Moscow hit by ‘largest ever' drone attack before US and Ukraine officials meet for peace talks
And just hours before the talks were due to get under way, Ukraine targeted Moscow in what authorities said was its largest ever drone attack on the Russian capital, killing at least one person, sparking fires and forcing the suspension of flights and train travel. A view shows a damaged apartment building in a residential complex following a drone attack in the village of Sapronovo in the Moscow region. Photograph: Tatyana Makeyeva/AFP/Getty Images
The Russian defence ministry said 337 drones were launched at Russia over Monday night, with 91 of them targeting the Moscow region. The Moscow city mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said it was the largest Ukrainian drone attack on the city.
Russia's aviation watchdog said flights were suspended at all four of Moscow's airports. Two other airports, in the Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod regions east of Moscow, were also closed. Share
Jakub Krupa
US and Ukrainian officials are meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, today to see if they can find a way forward for Donald Trump's push to bring the Russian invasion of Ukraine to an end.
The key building block seems to be the minerals deal, which the US side expected to be signed either at Keith Kellogg's visit to Kyiv last month, or the now infamous visit of Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, meets with Saudi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Royal Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP
Kellogg said last week that he was now expecting the deal to be agreed by US state secretary Marco Rubio and his Ukrainian equivalent, and it just so happens that the two take part in today's talks.
Asked on Fox News if he thought Ukraine could sign the minerals deal this week, Trump Middle East aide Steve Witkoff said: 'I am really hopeful. All the signs are very, very positive.' Could this finally happen today, third time lucky?
But we know that both sides are keen to discuss the broader ramification of any deal and what's next, including the Ukrainian proposal – first floated by French president Emmanuel Macron – for a limited ceasefire in air and at seas to allow for other talks to progress.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy also repeatedly talked about the importance of exchanging hostages, and of his demand for Russia to return abducted Ukrainian children. Let's see if he can make progress on these issues.
Last night, the Ukrainian president met with Saudi leaders, who are keen to play a mediating role in the process. In a social media post after the meeting, he said he discussed these ideas, and pointedly added that 'a significant part of the discussion was dedicated to the formats of security guarantees.'
Rubio, on the other hand, said 'both sides need to come to an understanding that there's no military solution to this situation.'
He added: 'I'm not going to set any conditions on what they have to or need to do. I think we want to listen to see how far they're willing to go and then compare that to what the Russians want and see how far apart we truly are.'
'The most important thing that we have to leave here with is a strong sense that Ukraine is prepared to do difficult things, like the Russians are going to have to do difficult things, to end this conflict or at least pause it in some way, shape or form,' he said.
Let's see if they can make progress today. I will bring you all the latest throughout the day.
Elsewhere, we will be keeping one eye on the historic elections in Greenland, the vote of no confidence in the Portuguese government, and other stories across Europe, but our main focus is firmly on Ukraine today.
It's Tuesday, 11 March 2025, and this is Europe live. It's Jakub Krupa here.
Good morning. Share
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Chelsea warn AC Milan over Mike Maignan deal as transfer talks drag on
Chelsea will not revisit a deal for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan if the move is not completed before Tuesday's transfer deadline. The Blues have been in negotiations with the Serie A giants for the French stopper as they haggle over a transfer fee. An opening offer of €15million (£12.6m) was rejected by Milan and it is believed that a deal could be struck for just €18m (£15m), meeting in the middle as the Italians value him at €25m (£21m). In the grand scheme of football transfer fees it seems like a tiny hurdle to overcome, but a deal is proving more difficult than you might think. Sky Sports report that negotiations have been continuing throughout Monday and an agreement has not been reached. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The report states that unless a transfer has been finalised by 7pm on Tuesday June 10 then Chelsea will walk away from a deal. Chelsea offered one of Djordje Petrovic or Kepa Arrizabalaga to Milan in a proposed swap deal for Maignan, but the Rossoneri have no interest in either goalkeeper, favouring a cash-only agreement. The 32-cap France international is out of contract at the San Siro in 2026 and could leave on a free transfer next summer. The transfer window closing on Tuesday evening is unusual and has been brought in to allow clubs participating in the Club World Cup to bring in players before it starts. There are now two transfer windows this summer, with the first running from June 1-10 before the Club World Cup starts on June 15. There is then a second window which runs from June 16 till September 1. The Sky Sports report states that the Maignan deal is different to the one that Chelsea are pursuing for Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens in that Tuesday's deadline is not a final one. More Trending Discussions are ongoing over a move for the English winger and the Blues are happy to revisit them after the first transfer window closes if the transfer is not done in time. Dortmund turned down an initial bid worth €35m (£29.5m) for the 20-year-old and want a significantly bigger offer, closer to €50-60m (£42-50m). Much like with Maignan, it is just the transfer fee that is the issue, with Gittens keen on the switch to west London. Personal terms have been agreed between Chelsea and the winger, but club-to-club negotiations have some way to go. MORE: Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham battling it out for Bournemouth standout MORE: Arsenal struggle for breakthrough in latest Benjamin Sesko talks with RB Leipzig MORE: Chelsea told to sign 'exciting' €28m Norway international star in summer window
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Major UK fashion chain plans mass restructure with 230 stores and 5,500 jobs at risk
A major high street shake-up looms as one of the UK's biggest fashion names fights for survival 💥 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... River Island is preparing a major restructuring plan amid falling sales and rising losses PwC has been hired to oversee the rescue effort, replacing earlier cost-cutting advisers The chain reported a £33.2m pre-tax loss in 2023, with turnover down over 19% Around 230 stores and 5,500 jobs could be at risk, though no final decisions have been made Stores in Telford, Gloucester, Cheltenham, and up to 20 in Scotland have been flagged as vulnerable Thousands of jobs and more than 200 UK stores could hang in the balance as one of Britain's most recognisable high street fashion chains prepares for a sweeping restructuring. Sky News has reported that the founding family behind River Island has called in PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to craft a radical turnaround plan, aimed at averting financial collapse. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While no final decisions have been made, sources say a formal proposal could emerge within weeks, with significant implications for staff and landlords. The business - founded in 1948 as Lewis and later known as Chelsea Girl - has suffered a sharp drop in revenue. In the year to 30 December 2023, River Island reported a £33.2m pre-tax loss, with turnover plunging more than 19% to £578.1m. (Photo: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images The proposed rescue deal is expected to utilise a court-sanctioned restructuring mechanism, allowing the chain to renegotiate with creditors such as landlords - an increasingly common strategy among troubled UK retailers. PwC's appointment marks a shift in strategy, replacing earlier work on cost-cutting and profit improvement led by consultancy AlixPartners. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Which River Island stores could close? River Island currently operates around 230 stores nationwide and employs approximately 5,500 people, though insiders say it is too early to confirm how many roles or locations might be affected under any formal plan. Retailers have also been rattled by recent government tax reforms, with the likes of Lakeland and The Original Factory Shop already pursuing new ownership, while Poundland is currently in the final stages of an auction process. It's been reported locally that the Telford Shopping Centre branch of River Island is 'among those at risk' as part of the radical rescue. Stores in Gloucester and Cheltenham have also been flagged as locations that could be affected. Sources note around that 20 River Island outlets across Scotland could also be on the chopping block — though which exact stores remain unspecified. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We'll update this article as and when more details are confirmed and made available. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Putin could attack Nato by 2030, alliance boss warns as ‘Europe needs to build its own Golden Dome defence system'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VLADIMIR Putin could launch an assault on NATO by 2030, an alliance chief has warned. Mark Rutte, NATO's secretary general, has urged Europe to build "its own Golden Dome defence system" to protect countries from Russia's looming threat. 6 The NATO chief warned the end of the war in Ukraine won't stop the Russian threat Credit: AP 6 The alliance boss warned of Russia's threat to the UK and other European countries Credit: Getty 6 Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke about Russia's looming threat at Chatham House Credit: PA The NATO head said that the alliance would need to take a "quantum leap" in building up its defence systems as Putin's war machine is "speeding up, not slowing down." Speaking at the world-leading policy institute, Chatham House, he urged European leaders to increase their air and missile defence capabilities by a staggering 400 per cent. Europe should also be prepared to protect its skies, as Russia's war on Ukraine has shown the despot leader "delivers terror from above". He said: "The fact is, we need a quantum leap in our collective defence. "The fact is, we must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defence plans in full. "The fact is, danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends." In an urgent plea to leaders, he called for militaries to be armed with thousands more vehicles and tanks, and millions more artillery shells. He also insisted allies double their resources supporting military power including logistics, transport and medical aid. Terrifyingly, Rutte also hinted at a potential triple threat - with Mad Vlad teaming up with despot leaders in China, North Korea and Iran. Russia currently produces in three months what the whole of NATO produces in a year, he said. Russia's ambassador to the UK 'blames Britain' for Ukraine's daring drone attack & warns of 'WWIII risk' China is also modernising and expanding its military, with its battle force expected to increase to 435 ships by 2030. He warned: "Wishful thinking will not keep us safe. We cannot dream away the danger. "Hope is not a strategy. So NATO has to become a stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance." The alliance chief's comments came as he pushed for NATO members to commit to ramping up defence spending at a key summit of the western military alliance later this month. Rutte is urging NATO members to commit to 3.5 percent of GDP on direct military spending by 2032, and an additional 1.5 percent on broader security-related expenditure. The proposal is a compromise deal designed to satisfy US President Donald Trump, who has demanded that allies each spend 5 percent of economic output on defence, up from a current commitment of two percent. Rutte said he "expects" leaders to agree to the proposal at the summit of the 32-country alliance on June 24-25 in The Hague. 6 The Israeli Iron Dome air defence system has protected the state from missile attacks Credit: AP 6 Donald Trump recently unveiled plans to build a Golden Dome over America "It will be a NATO-wide commitment and a defining moment for the alliance," he said in his speech. Russia condemned Rutte's comments before he took to the stage, denouncing NATO as "an instrument of aggression". NATO "is demonstrating itself as an instrument of aggression and confrontation", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow. This follows Rutte's meeting with the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer - their second Downing Street talk since the Labour leader came into power last year. Starmer's government this year pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, but has not yet set a firm timeline for further hikes. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada would hit two percent this year. US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said last week the allies were close to an agreement on the split five-percent target. "That combination constitutes a real commitment, and we think every country can step up," he said on Thursday. Space rockets & hypersonic interceptors…Trump unveils half-a-trillion dollar Golden Dome air defence to be ready by 2029 DONALD Trump has unveiled plans for a high-tech "Golden Dome" missile defence system, which the president claims should be operational by the end of his term in office. The futuristic concept announced by Trump would see American weapons put in space for the first time ever. Trump had already signalled his intent to set up a Golden Dome following his return to the White House, calling missile attacks the "most catastrophic threat facing the United States". The idea is modelled on Israel's Iron Dome defence system, which uses radar to detect incoming missiles and calculates which ones pose a threat to populated areas. But the Golden Dome would be an infinitely bigger project, not least because the United States is more than 400 times larger than Israel. During his announcement in the Oval Office yesterday, Trump said his new Golden Dome would be "capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from the other side of the world". NATO members have been scrambling to bolster their defence capabilities since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump's return to the White House in January, and question marks over his commitment to European security, has added urgency. Rutte warned: "Danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends. "We must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defence plans in full." He added that if countries cannot commit to 5 percent for defence spending "you could still have the National Health Service, or in other countries, their health systems, the pension system, etc, but you better learn to speak Russian. I mean, that's the consequence". Britain announced plans last week to build up to 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines and six munitions factories to rearm the country in response to what it said were threats from Russia.
