Ukraine drone commander says Crimea strikes could rise seven-fold if Western funds arrive fasterYour support helps us to tell the story
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A Ukrainian drone attack has hit 600 miles deep inside Russia on Monday, according to local authorities.
The strikes hit both industrial and civilian infrastructure in the city of Nizhnekamsk that is around 680 miles from the Ukrainian border and the Taneco oil refinery in the Tatarstan region, which is 497 miles east of Moscow.
Ukraine’s military confirmed the attack on the refinery but is yet to comment on the reported strikes in Nizhnekamsk.
At least 13 people have been killed in the attack including one child with over 75 injured, according to Russian authorities.
A period of mourning has been declared in the region, according to the mayor of Nizhnekamsk, Radmir Belayev, in a post on Telegram.
It comes as Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky claimed North Korea was preparing to deploy as many as 50,000 soldiers to support Russia‘s war effort.
Zelensky said North Korea would benefit from “experience in modern warfare” as well as receiving licences to produce more advanced Russian technology.
Earlier, UK defence secretary Wes Streeting urged allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences ahead of winter, warning that Vladimir Putin will seek to use the colder months as a “weapon” against Kyiv.
Where have peace talks been left?
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have been on hold since February, when the United States shifted focus to its new war in the Middle East.
Moscow and Kyiv walked away from talks in Geneva no closer to a deal, as Ukraine suggested the US was unfairly demanding Kyiv alone make concessions to end the war.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said the last round of direct talks had been “difficult” and accused Russia of deliberately stalling, with the issue of territory still in dispute.
What does either side want?
Russia insists on its demands for Ukrainian territory and the withdrawal of forces from its borders.
Ukraine insists it needs clear security guarantees from allies to stop Russia reopening the conflict and says it cannot and will not give up territory sought by Russia.
The lands in the east include industry heavy regions and Ukraine’s belt of ‘fortress cities’ to protect against invasion.
Volodymyr Zelensky said late in April that he was keen to meet with Vladimir Putin, his Russian counterpart, in an effort to restart negotiations.
While Ukraine claimed a string of wins on the ground, Zelensky warned that US attention on the war with Iran was soaking up resources and leaving Ukraine with critical shortages of air defences.
But the Kremlin said Putin would only meet Zelensky in Moscow for the purpose of finalising agreements on the conflict.
Turkey said it was making efforts to restart talks and bring together the leaders, after hosting delegations in July 2025.
James Reynolds11 August 2026 00:00
Moment Ukraine’s Black Forest Brigade destroys Russian air defence command centre
Video published on Sunday showed the moment of impact from above as a loitering drone hit the side of the truck with devastating effect, sending smoke billowing from the wreckage.
James Reynolds10 August 2026 23:04
What are Patriot interceptors and why do they matter?
Ukraine is urgently seeking more Patriot interceptors to defend against a nightly barrage of Russian ballistic missile strikes.
But the Iran war has drained arsenals in the US and the Gulf, and some European countries are holding onto missiles they may need for their own defense.
So what are the Patriot interceptor missiles?
Patriot, short for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target, is a mobile surface-to-air missile defense system built by US weapons maker Raytheon Technologies that can be used in all kinds of weather and at long range.
A typical battery includes radar and control systems, a power unit, launchers, and support vehicles. The system can intercept aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, depending on the interceptor used.
A Patriot missile system is deployed in a local park during the annual Han Kuang military exercises (Reuters)
Kyiv has repeatedly asked Western allies for more air defences to protect critical infrastructure and civilian areas from frequent Russian missile and drone attacks.
While effective at intercepting missiles and aircraft, Patriots are a costly way to shoot down low-budget drones. Patriot interceptors are estimated at around $4 million per missile, CSIS says, while Russia can send hundreds of cheap drones a day.
Although not originally designed to intercept hypersonic weapons, in May 2023 the US confirmed Ukraine had used the Patriot system to shoot down a Russian Kinzhal missile, which Moscow claims is hypersonic.
Russia has long said that giving Ukraine interceptors would amount to a direct escalation. They said it would delay the chance of peace.
But Donald Trump’s main line of argument is that the US needs its weapons and cannot afford to give them away to Ukraine. Indeed, the Patriots have been in short supply since the US went to war with Iran in February.
Trump in July offered Ukraine the right to make its own Patriot interceptors, but later reneged, saying the US has “not agreed” to such an arrangement.
James Reynolds10 August 2026 23:00
Kyiv under attack from Russian ballistic missiles, says mayor
The Ukrainian capital Kyiv came under attack from Russian ballistic missiles early on Tuesday, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Witnesses reported explosions in the capital.
James Reynolds10 August 2026 22:46
Watch: Ukraine drone commander says Crimea strikes could rise seven-fold if Western funds arrive fasterUkraine drone commander says Crimea strikes could rise seven-fold if Western funds arrive faster
James Reynolds10 August 2026 22:00
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said attacks on health care facilities “must stop” after a warehouse containing medical equipment and humanitarian supplies was destroyed in a Russian strike.
Despite efforts by UN workers to evacuate the Dnipro facility, over 170 pallets of essential supplies remained inside when it was hit last Friday.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the attack, stating that “attacks on health care MUST STOP” and that “Even wars have rules”.
James Reynolds10 August 2026 21:00
Inside Putin’s aggressive army recruitment drive
Local officials have been issued recruitment quotas by the Kremlin and Moscow’s defence ministry as it looks to meet this year’s 409,000 target, sources familiar with the matter told the Financial Times.
James Reynolds10 August 2026 20:00
Russia to hand over control of two key Mediterranean bases to Syria
The development signals a significant recalibration of Moscow’s military footprint in the region.
The Hmeimem air base and the Tartus naval base served as crucial Russian military outposts in the eastern Mediterranean throughout Syria’s civil war.
Russia was the primary political and military ally of former president Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 by Isis-affiliated insurgents led by now-leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, and subsequently sought exile in Russia.
Maira Butt10 August 2026 19:15
Russia has received extra ballistic missiles from North Korea, says Zelensky
In his evening address, Zelensky reiterates his claim that North Korea is preparing to send tens of thousands of troops to train in Russia.
He also says Pyongyang has sent ballistic missiles to Moscow to aid the war effort.
“For the first time in its history, Russia cannot wage war without reinforcements from North Korea,” the Ukrainian president assessed.
“The more North Korean strikes there are here in Ukraine, in Europe, the more their missiles and soldiers are used, the more they correct their shortcomings and blind spots, the greater the danger will later be for Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and other countries in the region.”
James Reynolds10 August 2026 19:05
Zelensky discusses defence and food security with Saudi crown prince
Volodymyr Zelensky said he had discussed a drone deal and food security with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday.
“There are domains in which Ukraine and Saudi Arabia can strengthen each other’s ability to protect lives and people,” he said on X after the call.
A handout photo made available by Ukraine’s Presidential Press Service on 11 March 2025 shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) attending a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, late 10 March 2025 (issued 11 March 2025). (EPA)
Maira Butt10 August 2026 18:45