Ukraine-Russia war live: US hits back as Zelensky accuses West of ‘dragging out’ long-range weapons delivery
Zelensky defends Vuhledar retreat and says it was done to save ‘citizens of Ukraine’
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The US has hit back after Volodymyr Zelensky said Western partners are “dragging out” a decision over Kyiv’s request to strike Russia with its long-range weapons.
“We need sufficient quantity and quality of weapons, including long-range weapons, that, in my opinion, our partners are already dragging out,” Mr Zelensky said alongside new Nato chief Mark Rutte yesterday. “We will continue to convince our partners of the need to shoot down Russian missiles and drones,” he said.
The Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh reacted to Mr Zelensky’s remarks. “We have a limited supply of long-range missiles” and “we are not dragging it out,” she said.
On the war frontline, the Ukrainian military chief said he has ordered defences to be strengthened in the eastern Donetsk region after pulling out of Vuhledar. Ukraine’s armed forces commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi said he was working on “one of the hottest front sectors” with the 25th Sicheslav Airborne Brigade.
Mr Zelensky acknowledged the loss of Vuhledar, saying moving troops out and preserving lives was the critical issue.
Russian fuel depot on fire in Perm region
A fuel depot was on fire in Russia’s Perm region this morning, Russia’s emergencies ministry said on Telegram.
The ministry said the fire had engulfed fuel tanks, but no one has been hurt. The cause of the fire in the region located near the Ural mountains was unclear.
Russian officials never disclose the full extent of the damage suffered in strikes and explosions.
In pictures: New Nato chief, Zelensky meet in Kyiv
Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the new head of Nato Mark Rutte who affirmed a commitment that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato.”
“Ukraine is closer to Nato than ever before, and it will continue along this path until it secures Nato membership,” Mr Rutte said.
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New Nato chief makes Ukraine support top priority, hits out at China
The new head of Nato Mark Rutte vowed to help shore up Western support for war-ravaged Ukraine as he took charge yesterday.
The former Dutch prime minister expressed confidence that he can work with whoever is elected president of the United States, the alliance’s most powerful member, in November.
“There can be no lasting security in Europe without a strong, independent Ukraine,” Mr Rutte said in his first speech on taking office.
He also affirmed a commitment made by the organisation’s leaders in 2008 that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato.” He added: “The cost of supporting Ukraine is far, far lower than the cost we would face if we allow Putin to get his way.”
Mr Rutte singled out China, and particularly Beijing’s support for Putin. “China has become a decisive enabler of Russia’s war in Ukraine. China cannot continue to fuel the largest conflict in Europe since the Second World War without this impacting its interests and reputation,” he said.
Russia intercepts drone near Kursk with no damage to nuclear plant, governor says
Russian forces intercepted a Ukrainian drone on Thursday near the Russian town of Kurchatov but there was no damage to the nearby Kursk nuclear power plant, the regional governor said.
Governor Alexei Smirnov said debris from the drone caused explosions in a building unrelated to the plant.
Several Russian Telegram channels earlier reported the alleged Ukrainian attack, which they said had been thwarted by air defences but had resulted in a fire several miles from the nuclear plant.
The plant’s operator, Rosenergoatom, said the facility was operating as usual and radiation levels remained within normal limits.
Zelensky says West ‘dragging out’ weapons request, Pentagon reacts
Volodymyr Zelensky has said Western partners are “dragging out” a decision over Kyiv’s request to strike Russia with its long-range weapons.
“We need sufficient quantity and quality of weapons, including long-range weapons, that, in my opinion, our partners are already dragging out,” Mr Zelensky said alongside new Nato chief Mark Rutte. “We will continue to convince our partners of the need to shoot down Russian missiles and drones,” he said in a joint media address.
The Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh reacted to Mr Zelensky’s remarks. “We have a limited supply of long-range missiles” and “we are not dragging it out,” she said.
Zelensky defends Vuhledar retreat: ‘They’re citizens of Ukraine’
President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed Ukraine has moved its troops out of the eastern town of Vuhledar.
The Ukrainian military announced on Wednesday it was pulling troops out of the coal-mining town, a hilltop bastion that had resisted repeated attacks ever since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Lives (of soldiers) need to be saved because they are our people, they are citizens of Ukraine,” said Mr Zelensky, addressing reporters alongside new Nato secretary general Mark Rutte. “Therefore it is very right that they can retreat and save themselves.”
Ukraine’s eastern military command said it had ordered a pullback from Vuhledar to avoid being encircled by Russian troops and to “preserve personnel and military equipment”. Russia has used this tactic to secure control of other Ukrainian settlements.
Ukraine scales up defence in east after leaving Vuhledar
Ukraine’s armed forces commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi said he had ordered defences to be strengthened in the eastern Donetsk region, a day after Kyiv announced it had withdrawn its forces from the town of Vuhledar.
President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the loss of Vuhledar, saying moving troops out and preserving lives was the critical issue.
General Syrskyi said he was working on “one of the hottest front sectors” with the 25th Sicheslav Airborne Brigade. He gave no details on the location but the brigade operates in the Pokrovsk front, an area of intensified Russian assaults.
“While working in the brigade, I made a number of decisions aimed at strengthening stability and effectiveness of our defence,” Syrskyi said.
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Russia fires major drone attack as new Nato chief visits Kyiv
Russian forces have launched a major drone attack on 15 Ukrainian regions, causing damage to energy infrastructure, residential buildings and schools.
The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 78 out of 105 Russian drones during the assault, but the aerial attacks damaged power lines and substations’ equipment in the Kyiv, Odesa and Ivano-Frankivsk regions in the past day.
The attacks caused temporary disruption of railway services in the southern Odesa region as well as power cuts in households, Ukraine’s energy ministry said.
Authorities said they had downed around 15 drones over Kyiv and the surrounding area during an air alert that lasted for more than five hours. The regions of Poltava, Cherkasy and Kirovohrad in central Ukraine reported minor damage to property.
Russia launches major drone attack on Ukraine – as new Nato chief visits Kyiv
Ukraine’s military also says it struck Russian radar station with US-provided ballistic missiles
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