Donald Trump has said he will meet with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine.
The Russian president is expected to use the summit to set out his demands for a ceasefire deal, which includes Ukraine giving up two eastern regions and its sovereignty of Crimea.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, the US president admitted any peace deal may involve “some swapping of territories”.
Reacting to the announcement, Volodymyr Zelensky said "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier”, and warned that any negotiations must include Kyiv.
According to reports, the White House is now considering inviting Mr Zelensky to Alaska.
A senior White House official has said that Trump “remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin”.
A joint statement from European leaders – representing the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission – backed a ceasefire but warned that “international borders must not be changed by force”.
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Key Points
- White House 'considering inviting Zelensky to Alaska' - reports
- European leaders: Path to peace cannot be decided without Ukraine
- Zelensky warns Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers
- Trump admits ceasefire deal will involve ‘swapping of territories’
- Trump to meet Putin in Alaska on Friday
Trump to meet Putin in Alaska for Ukraine peace talks
06:45
,
Shahana Yasmin
Russian drone strike hits civilian bus near Kherson as Ukraine evacuates residents
06:30
,
Shahana Yasmin
A Russian FPV (first-person-view) drone struck a civilian bus in the suburbs of Kherson on Saturday morning, killing two people and injuring 19 others, local authorities have said.
The strike took place around 8am local time. Sixteen people were taken to hospital, with two in serious condition. The victims, aged between 23 and 83, suffered shrapnel and blast injuries.
As police recovered the victims’ bodies from the bus, a second Russian FPV drone hit the area, injuring three officers with concussions, according to Ukraine’s National Police.
The attack comes amid escalating Russian strikes across Kherson Oblast. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said 36 settlements were hit in the past day, leaving one person dead and three injured, including a child.
Ukrainian authorities have been evacuating hundreds of residents from the Korabel district of Kherson city, which has been cut off from the rest of the city after Russian forces heavily damaged the only bridge connecting the area last week.
According to Politico, only 600 of the 1,800 residents remain in the island district, with at least 200 set to be evacuated on Friday. “Russians continue to attack the bridge and the area during evacuation,” said Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, deputy head of the Kherson regional administration.
Zelensky warns he will not give up land as Trump to meet Putin in Alaska
06:15
,
Shahana Yasmin
Trump's efforts to pressure Russia to end war delivered no progress so far
06:00
,
Tara Cobham
Before Donald Trump announced his summit with Vladimir Putin, his efforts to pressure Russia into stopping the fighting had delivered no progress.
The Kremlin's bigger army is slowly advancing deeper into Ukraine at great cost in troops and armour while it relentlessly bombards Ukrainian cities.
Exasperated that Putin did not heed his calls to stop bombing Ukrainian cities, Trump had moved up an ultimatum to impose additional sanctions on Russia and introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oil if the Kremlin did not move toward a settlement.
The deadline was Friday. But the White House did not answer questions that evening about possible sanctions after Trump announced the meeting with Putin.
Drone attacks cause major flight delays at Russia’s Sochi airport
05:45
,
Shahana Yasmin
Dozens of flights were delayed at Sochi Airport on Saturday following reported drone attacks in southern Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, according to a report by The Kyiv Independent.
Russia’s defence ministry said its air defences shot down 10 drones over the region. In response, airspace over Sochi was closed twice on Friday, with restrictions continuing into the next day.
By Saturday morning, 57 flights had been delayed and one cancelled, according to independent outlet Meduza, citing data from a flight-tracking app.
The disruption extended beyond Sochi, affecting airports in Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Novokuznetsk, and Norilsk. Around 1,000 passengers were left waiting, according to Russia’s West Siberian Transport Prosecutor’s Office.
Ukraine has not commented on the reported drone strikes, but Russia regularly grounds flights or shuts airspace in response to Ukrainian drone activity. Last month, at least one Russian airport faced temporary closure nearly every day.
Vance and Lammy meet with senior Ukrainian officials in Kent
05:30
,
Shahana Yasmin
Senior Ukrainian officials met with foreign secretary David Lammy and the US vice president JD Vance on Saturday for security talks at Chevening House in Kent, ahead of Donald Trump’s upcoming summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Andriy Yermak, head of Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, and Ukraine’s national security and defence council secretary Rustem Umerov attended the meeting, along with European national security advisers.
Lammy posted photos from the gathering, describing it as part of efforts to support a just peace for Ukraine.
Today I hosted a meeting with @AndriyYermak @rustem_umerov @JDVance and European National Security Advisers at Chevening House to discuss the next steps for peace in Ukraine.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 9, 2025
The UK’s support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace. pic.twitter.com/DXT7n4Pwpw
The hours-long talks focused on Trump’s proposed peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. A US official said the meeting produced “significant progress” towards Trump’s goal of ending the war, though no concrete agreements were announced.
In his evening address, Zelensky called the discussions “constructive”.
“All our messages were conveyed. Our arguments are being heard. The risks are being taken into account. The path to peace for Ukraine must be determined together – and only together – with Ukraine. This is fundamental.”
Macron says Ukraine’s future cannot be decided ‘without the Ukrainians’
05:15
,
Shahana Yasmin
French president Emmanuel Macron has said Ukraine’s future must not be decided without the involvement of Ukrainians and Europeans, ahead of Donald Trump’s planned summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Any deal between Trump and Putin is expected to involve potential land concessions, which Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Macron wrote: “Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without the Ukrainians, who have been fighting for their freedom and security for over three years now.”
He added that Europe must also be part of any peace solution, as its own security is at stake.
“We remain determined to support Ukraine, working in a spirit of unity and building on the work undertaken within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing,” he said.
I have just spoken again with President Zelensky, as well as with Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Starmer.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 9, 2025
We remain determined to support Ukraine, working in a spirit of unity and building on the work undertaken within the framework of the Coalition…
Analysis: A Trump-Putin summit will be as useful to Ukraine and democracy as Agent Orange is for gardening
05:00
,
Tara Cobham
Along-overdue summit between the presidents of the United States and the Russian Federation to discuss peace in Ukraine, where nuclear war has been threatened, must be seen as a historic moment for optimism.
Except that from London to Langley, Berlin, Canberra and Tokyo, intelligence chiefs will be on tenterhooks wondering whether this is another occasion resembling the meeting between an agent and his handler.
There’s no evidence that Donald Trump works for Vladimir Putin. But there is ample evidence that the US president favours Putin’s agenda. And that he has done all he can to hobble Ukraine while it attempts to defend itself against a Russian invasion of Europe’s eastern flank.
The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley reports:
Zelensky rejects Putin’s land-for-ceasefire proposal, warns of repeat invasion
04:47
,
Shahana Yasmin
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected Vladimir Putin’s proposal for Ukraine to cede territory in exchange for a ceasefire, warning it would only invite future Russian aggression.
In his evening address on Saturday, Zelensky said Russia must face consequences for its invasion, pointing to the West’s failure to punish Moscow after the 2014 annexation of Crimea as a mistake that led to wider war.“
Putin was allowed to take Crimea, and this led to the occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk... Now Putin wants to be forgiven for seizing even more,” Zelensky said.
“We will not allow this second Russian attempt to divide Ukraine. Where there is a second, there will be a third.”
His statement comes ahead of a planned 15 August summit in Alaska between Donald Trump and Putin, where the two are expected to discuss a possible ceasefire plan, which would reportedly see Russia halt hostilities in return for Ukraine handing over its eastern territories.
European leaders back peace push but stress Ukraine’s security must come first
04:30
,
Shahana Yasmin
European leaders have welcomed Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine but insist any peace deal must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and European security.
In a joint statement on Saturday, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission said they supported diplomatic efforts but warned that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine”.
They also emphasised that international borders “must not be changed by force” and said the “current line of contact should be the starting point for any negotiations”.
The statement followed a meeting at Chevening House in the UK, where US vice president JD Vance met foreign secretary David Lammy, Ukrainian and European officials to discuss Trump’s planned 15 August summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Ukraine’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who attended the Chevening talks, said a ceasefire was essential but stressed: “The front line is not a border.”
European officials reportedly presented a counterproposal, with one negotiator telling the Wall Street Journal: “You can’t start a process by ceding territory in the middle of fighting.”
Trump's plan to host Putin on US soil breaks with expectations
04:15
,
Tara Cobham
Donald Trump’s announcement that he planned to host one of America's adversaries on US soil broke with expectations that they would meet in a third country.
The gesture gives Vladimir Putin validation after the US and its allies had long sought to make him a pariah over his war against Ukraine.
Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told the AP that the "symbology" of holding the summit in Alaska was clear, and that the location "naturally favors Russia".
"It's easy to imagine Putin making the point: ‘We once had this territory and we gave it to you, therefore Ukraine had this territory and now should give it to us’," he said, referring to the 1867 transaction known as the Alaska Purchase when Russia sold Alaska to the US for $7.2 million.
Trump ‘open’ to Alaska summit with Putin and Zelensky, White House says
04:00
,
Shahana Yasmin
US president Donald Trump is ‘open’ to holding a three-way summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Alaska, a White House official has said.
For now, a bilateral meeting between Trump and Putin is set for 15 August in Alaska, following a request from the Kremlin.
Asked if an official invite had been extended to Zelensky, a senior White House official said: “The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.”
Trump has claimed the parties are close to a deal that could end the three-and-a-half-year conflict, suggesting it may involve “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both”.
No details have been confirmed, but any such arrangement could require Ukraine to give up significant territory, an outcome strongly opposed by Zelensky and European leaders, who say it would only embolden Russia.
One dead after Ukrainian drone strike hits industrial site in Russia's Saratov region
03:46
,
Shahana Yasmin
A Ukrainian drone attack has damaged an industrial facility in Russia’s Saratov region, according to the local governor, reported Reuters.
Roman Busargin posted on the Telegram app writing that emergency services were at the scene following the overnight strike. At least one person has died as a result of the attack.
He did not specify what kind of site was targeted.
Trump-Putin meeting may prove pivotal
03:00
,
Tara Cobham
The Trump-Putin meeting may prove pivotal in a war that began when Russia invaded its western neighbor and has led to tens of thousands of deaths, although there is no guarantee it will stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace.
"It seems entirely logical for our delegation to fly across the Bering Strait simply, and for such an important and anticipated summit of the leaders of the two countries to be held in Alaska," Mr Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said on Saturday in a statement posted to the Kremlin's news channel.
In his comments to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump gave no details on the "swapping of territories”. Analysts, including some close to the Kremlin, have suggested that Russia could offer to give up territory it controls outside of the four regions it claims to have annexed.
Russia and Ukraine trade attacks
02:00
,
Tara Cobham
On Saturday, two people died and 16 were wounded when a Russian drone hit a minibus in the suburbs of the Ukrainian city of Kherson, regional Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said. Two others died after a Russian drone struck their car in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov.
Ukraine's air force said it intercepted 16 of the 47 Russian drones launched overnight, while 31 drones hit targets across 15 different locations. It also said it shot down one of the two missiles Russia deployed.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 97 Ukrainian drones over Russia and the Black Sea overnight and 21 more Saturday morning.
Another week, another deadline: Timeline of Trump’s promises to end Russia’s war on Ukraine
01:00
,
Tara Cobham
Donald Trump has claimed the end of the Ukraine war could come in weeks, despite his latest deadline for Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire expiring once again.
Last Monday, Trump dramatically shortened his previous 50-day ultimatum, giving Russia “10 to 12 days” to make progress toward peace or face tougher sanctions.
Sources close to the Kremlin say Putin is unlikely to bow to Trump’s threats, believing Russia holds the upper hand in the war and that the potential benefits of improved ties with Washington do not outweigh his military aims.
My colleague Steffie Banatvala reports:
Trump ‘considering’ invite for Zelensky to attend Alaska peace summit with Putin
Sunday 10 August 2025 00:45
,
Graeme Massie
Zelensky dismisses planned Trump-Putin summit
Sunday 10 August 2025 00:00
,
Tara Cobham
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the meeting Donald Trump said he has planned with Vladimir Putin on Friday.
The US president said on Friday that he would meet with the Russian president even if Mr Putin would not meet with Mr Zelensky.
The Trump-Putin meeting, scheduled for Friday in Alaska, is seen as a potential breakthrough in the more than three-year war.
But Mr Zelensky dismissed it, posting a statement to Telegram that emphasised that lasting peace must include Ukraine's voice at the table. He also said Ukraine's territorial integrity, enshrined in the constitution, must be nonnegotiable.
Ukrainian officials had previously told The Associated Press privately that Kyiv would be amenable to a peace deal that would de facto recognise Ukraine's inability to regain lost territories militarily.
What the joint leaders' statement says
Saturday 9 August 2025 23:57
,
Tara Cobham
The joint leaders' statement from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission, said: "We welcome President Trump's work to stop the killing in Ukraine, end the Russian Federation's war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.
"We are convinced that only an approach that combines active diplomacy, support to Ukraine, and pressure on the Russian Federation to end their illegal war, can succeed.
"We stand ready to support this work diplomatically as well as by upholding our substantive military and financial support to Ukraine, including through the work of the coalition of the willing, and by upholding and imposing restrictive measures against the Russian Federation."
It ended: "We reiterate that Russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Budapest Memorandum, and successive Russian commitments.
"We underline our unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
"We continue to stand firmly by the side of Ukraine. We are united as Europeans and determined to jointly promote our interests.
"And we will continue to co-operate closely with President Trump and with the United States of America, and with President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine, for a peace in Ukraine that protects our vital security interests."
White House considering inviting Zelensky to Alaska, NBC News reports
Saturday 9 August 2025 23:16
,
Tara Cobham
The White House is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Alaska, where President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on 15 August, NBC News reported on Saturday.
The report cited a senior US official and three people briefed on the internal discussions.
"It's being discussed," one of the people briefed on the talks was quoted as saying.
The report added that no Zelensky visit was finalized and that it's unclear if the Ukrainian leader would ultimately be in Alaska for meetings but it remained a possibility.
Path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine, Starmer and key leaders say
Saturday 9 August 2025 23:15
,
Tara Cobham
The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine, the UK Prime Minister and key leaders have said, ahead of US President Donald Trump's planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The joint leaders' statement from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission, said: "We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests.
"We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny.
"Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.
"The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.
"The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations."
Trump reveals where and when he will meet Putin for Ukraine peace talks
Saturday 9 August 2025 23:00
,
Tara Cobham
Donald Trump has said he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine.
Putin is expected to use the summit to set out Russia's demands for a ceasefire deal.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Mr Trump admitted any peace deal may involve “some swapping of territories”.
Starmer and Macron discuss how to support US and Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin summit
Saturday 9 August 2025 22:19
,
Tara Cobham
Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed how to support the US and Ukraine ahead of US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the men “discussed the latest developments in Ukraine, reiterating their unwavering support for President Zelensky and to securing a just and lasting peace for the Ukrainian people.
“They welcomed President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine and end Russia’s war of aggression, and discussed how to further work closely with President Trump and President Zelensky over the coming days.”
Zelensky warns Kyiv must be part of any peace negotiations
Saturday 9 August 2025 22:00
,
Tara Cobham
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that any negotiations to end Europe's biggest conflict since World War II must include Kyiv.
"Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work," he said.
Zelensky rejects formally ceding Ukrainian territory
Saturday 9 August 2025 21:00
,
Tara Cobham
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky today rejected the idea that his country would give up land to end the war with Russia after US president Donald Trump suggested a peace deal could include "some swapping of territories".
Mr Zelensky said Ukraine "will not give Russia any awards for what it has done" and that "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier”.
Ukraine and its allies meeting in Britain was constructive, Zelensky says
Saturday 9 August 2025 20:35
,
Tara Cobham
Volodymyr Zelensky has said the meeting of security advisers from Ukraine and its partner countries in Britain was constructive, adding that Kyiv's arguments were heard and dangers were taken into account.
The Ukrainian president said that officials from Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Poland took part in the meeting aiming to consolidate positions to achieve a ceasefire.
"The path to peace for Ukraine should be determined together and only together with Ukraine, this is key principle," he said in his evening address to the Ukrainians.
Full story: Europe rallies behind Ukraine after defiant Zelensky rejects any peace plan that gives up land to Russia
Saturday 9 August 2025 20:00
,
Tara Cobham
European leaders have rallied in support of Ukraine after a defiant President Zelensky rejected Donald Trump’s suggestion that a peace plan may involve giving up land to Russia.
President Trump, who is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska as he seeks to bring an end to the war, has said the talks could include “some swapping of territories”.
But an angry President Zelensky hit back on Saturday, insisting Ukraine "will not give Russia any awards for what it has done" and that "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier”.
The Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports:
Watch: Trump to meet Putin in Alaska for Ukraine peace talks
Saturday 9 August 2025 19:00
,
Tara Cobham
Editorial: Donald Trump must not reward Vladimir Putin’s aggression
Saturday 9 August 2025 18:00
,
Tara Cobham
Donald Trump understands symbolism and imperial delusions, so Alaska is a fitting location for his meeting with Vladimir Putin on Friday. The US president will know that in Putin’s eyes, Alaska ought to be Russian territory, sold in a moment of weakness by Alexander II.
The theatre of the summit, then, is all set. But some of the cast will be missing. By agreeing to a meeting of just the two of them, Mr Trump appears to be convening a conspiracy to carve up Ukraine in the absence of its leader, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Read more here:
Ukraine's future cannot be decided without Ukrainians, France's Macron says
Saturday 9 August 2025 16:48
,
Tara Cobham
Emmanuel Macron said in a social media post on X that the future of Ukraine cannot be decided without the Ukrainians.
The French President said in a social media post on X this afternoon: “Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without the Ukrainians, who have been fighting for their freedom and security for over three years now.”
It comes as US president Donald Trump said he will meet Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
The deal is expected to involve land concessions, which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky rejected earlier today.
I have just spoken again with President Zelensky, as well as with Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Starmer.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 9, 2025
We remain determined to support Ukraine, working in a spirit of unity and building on the work undertaken within the framework of the Coalition…
'Ready to work as productively as possible for the sake of real peace'
Saturday 9 August 2025 16:30
,
Rebecca Whittaker
“ I am grateful for the support. We exchanged views on the diplomatic situation,” Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X following talks with France's President Macron
I spoke with President of France @EmmanuelMacron. I am grateful for the support. We exchanged views on the diplomatic situation.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 9, 2025
Ukraine, France, and all our partners are ready to work as productively as possible for the sake of real peace. It is truly important that the…
Recap: What we know about the JD Vance and Lammy talks
Saturday 9 August 2025 16:15
,
Rebecca Whittaker
The UK is set to host key National Security Advisors, including from the US, Ukraine and European partners today.
The summit will be hosted by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US vice president JD Vance.
The meeting will take place at Chevening, the foreign secretary's official country residence in Kent, where Vance and his family are currently staying.
The meeting appears to have been called at the request of the US.
They will discuss next steps on Trump's push for peace in Ukraine, including how allies can support a just and lasting peace.
It comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on “decisions that can work”.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “They agreed this would be a vital forum to discuss progress towards securing a just and lasting peace.”
'We must act wisely and in coordination,' Zelensky says after talks with Finnish president
Saturday 9 August 2025 16:09
,
Rebecca Whittaker
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke with the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb.
Zelensky says "we must act wisely and in coordination" to respond to "Russia's intention to prolong the war and seize territorial spoils".
I had a good conversation with President of Finland @alexstubb. We are coordinating positions for the most productive joint work with America.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 9, 2025
It is important that America has the determination and the ability to end the war, and we welcome President Trump’s desire to stop the…
Trump reveals where and when he will meet Putin for Ukraine peace talks
Saturday 9 August 2025 16:00
,
Rebecca Whittaker
It's the first 'realistic attempt to stop the war', expert says
Saturday 9 August 2025 15:30
,
Rebecca Whittaker
Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, described the current peace push as "the first more or less realistic attempt to stop the war".
"At the same time, I remain extremely sceptical about the implementation of the agreements, even if a truce is reached for a while.
“And there is virtually no doubt that the new commitments could be devastating for Ukraine," she said.
It comes as Donald Trump has said he will meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine.
Russia claims it shot down 27 Ukrainian drones today
Saturday 9 August 2025 15:15
,
Rebecca Whittaker
Russian Ministry of Defence says it has shot down 27 Ukrainian drones today.
It claims the attacks took place between midday local time to 3.30pm.
It added that one of the drones was flying towards Moscow and it was shot down in the regions of Bryansk, Kaluga, Krasnodar Krai and Ryazan, Sky news reported.
'No soldier will agree to surrender territory', mother of deceased soldier said
Saturday 9 August 2025 15:00
,
Rebecca Whittaker
A mother of a soldier from Ukraine's city Kremenchuk who died said:"No soldier will agree to surrender territory or withdraw troops from Ukrainian territory.”
Olesia Petrytska, 51, spoke with Reuters news agency at a memorial to fallen soldiers on Kyiv's Independence Square.
Referring to the Ukrainian flags behind her, which had different soldiers printed on them, she added: “I think all these flags were not installed here in vain. They symbolise the lives given for Ukrainian land and for every family.”
It comes as US President Donald Trump suggested a peace deal may involve “some swapping of territories”.
Starmer vows ‘unwavering support’ for Ukraine after defiant Zelensky rules out giving up land to Russia
Saturday 9 August 2025 14:30
,
Rebecca Whittaker
Zelensky has had further discussions with several European leaders
Saturday 9 August 2025 14:28
,
Rebecca Whittaker
It's not just Prime Minister Keir Starmer whom Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has been talking to today – he has also had further discussions with European leaders from Estonia, Denmark and France.
Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal and Zelensky agreed “that security decisions for Ukraine matter for everyone in Europe.”
Following a discussion with France's President Macron, Zelensky said the nations are "ready to work as
