Ukraine-Russia war latest: Drone and missile assault launched by Putin’s forces blown out of sky by Kyiv

Russian navy missile cruiser Varyag has carrying out drills in the Mediterranean Sea, the state-owned TASS news agency reported on Thursday

Zelensky says China trying to undermine Ukraine peace summit

The Ukrainian air force said it shot down all 23 drones and five out of six missiles launched by Vladimir Putin’s forces in the early hours of Thursday.

Khmelnytskyi regional governor Serhii Tiurin said the air defence shot down nine aerial targets over his region. Local authorities have not received any reports of casualties or property damage, he added.

Governor Vitaliy Kim said the military destroyed six drones and three cruise missiles over the southern region of Mykolaiv.

It comes as the Russian navy missile cruiser Varyag has carried out drills in the Mediterranean Sea, the state-owned TASS news agency reported on Thursday, citing the navy command.

The drills focused on repelling a mass sea drone attack, the navy command said. It also involved simulated engagements with an enemy vessel and a submarine.

Earlier this month a Russian naval frigate conducted drills in the Atlantic Ocean searching for submarines while on its way to Cuba.

Key points

• Ukraine downs 23 drones overnight
• ICC issues arrest warrants for two senior Russian officials
• Russian official warns of ‘tragic and fatal’ consequences
• Russian pressure heats up on frontline as Western aid trickles in
• Zelensky replaces top military commander after public rebuke

[27 June 2024 03:00 · Alexander Butler]

US ambassador calls China's tech support for Russia during Ukraine invasion a 'major mistake'

[27 June 2024 02:00 · Alexander Butler]

Russian glide bombs are obliterating front-line Ukraine towns

[27 June 2024 01:00 · Alexander Butler]

Has Russia just dropped a deadly new 3,000kg glide bomb in Ukraine?

[27 June 2024 00:01 · Alexander Butler]

A Ukrainian author turned soldier has a stark warning for the West: ‘Be prepared for war with Russia’

[26 June 2024 23:00 · Alexander Butler]

Trump military aides say they’ve given him detailed plan to pressure Ukraine into peace talks with Putin

[26 June 2024 22:00 · Alexander Butler]

Top international court issues arrest warrants for senior Russian officials over alleged war crimes

[26 June 2024 21:00 · Alexander Butler]

North Korean troops will become 'cannon fodder' if they help Russian forces in Ukraine

If North Korean troops were sent to Ukraine to help the Russian army they would become “cannon fodder”, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said.

In a briefing yesterday evening, Mr Ryder was asked about the possibility of North Korean forces being sent to Ukraine as the country advances its military partnerships with Russia.

Mr Ryder did not say there was any indication of North Korean troops actually being sent into combat, but he cautioned the North against that potential development.

[26 June 2024 20:00 · Alexander Butler]

'Give them 20 lashes': Kremlin official suggests whipping disobedient Russians

A Russian official has suggested publicly whipping disobedient Russians.

In a translated clip shared by columnist at The Daily Beast Julia Davis, State Duma deputy Andrey Svintsov discussed his thoughts on those who spoke out against the Kremlin.

“Those who repent should publicly apologise and publicly receive 20 lashes with a whip in Red Square,” he said.

[26 June 2024 19:00 · Alexander Butler]

Zelenskyy visits troops in Donetsk region

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited troops in the eastern frontline Donetsk region today with his top military leadership.

In a statement on Telegram, Mr Zelenskyy said he held a detailed meeting on security with military leaders and addressed many issues.

“There will be a separate conversation in Kyiv, particularly with officials who must be here and in other areas near the frontline - in difficult communities where people need immediate solutions. Solutions that simply cannot be seen from Kyiv,” he said.

[26 June 2024 18:00 · Alexander Butler]

'No evidence' behind Gershkovich charges, US embassy says

The US embassy in Russia has said that Moscow has failed to provide any evidence to support espionage charges against Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

In a statement on the first day of Mr Gershkovich’s closed trial on spying charges, the embassy said the case was about the Kremlin using US citizens to achieve its political objectives.

“Russian authorities have failed to provide any evidence supporting the charges against him, failed to justify his continued detention, and failed to explain why Evan’s work as a journalist constitutes a crime,” the embassy said.