Ukraine-Russia war live: Putin’s air strikes target power grid and home for elderly

Russian forces have hit a centre for the elderly in the Ukrainian city of Sumy and targeted the country’s energy sector in a new wave of air strikes, killing at least one civilian, Kyiv officials said.

During a strike on the northern city of Sumy, a Russian guided bomb hit a five-storey building, officials said.

One person was killed and 12 wounded, the interior ministry said on the Telegram app.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said rescue teams were checking whether people were trapped under rubble.

A UN monitoring body said attacks on the power grid probably breached humanitarian law, while the International Energy Agency said in a report that Ukraine’s electricity supply shortfall in the critical winter months could reach about a third of expected peak demand.

Earlier, a drone attack by Ukraine “wiped off the face of the Earth” a major Russian weapons depot in the Tver region, Ukrainian intelligence sources said.

Sources in the country’s SBU security service told The Kyiv Independent that “an extremely powerful detonation began” at the Russian defence ministry’s warehouse in Toropets following a drone strike.

Key Points

• Russia launches fresh air strikes on Ukraine’s energy network

• Ukrainian energy systems face a difficult winter, EU says

• North Korean ammo ‘destroyed’ in Tver arms depot strike

• Zelensky says ‘victory plan’ is ready

• Harris, Trump to meet Zelensky next week

Ursula von der Leyen arrives in Kyiv

09:47 , Rachel Hagan

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv to discuss Europe’s support, winter preparedness for defence and progress on the G7 loans.

She wrote on X: “My 8th visit to Kyiv comes as the heating season starts soon, and Russia keeps targeting energy infrastructure.”

‘We have some sense of contours of Zelensky’s victory plan’, US ambassador to Ukraine says

09:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink said that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky plans to present his fully completed victory plan first to US president Joe Biden.

In an interview with The Kyiv Independent, she said that while she has some idea of its framework, she looks forward to reviewing the plan’s details to work together on its implementation.

When asked about her expectations from it, she said: “President Zelensky has been very clear that he is going to show this plan first to President Biden. He and his team have been true to that. We have some sense of the contours of this plan, and of course, we’re working hand in glove with the government to support your victory in many different ways. It’ll be very positive for us to receive the details of the victory plan and be able to work together to follow up on this.”

She was also asked if the US remained committed to supporting Ukraine’s complete victory, which would include reclaiming all territories, including Crimea, and fully defeating Russia militarily. Ms Brink said: “Our position has been very clear as articulated by the president, as articulated by Secretary Blinken when he was just here last week in Kyiv. We support Ukraine and its victory in its win against Russia’s aggression.

“Now our support is in support of a vision of Ukraine – sovereign, independent, democratic, prosperous, integrated into Europe and into Nato. So that vision is a vision from Ukrainians, and it’s a vision of the future that we support. That’s our position. We’re leaving the details of the war, the details of when and how to negotiate up to your democratically elected president.”

Voices: I’ve witnessed first-hand the horrific cost of Putin’s war – as casualties hit 1 million

09:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

As the conflict reaches its grim milestone, The Independent’s frontline reporter Askold Krushelnycky explains why Russian forces are taking the brunt of the damage:

I’ve witnessed first-hand the horrific cost of Putin’s war – as casualties hit 1m

Five Ukrainians killed in past day by Russian attacks

08:46 , Rachel Hagan

Five Ukrainians have been killed in the past day by Russian attacks and at least 33 have been injured, regional authorities have reported.

Some of those deaths include one in the Sumy Oblast where 17 people were injured, the regional military administration reported.

In Donetsk Oblast, three people were killed and eight injured over the past day, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

Russian attacks against Kharkiv Oblast killed an 85-year-old man in the town of Vilcha near Vovchansk, injured a 65-year-old man in Kupiansk, and wounded two people in the village of Shestakove, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

Five people were injured during Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast over the past day, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. A critical infrastructure facility, five multi-story buildings, and 14 houses were damaged.

Putin ally warns of nuclear war if Kyiv uses long-range missiles

08:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

A senior Russian lawmaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, warned that if Ukraine were to strike deep into Russian territory using Western missiles, it could trigger a global conflict involving nuclear weapons.

He stated that Russia would respond forcefully with more powerful weapons. “Russia will give a tough response using more powerful weapons,” the speaker of Russia’s Duma, the lower house of parliament said.

His remarks followed a European Parliament vote supporting Ukraine’s ability to target Russian sites with Western weapons.

Mr Volodin emphasised the historical sacrifices of the Soviet Union in World War II, urging Europeans to recognise the speed at which Russia could retaliate with its RS-28 Sarmat missile, which could reach Strasbourg in just over three minutes.

Ukraine downed 61 drones during Russia’s overnight attack

08:13 , Rachel Hagan

Ukraine's forces destroyed 61 out of 70 Russian attack drones and one out of four missiles launched overnight, Ukraine's Air Force said on Friday.

"The air defence system operated in Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Sumy, Poltava, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Khmelnytsky, Mykolaiv, Odesa and Kherson regions," it said on the Telegram messenger.

Kremlin prisoner-swap exclusive: How I survived 11 months in Putin’s gulag

08:00 , Jane Dalton

Vladimir Kara-Murza: How I survived 11 months of torture in Putin’s gulag

More than 70,000 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine

07:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

More than 70,000 Russian military personnel have died in Ukraine, with volunteers making up the largest group of casualties since the 2022 invasion for the first time, accounting for about 20 per cent of deaths.

Among the casualties, 13,781 were volunteers — making up the largest chunk of casualties for the first time since the war began, according to data from BBC Russian and the independent website Mediazona.

For much of the first year of the conflict former prisoners made up the highest proportion of Russian casualties, but they now account for 19 per cent of all confirmed deaths. Citizens conscripted into joining the army – mobilised soldiers – account for 13 per cent.

Volunteers typically came from poorer parts of Russia and joined for better pay and benefits, often without realising their contracts were indefinite. The BBC noted that most of the volunteers seem to have signed up of their own free will, though there are reports from some in Chechnya who have described coercion and intimidation to join.

The Russian military is deploying these volunteers to the most challenging frontlines, contributing to high casualty rates, the outlet reported.

Russia anticipated Kursk incursion for months — report

07:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Russia’s military command had anticipated Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region and had been planning to prevent it for months, according to documents reportedly seized by the Ukrainian army from abandoned Russian positions, The Guardian reported.

These documents, the outlet reported, revealed concerns about troop morale, particularly after a soldier’s suicide who had been in a “prolonged state of depression due to his service in the Russian army”. Instructions were given to ensure soldiers consume state media to maintain morale.

The documents also reportedly outlined various warnings about potential Ukrainian attacks and the need for increased training and defensive preparations.

The documents came from units of Russia’s 488th Guards Motorised Rifle Regiment, specifically the second company of its 17th Battalion.

US imposes new sanctions related to Russia and North Korea

06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of five groups and one person for facilitating payments between Russia and North Korea, aimed at supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine and North Korea’s weapons programmes, the US Treasury department said.

“Today’s action holds accountable parties that have assisted the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea) and Russian sanctions evasion,” the Treasury said in a statement.

It added that the move also indicated the US’s commitment to disrupting networks “that facilitate the funding of the DPRK’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programmes and support Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine”.

“The growing financial cooperation between Russia and (North Korea) directly threatens international security and the global financial system,” US state department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

“Russia has become increasingly dependent on the DPRK as it faces mounting battlefield losses and increasing international isolation.”

A charred transformer on a Kyiv square makes for an unusual Ukraine war exhibit

06:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

A charred transformer from a damaged Ukrainian power plant is now on display in Kyiv’s Kontraktova Square, symbolising the devastation caused by Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

The exhibit, organised by energy company Dtek, a nonprofit organisation, and Ukraine’s ministry of energy, contrasts the peacetime past with the harsh realities of war.

The exhibit is to stay in Kyiv for the next two months.

Read more here:

A charred transformer on a Kyiv square makes for an unusual Ukraine war exhibit

Putin ally warns of nuclear war if Kyiv uses long-range missiles

05:43 , Maroosha Muzaffar

A senior Russian lawmaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, warned that if Ukraine were to strike deep into Russian territory using Western missiles, it could trigger a global conflict involving nuclear weapons.

He stated that Russia would respond forcefully with more powerful weapons. “Russia will give a tough response using more powerful weapons,” the speaker of Russia’s Duma, the lower house of parliament said.

His remarks followed a European Parliament vote supporting Ukraine’s ability to target Russian sites with Western weapons.

Mr Volodin emphasised the historical sacrifices of the Soviet Union in World War II, urging Europeans to recognise the speed at which Russia could retaliate with its RS-28 Sarmat missile, which could reach Strasbourg in just over three minutes.

US still wary of letting Kyiv use its long-range weapons

05:30 , Jane Dalton

US wants more clarity from Ukraine on possible use of long-range weapons

Ukraine’s offensive in Russia’s Kursk region diverted 40,000 Russian troops from frontline

05:16 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky stated yesterday that Ukraine’s offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, launched on 6 August, successfully diverted around 40,000 Russian troops from the frontline.

This move is aimed to relieve pressure on eastern Ukraine, where Russia has recently captured several villages.

Just a few days ago, it was reported that Russia deployed “significant” reinforcements for a counterattack on the western flank of Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region. Initially, Russia’s response was limited, as Russian president Vladimir Putin focused on an offensive toward the eastern city of Pokrovsk, despite Ukraine’s hopes of drawing Russian troops away from that front.

Mr Zelensky added that Kyiv’s forces were “holding on heroically and doing everything necessary for our other military-political steps”.

But after a week of Russia’s initial counterattack, they appear to have retaken around 30 square miles of the Kursk region, according to DeepState, a Ukrainian war tracker with close ties to the defence ministry. The counterattack appears concentrated on the western flank of the Ukrainian attack, initially towards, but now past, the town of Snagost.

He spearheaded Ukraine’s drone industry to fight Russia – now he is battling to keep Moscow out of chess

05:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Oleksandr Kamyshin spent more than a year as minister of strategic industries, overseeing Ukraine’s defence industry. He tells Askold Krushelnycky about his latest challenge:

He led Ukraine’s drone industry – now he’s fighting to keep Moscow out of world chess

Germany plans additional €400m in aid for Ukraine in 2024 — report

04:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Despite earlier reports that Berlin would not approve more aid for Ukraine in 2023, a German finance ministry document revealed an additional €400m in support for Ukraine, according to AFP.

The funds are intended to provide military assistance, including drones and air defence systems, to bolster Ukraine’s defences for the rest of 2024. While Germany has already pledged around €8bn this year, aid is expected to drop to €4bn in 2025, as per a Reuters report in July.

According to the German finance ministry document — a letter to the parliamentary budget committee — additional funds are needed to “fulfil the German government’s support commitments to the Ukrainian armed forces”.

The Kyiv Independent reported that Germany’s political challenges, including gains by “anti-war” parties in regional elections, and budgetary concerns have complicated its ongoing support for Ukraine.

As of June 2024, Germany has allocated €14.7bn in aid to Ukraine, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

Putin ally gives nuclear war warning over Western weapons

04:05 , Jane Dalton

A close ally of Russia’s Vladimir Putin has warned Western governments that a nuclear war would ensue if they gave the green light for Ukraine to use long-range Western weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia.

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the lower house of parliament and a member of Mr Putin’s Security Council, was responding to a vote in the European Parliament urging EU countries to give such approval to Kyiv.

“What the European Parliament is calling for leads to a world war using nuclear weapons,” Mr Volodin wrote on Telegram.

His message was entitled “For those who didn’t get it the first time” - an apparent reference to a warning by Putin last week that the West would be directly fighting Russia if it let Ukraine fire long-range missiles onto Russian territory.

Lavrov vows Russia to defend its Arctic interests

03:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow is prepared to defend its interests in the Arctic through diplomatic, military, and technical means.

His comments come in response to increasing US and Nato military exercises in the region, which Mr Lavrov sees as a potential threat. In comments quoted in Russian media, he emphasised that Russia is fully equipped to protect its interests amid rising tensions.

“We see how Nato is intensifying exercises in connection with possible crises in the Arctic,” Mr Lavrov was quoted as saying in a documentary series titled “Soviet Breakthrough”.

“Our country is fully ready to defend its interests in military, political and military-technical terms.”

His remarks follow a US Pentagon report highlighting intensified Russian activity in the Arctic, including the reopening of Soviet-era military sites and cooperation with China on shipping routes and minerals, which the US believes could affect polar stability.

In pictures: Ukrainian care home evacuated

02:45 , Jane Dalton

Opinion: Armenia could be Russia’s next victim

01:05 , Jane Dalton

A proposed corridor through Armenia would effectively sever the country’s connection to Iran and slice through its sovereign territory, with the support of Moscow, writes former MP Lord Alton:

Is this the next target on Russia’s hitlist?

Watch: Church that survived Second World War destroyed in Russian aerial bombardment

Thursday 19 September 2024 23:50 , Jane Dalton

Church that survived Second World War destroyed in Russian aerial bombardment

US sanctions groups over North Korean supply of rockets and missiles to Moscow

Thursday 19 September 2024 22:40 , Jane Dalton

The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of five groups and one person for enabling payments between Russia and North Korea to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine and Pyongyang’s weapons programmes, the Treasury Department has said.

“The growing financial cooperation between Russia and (North Korea) directly threatens international security and the global financial system,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

“Russia has become increasingly dependent on the DPRK as it faces mounting battlefield losses and increasing international isolation.”

The new sanctions expose how Russian president Vladimir Putin’s government uses illegal financial schemes to help North Korea access the international banking system, in violation of UN Security Council sanctions, the Treasury said.

The US and Ukraine, as well as independent analysts, say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is helping Russia by supplying rockets and missiles in return for economic and other military assistance.

Russia targets power grid with air strikes

Thursday 19 September 2024 22:10 , Jane Dalton

Russian forces targeted Ukraine’s energy sector and hit an old people’s centre in the city of Sumy in a new wave of airstrikes on Thursday, killing at least one civilian, Ukrainian officials said.

A UN monitoring body said attacks on the power grid probably violated humanitarian law while the International Energy Agency said in a report that Ukraine‘s electricity supply shortfall in the critical winter months could reach about a third of expected peak demand.

During a daytime strike on the northern city of Sumy, a Russian guided bomb hit a five-storey building, regional and military officials said.

One person was killed and 12 wounded, the interior ministry said on the Telegram messaging app.

Women disproportionately hit by power cuts, says UN

Thursday 19 September 2024 20:25 , Jane Dalton

Women have been disproportionately hit by power cuts caused by Russian air strikes on vital infrastruture, a new UN report says.

Attacks on electricity infrastructure facilities this year have led to the deaths of 18 civilians and 84 being injured, according to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

Drivers, older people and those with limited mobility are also among those to have suffered from blackouts, it says.

“From the onset of the electricity shortage, living conditions in Ukraine deteriorated, as cooking, cleaning, and food storage dependent on electricity became more difficult,” the report says.

“Since women in Ukraine spend substantially more time per week on unpaid domestic work, they have been disproportionately affected, with half of women reporting that electricity cuts have had a major impact on food preparation and storage.

“Individuals with low mobility, older persons and families with small children struggled to safely leave or reach apartments in high-rise buildings with elevator service cuts.

“Widespread traffic-light outages created road hazards for drivers and pedestrians, while commuters faced challenges reaching their employment due to public transport disruptions.”

Russia 'makes new advance in Donetsk’

Thursday 19 September 2024 19:25 , Jane Dalton

Russian forces have taken control of the village of Heorhiivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, the RIA state news agency has cited the Defence Ministry as saying.

It would be the latest in a series of reports by Russia of gains in eastern Ukraine, although Reuters could not independently verify it.

The scale of losses is huge – and Russia is bearing the brunt

Thursday 19 September 2024 18:45 , Jane Dalton

In case you missed it: The Independent’s frontline reporter Askold Krushelnycky looks at how death tolls on both sides are assessed:

I’ve witnessed first-hand the horrific cost of Putin’s war – as casualties hit 1m

Germany set to hand Ukraine €400m extra for weapons and drones

Thursday 19 September 2024 17:45 , Jane Dalton

Germany is set to approve close to €400m in additional military aid to Ukraine, according to a finance ministry letter.

The funds are in addition to around €8bn budgeted for Ukraine in 2024 and a fresh package of tanks, vehicles, radars, weapons and other equipment.

Germany is Ukraine’s biggest supporter in Europe in terms of military aid.

“In view of the continuously deteriorating military situation in Ukraine, there is a serious risk that Ukraine, without significantly increased material support, could be defeated in its defence campaign,” the letter said.

Following a request by the defence ministry, the finance ministry in the letter is asking for the approval of the extra expenditure from the budget committee of the lower house of parliament.

The funds will be used to buy ammunition, fighting vehicles, drones and protective equipment, among other items.

German aid to Ukraine will be cut to €4bn next year, according to the draft of the 2025 budget, as the country hopes Ukraine will be able to meet the bulk of its military needs with loans from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets approved by the Group of Seven.

Russia launches fresh air strikes on Ukraine’s energy network

Thursday 19 September 2024 16:59 , Jane Dalton

Russia has targeted Ukrainian energy facilities in a new wave of air strikes, Ukrainian officials have said, despite a UN monitoring body saying attacks on the power grid probably violated humanitarian law.

Regional officials said civilian infrastructure had also been damaged, and the International Energy Agency warned of an electricity shortfall in Ukraine this winter.

Ukraine’s air force said it had shot down all 42 drones and one of four missiles launched by Russia.

Three people were killed in shelling near Krasnopillia in the Sumy region on Wednesday evening and two were wounded in shelling of the frontline region on Thursday that damaged a medical institution, local prosecutors said.

Ukraine’s energy ministry said power cuts had been introduced in 10 regions, and the IEA said in a report that electricity supply shortfall in the winter months could reach about a third of expected peak demand.

The European Union said a fuel power plant was being dismantled in Lithuania to be rebuilt in Ukraine.

Kyiv says the targeting of its energy system is a war crime, and the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for four Russian officials and military officers for the bombing of civilian power infrastructure. Moscow says power infrastructure is a legitimate military target.

Russian funds to be used for heating in Ukraine

Thursday 19 September 2024 16:15 , Jane Dalton

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen is heading to Ukraine tomorrow, with the promise of €160m (£134m) in fresh energy funds to heat homes, hospitals and schools through the winter.

Much of the funds will come the proceeds of the Russian assets held in the EU. “It is only right that Russia pays for the destruction it caused,” she said.

EU chief travels to Kyiv with promise of fresh energy funds to get Ukraine through winter

We’re ramping up drone production, vows Putin

Thursday 19 September 2024 15:13 , Jane Dalton

Vladimir Putin has said Russia is ramping up drone production by around 10 times to nearly 1.4 million this year to ensure Russian armed forces grab victory in Ukraine.

“In total, about 140,000 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types were delivered to the armed forces in 2023,” Putin said. “This year, the production of drones is planned to increase significantly. Well, to be more precise, almost 10 times.”

“Whoever reacts faster to these demands on the battlefield wins,” Mr Putin said at a meeting in St Petersburg about developing drone production.

Since Russia sent tens of thousands of soldiers into Ukraine in February 2022, both Russia and Ukraine have bought drones abroad and ramped up their own production for a range of targets - from artillery to energy infrastructure.

Nearly 190 clashes in the past day, Ukraine says

Thursday 19 September 2024 12:59 , Joe Middleton

Intense battles continued on the eastern Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts as Ukraine’s General Staff recorded 187 combat clashes over the past day.

Residential areas in Kharkiv - near the northeastern border - were also struck by Russian guided missiles, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

But Pokrovsk and Kurakove, both towns near the eastern city of Donetsk, faced the brunt of Russian assaults in the past day.

Ukrainian forces repelled 46 assaults towards the various settlements around the town of Pokrovsk, a key strategic city for the movement of Ukrainian supplies.

On the Kurakhove front, around 50 kilometres south of Pokrovsk and 50 kilometres west of Donetsk, 40 attacks were repelled.

Ukraine’s operation in Russia’s Kursk region is ongoing, with Russian forces striking their own territory 19 times with 39 guided bombs.

ICYMI: Ukraine boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk released after brief detention in Poland

Thursday 19 September 2024 12:30 , Joe Middleton

Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk was dramatically led away in handcuffs as he passed through a Polish airport.

Usyk, who was due in London, was detained in Krakow but spoke out soon after to clarify the incident was a misunderstanding.

In footage posted to social media, the heavyweight world champion was seen being led away into a lift by five police officers.

Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk detained by police at Polish airport

Lessons from Red Sea and Ukraine's Black Sea fight help prep Navy for possible conflict with China

Thursday 19 September 2024 12:05 , Tom Watling

Lessons from Red Sea and Ukraine's Black Sea fight help prep Navy for possible conflict with China

EU to send 160 million euros from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine

Thursday 19 September 2024 11:12 , Tom Watling

The sum of €160 million from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets will be allocated to meet Ukraine‘s urgent humanitarian needs for this winter, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced.

She added that a fuel power plant is being dismantled in Lithuania and will be rebuilt in Ukraine, where 80 per cent of the country’s thermal plants have been destroyed.

“We aim to restore 2.5 gw of capacity, which is 15 per cent of Ukraine‘s needs,” Von der Leyen said.

I’ve witnessed the horrific cost of Putin’s war – as casualties hit 1m

Thursday 19 September 2024 10:42 , Tom Watling

I’ve witnessed first-hand the horrific cost of Putin’s war – as casualties hit 1m

Photos from the frontline

Thursday 19 September 2024 10:18 , Tom Watling

Below we have some of the latest photos from the frontline on Ukraine.

Russia and Pakistan to strengthen economic ties

Thursday 19 September 2024 10:00 , Alex Croft

The two countries hope to boost their bilateral trade, it was announced in a joint press conference in Islamabad.

With Russia facing economic isolation following Western sanctions, trade between Russia and Pakistan hit $1 billion dollars last year.

"Even today, we looked at how to expand our relationship, and overcome this constraint of the banking system, which you know are facing sanctions, which obviously constrains our relationship, the volume of our relationship could have been much bigger," Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

Moscow will also support Pakistan’s bid to join the BRICS alliance, currently consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan applied in 2023.

Ukraine boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk released after brief detention in Poland

Thursday 19 September 2024 09:45 , Alex Croft

Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has been released after being briefly detained at Krakow airport in Poland, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky said.

“I was disappointed by this attitude towards our citizen and champion,” Mr Zelensky said, following a phone call with Usyk. “Our champion has been released, and he is no longer being detained.”

He posted a photo of Usyk with Ukraine’s Consul General in Krakow after the athlete was released.

It was not immediately clear why the 37-year-old was detained. He is one of Ukraine’s most prominent athletes known abroad, and has organised and participated in different projects aiding his country’s efforts to resist Russia’s invasion.

Alexander Butler reports:

Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk detained by police at Polish airport

Mapped: Russia launches counterattack in Kursk after sending ‘significant’ forces to the region

Thursday 19 September 2024 09:29 , Alex Croft

Mapped: Russia launches counterattack in Kursk after sending ‘significant’ forces to the region

Russia has brought in “significant” reinforcements to carry out a sweeping counterattack on the western flank of Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region, maps and analysis have revealed.

Russia’s initial response appeared muted as Vladimir Putin’s interest remained trained on an offensive towards the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region despite Kyiv’s hopes that their Kursk incursion would force Moscow to relocate troops away from that fight in the east.

But footage last week of a column of Russian tanks, believed to belong to a specialist Russian airborne forces (VDV) unit known to be among some of Moscow’s more elite troops, towards the western flank of Ukraine’s attack has presaged a rapid counteroffensive in that direction.

Vadym Mysnyk, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Operational Command “Siversk”, told Ukrainian TV late last week that Moscow had bolstered its Kursk forces from 11,000 at the time of the Ukrainian incursion to up to 45,000.

Fronteligence Insight, a Ukrainian group that tracks the war and is known to have close ties to the military, added that those forces have been bolstered by numerous anti-aircraft and air defence systems.

While territorial defence units are being used to “contain Ukrainian forces”, the group wrote in an update, more mobile units such as tank battalions and air-assault regiments, supported by motor rifle units, are likely being tasked with “breaking through ad-hoc Ukrainian defences”.

Our foreign affairs reporter Tom Watling has more details:

Mapped: Russia launches Kursk counterattack after sending ‘significant’ forces

Nearly 190 clashes in the past day, Ukraine says

Thursday 19 September 2024 09:10 , Alex Croft

Intense battles continued on the eastern Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts as Ukraine’s General Staff recorded 187 combat clashes over the past day.

Residential areas in Kharkiv - near the northeastern border - were also struck by Russian guided missiles, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

But Pokrovsk and Kurakove, both towns near the eastern city of Donetsk, faced the brunt of Russian assaults in the past day.

Ukrainian forces repelled 46 assaults towards the various settlements around the town of Pokrovsk, a key strategic city for the movement of Ukrainian supplies.

On the Kurakhove front, around 50 kilometres south of Pokrovsk and 50 kilometres west of Donetsk, 40 attacks were repelled.

Ukraine’s operation in Russia’s Kursk region is ongoing, with Russian forces striking their own territory 19 times with 39 guided bombs.

Ukrainian energy systems face a difficult winter, EU says

Thursday 19 September 2024 08:48 , Alex Croft

The European Union believes that Ukraine is expected to face some blackouts after its energy system has been battered by Russian strikes.

But Katarína Mathernová, ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, does not believe the situation will be catastrophic.

"I would certainly expect that there are going to be some blackouts,” Ms Mathernová told European Pravda.

“But from all the discussions that I’ve been having and the scenarios that we have had, the situation is not going to be catastrophic. It’s going to be difficult, it’s not going to be a pleasant winter."

Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa face the most difficult months ahead due to their centralised heating systems.

Ms Mathernová added that the EU will be prepared in case a catastrophic scenario causes many to flee Ukraine - but said she does not expect this to be the case.

Two killed in Russian attacks on Sumy region

Thursday 19 September 2024 08:29 , Alex Croft

Overnight Russian attacks on the Sumy region have left two dead, the area’s military administration said.

Writing on Telegram, it said Russia fired 10 times at border areas with 38 explosions recorded.

Two civilians were killed and two more were wounded, it added according to Ukrainska Pravda.

Russia bombarded around eight settlements in northeastern Ukraine, including Sumy city.

Aerial bombs, mortars and first-person viewed (FPV) drones were used in the strikes.

Ukraine war and Gaza in focus at Washington meetings next week

Thursday 19 September 2024 08:11 , Arpan Rai

More than 130 world leaders will meet at the United Nations next week, faced with wars in the Middle East and Europe threatening to spread, frustration at the slow pace of efforts to end those conflicts, and worsening climate and humanitarian crises.

While the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Russia’s war in Ukraine are set to dominate the annual high-level UN General Assembly, diplomats and analysts say they don’t expect progress toward peace.

“The wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan are going to be the three main crisis-points in focus at the General Assembly. I don’t think we are likely to see breakthroughs on any of them,” said Richard Gowan, UN director at the International Crisis Group.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres last week told Reuters that the wars in Gaza and Ukraine were “stuck with no peaceful solutions in sight.”

Volodymyr Zelensky will address the high-level General Assembly gathering for the third time since Russia invaded his country. He is due to address a meeting on Ukraine of the 15-member Security Council on Tuesday and the General Assembly on Wednesday.

My Zelensky has a plan to push Russia to diplomatically end the war that he wants to present to Joe Biden this month. He also wants to share it with both of Biden’s potential successors, Ms Harris and Mr Trump.

Ukraine downs all 42 Russian drones, missile in overnight attack

Thursday 19 September 2024 07:12 , Arpan Rai

The Ukrainian air force said it shot down all 42 drones and one of four missiles used by Russia during an overnight attack.

“The air attack of the enemy was repulsed by aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, mobile fire groups and units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine. As a result of the anti-aircraft battle, all 42 attack UAVs were shot down!” it said on the Telegram channel.

The threat posed by ballistic weapons was also being countered, the Ukrainian Air Force said, without providing details of any damage caused by the three missiles that were not intercepted.

Russian aerial assets were downed over a host of Ukrainian regions including Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv and Kherson.

Russia claims two settlements in Kursk region recaptured

Thursday 19 September 2024 06:37 , Arpan Rai

Russia says it has taken back two more villages – Nikolayevo-Darino and Darino – from Ukrainian forces who seized control of part of the western Russian region of Kursk last month.

The claim came in a report by a senior Russian commander, Major General Apti Alaudinov, and there has been no response yet from Ukraine’s General Staff of the Armed Forces, which provides daily updates on frontline developments.

However, Russian advances in Kursk were seen in the past 24 hours, according to a US-based think tank.

“Russian forces recently recaptured territory in the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast amid continued Russian counterattacks in the area on 18 September. Geolocated footage published on 17 and 18 September indicates that Russian forces recently advanced eastward along two forested areas southeast of Korenevo and south of Obukhovka (southeast of Korenevo),” said the Institute for the Study of War.

Indian ammunition reaches Ukraine despite Moscow’s protests

Thursday 19 September 2024 06:12 , Arpan Rai

Artillery shells sold by Indian arms makers have been diverted by European customers to Ukraine and New Delhi has not intervened to stop the trade despite protests from Moscow, officials said.

At least 11 Indian and European government and defence industry officials, as well as a Reuters analysis of commercially available customs data, confirmed the trade of weapons, Reuters reported.

The transfer of munitions to support Ukraine’s defence against Russia has occurred for more than a year, according to the sources and the customs data. Indian arms export regulations limit the use of weaponry to the declared purchaser, who risks future sales being terminated if unauthorised transfers occur.

The Kremlin has raised the issue on at least two occasions, including during a July meeting between Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his Indian counterpart, three Indian officials said.

The foreign and defence ministries of Russia and India did not respond to questions. In January, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a news conference that India had not sent or sold artillery shells to Ukraine.

One killed, two wounded in Zaporizhzhia

Thursday 19 September 2024 06:01 , Arpan Rai

One elderly woman was killed and two other women were wounded by Russian strikes in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, governor Ivan Fedorov said today.

Russian forces shelled the region 161 times over the past 24 hours, damaging infrastructure facilities and residential buildings, he said on Telegram.

Russian anger boils up after ammo depot attack: 'What are you doing????'

Thursday 19 September 2024 05:21 , Arpan Rai

Russians lashed out against their own authorities online on Wednesday after the town of Toropets was hit in a Ukrainian drone attack yesterday, blowing up a critical ammunition depot.

“Why wasn’t the ammunition underground?! What are you doing???? In Kudino, houses were blown away! Why is the forest burning and no one is there... What kind of negligence is this!!!!” one woman posted on a Toropets chatroom on the social media sit VK.

Some war bloggers asked how drones could trigger such large blasts at what was thought to be a highly fortified facility.

“Russian milbloggers largely criticised Russian authorities for poorly constructing the facility and accused Russian forces of possibly mishandling missiles and artillery ammunition stockpiles at the facility,” the Institute for the Study of War said.

Messages of support from other parts of the country and offers of help to people fleeing the town were also there.

Some people were asking whether buildings at specific addresses were still standing. “People, does anyone know what’s happened to Kudino village??? They told me nothing is left of our house,” posted one woman.

Another woman replied: “It’s horror there.” Kudino is a village 4.5km (2.8 miles) northeast of Toropets.

Kamala Harris, Donald Trump to meet Volodymyr Zelensky next week

Thursday 19 September 2024 04:02 , Arpan Rai

US Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris plans to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington next week, a person familiar with the matter said.

Donald Trump has also said he will “probably” meet Volodymyr Zelensky, who will be in the US next week to address a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Russia’s war in his country.

“Probably, yes,” Mr Trump said in response to a question from a reporter about whether he will meet the Ukrainian leader. Trump did not provide further details.

In recent months, some other world leaders who have visited the US for summits and meetings with president Biden have ended up meeting with Trump as well. Trump faces Democratic vice president Kamala Harris in the 5 November election.

Mr Zelensky said in August he wanted to present a peace plan to Mr Biden, Ms Harris and Mr Trump. While Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky talked over the phone in July, they have not talked in person since the Republican leader’s 2017-2021 term.

Zelensky says ‘victory plan’ is ready

Thursday 19 September 2024 03:53 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky says his “victory plan”, intended to bring peace to Ukraine while keeping the country strong and avoiding all “frozen conflicts”, was now complete after much consultation.

“Today, it can be said that our victory plan is fully prepared. All the points, all key focus areas and all necessary detailed additions of the plan have been defined,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address.

“The most important thing is the determination to implement it.

There was, he said, no alternative to peace, “no freezing of the war or any other manipulations that would simply postpone Russian aggression to another stage”.

Mr Zelensky pledged last month to present his plan to Joe Biden, presumably next week when he attends sessions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly.

While providing daily updates on the plan’s preparation, he has given few clues of the contents, indicating only that it aims to create terms acceptable to Ukraine, now locked in conflict with Russia for more than two and a half years.

Released Russian dissident Kara-Murza visits US Congress

Wednesday 18 September 2024 23:59 , Reuters

Russian activist Vladimir Kara-Murza shook his head in disbelief as he addressed politicians and diplomats in a US Senate hearing room on Tuesday, just weeks after he was released from prison in Siberia in a major prisoner swap.

“The word surreal doesn’t even come close to describing what I feel now,” the dissident said at an event intended to highlight what participants described as the plight of hundreds of prisoners still detained in Russia for their political beliefs.

Coinciding with Kara-Murza’s visit, Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will introduce this week the Bridge Act, legislation intended to protect Russians and Belarusians working to support democracy in their home countries.

Ukraine ‘used 100 domestically produced drones’ in Tver arms depot attack

Wednesday 18 September 2024 22:58 , Andy Gregory

More than 100 domestically produced exploding drones were deployed in the attack on the Russian arms depot in Tver, a Ukrainian intelligence official told the Associated Press.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti earlier quoted regional authorities as saying air defence systems were working to repel a “massive drone attack” on Toropets.

North Korean ammo ‘destroyed’ in Tver arms depot strike

Wednesday 18 September 2024 22:01 , Andy Gregory

Among the ammunition destroyed in the attack on the Tver arms depot were North Korean KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, a Ukrainian intelligence source has told the Associated Press.

Russia and North Korea signed a landmark pact in June that envisioned mutual military assistance between Moscow and Pyongyang.

UK Foreign Office summons Russian ambassador over expulsion of diplomats

Wednesday 18 September 2024 21:02 , Andy Gregory

The UK has summoned Russia’s ambassador following what it described as an “unprecedented and unfounded public campaign of aggression” by Moscow, including accusations against Foreign Office staff.

Russia’s FSB security service said last week it had revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow after accusing them of spying and sabotage work, accusations Britain described as “malicious and completely baseless”.

“This pattern of behaviour is completely unacceptable, deeply unprofessional, and beneath the standards of conduct between states,” a spokesperson for the Foreign Office said, calling on Russia to “stop this activity immediately”.

“This is the latest development in a deliberate campaign by Russia to undermine and threaten UK security and democracy and deter our support for Ukraine, through disinformation, acts of sabotage in Europe and direct harassment and restrictions against our diplomatic missions in Russia,” they added.