' says Zelensky
11:45 , Harriette BoucherRussia hit Ukraine with more than 14,670 guided aerial bombs, 738 missiles, and nearly 19,000 attack drones over winter, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
In the last week of February alone, it used more than 1,720 attack drones, nearly 1,300 guided aerial bombs, and over 100 missiles to attack Ukraine.
Ukrainian civilians have faced their toughest winter yet as Moscow repeatedly target’s the country’s energy system, leaving hundreds of thousands without power for long periods.
“But despite everything, Ukrainians made it through this difficult winter, when Russia did not even try to seek justification for its bestial strikes on civilian critical infrastructure,” the Ukrainian president said.
“Evil must be confronted in every part of the world. When the United States and other partners show enough determination, even the bloodiest dictators ultimately pay for their crimes. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine defend itself and save lives.”
Zelensky praises Belgium for seizing Russian shadow fleet vessel
11:27 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has welcomed “Belgium's decisive decision” in seizing an oil tanker belonging to the Russian shadow fleet.
Belgium’s defence minister Theo Francken said on Sunday its armed forces had seized the vessel, which was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.
The Ukrainian president said the vessel had long been under US, EU, and UK sanctions.
He added: “It is also important to modernise European legislation so that tankers carrying Russian oil are not just stopped but seized, with their oil repurposed for Europe's security.
“We must be resolute. Russia operates like a mafia organization, and the response must match that reality. If they reject the rules for the sake of war, the rules must foresee a clear and firm answer.”
More than 90,000 Ukrainians considered missing
10:55 , Harriette BoucherMore than 90,000 have been officially registered as missing under special circumstances, according to reports
The figures, which include both military personnel and civilians, were reported by Artur Dobroserdov, the commissioner for missing persons in special circumstances.
Since the war began, 15,172 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, including 739 children, according to the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Iran supreme leader's death a 'cynical murder', says Putin
10:23 , Harriette BoucherVladimir Putin has called the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a “cynical murder”.
He said the killing was in “violation of all standards of human mortality and international law”, Russian state news said.
The Russian leader expressed his condolences to Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian over the killing.
Russia on Saturday condemned the the US-Israel strikes on Iran as “a preplanned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state”.
Belgium seizes oil tanker belonging to Russian shadow fleet
09:27 , Harriette BoucherBelgium has seized a vessel belonging to the Russian shadow fleet, its defence minister claimed.
In a post on Sunday, Theo Francken said: “Over the past few hours, our armed forces, with the support of the French Defence, have boarded an oil tanker belonging to the Russian shadow fleet.
“The vessel is currently being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge, where it will be seized.”
The oil tanker was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”, the defence minister said.
A Belgian official said the seized vessel is named Ethera and is on the European Union's sanctions list.
Netherlands to help scale up Ukraine's drone line
09:00 , Harriette BoucherThe Netherlands will help scale up Ukraine’s “drone line” initiative, the Ukrainian defence minister has said.
Mykhailo Fedorov met with the Netherlands deputy prime minister and minister of defence and secured additional resources to expand on its drone wall.
In a post on social media, Mr Fedorov said he was “grateful for the Netherlands’ leadership and continued support through PURL. Together we strengthen Ukraine’s technological edge.”
Over 1,000 crews are currently operating under the project.
Between January and February, they eliminated every third Russian service member on the front line, the Ukranian defence department said.
Last June 2025, the Netherlands signed contracts for the production of 600,000 Ukrainian drones under the initiative.
Macron ‘very sceptical’ about Russia-Ukraine peace talks
08:01 , Harriette BoucherZelensky condemns Iran for becoming 'Putin's accomplice'
07:05 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine “knows all too well” about the conflict in the Middle East, as he condemns the Iranian regime.
In a post on social media, he said: “Although Ukrainians never threatened Iran, the Iranian regime chose to become Putin’s accomplice and supplied him with “shahed” drones, and not only the drones themselves, but also the technologies to produce them. Iran also provided other weapons to Russia.
“Our position is well known, and Ukraine has stated it repeatedly, including recently. It is important to preserve as many lives as possible. It is important to prevent the war from expanding. It is important that the United States is acting decisively.
“Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken. This understanding must also come to the Russians.”
‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares personal impact of war
06:01 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has admitted he is “not the best father”, as he spoke of the personal challenges he has faced during the four-year war with Russia.
In an interview with Sky News, the Ukrainian president said his role had taken a toll on his family, but that it was his duty to lead Ukraine.
He said he would do anything to bring about peace for his country, and confirmed that another round of trilateral talks was likely to take place next week.
“During the war, I'm not the best father... because I don't have too much time for my children,” he told Sky News in an interview that aired on Friday.
“I'm the president of Ukraine, I don’t compare my job... because my choice... is duty. My choice is Ukraine. That's why I said I'm no good father during the war.”
‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares rare insight into personal impact of war
How Starlink became the backbone of Ukraine’s war
05:00 , Harriette BoucherIAEA: local ceasefire will help restore power backup to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
04:05 , Harriette BoucherThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday it has negotiated a temporary local ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, allowing the restoration of a backup power supply to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).
Rafael Grossi, director general of the agency, said in a statement: “The fifth local ceasefire negotiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) between Ukraine and the Russian Federation commenced today.”
He added: “The IAEA has previously facilitated four temporary ceasefire agreements, which allowed five separate repairs to power lines connected to the ZNPP.”
Territorial concessions are a 'red line', says Zelensky
03:00 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has stood firm on his position to not sacrifice any territory to Russia in order to secure a peace deal.
Asked why he wouldn’t give up Ukrainian territory if it meant an end to the war, he told Sky News: “It's our territory, and it sounds unbelievably strange that we have to withdraw from our land, that they occupied our land and nobody can pull them out.”
He said if Ukraine were to withdraw from territories like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, there would be 200,000 people who would have their land occupied by Russia.
“Who said to Russia that these people are ready to be Russian people, and if they don't, they will kill them, or push them to the front or push them to prison,” president Zelensky said.
More than 90,000 Ukrainians considered missing
02:00 , Harriette BoucherMore than 90,000 have been officially registered as missing under special circumstances.
The figures, which include both military personnel and civilians, were reported by Artur Dobroserdov, the commissioner for missing persons in special circumstances.
Since the war began, 15,172 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, including 739 children, according to the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Tehran 'had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario', says Ukraine
01:00 , Harriette BoucherUkraine’s foreign ministry said Tehran “had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario”, and condemned the Iranian regime.
“The Iranian regime, which has been mocking the Iranian people for decades, has launched a large-scale policy of violence against its own people and other countries.
“This includes massive human rights violations within the country, support for militants who have brought chaos to other countries in the region, and direct military support for the aggressor state of Russia in its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.”
It comes after the US and Israel launched co-ordinated strikes across Iran on Saturday.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the “reason for the current events is precisely the violence and arbitrariness of the Iranian regime, in particular the murders and repressions against peaceful protesters, which have become particularly large-scale in recent months.”
Zelensky: 'US not doing enough to end the war'
00:00 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky wants the US to ramp up its efforts to end the war and said the Trump administration was not doing enough.
In an interview with Sky News, the Ukrainian president said it was “not simple” to have a relationship with an administration that had previously called him a dictator and claimed Zelensky had started the war with Russia.
Asked if he trusted Donald Trump, the Ukrainian president said: “You know it's more about me and President Trump, it’s not about personalities, it’s more about institutions. Ukraine and president, and United States and president.
“We need to trust each other, and that's why I'm trying to build such relations with the United States. Relations can't be dependent on their personalities.”
President Zelensky said he had a “long” and “peaceful” phone call with President Trump on Wednesday night, which was joined by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
He said there will likely be a trilateral meeting between Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow next week.
The women ready to take up arms to defend Finland against Russia
Saturday 28 February 2026 23:00 , Harriette BoucherRishi Sunak accepts role with Zelensky for Ukraine’s economic renewal
Saturday 28 February 2026 22:01 , Harriette BoucherRishi Sunak has taken up a role as one of several international advisers helping the Ukrainian government with economic renewal.
Documents released on Friday by the independent adviser on ministerial standards revealed the former prime minister has begun an unpaid role as part of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s International Advisory Council for the Economic Renewal of Ukraine.
The advisory council is expected to provide a panel of experts to advise both Mr Zelensky and his economic adviser, former Canadian deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland.
Mr Sunak said he had been “honoured” to support Ukraine as prime minister, and praised Mr Zelensky’s leadership and the Ukrainian people for showing “such bravery, such strength, such ingenuity in their resistance in this war”.
“The West needs a strong Ukraine, and a strong Ukraine needs a strong economy,” he added.
Rishi Sunak accepts role advising Zelensky on Ukraine’s economic renewal
Recap: Russian defence ministry says its forces have taken control of two Ukrainian settlements
Saturday 28 February 2026 21:00 , Harriette BoucherRussia forces have taken control of Neskuchne in Eastern Ukraine.
Its defence ministry said on Saturday its forces had taken control of the settlements of Neskuchne and Girke in Ukraine's Kharkiv and Zaporizhizhia regions.
According to local reports, Russia’s Interior Ministry said its air defences intercepted 97 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions.
Denmark warns of potential foreign interference ahead of 24 March general election
Saturday 28 February 2026 20:00 , Harriette BoucherDenmark’s intelligence services have raised concerns that a foreign power may attempt to influence the country’s general election on 24 March, reported AFP.
Authorities said the primary risk stems from Russia, linked to its stance on Ukraine, but also highlighted the fallout from US efforts to assert control over Greenland.
In a joint statement, the PET police intelligence service and FE military intelligence said the election campaign could see disinformation and cyberattacks “to sow division, influence the public debate or to target candidates, parties or specific political programmes”.
“The threat of interference targeting Denmark comes mainly from Russia but could also emanate from other state actors,” the agencies said.
“The United States’ stated desire to take possession of Greenland has led to the spread of disinformation concerning the kingdom of Denmark, which could create uncertainty” ahead of the election.
They added that “the attention paid by the United States” to Denmark has “created new international fault lines that foreign states like Russia and China could exploit for influence purposes”.
Prime minister Mette Frederiksen, who called the election on Thursday, described the shadow cast by Russia as one of Denmark’s biggest threats. She also cited US president Donald Trump’s demands regarding control of Greenland.
Experts said Frederiksen deliberately chose 24 March for the vote, as her popularity has risen following her rejection of Trump’s claims over the Arctic territory.
Netherlands to help scale up Ukraine's drone line
Saturday 28 February 2026 19:00 , Harriette BoucherThe Netherlands will help scale up Ukraine’s “drone line” initiative, the Ukrainian defence minister has said.
Mykhailo Fedorov met with the Netherlands deputy prime minister and minister of defence and secured additional resources to expand on its drone wall.
In a post on social media, Mr Fedorov said he was “grateful for the Netherlands’ leadership and continued support through PURL. Together we strengthen Ukraine’s technological edge.”
Over 1,000 crews are currently operating under the project.
Between January and February, they eliminated every third Russian service member on the front line, the Ukranian defence department said.
Last June 2025, the Netherlands signed contracts for the production of 600,000 Ukrainian drones under the initiative.
At least 55 Ghanaians killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine war, minister says
Saturday 28 February 2026 17:55 , Harriette BoucherAt least 55 Ghanaians have died fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Ghana’s foreign minister said Friday, one of the highest death tolls from among several African countries whose citizens are fighting in the war.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said 272 Ghanaians have been lured into the battle since 2022, with two of them captured as prisoners of war, citing information from Ukrainian officials.
“Ukrainian authorities revealed that from their credible intelligence gathering (that) they have documented 1,780 Africans from 36 countries who have been lured by criminal trafficking networks to join the war against Ukraine,” said Ablakwa, who is on a trip to Ukraine.
Ghana adds to a growing list of African nations who have expressed concern about their citizens fighting in the war, many recruited through dubious strategies such as lucrative jobs or skills training.
An intelligence report last week said that 1,000 Kenyans were recruited to fight for Russia after being misled with false promises of jobs. Dozens have either been hospitalized or are missing, the Kenyan government has said.
At least 55 Ghanaians killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine war, minister says
News Russian Foreign Ministry condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran as 'unprovoked act of armed aggression'
Saturday 28 February 2026 17:17 , Harriette BoucherRussia’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran as “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state,” demanding an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy.
In a statement posted to Telegram, the ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “hiding behind” concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.
It warned the attacks risked triggering a “humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe” in the region and accused the U.S. and Israel of “plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation.”
Moscow called the bombing of nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards “unacceptable” and said it stood ready to help broker a peaceful resolution, while placing full responsibility for the escalation on the United States and Israel.
"Responsibility for the negative consequences of this manmade crisis, including an unpredictable chain reaction and spiralling violence, lies entirely with them," the statement said.
Russian Foreign Ministry condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran as 'unprovoked act of armed aggression'
‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares personal impact of war
Saturday 28 February 2026 16:36 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has admitted he is “not the best father”, as he spoke of the personal challenges he has faced during the four-year war with Russia.
In an interview with Sky News, the Ukrainian president said his role had taken a toll on his family, but that it was his duty to lead Ukraine.
He said he would do anything to bring about peace for his country, and confirmed that another round of trilateral talks was likely to take place next week.
“During the war, I'm not the best father... because I don't have too much time for my children,” he told Sky News in an interview that aired on Friday.
“I'm the president of Ukraine, I don’t compare my job... because my choice... is duty. My choice is Ukraine. That's why I said I'm no good father during the war.”
‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares rare insight into personal impact of war
Rishi Sunak accepts role with Zelensky for Ukraine’s economic renewal
Saturday 28 February 2026 16:05 , Harriette Boucher Rishi Sunak accepts role advising Zelensky on Ukraine’s economic renewal
Zelensky condemns Iran for becoming 'Putin's accomplice'
Saturday 28 February 2026 15:37 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine “knows all too well” about the conflict in the Middle East, as he condemns the Iranian regime.
In a post on social media, he said: “Although Ukrainians never threatened Iran, the Iranian regime chose to become Putin’s accomplice and supplied him with “shahed” drones, and not only the drones themselves, but also the technologies to produce them. Iran also provided other weapons to Russia.
“Our position is well known, and Ukraine has stated it repeatedly, including recently. It is important to preserve as many lives as possible. It is important to prevent the war from expanding. It is important that the United States is acting decisively.
“Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken. This understanding must also come to the Russians.”
Time and place of peace talks depend on security situation in Middle East, says Zelensky
Saturday 28 February 2026 15:06 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that the time and place of the next round of trilateral peace talks would depend on the security situation in the Middle East and the level of “real diplomatic possibilities”.
The Ukrainian president said he would give fresh directives to his negotiating team at the talks.
Earlier in the week, Zelensky said the next round of talks would likely be in Abu Dhabi in early March.
Tehran 'had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario', says Ukraine
Saturday 28 February 2026 14:19 , Harriette BoucherUkraine’s foreign ministry said Tehran “had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario”, and condemned the Iranian regime.
“The Iranian regime, which has been mocking the Iranian people for decades, has launched a large-scale policy of violence against its own people and other countries.
“This includes massive human rights violations within the country, support for militants who have brought chaos to other countries in the region, and direct military support for the aggressor state of Russia in its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.”
It comes after the US and Israel launched co-ordinated strikes across Iran on Saturday.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the “reason for the current events is precisely the violence and arbitrariness of the Iranian regime, in particular the murders and repressions against peaceful protesters, which have become particularly large-scale in recent months.”
IAEA: local ceasefire will help restore power backup to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Saturday 28 February 2026 13:30 , Harriette BoucherThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday it has negotiated a temporary local ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, allowing the restoration of a backup power supply to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).
Rafael Grossi, director general of the agency, said in a statement: “The fifth local ceasefire negotiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) between Ukraine and the Russian Federation commenced today.”
He added: “The IAEA has previously facilitated four temporary ceasefire agreements, which allowed five separate repairs to power lines connected to the ZNPP.”
The women ready to take up arms to defend Finland against Russia
Saturday 28 February 2026 13:00 , Harriette BoucherTerritorial concessions are a 'red line', says Zelensky
Saturday 28 February 2026 12:30 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has stood firm on his position to not sacrifice any territory to Russia in order to secure a peace deal.
Asked why he wouldn’t give up Ukrainian territory if it meant an end to the war, he told Sky News: “It's our territory, and it sounds unbelievably strange that we have to withdraw from our land, that they occupied our land and nobody can pull them out.”
He said if Ukraine were to withdraw from territories like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, there would be 200,000 people who would have their land occupied by Russia.
“Who said to Russia that these people are ready to be Russian people, and if they don't, they will kill them, or push them to the front or push them to prison,” president Zelensky said.
Paralympics opening ceremony boycott grows as more nations vow to protest return of Russian athletes
Saturday 28 February 2026 12:02 , Harriette BoucherThe opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Paralympics is facing an escalating boycott, with a growing number of nations planning to skip the event in protest against the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their national flags.
The controversy threatens to overshadow the start of the Games, which are set to open in Verona next week.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) made the contentious decision in September 2025 to allocate 10 combined slots to Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to participate with their national anthems and flags.
This move has ignited a political storm, set against the backdrop of Russia’s four-year invasion of Ukraine.
Following Ukraine's initial decision to boycott the ceremony last week, Finland has now confirmed its non-attendance, according to IPC Chief Brand and Communications Officer Craig Spence.
Paralympics opening ceremony boycott grows amid Russia return
Zelensky: 'US not doing enough to end the war'
Saturday 28 February 2026 11:24 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky wants the US to ramp up its efforts to end the war and said the Trump administration was not doing enough.
In an interview with Sky News, the Ukrainian president said it was “not simple” to have a relationship with an administration that had previously called him a dictator and claimed Zelensky had started the war with Russia.
Asked if he trusted Donald Trump, the Ukrainian president said: “You know it's more about me and President Trump, it’s not about personalities, it’s more about institutions. Ukraine and president, and United States and president.
“We need to trust each other, and that's why I'm trying to build such relations with the United States. Relations can't be dependent on their personalities.”
President Zelensky said he had a “long” and “peaceful” phone call with President Trump on Wednesday night, which was joined by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
He said there will likely be a trilateral meeting between Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow next week.
How Starlink became the backbone of Ukraine’s war
Saturday 28 February 2026 11:05 , Harriette BoucherRussia Belarus Europe 2 journalists in Belarus imprisoned as part of a crackdown on free speech, media groups say
Saturday 28 February 2026 10:35 , Harriette BoucherA court in Belarus has convicted two independent journalists on charges of high treason and handed them long prison sentences, the latest move in the government's crackdown on dissent and free speech, a media rights group said Friday.
Uladzimir Yanukevich, 65, who founded and edited the Intex-Press and BAR24 media outlets, was given a 14-year sentence, while his 44-year-old colleague Andrei Pakalenka was handed a 12-year sentence, the rights group said. Their media sites were among the most popular in Belarus.
The Regional Court in Brest, a city on the border with Poland, held the proceedings behind closed doors and details of the charges remain unclear. State television carried a report alleging the journalists had links to the German Embassy.
2 journalists in Belarus imprisoned as part of a crackdown on free speech, media groups say
Tehran 'had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario', says Ukraine
Saturday 28 February 2026 10:07 , Harriette BoucherUkraine’s foreign ministry said Tehran “had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario”, and condemned the Iranian regime.
“The Iranian regime, which has been mocking the Iranian people for decades, has launched a large-scale policy of violence against its own people and other countries.
“This includes massive human rights violations within the country, support for militants who have brought chaos to other countries in the region, and direct military support for the aggressor state of Russia in its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.”
It comes after the US and Israel launched co-ordinated strikes across Iran on Saturday.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the “reason for the current events is precisely the violence and arbitrariness of the Iranian regime, in particular the murders and repressions against peaceful protesters, which have become particularly large-scale in recent months.”
Russian defence ministry says its forces have taken control of two Ukrainian settlements
Saturday 28 February 2026 10:02 , Harriette BoucherRussia forces have taken control of Neskuchne in Eastern Ukraine.
Its defence ministry said on Saturday its forces had taken control of the settlements of Neskuchne and Girke in Ukraine's Kharkiv and Zaporizhizhia regions.
According to local reports, Russia’s Interior Ministry said its air defences intercepted 97 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions.
Large fire after drones strike oil refinery in southern Russia
Saturday 28 February 2026 09:39 , Harriette BoucherA large fire has broken out in an oil refinery in the village of Novominskaya in Russia's Krasnodar Krai following a drone attack.
Falling debris from an unmanned aerial vehicle ignited the blaze, local media said.
According to local reports, Russia’s Interior Ministry said its air defences intercepted 97 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions.