The Ukraine war will not be ended by talks alone and Russia must be “forced into peace”, Volodymyr Zelensky has told the UN Security Council.
“[Vladimir] Putin has broken so many international norms and rules that he won’t stop on his own, Russia can only be forced into peace, and that is exactly what’s needed, forcing Russia into peace, as the sole aggressor in this war, the sole violator of the UN Charter,” Mr Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president, who is in the US this week lobbying for support from UN member states and American leaders, also criticised North Korea and Iran as “de facto accomplices” in Russia’s war.
Sir Keir Starmer played down the significance of Storm Shadow missiles for Ukraine, suggesting it is not the “sole issue” in Zelensky’s “victory plan”.
Foreign secretary David Lammy also tore into Mr Putin and said the invasion of Ukraine serves the Russian president’s interests alone.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have recaptured a Russian stronghold in Kharkiv’s Vovchansk after intense fighting involving hand-to-hand combat in “densely built-up conditions”, military officials said.
Key Points
- Putin is looking to ‘break the Ukrainian spirit’, Zelensky says
- Kremlin says Zelensky is making “fatal mistake” by trying to force it to make peace
- Ukraine recaptures Russian stronghold after hand-to-hand fighting
- We will listen carefully to Zelensky’s demands for Ukraine military aid, Starmer says
- Russian strike on Ukraine’s Kramatorsk kills one and injures 15, governor says
Russia readying secret war drones project in China, intelligence sources say
04:01
Arpan Rai
Russia has a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones for use in the war against Ukraine, two sources from a European intelligence agency and documents reviewed by Reuters confirm.
IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned arms company Almaz-Antey, has developed and flight-tested a new drone model called Garpiya-3 (G3) in China with the help of local specialists, according to one of the documents, a report that Kupol sent to the Russian defence ministry earlier this year outlining its work.
Kupol told the defence ministry in a subsequent update that it was able to produce drones including the G3 at scale at a factory in China so the weapons could be deployed in the “special military operation” in Ukraine, the term Moscow uses for the war.
The G3 drones can travel about 2,000km (1,200 miles) with a payload of 50kg (110 pounds), according to the reports to the Russian defence ministry from Kupol.
Fabian Hinz, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based defence think-tank, said the delivery of UAVs from China to Russia, if confirmed, would be a significant development.
“If you look at what China is known to have delivered so far, it was mostly dual-use goods - it was components, sub-components, that could be used in weapon systems,” he told Reuters. “This is what has been reported so far. But what we haven’t really seen, at least in the open source, are documented transfers of whole weapon systems.”
Kupol, Almaz-Antey and the Russian defence ministry have not issued a response to the reports.
Zelensky’s victory plan sets Ukraine’s terms in a desperate war against Russia
04:00
Jabed Ahmed
Putin lowers bar for nuclear response, targets West in new warning
03:44
Arpan Rai
Vladimir Putin has lowered the bar for Russia to respond with a nuclear attack, amid ongoing discussions in Washington over Ukraine’s use of Western-provided long-range weapons.
The Russian president has said any conventional attack on Moscow that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country.
Putin claimed that Russia would consider using nuclear weapons if Moscow received “reliable information” about the start of a massive launch of missiles, aircraft or drones against it.
Speaking at a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, which considers changes in Russia’s nuclear doctrine, Mr Putin announced that a revised version of the document says that an attack against Russia by a non-nuclear power with the support of a nuclear power will be seen as their “joint attack on the Russian Federation”.
The threat aims to discourage the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons and appears to significantly lower the threshold for the possible use of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
We will listen carefully to Zelensky’s demands for Ukraine military aid, Starmer says
03:00
Jabed Ahmed
Ukraine’s desire to use western missiles to strike targets in Russia will not be the “sole issue” in Volodymyr Zelensky’s “victory plan”, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
Sir Keir is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where Mr Zelensky will present his plan for the next stage of the war to his allies.
The PM said: “I do think it’s going to take quite a bit of time at the UN General Assembly. And I think that’s really important, because it’s at a critical stage.
“Obviously, President Zelensky has a plan that he wants to walk through with all of us – we knew that was going to happen.
“The support for Ukraine is resolute. We supply quite a lot of capability already under the last government; we’ve increased that under this government – that’s not a criticism of the last government – and we will always listen very carefully to what Ukraine says it needs by way of capability.
“I don’t think that will be a discussion, I don’t think the victory plan will be about a sole issue like long-range missiles, it will be about a strategic, overarching route for Ukraine to find a way through this and succeed against Russian aggression.”
When pressed on Storm Shadows, he said: “We will have discussions about a whole range of issues, and we will listen carefully to what President Zelensky’s got to say, and that’s what’s going to happen in the next few days.”
Watch: Trump labels Zelensky ‘greatest salesman on Earth’ in Russia war dig
02:00
Jabed Ahmed
Lammy tears into Russian invasion: ‘In Putin's interests alone’
01:00
Jabed Ahmed
Foreign secretary David Lammy came down heavily on Vladimir Putin in his United Nations Security Council address and said the invasion of Ukraine serves the Russian president’s interests alone.
“Vladimir Putin, when you fire missiles into Ukraine hospitals. We know who you are. When you send mercenaries into African countries. We know who you are. When you murder opponents in European cities. We know who you are,” the foreign secretary told the gathering of member nations in New York last night.
“Your invasion is in your own interests. Yours alone. To expand your mafia state into a mafia empire. An empire built on corruption,” Mr Lammy told the security council.
He also lauded the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s efforts to lead the defence of his country. “President Zelensky, the UK commends you not only for standing up for your people but for standing up for democracy,” he said.
“Seeing you in Kyiv a few weeks ago with Secretary Blinken I saw ordinary people from all walks of life. The soldiers and the civilians. The firefighters and the first responders,” Mr Lammy said.
Mapped: Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian Kursk region explained
Wednesday 25 September 2024 23:59
Jabed Ahmed
Watch: Putin’s Satan II missile ‘blows up during test launch’
Wednesday 25 September 2024 23:00
Jabed Ahmed
Putin’s forces are desperate for a prize eastern city and Ukraine will fight street to street to keep them out
Wednesday 25 September 2024 22:00
Jabed Ahmed
Explained: What is the Satan II missile?
Wednesday 25 September 2024 21:00
Jabed Ahmed
The RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is designed to deliver nuclear warheads to strike targets thousands of miles away in the United States or Europe, but its development has been dogged by delays and testing setbacks.
The 35-metre-long RS-28 Sarmat, known in the West as Satan II, has a range of 18,000 km (11,000 miles) and a launch weight of over 208 tonnes.
Russian media say it can carry up to 16 independently targetable nuclear warheads as well as Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles, a new system that Putin has said is unmatched by Russia’s enemies.
Since the start of the conflict, President Vladimir Putin has said repeatedly that Russia has the biggest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world, and warned the West not to cross a threshold that could lead to nuclear war.
Putin said in October 2023 that Russia had almost completed work on the missile.
Kremlin continues to show public disinterest in peace talks short of complete destruction of the Ukrainian state, think tank says
Wednesday 25 September 2024 20:00
Jabed Ahmed
The Kremlin have continued to show a public disinterest in peace talks unless it involves the complete destruction of the Ukrainian state, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank has said.
ISW analysts noted that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed reports that Ukraine invited Russia to attend Ukraine’s second peace summit but that the Kremlin had not demonstrated any interest in participating.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently said there is “no alternative” to Russian victory in Ukraine, reiterating Russia’s unwillingness to negotiate on terms other than Ukrainian “capitulation”.
“ISW continues to assess that the Kremlin is not interested in good faith peace negotiations with Ukraine and that the Kremlin will only invoke the concept of ‘peace plans’ and ‘negotiations’ to prompt the West to pressure Ukraine into preemptive concessions on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the situation report from the ISW said.
Exclusive: Zelensky demands UK extradites political opponent in Ukraine Orthodox Church row
Wednesday 25 September 2024 19:00
Jabed Ahmed
Russia treating own citizens as ‘bits of meat to fling into grinder’, says Starmer in UN speech
Wednesday 25 September 2024 18:38
Barney Davis
Russia is treating its own citizens as “bits of meat to fling into the grinder” in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer said as he urged Vladimir Putin to end the conflict.
The prime minister, speaking at the UN Security Council in New York, said Russia was responsible for “colossal human suffering” as a result of the conflict.
He said Russia, which is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council alongside the UK, was behind the “greatest violation of the (UN) charter in a generation”.
David Hughes reports:
Ukraine says China is key route for foreign tech in Russian weapons
Wednesday 25 September 2024 18:00
Jabed Ahmed
Around 60 per cent of the foreign parts found in Russian weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine come via China, Ukraine‘s presidential adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk has said.
“If you take all the usual types of weapons and count the foreign made components about 60% would be coming from China. We have had lengthy discussions with some manufacturers about this,” Vlasiuk said.
“The PRC (China) is the biggest problem I would say.”
Russia treating own citizens as ‘bits of meat to fling into grinder’, Starmer says
Wednesday 25 September 2024 17:05
Jabed Ahmed
Russia is treating its own citizens as “bits of meat to fling into the grinder” in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer said as he urged Vladimir Putin to end the conflict.
The Prime Minister, speaking at the UN Security Council, said Russia was responsible for “colossal human suffering” as a result of the conflict.
He said Russia, like the UK one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, was behind the “greatest violation of the (UN) charter in a generation”.
“I wonder how Russia can show its face in this building,” he added.
Sir Keir said: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal. It threatens global security. And it has caused colossal human suffering.
“Over 35,000 civilians have been killed or injured, six million forced to flee and almost 20,000 Ukrainian children forcefully deported. Kidnapped, to put it bluntly.”
Some 600,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded, Sir Keir said.
“The UN Charter – which they sit here to uphold – speaks of human dignity. Not treating your own citizens as bits of meat to fling into the grinder,” he added.
Russian strike on Ukraine’s Kramatorsk kills one and injures 15, governor says
Wednesday 25 September 2024 16:29
Jabed Ahmed
A Russian strike on Ukraine‘s eastern town of Kramatorsk has killed at least one person and injured 15 more, the Donetsk region governor said.
Two apartment blocks, shops and cars were damaged, Vadym Filashkin added on the Telegram messenger.
US concerned by report on Russia secret war drones project in China, White House says
Wednesday 25 September 2024 16:00
Jabed Ahmed
The United States is deeply concerned by a report that Russia has a secret war drones project in China that appears to be an instance of a Chinese company providing lethal assistance to a U.S.-sanctioned Russian firm , a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council has said.
The White House has not seen anything to suggest that China’s government was aware of these transactions, the spokesperson said, but China has a responsibility to ensure companies are not providing lethal aid to Russia for use by its military.
Read the full report on the secret war drones project below:
Ukraine urges world leaders not to seek 'an out' from Russia's war instead of true peace
Wednesday 25 September 2024 15:41
Jabed Ahmed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged global leaders to stand with his country and not seek “an out” instead of a “real, just peace” more than two years into Russia’s war.
At a time when he faces growing pressure from Western allies and some of his fellow Ukrainians to negotiate a cease-fire, Mr Zelensky told the UN General Assembly there’s no alternative to the “peace formula” he presented two years ago.
Among other things, it seeks the expulsion of all Russian forces from Ukraine and accountability for war crimes.
“Any parallel or alternative attempts to seek peace are, in fact, efforts to achieve an out instead of an end to the war,” he said.
“Do not divide the world. Be united nations. And that will bring us peace.”
Zelensky takes aim at China and Brazil for push for peace in Ukraine
Wednesday 25 September 2024 15:20
Jabed Ahmed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky questioned the “true interest” of a push by China and Brazil to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, telling the United Nations General Assembly: “You will not boost your power at Ukraine‘s expense.”
“When some propose alternatives, half-hearted settlement plans, so-called sets of principles, it not only ignores the interests and suffering of Ukrainians ... it not only ignores reality, but also gives (Russian President Vladimir) Putin the political space to continue the war,” Zelensky told the 193-member body.
Putin is looking to ‘break the Ukrainian spirit’, Zelensky says
Wednesday 25 September 2024 15:03
Jabed Ahmed
Volodymyr Zelensky has said Vladimir Putin is attempting to “‘break the Ukrainian spirit”.
“Russia has destroyed all our thermal power plants and a large part of our hydroelectric capacity. This is how Putin is preparing for winter, hoping to torment millions of Ukrainians … Putin wants to leave them in the dark and force Ukraine to suffer and surrender,” he told the UN General assembly.
He added “God forbid, Russia causes a nuclear disaster at one of our nuclear power plants, radiation will not respect state borders.”
Zelensky addressing UN general assembly to present ‘victory plan’ against Russia
Wednesday 25 September 2024 14:54
Jabed Ahmed
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is currently addressing the UN general assembly.
He is expected to seek support for Ukraine in the war against Russia, and to present his “victory plan”.
Russian officials say Ukrainian drone strikes Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, state media reports
Wednesday 25 September 2024 14:49
Jabed Ahmed
Russian emergency services have said that a Ukrainian drone dropped a munition on the territory of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant on Wednesday though there was no damage, Russian state news agency RIA reported, citing local emergency services.
The Independent was unable to immediately verify the report.
Ukraine‘s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest in Europe, has been controlled by Russian forces since March 2022, and remains close to the frontline between the two sides.
Nato plans for large-scale transport of wounded troops in case of Russia war
Wednesday 25 September 2024 14:26
Jabed Ahmed
Nato plans to coordinate the transport of a large number of wounded troops away from front lines in case of a war with Russia, according to a senior general.
The future scenario for medical evacuations will differ from allies’ experience in Afghanistan and Iraq, Lieutenant-General Alexander Sollfrank, the head of Nato’s logistics command, told news agency Reuters in an interview.
In a conflict with Russia, Western militaries would likely be faced with a much larger war zone, a higher number of injured troops and at least a temporary lack of air superiority close to the front lines, the German general said.
“The challenge will be to swiftly ensure high-quality care for, in the worst case, a great number of wounded,” he said without specifying how many injured troops Nato would expect.
The planning for medical evacuations is part of a much broader drive by Nato, prompted by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, to overhaul and boost its ability to deter and defend against any Russian assault.
Russia has secret war drone project in China, report alleges
Wednesday 25 September 2024 13:40
Jabed Ahmed
Read the full report by Jabed Ahmed below:
Russian troops have not reached Ukraine's Vuhledar outskirts, governor says
Wednesday 25 September 2024 13:19
Jabed Ahmed
Russia’s troops have not reached the outskirts of Ukraine‘s eastern town of Vuhledar but its reconnaissance groups are operating there, Donetsk region governor Vadym Filashkin has said.
“Our defenders are trying to knock them out. The town has not been captured,” he said in televised comments.
Wednesday 25 September 2024 13:00
Jabed Ahmed
President Vladimir Putin will chair a meeting of Russia’s Security Council on nuclear deterrence on Wednesday as Moscow weighs a response to Ukraine‘s requests that the US allow it to strike deep into Russia with long-range Western missiles.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the meeting of the Security Council, which includes Putin’s most powerful officials, was an important event.
“There will be a speech by the president,” Mr Peskov told reporters. “The rest, for obvious reasons, will be marked ‘top secret’.”
Putin, the primary decision maker on Russia's vast nuclear arsenal, is considering how to respond if the United States and its European allies allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied missiles to strike deep into Russia.
Where have Russian glide bombs been used and how can Ukraine defend against them?
Wednesday 25 September 2024 12:40
Jabed Ahmed
Russia first stepped up its use of guided bombs earlier this year while capturing the now-ruined eastern city of Avdiivka.
The weapons later played a critical role in a Russian cross-border offensive last May in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
The weapons have also rained down on the northeastern region of Sumy, including the regional capital.
Zelensky and other officials are stepping up pressure on Kyiv’s allies to send more air-defence systems and allow Ukraine to use Western-provided weapons for strikes deep inside Russia.
Experts have said Kyiv’s best bet is to target the Russian warplanes that drop the weapons rather than intercept the individual bombs once released.
Explained: The Russian guided bombs wreaking havoc in Ukraine
Wednesday 25 September 2024 12:20
Jabed Ahmed
Russia is increasingly using highly destructive guided bombs, pummeling Ukrainian forces on the battlefield as well as towns and cities near the front line.
Last week alone, Moscow’s forces dropped more than 900 such weapons on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
He has repeatedly called on Kyiv’s Western partners to help boost Ukraine‘s long-range strike capabilities to neutralise the threat.
What are guided bombs?
The air-launched weapons are conventional, often Soviet-era ordnance that have been fitted with wings and satellite-aided navigation to extend their range and precision.
Also known as “glide bombs”, they are both cheaper than the ballistic and cruise missiles Russia regularly fires at Ukraine and more abundant. Weighing between 500 kg and 3,000 kg (1,100-6,600 lb), they are often dropped from beyond the range of Ukrainian air defences.
Their destructive power means they can ravage even strongly fortified Ukrainian defensive positions, which have been steadily crumbling in parts of the east in recent months.
Kremlin says Zelensky is making “fatal mistake” by trying to force it to make peace
Wednesday 25 September 2024 12:00
Jabed Ahmed
The Kremlin has called a plan by Volodymyr Zelensky to force Russia to make peace a “fatal mistake” that would have consequences for Kyiv.
In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Such a position is a fatal mistake, a systemic mistake. This is a profound misconception that will inevitably have consequences for the Kyiv regime.”
Peskov said that Russia wants peace, but the issue cannot be forced, adding: “A position based on an attempt to force Russia into peace is an absolutely fatal mistake, because it is impossible to force Russia into peace.”
He said: “Russia is a supporter of peace, but on the condition that the foundations of its security are ensured.”
Zelenskiy told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that the war between Russia and Ukraine could not be calmed by talks alone and that Moscow must be forced into peace.
Kremlin upbeat as Russia reports more gains in east Ukraine
Wednesday 25 September 2024 11:39
Jabed Ahmed
The Kremlin has said the battlefield dynamic for Russian forces in eastern Ukraine was “positive”.
Russian forces have in recent weeks accelerated their progress in Donetsk region, taking a series of towns and villages.
Earlier today, Russia’s Defence Ministry said that its forces have taken control of the villages of Hostre and Hryhorivka in the Donetsk region.
Watch: Putin’s Satan II ballistic missile ‘blows up during test launch’
Wednesday 25 September 2024 11:20
Jabed Ahmed
Pictured: Ukranian soldiers fire an AS-90 self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops
Wednesday 25 September 2024 11:01
Jabed Ahmed
Russia takes two more Donetsk region villages, says defence ministry
Wednesday 25 September 2024 10:41
Jabed Ahmed
Russia’s Defence Ministry has said that its forces have taken control of the villages of Hostre and Hryhorivka in Ukraine‘s eastern Donetsk region.
Fighting ongoing in Ukraine's Vuhledar, Russia's RIA reports
Wednesday 25 September 2024 10:19
Jabed Ahmed
Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed head of Ukraine‘s Donetsk region, has said that fighting was ongoing in Vuhledar, a longtime Ukrainian stronghold in the region, Russian state news agency RIA reported.
Earlier it was reported Vuhledar has resisted Russian attacks since the beginning of the war in 2022, but Russian forces have now entered the town – according to Russian war bloggers and state media.
Ukraine has not confirmed this development.
Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had defeated Ukrainian units at a series of settlements including Vuhledar, which Russians call Ugledar, and that the Eastern Grouping of Russian forces had improved their tactical positions. It gave no further details on Vuhledar.
Zelenskyy's victory plan sets Ukraine's terms in a desperate war against Russia
Wednesday 25 September 2024 10:01
Jabed Ahmed
Read the full report below:
Zelensky calls for unspecified global 'action' to force Russia into peace
Wednesday 25 September 2024 09:40
Jabed Ahmed
Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the notion of peace talks with Moscow, calling instead for unspecified global “action” to force Russia into peace.
He told the UN Security Council that Vladimir Putin is committing “an international crime” and has broken so many international rules that he won’t stop on his own.
"And that's why this war can't simply fade away. That's why this war can't be calmed by talks," Zelenskyy said at a meeting.
"Russia can only be forced into peace, and that is exactly what's needed — forcing Russia into peace as the sole aggressor in this war, the sole violator of the UN Charter."
We will listen carefully to Zelensky’s demands for Ukraine military aid, Starmer says
Wednesday 25 September 2024 09:19
Jabed Ahmed
Ukraine’s desire to use western missiles to strike targets in Russia will not be the “sole issue” in Volodymyr Zelensky’s “victory plan”, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
Sir Keir is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where Mr Zelensky will present his plan for the next stage of the war to his allies.
The PM said: “I do think it’s going to take quite a bit of time at the UN General Assembly. And I think that’s really important, because it’s at a critical stage.
“Obviously, President Zelensky has a plan that he wants to walk through with all of us – we knew that was going to happen.
“The support for Ukraine is resolute. We supply quite a lot of capability already under the last government; we’ve increased that under this government – that’s not a criticism of the last government – and we will always listen very carefully to what Ukraine says it needs by way of capability.
“I don’t think that will be a discussion, I don’t think the victory plan will be about a sole issue like long-range missiles, it will be about a strategic, overarching route for Ukraine to find a way through this and succeed against Russian aggression.”
When pressed on Storm Shadows, he said: “We will have discussions about a whole range of issues, and we will listen carefully to what President Zelensky’s got to say, and that’s what’s going to happen in the next few days.”
Russia takes control of Ukrainsk in eastern Ukraine, state media says
Wednesday 25 September 2024 09:01
Jabed Ahmed
Russian forces have taken control of the town of Ukrainsk in Ukraine‘s eastern Donetsk region, state news agency TASS said, citing local Russian-installed governor Denis Pushilin.
The Independent could not verify this claim.
US and Romania to sign $920 million defence agreement amid conflict edging closer to border
Wednesday 25 September 2024 08:39
Jabed Ahmed
The United States will sign a $920million (£687million) direct loan agreement with Romania to support its defence modernisation program, the Romanian government has said.
The deal comes as Romania seeks to boost its defence purchasing plan following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union, aims to spend 2.5 per cent of its GDP on defence.
Romania shares a 650-km (400-mile) border with Ukraine and Russian drone fragments have repeatedly strayed into its territory over the past year. Some areas are also close to Ukraine's Danube River ports which are frequently targeted by Russia.
Under the loan agreement, the defence ministry will directly access $700 million, while up to $220 million will go towards state-owned ROMARM, which controls 15 companies that manufacture weapons and ammunition ranging from gunpowder to guided missiles.
ICMYI: Tens of thousands of lives will be lost if Ukraine is denied use of long-range missiles on Russia, warns Zelensky
Wednesday 25 September 2024 08:18
Jabed Ahmed
Ukraine downs 28 drones, four missiles during Russian overnight attack
Wednesday 25 September 2024 07:52
Arpan Rai
The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 28 out of 32 drones and four out of eight missiles during an overnight Russian attack.
“On the night of 25 September, the Russian occupiers attacked Kharkiv oblast with an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile and three missiles of an unspecified type, Odesa oblast with four Kh-59/69 guided aviation missiles from the airspace of the Black Sea, as well as 32 strike UAVs of the type ‘Shahed’,” the air force said on Telegram.
It warned of a ballistic missile threat to Donetsk, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Kremlin prisoner-swap exclusive: How I survived 11 months in Putin’s gulag
Wednesday 25 September 2024 07:00
Jabed Ahmed
US will find a way to use Ukraine aid before Biden’s term ends, official says
Wednesday 25 September 2024 06:43
Arpan Rai
The US “will find a way” before Joe Biden’s term ends in January to make use of about $6bn in military aid for Ukraine, due to expire this month, a senior State Department official said.
“I think it’s very unlikely that president Biden will finish his term with appropriated funds unused for the purpose Congress allocated them. So, we’ll find a way,” said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Most of the $7.8bn in so-called Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to transfer defence articles and services from US stocks, in the bill Biden signed into law in April has not been used, leaving officials scrambling to find a way to keep the remaining funds from expiring as the 30 September end of the fiscal year approaches.
Russia advances in Ukrainian town of Vuhledar
Wednesday 25 September 2024 06:37
Arpan Rai
Russian forces have reportedly begun storming the eastern Ukrainian town of Vuhledar, an important stronghold in the Donbas region.
Vuhledar has resisted Russian attacks since the beginning of the war in 2022, but Russian forces have now entered the town – according to Russian war bloggers and state media. Ukraine has not confirmed this development.
“Russian units have entered Vuhledar – the storm of the town has begun,” said Yuri Podolyaka, a Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger. Multiple other pro-Russian war bloggers also said the attack had started.
Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had defeated Ukrainian units at a series of settlements including Vuhledar, which Russians call Ugledar, and that the Eastern Grouping of Russian forces had improved their tactical positions. It gave no further details on Vuhledar.
Ukraine’s military made no reference to Russian gains around Vuhledar but acknowledged there was fighting in the area.Unverified video on Russian state media showed Vuhledar, which had a population of over 14,000 before the war, under heavy artillery and aerial bombardment.
Reuters said Vuhledar’s military administration did not respond to requests for comment.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian armed forces, in a report issued late last night, said Russian troops had launched eight attacks around Vuhledar and two nearby villages. “As of now, our forces have repelled half the attacks. Four are still going on,” the report said.
Ukraine will fight street to street to keep Russia out of key city
Wednesday 25 September 2024 06:34
Arpan Rai
The city of Pokrovsk, regarded as the key to controlling Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, has been the prize Vladimir Putin’s troops have sought for months – one for which Moscow has already sacrificed thousands of its troops.
Pokrovsk has stuck obstinately in Putin’s craw and in recent months, massive resources have been concentrated to try to break Ukrainian defences. Moscow’s forces have mounted often suicidal infantry assaults, without regard for casualties.
Pictures: Zelensky attends United Nations Security Council
Wednesday 25 September 2024 06:01
Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky reached the United Nations headquarters yesterday and addressed a special Security Council session where he pushed for Russia to accept his peace plan. The session was attended by a representative of Russia.
He described Moscow as insincere in its calls for dialogue.
“We know some in the world want to talk to Vladimir Putin,” Zelensky said, “to possibly hear from him that he’s upset because we are exercising our right to defend our people.”