Donald Trump “was not happy” about Russia’s massive wave of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s capital, the White House has said.
The US president planned to talk more about the subject later, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt added, after at least 21 people, including four children, were killed in the overnight attack on Thursday.
The airstrikes drew international condemnation, with Britain's foreign office summoning the Russian ambassador to the UK after the British Council said its offices in the capital were left “severely damaged”.
It is the first major attack by Moscow on Kyiv since Vladimir Putin met with Mr Trump in Alaska, though the Russian leader has since stalled any efforts to kickstart peace talks.
A spokesperson for the British Council said the office would be closed until further notice but its work continues. Scott McDonald, the chief executive of the Council, said a guard was injured in the attack and was “shaken but stable”. The EU delegation building in the Ukrainian capital was also damaged in the attack.
Russia used a combination of decoy drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's city administration.
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Key Points
- At least 18 dead including four children, authorities say
- UK foreign office to summon Russian ambassador
- EU delegation building damaged in Kyiv strike
- Fire erupts at southern Russian oil refinery after Ukrainian drone attack
- Putin to join Xi and Kim Jong Un at Beijing military parade
- Zelensky briefs Ukraine's newly appointed US ambassador
Starmer accuses Putin of 'sabotaging' hopes of peace
03:00
,
Tara Cobham
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "sabotaging" hopes of peace following the "senseless" strikes early on Thursday.
Russia launched a major air attack on Kyiv that included a rare strike on the city centre, killing at least 19 people, wounding 48 and damaging European Union diplomatic offices, authorities said.
Recap: Watch as Russia strikes key Ukraine energy facility in large-scale drone attack
02:00
,
Tara Cobham
Analysis: Russia’s devastating attack on Kyiv proves Trump’s Ukraine peace plans have failed. It is time for Europe to show leadership
01:00
,
Tara Cobham
At least 18 people have been killed in another Russian drone and missile swarm attack on Ukraine. The offices of the European Union and the British Council were struck, along with a five-storey block of flats destroyed in Kyiv. Lots and lots of outrage. So what?
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EU Commission, threatened more sanctions on Russia. Sir Keir Starmer said that “Putin is killing children and civilians and sabotaging hope of peace”.
That’s a statement of the obvious - but not the statement of a statesman.
The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley reports:
Italy's foreign minister sees "no end to Ukraine war this year"
00:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Italy’s foreign minister has said he does not anticipate the war in Ukraine ending this year.
Speaking following a cabinet meeting in Rome Antonio Tajani added it was “clear” there would have to be new sanctions if Russia continued “like this”.
"The war isn't going to end as soon as some people said and believed ... I don't want to be a pessimist but I don't think there can be solutions before the end of the year," he said.
Pictures show moment drone strike hits Kyiv
23:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Pictures from a clip published in The Guardian show the moments a drone strike hit a neighbourhood in Kyiv on Wednesday night.
Fuel crisis across Russia following Ukrainian drone strikes
22:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
- Parts of Russia are experiencing severe petrol shortages, leading to dry pumps, long queues, and rationing in some regions.
- The shortages are primarily due to recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, compounded by soaring wholesale prices and high demand for harvest and summer holidays.
- Regions most affected include the Far East and the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula, with reports of exorbitant prices and sales restrictions.
- Ukrainian drone strikes have successfully targeted an arc of Russian refineries, causing significant drops in petrol and diesel production.
- Russia has responded by pausing petrol exports, and while experts suggest the shortage is not 'system critical' and diesel supplies are abundant, it highlights a domestic vulnerability.
Germany's Merz says it seems clear there will be no meeting between Putin and Zelensky
22:00
,
Tara Cobham
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday that it seems clear there will be no meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a statement alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron welcomed Merz for a working dinner at Bregancon Fort in southern France, where the leaders gave a statement to the press before their meeting.
Merz said he and Macron will hold bilateral discussions on several topics, including economic collaboration between the two countries, the situation between Ukraine and Russia, and the de-bureaucratisation of Europe.
Turkey ready to help high-level Russia-Ukraine talks take place, Erdogan tells Zelensky
21:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has told Zelensky Ankara is ready to help any high-level talks between Ukraine and Russia take place, his office said in a statement.
It said in a phone call between the pair, Erdogan also told Zelensky that Turkey would continue to contribute to Ukraine's security after peace was achieved.
US State Dept green lights sale of air delivered munitions to Ukraine
21:29
,
Tara Cobham
The US state department has approved a potential sale of air delivered munitions and related equipment to Ukraine for an estimated cost of $825 million, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
The principal contractors for the sale are Zone 5 Technologies and CoAspire.
Recap: Ukrainians in UK fear war will never end after Trump-Zelensky meeting
21:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Pictures: Rescuers conducting operation in residential building after attack on Kyiv
20:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
Merz: Russia's attack on EU building in Kyiv shows 'lack of scruples'
20:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Russia's attack on Kyiv shows their “lack of scruples”.
In a post on X he wrote: “"Russia showed its true colors again last night. We condemn the severe attacks against the civilian population in the strongest possible terms," said Merz on social media platform X.
"The fact that the EU representation has now also been targeted is evidence of the Russian regime's lack of scruples."
Explained: How Norway's upcoming election is linked to Ukraine?
19:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
Norway’s September election could impact Europe’s energy amid the Ukraine war.
The country is Europe's top gas supplier, replacing Gazprom after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Its role is set to grow as the European Union plans to phase out use of Russian gas by 2027, but exploiting new oil and gas reserves is critical to slowing down an expected production decline.
The election could decide whether Norway opens new areas for exploration, or if oil companies will remain restricted to existing ones, depending on the influence wielded by the Greens, Liberals and other small parties.
More radical proposals to stop exploration completely are unlikely to gather sufficient support.
Turkey and US discuss peace efforts on Russia-Ukraine war, Turkish source says
19:01
,
Tara Cobham
Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan and US secretary of state Marco Rubio discussed peace efforts on the Russia-Ukraine conflict in a phone call on Thursday, a Turkish foreign ministry source said.
The source said Fidan told Rubio that Ankara was ready to fulfil its responsibilities in the peace process.
Trump 'not happy' with Russian strike on Ukraine and he will make statement later
18:45
,
Tara Cobham
The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump "was not happy" when he learned that Russia attacked Ukraine with missiles and drones overnight, killing at least 15 people and damaging buildings, including the British Council in Kyiv.
"He was not happy about this news, but he was also not surprised. These are two countries that have been at war for a very long time," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that Trump will make an additional statement on the situation later on Thursday.
RECAP: The day's events
18:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
• Ukraine has been left reeling after a “massive” Russian drone and missile strike overnight.
• At least 18 people have been killed, including four children, and 48 injured following the strikes, which targeted residential areas of Kyiv.
• Parts of the capital have been reduced to rubble as pictures show rescue teams working around the clock to pull survivors from the devastation.
• The attacks have been condemned by world leaders, with foreign secretary David Lammy summoning the Russian Ambassador saying “the killing and destruction must stop”.
• The attack is one of the largest on Ukraine during the war, and the first since Russian leader Vladimir Putin met with US President Donald Trump in Alaska earlier this month.
• The US special envoy on Ukraine has labelled the strikes as “egregious” and added they “threaten the peace” he is pursuing.
Putin must come to the negotiating table, von der Leyen says
18:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has said Putin “must come to the negotiating table” after the latest strikes in Kyiv.
“We must secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine with firm and credible security guarantees that will turn the country into a steel porcupine,” she wrote on X.
Just spoke with President @ZelenskyyUa, then @POTUS Donald Trump, following the massive strike on Kyiv which also hit our EU offices.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 28, 2025
Putin must come to the negotiating table.
We must secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine with firm and credible security guarantees that…
Full story: Putin accused of ‘sabotaging peace’ after devastating airstrike on Kyiv kills 19 and hits British Council building
17:45
,
Tara Cobham
Russia killed at least 19 people including four children in a massive wave of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s capital that has drawn international condemnation.
Sir Keir Starmer accused Vladimir Putin of ‘sabotaging hopes of peace’ with the attacks that took place in the early hours of Thursday and saw more than 600 drones and over 30 missiles launched. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike, the second largest attack since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, was Moscow's answer to diplomatic efforts to end its war.
Moscow claimed it only hit military targets but the UK summoned the Russian ambassador to the Foreign Office in London to receive an official complaint after the British Council building in Kyiv was struck by a missile. The death toll from the overnight attacks continued to rise on Thursday with at least 38 more people wounded.
The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley reports:
British Council Ukraine chief refuses to be drawn on whether Russia deliberately struck Kyiv building
17:35
,
Tara Cobham
The director of the British Council Ukraine declined to speculate whether Russia deliberately struck a British Council building in Kyiv, but said Moscow is targeting education and cultural buildings.
Colm McGivern told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: "I don't want to speculate on whether or not it was deliberate and intentional for the Russians to attack the British Council.
"But what I do think was deliberate, and what I do think is intentional, is Russia's continued attacks on education and cultural infrastructure in Ukraine, attacking schools, attacking theatres, forcing children to learn from bomb shelters, preventing universities from opening fully and teaching their young learners.
"And the British Council is absolutely determined, steadfastly determined, that we will continue to support education and cultural expression, education and cultural links for Ukraine with the UK, in order to keep those sectors strong."
Mr McGivern also said: "The blast damage has severely damaged our offices there, making it impossible for us to open them today and they'll be closed until further notice."
Lammy: 'The killing and destruction must stop'
17:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has slammed the strikes that hit Kyiv overnight.
In a post on X, he said he had summoned the Russian Ambassador, writing that “the killing and destruction must stop”.
Putin’s strikes last night killed civilians, destroyed homes and damaged buildings, including the British Council and EU Delegation in Kyiv.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 28, 2025
We have summoned the Russian Ambassador. The killing and destruction must stop.
Ukraine summons Hungarian envoy over 'discrimination' against ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine, Kyiv says
17:25
,
Tara Cobham
Ukraine's foreign minister said on Thursday that Kyiv had summoned Hungary's ambassador over what he called his government's "discrimination" against ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine.
"He was given a protest note in response to Hungary's discrimination against the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, particularly our Hungarian-descent defender who was banned from entering the country of his ancestors," Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.
Sybiha was referring to the commander of Ukraine's drone forces, an ethnic Hungarian who Budapest said on Thursday it was blocking over his role in attacking the Druzhba oil pipeline, through which Russia supplies Hungary and Slovakia.
"We urge Hungary to further refrain from unfriendly actions and instead engage in constructive dialogue, for which Ukraine remains ready," he said.
The Hungarian ambassador has been summoned to @MFA_Ukraine.
— Andrii Sybiha (@andrii_sybiha) August 28, 2025
He was given a protest note in response to Hungary's discrimination against the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, particularly our Hungarian-descent defender who was banned from entering the country of his ancestors.
We…
Zelensky and von der Leyen discuss efforts to end the war
17:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Zelensky and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen have discussed efforts to end the war on a call following strikes in Kyiv, the Ukrainian President said.
“We discussed our diplomatic efforts to stop the killings, to end this unprovoked Russian aggression, and to guarantee real security for our people,” he wrote in a post on X.
“There is much work being done at various levels precisely for this purpose. But until Russia takes real steps toward peace, the pressure on it must be intensified.”
I spoke with President of the European Commission @vonderleyen.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 28, 2025
I am grateful for the condolences and solidarity with our people following such a cynical and brutal Russian strike. Last night was one of the largest attacks on Ukraine. The Russians chose Kyiv as their main… pic.twitter.com/Fv34heP2gl
Nato boss contacted EU after Russian strike on diplomatic base in Kyiv
16:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Nato boss Mark Rutte has been in contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about Russia's attack on a building housing the EU's delegation in Ukraine, he said on Thursday.
Rutte, speaking at a meeting of German government parties in the southern city of Wuerzburg, added that he could not speak to the latest rumours about Russian espionage in Europe.
UN chief condemns Russia's missile, drone attacks on Ukraine
16:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns Russia's deadly missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.
Guterres again called for a ceasefire leading to peace "that fully upholds Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity," Dujarric said.
In a post on X, Guterres wrote attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must end “immediately”.
I condemn the overnight missile & drone attack by Russia on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, which killed & injured many civilians.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 28, 2025
Attacks against civilians & civilian infrastructure are unacceptable & must end immediately.
I renew my call for a full, immediate &… pic.twitter.com/dbB9eC7Mpa
US envoy labels Russian attacks 'egregious'
15:45
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
US envoy on Ukraine General Keith Kellogg has blasted the Russian attacks as “egregious”.
In a post on X he wrote: “Last night Russia launched the second largest aerial attack of the war with 600 drones and 31 missiles. The targets? Not soldiers and weapons but residential areas in Kyiv—blasting civilian trains, the EU & British mission council offices, and innocent civilians.
“These egregious attacks threaten the peace that @POTUS is pursuing.”
Last night Russia launched the second largest aerial attack of the war with 600 drones and 31 missiles. The targets? Not soldiers and weapons but residential areas in Kyiv—blasting civilian trains, the EU & British mission council offices, and innocent civilians.
— Keith Kellogg (@generalkellogg) August 28, 2025
These egregious… pic.twitter.com/qulsiPlTy1
ANALYSIS: Trump’s Ukraine peace plans have failed - it's time for Europe to show leadership
15:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Russia’s devastating overnight strikes on Kyiv show Trump’s peace plans have failed, says The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley.
He says it is now time for Europe to stand up and show leadership.
“The latest Russian set of attacks and Donald Trump’s ongoing support for Vladimir Putin, are proof, as if it were needed, that Europe’s leaders must prepare their nations for a long fight, increased taxation, and inflation as a result of increased fossil fuel prices,” he writes.
“They must accept that the good times so lavishly enjoyed by Boomers and Gen X are over.”
Read his full analysis below.
Russian defence minister inspects troops in Ukraine
15:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov inspected the "Center" group of Russian forces operating in Ukraine, his ministry has said.
Belousov was briefed on combat operations and drone projects, the ministry said.
Zelensky accuses Hungary of denying entry to Hungarian community in Ukraine
14:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Zelensky has hit out at Hungary’s response to mass Russian drone strikes, accusing the country of “discrimination” against the Hungarian community in Ukraine.
In a post on X, the Ukrainian President he had instructed his foreign ministry to look into claims a Ukrainian military commander who is ethnically Hungarian was denied entry to Hungary “and the entire Schengen zone”.
“Every day we hear new accusations against Ukraine coming from Hungary. Hungarian officials have gone so far as to attempt to discriminate against members of the Hungarian community in Ukraine for their participation in the defense of our state and our people,” he wrote.
“If Hungary has indeed closed entry into Hungary and the entire Schengen zone to one of Ukraine’s military commanders, who is an ethnic Hungarian and a citizen of Ukraine, this can only cause outrage. I have instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to clarify all the facts and respond accordingly.”
Now, as our people are dealing with the consequences of one of the most large-scale Russian terrorist attacks, we see yet another attempt by Hungarian officials to portray black as white and to shift the blame for the ongoing war onto Ukraine.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 28, 2025
In Ukraine, we responded positively… pic.twitter.com/hCdg0rHtRJ
Pictures: Moscow strike also hits EU mission building
14:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
More pictures are emerging of the attack that hit an EU mission building.
Four children among 18 killed in Russian strikes, authorities say
13:27
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
At least 18 people have been killed, including four children, in the latest death toll update given by authorities in Ukraine.
A two-year-old child is believed to be among the dead, alongside other children aged 14 and 17.
ICYMI: Russia strikes key Ukraine energy facility in large-scale drone attack
13:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
13:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Kremlin 'satisfied' after Italy arrests Ukrainian man over Nord Stream attack
12:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
The Kremlin has said it is satisfied with the progress of a German investigation into attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea in 2022 after Italy arrested a suspect wanted in Germany.
An Italian appeals court earlier this month confirmed the arrest of the 49-year-old Ukrainian man suspected by Germany of coordinating the attacks which largely severed Russian gas supplies to Europe.
The suspect, identified only as Serhii K. under German privacy laws, may now be extradited to Germany where prosecutors say he was part of a group of people who planted devices on the pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea.
Of course, it is satisfying that this investigation is underway and we want to believe that it will be seen through to the end, and that not only the perpetrators but also those who ordered these terrorist acts will be named.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov
'With every cell of my body I want this war to end as soon as possible'
12:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Reporters on the ground have been speaking to residents and civilians in Kyiv on Thursday morning.
Oleksandr Khilko arrived at the scene after a missile hit the residential building where his sister lives. He told the Reuters news agency he heard screams from people who were trapped under the rubble and pulled out three survivors, including a boy.
"It's inhuman, striking civilians," he said, his clothes covered in dust and the tips of his fingers black with soot.
"With every cell of my body I want this war to end as soon as possible. I wait, but every time the air raid alarm sounds, I am afraid."
UK foreign office to summon Russian ambassador
12:14
,
Steffie Banatvala
Britain's foreign office plans to summon the Russian ambassador to the UK following a large-scale Russian attack in Kyiv overnight that damaged the British Council building in the Ukrainian capital.
It is expected Andrey Kelin will meet officials, rather than ministers.
Pictures: Moscow strike also hits EU mission building
12:13
,
Steffie Banatvala
Swiss president and Ukrainian PM conduct peace talks
12:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter hosted Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko in Bern for a courtesy visit on Thursday, the Swiss government said in a statement.
It follows a night of heavy attacks from Russia across the country, but particularly in its capital Kyiv.
The talks focused on the peace process and the reconstruction of Ukraine, the Swiss government added.
Russian EU envoy summoned after strike on EU building
11:37
,
Daniel Keane
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the EU will summon the Russian envoy in Brussels after the bloc’s delegation building was struck in an attack on Kyiv.
In a post on X, Kallas said she had spoken with colleagues in Kyiv following the Russian attack.
“No diplomatic mission should ever be a target,” she said.
Russia destroyed 102 Ukrainian drones overnight, Moscow says
11:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Moscow's Defence Ministry said that Russian air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 102 Ukrainian drones overnight, which had targeted at least seven regions.
In the overnight attack, Ukraine's forces attacked Afipsky and Kuybyshevskyi oil refineries, according to the Ukrainian drone forces commander.
Macron condemns 'barbaric' attack on Kyiv
11:23
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Russia's overnight attack on Kyiv, describing it as barbaric.
"Six hundred and twenty-nine missiles and drones in a single night over Ukraine: this is Russia's idea of peace. Terror and barbarism," wrote Macron on X on Thursday.
In pictures: Devastation in Kyiv after mass strikes
11:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Pictures from Kyiv this morning show the devastation on the ground following Russia’s overnight attacks.
Starmer condemns attack on British Council building
10:43
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Russia’s attack on the British Council building in Kyiv.
He posted on X: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the senseless Russian strikes on Kyiv which have damaged the British Council building.
My thoughts are with all those affected by the senseless Russian strikes on Kyiv which have damaged the British Council building.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 28, 2025
Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace.
This bloodshed must end.
Strikes hit Ukraine's national railways
10:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
'Critical infrastructure' was targeted in Ukraine's Vinnytsia region, authorities said, cutting power for 60,000 people.
Ukraine's national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, also reported damage to its infrastructure in the Vinnytsia and Kyiv regions.
It said the destruction is causing delays and requiring trains to use alternative routes.
Nearly 100 buildings have also been reported to be damaged, including a shopping mall in the city centre, according to the head of Kyiv's city administration.
British Council building struck in Russian attack on Kyiv
10:21
,
Daniel Keane
The British Council has said that its offices were “severely damaged” in a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv.
A spokesperson for the British Council said the office would be closed until further notice, adding: “While there may be some delays in our responses, our work with our Ukrainian partners in education and culture continues.”
Scott McDonald, the chief executive of the Council, said a guard was injured in the attack and was “shaken but stable”. The EU delegation building in the Ukrainian capital was also damaged in the attack.
Death toll 'could still rise', PM says
10:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
The death toll following a night of heavy drone and missile fire from Russia could still rise, according to Ukraine’s Prime Minister.
Authorities said eight people, including two children, were killed in the overnight attack in the nation’s capital.
More than 500 rescue workers and 1,000 police officers are on the st
