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Ukraine War and Peace Negotiations

Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and Trump-brokered ceasefire efforts involving direct US-Russia diplomacy

Downing Street unveils £37bn NATO missile programme at Ankara summit

Illustration accompanying article: Downing Street unveils £37bn NATO missile programme at Ankara summit
  • Downing Street unveiled a £37bn ($50bn) long-range missile project called Deep Precision Strike, with 12 NATO allies expected to spend on the programme ahead of the Ankara summit.
  • The missile, billed as one of NATO's most advanced weapons, is intended to hit targets up to 200 miles (300km) away with pinpoint accuracy, with a potential range extension to 1,250 miles.
  • Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK-led initiative would "help bring European allies together to keep Nato safe for years to come."
  • Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the plan reflected a recognition of a "more dangerous world" and sends a clear message to President Vladimir Putin that "Nato is stronger, more European and ready to defend our citizens."
  • Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia would closely monitor the summit and prefers a "political and diplomatic" settlement to the conflict in Ukraine.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to deliver urgently needed air defence systems to protect Ukraine from escalating Russian strikes.
 2026-07-08 · 4 MIN READ

Russian ballistic missiles kill at least 13 in Kyiv; Patriot interceptors in short supply

Illustration accompanying article: Russian ballistic missiles kill at least 13 in Kyiv; Patriot interceptors in short supply
  • Russia fired at least 29 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones at Kyiv overnight Monday, killing at least 13 people and wounding 46, five of them children, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration.
  • Ukraine's air force said it downed 363 drones and cruise missiles but stopped none of the ballistic missiles because the country has effectively exhausted its supply of PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles for U.S.-made Patriot batteries.
  • Three additional people were killed and 16 injured in the town of Vyshneve, southwest of Kyiv, the State Emergency Service said, as up to 400 rescue workers battled a major blaze at the strike site.
  • President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to attend the NATO summit in Ankara this week, where he will press allies for more interceptors, while President Donald Trump has spoken separately with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin about mediation.
 2026-07-06 · 4 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: G7 leaders open summit talks in France on Ukraine and Middle East

UK faces cyberattacks from Russia, Iran and China, warns NCSC chief

2026-04-22

UK cyber chief Richard Horne warned at a CyberUK conference in Glasgow that the most serious cyberattacks against the country are now carried out by hostile nations including Russia, Iran and China. Horne, head of the National Cyber Security Centre, said the U.K. could face cyberattacks “at scale” in the event of an international conflict.

Russian attacks kill 1 in Ukraine; Ukrainian drones hit oil refineries

2026-04-19

Russian attacks on Ukraine killed one person and wounded at least 26 more on Friday, according to local officials, as Ukrainian drone strikes targeted major oil refineries in Russia's Samara region, escalating a months-long campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. The civilian death occurred in Mykolaivka in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, regional leader Vadym Filashkin said on social media. Attacks also damaged port infrastructure in the Black Sea city of Odesa. Ukrainian drones struck major oil refineries in Novokuibyshevsk and Syzran in Russia's Samara region on Friday, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said. The strikes sparked fires at the Vystosk oil terminal in Russia's northwestern Leningrad region and an oil refinery in the southern Krasnodar region, Ukrainian officials said. Russian officials later confirmed the blazes.

Russia loots thousands of Ukrainian cultural objects in ongoing war

2026-04-18

When Alina Dotsenko returned to her museum in Kherson after Ukrainian forces retook the southern city from Russian forces in late 2022, she walked into devastation. Thousands of artworks had vanished from the Kherson Art Museum, which before Russia's full-scale invasion held more than 14,000 works. Russian forces had loaded much of the collection onto trucks and transported it to Russian-annexed Crimea, according to Dotsenko and video filmed by residents. The fate of nearly 10,000 pieces remains unknown, even as Ukraine pursues international accountability for cultural theft during the war.

Serbia agrees to jointly make combat drones with Israel, Vucic says

2026-04-15

Serbia will jointly produce combat drones with Israel, President Aleksandar Vucic said in remarks reported by the Serbian state-linked Tanjug news agency. The plan is aimed at strengthening Serbia’s military and boosting domestic weapons production, with Yugoimport SDPR set to open a drone plant with Israel’s Elbit Systems, Serbia’s BIRN reported.

Russia and Ukraine trade blame over Putin’s Easter ceasefire violations

2026-04-13

Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Sunday of violating Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin-declared Easter ceasefire as Orthodox Christians gathered to celebrate the holiday amid the war. Putin ordered a 32-hour pause from 4 p.m. Saturday until the end of Sunday, while Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would honor it but warned of a swift response to violations.

Ceasefire in doubt as Russia continues drone strikes in Ukraine

2026-04-12

Ukraine’s military said a Kremlin-declared Orthodox Easter ceasefire that began Saturday was not being observed as Russian forces continued drone strikes on Ukrainian positions. The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia targeted Ukraine with 160 drones overnight before the ceasefire started, hours ahead of the 32-hour pause.

Belarus detains 52 at ZROBIM Architects in biggest raid this year

2026-04-11

Belarusian authorities detained 52 people at the Minsk offices of ZROBIM Architects in the country’s largest single raid this year, according to human rights monitors. The arrests followed the firm’s founder, Andrei Makouski, posting online that authorities demanded the private company hire a full-time “ideologist” to monitor staff. The Associated Press reported the case as part of what activists described as a new escalation of repression under President Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin declares 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine for Orthodox Easter

2026-04-10

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin declared a 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine for the Orthodox Easter weekend, starting Saturday at 4 p.m. and running through the end of Sunday, according to a Kremlin decree. The announcement followed an earlier call from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a pause in some hostilities to observe the holiday, which the U.S. is mediating through talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

Ukrainian forces attacked Russian tanker from Libya, officials say

2026-04-08

Ukrainian forces operating from western Libya attacked a Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas tanker in the Mediterranean in early March, Libyan officials told The Associated Press. The officials said the Arctic Metagaz was badly damaged in a suspected sea drone strike near Maltese waters and later drifted off Libya after the crew was rescued. Russia blamed Ukraine and Ukraine said the proceeds from oil exports help fund Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russian attacks kill 4 as Ukraine drones hit oil exports ports

2026-04-07

A Russian drone attack on Odesa killed two women and a toddler, Ukrainian officials said, while Ukrainian long-range drones targeted Russia’s key Black Sea oil-export port. The fighting also included shelling and drones across southern and eastern Ukraine, with regional officials describing multiple civilian casualties and damage.

Volunteers release hundreds of bats in twilight event near Kyiv

2026-04-07

KYIV, Ukraine — Volunteers released hundreds of bats late Saturday at events planned for the arrival of spring near Kyiv, offering families and bat enthusiasts a rare moment of relief after a harsh winter. Hundreds of bats, many rescued from war-torn areas in eastern Ukraine, were freed into the twilight at a nature park on the edge of Kyiv.

Sweden releases EU-sanctioned tanker after Baltic Sea oil spill probe

2026-04-06

Swedish authorities released the EU-sanctioned tanker Flora 1 after concluding they lacked sufficient evidence that the ship caused a Baltic Sea oil spill, the Swedish Coast Guard said. The spill was discovered Thursday and the vessel was boarded and detained after Swedish officials linked the case to a tanker on the European Union’s sanctions list for transporting Russian oil with unsafe shipping practices.

Sweden releases EU-sanctioned tanker after Baltic Sea oil spill probe

2026-04-05

Swedish authorities released a tanker that had been detained for suspected involvement in a Baltic Sea oil spill after investigators found insufficient evidence the vessel was at fault, according to the Swedish Coast Guard. The ship had been sanctioned by the European Union and boarded on suspicion it caused a 12-kilometer spill discovered last week.

Sweden releases EU-sanctioned tanker after Baltic Sea oil spill probe

2026-04-04

Sweden’s Coast Guard released the EU-sanctioned tanker Flora 1 after investigators said they found no sufficient evidence that the vessel caused an oil spill in the Baltic Sea. The ship had been boarded and detained after a spill was discovered Thursday, according to the Coast Guard and Swedish authorities.

Sweden boards EU-sanctioned tanker suspected in Baltic oil spill

2026-04-04

Sweden’s Coast Guard said it boarded a tanker suspected of causing a 12-kilometer (8-mile) oil spill in the Baltic Sea after the vessel left a Russian port. The Coast Guard said the ship is under European Union sanctions tied to the “shadow fleet” that transports Russian oil.

Putin tells Armenia it can’t join EU and the Eurasian Economic Union

2026-04-02

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Armenia’s government on Wednesday that it cannot simultaneously pursue European Union membership and remain in Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union customs arrangements. In talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow, Putin said Russia is “absolutely calm” about Armenia’s efforts to deepen ties with the EU, but argued that it is “impossible” to be in both a customs union with the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Observers call for violence-free polling after Serbia municipal vote clashes

2026-03-31

International observers at a local election in Serbia said they witnessed violence and irregularities during the vote on Sunday, as President Aleksandar Vucic’s ruling party declared victory in all 10 municipalities. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe said its observers saw acts of violence outside polling places and “a number of irregularities” including breaches of voting secrecy. Serbian independent monitors also reported clashes and voting irregularities.

Rubio denies US pressed Ukraine to cede Donbas for security guarantees

2026-03-29

In Paris after a Group of Seven meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s claim that Washington is demanding Kyiv cede the Donbas region to Russia to secure American guarantees in any Ukraine ceasefire plan. Rubio said the United States has made no such stipulation and that the U.S. has told Ukrainians what Russia insists on, but is not advocating for it.

Zelenskyy visits UAE and Qatar to seek drone defense ties

2026-03-29

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made unannounced visits to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as Ukraine seeks strategic ties and drone-defense cooperation during the war in the Middle East, where Iran has struck the region. Zelenskyy said Ukraine has already signed 10-year security agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar and expects to finalize a similar pact with the UAE. He also addressed comments by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying he has “not lied to anyone”.

Iran war deflects attention as emboldened Russia begins spring offensive

2026-03-27

Russia launched nearly 1,000 drones and 34 missiles at Ukraine on Tuesday as the war enters its fifth year, while Ukraine responded with almost 400 drones in a major overnight attack on Russian regions and Crimea. The intensified fighting comes as the Trump administration winds down U.S.-mediated talks focused on ending the conflict, amid a growing U.S. focus on the Iran war.

Frustration grows as Russia restricts Telegram

2026-03-22

Russia has blocked or curtailed protests in multiple regions tied to internet censorship and the messaging app Telegram, often citing local pretexts or procedural rationales, the Associated Press reported. The restrictions have frustrated demonstrators and prompted some activists to scale back to smaller gatherings or challenge refusals in court.

Russia blocks Telegram-related protests, citing shifting local excuses

2026-03-22

Russian authorities blocked or disrupted protests against the online censorship and the blocking of Telegram, a popular messaging app, citing changing local reasons ranging from “tree inspections” to weather and pandemic-era rules. In the Russian Far East, a regional lawmaker said the bans have not stopped the discontent, despite rising pressure on unauthorized demonstrations. The Associated Press reported the incidents across multiple regions and noted that some people who tried to challenge denials in court also lost.

Russia and Ukraine trade deadly attacks ahead of U.S. talks on peace

2026-03-22

Russia and Ukraine traded attacks that killed at least four people as U.S.-Ukraine peace talks approached in Miami, the AP reported. A Russian drone strike hit a house in Zaporizhzhia, and power was knocked out across much of Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, Ukrainian and regional officials said.

Anti-government rally in Prague draws tens of thousands against Babis

2026-03-22

Tens of thousands of protesters rallied in Prague on Saturday against the policies and plans of the Czech government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, organizers said. The demonstration at Letná park focused on concerns that Babiš and his coalition cabinet pose a threat to democracy and to the country’s stance toward Ukraine, organizers and speakers said.

Iran war could weaken Ukraine's hand as Russia plans new offensives

2026-03-21

Ukraine faces growing pressure because the Iran war has disrupted U.S.-brokered efforts to pause the fighting, while Russia is expected to seek new offensives against Kyiv. As European allies debate whether to keep a 90 billion-euro ($106 billion) package moving, Donald Trump has also criticized allies for not committing naval assets to help restore tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Drone video shows hole in Fukushima reactor pressure vessel for first time

2026-03-21

TOKYO (AP) — Drone footage taken inside a Fukushima Daiichi reactor has shown a confirmed hole at the bottom of the Unit 3 pressure vessel for the first time since the 2011 meltdown, Tokyo Electric Power Company said. The operator also said the images show lumps of likely melted fuel debris hanging from the vessel’s steel wall.

Ukrainian Orthodox Patriarch Filaret dies at 97, leaving bid for independence

2026-03-21

Patriarch Filaret, a leading figure in efforts to establish an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church free from Moscow’s religious authority, died Friday at age 97, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine said. The death came as Ukraine’s religious and cultural divide with Russia has widened into full-scale war.

Zelenskyy tells UK lawmakers Russia and Iran are “brothers in weapons”

2026-03-18

Zelenskyy, visiting Britain for talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO chief Mark Rutte, urged Ukraine’s allies not to forget its war with Russia as fighting tied to an Iran crisis disrupts diplomacy and military supply priorities. In Britain’s Parliament, the Ukrainian president told lawmakers that Russia and Iran are “brothers in hatred” and pressed for continued support and defense cooperation.

Hungary and Slovakia agree to build fuel pipeline, targeting stability

2026-03-18

Hungary and Slovakia agreed to build a 127-kilometer fuel pipeline linking refineries in Százhalombatta and Bratislava, aiming to strengthen regional diesel and gasoline supply. The deal, signed in Brussels and announced by Slovakia’s Energy Ministry, calls for completion in the first half of 2027. The agreement comes amid disruptions to Russian oil shipments through Ukraine-linked pipelines and a wider dispute among the countries over access to fuel supplies.

EU offers to pay Ukraine to repair pipeline carrying Russian oil to Hungary

2026-03-16

Brussels offered Ukraine technical support and funding to repair a damaged pipeline meant to carry crude oil to Hungary, in an effort to persuade Viktor Orban’s government to lift its veto on a major EU aid package. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that Ukraine accepted the offer, while Orban said Hungary will keep blocking the 90-billion-euro loan as long as oil shipments remain interrupted.

Russia’s inclusion in 2026 Venice Biennale sparks outcry

2026-03-15

Italy is facing diplomatic and political backlash after the Venice Biennale said Russia will participate in its 2026 art exhibition, according to officials and European governments. The dispute has put Italy’s culture ministry on the defensive as European Commission officials threatened to withhold EU funding and 22 European countries asked Moscow to stay away again.

Greek-flagged tanker damaged in suspected Black Sea drone attack

2026-03-15

ATHENS, Greece — A Greek-flagged oil tanker was damaged in a suspected drone attack in the Black Sea as it approached the Russian port of Novorossiysk, Greek authorities said. The shipping ministry said the 24 crew members were unharmed and that the vessel’s seaworthiness was not threatened.

Prominent Belarus opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova belatedly receives Charlemagne prize

2026-03-15

Maria Kolesnikova received the International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, Germany, on Saturday, an award she had won in 2022 but could not collect while imprisoned in Belarus, the Associated Press reported. Kolesnikova was released in December with dozens of other political prisoners as part of a U.S. deal that lifted sanctions on Belarusian fertilizer exports, AP said.

Russian strike on Kyiv region kills at least 4 people

2026-03-15

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A combined Russian missile and drone attack on the Kyiv region killed at least four people and wounded 15, a Ukrainian official said Saturday, after the United States postponed sponsored talks between Moscow and Kyiv due to its own war with Iran-related tensions. The attack hit four districts, damaging homes, schools, businesses and critical infrastructure.

Greek oil tanker damaged in suspected Black Sea drone attack near Russian port

2026-03-15

A Greek‑flagged oil tanker was damaged in a suspected drone strike in the Black Sea while approaching the Russian port of Novorossiysk on Saturday, Greek authorities said. The vessel, the *Maran Homer*, was chartered by U.S. oil giant Chevron and suffered material damage but sustained no injuries among its 24 crew members, and its seaworthiness was not compromised.

Russian strike hits Kyiv region, kills at least 4; Zelenskyy warns on air defense

2026-03-15

Russian forces carried out a combined missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s Kyiv region on Saturday, killing at least four people and wounding 15, a Ukrainian official said. The strikes hit multiple districts, damaging homes and infrastructure, as Ukraine and Russia continued to trade claims while peace talks were postponed.

Zelenskyy, Macron discuss U.S. Russian oil sanctions waiver and drones

2026-03-15

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States’ 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions is “not the right decision” and will not help end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy spoke Friday at a news conference in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron as the U.S. sought to ease shipping and supply disruptions tied to the Iran war.

Zelenskyy ready for peace talks but says US and Russia must act

2026-03-14

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready for the next round of trilateral peace talks aimed at ending Russia’s invasion, but he said Washington and Moscow must agree on where and when to meet. He also said he warned of a “very high” risk that a rapidly escalating war in the Middle East could drain the air-defense stockpiles Ukraine relies on.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine ready for next talks, but US and Russia decide

2026-03-14

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready for a next round of trilateral peace talks to try to end Russia’s more than 4-year-old invasion, but he said Washington and Moscow must agree where and when to meet. In comments released Sunday, Zelenskyy said the U.S. proposed hosting the next meeting but that Moscow refused to send a delegation.

Moscow businesses struggle as Russia restricts cellphone internet

2026-03-14

Moscow businesses in central areas of the capital have been hit by disruptions to cellphone internet, as foreign websites were blocked and even some government and bank services stopped working during outages, the Associated Press reported. Russian officials said the restrictions are security measures linked to Ukrainian drone threats, while the outages have coincided with broader restrictions on internet access and messaging platforms.

Swedish court orders detention of Russian captain over suspected false flag

2026-03-14

STOCKHOLM — A Swedish court ordered the detention of the Russian captain of a tanker suspected of sailing under a false flag in the Baltic Sea. The commander of the Sea Owl 1 was arrested Friday after the Swedish coast guard boarded the vessel off Trelleborg, and prosecutors said they suspect he used a false document.

Inside Mariupol’s devastation, AP journalists document war’s toll

2026-03-13

In Mariupol, Ukraine, AP journalists documented the siege’s toll as the city lost power, communications and access to burial and evacuation, with Russian shelling and airstrikes hitting hospitals, streets and the maternity facility. The reporting, published March 16, 2022, described mass casualties including children, a blackout that cut off television and radio, and appeals for humanitarian corridors that Ukrainian officials later said largely failed.

Bodies piled in Mariupol as Russian shelling cuts off burial and aid

2026-03-13

Mariupol, Ukraine, has been hit by relentless shelling and airstrikes that have left residents unable to bury loved ones and have pushed the city deeper into chaos, according to Associated Press reporting from March 2022. AP described children and mothers among bodies being stacked in a mass grave on the outskirts, as hospitals and neighborhoods endured frequent attacks. The AP team reported that the city has been encircled by Russian forces and that roads were mined and the port blocked.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine awaits White House sign-off on drone deal

2026-03-13

Ukraine is waiting for approval from the White House on a proposed drone production agreement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday. He said the deal, discussed last year, would cover multiple types of drones and air defenses designed to function as a single system against swarms of Iranian-made Shahed drones and missiles.

Latvia security service says two people set fire to train for Russia

2026-03-11

Latvia’s State Security Service said two people set fire to a train and rail equipment in August 2025, and later filmed the attack for propaganda. The agency said the video was provided to the people who commissioned the arson. The case was described alongside a pattern of sabotage and cyberattacks officials in Europe and the United States say are linked to Russia.

Russian court sentences 19 for 2024 Crocus City Hall attack

2026-03-11

A Moscow court on Thursday convicted 19 people connected to the March 22, 2024 shooting rampage at Crocus City Hall that killed 149 people and wounded more than 600, according to the Associated Press. All 19 defendants received prison terms, including 15 life sentences, following a closed-door trial held in a military court, the report said.

Hungary to declassify security report tied to Ukraine funding claims

2026-03-11

Hungary will declassify a national security report that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says will show Ukraine illegally financed the opposition Tisza party, a minister said March 12. Orbán has been running a campaign ahead of the April 12 election accusing Kyiv of backing Péter Magyar and Tisza, allegations Magyar denies.

Ukraine, Russia trade battlefield claims as U.S. Ukraine talks pause amid Iran war

2026-03-11

Ukraine and Russia traded rival claims of battlefield progress as American-brokered talks between the two sides were postponed, according to statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian officials, on March 10. At the same time, Russia continued attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas, while Ukraine struck targets in western Russia, as emergency officials and local governors reported.

Sweden investigates Baltic cargo ship allegedly carrying stolen Ukrainian grain

2026-03-09

Sweden is investigating a cargo ship in the Baltic Sea that officials say may have transported stolen Ukrainian grain, with crew members described as predominantly Russian. Swedish Coast Guard investigators boarded the ship on Friday in Swedish territorial waters to register it and interview people onboard, and the vessel’s name and nationality profile are drawing scrutiny as Ukraine-linked sanctions come into play.

Sweden investigates Baltic Sea cargo ship Caffa over alleged stolen grain

2026-03-09

Stockholm-based officials are investigating the cargo ship Caffa after Swedish authorities boarded it in their territorial waters while searching it and interviewing its crew. The Swedish Coast Guard said the crew is predominantly Russian and that the ship is on Ukraine’s sanctions list. Officials also said the vessel is suspected of transporting stolen grain.

Russian missile kills 10 in Kharkiv apartment block, including two children

2026-03-07

A Russian cruise missile struck a five-story residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, on Saturday, killing at least 10 people — including two children — and wounding 16 others, Ukrainian officials said. The attack was part of a broader overnight barrage in which Russia fired 29 missiles and 480 drones across the country.

Ukraine seeks Patriot missiles in exchange for battle-tested drone interceptors

2026-03-07

Ukraine has developed low-cost interceptor drones — priced at roughly $1,000 to $2,000 — capable of shooting down Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones, and is now offering that technology to the United States and Gulf states in exchange for Patriot missile systems, according to Ukrainian officials and defense analysts. The United States recently requested "specific support" against Iranian-designed Shaheds in the Middle East, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to order the deployment of Ukrainian equipment and experts, though details remain classified. Gulf states have been using Patriot missiles, which cost millions of dollars per interceptor, to shoot down Shahed drones that cost roughly $30,000 apiece.

Hungary seizes $80 million from Ukrainian state bank armored cars, detains seven

2026-03-06

Hungarian authorities detained seven employees of Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank and seized two armored vehicles carrying more than $80 million in cash on Thursday as the convoy transited Hungary between Austria and Ukraine, officials said Friday. Hungary cited suspicion of money laundering. The seven bank workers were released Friday, but Hungarian authorities retained the funds — including $40 million in U.S. dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kilograms of gold valued at approximately $1.5 million — prompting Ukraine's foreign minister to accuse Budapest of "state banditism."

Hungary’s foreign minister accuses Ukraine of meddling in upcoming vote

2026-03-05

Budapest said on Friday that Ukraine is seeking to influence Hungary’s April 12 election, a claim made by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó at a pro-government protest outside Ukraine’s embassy. Kyiv and Hungary’s Ukraine-related dispute over Russian oil shipments have fueled rising tensions between the neighbors ahead of the vote.

Zelenskyy says he would not restore Druzhba pipeline as Orbán vows to compel Ukraine

2026-03-05

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday he would not repair the Druzhba pipeline that carries Russian crude oil to Central Europe, staking out a direct position that deepens a standoff with neighboring Hungary and Slovakia now in its second month. The declaration came as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vowed to use financial and political leverage to force Kyiv to restore oil flows, and as the dispute continues to block a 90-billion euro European Union loan that Ukraine needs to sustain its defense against Russia's invasion.

Zelenskyy offers US and Gulf states Ukraine's Shahed drone defenses as Russia talks stall

2026-03-05

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that he had given orders to provide the United States with drone equipment and Ukrainian experts after Washington formally requested help defending against Iran's Shahed drones. Zelenskyy said he had also spoken in recent days with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait about possible cooperation in countering the same Iranian systems. The offer comes as a war in Iran, in its sixth day on Thursday, has drawn international attention from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and forced the postponement of a new round of U.S.-brokered peace talks planned for this week.

Belarus court convicts independent journalists, sentences jail terms

2026-02-28

Two independent journalists in Belarus were convicted on high treason charges and sentenced to long prison terms as the government continues a crackdown on free speech, media groups said. The court in Brest convicted Uladzimir Yanukevich and Andrei Pakalenka, according to Belarusian media rights advocates. The proceedings were held behind closed doors, and state television reported alleged links to the German Embassy.

Russia launches major aerial attack before Geneva talks with Ukraine

2026-02-27

Russia launched a barrage of 420 drones and 39 missiles at Ukraine overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday, hours before U.S. and Ukrainian envoys met in Geneva as part of U.S.-brokered efforts to end the war. Zelenskyy said the bombardment included 11 ballistic missiles and targeted critical infrastructure and residential areas across eight regions, with dozens of people injured, including children.

South African police question 11 men lured to fight for Russia

2026-02-26

South African police questioned 11 men who allegedly were lured into fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine after the group arrived at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. The men were taken to a police station for questioning about how they ended up on the front lines, with one reportedly taken off the aircraft in a wheelchair. President Cyril Ramaphosa said Tuesday that one man remained in hospital in Russia and another would travel once travel documents were finalized.

Russian NK scholar says Latvia expelled him after detention in Riga

2026-02-26

Prominent Russian scholar of North Korea Andrei Lankov said he was expelled from Latvia after being detained in Riga while giving a lecture, then turned over to immigration authorities and taken toward the Estonia border. Kookmin University in South Korea, where he teaches, said it confirmed he had been released and was headed to Estonia.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine will meet Trump envoys in Geneva next week

2026-02-26

A Ukrainian delegation will meet U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys in Geneva as part of preparations for another round of trilateral talks with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The talks are set to include discussions on details of a possible postwar recovery plan and preparations for a meeting with Moscow officials next week, he said.

Zelenskyy marks 4th year of Russia invasion as he rejects ‘broken’ claim

2026-02-25

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia has not “broken Ukrainians” or won the war as he marked four years since Russia launched its all-out invasion, with more than a dozen senior European officials traveling to Kyiv for anniversary events. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin did not mention the anniversary during remarks to top FSB officials, though he said the threat of Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil has grown.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov faces Russian inquiry after criticism

2026-02-25

Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messaging app, said Russia opened a criminal investigation against him on charges of “aiding terrorism.” Durov said the case was fabricated to restrict access to Telegram and to limit “privacy and free speech.”

U.S. raises concerns after Ukraine strikes hit Russian port, envoy says

2026-02-25

The U.S. State Department has expressed displeasure over Ukraine’s attacks on the Russian port of Novorossiysk that Kyiv’s chief envoy to Washington said affected American oil interests in Kazakhstan, according to Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna. The remarks came Tuesday, on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as Ukrainian officials and U.S. and international partners marked the milestone. Stefanishyna said the U.S. “did happen” and that Washington “took the note,” while the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

EU fails to pass Russian sanctions after Hungary blocks vote

2026-02-24

The European Union failed Monday to pass new sanctions targeting Russia after Hungary unexpectedly blocked the measure on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. The blockade threatens Ukraine's access to a 90 billion euro ($106 billion) loan intended to fund its military and economic needs for the next two years, as foreign ministers sought to finalize both packages ahead of the Feb. 24, 2022 invasion's anniversary on Tuesday.

Russia raises taxes on small businesses to fund Ukraine war

2026-02-23

Russia is increasing taxes on small businesses and lowering the thresholds that trigger tax obligations, a move aimed at boosting wartime revenue but that business owners say is forcing them to close their doors. The value-added tax rose by 2 percentage points, and the revenue threshold requiring businesses to pay it was cut from 60 million rubles (approximately $783,000) to 20 million rubles ($261,000) this year, with further reductions planned through 2028. Business owners across bakeries, beauty salons, and pastry shops report falling demand, sharply rising supplier costs, and tax bills that have surged to tens of times their previous amounts. In St. Petersburg, shop after shop on the main commercial street, Nevsky Prospekt, has gone out of business.

Slovakia halts emergency power supplies to Ukraine over oil dispute

2026-02-23

Slovakia halted emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine on Monday, escalating a dispute over Russian oil deliveries as the war-torn nation struggles with daily blackouts from Russian bombardment. The move by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico came after Ukraine declined his request for talks until later in the week.

Russian barrage kills 1 in Kyiv suburbs, damages energy grid

2026-02-22

Russia fired 297 drones and 50 missiles at Ukraine on Sunday, killing one person in the Kyiv region, Ukraine's Emergency Service said. Eight people, including a child, were rescued from under rubble in the suburbs of Kyiv. The barrage struck energy infrastructure in southern Ukraine's Odesa region, causing fires that were later extinguished.

Ukraine war marks 4 years with peace prospects bleak despite US push

2026-02-22

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has now lasted 1,418 days—longer than the Soviet Union's military campaign against Nazi Germany in World War II. Despite the extended duration, Moscow's advance has slowed to what NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called "the speed of a garden snail," with Russian troops moving only about 50 kilometers into the Donetsk region over the past two years. Mediation efforts led by the Trump administration face sharp disagreements over terms, with Russia demanding territorial gains and other concessions Ukraine has rejected.

NORAD intercepts 5 Russian aircraft near Alaska

2026-02-21

The North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted five Russian military aircraft flying in international airspace near Alaska on Thursday, according to a statement released Friday. The Russian planes did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace, and military officials said the encounter posed no threat.

Johnson urges allies to send noncombat troops to Ukraine before ceasefire

2026-02-21

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the United Kingdom and its European allies should immediately deploy noncombat troops to Ukraine to demonstrate Western commitment to the nation's independence, departing from prevailing strategy that ties any ground deployment to a ceasefire agreement.

Five European nations plan joint air defense using Ukrainian drone technology

2026-02-20

Five European nations announced Friday a joint program to develop low-cost air defense systems and autonomous drones using battle-tested technology from Ukraine's four-year war with Russia. The E5 group — France, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy — signed an agreement to jointly invest in what the group calls the Low-Cost Autonomous Effectors and Platforms (LEAP) program, aimed at strengthening Europe's defense against Russian drone incursions.

Four years in, occupied Ukraine faces detention, shortages, forced Russification

2026-02-20

Four years into Russia's invasion, life in the roughly 20% of Ukraine now under Russian military control is defined by housing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, systematic detention, and forced cultural integration into Russian society, according to escapees and human rights organizations. Residents of the occupied territories are required to adopt Russian citizenship to receive vital services, subjected to widespread arrest, and—in documented cases—tortured, while Moscow encourages its own citizens to relocate with financial incentives.

US senators visit Ukraine urging new sanctions on Russia

2026-02-19

The U.S. senators returning from a trip to Ukraine said they want Congress to advance new sanctions aimed at economically pressuring Russia and encouraging concessions in U.S.-brokered peace talks. The lawmakers visited Odesa, a Black Sea port that has faced repeated attacks since the war began nearly four years ago.

No breakthrough in U.S.-brokered Russia-Ukraine envoy talks in Geneva

2026-02-19

U.S.-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv ended Wednesday in Geneva with no sign of a breakthrough, as both sides described the negotiations as “difficult.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the discussions were constructive on military issues but left deep political differences, including over occupied land in eastern Ukraine. A new round of talks was set for a later date.

Ukraine ex-army chief Zaluzhnyi tells AP of rift with Zelenskyy

2026-02-19

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s former army chief and current ambassador to Britain, told The Associated Press that he and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have had a “deep rift” since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. He described a tense relationship that, he said, reached a boiling point when agents from Ukraine’s domestic security service raided his office later in 2022. The SBU said it never carried out a search at Zaluzhnyi’s office and that the address was part of an investigation unrelated to him.

Low expectations for US-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine

2026-02-17

The United States is brokering another round of talks between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva this week, but expectations for any breakthrough appear low, according to the Kremlin and Ukrainian officials. The discussions come ahead of next week’s fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the future of Ukrainian land that Russia occupies a central sticking point.

Navalny remembered two years after death in custody as opposition splinters

2026-02-17

Mourners marked two years since Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in custody on Feb. 16, 2024, with relatives and European officials laying flowers in Moscow while Russia rejected allegations that he was murdered. The anniversary came as a new European analysis reinforced suspicions that Navalny was killed by poisoning, deepening the case against the Kremlin at a time when the opposition struggles to unite.

Ukrainian drones ignite fires at Russia port before Geneva peace talks

2026-02-16

A Ukrainian drone strike ignited fires at Russia’s Black Sea port of Taman in the Krasnodar region on Sunday, officials said, damaging an oil storage tank, a warehouse and terminals. The attack came as U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine’s envoys are set to resume Tuesday and Wednesday in Geneva.

North Korea opens housing district for families of Ukraine war dead

2026-02-16

North Korea said Monday it completed a new housing district in Pyongyang for families of North Korean soldiers killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. State media photos showed Kim Jong Un visiting the homes of some of the families and walking through the new street, Saeppyol Street.

European labs say Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, governments report Russia

2026-02-16

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, a toxin found in poison dart frogs, European foreign ministries said Feb. 14. The U.K., France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands said lab analysis “conclusively confirmed” the presence of the substance in samples taken from Navalny’s body and reported Russia to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Russia launches barrage of missiles and drones in Ukraine as talks stall

2026-02-13

Russia fired ballistic missiles, strike drones and other munitions at Ukrainian cities in overnight attacks, Ukrainian officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow was “hesitating” over another round of U.S.-brokered talks as Washington proposed new negotiations next week in Miami or Abu Dhabi.

Zelenskyy questions allies on Ukraine security guarantees after Munich remarks

2026-02-13

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told allies at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that “questions remain” over Ukraine’s future security guarantees. Speaking in Germany, he thanked the United States and European partners for air-defense support but pressed for a clearer path on what guarantees would cover and when they would be signed.

Ukraine says 2 Nigerians fighting for Russia found dead in Luhansk

2026-02-13

Ukraine’s intelligence directorate said two Nigerians fighting for Russia have been found dead in Luhansk after what it described as a drone strike. The intelligence service identified the men as Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole and Mbah Stephen Udoka, both of whom it said signed contracts with the Russian military in late 2025.

Russia plans to bolster forces near NATO borders, Estonian intelligence chief says

2026-02-11

Russia cannot launch an attack on NATO this year or next, but it plans to increase its forces along the alliance’s eastern flank, depending on the outcome of the war in Ukraine, a senior Estonian intelligence official said Tuesday. Kaupo Rosin, head of Estonia’s foreign intelligence service, also said Russian President Vladimir Putin has no desire to halt the nearly four-year invasion and believes he can “outsmart” the United States during talks on ending the war.

Zelenskyy says U.S. set June deadline for Ukraine-Russia war deal

2026-02-08

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach agreement to end the nearly four-year war. He also described further U.S.-brokered diplomacy as trilateral talks are set to resume next week, with Russian strikes hitting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and forcing nuclear power plants to reduce output.

Russian airstrike hits residential area in Ukraine’s Kramatorsk

2026-02-07

Russian forces carried out an airstrike on a residential area in Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine, killing one person and wounding two, Ukrainian officials said Sunday. The attack came after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States has set a June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach a peace deal.

Ukraine businesses lean on generators as Russian attacks disrupt power

2026-02-07

Darkened businesses across Ukraine are adapting to power cuts from Russian strikes on the energy grid, with owners saying many now rely on costly generators just to keep operating. In Kyiv, a baker and other small firms describe fuel costs, equipment strain and uneven access to electricity as labor shortages, security risks and weaker demand add to the pressure.

Russia detains suspect in Moscow shooting of military intelligence deputy

2026-02-07

Russian authorities said a man suspected of shooting a deputy chief of Russia’s military intelligence agency was detained in Dubai and handed over to Russia, and that they identified alleged accomplices. The deputy, Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev, was hospitalized after being shot several times Friday at an apartment building in northwestern Moscow, investigators said.

US and Russia agree to reestablish high-level military dialogue

2026-02-05

US and Russia agreed to reestablish high-level military dialogue in another sign of warming relations, the U.S. European Command said Feb. 5. The agreement followed talks in Abu Dhabi involving senior American and Russian military officials, during which Ukraine and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff also participated.

EU proposes new sanctions on Russian oil shipping and financial services

2026-02-05

The European Commission on Friday proposed additional sanctions against Russia, targeting shipping services that help Moscow’s oil industry as well as parts of Russia’s financial services and trade. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the measures are aimed at cutting Russia’s energy revenues and increasing pressure during talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

DNA confirms body on Cyprus beach is Russian potash executive

2026-02-05

Authorities in Cyprus said a body found last month on a beach along the island’s southern coastline has been identified as Vladislav Baumgertner, a former CEO of Uralkali who had been detained in Belarus in 2013. Police on a British military base in Cyprus said DNA analysis confirmed the identification, and an investigation into the circumstances and cause of death is ongoing.

Fears loom for new arms race as last U.S.-Russia nuclear pact expires

2026-02-05

The last remaining nuclear arms pact between the United States and Russia, the New START Treaty, is set to expire Thursday, ending limits on the world’s two largest atomic arsenals after more than a half-century. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to keep observing the treaty’s caps for another year if Washington does the same, but President Donald Trump has not committed to an extension.

Russia and Ukraine envoys meet in Abu Dhabi for US-brokered talks

2026-02-05

Envoys from Russia and Ukraine met in Abu Dhabi for U.S.-brokered talks on ending the nearly four-year war, as a Russian attack using cluster munitions killed seven people at a market in Ukraine. The two-day negotiations began Wednesday with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joining the delegations, according to Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council chief Rustem Umerov.

Russian strikes on Ukraine energy grid raise legal questions for war rules

2026-02-05

Ukraine accused Russia of illegally targeting the country’s energy infrastructure in recent weeks, plunging areas into darkness amid freezing winter weather. Russian officials say their attacks target facilities linked to the Ukrainian military. The conflict is now also raising fresh legal questions about what international law allows during war and how civilian harm factors in.

Senior Russian GRU deputy shot and wounded in Moscow

2026-02-05

A deputy chief of Russia’s military intelligence agency, known as the GRU, was shot and wounded in Moscow on Friday, state and Russian officials said. The attack came as Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators wrapped talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine.

Russia launches major drone and missile attack on Ukraine overnight

2026-02-04

Russia carried out a major overnight attack on Ukraine that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said violated a promised pause on strikes against energy infrastructure as negotiators prepared for further talks to end Moscow’s war. The bombardment included hundreds of drones and a record 32 ballistic missiles, Ukrainian officials said, and it targeted the power grid while Kyiv and other regions reported damage and injuries.

US-brokered Russia-Ukraine talks to resume this week in Abu Dhabi

2026-02-03

US-brokered talks on ending Russia’s war on Ukraine will resume this week after a brief postponement, a senior Kremlin official said Monday. The talks will be held Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi, where a previous meeting took place last month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed.

Russian drones hit Dnipro bus, killing at least 12 mineworkers

2026-02-02

Russian drones struck a bus carrying mineworkers in Ukraine’s Dnipro, killing at least a dozen people, according to Ukrainian authorities on Feb. 1, hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the next round of Russia-Ukraine talks would take place Feb. 4 and 5 in Abu Dhabi. Zelenskyy’s announcement came after the Kremlin confirmed it would hold off striking Kyiv until Sunday, though officials have provided few details.

Trump says Putin agreed to pause strikes on Kyiv for one week

2026-01-30

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed not to target Kyiv and other Ukrainian towns for one week during a brutal cold spell. The Kremlin did not immediately confirm the pause, even as Russia continued attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure and Ukrainian officials warned of another large barrage.

Russia-Ukraine war casualties could near 2 million, CSIS says

2026-01-29

Kyiv, Ukraine, and Moscow both dispute the reported scale of losses, but a new estimate from the Center for Strategic and International Studies projects Russia and Ukraine could see nearly 2 million soldiers killed, injured or missing by spring. The report, released days before the war’s fourth anniversary, assigns Russia about 1.2 million casualties, including up to 325,000 troop deaths, since February 2022.

Russia recruits foreigners with cash, prisoner release as war drains troops

2026-01-27

Russia is turning to unprecedented recruitment methods to fill its depleted ranks in Ukraine, offering substantial cash bonuses, prisoner releases, and accelerated paths to citizenship. As the war enters its fourth year, the Kremlin has drawn fighters from South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere to avoid the political cost of a nationwide draft. Over 18,000 foreign nationals have fought or are fighting on the Russian side, with nearly 3,400 killed and hundreds more held as prisoners of war by Ukrainian forces, according to a Ukrainian agency cited by the Associated Press.

Bangladeshi workers lured to Russia, forced into Ukraine war

2026-01-27

An Associated Press investigation found that Bangladeshi migrant workers were lured to Russia with false promises of civilian jobs — as janitors, cleaners, and chefs — only to be coerced into military service and sent to fight on the front lines of the Ukraine war. Three workers who escaped told AP they were presented with Russian military contracts upon arrival in Moscow, sent to army camps for weapons training, and threatened with violence, imprisonment, and death when they resisted. Documents including travel papers, military contracts, medical reports, and photographs corroborated the accounts.

Kyiv residents climb dark stairwells as war-driven blackouts reshape daily life

2026-01-25

Freezing and in the dark, residents in Kyiv are spending long hours trapped inside tower blocks as Russia targets Ukraine’s power system, the Associated Press reported. Olena Janchuk, a 53-year-old with severe rheumatoid arthritis, has spent weeks stuck on the 19th floor during rolling blackouts that can last for much of the day. In January, with temperatures dropping to minus 10 degrees Celsius, her family has relied on candles, USB charging and portable power to get through each scheduled outage.

Zelenskyy says US security agreement for Ukraine is ready to sign

2026-01-25

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that a U.S. security guarantees agreement for Ukraine is "100% ready" and waiting for partners to set a signing date. Speaking in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, Zelenskyy said the document would go to the U.S. Congress and Ukrainian parliament for ratification once a date is established. The announcement followed two days of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi involving representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.

Ukraine, Russia and US conclude peace talks; next round Feb. 1

2026-01-24

Two days of talks involving Ukrainian, Russian and U.S. representatives wrapped Saturday with "constructive" discussions on "possible parameters" for ending the nearly four-year war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Negotiators agreed to resume talks in the United Arab Emirates on Feb. 1, according to a U.S. official who described the meetings in Abu Dhabi as upbeat and positive.

Envoys advance U.S. plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine

2026-01-23

Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. negotiators held talks in Abu Dhabi on January 23, marking the first known instance of Trump administration officials meeting with both countries simultaneously to discuss ending the war. The meeting signals momentum in an intensive diplomatic campaign that has accelerated since November 2025, with U.S. envoys coordinating parallel negotiations aimed at reaching a framework for settlement.

Trump envoys meet with Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi for peace talks

2026-01-23

Trump administration envoys held separate negotiations with Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday, marking the first known time officials from the Trump administration simultaneously engaged with negotiators from both sides of the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the future of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region would be a key focus of the talks. Hours earlier, Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump in Davos, Switzerland, and described the meeting as productive and meaningful.

Zelenskyy says Europe’s response feels like “Groundhog Day” in Davos

2026-01-21

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told European leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos that their response to Russia’s invasion has been slow and inadequate, saying the warnings have become a “Groundhog Day” cycle. He spoke after meeting behind closed doors with U.S. President Donald Trump for about an hour on Thursday.

Russia attacks Ukraine power grid with more than 300 drones and missiles

2026-01-21

Russia launched a nighttime attack on Ukraine’s power grid that Zelenskyy said included more than 300 drones and ballistic and cruise missiles, amid ongoing U.S.-led peace talks. The strikes, Zelenskyy said, knocked out heating to more than 5,600 apartment buildings in Kyiv, where officials said nearly 80% of the affected buildings had had heating restored after an earlier major barrage on Jan. 9. The attack also drew condemnation from Ukraine’s foreign minister and the U.N. human rights chief.

Ukrainian drone strikes cut power to hundreds of thousands in occupied south

2026-01-19

Ukrainian drone strikes damaged energy networks in Russia-occupied parts of southern Ukraine, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power on Sunday, Kremlin-installed authorities there said. More than 200,000 households in the Russia-held part of the Zaporizhzhia region had no electricity, a local governor said.

Ukrainians endure freezing cold as power outages persist in Kyiv region

2026-01-18

Ukrainians in and around Kyiv are enduring freezing temperatures at home as Russian strikes damage energy infrastructure and leave many households without electricity, according to emergency repair crews and residents. In the Kyiv region town of Boryspil, workers said they are restoring power only for a few hours at a time as outages last days and the cold deepens. The situation has created dark streets and widespread hardship during what officials described as the longest and broadest outages since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.

Ukrainian delegation arrives in US for peace talks as Russia hits power grid

2026-01-18

A Ukrainian delegation arrived in the United States to discuss a U.S.-led push to end the nearly four-year war, as Russian attacks again targeted Ukraine’s power grid. Kyiv said the strikes were cutting electricity and heating in freezing temperatures, undermining what it called small opportunities for dialogue.

U.S. envoy accuses Russia of 'dangerous escalation' as Trump pushes Ukraine peace

2026-01-13

The United States accused Russia on Monday of a "dangerous and inexplicable escalation" of its nearly four-year war in Ukraine at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting, singling out Moscow's use of a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile fired near Ukraine's border with NATO ally Poland. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce condemned Russia's intensifying strikes on energy and other infrastructure and called on all parties to pursue peace seriously.

US warns Russia’s Oreshnik missile escalates Ukraine war amid peace push

2026-01-13

The United States accused Russia on Monday of a “dangerous and inexplicable escalation” of its nearly four-year war in Ukraine, as the Trump administration seeks to advance negotiations toward peace. U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce linked the accusation to Russia’s launch of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile last week near Ukraine’s border with Poland.

U.S. accuses Russia of 'dangerous escalation' at UN as Trump pursues Ukraine peace

2026-01-13

The United States accused Russia on Monday of a "dangerous and inexplicable escalation" of its nearly four-year war in Ukraine, making the charge at an emergency United Nations Security Council session called by Kyiv after a large-scale Russian bombardment that included the second use of Moscow's nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile. U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce singled out Russia's launch of the Oreshnik ballistic missile near Ukraine's border with Poland, a NATO ally. The session convened as the Trump administration was actively working to advance peace negotiations between the two countries.

Ukrainian drone strike on Voronezh kills 1 as Kyiv faces power outages

2026-01-10

A Ukrainian drone strike in the Russian city of Voronezh killed one person and wounded three others, local officials said Sunday, after debris from a drone fell on a house. In Kyiv, thousands of residents were still without power following an intense Russian bombardment, and officials said many apartment buildings were left without heat during daytime temperatures around minus 8 degrees Celsius.

Ukrainian drones ignite fire at oil depot in Russia's Volgograd region

2026-01-10

Ukrainian drones sparked a fire at an oil depot in Russia’s southern Volgograd region, Russian officials said Saturday. The strike came after Russia launched a hypersonic missile and other weapons that disrupted Kyiv’s power supply and heating, Ukrainian officials said.

Russian drone strikes knock out power in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk

2026-01-09

Russian drone strikes temporarily knocked out power across Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region and left more than 600,000 households in the central Dnipropetrovsk region without electricity, Ukrainian officials said Thursday. The overnight attacks also prompted Zelenskyy to warn of a possible new massive strike later that night.

Russia condemns US seizure of oil tanker, warns of rising military tensions

2026-01-08

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday strongly condemned the U.S. military seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, warning the action would escalate military and political tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region. The seizure Wednesday of the vessel Bella 1 — which U.S. European Command said was taken for "violations of U.S. sanctions" — drew furious rhetoric from Moscow and criticism from Russian military commentators who accused the Kremlin of failing to respond quickly enough. Russian President Vladimir Putin had not publicly commented on the seizure as of Thursday.

Trump greenlights Russia sanctions bill backed by Sen. Lindsey Graham

2026-01-08

President Donald Trump has “greenlit” a hard-hitting sanctions package aimed at punishing Russia for its war in Ukraine, Sen. Lindsey Graham said after meeting the president at the White House. Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s bill would allow the administration to impose tariffs and secondary sanctions on countries that purchase Russian energy and other exports.

Ukraine allies outline framework for security guarantees after ceasefire

2026-01-07

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday he has not received a clear answer on whether Western European allies would defend his country if Russia attacks again after any peace deal. Leaders meeting in Paris outlined a framework for international security guarantees to be activated once a ceasefire enters into force, with Ukraine’s armed forces remaining “the first line of defense and deterrence.”

Exasesora de Trump dice que Rusia propuso canje entre Venezuela y Ucrania

2026-01-06

Fiona Hill, exasesora de la Casa Blanca sobre Rusia y Europa durante el gobierno de Donald Trump, dijo el lunes que funcionarios rusos plantearon repetidamente un posible “intercambio entre Venezuela y Ucrania”. Hill sostuvo que Moscú habría estado dispuesto a retirar su apoyo a Nicolás Maduro en Venezuela a cambio de “libertad de acción” en Ucrania.

Zelenskyy replaces Ukraine security chief, names Freeland economic adviser

2026-01-06

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday replaced the head of the Security Service of Ukraine and named Chrystia Freeland as an economic development adviser, continuing a reshuffle before talks in Paris. The changes come as Ukraine tries to maintain momentum for a U.S.-brokered peace push and as Russia’s attacks continue across a front line stretching roughly 1,000 kilometers.

Ukraine’s allies discuss security guarantees if Russia-backed ceasefire holds

2026-01-05

Ukraine’s allies said they made major progress in Paris on how to defend Ukraine if a peace deal is reached with Russia, including plans for international security guarantees to deter Moscow from attacking again. The discussions involve the United States leading efforts to monitor any ceasefire and providing equipment, training and air, land and sea support alongside European partners, leaders said Tuesday.

Trump says U.S. determined Ukraine didn't hit Putin residence with drones

2026-01-05

On Sunday, President Donald Trump told reporters that U.S. officials determined Ukraine did not target a residence belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a drone attack last week, disputing Kremlin claims. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously said Ukraine launched drones at Putin’s state residence in Russia’s northwestern Novgorod region, a claim Kyiv denied.

Zelenskyy says peace proposal talks can accelerate ahead of Paris summit

2026-01-02

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said work on peace proposals with European allies could accelerate after Kyiv shared all documents under discussion with 18 national security advisers. He said representatives from Ukraine’s General Staff and military sector will meet Monday in Paris, followed by European leaders’ talks Tuesday.

Trump hosts Zelenskyy at Florida resort, says peace talks near agreement

2025-12-29

President Donald Trump said Ukraine and Russia are “closer than ever before” to a peace deal after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump’s Florida resort. But Trump also acknowledged the negotiations remain complex and could still break down, with the war potentially dragging on for years.