Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Kyiv claimed on Wednesday the attack hit the plant in the western Oryol region, as Russia and Ukraine continue to trade fire while the West pushes for a ceasefire.
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.
Ukraine has launched a cross-border drone attack, striking a Russian semiconductor plant responsible for producing parts for ballistic missiles and warplanes.
Ukraine’s military said in a statement that it had struck the Bolkhov semiconductor plant in Oryol Oblast overnight. The plant is one of Russia‘s leading producers of semiconductor devices and components, focusing on diodes, microcircuits, optoelectronic switches, and more, the General Staff said.
Unverified footage published online appeared to show the plant on fire. Ukraine’s military said 10 drones hit the premises, resulting in a fire.
The region’s governor initially claimed there had been no damage from the attack, but subsequently admitted that the plant and several buildings were damaged.
The plant was placed under US sanctions last year over its role in the Russian military-industrial complex. The factory supplies at least 19 Russian plants tasked with producing Sukhoi warplanes or Iksander and Kinzhal ballistic missiles.
Russia’s ministry of defence claimed to have downed 150 drones overnight, including 53 in Oryol, but did not provide evidence to substantiate these claims.
Britain and allies, including the United States, have issued an advisory on Wednesday, warning of a Russian state-sponsored cyber campaign targeting the delivery of support to Ukraine and Western logistics entities and technology companies.
“This malicious campaign by Russia’s military intelligence service presents a serious risk to targeted organisations, including those involved in the delivery of assistance to Ukraine,” Paul Chichester, Director of Operations at Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), said.
Germany and the European Union are in talks with all concerned parties in the United States on new sanctions against Russia over Moscow’s war in Ukraine, a German government spokesperson said on Wednesday.
“I cannot comment on these internal American debates, but rest assured that Europe and the (German) federal government are also talking to all the players in the USA,” the spokesperson said at a regular government press conference.
Moscow’s Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports have temporarily halted flight arrivals and departures, Russia’s aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia said on Wednesday via its channel in Telegram, without specifying the reasons.
Russia on Wednesday rejected Ukrainian and European accusations it was trying to drag out the peace process around Ukraine, but said that no decision had yet been made on a venue for talks when asked if they could be hosted by the Vatican.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday “it would be great” for Russia and Ukraine to hold ceasefire talks at the Vatican, saying it would add extra significance to the proceedings.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday that Pope Leo had confirmed to her that he was willing to host the next round of negotiations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia welcomed “the readiness and efforts of all parties who want to contribute to a speedy settlement”, but nothing had been decided yet about where the next meeting should be held.
Moscow had not received any specific proposals from the Vatican, he said.
The warring sides met in Istanbul last week for their first face-to-face negotiations since March 2022 and agreed a swap of 1,000 prisoners on each side, but Russia did not agree to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire that Ukraine was seeking.
President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone to Trump on Monday and said Russia and Ukraine would work on a memorandum relating to a peace accord, prompting new accusations from Kyiv and European governments that Moscow was stalling and had no serious interest in peace.
Peskov rejected that. “Nobody is interested in delaying the process. Everyone is working dynamically. We will keep you informed. Of course, most of this work is being done in a discrete mode, and it should not, for obvious reasons, be open to the public,” he said.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday that air defence systems had downed three drones en route to Russia’s capital.
“The Defence Ministry’s air defence forces repelled an attack by three drones flying towards Moscow. Emergency services specialists are working at the site where the debris fell,” he said on Telegram.
Russia’s defence ministry said on Wednesday that air defense shot down 159 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, and at least six were shot down over the Moscow region, which has a population of over 20 million.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in