Ukraine-Russia war live: US hits back as Zelensky accuses West of ‘dragging out’ long-range weapons delivery

Zelensky defends Vuhledar retreat and says it was done to save ‘citizens of Ukraine’

Trump claims he could end Russia-Ukraine war as he meets with Zelensky

The US has hit back after Volodymyr Zelensky said Western partners are “dragging out” a decision over Kyiv’s request to strike Russia with its long-range weapons.

“We need sufficient quantity and quality of weapons, including long-range weapons, that, in my opinion, our partners are already dragging out,” Mr Zelensky said alongside new Nato chief Mark Rutte yesterday. “We will continue to convince our partners of the need to shoot down Russian missiles and drones,” he said.

The Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh reacted to Mr Zelensky’s remarks. “We have a limited supply of long-range missiles” and “we are not dragging it out,” she said.

On the war frontline, the Ukrainian military chief said he has ordered defences to be strengthened in the eastern Donetsk region after pulling out of Vuhledar. Ukraine’s armed forces commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi said he was working on “one of the hottest front sectors” with the 25th Sicheslav Airborne Brigade.

Mr Zelensky acknowledged the loss of Vuhledar, saying moving troops out and preserving lives was the critical issue.

Key Points

• Zelensky says West ‘dragging out’ weapons request, Pentagon reacts
• Zelensky defends Vuhledar retreat: ‘They’re citizens of Ukraine’
• Ukraine scales up defence in east after leaving Vuhledar
• Russia suffers heavy losses in capturing Vuhledar, says think-tank

[4 October 2024 08:05 · Arpan Rai]

Russia attacks Ukraine’s critical infrastructure with 19 drones overnight

Russia attacked Ukraine’s critical infrastructure with 19 drones overnight, the country’s air force said.

Air defences shot down nine drones with seven more likely impacted by electronic jamming, the Ukrainian air force said on Telegram, without saying what happened to the remaining three.

[4 October 2024 07:25 · Arpan Rai]

Kursk nuclear power plant 'safe' after claims of Ukrainian attack nearby

Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant is operating as usual and radiation levels remain within normal limits, the plant’s operator, Rosenergoatom, said after unconfirmed Russian media reports of an attempted Ukrainian attack.

Several Russian Telegram channels claimed there had been a Ukrainian attack in the vicinity of the plant, which they said had been thwarted by air defences but had resulted in a fire several miles from the facility.

Ukrainian forces entered Kursk in a cross-border incursion on 6 August and have bedded in, still controlling scores of settlements despite a Russian counterattack.

[4 October 2024 07:00 · Jabed Ahmed]

Russian defence ministry confirms capture of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine

Russia’s Defence Ministry has confirmed reports that its forces had taken control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Vuhledar, crediting what it called decisive action taken by units in its “East” military grouping.

The town, which Russia calls Ugledar, had resisted Russian assaults for more than two years.

[4 October 2024 06:19 · Arpan Rai]

Russian fuel depot on fire in Perm region

A fuel depot was on fire in Russia’s Perm region this morning, Russia’s emergencies ministry said on Telegram.

The ministry said the fire had engulfed fuel tanks, but no one has been hurt. The cause of the fire in the region located near the Ural mountains was unclear.

Russian officials never disclose the full extent of the damage suffered in strikes and explosions.

[4 October 2024 06:02 · Arpan Rai]

In pictures: New Nato chief, Zelensky meet in Kyiv

Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the new head of Nato Mark Rutte who affirmed a commitment that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato.”

“Ukraine is closer to Nato than ever before, and it will continue along this path until it secures Nato membership,” Mr Rutte said.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte shake hands during a joint press conference (Getty Images)

New Nato secretary general Mark Rutte speaks in Kyiv as he holds a joint press meet in Kyiv (AFP via Getty Images)

Mark Rutte’s visit to Kyiv is a major show of support for Ukraine in his maiden trip in the role (Getty Images)

[4 October 2024 06:00 · Jabed Ahmed]

Full report: Vladimir Putin wants to wipe us off the map, Ukraine’s top tennis player warns

[4 October 2024 05:33 · Arpan Rai]

New Nato chief makes Ukraine support top priority, hits out at China

The new head of Nato Mark Rutte vowed to help shore up Western support for war-ravaged Ukraine as he took charge yesterday.

The former Dutch prime minister expressed confidence that he can work with whoever is elected president of the United States, the alliance’s most powerful member, in November.

“There can be no lasting security in Europe without a strong, independent Ukraine,” Mr Rutte said in his first speech on taking office.

He also affirmed a commitment made by the organisation’s leaders in 2008 that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato.” He added: “The cost of supporting Ukraine is far, far lower than the cost we would face if we allow Putin to get his way.”

Mr Rutte singled out China, and particularly Beijing’s support for Putin. “China has become a decisive enabler of Russia’s war in Ukraine. China cannot continue to fuel the largest conflict in Europe since the Second World War without this impacting its interests and reputation,” he said.

[4 October 2024 05:00 · Jabed Ahmed]

Russia intercepts drone near Kursk with no damage to nuclear plant, governor says

Russian forces intercepted a Ukrainian drone on Thursday near the Russian town of Kurchatov but there was no damage to the nearby Kursk nuclear power plant, the regional governor said.

Governor Alexei Smirnov said debris from the drone caused explosions in a building unrelated to the plant.

Several Russian Telegram channels earlier reported the alleged Ukrainian attack, which they said had been thwarted by air defences but had resulted in a fire several miles from the nuclear plant.

The plant’s operator, Rosenergoatom, said the facility was operating as usual and radiation levels remained within normal limits.

[4 October 2024 04:47 · Arpan Rai]

Zelensky says West ‘dragging out’ weapons request, Pentagon reacts

Volodymyr Zelensky has said Western partners are “dragging out” a decision over Kyiv’s request to strike Russia with its long-range weapons.

“We need sufficient quantity and quality of weapons, including long-range weapons, that, in my opinion, our partners are already dragging out,” Mr Zelensky said alongside new Nato chief Mark Rutte. “We will continue to convince our partners of the need to shoot down Russian missiles and drones,” he said in a joint media address.

The Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh reacted to Mr Zelensky’s remarks. “We have a limited supply of long-range missiles” and “we are not dragging it out,” she said.

[4 October 2024 04:21 · Arpan Rai]

Zelensky defends Vuhledar retreat: ‘They’re citizens of Ukraine’

President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed Ukraine has moved its troops out of the eastern town of Vuhledar.

The Ukrainian military announced on Wednesday it was pulling troops out of the coal-mining town, a hilltop bastion that had resisted repeated attacks ever since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“Lives (of soldiers) need to be saved because they are our people, they are citizens of Ukraine,” said Mr Zelensky, addressing reporters alongside new Nato secretary general Mark Rutte. “Therefore it is very right that they can retreat and save themselves.”

Ukraine’s eastern military command said it had ordered a pullback from Vuhledar to avoid being encircled by Russian troops and to “preserve personnel and military equipment”. Russia has used this tactic to secure control of other Ukrainian settlements.