Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin’s forces capture Donetsk village as eight wounded in drone attack
Putin says he is open to talks with Donald Trump, saying ‘we will have things to discuss’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Putin’s forces have captured the village of Kostiantynopolske in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, just six miles from the city of Kurakhove, which they have stormed and are threatening to encircle.
Russia also launched 113 overnight drones into Ukraine, wounding eight people just hours after at least one person was killed in the capital of Kyiv in a missile attack.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, 57 drones were shot down during the attacks while further 56 drones were “lost”, likely having been electronically jammed.
On Friday, missiles hit Kyiv at around 7am local time, while a high-rise building was badly damaged. The capital’s St Nicholas Church was also damaged.
Meanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin has said he should have invaded Ukraine earlier as he used an end-of-year press conference to double down on his decision to start the war.
Despite the toll his war has taken on Russia’s finances and the lives of its young men, Putin claimed that sending troops into Ukraine in 2022 has boosted his country’s military and economic power.
Vladimir Putin: Russia is ready to compromise with Trump on Ukraine war
Kim Jong Un ‘personally overseeing’ North Korean training for Ukraine amid reports of heavy losses
The huge spike in gun range openings in a country that borders Russia
Warning North Korea can produce ballistic missiles for Russia ‘in months’
One dead in Russian missile attack on Kyiv
One person has been killed in a Russian missile attack on Kyiv, according to the head of city’s military administration.
The morning attack sparked fires across the city, in addition to damaging an office building, Serhiy Popko said this morning, citing preliminary information.
European leaders line up to support Ukraine ahead of Trump’s presidency
European leaders are voicing their support for Ukraine as Russia continues to gain ground on the battlefield.
“We need to stand with Ukraine, and every step … needs to be taken with Ukraine and in the presence of the European Union,” said Luxembourg prime minister Luc Frieden. “The future of Ukraine is decided in Europe and not elsewhere,” he said.
Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof underlined that only Ukraine can determine the conditions for talks, “and it is not for us to talk about that. At the moment, Ukraine has not yet indicated that they are prepared to do so.”
The message of support for Ukraine has strengthened amid Ukraine’s weakened position in the war as president-elect Donald Trump is set to assume office next month.
Volodymr Zelensky has also doubled down on his diplomatic efforts, calling on the EU and the US to stay united next year, saying that “only together the United States and Europe can stop Putin and save Ukraine.” He said that the only effective security guarantee remains Nato membership.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments