At least 13 people have been killed, including a 12-year-old child, in Ukraine after Russian forces unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones overnight.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said four people had died in the capital, while seven people were killed in Odesa and two in the southeastern city of Dnipro, where Russian attacks set residential buildings ablaze.
Photos of the attack on Ukrainian cities showed the night sky turning orange as Ukrainian air forces tried to intercept the incoming aerial weapons.
An air raid alert remained in effect in both Kyiv and Dnipro more than two hours after it had been imposed in the capital as Vladimir Putin’s forces ramped up their attacks.
Just hours earlier, Ukraine said its forces had downed or intercepted at least 349 drones and 20 missiles in a daytime attack.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian cities have become repeat targets for brutal attacks. "We need air defence missiles every single day – every day the Russians continue their strikes on our cities,” he said in an appeal to allies.
Key Points
- Death toll in attack on Ukrainian cities soars to 13
- Twelve-year-old killed as Russian missiles hit Kyiv overnight
- UK to send £752m and 120,000 drones to Ukraine to bolster defences against Russia
- Kremlin says drone plans for Ukraine are pulling Europe deeper into war
- Nato pledges $60bn in military aid to Ukraine as Zelensky pursues more arms deals
Death toll in attack on Ukrainian cities soars to 13
06:09 , Arpan RaiRussia unleashed missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities overnight, killing 13 people, including a 12-year-old child, injuring several dozens and badly damaging buildings, officials said this morning.
In Kyiv, mayor Vitali Klitschko said four people, including the child, had died. Seven people were killed in Odesa and in the southeastern city of Dnipro, where Russian attacks set residential buildings ablaze, the regional governor said two people were killed.
Klitschko said 45 city residents were injured. The city came under another attack early on Thursday, he said, adding that a drone, flying very low, slammed into an 18-storey building.
Ukraine's emergency services put the death toll in Kyiv at five.
Photos posted online showed fires burning out of control and smoke billowing skyward.
Klitschko said rescue teams had rescued a mother and child from a building in a central district where the ground floor was badly damaged. He also said missile debris had hit the sixth floor of an apartment building in the central Podil district.
Klitschko said a large fire had broken out in a building in a district in the north of the capital and four emergency medical workers were injured, while debris had fallen in several locations.
UK to send £752m and 120,000 drones to Ukraine to bolster defences against Russia
05:51 , Arpan RaiBritain has announced a major new package of support for Ukraine, worth millions of pounds, as senior ministers engage in a series of high-level international meetings.
The aid comes as Kyiv continues to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
In Washington DC, chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a £752m payment to Ukraine, ahead of a meeting with Yulia Svyrydenko, the Ukrainian prime minister.
The payment, part of a larger £3.36bn loan, is earmarked to procure essential military equipment, including long-range missiles, advanced air defence systems, and drones.
Ms Reeves said: “This funding will help deliver the military equipment Ukraine needs as it defends itself against Russia’s unprovoked war.
UK to send £752m and 120,000 drones to Ukraine to bolster defences against Russia
Kremlin says drone plans for Ukraine are pulling Europe deeper into war
05:29 , Arpan RaiEuropean plans to step up drone supplies to Ukraine are dragging those countries deeper into a war with Russia, the Russian defence ministry said.
The ministry said it believes governments in a number of EU countries have decided to increase the production and supply of drones to Ukraine, a move Moscow views as a step that is escalating the conflict.
It published a list of factories and enterprises in several European countries it alleges manufacture drones or drone components, and gave their addresses, including sites in Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Israel and Poland, among others.
"The European public should not only have a clear understanding of the true causes of the threats to their security, but also be aware of the addresses and locations of Ukrainian and joint enterprises producing UAVs and components for Ukraine within their own countries," it said.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, said in a subsequent post on X that the list published by the military amounted to a list of potential targets for Russia's armed forces.
"When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next. Sleep well, European partners!" he said.
Russia's Tuapse port area hit in Ukrainian drone attacks, governor says
04:59 , Arpan RaiAt least two children aged five and 14 have been killed and a number of enterprises in the area of Russia's Black Sea port of Tuapse were hit in Ukrainian drone attacks, local governor Veniamin Kondratiev said this morning.
In his post on the Telegram messaging app, he also said several residential houses were damaged in the massive drone attacks on the region.
Nato pledges $60bn in military aid to Ukraine as Zelensky pursues more arms deals
04:42 , Arpan RaiNato allies are looking to provide Ukraine with around $60bn (£44bn) in military and security assistance in 2026, the alliance’s secretary general Mark Rutte said in a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Berlin.
The critical assistance would be delivered in addition to the €90bn (£78.2bn) loan package agreed by the European Union and would focus on priority needs, Rutte said.
“We must focus funding on the priorities – air defence, drones and extended-range ammunition. These are the big priorities,” the Nato official said.
The aid from Nato is timely as Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky said the top diplomatic priority is securing allies' help to buy and build more air defence systems.
Zelensky is also championing joint weapons production agreements, including for drones and missiles, while pushing for the European Union to move quickly on providing the promised loan.
Ukraine's new combat model pays off as Russia-held territory recaptured, says commander
04:21 , Arpan RaiUkraine’s defence minister has said its military is introducing a new model of operations integrating drone warfare with infantry activity, following successful operations in the south of the country.
Top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said Kyiv's forces had regained control of nearly 50 sq km (19 sq miles) of its territory from Russia in March, building on its gains since the start of the year.
“A new model of warfare is being introduced, drone-assault units that combine aerial and ground unmanned systems with infantry into a single integrated system," the defence ministry said in a brief statement on Telegram.
“This approach has already produced results in the south, where since February a large area of territory has been liberated, precisely thanks to the use of these advanced units,” he said.
Syrskyi made his assessment of recaptured territory in a separate statement on Telegram. He also said that amid improved spring weather, Russian forces had stepped up offensive operations along almost the entire 1,200km (775-mile) frontline.
Three dead in major Russian attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities
04:15 , Arpan RaiRussian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities a short while ago, killing three people, including a 12-year-old child, injuring more than 20 and badly damaging buildings, officials said.
In Kyiv, mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people, including the child, had died. In the southeastern city of Dnipro, where Russian attacks set residential buildings ablaze, the regional governor said one person was killed.
"As result of the enemy attack on the capital, two people have been killed, a 12-year-old boy and a 35-year-old woman," Klitschko wrote on Telegram. "Ten residents have been injured. Six are being treated in hospital."
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capital's military administration put the injury toll in the city at 18, including a child.
An air raid alert remained in effect in both Kyiv and Dnipro more than two hours after it had been imposed in the capital.
Klitschko said rescue teams had rescued a mother and child from a building in a central district where the ground floor was badly damaged.
He also said a missile had hit the sixth floor of an apartment building in the central Podil district.
Klitschko said a large fire had broken out in a building in a district in the north of the capital and four emergency medical workers were injured, while debris had fallen in several locations.
Netherlands to spend €250m on drones for Ukraine
04:04 , Arpan RaiThe Netherlands will spend €248m (£215m) on producing drones for Ukraine, Dutch defence minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius said.
“Drones play a crucial role on the modern battlefield. Ukrainians deploy them with incredible skill to repel the incessant Russian attacks," she said after meeting her counterparts from Nato countries and the alliance's secretary general Mark Rutte in Berlin yesterday.
“Thanks to the good cooperation with Ukraine, we are learning directly from this. This also offers opportunities for our business community," she added. The drones will be manufactured in the Netherlands and Ukraine.
Nato allies have already provided over $4.5bn in military equipment for Ukraine, according to data from the US ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker released in February.
Twelve-year-old killed as Russian missiles hit Kyiv overnight
04:01 , Arpan RaiRussian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with missiles in the early hours today, killing a 12-year-old child, injuring several people, including emergency crew members, and damaging buildings, mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
"As a result of the enemy attack, a 12-year-old child has been killed," Klitschko wrote on Telegram. "At the moment, 10 people are injured. That includes several medics."
Klitschko said rescue teams had rescued a mother and child from a building in a central district where the ground floor was badly damaged.
He also said a missile had hit the sixth floor of an apartment building in the central Podil district.
Klitschko said a large fire had broken out in a building in a district in the north of the capital and four emergency medical workers were injured, while debris had fallen in several locations.
Russian attacks also triggered major fires in the southeastern city of Dnipro, injuring five people, regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha wrote on Telegram. Pictures posted online showed buildings ablaze.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city in the northeast, officials said two people had been injured in drone strikes.
US-Ukrainian investment fund can get second project in summer, says official
03:56 , Arpan RaiUkraine's deputy economy minister has said he expects the Ukraine-US joint reconstruction fund to approve a second investment project, likely in the energy sector, this summer, with a third project expected before the end of 2026.
Yegor Perelygin, part of a large Ukrainian delegation visiting Washington this week, told Reuters cooperation on the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund with the US International Development Finance Corp was going well, and discussions were underway about expanding its scope.
Perelygin said the fund played an important role as a "de-risking mechanism" to attract investment into the five key sectors: critical minerals, infrastructure, energy, telecoms and high tech, and emerging technologies.
“We think that we can use it as a centerpiece for funneling or taking more insurance-related mechanisms onto the market or supporting strategic off-take contracts," he said in an interview with Reuters.
Ukraine's energy sector was severely damaged during intense Russian attacks this winter, leaving Ukraine to rebuild some 3 gigawatts of power this year, Perelygin said, although he declined to estimate the associated cost.
Watch: Former MI6 chief and Rusi boss discuss Russia, Trump and the future of the West
03:00 , James ReynoldsJoin us as world affairs editor Sam Kiley sits down with former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger and Dr Rachel Ellehuus, director-general of The Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) and former Pentagon official, to explore the shifting global security landscape.
In this episode of World of Trouble, The Independent’s new expert-led discussion series, our panel unpacks the fast-changing global security landscape in a discussion entitled Shifting Alliances.
They delve into the strategic importance of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Nato’s future, and whether Europe has the strength and resolve to face the Russian challenge.
Former MI6 chief on Russia, Trump and the future of the West
Watch: Starmer rejects Lord Robertson claim government 'complacent' on defence
02:00 , James ReynoldsHow Ukraine ‘recaptured occupied territory using only robots’
01:00 , James ReynoldsUkrainian forces retook occupied territory in an unprecedented assault using only unmanned machines, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday, as he praised the country’s era-defining advances in frontline technology.
The president revealed in an address that drones have carried out more than 22,000 missions on the frontlines in three months - a major shift on the modern battlefield that he cast as key to protecting human life.
“For the first time in the history of this war, an enemy position was taken exclusively by unmanned platforms – ground systems and drones. The occupiers surrendered, and the operation was carried out without infantry and without losses on our side,” the president said, referencing a groundbreaking manoeuvre in Kharkiv oblast last year.
Russian soldiers surrendered to Ukrainian assault using only robots, says Zelensky
Ukraine's supply of US Patriot missiles 'couldn't be any worse'
Thursday 16 April 2026 00:00 , James ReynoldsUkraine’s supply of US-produced Patriot missiles “could not be any worse” as the war in the Middle East impacts Ukrainian aid, the country’s president has warned.
Volodymyr Zelensky told German outlet ZDF that the air defence missiles were facing a critical shortage, with the Iran war reducing Ukraine’s chances of receiving foreign military aid.
“We are receiving (air defenses) slower than is possible, but we are receiving them,” he added.
Watch: Vance claims cutting Ukraine aid 'one of Trump administration's proudest achievements'
Wednesday 15 April 2026 23:00 , James ReynoldsRecap: Cameroon says Russia has confirmed 16 Cameroonian soldiers died in Ukraine
Wednesday 15 April 2026 22:00 , James ReynoldsCameroon this week confirmed the deaths of 16 of its soldiers fighting in Ukraine, following a notification from Russia.
The nation's foreign affairs ministry sent a memo to the Russian Embassy, acknowledging the fatalities among Cameroonian personnel serving in what Russia terms the "special military operations zone."
The ministry stated that "necessary arrangements" were being made to inform the families of those who died.
In a separate communication issued on the same day, the ministry also invited the relatives of six other Cameroonian nationals residing in Russia to attend a meeting regarding "urgent matters," though no further details were provided.
Read the full story:
Cameroon says Russia has confirmed 16 Cameroonian soldiers died in Ukraine
Recap: US cutting off Ukraine support ‘one of Trump’s proudest achievements’
Wednesday 15 April 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsJD Vance said that cutting Ukraine off from US support is one of his proudest achievements of the Trump administration.
The US vice president told a Turning Point USA rally in Georgia on Tuesday that he still backed the decision to end nearly all new weapons deliveries for Kyiv, leaving Europe to pay for vital aid instead.
"I still believe that, obviously, and it's one of the things I'm proudest that we've done in this administration is we've told Europe that if you want to buy weapons, you can, but the United States is not buying weapons and sending them to Ukraine anymore,” he said.
Referencing a clash with a Ukrainian-American over his push to withdraw funding for Ukraine, Vance added: “Being an American means caring about Americans first, and that’s the perspective we should be taking in his immigration policy”.
European countries have bought the vast majority of US weapons bound for Ukraine since Donald Trump took office last January.
UK to send £752m and 120,000 drones to Ukraine to bolster defences against Russia
Wednesday 15 April 2026 20:00 , James ReynoldsBritain has announced a major new package of support for Ukraine, worth millions of pounds, as senior ministers engage in a series of high-level international meetings.
In Washington DC, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a £752 million payment to Ukraine, ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
The payment, part of a larger £3.36 billion loan, is earmarked to procure essential military equipment, including long-range missiles, advanced air defence systems, and drones.
Ukraine retook 50 sq km of land in March, army says
Wednesday 15 April 2026 19:00 , James ReynoldsUkraine has regained control of nearly 50 sq km (19 sq miles) of its territory from Russia in March, its army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Wednesday.
He added that with the change of weather conditions, Moscow's forces have stepped up their offensive operations and were conducting them along virtually the entire 1,200-km front line.
EU ready to send Ukraine 90bn euro once Hungary gives green light
Wednesday 15 April 2026 18:00 , James ReynoldsThe EU is ready to supply Ukraine with its promised 90 billion euro loan as soon as Hungary drops its veto after last Sunday's election, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Wednesday.
“The people have spoken. A new wind is blowing,” Kubilius said about the election that was convincingly won by Hungary's opposition leader Peter Magyar.
“In any case, we are ready to implement the loan as soon as we get the green light,” the commissioner said.
The defeat of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Ukraine's harshest EU foe, could pave the way for the loan that Kyiv urgently needs to fund the war with Russia, and that was originally agreed on by all EU member states in December.
Hungary’s new prime minister says he will ask Putin to stop the killing in Ukraine
Wednesday 15 April 2026 17:00 , James ReynoldsThe incoming prime minister of Hungary, Péter Magyar, said that he will ask Vladimir Putin to end the killing in Ukraine if he speaks with the Russian president.
Addressing a media briefing a day after his landslide election victory over nationalist Viktor Orban, an ally of Putin, Mr Magyar said he hoped Moscow would be forced to end the war soon and affirmed that Ukraine is the clear victim in the conflict.
Hungary’s new prime minister says he will ask Putin to stop the killing in Ukraine
Nato's existence not guaranteed, says former chief
Wednesday 15 April 2026 16:00 , James ReynoldsFormer Nato secretary general Jen Stoltenberg warned that the military alliance’s existence is not “a law of nature” and that there are no guarantees it will survive the next ten years.
Mr Stoltenberg told Denmark’s TV2 that Trump’s threats to withdraw from Nato must be taken seriously, urging European allies to show Washington the value of the bloc to the US.
"It is not a law of nature that we have NATO forever. It is not written in stone that NATO will survive the next ten years," he told the broadcaster.
“[The US has] something in NATO that Russia and China don't have: over 30 friends and allies,” he added.
Putin planning visit to China, says Kremlin
Wednesday 15 April 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that president Vladimir Putin will visit China, with dates to be announced in due course.
The president does not currently plan to meet the U.S. President Donald Trump there.
Peskov added that the Kremlin will announce the dates of the visit in due course.
China’s president Xi Jinping said in a meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov meanwhile that the two countries should work together to restore the authority of the UN and promote multilateralism in foreign affairs.
“It is necessary to strengthen multilateral cooperation, firmly support and promote multilateralism, jointly work to restore the authority and vitality of the United Nations, and closely coordinate and cooperate within the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS to advance the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction,” president Xi said, according to China’s Xinhua news agency.
Kremlin declares Putin was ‘never friends with Orban’ after historic election defeat
Wednesday 15 April 2026 14:00 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin has declared that it was “never friends” with outgoing Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, as it braces for a new era of relations with Budapest following his landslide loss to a pro-EU candidate.
Mr Orban, who enjoyed warm relations with Russian president Vladimir Putin and was a persistent thorn in Ukraine’s side as it sought financial backing for its war effort from a divided Europe, was swept aside by Peter Magyar and his centre-right Tisza party.
Here’s how Hungary’s new leader could reshape support for Ukraine on the continent:
Kremlin declares Putin was ‘never friends with Orban’ after historic election defeat
UK to send £752m and 120,000 drones to Ukraine to bolster defences against Russia
Wednesday 15 April 2026 13:55 , James ReynoldsBritain has announced a major new package of support for Ukraine, worth millions of pounds, as senior ministers engage in a series of high-level international meetings.
The aid comes as Kyiv continues to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
In Washington DC, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a £752 million payment to Ukraine, ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
The payment, part of a larger £3.36 billion loan, is earmarked to procure essential military equipment, including long-range missiles, advanced air defence systems, and drones.
EU ready to send Ukraine 90bn euro once Hungary gives green light
Wednesday 15 April 2026 13:47 , James ReynoldsThe EU is ready to supply Ukraine with its promised 90 billion euro loan as soon as Hungary drops its veto after last Sunday's election, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Wednesday.
“The people have spoken. A new wind is blowing,” Kubilius said about the election that was convincingly won by Hungary's opposition leader Peter Magyar.
“In any case, we are ready to implement the loan as soon as we get the green light,” the commissioner said.
The defeat of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Ukraine's harshest EU foe, could pave the way for the loan that Kyiv urgently needs to fund the war with Russia, and that was originally agreed on by all EU member states in December.
How Ukraine ‘recaptured occupied territory using only robots’
Wednesday 15 April 2026 13:00 , James ReynoldsUkrainian forces retook occupied territory in an unprecedented assault using only unmanned machines, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday, as he praised the country’s era-defining advances in frontline technology.
The president revealed in an address that drones have carried out more than 22,000 missions on the frontlines in three months - a major shift on the modern battlefield that he cast as key to protecting human life.
“For the first time in the history of this war, an enemy position was taken exclusively by unmanned platforms – ground systems and drones. The occupiers surrendered, and the operation was carried out without infantry and without losses on our side,” the president said, referencing a groundbreaking manoeuvre in Kharkiv oblast last year.
Here’s how it happened:
Russian soldiers surrendered to Ukrainian assault using only robots, says Zelensky
The latest: Kyiv calls on Israel to block Russian vessel
Wednesday 15 April 2026 12:30 , James ReynoldsUkraine has called on Israel to detain a Russian vessel allegedly carrying grain taken from occupied Ukrainian territory, escalating a diplomatic row over alleged wartime looting.
The Russian ship ABINSK is loaded with 43,765.18 tonnes of wheat, claimed to have come from the occupied territories of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian journalist Kateryna Yaresko and the SeaKrime project.
Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha raised the issue directly with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, warning that the vessel docked at Port of Haifa forms part of Moscow’s wider war effort.
Sybiha stressed that the “illegal export of stolen agricultural products” must not be allowed to continue.
Zelensky arrives in Norway to sign agreement to expand drone cooperation
Wednesday 15 April 2026 11:30 , Shweta SharmaVolodymyr Zelensky arrived in Norway on Wednesday and signed an agreement to strengthen their bilateral defence cooperation, including by producing Ukrainian drones in the Nordic country.
Zelensky said he discussed cooperation in the production and use of drones in detail with his Norwegian counterpart.
“Our experience is already being used in the Middle East and the Gulf. We are improving defense against 'shahed' drones, and we believe this should also be done in Europe,” he said.
Prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told a joint press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky: “We can learn from the experiences that Ukraine is making in this hard-won fight against the Russian aggression.”
"It is crucial that we learn from these experiences," he said.
UK to send £752m payment to Ukraine
Wednesday 15 April 2026 10:45 , Shweta SharmaBritain will announce extra support for Ukraine worth millions of pounds on Wednesday as senior ministers hold a series of meetings with their international counterparts.
In Washington DC, chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to confirm a £752m payment to Kyiv ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
The payment, part of a £3.36bn loan, is intended to help pay for weaponry including long-range missiles, air defence systems and drones.
Ms Reeves said: "This funding will help deliver the military equipment Ukraine needs as it defends itself against Russia's unprovoked war.
"I am proud that the UK is a leading partner in providing vital support to Ukraine, and we will continue to step up to do more while keeping pressure on Russia."
Meanwhile, defence secretary John Healey will use a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) to announce the UK's biggest ever drone package for Ukraine that will see 120,000 drones delivered to the country.
The package will include long-range strike drones, reconnaissance drones, logistics drones and those with maritime capabilities, with many produced by UK-based companies.
Mr Healey said: "This big boost of battle-proven drones will give Ukrainian forces the capability they need to defend their people and fight back against Russian aggression."
Hungary’s new prime minister says he will ask Putin to stop the killing in Ukraine
Wednesday 15 April 2026 10:00 , Shweta SharmaThe incoming prime minister of Hungary, Péter Magyar, has said that he will ask Vladimir Putin to end the killing in Ukraine if he speaks with the Russian president.
Addressing a media briefing a day after his landslide election victory over nationalist Viktor Orban, an ally of Putin, Mr Magyar said he hoped Moscow would be forced to end the war soon and affirmed that Ukraine is the clear victim in the conflict.
Mr Magyar, the leader of the centre-right Tisza party, said he would not call the Russian president, but he has previously publicly recognised that he would need to hold talks with Putin and that Budapest would need to continue buying Russian oil and gas for the time being.
Hungary’s new prime minister says he will ask Putin to stop the killing in Ukraine
Russian soldiers surrendered to Ukrainian assault using only unmanned robots, says Zelensky
Wednesday 15 April 2026 08:30 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian forces retook occupied territory in an unprecedented assault using only unmanned machines, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday, as he praised the country’s era-defining advances in frontline technology.
The president revealed in an address that drones have carried out more than 22,000 missions on the frontlines in three months - a major shift on the modern battlefield that he cast as key to protecting human life.
“For the first time in the history of this war, an enemy position was taken exclusively by unmanned platforms – ground systems and drones. The occupiers surrendered, and the operation was carried out without infantry and without losses on our side,” the president said, referencing a groundbreaking manoeuvre in Kharkiv oblast last year.
Russian soldiers surrendered to Ukrainian assault using only robots, says Zelensky
Ukraine targets Russian military trucks with autonomous 'Hornet' drones – video
Wednesday 15 April 2026 08:00 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian forces are striking Russian military trucks with a “Hornet”-type suicide drone equipped with an automated targeting system, a Ukrainian government–run platform said, citing a video.
The video, circulating on social media since Monday, shows the drone locking onto and hitting the vehicles, reportedly without manual guidance in the final moments of the strike.
The system is believed to use onboard targeting assistance, allowing it to track and maintain its trajectory even in the face of battlefield interference.
The Independent could not verify the authenticity of the video.
“Hornet” drones are typically linked to Ukrainian-developed FPV and loitering munitions produced by volunteer-led initiatives such as the Wild Hornets group, the news website launched by the Ukrainian government in 2022 to support the war effort, reported.
These compact, high-speed platforms carry explosive payloads and are designed to hit targets directly, including moving vehicles.
Newer versions increasingly feature elements of automated targeting, reflecting a broader shift in Ukraine’s drone warfare strategy.
Kyiv has focused on scaling up production while improving precision and resilience, particularly in strikes aimed at disrupting Russian logistics and supply lines.
Russia fired 300 drones and three ballistic missiles overnight
Wednesday 15 April 2026 07:45 , Shweta SharmaRussia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine, firing more than 300 drones and three ballistic missiles, Ukrainian officials said, with port infrastructure in the south among the targets.
Ukraine’s air force said 324 drones were launched from Tuesday evening, with 309 shot down or neutralised.
All three missiles and at least 13 drones struck targets in nine locations, it said.
In the southeastern city of Dnipro, three people were injured and a nine-storey apartment block was damaged, regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha said, a day after a missile strike there killed five and wounded nearly 30.
In Cherkasy, four people sought medical help following a separate drone attack, while in Zaporizhzhia a 74-year-old woman was killed in shelling that also damaged nearby buildings and businesses.
Further strikes hit port infrastructure in the southern Odesa region, damaging administrative and warehouse facilities, governor Oleh Kiper said.
Kremlin declares Putin was ‘never friends with Orban’ after historic election defeat
Wednesday 15 April 2026 07:34 , Shweta SharmaThe Kremlin has declared that it was “never friends” with outgoing Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, as it braces for a new era of relations with Budapest following his landslide loss to a pro-EU candidate.
Mr Orban, who enjoyed warm relations with Russian president Vladimir Putin and was a persistent thorn in Ukraine’s side as it sought financial backing for its war effort from a divided Europe, was swept aside by Peter Magyar and his centre-right Tisza party.
What the future holds for the Russia-Hungary relationship is unclear, but in light of Mr Orban’s collapse in public support, Moscow now appears to be distancing itself and playing down the loss of its most influential ally in the European Union.
“We were never friends with Orban,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to The Guardian. Hungary’s official designation is as an “unfriendly country”, he added, explaining that Russia therefore did not congratulate Mr Magyar on his election win.
Kremlin declares Putin was ‘never friends with Orban’ after historic election defeat
Xi calls China-Russia ties 'precious' in current international context
Wednesday 15 April 2026 07:00 , Shweta SharmaChinese president Xi Jinping said Wednesday that the stability and certainty of China-Russia relations are particularly "precious" in the face of an international landscape intertwined with change and chaos.
During a meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, Xi said the strong vitality and exemplary significance of the friendship treaty between the two countries stand out even more under such a backdrop.
He said foreign ministries from both countries would need to fully implement the consensus reached between him and Russian president Vladimir Putin, calling for strengthening strategic communication and close diplomatic coordination.
He also urged them to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow to "stand higher, walk more steadily and go further.
"Xi touted the value of the two nations' ties, but he did not specify what he referred to as chaos and changes in the international context, as uncertainty still lingers about how long the Iran war would last.
Kremlin tells Russians internet shutdowns are temporary after crackdown ruffles elite
Wednesday 15 April 2026 06:31 , Shweta SharmaThe Kremlin told Russians on Tuesday that mobile internet shutdowns that have disrupted the lives of millions are temporary and will eventually be lifted amid anger in Moscow’s elites.
Authorities shut down the mobile internet in Moscow for nearly three weeks in March and regularly block it elsewhere, citing the risk of Ukrainian drones using it to guide attacks. The Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor agency to the Soviet KGB, is in charge of internal security.
Meta's WhatsApp has been completely blocked and it has become extremely difficult to use the Telegram messenger service - which has long been Russians' preferred digital ecosystem - after both messengers were accused of not complying with Russian law.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that "security considerations" dictated the need to take certain measures, but that they were temporary.
"It is clear that restrictions on internet access cause inconvenience for many citizens, but... once the need for these measures has passed, internet access will, of course, be fully restored and returned to normal," said Peskov.
It comes amid anger by businesses and bankers over losses because of the shutdown.
Several senior business-oriented current and former officials and bankers had reportedly lobbied president Vladimir Putin to moderate the crackdown.
Ukraine calls on Israel to detain Russian vessel with stolen wheat
Wednesday 15 April 2026 06:30 , Shweta SharmaUkraine has urged Israel to take action over a Russian vessel it alleges is carrying stolen Ukrainian grain.
Kyiv says the ship, ABINSK, was loaded via smaller vessels operating from ports in Russian-occupied territory, citing an investigation by a Ukrainian journalist.
Ukrainian officials argue the export of looted agricultural produce is helping to sustain Russia’s economy amid the war.
Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha raised the issue with his Israeli counterpart, calling for steps to prevent what Ukraine describes as illegal trade.
He stressed “that the illegal export of stolen Ukrainian agricultural products is part of Russia’s broader war effort. Such illegal trade with stolen goods must not be allowed.”
Ukrainian representatives had earlier appealed to Israeli authorities to block the vessel from docking, and have since asked that it be prevented from leaving port.
Israel has not publicly commented on the claims.
Fire at 18th century gunpowder plant in Russia's Kazan
Wednesday 15 April 2026 06:30 , Shweta SharmaA fire at a gunpowder plant in Russia’s city of Kazan has left two people injured, according to local authorities cited by Russian news agencies.
The blaze caused part of the building to collapse, though officials said it was not the result of any external attack and that production at the facility has continued.
One of the injured is reported to be in serious condition and receiving intensive care.
Founded in the late 18th century, the Kazan gunpowder plant is among the oldest of its kind in Russia, producing gunpowder for small arms as well as ammunition for land, naval and air artillery.
The facility – along with its chief executive Alexander Livshits – was sanctioned by the EU and the US in 2023 over its role in supplying ammunition to the Russian military following the invasion of Ukraine.
One child killed, 12 injured in Russian drone strike on Cherkasy
Wednesday 15 April 2026 06:03 , Shweta SharmaAt least one child has been killed and 12 others injured after a Russian drone strike on the central Ukrainian city of Cherkasy overnight, officials said.
Regional governor Ihor Taburets said debris from downed drones hit at least four residential buildings. Air defences reportedly shot down nine drones during the attack.
An eight-year-old boy later died from his injuries. Nine people, including a child, were taken to the hospital, while five others were treated at the scene as emergency crews continued their response.
In a subsequent wave of strikes early today, three more people were injured by falling debris, Taburets added.
Authorities have not yet provided details on the full extent of the damage or the condition of those injured.
Cherkasy, located in central Ukraine along the Dnieper River and far from the front line, has nonetheless been repeatedly targeted in Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Hegseth to again skip Ukraine meeting
Wednesday 15 April 2026 06:00 , Shweta SharmaUS defence secretary Pete Hegseth will again skip the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting this week, leaving Washington among a handful of countries without a senior civilian defence representative.
The Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, will attend virtually, as he did in February, according to US officials.
Hegseth’s patchy attendance reflects a broader shift in priorities, with the Trump administration increasingly urging European allies to take greater responsibility for arming Kyiv.
More than 50 defence ministers are due to join Wednesday’s virtual meeting, co-chaired by Germany’s Boris Pistorius and the UK’s John Healey, who took over coordination after Washington stepped back earlier this year.
Nato’s top commander, US General Alexus Grynkewich, will not attend, but his deputy, UK Air Chief Marshal Sir Johnny Stringer, and Germany’s Major General Ulf Häussler will participate.
“Nato continues to deliver crucial support,” Grynkewich’s spokesperson said, stressing continuity in leadership.
Ukraine to produce drones in Norway, Oslo says
Wednesday 15 April 2026 05:30 , Shweta SharmaNorway and Ukraine will strengthen their bilateral defence cooperation, including by producing Ukrainian drones in the Nordic country, the Norwegian government said on Tuesday.
Under the agreement, Norway will support the production of drones in Ukraine, while the latter will share data, information and knowledge with Norway, Oslo said in a statement. Ukrainian drones will also be produced on Norwegian territory, it said.
"We can learn from the experiences that Ukraine is making in this hard-won fight against the Russian aggression," prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told a joint press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
"It is crucial that we learn from these experiences," he said.
Norway, along with the other Nordic and Baltic countries, has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine.
Former Nato chief accuses Starmer of inadequately funding defence
Wednesday 15 April 2026 05:15 , Shweta SharmaA former Nato chief and grandee of Keir Starmer's Labour Party criticised the British prime minister on Tuesday for failing to adequately fund defence, leaving the country unsafe.
George Robertson, who served in the 1990s as UK defence secretary before leading Nato, told the Financial Times there was a gap between Starmer's rhetoric and action on defence, and Starmer was "not willing to make the necessary investment".
Asked about Robertson's comments, Starmer's spokesperson told reporters Downing Street "completely" rejected the characterisation.
"It's vital to make the right decisions. The prime minister is determined to ensure the defence investment plan is fit for the threats that we face," the spokesperson said.
Zelensky says Ukraine war negotiations are being sidelined by US due to Iran conflict
Wednesday 15 April 2026 05:00 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky bemoaned on Tuesday that US-led peace efforts were being sidelined as Washington’s focus shifts to the war in Iran, warning that Kyiv was also seeing disruptions to deliveries of American weapons.
In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF, Zelensky said key US intermediaries, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were “constantly in talks with Iran”, leaving them with “no time for Ukraine”.
He described both men as “pragmatic” and suggested they were seeking to draw greater engagement from Russian president Vladimir Putin in a bid to end the war.
But Zelensky cautioned that without stronger pressure from Washington, Moscow would feel emboldened.
Orban's defeat could unlock €90bn in support for Ukraine, EU official says
Wednesday 15 April 2026 04:28 , Shweta SharmaA political shift in Hungary could unlock up to €90bn in support for Ukraine and inject fresh momentum into Kyiv’s long-stalled bid to join the European Union, according to the bloc’s enlargement chief.
Speaking on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank spring meetings, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos described the election defeat of long-serving Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban as a “big win for Europe”.
“I expect, personally, that this will have a positive effect on the accession process,” she said.
Hungary under Orban had effectively blocked the funding package, tying its veto to a dispute with Ukraine over a damaged pipeline carrying Russian oil – a move that frustrated other EU leaders.
“With the €90 billion, we can cover the financial needs of Ukraine in 2026 and 2027,” Kos said
UK to send £752m payment to Ukraine
Wednesday 15 April 2026 03:58 , Shweta SharmaBritain will announce extra support for Ukraine worth millions of pounds on Wednesday as senior ministers hold a series of meetings with their international counterparts.
In Washington DC, chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to confirm a £752m payment to Kyiv ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
The payment, part of a £3.36bn loan, is intended to help pay for weaponry including long-range missiles, air defence systems and drones.
Ms Reeves said: "This funding will help deliver the military equipment Ukraine needs as it defends itself against Russia's unprovoked war.
"I am proud that the UK is a leading partner in providing vital support to Ukraine, and we will continue to step up to do more while keeping pressure on Russia."
Meanwhile, defence secretary John Healey will use a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) to announce the UK's biggest ever drone package for Ukraine that will see 120,000 drones delivered to the country.
The package will include long-range strike drones, reconnaissance drones, logistics drones and those with maritime capabilities, with many produced by UK-based companies.
Mr Healey said: "This big boost of battle-proven drones will give Ukrainian forces the capability they need to defend their people and fight back against Russian aggression."
Ukraine joining EU is not achievable in immediate term, says Merz
Wednesday 15 April 2026 03:00 , Alex CroftAs we earlier reported, Volodymyr Zelensky and German chancellor Friedrich Merz held a press conference on after a meeting in Berlin on Tuesday morning.
We can now bring you more lines from Merz, who announced plans to cooperate with Ukraine on drone and battlefield data technology.
He also urged Kyiv to push forward with reforms with an eye to joining the European Union in the future.
Merz said joining the EU would be a strategically important step, but added that it was not achievable in the immediate term.
Comment | The biggest winner from Viktor Orban’s ousting is Ukraine
Wednesday 15 April 2026 02:01 , Alex CroftAs the long, dark night of Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule in Hungary came to an end this weekend, it wasn’t just the jubilant crowds crammed onto the bridges across the Danube that had a song in their heart. There are few political events about which you can reach for a quote from 1970s soul band Hot Chocolate – but today, “Everyone’s a winner, baby, that’s no lie”.
For “the dictator”, as he was known in Brussels, has gone. Hungary has certainly won, Europe has won, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have lost their fifth-columnist ally on this continent, and Nigel Farage has lost a source of ideological inspiration.
But the biggest sigh of relief – at the sheer size of Peter Magyar’s election landslide – must have been in Kyiv. Cliche or not, we shouldn’t hesitate to call the end of Orban as a game-changer for Ukraine.
In recent years, Volodymyr Zelensky and his people have conducted their astonishingly successful resistance to the Russian invasion with bravery, solidarity and ingenuity – and in spite of a shortage of funds. The EU has long had a massive €90bn ready to lend to them – to pay for armaments, soldiers’ wages, and just to keep going – but the arrangement has been vetoed by the most stubborn and intractable of EU member states.
The Independent’s associate editor Sean O’Grady writes:
Inside Ukraine’s conscription crisis as two million dodge the draft
Wednesday 15 April 2026 01:02 , Alex CroftUkraine is facing a major conscription crisis, just as Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that a protracted conflict in the Middle East will hamper its efforts to combat Russia’s invasion.
Earlier this year, Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, admitted that Ukraine has 2 million draft-dodgers and hundreds of thousands more who are absent without leave (awol).
The Independent has spoken to Ukrainians on the ground about the reality of the situation, just as pressure mounts elsewhere for the war-torn country. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has shifted its focus from Ukraine to the conflict with Iran, while peace talks have stalled, and Vladimir Putin has launched his spring offensive.
Sam Kiley reports:
Inside Ukraine’s conscription crisis as two million dodge the draft
Kremlin admits internet restrictions are disruptive for Russians - but says they are necessary for security
Wednesday 15 April 2026 00:00 , Alex CroftThe Kremlin has spoken out about internet restrictions, admitting they had caused disruption for many Russias but declaring that they are necessary for security reasons.
The restrictions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted, did not represent a return to the past.
Moscow has tightened its control over the internet since the start of its war in Ukraine in February 2022, blocking messenger apps and virtual private networks (VPN) used to bypass online censorship, and shutting down the mobile internet.
Peskov suggested that some of the measures were temporary in nature and would be lifted once it was safe to do so.
Others were related to tech companies not complying with Russian law, he said.
Kremlin says Hungary's new leader wants pragmatic dialogue with Russia
Tuesday 14 April 2026 23:01 , Alex CroftWe heard earlier from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who said Moscow satisfied that the new leader of Hungary, pro-EU Peter Magyar, wants to engage in pragmatic dialogue with Russia.
It comes after Peskov said on Monday that Moscow is looking forward to “continuing our highly pragmatic engagement with Hungary’s new leadership”.
"We noted Magyar’s statement regarding his willingness to engage in dialogue. Naturally, this will be beneficial for both Moscow and Budapest," he said, adding that Russia was not sure what the stance of the new leadership would be.
Watch: Who is Hungary’s new leader, and what does this mean for Europe and US?
Tuesday 14 April 2026 22:03 , Alex CroftBoris Johnson condemns 'timidity' in helping Ukraine after visiting the country for TV show
Tuesday 14 April 2026 21:02 , Alex CroftBoris Johnson has hit out at the "delay" and "timidity" in helping Ukraine after travelling through the country unprotected during a 72-hour trip for a documentary.
The former prime minister travelled beyond the capital Kyiv to the so-called "kill zone" near the city of Zaporizhzhia where he witnessed first-hand the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The 61-year-old said Ukraine can and will win the war, but that "we are risibly failing to live up to our pledges" to the country, PA reports.
Mr Johnson said: "The Ukrainians are fighting the same war against the same drones that are being sent against civilians by the same alliance of tyrannies.
"We have spent four years psalming platitudes and telling them that their fight is our fight.
"On the basis of what I have seen, we are risibly failing to live up to our pledges, and to give them the help they need.
"The Ukrainians can win and will win.
"But our delay and our timidity continue to cause unimaginable human suffering.
"We are right to say that the Ukrainians are fighting for all of us - so why the hell are we still short-changing them?"
Mr Johnson's three-day trip is the subject of a feature-length documentary film for Channel 5, produced by Soho Studios and Two Rivers Media.
Boris Johnson: Into The Kill Zone will show him alongside Ukrainian soldiers visiting locations including a secret drone base and makeshift bomb factory that is hidden inside abandoned cottages.
Ukraine secretly launched rockets into space twice during the war, official reveals
Tuesday 14 April 2026 20:00 , Alex Croftukraine has carried out two previously undisclosed space‑intelligence missions during the war with Russia, a senior lawmaker revealed in an interview with RBC‑Ukraine.
According to MP Fedir Venislavskyi, operatives from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency launched carrier rockets from Ukrainian territory on two separate occasions, reaching altitudes of more than 100 kilometres in the first mission and 204 kilometres in the second. Both launches were recorded by technical monitoring systems.
Venislavskyi said the operations were not experimental tests but real wartime missions overseen by former military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. He described the launches as unprecedented for a country engaged in active conflict, saying they demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to counter hostile systems operating in space.
The lawmaker also said Ukraine possesses missiles capable of striking targets up to 500 kilometres away at hypersonic speeds, noting that such systems are being used in combat but are primarily intended for “extraordinary operations”.
In pictures: Germany and Ukraine hold wide-ranging governmental talks in Kyiv
Tuesday 14 April 2026 19:01 , Alex Croft
Damaged Druzhba oil pipeline will be operational by the end of April - Zelensky
Tuesday 14 April 2026 18:00 , Alex CroftThe damaged Druzhba oil pipeline will be operational by the end of this month, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.
A dispute over the pipeline has led Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban to veto a 90-billion-euro ($103 billion) loan from the European Union to Ukraine for as long as flows via Druzhba remain suspended.
It has been one of the critical disputes between Budapest and Kyiv in recent months - and one which could become easier for Kyiv to handle following the election of pro-EU Peter Magyar as the new Hungarian prime minister.
Mr Zelensky said that Kyiv's relations with a new government in Hungary should be built on pragmatism and mutual respect, after the centre-right Tisza party won Sunday's election by a landslide.
Nearly 209,000 Russians killed in Ukraine war – report
Tuesday 14 April 2026 17:01 , Alex CroftThe identities of at least 208,755 Russian soldiers have now been confirmed, a new investigation by Russia’s Mediazona and BBC Russian service showed.
A fresh list of 2,553 Russian soldiers has been added to a running list of casualties in a new update in late March.
The confirmed death toll now includes over 76,300 volunteers, 23,400 recruited prisoners, and 18,400 mobilised soldiers, the report said.
A total of 7,003 officers have also been confirmed to have been killed.
The actual figures of casualties suffered by Moscow is likely significantly higher, the media outlet noted.
Berlin and Kyiv sign deals on mineral resources and energy security
Tuesday 14 April 2026 16:29 , Alex CroftBerlin and Kyiv have signed deals to boost cooperation on mineral resources and energy security, the economy ministry has announced.
German economy and energy Minister Katherina Reiche and her Ukrainian counterpart signed tje Memorandums of Understanding during government consultations in Berlin on Tuesday.
The two countries also agreed to establish a new working group on economic and trade issues, and adopted a joint declaration to deepen bilateral ties and support Ukraine's resilience amid Russia's ongoing war.
Hungary’s new prime minister says he will ask Putin to stop the war in Ukraine
Tuesday 14 April 2026 15:57 , Alex CroftThe incoming prime minister of Hungary, Péter Magyar, has said that he will ask Vladimir Putin to end the killing in Ukraine if he speaks with the Russian president.
Speaking in a media briefing a day after his landslide election victory over nationalist Viktor Orban, an ally of Putin, Mr Magyar said he hoped Moscow would be forced to end the war soon and affirmed that Kyiv is the clear victim in the conflict.
Magyar, the leader of the centre-right Tisza party, said he would not call the Russian president - but he has previously publicly recognised that he would need to hold talks with Putin and that Budapest would need to continue buying Russian oil and gas for the time being.
Read our full report here:
Hungary’s new prime minister says he will ask Putin to stop the killing in Ukraine
Five killed in Russian attack on Dnipro
Tuesday 14 April 2026 15:27 , Alex CroftThe death toll of a Russian attack on the Dnipro region has now risen to five.
We earlier reported that four had been killed and 25 injured. The death toll rose to five after a 40-year-old man died in hospital, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk military administration Oleksandr Hanzha said.
“These are the consequences of the enemy attack on Dnipro,” Hanzha said.
Those injured had sustained blast injuries, shrapnel wounds, lacerations and fractures, he said.
Ukraine strikes Russian drone storage with SCALP missiles
Tuesday 14 April 2026 14:59 , Alex CroftUkraine has struck drone storage facilities with SCALP cruise missiles - known as Storm Shadow missiles in the UK.
Guided aerial bombs were also used in the attack on a Russian-controlled part of Donetsk region overnight, its military said.
Ukrainian strike drones also hit Russian ammunition depots in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions, the general staff said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.
"Enemy losses and the extent of the damage are currently being assessed," it said.
Spain not planning review of EU's gas phaseout plans
Tuesday 14 April 2026 14:35 , Alex CroftSpain is not planning to review of the EU’s plans to progressively ban imports of Russian gas from the start of next year, energy minister Sara Aagesen told reporters on Tuesday.
On Monday, the CEO of Italian energy group Eni, Claudio Descalzi, was quoted by Italian news agencies as saying the bloc should reconsider those plans as it was unclear how it could replace 20 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas from Russia.
Watch: Firefighters battle blaze after Russian drone strike in Sumy region
Tuesday 14 April 2026 14:15 , Alex CroftUkraine-Germany drone deal could become largest in Europe, says Zelensky
Tuesday 14 April 2026 13:54 , Alex CroftWe can bring you more lines from Zelensky and Merz’s press conference earlier.
Ukraine and Germany discussed a European anti-ballistic missile program and also a comprehensive bilateral drone deal, Zelensky announced.
He said that the drone deal could become the largest in Europe - and the teams had already started working on concrete details.
Ukraine joining EU is not achievable in immediate term, says Merz
Tuesday 14 April 2026 13:34 , Alex CroftAs we earlier reported, Volodymyr Zelensky and German chancellor Friedrich Merz held press conference on after a meeting in Berlin on Tuesday morning.
We can now bring you more lines from Merz, who announced plans to cooperate with Ukraine on drone and battlefield data technology.
He also urged Kyiv to push forward with reforms with an eye to joining the European Union in the future.
Merz said joining the EU would be a strategically important step, but added that it was not achievable in the immediate term.
Comment | The biggest winner from Viktor Orban’s ousting is Ukraine
Tuesday 14 April 2026 13:15 , Alex CroftAs the long, dark night of Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule in Hungary came to an end this weekend, it wasn’t just the jubilant crowds crammed onto the bridges across the Danube that had a song in their heart. There are few political events about which you can reach for a quote from 1970s soul band Hot Chocolate – but today, “Everyone’s a winner, baby, that’s no lie”.
For “the dictator”, as he was known in Brussels, has gone. Hungary has certainly won, Europe has won, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have lost their fifth-columnist ally on this continent, and Nigel Farage has lost a source of ideological inspiration.
But the biggest sigh of relief – at the sheer size of Peter Magyar’s election landslide – must have been in Kyiv. Cliche or not, we shouldn’t hesitate to call the end of Orban as a game-changer for Ukraine.
In recent years, Volodymyr Zelensky and his people have conducted their astonishingly successful resistance to the Russian invasion with bravery, solidarity and ingenuity – and in spite of a shortage of funds. The EU has long had a massive €90bn ready to lend to them – to pay for armaments, soldiers’ wages, and just to keep going – but the arrangement has been vetoed by the most stubborn and intractable of EU member states.
The Independent’s associate editor Sean O’Grady writes:
In pictures: Firefighters battle Odesa blaze
Tuesday 14 April 2026 12:55 , Alex Croft
Four killed and dozens injured in attack on Dnipro
Tuesday 14 April 2026 12:37 , Alex CroftA Russian strike on Ukrainian city of Dnipro killed four people and injured 25, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday.
Some 21 people have been hospitalised and 10 are in a serious condition, regional governor said on the Telegram messaging app.
We’ll bring you more on the attack as it comes in.
Zelensky discusses crucial PURL initiative with Rutte
Tuesday 14 April 2026 12:18 , Alex CroftVolodymyr Zelensky has met with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte about the PURL initiative, a programme which allows the procurement of US-made military equipment, including missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
Kyiv is “preparing updates” on the initiative which are set to be shared in due course, he said.
“It is important that we all coordinate and strengthen one another. Strength for air defense is our key priority, and people’s lives must be protected,” the Ukrainian president added in a post on X.
We spoke with @SecGenNATO Mark Rutte about protection of our skies, the PURL initiative that enables us to receive missiles for Patriot systems, as well as the key security challenges currently facing everyone in the world. It is important that we all coordinate and strengthen…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 14, 2026
Zelensky: We survived the winter - but next winter we must be ready for anything
Tuesday 14 April 2026 11:57 , Alex CroftZelensky says Kyiv is interested in the assistance of German companies in helping restore and recover Ukrainian energy infrastructure that has been targeted by Russian drones and missiles.
“Ukraine has survived the winter, despite constant Russian attacks, and the brutakl tactic of combining Shahed-drones, missiles and cruise missiles.
“Before next winter, we should be ready for anything,” he adds.
He thanks Germany for supporting efforts to peace, adding that Russia “needs to hear this signal and feel that they need to make a choice in favour of peace”.
Zelensky continues: “Therefore sanctions against Russia must continue, pressure against Russia must be maintained, and all the support for Ukraine that is necessary must continue.”
Zelensky: Europe needs to be able to sustain its own security
Tuesday 14 April 2026 11:50 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing now from the Ukrainian president, who starts off by warning that Russia is not planning to scale down its destabilisation goals in Europe and Ukraine.
He thanks the German government for the three agreements “of various kinds” he says were signed today.
These included an agreement on on air defence and missiles, Zelensky adds.,
“We are hoping to get to the point where everything critical for our security is manufactured in Europe, and our technology, military and political capabilities should be sufficient to secure Europe, secure every country in Europe,” he says.
Zelensky adds that the cooperation between Berlin and Kyiv has reached a “meaningful level”.
Zelensky and Merz speaking to media in Berlin
Tuesday 14 April 2026 11:46 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing now from Volodymyr Zelensky and Friedrich Merz, who are speaking to reporters in Berlin.
In his introductory remarks, the German chancellor says Europe is ramping up sanctions and trying to “increase the pressure” on Russia.
This includes targeting Russian military development and Russian shadow fleets of ships, he says.
Zelensky says he is pleased after a “special and meaningful” meeting with the German government.
Stay with us as we bring you the Ukrainian president’s comments as they come in.
Kremlin admits internet restrictions are disruptive for Russians - but says they are necessary for security
Tuesday 14 April 2026 11:27 , Alex CroftThe Kremlin has spoken out about internet restrictions, admitting they had caused disruption for many Russias but declaring that they are necessary for security reasons.
The restrictions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted, did not represent a return to the past.
Moscow has tightened its control over the internet since the start of its war in Ukraine in February 2022, blocking messenger apps and virtual private networks (VPN) used to bypass online censorship, and shutting down the mobile internet.
Peskov suggested that some of the measures were temporary in nature and would be lifted once it was safe to do so.
Others were related to tech companies not complying with Russian law, he said.
Italian PM says economic pressure is 'most effective weapon' to push Moscow towards peace
Tuesday 14 April 2026 11:11 , Alex CroftItalian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has been speaking about sanctions on Russia while in Verona, on the sidelines of wine fair Vinitaly.
She said that sanctions, exerting economic pressure on Russia, are the most "effective weapon" for pushing Moscow towards peace in Ukraine.
We’ll bring you more lines from Meloni as they come in.
