Belgian forces seized a suspected Russian shadow fleet vessel in the North Sea with the help of the French navy on Sunday.
Defence minister Theo Francken said the oil tanker was thought to be sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.
The vessel, named Ethera, had long been on the US, EU, and UK sanctions list, and has since been escorted to the port of Zeebrugge.
“Without his shadow fleet Putin can’t wage war against innocent Ukrainians. So we take these vessels out. One by one. Till his war of aggression stops,” Mr Francken said.
Volodymyr Zelensky praised Belgium and French forces for the “decisive decision”, adding that “Russia operates like a mafia organisation, and the response must match that reality.”
Western sanctions imposed on Russia have led to the rise of a "shadow fleet" of tankers helping Moscow to keep its crude exports flowing.
Emmanuel Macron said the seizure, which was assisted by French navy helicopters, was a “major blow” to Russia’s fleet.
“Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine by enforcing sanctions,” the French president said.
Key Points
- Belgium seizes oil tanker belonging to Russian shadow fleet
- Macron shares video of Belgian and French forces boarding Russian vessel
- Time and place of peace talks depend on security situation in Middle East, says Zelensky
- Ukrainian foreign minister: 'Domino of deposed dictators must continue'
Watch: Zelensky calls Ukrainian air defence skills 'irreplaceable' amid Europe’s growing role in Iran conflict
04:00 , Arpan RaiZelensky says changes in Iran must be used properly
03:45 , Arpan RaiUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the changes in Iran brought about by US and Israeli strikes to be "used properly" to benefit the country's people who had withstood violence from their authorities.
It is important that this chance for change for Iran be used properly, he said.
Zelensky, speaking in his nightly video address, said Iran's authorities had killed "tens of thousands of its own citizens just in recent months”.
“The Iranian people have long effectively been alone against violence – against the Iranian regime. This regime, which has killed tens of thousands of its own citizens just in recent months, which has always fueled and organised wars in the region, which provided Russia with ‘shaheds’ and the technology for their production – this regime has brought this attitude upon itself,” he said.
He added: “I thank everyone who is trying to prevent the war from expanding and who is defending against strikes from Iran. And I also thank everyone who tells Russia – now, based on the experience of the Iranian regime – that justice does come.“
We are now closely monitoring every change in the situation around Iran. Ukrainian intelligence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – everyone is engaged. We are in coordination with partners. It is important that this chance for change for Iran be used properly.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 1, 2026
The Iranian…
Next three-way peace talks depend on security situation and diplomacy, says Zelensky
03:40 , Arpan RaiUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the time and place of the next round of peace talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine would depend on the security situation in the Middle East and the level of "real diplomatic possibilities".
Zelensky said he would issue fresh directives to Ukraine's negotiating team at the talks, without detailing what they were.
On Thursday, he had said the next round of talks would probably take place in Abu Dhabi in early March.
However, the UAE has since been caught up in hostilities after the US and Israel launched aerial attacks on Iran.
Belgian defence minister shares footage of Russian shadow fleet vessel capture
03:31 , Arpan RaiBelgium’s defence minister has shared a video of its forces boarding a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker on Sunday.
The armed forces had seized the vessel, which was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”, said defence minister Theo Francken.
Dubbed the “Operation Blue Intruder”, he said the mission showed “courage, precision, and determination.”
Francken said: “Without his shadow fleet Putin can’t wage war against innocent Ukranians. So we take these vessels out. One by one. Till his war of agrgession stops.”
Proud of @BelgiumDefence
— Theo Francken (@FranckenTheo) March 1, 2026
With the support of French Defence, they successfully boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker, now in Zeebrugge for seizure.
Operation Blue Intruder shows courage, precision, and determination. Excellent work by all involved. 💪 pic.twitter.com/q8lstG6T2W
Ukraine to help shoot down Iranian drones in Gulf, says Starmer
03:15 , Arpan RaiPrime minister Keir Starmer said Ukraine’s expertise against Russian use of Kamikaze Shahed drones will be used in the Middle East conflict as Ukrainian experts will now provide guidance on intercepting Iranian drones.
“We are not joining these strikes, but we will continue with our defensive actions in the region,” Starmer said on Sunday night.
“And we will also bring experts from Ukraine, together with our own experts, to help Gulf partners shoot down Iranian drones attacking them,” he said.
Russia has lost 1.26M troops since war started, Ukrainian defence ministry says
03:00 , Arpan RaiRussia has suffered an estimated 1,266,770 troop casualties since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to the figures released on Sunday.
The Ukrainian ministry of defence said the number includes 870 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
It has also lost 11,709 tanks, 24,108 armoured tanker vehicles, and 80,510 vehicle and fuel tanks, it said.
Ukraine’s defence ministry has not revealed its own losses, but CSIS estimated that Ukraine has seen 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths.
Ukrainians made it through winter, says Zelensky
02:50 , Arpan RaiRussia hit Ukraine with more than 14,670 guided aerial bombs, 738 missiles, and nearly 19,000 attack drones over winter, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
In the last week of February alone, it used more than 1,720 attack drones, nearly 1,300 guided aerial bombs, and over 100 missiles to attack Ukraine.
Ukrainian civilians have faced their toughest winter yet as Moscow repeatedly target’s the country’s energy system, leaving hundreds of thousands without power for long periods.
“But despite everything, Ukrainians made it through this difficult winter, when Russia did not even try to seek justification for its bestial strikes on civilian critical infrastructure,” the Ukrainian president said.
“Evil must be confronted in every part of the world. When the United States and other partners show enough determination, even the bloodiest dictators ultimately pay for their crimes. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine defend itself and save lives.”
How Starlink became the backbone of Ukraine’s war
02:00 , Harriette BoucherUkraine hit with record number of missiles in February
01:00 , Harriette BoucherRussia fired more missiles at Ukraine in February than in any other month for at least three years, according to new analysis.
Figures from AFP claimed that Russia hit Ukraine with 288 missiles in February, an increase of around 113 per cent compared to the 135 missiles launched in January, The Moscow Times reported.
The previous record was set in October 2025, when Russia launched 270 missiles at the country, according to Kyiv.
Zelensky praises Belgium for seizing Russian shadow fleet vessel
00:01 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has welcomed “Belgium's decisive decision” in seizing an oil tanker belonging to the Russian shadow fleet.
Belgium’s defence minister Theo Francken said on Sunday its armed forces had seized the vessel, which was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.
The Ukrainian president said the vessel had long been under US, EU, and UK sanctions.
He added: “It is also important to modernise European legislation so that tankers carrying Russian oil are not just stopped but seized, with their oil repurposed for Europe's security.
“We must be resolute. Russia operates like a mafia organization, and the response must match that reality. If they reject the rules for the sake of war, the rules must foresee a clear and firm answer.”
Ukrainian foreign minister: 'Domino of deposed dictators must continue'
Sunday 1 March 2026 23:00 , Harriette BoucherVladimir Putin has lost “three of his closest pals” following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ukraine’s foreign minister has claimed, as he calls for the “domino of deposed dictators” to continue.
Andrii Sybiha said: “Assad, Maduro, and now Khamenei. Putin has lost three of his closest pals in little more than a year.
“He has also not helped any of them. This dynamic proves three things.
“First, Russia is not a reliable ally even for those who rely heavily on it.
“Second, while Russia is stuck in its senseless war against Ukraine that it will never win and refuses to end, its influence across the world is dramatically falling.
“Third, the domino of deposed dictators must continue, and Putin’s fall one day is inevitable. Together, we must make every effort to bring this joyous day closer and ensure accountability for all Russian crimes. The justice is inevitable.”
Macron shares video of Belgian and French forces boarding Russian vessel
Sunday 1 March 2026 22:00 , Harriette BoucherEmmanuel Macron said Russia’s shadow fleet has suffered a “major blow” after French navy helicopters assisted Belgian forces in seizing an oil tanker in the North Sea.
The French president said: “Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine by enforcing sanctions.”
Belgium’s defence minister Theo Francken said on Sunday its armed forces had seized the vessel, which was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.
Putin gives 'deepest condolences' to Iranian president over killing of supreme leader
Sunday 1 March 2026 20:00 , Harriette BoucherBelgian defence minister shares footage of Russian shadow fleet vessel capture
Sunday 1 March 2026 19:01 , Harriette BoucherBelgium’s defence minister has shared a video of its forces boarding a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker on Sunday.
Dubbed the “Operation Blue Intruder”, he said the mission showed “courage, precision, and determination.”
Theo Francken said: “Without his shadow fleet Putin can’t wage war against innocent Ukranians. So we take these vessels out. One by one. Till his war of agrgession stops.”
Analysis: Trump is making dangerous assumptions about who will take power in Iran
Sunday 1 March 2026 18:15 , Harriette BoucherOne can be forgiven a snigger at Vladimir Putin calling the Israeli-American assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and many of his senior staff "cynical murder”, when that is what he tried and failed to do to Ukraine's president.
His invasion of Ukraine has been a bloody disaster for Russia because he did not understand the country.
The US-Israeli killing of Iran’s supreme leader is blatantly illegal under international law. It may also prove to be as disastrous as Putin’s war on Ukraine – because Trump doesn’t understand the country.
Like Putin, Trump has surrounded himself with “yes” men and women. He removed anyone and everyone who might have shown independent thought, first from the intelligence services, then the armed forces, and then surrounded himself with Maga fanatics in the Oval Office.
His administration is also deeply affected by evangelical Christian extremists, who have blindly backed Israel’s far-right government through its mass slaughter of the Palestinians in Gaza and its land grabs on the West Bank.
The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley writes:
Trump is making dangerous assumptions about who will take power in Iran
In pictures: Belgium seizes Russian shadow fleet vessel in North Sea
Sunday 1 March 2026 17:45 , Harriette BoucherRussia has lost 1.26M troops since war started, Ukrainian defence ministry says
Sunday 1 March 2026 17:01 , Harriette BoucherRussia has suffered an estimated 1,266,770 troop casualties since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to the figures released on Sunday.
The Ukrainian ministry of defence said the number includes 870 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
It has also lost 11,709 tanks, 24,108 armoured tanker vehicles, and 80,510 vehicle and fuel tanks, it said.
Ukraine’s defence ministry has not revealed its own losses, but CSIS estimated that Ukraine has seen 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths
In pictures: Ukrainian recruits train during a military exercise
Sunday 1 March 2026 16:29 , Harriette Boucher
'Ukrainians made it through winter,' says Zelensky
Sunday 1 March 2026 16:02 , Harriette BoucherRussia hit Ukraine with more than 14,670 guided aerial bombs, 738 missiles, and nearly 19,000 attack drones over winter, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
In the last week of February alone, it used more than 1,720 attack drones, nearly 1,300 guided aerial bombs, and over 100 missiles to attack Ukraine.
Ukrainian civilians have faced their toughest winter yet as Moscow repeatedly target’s the country’s energy system, leaving hundreds of thousands without power for long periods.
“But despite everything, Ukrainians made it through this difficult winter, when Russia did not even try to seek justification for its bestial strikes on civilian critical infrastructure,” the Ukrainian president said.
“Evil must be confronted in every part of the world. When the United States and other partners show enough determination, even the bloodiest dictators ultimately pay for their crimes. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine defend itself and save lives.”
US uses Ukraine's drone tactics for first time in attack on Iran
Sunday 1 March 2026 15:31 , Harriette BoucherThe United States used drone tactics pioneered by Ukraine when it launched Operation Epic Fury and attacked Iran.
Its forces used low-cost one-way attack drones in combat for the first time on Saturday, a modern military tactic introduced by Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
“CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike employed low-cost one-way attack drones for the first time in combat,” the US central command said.
Ukrainian foreign minister: 'Domino of deposed dictators must continue'
Sunday 1 March 2026 15:01 , Harriette BoucherVladimir Putin has lost “three of his closest pals” following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ukraine’s foreign minister has claimed, as he calls for the “domino of deposed dictators” to continue.
Andrii Sybiha said: “Assad, Maduro, and now Khamenei. Putin has lost three of his closest pals in little more than a year.
“He has also not helped any of them. This dynamic proves three things.
“First, Russia is not a reliable ally even for those who rely heavily on it.
“Second, while Russia is stuck in its senseless war against Ukraine that it will never win and refuses to end, its influence across the world is dramatically falling.
“Third, the domino of deposed dictators must continue, and Putin’s fall one day is inevitable. Together, we must make every effort to bring this joyous day closer and ensure accountability for all Russian crimes. The justice is inevitable.”
Ukraine hit with record number of missiles in February, analysis claims
Sunday 1 March 2026 14:29 , Harriette BoucherRussia fired more missiles at Ukraine in February than in any other month for at least three years, according to new analysis.
Figures from AFP claimed that Russia hit Ukraine with 288 missiles in February, an increase of around 113 per cent compared to the 135 missiles launched in January, The Moscow Times reported.
The previous record was set in October 2025, when Russia launched 270 missiles at the country, according to Kyiv.
How Starlink became the backbone of Ukraine’s war
Sunday 1 March 2026 14:00 , Harriette BoucherRussia has lost 1,266,770 troops since war started, Ukrainian defence ministry says
Sunday 1 March 2026 13:30 , Harriette BoucherRussia has suffered an estimated 1,266,770 troop casualties since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to the figures released on Sunday.
The Ukrainian ministry of defence said the number includes 870 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
It has also lost 11,709 tanks, 24,108 armoured tanker vehicles, and 80,510 vehicle and fuel tanks, it said.
Ukraine’s defence ministry has not revealed its own losses, but CSIS estimated that Ukraine has seen 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths.
Macron shares video of Belgian and French forces boarding Russian vessel
Sunday 1 March 2026 12:59 , Harriette BoucherEmmanuel Macron said Russia’s shadow fleet has suffered a “major blow” after French navy helicopters assisted Belgian forces in seizing an oil tanker in the North Sea.
The French president said: “Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine by enforcing sanctions.”
Belgium’s defence minister Theo Francken said on Sunday its armed forces had seized the vessel, which was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.
Netherlands to help scale up Ukraine's drone line
Sunday 1 March 2026 12:28 , Harriette BoucherThe Netherlands will help scale up Ukraine’s “drone line” initiative, the Ukrainian defence minister has said.
Mykhailo Fedorov met with the Netherlands deputy prime minister and minister of defence and secured additional resources to expand on its drone wall.
In a post on social media, Mr Fedorov said he was “grateful for the Netherlands’ leadership and continued support through PURL. Together we strengthen Ukraine’s technological edge.”
Over 1,000 crews are currently operating under the project.
Between January and February, they eliminated every third Russian service member on the front line, the Ukranian defence department said.
Last June 2025, the Netherlands signed contracts for the production of 600,000 Ukrainian drones under the initiative.
'Ukrainians made it through winter,' says Zelensky
Sunday 1 March 2026 11:45 , Harriette BoucherRussia hit Ukraine with more than 14,670 guided aerial bombs, 738 missiles, and nearly 19,000 attack drones over winter, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
In the last week of February alone, it used more than 1,720 attack drones, nearly 1,300 guided aerial bombs, and over 100 missiles to attack Ukraine.
Ukrainian civilians have faced their toughest winter yet as Moscow repeatedly target’s the country’s energy system, leaving hundreds of thousands without power for long periods.
“But despite everything, Ukrainians made it through this difficult winter, when Russia did not even try to seek justification for its bestial strikes on civilian critical infrastructure,” the Ukrainian president said.
“Evil must be confronted in every part of the world. When the United States and other partners show enough determination, even the bloodiest dictators ultimately pay for their crimes. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine defend itself and save lives.”
Zelensky praises Belgium for seizing Russian shadow fleet vessel
Sunday 1 March 2026 11:27 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has welcomed “Belgium's decisive decision” in seizing an oil tanker belonging to the Russian shadow fleet.
Belgium’s defence minister Theo Francken said on Sunday its armed forces had seized the vessel, which was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.
The Ukrainian president said the vessel had long been under US, EU, and UK sanctions.
He added: “It is also important to modernise European legislation so that tankers carrying Russian oil are not just stopped but seized, with their oil repurposed for Europe's security.
“We must be resolute. Russia operates like a mafia organization, and the response must match that reality. If they reject the rules for the sake of war, the rules must foresee a clear and firm answer.”
More than 90,000 Ukrainians considered missing
Sunday 1 March 2026 10:55 , Harriette BoucherMore than 90,000 have been officially registered as missing under special circumstances, according to reports
The figures, which include both military personnel and civilians, were reported by Artur Dobroserdov, the commissioner for missing persons in special circumstances.
Since the war began, 15,172 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, including 739 children, according to the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Iran supreme leader's death a 'cynical murder', says Putin
Sunday 1 March 2026 10:23 , Harriette BoucherVladimir Putin has called the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a “cynical murder”.
He said the killing was in “violation of all standards of human mortality and international law”, Russian state news said.
The Russian leader expressed his condolences to Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian over the killing.
Russia on Saturday condemned the the US-Israel strikes on Iran as “a preplanned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state”.
Belgium seizes oil tanker belonging to Russian shadow fleet
Sunday 1 March 2026 09:27 , Harriette BoucherBelgium has seized a vessel belonging to the Russian shadow fleet, its defence minister claimed.
In a post on Sunday, Theo Francken said: “Over the past few hours, our armed forces, with the support of the French Defence, have boarded an oil tanker belonging to the Russian shadow fleet.
“The vessel is currently being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge, where it will be seized.”
The oil tanker was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”, the defence minister said.
A Belgian official said the seized vessel is named Ethera and is on the European Union's sanctions list.
Netherlands to help scale up Ukraine's drone line
Sunday 1 March 2026 09:00 , Harriette BoucherThe Netherlands will help scale up Ukraine’s “drone line” initiative, the Ukrainian defence minister has said.
Mykhailo Fedorov met with the Netherlands deputy prime minister and minister of defence and secured additional resources to expand on its drone wall.
In a post on social media, Mr Fedorov said he was “grateful for the Netherlands’ leadership and continued support through PURL. Together we strengthen Ukraine’s technological edge.”
Over 1,000 crews are currently operating under the project.
Between January and February, they eliminated every third Russian service member on the front line, the Ukranian defence department said.
Last June 2025, the Netherlands signed contracts for the production of 600,000 Ukrainian drones under the initiative.
Macron ‘very sceptical’ about Russia-Ukraine peace talks
Sunday 1 March 2026 08:01 , Harriette BoucherZelensky condemns Iran for becoming 'Putin's accomplice'
Sunday 1 March 2026 07:05 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine “knows all too well” about the conflict in the Middle East, as he condemns the Iranian regime.
In a post on social media, he said: “Although Ukrainians never threatened Iran, the Iranian regime chose to become Putin’s accomplice and supplied him with “shahed” drones, and not only the drones themselves, but also the technologies to produce them. Iran also provided other weapons to Russia.
“Our position is well known, and Ukraine has stated it repeatedly, including recently. It is important to preserve as many lives as possible. It is important to prevent the war from expanding. It is important that the United States is acting decisively.
“Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken. This understanding must also come to the Russians.”
‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares personal impact of war
Sunday 1 March 2026 06:01 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has admitted he is “not the best father”, as he spoke of the personal challenges he has faced during the four-year war with Russia.
In an interview with Sky News, the Ukrainian president said his role had taken a toll on his family, but that it was his duty to lead Ukraine.
He said he would do anything to bring about peace for his country, and confirmed that another round of trilateral talks was likely to take place next week.
“During the war, I'm not the best father... because I don't have too much time for my children,” he told Sky News in an interview that aired on Friday.
“I'm the president of Ukraine, I don’t compare my job... because my choice... is duty. My choice is Ukraine. That's why I said I'm no good father during the war.”
‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares rare insight into personal impact of war
How Starlink became the backbone of Ukraine’s war
Sunday 1 March 2026 05:00 , Harriette BoucherIAEA: local ceasefire will help restore power backup to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Sunday 1 March 2026 04:05 , Harriette BoucherThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday it has negotiated a temporary local ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, allowing the restoration of a backup power supply to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).
Rafael Grossi, director general of the agency, said in a statement: “The fifth local ceasefire negotiated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) between Ukraine and the Russian Federation commenced today.”
He added: “The IAEA has previously facilitated four temporary ceasefire agreements, which allowed five separate repairs to power lines connected to the ZNPP.”
