Ukraine attacked a Russian drone factory in the Tatarstan region, located about 1,200km away from the frontline.
At least one person was killed and 13 others wounded in Sunday’s attack, according to regional governor Rustam Minnikhanov. He said the Ukrainian drone was destroyed, but falling debris ignited a fire and struck a vehicle manufacturing plant in the Yelabuga district.
The Ukrainian military said the Russian factory produced, tested, and launched drones at Ukraine. Russia launched 183 drones and decoys, along with 11 missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, which said its air defences destroyed 111 drones and eight missiles, while another 48 drones were jammed.
Meanwhile, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has urged the G7 nations to ramp up sanctions on Russia to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine. “Last week, we put forward a proposal for an 18 sanctions package. I will invite all G7 partners to join us in this endeavour,” she said.
The EU is set to adopt a new sanctions package on Russia, but has so far failed to convince US president Donald Trump, who has been reluctant to pressure Russian president Vladimir Putin into imposing new American sanctions.
In pics: Kin of Ukrainian prisoners of war hold portraits of them during a rally
Finland accuses senior crew of Russia-linked vessel in damage of undersea power cable
Finnish authorities have accused senior officers of a Russia-linked vessel that damaged undersea cables last year between Finland and Estonia of criminal offenses related to the wreckage.
They say the oil tanker, the Eagle S, dragged its anchor to damage the Estlink-2 power cable and communication links between Finland and Estonia on 25 December last year.
The Kremlin previously denied involvement in damaging the infrastructure, which provides power and communication for thousands of Europeans.
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Zelensky says Russia’s latest attack ‘spit in the face’ of peace talks
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Russia’s latest bout of attack against Ukraine was a “spit in the face of everything the international community is trying to do” to end the three-year-long war.
Russia yesterday attacked the city of Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast with missiles and drones, which reportedly damaged agricultural facilities.
The attack involving 200 drones and missiles was launched shortly after a phone call between US president Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kyiv Independent reported.
Mr Zelensky, in his nighttime address, said that the attack was “deliberately and treacherously planned to target our civilian infrastructure” and that Russia intended to damage energy facilities.
“This is Russia’s spit in the face of everything the international community is trying to do to stop this war,” Mr Zelensky said.
“It happened right after Putin’s conversation with Trump. After the Americans asked us not to strike Russian energy facilities. At the same time as Putin tries to portray himself as a mediator for the Middle East … The level of cynicism is staggering.”
North Korea troops suffered ‘over 6,000 casualties in Ukraine war’
North Korean troops have suffered more than 6,000 casualties fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine, more than half of the about 11,000 soldiers initially sent to the Kursk region, the British Defence Ministry said in a post on X.
“DPRK [ Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] operations have thus far been confined to the Kursk region. Any decision to deploy into internationally recognised, sovereign Ukrainian territory in support of Russian forces would almost certainly require sign-off from both Russia’s president Vladimir Putin, and [North Korean president] Kim Jong Un,” the defence ministry said.
“The total casualties represent over 50 per cent of the North Korean troops originally deployed. Open sources suggest that North Korea has sent a small number of extra soldiers to support their forces in the region.”
EU urges G7 to ramp up sanctions on Russia
European commission president Ursula von der Leyen has urged the Group of Seven nations to ramp up sanctions on Russia to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Leaders of the world’s largest industrial nations are meeting in Canada’s Rockies with European countries seeking to keep the war in Ukraine firmly on the mind of US president Donald Trump despite fighting breaking out between Israel and Iran in the Middle East.
“Last week, we put forward a proposal for an 18 sanctions package. I will invite all G7 partners to join us in this endeavour.”
The European Union is set to adopt a new sanctions package on Russia, but have so far failed to convince US president Donald Trump, who has been reluctant to weigh on Russian president Vladimir Putin to impose new US sanctions.
Mr Trump has said he did not want the sanctions to interfere with getting a ceasefire. “We must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table and to end this war, sanctions are critical to that end,” Ms von der Leyen told a news conference before Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States begin talks today.
Ukraine strikes Russian drone factory 1,200km away from frontline
One person was killed and 13 others wounded after Ukraine struck an alleged drone factory in Russia’s Tatarstan region, local authorities said.
Regional governor Rustam Minnikhanov said the drone was destroyed, but falling debris ignited a fire and struck a vehicle manufacturing plant in the Yelabuga district, some 1,200km from the frontline. Russia’s defence ministry said it shot down six Ukrainian drones overnight.
The Ukrainian military claimed the factory produced, tested, and launched drones at Ukraine, which targeted Kyiv’s energy and civil infrastructure.
Russia launched 183 drones and decoys, along with 11 missiles, at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force, which said its air defenses destroyed 111 drones and eight missiles, while another 48 drones were jammed.
