Volodymyr Zelensky believes that North Korea is preparing to send up to 50,000 troops for deployment in Russia, amid fresh warnings Moscow could order an attack on a Nato country within weeks.
The Ukrainian president told United News on Saturday: “If at first it was about hundreds, then thousands, now it has been decided that from 30 to 50 thousand North Koreans [will go to] the territory of Russia.”
He claimed Pyongyang was planning to study the lessons of the war in Ukraine and could present a “threat” to “other states in the Asian direction”, urging closer cooperation between Kyiv and South Korea.
Earlier this week it emerged that US intelligence believes that Russian president Vladimir Putin could order an attack on a Nato member within weeks to test the alliance’s resolve.
US officials told the Wall Street Journal that the new reports considered the possibility of a small land incursion or cyber attacks across eastern Europe sometime between this autumn and 2029.
The likelihood of the worst case scenario - a cross-border incursion - gets more probably with time, according to the reports. The US has reportedly depleted key missile stockpiles in the war with Iran.
Read MoreUkraine strikes Russian oil refinery over 1,300km behind frontline, says Zelensky
Zelensky asks allies for more missile defences after 17 killed in Russian strikes on Kyiv
Key Points
- Putin could attack Nato within weeks, US intelligence warns – report
- Russia wants 30,000 more North Korean soldiers to fight Ukraine. Is the West at risk?
- Ukraine says it attacked 12 vessels linked to Russia's 'shadow fleet'
- Zelenskyy welcomed by Serbia's Vucic in Belgrade on first visit to Balkan nation
- Bulgaria's PM says drone explodes near gas pipeline close to Romanian border
German minister warns of daily 'hybrid warfare' after suspected drone attack
04:14 , Arpan RaiGermany faces daily hybrid warfare attacks from abroad, interior minister Alexander Dobrindt was quoted as saying on Sunday, following a suspected attack attempt involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Dobrindt told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag that foreign powers wanted to subdue Germany politically and socially by stirring up fear there.
Dobrindt highlighted the expansion of drone research in Germany as part of the response to the new threats.
“We're not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare,” Dobrindt said.
“Espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, or covert operations by foreign powers aimed at destabilising Germany or inflicting direct harm are a constant reality.”
The newspaper's advance release of the interview did not say whether he identified any countries in particular.
After the drone loaded with explosives was discovered at the airport in eastern Germany on Tuesday, some German lawmakers pointed the finger at Russia, which has been at war with Ukraine since its military invasion of the country in 2022.
The Russian embassy in Berlin on Friday dismissed the Leipzig event as a "fabricated provocation", saying it was another example of accusations against Russia without evidence.
Hungary faces nuclear plant crisis as Danube river levels remain dangerously low
04:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainHungary's Paks nuclear plant continues to face a "difficult" situation, despite expectations of a temporary rise in Danube river levels following rains in Austria. Prime Minister Peter Magyar conveyed this update via a Facebook video on Friday.
The plant has been operating at approximately 10 per cent of its full capacity since late last week.
This drastic reduction is a direct result of a prolonged heatwave and record-low water levels in the Danube, which have severely strained the country's power supply capabilities.
Hungary faces nuclear plant crisis as Danube river levels remain dangerously low
Romania rushes to sink 4 barges in the Danube to keep a nuclear power plant's second reactor running
03:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRomania raced on Thursday to sink four barges laden with rock into the Danube River in an attempt to redirect water downstream toward a nuclear power plant, to buy more time before its second reactor is likely forced offline due to record-low water levels.
Extreme heatwaves and low rainfall across the region have left the Danube at record lows over the past week, forcing the shutdown of a reactor at Romania’s Cernavoda nuclear plant last week. The state-owned nuclear power plant accounts for about 20% of the country’s electricity generation when fully operational and uses river water to cool its reactors.
The four barges were loaded with rock that Romania’s military blasted from the river this week using explosives near the Danube’s Bala Canal. Once submerged, the barges will create an underwater barrier to redirect the water down the river’s main channel and toward the Cernavoda plant.
Romania rushes to sink 4 barges in the Danube to keep a nuclear power plant's second reactor running
How explosive drone found near runway at German airport sparked fears of another ‘hybrid’ Russian attack on Nato
02:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAn explosive-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian plane at the Leipzig/Halle airport in east Germany late on Tuesday, prompting a counterterrorism investigation and fears of another hybrid attack on European soil.
Airport workers discovered the drone in a restricted cargo area near the southern runway at one of Europe’s biggest cargo hubs. Flights were later suspended and several aircraft were diverted from the airport.
Most operations had resumed by Wednesday morning as one runway was reopened, but the southern strip stayed closed while analysts examined the drone and removed its detonator, according to authorities.
Read more from James C. Reynolds here:
What we know about explosive drone found near runway at Leipzig airport
A drone likely from Ukraine explodes in Bulgaria near a gas pipeline close to Romania's border
01:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA drone entered Bulgarian airspace on Saturday and exploded close to an international gas pipeline shortly after crossing the border from Romania.
There were no casualties or damage.The defense ministry in Sofia, Bulgaria's capital, later said there were indications the drone was the kind used by Ukrainian armed forces and that the incident was likely accidental.
Bulgaria and Romania are both members of NATO and the European Union.
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the drone exploded just after 5 a.m. about 100 meters (109 yards) inside Bulgarian territory. It was not detected or identified while flying through either Romanian or Bulgarian airspace.
“There are no casualties or damage to buildings. The area has been cordoned off. We continue to monitor the situation,” Radev said following a government emergency meeting.
Russia wants 30,000 more North Korean soldiers to fight Ukraine. Is the West at risk?
00:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainSoldiers, weapons and now a missile unit have all been deployed by North Korea in a bid to support Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
It marks the country’s most significant involvement in a conflict since the 1950s.
In light of recent reports, here’s everything we know about the two countries’ growing military ties:
Russia wants 30,000 more North Korean soldiers to fight Ukraine. Is the West at risk?
Germany now facing daily hybrid warfare attacks, says minister
23:14 , James ReynoldsGermany faces daily hybrid warfare attacks from abroad, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt was quoted as saying on Sunday, following a suspected attack attempt involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Dobrindt told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag that foreign powers wanted to subdue Germany politically and socially by stirring up fear there.
"We're not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare," Dobrindt said. "Espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, or covert operations by foreign powers aimed at destabilising Germany or inflicting direct harm are a constant reality."
The newspaper's advance release of the interview did not say whether he identified any countries in particular.
What we know about explosive drone found near runway at Leipzig airport
Trump shares the surprising geographical reason Russia doesn’t worry him
23:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainDonald Trump dismissed a question regarding Russia's increased attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.
He stated that the United States is “separated by an ocean” from the conflict.
Trump expressed concern over the reported 25,000 young people being killed monthly in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He indicated that the U.S. is “working on” the situation and believes “progress” is being made.
US Marine being held in Russian prison is gravely ill and near death, according to family
22:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAn American citizen, a former U.S. Marine, held in Russia for over four years on disputed charges, is gravely ill and at risk of dying, according to his family and advocates.
Robert Gilman, 32, a teacher detained since 2022, has been in a "dissociative stupor" for 47 days, a condition attributed to abuse suffered in prison, said Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer of Global Reach, an advocacy group representing the family. Since Tuesday,
Gilman has developed a high fever and elevated blood pressure.
US Marine being held in Russian prison is gravely ill and near death, family says
Russia wants 30,000 more North Korean soldiers to fight Ukraine. Is the West at risk?
21:35 , James ReynoldsSoldiers, weapons and now a missile unit have all been deployed by North Korea in a bid to support Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
It marks the country’s most significant involvement in a conflict since the 1950s.
In light of recent reports, here’s everything we know about the two countries’ growing military ties.
Russia wants 30,000 more North Korean soldiers to fight Ukraine. Is the West at risk?
Ukraine says it attacked 12 vessels linked to Russia's 'shadow fleet'
21:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainUkraine's Unmanned Systems Forces said on Saturday that its forces had carried out attacks on 12 vessels allegedly belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet".
The attacks took place between Aug. 1 and Aug. 8 in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, the Ukrainian military said.
Catch up: Putin could attack Nato within weeks, US intelligence warns
20:35 , James ReynoldsRussian president Vladimir Putin could order an attack on a Nato country within weeks to test the alliance’s resolve, a new intelligence report from the US has warned.
Russia could attempt to escalate tensions by launching a small land incursion or firing cyber attacks across eastern Europe starting this autumn to 2029, the Wall Street Journal reported.
US officials have warned that Putin can attack the alliance in ways other than military and the goal in attacking Nato while raging its war in Ukraine would be to break the alliance, the report added.
This marks a major shift from intelligence reports that have earlier indicated Putin would not target Nato while fighting his war in Ukraine.
This comes as at least three people, including a child, were among those killed in Russian strikes in the region surrounding capital Kyiv in the early hours today, officials said.
The Russian strikes were recorded at three locations in the Boryspil district, near the capital. Three more people were injured in the attack, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv military administration.
North Korea to send up to 50,000 troops to Russia, says Zelensky
20:23 , James ReynoldsVolodymyr Zelensky says that North Korea is preparing to send 30-50,000 troops to be deployed in allied Russian territory.
Speaking to Ukraine’s United News, he says Pyongyang is “studying” the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and hoping to “gain experience in modern warfare under Russia”.
He said: “We have already found North Korean missiles on the territory of Ukraine. Today, this is already an established fact.”
Trump brushes off Russia’s attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine: ‘We’re separated by an ocean’
20:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Trump brushes off Russia’s attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine
The real worry for Ukraine’s allies as beach strike on Russian civilians marks a shift in the war
19:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainKyiv has not yet acknowledged killing Russian civilians on a Black Sea beach, but as it strikes deeper at Moscow, these tragedies will multiply – and that’s not the only worry, explains world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
The gentle splash of breaking waves on a resort beach and the laughter of children having innocent fun gives way to the screech and crack of an explosion. Seven people dead – three of them are children.
This was the scene on Monday in the Russian Black Sea town of Gelendzhik where, even if every adult killed and all 40 of those injured were wide-eyed fans of Vladimir Putin and part of his war machine, the children were innocent.
It was the sort of attack that, if carried out by Russia against Ukraine, would have sparked international outrage and allegations of war crimes by targeting civilian areas.
Read more here:
The real worry for Ukraine’s allies as beach strike on civilians marks shift in war
Russia says it struck vessels and military facilities supporting Ukraine in Odesa, Mykolaiv
19:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussia continued strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure and vessels supporting the Ukrainian military, Russia's Defence Ministry said on Saturday.
The ministry said Russian forces used precision air-launched weapons and attack drones to hit military warehouses containing communications and electronic warfare equipment in the Black Sea port of Odesa.
In the port of Mykolaiv, Russian forces struck a cargo vessel carrying military equipment and a warehouse storing weapons and military supplies, the ministry said. It added that another dry cargo vessel transporting military supplies for Ukraine's armed forces was hit in the Black Sea.
Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery over 1,300km behind frontline, says Zelensky
18:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that Kyiv had struck further oil facilities deep inside Russia during nighttime attacks, intensifying its strategy to cripple Moscow's wartime economy and embarrass the Kremlin.
These persistent strikes have caused fuel shortages and rattled Russians, while heartening Ukrainians who face regular Russian barrages that Kyiv's weakened air defences struggle to counter.
Zelenskyy, speaking on social media, specified two targets: a refinery in Bashkortostan, over 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) behind the eastern front line, and another in the Yaroslavl region, nearly 700 kilometres (400 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery over 1,300km behind frontline, says Zelensky
Paperwork holds up missile production licenses, Zelensky says
18:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainSerbian president Aleksandar Vucic, who has maintained close ties with Moscow and refused to sanction Russia over the invasion reiterated that Serbia respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and said that position would not change.
“The situation in Ukraine is difficult,” Volodymyr Zelensky said at the press conference.
“There was another missile strike last night — ballistic missiles targeting our infrastructure. There were also attack drones.”
Zelensky said that deliveries of Patriot air defense interceptors — the sole air defense weapon in Ukraine’s arsenal able to shoot down ballistic missiles — have slowed compared with a year ago.
“There are fewer of these missiles in 2026. In 2025 there were more, I’ll tell you honestly, in terms of monthly supplies,” he said.
Zelensky said Washington has agreed to let Ukraine manufacture its own Patriot air defense interceptors, but that they are “stuck dealing with paperwork.”
“The process for some of these licenses is also taking a long time,” he said.
Ukraine are hitting deep inside Russia – but don’t expect Putin to capitulate yet
17:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe reluctance of allies to provide the weapons needed to take the fight to Moscow has seen the Ukrainians carry out their own campaign against their enemies’ infrastructure – but, Keir Giles writes, we know by now that Russia’s leader is happy to let his country burn:
Russia’s war on Ukraine has entered its latest phase, with each side making use of increasing numbers of long-range munitions to strike deep into the other’s territory.
In the early summer of this year, there was a surge of optimism across the media when it became clear that Ukraine was stepping up its strikes at enormous ranges into Russia, and there was little that Moscow could do about it.
But that optimism needs to be balanced against the new reality that with anti-missile interceptor systems exhausted, there is not much Ukraine itself can do to blunt Russian missile attacks.
Read more here:
Ukraine are hitting deep inside Russia – but don’t expect Putin to capitulate
Zelenskyy welcomed by Serbia's Vucic in Belgrade on first visit to Balkan nation
17:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainVolodymyr Zelenskyy was officially welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade on Saturday during his official visit to the Serbian capital.
Zelensky arrived in Serbia on Friday, marking his first visit to the Balkan nation since taking office.
The same day, the Serbian president told journalists that the meeting would touch on their countries' paths to EU accession, as well as economic and energy cooperation, according to Serbian broadcaster RTS.
Last month, Vucic traveled to Kyiv for the 5th Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit, but did not sign a post-summit declaration that condemned Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
Serbia has been an official candidate for EU membership since 2012 and formally opened accession negotiations in 2014.
While progress has been made on several chapters, talks have slowed in recent years due to concerns over Belgrade’s alignment with EU foreign policy, particularly regarding sanctions on Russia, with which Serbia maintains close relations.
Funeral held for Ukrainian search team leader Oleksii Yukov killed after frontline mission
16:15 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA funeral was held Saturday, Aug. 8, for Ukrainian soldier Oleksii Yukov, the leader of a search team recovering the remains of fallen soldiers from frontline areas.
After 27 years of recovering the remains of soldiers killed in World War II and, since 2014, those killed in the war with Russia, Yukov was killed several days ago while returning from another search mission.
Founded by Yukov in February 2022, the independent Platsdarm organisation consists of 10 volunteers specialising in search and recovery operations.
The team often works in highly dangerous conditions, entering so-called “gray zones” near active fighting to recover the remains of fallen soldiers and return them to their families.
Watch: Russian drones strike Kyiv overnight as three killed in Ukraine
15:45 , Maryam Zakir-HussainUkraine strikes Russian oil refinery over 1,300km behind frontline, says Zelensky
15:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that Kyiv had struck further oil facilities deep inside Russia during nighttime attacks, intensifying its strategy to cripple Moscow's wartime economy and embarrass the Kremlin.
These persistent strikes have caused fuel shortages and rattled Russians, while heartening Ukrainians who face regular Russian barrages that Kyiv's weakened air defences struggle to counter.
Zelenskyy, speaking on social media, specified two targets: a refinery in Bashkortostan, over 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) behind the eastern front line, and another in the Yaroslavl region, nearly 700 kilometres (400 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery over 1,300km behind frontline, says Zelensky
Why Ukraine is targeting Russia’s ‘Amazon’ Wildberries with major strikes
14:15 , Maryam Zakir-HussainUkraine has hit a major logistics hub of Russian online retailer Wildberries in Yekaterinburg, east of Moscow, continuing its three-week campaign of near-nightly strikes.
At least 20 Wildberries warehouses have been attacked since July 18, sparking major fires, destroying entire warehouses of stock, and disrupting its vast logistics network across the world's largest country. A Reuters review of satellite imagery shows at least 1.18 million square metres of storage space - more than a fifth of the company's capacity - has been damaged or destroyed.
The strikes are part of a campaign by Ukraine to "bring the war home" to ordinary Russians and raise the cost to Russia of continuing the conflict that Moscow launched in February 2022.
Why Ukraine is targeting Russia’s ‘Amazon’ Wildberries with major strikes
Zelensky in Serbia for 'important' talks
13:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPresident Volodymyr Zelensky had his first official visit to Serbia on Friday, one of the few European countries that have maintained friendly relations with Russia.
“Important talks are scheduled for today and tomorrow,” the Ukrainian president said.
“We will discuss expanding economic ties between our countries, relations with the European Union, and other areas where we can find practical opportunities that benefit our peoples, as well as security issues,” Zelensky added.
Bulgaria's PM says drone explodes near gas pipeline close to Romanian border
12:48 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA drone entered Bulgarian airspace on Saturday and exploded close to an international gas pipeline shortly after crossing the border from Romania.
Bulgaria’s prime minister Rumen Radev said the drone exploded just after 5 a.m. about 100 meters (330 feet) inside Bulgarian territory.
It was not detected or identified while flying through either Romanian or Bulgarian airspace.
“There are no casualties or damage to buildings. The area has been cordoned off. We continue to monitor the situation,” Radev said following a government emergency meeting.
Radev said the unmanned aerial vehicle exploded around 200 meters from a Romanian compressor station, and about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from Bulgaria’s compressor station on the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance. Following this incident, we will also redeploy border police anti-drone detection and countermeasure capabilities from the border with Turkey to the border with Romania,” Radev said.
It was unclear where the drone had originated or whether it was linked to Russia or Ukraine.
Ukraine strikes a Russian oil facility
11:44 , Maryam Zakir-HussainIn Russia, six people were wounded when a fire broke out at the Ilsky Oil Refinery in the southern Krasnodar region due to debris from a falling drone, local officials said.
Ukraine’s almost daily long-range drone and missile strikes using domestically developed weapons have battered Russian oil facilities for months. The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin.
Grandparents and three-year-old grandson killed in Russian strikes on Kyiv
10:43 , Maryam Zakir-HussainTwo grandparents and their 3-year-old grandson were killed after multiple Russian drones destroyed their home in the Brovary district of Kyiv region, northeast of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, early Saturday.
Three other members of the same family and a neighbor who came to their aid were hospitalised, local authorities said.
The attack reduced the house to rubble and wrecked outbuildings and cars.In the city of Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least one other person died in a “strike involving six ballistic missiles against civilian infrastructure.”
Russian forces capture Kharkiv's Ivanivka
10:16 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussian forces have captured Ivanivka in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, according to the Russian defence ministry.
We will bring you more as we hear it.
Ukraine hits two Russian oil refineries, Kyiv says
09:40 , Maryam Zakir-HussainUkrainian military hit Russia's Ilsky and Syzran oil refineries during overnight `attacks, causing fires at both, the Ukrainian general staff said on Saturday.
Ukraine has been hitting Russian oil facilities for months in an attempt to reduce Moscow's economic ability to finance its war.
Putin could attack Nato within weeks, US intelligence warns – report
09:22 , Arpan RaiRussian president Vladimir Putin could order an attack on a Nato country within weeks to test the alliance’s resolve, a new intelligence report from the US has warned.
Russia could attempt to escalate tensions by launching a small land incursion or firing cyber attacks across eastern Europe starting this autumn to 2029, the Wall Street Journal reported.
US officials have warned that Putin can attack the alliance in ways other than military and the goal in attacking Nato while raging its war in Ukraine would be to break the alliance, the report added.
This marks a major shift from intelligence reports that have earlier indicated Putin would not target Nato while fighting his war in Ukraine.
Russian attacks could include a cyberattack on a Nato country or could include sending unmarked armed groups to occupy territory, or even launching a limited incursion on the eastern flank of Nato nations, the intelligence shows.
Why Ukraine is targeting Russia’s ‘Amazon’ Wildberries with major strikes
08:45 , Arpan RaiUkraine has hit a major logistics hub of Russian online retailer Wildberries in Yekaterinburg, east of Moscow, continuing its three-week campaign of near-nightly strikes.
At least 20 Wildberries warehouses have been attacked since July 18, sparking major fires, destroying entire warehouses of stock, and disrupting its vast logistics network across the world's largest country. A Reuters review of satellite imagery shows at least 1.18 million square metres of storage space - more than a fifth of the company's capacity - has been damaged or destroyed.
The strikes are part of a campaign by Ukraine to "bring the war home" to ordinary Russians and raise the cost to Russia of continuing the conflict that Moscow launched in February 2022.
Why Ukraine is targeting Russia’s ‘Amazon’ Wildberries with major strikes
Russia dismisses German drone incident as 'fabricated provocation'
08:12 , Arpan RaiThe Russian embassy in Berlin dismissed a suspected drone attack at a major German air freight hub this week as "fabricated provocation" on Friday, saying it was another example of accusations against Russia without evidence.
“The embassy is expressing its concern about a new wave of anti-Russian hysteria in Germany,” said a statement published on its website in German and Russian.
German federal prosecutors launched a probe this week into what they described as a serious attack that could have impacted foreign and domestic security.
“It is obvious that this hastily fabricated provocation only serves the interests of Kyiv and the militarist wing of the European political class,” the Russian embassy said in its statement.
In photos: Explosions in Kyiv as Russian strikes kill three
07:31 , Arpan Rai
Zelensky wants ‘concrete results’ in developing anti-ballistic missile defence system
06:58 , Arpan RaiUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine aims to achieve “concrete results” by the end of this year in developing a European anti-ballistic missile defence system under the Freyja programme.
“Ukraine is capable of producing its missile and launcher, while our partners will provide the necessary components and critical elements – radars, sensors, and everything else required … Others spent decades developing their systems. Ukraine must do this as quickly as possible, with concrete results already in place by the turn of 2026–2027,” he said.
He also said Ukraine is accelerating work on its own ballistic missile programme, adding that tests have shown “strong potential” and that the goal is to turn it into a “real weapon”.
“We are creating all the necessary conditions to make that happen.”
Watch: Trump brushes off Russia's attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine: ‘We're separated by an ocean'
Friday 7 August 2026 23:01 , Alex CroftZelensky touches down in Serbia for first visit
Friday 7 August 2026 22:00 , Alex CroftVolodymyr Zelensky has touched down in Serbia for his first visit to the Balkan country, Serbia’s N1 TV reported.
The Ukrainian president is expected to meet populist president Aleksandar Vucic, with his visit likely sour ties between Serbia and Russia, its long-time ally and main natural gas supplier.
On Thursday, Mr Vucic said the two leaders would discuss the bid by both countries to secure membership in the European Union as well as economic and energy cooperation.
In pictures: Russian strike hits football stadium in Odesa
Friday 7 August 2026 21:05 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPictures show the damage to the Chornomorets Stadium, which was hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa.
Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery over 1,300km behind frontline, says Zelensky
Friday 7 August 2026 21:03 , Alex CroftUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that Kyiv had struck further oil facilities deep inside Russia during nighttime attacks, intensifying its strategy to cripple Moscow's wartime economy and embarrass the Kremlin.
These persistent strikes have caused fuel shortages and rattled Russians, while heartening Ukrainians who face regular Russian barrages that Kyiv's weakened air defences struggle to counter.
Zelenskyy, speaking on social media, specified two targets: a refinery in Bashkortostan, over 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) behind the eastern front line, and another in the Yaroslavl region, nearly 700 kilometres (400 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
Read the full report here:
Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery over 1,300km behind frontline, says Zelensky
Russian strike damages football stadium in Odesa
Friday 7 August 2026 20:14 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA Russian strike hit a football stadium in Odesa today, injuring at least one person.
The strike hit the 34,000-seater Chornomorets Stadium.
The shelling destroyed the roof, windows, and stands, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.
A 29-year-old woman was injured with shrapnel wounds, Odesa's regional governor Oleh Kiper said.
The attack came a day before the Ukrainian Premier League game.
Moscow says Russian forces struck two Ukrainian cargo vessels in Black Sea
Friday 7 August 2026 20:02 , Alex CroftWe’ve just heard from Moscow’s defence ministry, which says that Russian forces have struck two more cargo vessels in the Black Sea that were being used "in the interests of the Ukrainian military”.
The ministry said Russian forces also hit fuel storage facilities at the port of Pivdennyi.
The Independent has been unable to verify Moscow’s claims, but we’ll bring you more when we have it.
Two killed after Ukrainian drone strikes Crimean apartment block, says Russia-installed governor
Friday 7 August 2026 19:01 , Alex CroftTwo people have reportedly been killed after a Ukrainian drone struck an apartment building in Kerch, in Russian-controlled Crimea, on Friday.
This is according to the Russia-installed governor of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov, who was cited by Moscow’s Tass news agency.
Ukraine shares video of Russian drone 'hunting down' market vendor - ICYMI
Friday 7 August 2026 18:00 , Alex CroftExplosive-laden drone discovered at Leipzig airport near Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft - report
Friday 7 August 2026 17:00 , Alex CroftGerman authorities say a potentially catastrophic attack may have been narrowly prevented after an explosive-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig Airport near Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft, one of which was reportedly carrying military ammunition.
A classified police report, cited by German media WDR and NDR and the Suddeutsche newspaper, said one of the aircraft was loaded with military ammunition.
German interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said the bomb failed to detonate only because its detonator appeared to have been “ripped”, potentially averting a mass-casualty incident.
Investigators believe the drone carried a powerful plastic explosive, possibly Semtex, and had been modified to evade electronic detection.
Authorities are treating the case as a suspected act of “foreign powers” and part of a “professional hybrid threat scenario”.
Suspicion has fallen on Russia because Leipzig Airport serves as a key Nato and German military logistics hub and the European base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines.
Some German politicians, including intelligence committee member Roderich Kiesewetter, directly accused Russia of orchestrating the attempted attack, but the government has stopped short of making that allegation.
“I consider the threat to Germany posed by hybrid attacks orchestrated by Russia to be serious,” he said.
“I also believe that the attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport was a targeted hybrid attack – in other words, an attempted act of terrorism – orchestrated by Russia.”
War entering a ‘new phase’, military analyst says
Friday 7 August 2026 16:31 , Alex CroftMilitary analyst Michael Clarke has said that the war is entering a “new phase”.
While Russia is making “incremental progress” and Ukraine is “hitting back locally”, he described the advances as “snail’s pace stuff”.
Speaking to Sky News, he said that the two countries are “hurting each other now to a degree that is going to push it to some sort of crisis”.
“Russia has a much greater capacity to be hurt because it hasn’t been hurt very much so far as a society.”
He said that Kyiv is “poking the bear in the eye” by escalating attacks and said that it is a “dangerous assumption” to expect Moscow to back down.
Clarke said that Putin’s “next best option” may be to “frighten” Ukraine’s European allies into reducing their support for Kyiv.
Moscow claims strikes on three Ukrainian military cargo vessels
Friday 7 August 2026 16:01 , Alex CroftMoscow’s defence ministry has claimed strikes on three vessels used to transport Ukrainian military cargo near Ukraine's Odesa and in Chornomorsk, Interfax reported.
We’ll bring you more on the claim as we get it.
Why Ukraine is targeting Russia’s ‘Amazon’ Wildberries with major strikes
Friday 7 August 2026 15:30 , Alex CroftUkraine has hit a major logistics hub of Russian online retailer Wildberries in Yekaterinburg, east of Moscow, continuing its three-week campaign of near-nightly strikes.
At least 20 Wildberries warehouses have been attacked since July 18, sparking major fires, destroying entire warehouses of stock, and disrupting its vast logistics network across the world's largest country. A Reuters review of satellite imagery shows at least 1.18 million square metres of storage space - more than a fifth of the company's capacity - has been damaged or destroyed.
The strikes are part of a campaign by Ukraine to "bring the war home" to ordinary Russians and raise the cost to Russia of continuing the conflict that Moscow launched in February 2022.
Suha Kidwai reports:
Why Ukraine is targeting Russia’s ‘Amazon’ Wildberries with major strikes
Zelensky wants ‘concrete results’ in developing anti-ballistic missile defence system
Friday 7 August 2026 14:59 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine aims to achieve “concrete results” by the end of this year in developing a European anti-ballistic missile defence system under the Freyja programme.
“Ukraine is capable of producing its missile and launcher, while our partners will provide the necessary components and critical elements – radars, sensors, and everything else required … Others spent decades developing their systems. Ukraine must do this as quickly as possible, with concrete results already in place by the turn of 2026–2027,” he said.
He also said Ukraine is accelerating work on its own ballistic missile programme, adding that tests have shown “strong potential” and that the goal is to turn it into a “real weapon”.
“We are creating all the necessary conditions to make that happen.”
Watch: Trump brushes off Russia's attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine: ‘We're separated by an ocean'
Friday 7 August 2026 14:30 , Alex CroftRussian troops claim control of Kharkiv village, claims Moscow
Friday 7 August 2026 14:01 , Alex CroftThe Russian Defence Ministry is reporting that its have taken control of the settlement of Anyshchyne in Ukraine's Kharkiv region.
According to the RIA state news agency, the ministry added that Russian forces had struck 34 vessels used by the Ukrainian military in the past week.
These claims have not yet been verified by The Independent - we’re working to bring you more.
Wildberries to open 'partner hubs' to store goods after Ukrainian attacks
Friday 7 August 2026 12:00 , Alex CroftWildberries, the Russian online retailer at the heart of a three-week Ukrainian drone campaign, said on Friday that it will open new "partner hubs" to store goods.
It is the first time the company has revealed how it will attempt to compensate for the destruction of more than a fifth of its storage capacity in attacks on at least 20 of its warehouses since 18 July.
Owners and tenants of suitable premises will be able to set up a partner hub and be paid for processing, storing and dispatching goods from marketplace sellers, it said.
