Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had recorded some success as it tests a new weapon to intercept Russian drones.
Ukraine’s military said its forces had downed 187 airborne targets overnight, with Ukraine’s president reporting 93 per cent of all Russian drones had been intercepted.
"That is significant. But, of course, more is needed," he said. "Another development is undergoing testing.
“It's a Ukrainian development and it scored a hit, the 'shahed' was destroyed," Zelensky said in his nightly video address, referring to the Iranian-designed drones that Ukraine's military has faced.
"But some technical things still need to be refined. We need a bit more time. The work of other developers is continuing."
It comes as Vladimir Putin’s war continues to spread past Ukraine’s borders, with Denmark accusing Russia of firing flares “within metres” of a military helicopter.
Defence minister Jeppe Bruus said no warning or radio contact was made before the warship fired the flares.
Moscow accused Danish military helicopters of making “dangerous” manoeuvres near its warships in the Baltic Sea and handed an official note to Copenhagen on the incident, Russia’s ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, is reported to have said, according to RIA.
Key Points
- Poland scrambles jets amid Russian drone attacks on Ukraine
- Nato fighter jet shoots down drone in Lithuania
- Member of UK armed forces dies in Ukraine, MoD says
- Kyiv ‘wipes out all of Moscow’s battlefield gains since March’ in blow to Putin
- Analysis: Kremlin will celebrate Russia’s attack close to Boris Johnson’s train
- Zelensky says new anti-drone weapon being tested
Zelensky says new anti-drone weapon being tested
04:42 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine has carried out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"Another development is undergoing testing. It's a Ukrainian development and it scored a hit, the 'shahed' was destroyed," Zelensky said in his nightly video address, referring to the Iranian-designed drones that Ukraine's military has faced.
"But some technical things still need to be refined. We need a bit more time. The work of other developers is continuing."
Ukraine's military said on Facebook that its forces had downed 187 airborne targets overnight.
In his remarks, Zelenskiy said 93 per cent of all Russian drones had been intercepted overnight. "That is significant. But, of course, more is needed," he said.
FBI ends Russian plot to kill US individuals and target Ukraine supporters
04:17 , Arpan Rai
Russia’s intelligence services are plotting to carry out targeted killings and acts of terrorism in the US and European nations that support Ukraine, federal authorities said as they announced charges against five people who remain at large.
An indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court said a network of the intelligence services has paid and attempted to pay individuals in the United States and in other countries to surveil targets to be killed, with plans to then kill them.
The associates recruited in the network also have been solicited to carry out acts of terrorism against civilian and military infrastructure in European countries that are perceived to be aligned with Ukraine, the indictment said.
The FBI disrupted the plans “through relentless work” as members of the Russian Intelligence Services and their affiliates "conspired to intimidate, threaten, or murder people on US soil and around the world,” said James C Barnacle, Jr, head of New York's FBI office.
Hockey champion Ovechkin 'was asked by his country' to appear in political ad, Capitals say
03:56 , Arpan Rai
Russian hockey champion Alexander Ovechkin was asked to participate in a video campaign for the United Russia political party, which is backed by Russian president Vladimir Putin, while in his native country this summer, the Washington Capitals said on Tuesday.
The National Hockey League's all-time leading goal scorer can be seen standing behind Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in a political campaign ad for the ruling United Russia party.
The appearance has drawn criticism, with Ovechkin facing scrutiny over his longstanding ties to Putin as Russia wages war in Ukraine.
"Alex Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow with his family during the offseason and will live there following his retirement. This summer, while in Russia, he was asked by his country to participate in a video campaign," Capitals spokesperson Sergey Kocharov said in a statement to Reuters.
“As the longest-tenured athlete in Washington, DC and a pillar of the community, his focus and ours is on the season ahead and the continued impact he makes on the ice and in our city.”
Russia claims it warned foreign diplomats away from Kyiv
03:00 , Jane Dalton
Russia’s foreign ministry claims western politicians ignored warnings not to visit Ukraine.
Western politicians and diplomats should “soberly” evaluate existing risks to visit Ukraine, the ministry said as it claimed that Russia warned foreign diplomats in May to leave Kyiv due to Moscow’s strikes on the country.
Boris Johnson was on board a train near the Polish border on Sunday as he returned from a security conference in Kyiv when a Russian drone targeted a stationary passenger train directly behind his.
A Kremlin spokesperson did not deny that Russia was responsible for the attack, saying its forces would continue to operate across Ukrainian territory.
Poland ramps up protection of Ukrainian borders
02:00 , Jane Dalton
Poland is reinforcing its border crossings with Ukraine, Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz says, after Russian drone attacks just miles from the Nato member's guard posts at the frontier over the weekend.
A Russian drone hit a passenger train on Ukraine's border with Poland on Sunday while another hit a truck at a nearby petrol station.
Border guards later said they had had to suspend crossings, evacuate vehicles and seek shelter.
"Recent days show that Russia's actions threaten the security of all of Europe. In accordance with our government's decision, the infrastructure used by the Border Guard is being strengthened," Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote.
"Soldiers of the 18th Engineer Regiment are already carrying out tasks, thanks to which the checkpoints and infrastructure near the Polish-Ukrainian border will be reinforced."
UN could move aid supplied underground as Russia ramps up strikes
01:00 , Jane Dalton
The UN humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine says his organisation is considering moving aid supplies underground to dodge Russian strikes, which have hit 10 of its warehouses this year, destroying millions of pounds’ worth of supplies.
One of the World Health Organisation’s main warehouses containing medical supplies was hit earlier this month, and other strikes have destroyed hygiene kits and children's school supplies, said UN humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale.
"These deliberate attacks on warehousing capacities (...) is a new trend of the last few months," he said.
He said the UN was considering moving supplies into underground bunkers and were delaying purchases of aid supplies until the last minute to reduce exposure to strikes.
"This feels increasingly like the front line is moving into the air," he said.
"That means extra cost also to the taxpayers, who at the end of the day pay for the goods that the UN and other humanitarians bring in," he said.
In pictures: A personal account of daily life in Kyiv
23:59 , Jane Dalton
A personal account of daily life in Kyiv amid intensified Russian attacks, in photos
Zelensky says new anti-drone weapon being tested
23:27 , Bryony Gooch
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.
"Another development is undergoing testing. It's a Ukrainian development and it scored a hit, the 'shahed' was destroyed," Zelensky said in his nightly video address, referring to the Iranian-designed drones that Ukraine's military has faced.
"But some technical things still need to be refined. We need a bit more time. The work of other developers is continuing."
Ukraine's military said on Facebook that its forces had downed 187 airborne targets overnight.
In his remarks, Zelensky said 93 per cent of all Russian drones had been intercepted overnight.
"That is significant. But, of course, more is needed," he said.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has rapidly developed anti-drone technology and now offers its expertise to other countries, including some in the Middle East that have faced Iranian strikes.
It has focused on developing interceptors as an efficient and cheaper means of intercepting drones.
Ukrainian forces have had more difficulty downing Russian ballistic missiles and have asked Western allies to step up supplies of interceptors. Kyiv is also pressing for the rapid development of a European-designed air defence system, known as Freyja.
Drone shot down over Nato member Lithuania appears Russian, say sources
23:00 , Jane Dalton
An Italian fighter jet deployed on a Nato mission shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace on Tuesday that "most probably" came from Russia, Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said.
Authorities in Lithuania, a Nato and European Union member, said on Tuesday they were still investigating the origin of the debris.
A Ukrainian military source said the debris in the images appeared to be from a Geran-2, a long-range attack drone widely used by Russia.
If confirmed, it would be the first known instance of a Russian military drone entering Lithuania since last summer, when two Russian drones accidentally crashed in the country.
The drone entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, a Russian ally.
Zelensky says Russian drones attacked Moldova twice while he was in transit
22:20 , Bryony Gooch
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that Russian drones attacked Moldovan airspace twice while he was in the country aboard his aircraft in transit.
Zelenskiy told the US television network CBS that he was in Moldova on Ukraine's western border, at Chisinau airport, on his way to and from a trip abroad when the incidents occurred.
"In Moldova, my presidential jet was there and that's why they attacked Moldova, the airspace of Moldova. Maybe they didn't want to attack me personally...," Zelensky said.
"When we came back home, again through Chisinau, again they did the same."
On 9 September, a Moldovan government spokesperson said the departure of Zelensky's aircraft for Norway was delayed as Moldovan authorities closed the country's airspace over a drone alert.
Two Russian drones entered Moldovan airspace on that day. One landed in a field north of the capital, triggering a fire, while the second carried on into Romanian airspace.
Zelensky had not previously spoken of the second incident.
It was not clear exactly when the president was again in transit in Moldova on his way back to Ukraine from Canada.
Moldovan authorities said two drones entered the country's airspace on Monday, September 14 for about 10 minutes each over the space of an hour before noon local time.
On Sunday, a Russian drone hit a passenger train on Ukraine's border with NATO member Poland, shortly after former British prime minister Boris Johnson and other European diplomats had used the same line.
No casualties were reported.
Watch: Zelensky says Ukraine will support energy ceasefire as 'first step' to end war
22:00 , Maira Butt
In pictures: Aftermath of Russian drone strike in Kyiv
21:30 , Maira Butt
Russia accuses Danish military helicopters of making dangerous manoeuvres near its warships, RIA reports
21:00 , Maira Butt
Russia has accused Danish military helicopters of making dangerous manoeuvres near its warships in the Baltic Sea, according to Russia’s RIA state news agency.
Moscow reportedly handed an official note to Copenhagen complaining about such incidents, Russia's ambassador to Denmark said on Tuesday, according to the outlet.
Vladimir Barbin, the ambassador, was speaking after the Nordic Nato member's military said that a Russian frigate had fired two flares towards a Danish military helicopter in international waters off Denmark on Monday, narrowly missing the aircraft.
EU chief to lay out priorities and vision for tackling the bloc's challenges in major speech
20:30 , Maira Butt
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver a major state of the European Union speech on Wednesday setting out her priorities for the next year and her vision for tackling the challenges faced by the world’s biggest trading bloc.
The content of von der Leyen ’s address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, has been kept under wraps. Political groups in the assembly have lobbied to get their priorities and pet projects included.
But the speech is likely to touch on AI, climate change and the fires that have swept Europe this summer, as well as protection for children online, Russia’s war on Ukraine, conflict across the Middle East and international trade tensions.
EU chief to lay out priorities and vision for tackling the bloc's challenges in major speech
Turkey accuses Russia of 'spreading war' to the Black Sea, threatening safety of citizens
20:00 , Maira Butt
Turkey’s foreign ministry has accused Russia of “spreading” the war to the Black Sea, saying that such actions threatened the safety of its citizens and is “unacceptable” in a statement made on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Russia 'testing Denmark's boundaries', say sanctions campaigners
19:30 , Maira Butt
Campaigners have warned that Russia is “testing” Denmark’s boundaries at sea following reports that a warship shot flares at a military helicopter.
“Russia is testing Denmark’s boundaries at sea. Denmark must now draw a clear line on land,” said Alexander Kirk at German sanctions campaign group, Urgewald.
“Fossil-fuel revenues sustain the Russian state budget and the military-industrial complex behind the war against Ukraine.
“Denmark’s response cannot stop at summoning the Russian ambassador. The government must stop Danish shipyards servicing these tankers and press for immediate EU restrictions.”
Animal rescuers severely injured in Russian drone attack while saving dogs in Ukraine
19:00 , Maira Butt
A Ukrainian animal rescuer has said he is “grateful to be alive” after his car was struck by a Russian drone while rescuing a group of stranded dogs from near the frontline.
Ruslan Horbal, a volunteer for Animal Rescue Kharkiv (ARK), was on a rescue mission in Ukraine’s war-torn eastern city of Kramatorsk, when a Russian drone hit the vehicle, killing one of the rescued dogs. He had only just gathered the animals into the back of the car when the attack took place.
“It happened very fast. There was an explosion, smoke and glass everywhere,” recalls Mr Horbal, who was hospitalised after the attack, in an interview with The Independent. “At first, I was confused. It took me a moment to understand what had happened. Then I started checking if everyone was alive and if the animals were OK. That’s when I realised I was badly injured too. There was a lot of blood.”
Animal rescuers severely injured in Russian drone attack while saving dogs in Ukraine
Who is Umar Kremlev? The Russian oligarch who helped bankroll Donald Trump Jr’s wedding
18:30 , Maira Butt
Umar Kremlev, a Russian oligarch linked to President Vladimir Putin, helped bankrolled Donald Trump Jr’s three-day luxury wedding in the Bahamas.
Payments contributed to an elaborate fireworks display and one of the two private islands where a reception was held and guests stayed, according to records reviewed by ProPublica show.
The money reportedly came from an entity tied to the International Boxing Association in Dubai, which is used by the organisation to conduct financial transactions.
Who is Umar Kremlev? Russian oligarch who helped bankroll Donald Trump Jr’s wedding
Russia says it struck two vessels in Ukrainian ports, continues to hit rail infrastructure
18:16 , Bryony Gooch
Russian forces on Tuesday struck a ferry and a tanker in Ukrainian Black Sea ports, Russia's Defence Ministry said.
The ministry said the ferry was hit in the port of Chornomorsk and the tanker in the port of Izmail. Both vessels were being used to supply the Ukrainian military, it said.
The ministry also said Russian forces had struck a cargo train in the port of Pivdennyi and continued attacks on railway infrastructure in western Ukraine that it said was being used to transport military cargo from Europe. It provided no further details.
Reuters could not independently verify the claims.
Where did Nato forces shoot down a drone in Lithuania?
18:00 , Maira Butt
Ukraine hit oil refinery in Russia's Syzran, Zelensky says
17:30 , Maira Butt
Ukraine struck an oil refinery in the Russian city of Syzran, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.
Zelensky also reported a strike on a drone production facility in the Russian city of Taganrog, and on a drone preparation and launch site in the Oryol region.
Unnamed targets were also hit in the Black Sea, he said.
A personal account of daily life in Kyiv amid intensified Russian attacks, in photos
17:00 , Maira Butt
This was my fourth trip to Ukraine as a photojournalist. During my previous visit, I found confidence and hope that the war might soon end. This time, I saw greater exhaustion, resignation and little hope of an immediate end to the fighting.
I spent a month in Kyiv and the surrounding areas as Russian drone and missile attacks on the capital intensified. Air raid alerts sounded day and night, and thousands of residents slept in metro stations when major attacks were expected. Firefighters and emergency workers responded repeatedly to strikes across the city.
Read the full story below
A personal account of daily life in Kyiv amid intensified Russian attacks, in photos
Explosive device found on drone shot down in Lithuania
16:30 , Maira Butt
Lithuanian defence minister Robertas Kaunas has said that an explosive device was found on a drone shot down by Nato this week.
“The shield is now complete. According to the final data, an explosive has been detected. Miners have neutralised it.
“Specialists will continue to investigate and analyse the drone.
“We discussed this situation in detail with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. The minister expressed strong support for the security of our region.
“Together, we thanked the destroyer crew for making decisive decisions and actions taken.
“Concentrated action of Nato members and all services gives appropriate results and helps ensure our safety.”
