Russia-Ukraine war live: Zelensky calls for more long-range weapons after seven killed in Zaporizhzhia

The Russian attack near Zaporizhzhia killed seven people, including two children, and injured 31 others

Zelensky says China trying to undermine Ukraine peace summit

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his call for more long-range weapons after seven people were killed in a Russian strike.

The Russian attack on the town of Vilniansk, near the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, also injured 31 others, Ukrainian officials said.

“Our cities and communities suffer daily from such Russian strikes,” Mr Zelensky said after the attack which left two children dead.

But he added that there were “ways to overcome this”, including “destroying Russian missile launchers, striking with real long-range capability and increasing the number of modern air defence systems”.

Western allies have already supplied Ukraine with long-range weapons - including Scalp missiles from France, Storm Shadow from the UK and ATACMS from the US - as well as US-made Patriot air defence systems.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has refused to comment on Donald Trump’s claim he would “settle the war” in Ukraine if he was re-elected in November.

Trump made the claim during Thursday’s US presidential debate, where he and president Joe Biden competed to appear tougher on foreign policy.

Key points

• Zelensky calls for more aid after Russian strike kills seven
• Trump, Biden fight it out on Ukraine war at presidential debate
• Russia mulling downgrading ties with ‘hostile’ West, Kremlin says
• Putin’s troops pushed out of part of key eastern town, says Ukraine
• Ukrainian drone strikes fuel depot in Russia’s Tambov

[28 June 2024 07:00 · Alexander Butler]

Russian navy missile cruiser carries out drills in the Mediterranean Sea

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.

[28 June 2024 06:31 · Arpan Rai]

Russia orders measures taken over US drones in Black Sea

Russian defence minister Andrei Belousov has ordered the general staff to take measures to address increased activity of United States drones over the Black Sea, the RIA news agency cited the ministry as saying today.

The ministry said such activity increased the risk of incidents involving Russian aircraft and could cause direct confrontation between Russia and Nato.