Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia's military failed to achieve aims it set out last year and would have difficulty fulfilling advances that Moscow hoped to achieve.
Addressing journalists in Kyiv, the Ukrainian president said Moscow's plans of seizing all of eastern Ukraine and areas further south remained unchanged.
Russian president Vladimir Putin’s forces want the occupation of the east of Ukraine, specifically the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Zelensky said, but added that Kyiv “does not see that they have the capability to accomplish the tasks” for the moment.
The assessment from Kyiv comes at a time when the planned trilateral peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, brokered by the US, are in peril due to the escalating conflict in the Gulf region.
Speaking to journalists, Ukraine's war-time leader said he could not confirm the venue but stressed “no one has cancelled” the meeting.
“If there are difficulties with Abu Dhabi due to missiles and drones, then I think we have Türkiye, we have Switzerland - venues that have already worked and allowed us all to meet. We will definitely support any of these three venues for the meeting. We are waiting for a response from our partners,” Zelensky said.
Kremlin says Russia remains open to peace talks despite impasse
Iranian drones buzz across the Persian Gulf after their pivotal use by Russia in Ukraine
‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares rare insight into personal impact of Russia war
We’re experts on the Ukraine war. Here’s what we think will happen next
Key Points
- Putin's troops will have difficulty fulfilling planned advances, says Zelensky
- Russian army sees slowest advance since 2024 after Starlink snapped
- ‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares personal impact of war
- Kyiv sees EU membership as key to Ukraine's future
Russia fines Ukrainian POW for 'discrediting the military'
06:30 , Arpan RaiA Ukrainian prisoner of war has been reportedly fined 30,000 rubles (£289) for “discrediting” the Russian military while he was held in a Siberian penal colony on terrorism charges tied to defending Ukraine.
A court verdict from 25 February, reported by Russia’s independent outlet Mediazona, showed that the prisoner Anton Saikhiev said in the presence of two fellow inmates that the Russian military attacked and occupied Ukraine, killed civilians, and struck civilian facilities – a testimony they later used against him.
Saikhiev, 38, was captured while defending Mariupol in 2022 and was serving his sentence in Buryat Correctional Colony in Siberia’s Ulan-Ude on terrorism charges, which were imposed on him by Moscow due to his service with Ukraine’s Azov units.
“He stated that the Russian Army attacked Ukraine, occupied Ukrainian territory, and that its presence on Ukrainian territory was illegal, killing civilians and shelling Ukrainian social facilities with missiles,” the verdict claimed.
Officials in Ukraine have not issued a comment on the issue so far.
France and Germany move closer on joint nuclear deterrence
06:00 , Arpan RaiSeveral European nations have come out in support of French president Emmaneul Macron’s initiative to boost France’s nuclear arsenal and launch a European dialogue on nuclear deterrence.
France and Germany announced plans yesterday to deepen cooperation on nuclear deterrence, marking a significant shift in European defence policy as the continent faces rising threats from Russia and instability linked to the Iran conflict.
The countries will set up a high-level steering group to align strategy, according to a joint statement. Germany will join French nuclear exercises and inspections of strategic sites, while both aim to strengthen conventional and missile defence capabilities with other European partners.
Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands expressed support as Macron said the arsenal expansion was necessary to strenghten Europe’s defence while insisting it does not signal a new arms race.
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark will contribute through joint exercises, training and air surveillance updates while stressing that the country will not host French nuclear weapons, according to broadcaster DR.
“It's also about getting to the table and thus gaining increased access to information and strategic decisions," she added.
Danish defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen stressed that cooperation with France does not mean that Denmark will house French nuclear weapons.
We’re experts on the Ukraine war. Here’s what we think will happen next
05:40 , Arpan RaiFour years ago, on February 24 2022, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced that his forces had begun a full-scale invasion of Ukraine – the reasons for which we have explored here. Within minutes, explosions were heard in major Ukrainian cities as Russian troops flooded across the border.
Russian forces made swift gains, capturing key areas near the capital of Kyiv. But the offensive soon stalled and, by December, Russia had been forced to withdraw its forces and consolidate in the east where the war has ground on ever since.
We asked Stefan Wolff, Tetyana Malyarenko, Scott Lucas and Mark Webber, four regular contributors to the Conversation UK’s coverage of Ukraine, for their take on the most surprising development of the war so far and its likely trajectory from here.
We’re experts on the Ukraine war. Here’s what we think will happen next
Why Ukraine has superior expertise over Iranian Shahed drones
05:20 , Arpan RaiAfter Russia's botched attempt to capture Ukrainian capital Kyiv after its full-scale invasion with tanks, troops and missiles in February 2022, the fighting has turned into a war of attrition that has been increasingly shaped by drones.
While swarms of small drones have played a decisive role on the battlefield, both Russia and Ukraine also have increasingly relied on longer-range drones to attack deep into each other's territory.
After reaching a deal with Tehran to import Shahed drones early in the war — Shahed means "witness" in Farsi — Russia localized their production. Russian engineers have increased its altitude, made it more jamming-resistant and fitted it with more powerful warheads.
The Russian replica of the Shahed — called "Geran," or "geranium" — has been put in production at a plant in the Russian province of Tatarstan that has exponentially increased output. Since then, Russia has battered Ukraine with hundreds of drones in a single night - more than were used during some entire months in 2024.
By using large numbers in a single attack, Moscow's strategists seek to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses and distract them from engaging more expensive cruise and ballistic missiles that Moscow often uses alongside the drones to hit high-value targets.
And while it flies slow at 180 kph (just over 110 mph), it can range as far as 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) and carry a relatively big load of 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of explosives. Ukrainians have dubbed them "mopeds" for their distinctive buzz.
Ukraine has relied on mobile teams armed with machine guns as a low-cost response to the drones to spare using more-expensive Western-supplied air defense missiles. It also has developed interceptor drones and is working to scale up production, but the steady rise in Russian attacks has strained its defences.
Watch: Five injured in Ukrainian drone attack on major Russian oil terminal
05:03 , Arpan RaiZelensky says peace talks not cancelled amid Gulf conflict but venue can change from Abu Dhabi
04:36 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky has said the conflict in the Middle East due to the US-Israel military escalation against Iran has not yet cancelled the planned trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US.
The three delegations were set to meet in Abu Dhabi this week but the Iranian retaliation of the GZelensky says peace talks not cancelled amid Gulf conflict but venue can change from Abu Dhabiulf region has left the scheduled talks in jeopardy.
Zelensky said while he could not confirm the venue, “no one has cancelled” the meeting so far.
“Due to the current military conflict, we cannot confirm that the meeting will take place in Abu Dhabi, but nonetheless, no one has cancelled it. The meeting must take place; it is important to us. We support this meeting," Zelensky said.
Zelensky said if the talks cannot be held in Abu Dhabi due to the security situation, other venues where previous negotiations took place could be used.
“If there are difficulties with Abu Dhabi due to missiles and drones, then I think we have Türkiye, we have Switzerland – venues that have already worked and allowed us all to meet. We will definitely support any of these three venues for the meeting. We are waiting for a response from our partners,” Zelensky said.
The talks are most likely to take place on 5-6 March, Zelensky said.
Russian officials have not issued a comment on the planned trilateral talks.
Kremlin says Russia remains open to peace talks despite impasse
04:15 , Arpan RaiThe Kremlin has affirmed its continued interest in peace talks with Ukraine, stating on Monday that a diplomatic settlement remains its preferred path to end the conflict.
This declaration comes despite recent reports suggesting a growing reluctance from Russian officials to engage further in negotiations.
Peace talks have appeared deadlocked in recent weeks, primarily over Russia's insistence that Ukraine cede control of the remaining parts of its eastern Donbas region – a demand Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly rejected.
A Bloomberg News report on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter, indicated that Russian officials increasingly saw little reason to continue the US-led talks unless Kyiv signalled a willingness to surrender territory.
Kremlin says Russia remains open to peace talks despite impasse
Five injured in huge Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian port city
03:50 , Arpan RaiA massive Ukrainian drone attack overnight targeted the southern Russian city of Novorossiysk, a key port and naval base.
The assault resulted in at least five people being injured and 20 buildings damaged, including residential blocks, private houses, and kindergartens.
Russia's defence ministry reported downing 172 Ukrainian drones, with 67 intercepted over the Black Sea and 66 over the Krasnodar region, where Novorossiysk is located.
A state of emergency was declared in Novorossiysk following the "strongest strike," according to the Krasnodar region governor.
Although drone debris fell on a grain terminal in Novorossiysk, officials confirmed that no damage was caused to the facility.
Five injured in huge Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian port city
Iranian drones buzz across the Persian Gulf after their pivotal use by Russia in Ukraine
03:37 , Arpan RaiThe distinctive buzz of Iranian-designed drones has become a familiar sound in Ukraine over the past four years. Now, it's increasingly heard across the Persian Gulf as Tehran strikes back with the cheap but effective weapons following the attack by the U.S. and Israel against Iran.
The Shahed drones have made a transformative impact on modern warfare, with Russia sending swarms of the deadly weapons into the skies above Ukraine on nightly missions.
While ballistic and cruise missiles fly much faster and pack a bigger punch, they cost millions and are available only in limited quantities. A Shahed drone costs only tens of thousands of dollars — a tiny fraction of a ballistic missile.
Iranian drones buzz across the Persian Gulf after their pivotal use by Russia in Ukraine
Russian army sees slowest advance since 2024 after Starlink snapped
03:20 , Arpan RaiThe Russian army has seen its slowest advance on the war frontline in nearly two years, a US-based think tank monitoring the conflict has said.
At the same time, Kyiv’s troops scored several localised breakthroughs, an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War said, adding that Ukrainian forces saw the most success along the southern frontline and pushing back Russian army in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Moscow has been grinding forward in the east, moving closer towards the key hubs of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region and occupies just over 19 per cent of Ukraine, the ISW said.
Ukrainian troops managed several localised advances during February, with a 61 sq km gain on 15 February and gains of more 50 sq km on 21 February and 23 February.
The gains for Ukraine also coincided with Russian troops slowing down at the frontline after Elon Musk cut the Starlink access for Moscow’s forces.
Putin's troops will have difficulty fulfilling planned advances, says Zelensky
02:52 , Arpan RaiRussia's military had failed to achieve aims it set out last year and would have difficulty fulfilling advances he said Moscow hoped to achieve, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Addressing journalists in Kyiv, Zelensky said Moscow's plans of seizing all of eastern Ukraine and areas further south remained unchanged.
The Ukrainian leader added that Moscow also hoped to advance towards the southeastern city of Dnipro and was also considering how to make gains in the southern Odesa region on the Black Sea.
Ukraine, he said, had secured maps outlining Russian plans for 2026-2027 but the maps had "nothing in common with reality" because Russia could not accomplish the task.
“We understand what they want. We understand that their directions remain current - the occupation of the east of our country, specifically the Donetsk and Luhansk regions," he said.
"They certainly want to continue in the direction of the Zaporizhzhia region and toward the city of Dnipro. And although it is difficult for them, they are looking toward the Odesa region,” Zelensky said.
"For the moment, he said, Ukraine "does not see that they have the capability to accomplish the tasks we saw on those maps" but the state of things would depend on the supply of weapons to Kyiv and on Ukraine's own domestic production.
In pictures: Vladimir Putin attends a meetings with Amur Region Governor Vasily Orlov
02:00 , Bryony Gooch
2 journalists in Belarus imprisoned as part of a crackdown on free speech, media groups say
01:00 , Bryony Gooch
2 journalists in Belarus imprisoned as part of a crackdown on free speech, media groups say
Watch: Trump says he is 'working very hard to end the slaughter' in Ukraine
00:00 , Bryony GoochRussian drone hits train in Dnipropetrovsk region, killing one, Kyiv says
Monday 2 March 2026 23:00 , Bryony GoochA Russian drone hit a commuter train on Monday in the central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, killing one person and wounding seven people, deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba said on the Telegram messaging app. Regional officials said two children were among those wounded in the attack.
‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares personal impact of war
Monday 2 March 2026 22:00 , Bryony Gooch
‘I’m not the best father’: Zelensky shares rare insight into personal impact of war
Kyiv sees EU membership as key to Ukraine's future
Monday 2 March 2026 21:00 , Bryony GoochKyiv sees membership in the bloc as key to its post-war future. A reference to Ukraine joining the EU at a specifically defined date is included in drafts of a 20-point peace plan that was agreed between Ukraine and the United States and is under negotiation with Russia.
EU officials have said that Ukraine, with a mixed record on transparency, corruption, and the rule of law, may need many years of reforms to meet the EU's entry criteria.
Volodymyr Zelensky repeated on Monday that Ukraine would be technically ready for EU accession by next year and said the timing of its entry into the 27-nation bloc depended on the political will of its partners. "If they truly believe in Ukraine, if they want to see Ukraine in the EU, then this is the opportunity: at the end of the war, to give Ukraine a concrete date and not repeat the mistake they made with NATO," he said.
Watch: How Starlink became the backbone of Ukraine’s war
Monday 2 March 2026 20:00 , Bryony GoochFive injured in huge Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian port
Monday 2 March 2026 19:00 , Bryony GoochFive injured in huge Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian port city
Ukraine to complete preparation in days to start EU accession talks, Zelensky says
Monday 2 March 2026 18:00 , Bryony GoochUkraine will complete the technical work needed to open negotiations on all topics for its European Union accession process within days, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday. Zelensky reiterated his call on the EU partners to agree on a firm date for Ukraine to join the bloc, saying that would provide an important guarantee of the country's future security as Kyiv negotiates with Moscow to end the war.
"We are ready, but not all leaders of the European Union are... I mean, not everyone is ready to give Ukraine this opportunity," Zelensky told reporters in a WhatsApp media chat.
Ukraine became a formal EU candidate country in the early days after Russia's invasion in February 2022.
But so far, Kyiv’s progress through the existing EU process has been held up by Hungary, which has blocked the unanimous approval required to open formally each of the six so-called accession "clusters" of issues to be resolved.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, who has maintained the bloc's closest ties with Russia and is facing key elections in April, has also derailed the latest EU aid package to Ukraine, worth 90 billion euros over this year and next.
Orban has accused Ukraine of stopping Russian oil supplies to Hungary via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Ukraine. Ukraine says the pipeline was damaged by a Russian drone attack.
Kremlin says Russia remains open to peace talks despite impasse
Monday 2 March 2026 17:00 , Bryony GoochKremlin says Russia remains open to peace talks despite impasse
Watch: Zelensky calls Ukrainian air defence skills 'irreplaceable' amid Europe’s growing role in Iran conflict
Monday 2 March 2026 16:30 , Bryony GoochRussia's Putin, Saudi crown prince discuss Iran escalation risks
Monday 2 March 2026 16:00 , Bryony GoochRussian president Vladimir Putin discussed risks of escalation around Iran in a phone call with Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, Russian agencies reported.
"Both sides expressed serious concern about the real risks of the conflict spreading, which has already affected the territories of a number of Arab countries and could have catastrophic consequences," TASS quoted the Kremlin statement as saying.
According to Interfax, Putin told Mohammed bin Salman that there is an urgent need to resolve this "extremely dangerous situation" through political and diplomatic means.
Russia says five injured, fuel terminal fire put out after Ukrainian drone attack on Novorossiysk
Monday 2 March 2026 15:30 , Bryony GoochRussia said on Monday that five people had been injured, 20 buildings damaged, and a fire at a fuel terminal extinguished after what it said was a massive overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk. An official at Ukraine's SBU security service said Ukrainian drones had struck the Sheskharis oil terminal at the port, hitting six of its seven loading facilities, and that Russian warships had also been hit. Ukraine's General Staff said a naval base had also been struck, along with an S-400 air defence radar station.
Russia, which restricts information about attacks on its military, made no mention of any damage to its military assets. Reuters could not independently verify what Ukraine had struck.
Slovak PM Fico wants to meet EU's von der Leyen to get Druzhba oil flows back
Monday 2 March 2026 15:00 , Bryony GoochSlovakia wants to initiate a meeting with EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and ideally together with Ukraine and Hungary, to get oil flows along the Druzhba pipeline restarted as quickly as possible, Slovak prime minister Robert Fico said on Monday.
Slovakia and Hungary have blamed Ukraine for dragging its feet on restarting supplies of Russian crude through the pipeline, although Kyiv says repairs take time after what it said was a Russian attack on pumping stations in western Ukraine in late January.
"This has now become a European-Ukrainian problem and Europe must decide on which side it stands," Fico said, adding that the Commission should find time within days for a meeting.
Putin and Bahrain's king discussed 'escalation around Iran' in a phone call
Monday 2 March 2026 14:30 , Daniel KeaneRussian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on Monday, discussing 'unprecedented escalation around Iran,' Russian state news agency TASS reported.
Putin said that Russia is ready to use 'all available means to stabilise the situation in the region,' TASS reported.
Zelensky says Ukraine-Russia talks still expected this week
Monday 2 March 2026 14:00 , Daniel KeaneA new round of U.S.-brokered peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, scheduled for week, has not been canceled following the weekend strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said.
Zelensky said that Kyiv was considering a new location for the talks, which had been due to take place on March 5 and 6 in Abu Dhabi, and that Turkey or Switzerland were possibilities.
"Due to the ongoing hostilities, we cannot confirm that the meeting will take place in Abu Dhabi but, nevertheless, no-one has cancelled the meeting," he told reporters in a briefing on WhatsApp.
Why Moscow's shadow fleet has fueled concern in Europe
Monday 2 March 2026 13:30 , Arpan RaiRussia has previously called the seizure of its cargo vessels by European countries an act of piracy.
Shadow fleet vessels, which typically have opaque ownership structures, have raised concern about possible environmental risks, with poorly regulated, ageing tankers prone to spills, mechanical failures and leaks, threatening marine ecosystems.
They also usually sail without top-tier Western insurance or safety certification cover and often have unknown insurers or assessors of their seaworthiness, both required for ocean-going commercial ships, shipping and insurance industry sources familiar with the matter have said.
Belgium's federal prosecutor's office said in a statement that during the on-board inspection of the latest Russian oil tanker to be seized, "the indications of a false flag were confirmed, and ship documents were found that are suspected of being false".
It added that "a criminal investigation was opened and an order was issued to divert the ship to Belgian territorial waters".
Zelensky says Middle East events confirm difficulty of stopping missiles and Shaheds
Monday 2 March 2026 13:00 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had shown how hard it was to ensure full protection against missiles and Shahed drones, even for countries with more advanced air defence systems than Ukraine.
"The situation in the Middle East has shown how difficult it is to provide 100 per cent protection from missiles and Shaheds. Even the Gulf countries with higher-quality air defence systems and a larger number of such systems still fail to intercept all ballistic missiles,” he said on X.
Some Shahed drones in the region had also evaded air defences, he said.
Zelensky previously offered Ukraine’s expertise in assisting partner countries by sharing its experience in countering such attacks from Russia.
Ukraine has been fighting off variants of Shahed drones throughout the war.
Next three-way peace talks depend on security situation and diplomacy, says Zelensky
Monday 2 March 2026 12:30 , 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.
As Macron sets out his nuclear doctrine, a look at France's capability by the numbers
Monday 2 March 2026 12:00 , Arpan RaiFrench president Emmanuel Macron is delivering a keynote speech Monday on France’s nuclear deterrence policy, as his European allies express growing concerns over possible US disengagement and Russian threats.
France is the European Union’s only nuclear power and its deterrence doctrine relies on a strictly defensive strategy intended to safeguard the country’s “vital interests.” Macron has long maintained that those “vital interests” have a “European dimension.”
While France is a member of Nato, it maintains full independence over its nuclear forces while contributing to the alliance’s broader deterrence posture. Under the French Constitution, the president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the sole to decide on the potential use of nuclear weapons.
Here is a look at France’s nuclear capabilities, by the numbers:
As Macron sets out his nuclear doctrine, a look at France's capability by the numbers
Belgian defence minister shares footage of Russian shadow fleet vessel capture
Monday 2 March 2026 11:30 , 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.”
Putin losses nearly more than 900 soldiers over past 24 hours, says Ukraine
Monday 2 March 2026 10:30 , Arpan RaiRussia has suffered around 960 casualties in the past day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in an update this morning.
Russia has lost around 1,267,730 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, the military officials said in their daily update.
According to the report, Russia also lost 11,713 tanks, 24,111 armored combat vehicles, 80,757 vehicles and fuel tanks, 37,795 artillery systems, 1,665 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,313 air defense systems, 435 aircraft, 348 helicopters, 153,169 operational-tactical drones, 29 ships and boats, and two submarines.
Ukraine does not reveal its own losses during the war due to operational secrecy.
Kremlin says continuing peace talks on Ukraine is in Russia's own interests
Monday 2 March 2026 10:15 , Arpan RaiThe Kremlin said it was in Russia's own interests to continue peace talks with Ukraine and that Moscow's preference was still to reach a diplomatic settlement to end the fighting.
In a statement on Monday, the Kremlin said it values US mediation efforts on Ukraine but only relies on itself in the end to bring an end to the war.
It added that Russia’s stance on talks with Ukraine remains unchanged and that it would prefer to achieve its aims through diplomatic or political means.
Russia claims fresh capture of Ukrainian territory in east
Monday 2 March 2026 10:00 , Arpan RaiRussian officials have claimed its forces have advanced in eastern and northeastern parts of Ukraine, reported Tass news agency this morning.
Ukraine has not issued any statements on the Russian claims yet.
The areas identified by Russian ministry include Riznykivka and Drobysheve in Donetsk and Kruhle in Kharkiv region.
Russia says five injured in massive overnight Ukrainian drone attack on Novorossiysk
Monday 2 March 2026 09:45 , Arpan RaiAt least five people were injured and 20 buildings damaged in a massive overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian city of Novorossiysk, which hosts a port and a naval base, local authorities said this morning.
The Russian defence ministry said it had downed 172 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 67 over the Black Sea and 66 over the Krasnodar region where Novorossiysk is located.
"All night long, our military repelled a massive attack by Ukrainian drones. The strongest strike hit Novorossiysk, where a state of emergency was declared," Veniamin Kondratyev, the governor of Krasnodar region, said.
Andrei Kravchenko, the mayor of Novorossiysk, posted images of some of the damage on his Telegram channel and said preliminary information suggested that eight residential tower blocks had been damaged along with nine private houses and three kindergartens.
Five people who sustained injuries in the attack were being treated in hospital, he said.
Drone debris also fell on a grain terminal in Novorossiysk, but did not cause any damage, the Interfax news agency reported, citing the head of the company that operates the facility.
Ukrainian foreign minister says 'domino of deposed dictators must continue'
Monday 2 March 2026 09:30 , Arpan RaiVladimir 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.”
Putin says Iran supreme leader Khamenei's death a 'cynical murder'
Monday 2 March 2026 09:15 , Arpan RaiVladimir 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”.
NEW: Russia continues to offer no support but boilerplate condemnations to Iran following the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several other senior Iranian officials.
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) March 1, 2026
Other Key Takeaways:
European states continue to crack down on Russian shadow fleet vessels… pic.twitter.com/oyGww8thq3
Ukraine hit with record number of missiles in February
Monday 2 March 2026 09:00 , Arpan RaiRussia 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.
Rishi Sunak accepts role advising Zelensky on Ukraine’s economic renewal
Monday 2 March 2026 08:25 , Arpan RaiRishi Sunak has taken up a role as one of several international advisers helping the Ukrainian government with economic renewal.
Documents released on Friday by the independent adviser on ministerial standards revealed the former prime minister has begun an unpaid role as part of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s International Advisory Council for the Economic Renewal of Ukraine.
The advisory council is expected to provide a panel of experts to advise both Zelensky and his economic adviser, former Canadian deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland.
Sunak said he had been “honoured” to support Ukraine as prime minister, and praised Zelensky’s leadership and the Ukrainian people for showing “such bravery, such strength, such ingenuity in their resistance in this war”.
“The West needs a strong Ukraine, and a strong Ukraine needs a strong economy,” he added.
Rishi Sunak accepts role advising Zelensky on Ukraine’s economic renewal
Ukrainian drones hit major oil terminal in southern Russia's Novorossiysk
Monday 2 March 2026 07:55 , Arpan RaiA major Russian oil terminal has been set ablaze after coming under attack from Ukrainian drones, local reports said.
The drones targeted the southern Russian port city of Novorossiysk overnight, reported Telegram news channel Astra.
Sheskharis oil terminal in the Port of Novorossiysk has been attacked, reported the Kyiv Independent, citing an analysis of eyewitness footage conducted by the outlet.
The site is Russia’s prominent oil export terminal that serves as the endpoint for pipelines run by Russia's state-run Transneft, the world's largest oil pipeline company.
Novorossiysk mayor Andrey Kravchenko said at least four residential buildings were reported damaged in the attack but he did not mention the oil terminal.
"At the moment, damage is known to have occurred to two more apartment buildings and five houses. Fires broke out at two addresses and are being extinguished. According to preliminary information, there are no casualties," Kravchenko said.
The attack has left three people injured, the Krasnodar Krai operational headquarters said.
As Macron sets out his nuclear doctrine, a look at France's capability by the numbers
Monday 2 March 2026 07:20 , Arpan RaiFrench president Emmanuel Macron is delivering a keynote speech Monday on France’s nuclear deterrence policy, as his European allies express growing concerns over possible US disengagement and Russian threats.
France is the European Union’s only nuclear power and its deterrence doctrine relies on a strictly defensive strategy intended to safeguard the country’s “vital interests.” Macron has long maintained that those “vital interests” have a “European dimension.”
While France is a member of Nato, it maintains full independence over its nuclear forces while contributing to the alliance’s broader deterrence posture. Under the French Constitution, the president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the sole to decide on the potential use of nuclear weapons.
Here is a look at France’s nuclear capabilities, by the numbers:
As Macron sets out his nuclear doctrine, a look at France's capability by the numbers
Zelensky says Middle East events confirm difficulty of stopping missiles and Shaheds
Monday 2 March 2026 07:05 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had shown how hard it was to ensure full protection against missiles and Shahed drones, even for countries with more advanced air defence systems than Ukraine.
"The situation in the Middle East has shown how difficult it is to provide 100 per cent protection from missiles and Shaheds. Even the Gulf countries with higher-quality air defence systems and a larger number of such systems still fail to intercept all ballistic missiles,” he said on X.
Some Shahed drones in the region had also evaded air defences, he said.
Zelensky previously offered Ukraine’s expertise in assisting partner countries by sharing its experience in countering such attacks from Russia.
Ukraine has been fighting off variants of Shahed drones throughout the war.
Next three-way peace talks depend on security situation and diplomacy, says Zelensky
Monday 2 March 2026 06:50 , 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.
Ukrainians made it through winter, says Zelensky
Monday 2 March 2026 06:35 , 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.”
Russia has lost 1.26M troops since war started, Ukrainian defence ministry says
Monday 2 March 2026 06:20 , 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.
Ukraine to help shoot down Iranian drones in Gulf, says Starmer
Monday 2 March 2026 06:05 , 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.
Why Moscow's shadow fleet has fueled concern in Europe
Monday 2 March 2026 05:49 , Arpan RaiRussia has previously called the seizure of its cargo vessels by European countries an act of piracy.
Shadow fleet vessels, which typically have opaque ownership structures, have raised concern about possible environmental risks, with poorly regulated, ageing tankers prone to spills, mechanical failures and leaks, threatening marine ecosystems.
They also usually sail without top-tier Western insurance or safety certification cover and often have unknown insurers or assessors of their seaworthiness, both required for ocean-going commercial ships, shipping and insurance industry sources familiar with the matter have said.
Belgium's federal prosecutor's office said in a statement that during the on-board inspection of the latest Russian oil tanker to be seized, "the indications of a false flag were confirmed, and ship documents were found that are suspected of being false".
It added that "a criminal investigation was opened and an order was issued to divert the ship to Belgian territorial waters".
