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Vladimir Putin’s troops launched 267 drones at Ukraine overnight as Trump claimed a deal to end war could be made this week
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Vladimir Putin’s forces have launched their largest drone attack of the nearly three-year-long war, according to Kyiv’s air force.
Russian troops fired 267 drones at Ukraine in an overnight attack, striking five regions of Ukraine, Kyiv’s authorities said.
The largest drone strike reported before this was in November 2024, when 188 drones were fired at Ukrainian towns and cities.
It comes as British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer vowed to uphold the UK’s “ironclad support” for Ukraine – using a phrase popularised by former US president Joe Biden – ahead of talks with Donald Trump next week.
Sir Keir reiterated his “commitment to securing a just and enduring peace to bring an end to Russia‘s illegal war”, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky demanded that Europe be given a seat at any negotiating table with Russia after a “productive” talk with Sir Keir on Saturday.
Washington has only met with Russian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, so far. Mr Trump has dismissed the idea of Ukraine being involved in negotiations as an obstacle to peace.
Europe must be at the negotiating table for any peace talks with Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Mr Zelensky said “Ukraine’s security is inseparable from Europe’s security” after having a “productive talk” with British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
“We coordinated our military cooperation, joint steps, and engagements for the coming week, which will be very active,” Mr Zelensky said.
“The UK and its people are among Ukraine’s biggest supporters, and we deeply appreciate this.”
The US has so far only sat down with Russia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for talks.
US president Donald Trump has dismissed the idea of Kyiv joining peace talks, claiming Zelensky “held no cards” and would only be obstacle to peace.
Britain will hit Russia with new sanctions to mark the third anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine amid a growing rift between the US and Europe in support for Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sir Keir Starmer is planning a “triple whammy” of measures to support Kyiv, including the fresh sanctions as well as military aid and a crackdown on Russian dirty money in the UK.
In a bid to “turn the screws” on Putin’s regime, David Lammy said he would on Monday announce the biggest package of measures since the early days of the conflict.
Vladimir Putin’s troops have launched their largest drone attack of the nearly three-year-long war, according to Kyiv’s air force.
Russian forces fired 267 drones at Ukraine in an overnight attack, striking five regions of Ukraine, Kyiv said.
Around 138 of the drones were downed and another 119 were jammed by electronic warfare, the air force said.
The largest drone strike reported before this was in November 2024, when 188 drones were fired at Ukrainian towns and cities.
Russia’s defence ministry said its air defence units had intercepted and destroyed 20 Ukrainian drones overnight over six regions of the country.
Britain will hit Russia with new sanctions to mark the third anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine amid a growing rift between the US and Europe in support for Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sir Keir Starmer is planning a “triple whammy” of measures to support Kyiv, including the fresh sanctions as well as military aid and a crackdown on Russian dirty money in the UK.
In a bid to “turn the screws” on Putin’s regime, David Lammy said he would on Monday announce the biggest package of measures since the early days of the conflict.
Archie Mitchell reports.
Yulia Checheta was at her elderly mother’s house when she popped out to check on her shop. Moments later she had a call to say the family’s home had been hit by two Russian missiles.
Her brother Volodymyr Radko and his 13-year-old son Mykola had been playing on the swings in the garden when the bombs hit. They died instantly, buried beneath the rubble. It would be months before their remains could be identified.
Yulia’s 74-year-old mother, Nina, somehow survived, but she was hospitalised for several weeks with severe bruising to her neck and face.
Tom Watling reports.
The UK will unveil a significant package of sanctions against Russia tomorrow on the third anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the British foreign secretary said.
“This is also the time to turn the screws on (Vladimir) Putin’s Russia,” David Lammy said in a statement. “Tomorrow, I plan to announce the largest package of sanctions against Russia since the early days of the war – eroding their military machine and reducing revenues fuelling the fires of destruction in Ukraine,” he added.
Mr Lammy said the UK would continue to work with US and European partners to achieve “sustainable, just peace”, but stressed that Ukraine must be involved. The US has started negotiations on ending the conflict with Russia, but excluded Kyiv from the talks.
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