Russia bombs Kyiv killing four & injuring dozens in missile & drone blitz as Putin plots revenge for Op Spiderweb
At least 20 others are injured in the Ukrainian capital as fires had to be put out around the city.
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Fire and smoke rise in Kyiv following a Russian drone and missile strike overnight
Credit: Reuters
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Ukrainian air defences shoot back against Russia's strike
Credit: Alamy
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A Russian bomb lands in Ukraine
Credit: AP
In Solomyanskyi district, a fire broke out on the 11th floor of a 16-story residential building.
Emergency services evacuated three people from the apartment, and rescue operations were ongoing.
Another fire broke out in a metal warehouse.
In northern Chernihiv region, a Shahed drone exploded near an apartment building, shattering windows and doors, according to regional military administration chief Dmytro Bryzhynskyi.
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He added that explosions from ballistic missiles were also recorded on the outskirts of the city.
The nighttime attack came hours after US President Donald Trump said it might be better to let Ukraine and Russia fight for a while.
The President has been so far unsuccessful on getting the two countries to agree to peace - with Moscow not moving on its demands.
Trump spoke as he met with Germany's new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who appealed to him as the key person in the world who could halt the bloodshed by pressuring Putin.
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The American has also
The US president heaped praise on Volodymyr Zelensky for his
Russia's ambassador to the UK 'blames Britain' for Ukraine's daring drone attack & warns of 'WWIII risk'
The Kremlin dictator held a
Top of the agenda was reportedly the 117 drone blitz over the weekend which left four of Russia's key airbases up in flames.
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The daring Operation Spiderweb saw a fired up
Putin's
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Firefighters work at the site of a Russian drone attack in Kyiv
Credit: Reuters
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Irish Times
3 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Donald Trump meets Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European powers in bid to seal Ukrainian peace
Donald Trump continued his bid to arrive at a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine with an extraordinary gathering of European leaders on Monday, there to support Volodymyr Zelenskiy on a freighted, unique occasion which he rightly described as 'a first for the White House.' After the US president's truncated summit with Russia's president Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday , this hastily convened European conclave was arranged to navigate potential peace terms acceptable to Ukraine. [ Putin 'expecting' call from Trump following meeting with Zelenskiy and European leaders ] Mr Trump confirmed he would be speaking to Mr Putin by telephone once the White House negotiations had concluded and he reiterated his optimism that a trilateral meeting, featuring the warring neighbours and Mr Trump himself, could take place even without a ceasefire. 'And we may or may not have a tri-lat. If we don't have a tri-lat then the fighting continues. If we do have a tri-lat, I think there's a good chance of maybe ending it. But he's expecting my call after this meeting,' he said. READ MORE The photograph of Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskiy at the centre of a long line of EU leaders including Britain's prime minister Keir Starmer , Germany's chancellor Friedrich Merz, Emmanuel Macron of France, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte was historic. All struck tones of solemn unity of purpose in their remarks and they praised Mr Trump's skill and determination to at least bring the negotiations to this point. 'The next steps are the more complicated ones,' Mr Merz said, forecasting the first likely point of contention. 'The path is open. You opened it last Friday. But now the way is open for complicated negotiations and, to be honest, we would all like to see a ceasefire at the latest from the next meeting on.' Mr Trump suggested during his remarks that Mr Putin may be willing to accept the presence of western forces, prompting a hastily issued statement from the Russian foreign ministry staunchly rejecting the deployment of Nato troops as part of any security measures. Asked about paramount Ukrainian security guarantee requirements, Mr Zelenskiy replied: 'Everything. Really it includes two parts. First: a strong Ukrainian army. And second we will discuss with our partners – it depends on big countries – the United States, a lot of our friends.' In contrast to the notorious White House visit by Mr Zelenskiy in February , when the Ukrainian president was traduced and essentially escorted out after a volatile meeting, this was a masterclass in soft diplomacy by the guest. Mr Zelenskiy's gratitude to Mr Trump was plain to see and he had brought with him a letter his wife, Olena Zelenska, had written to the first lady, Melania Trump, in response to her own letter to Mr Putin on behalf of Ukrainian children abducted or otherwise affected by the war. In addition, Mr Zelenskiy was ready for Brian Glenn, the reporter who castigated him for not wearing a suit during that February visit to the Oval Office. Mr Glenn told him he looked 'fabulous' this time round and reiterated his apology. 'That's the one who attacked you last time,' Mr Trump told him. 'I remember that,' Mr Zelenskiy said cordially to the reporter. 'But you are in the same suit. You see I changed, but you did not.' The mirth in the Oval Office was genuine. But in the context of the continuing horrors on the eastern front, it was laughter in the dark. Navigating a path towards a plausible and lasting peace deal which will provide an acceptable guarantee to the Ukrainian people remains a fraught proposition. The European faces at the table were sombre rather than expectant. The general judgment after Friday's extraordinary summit in Alaska was that Mr Putin had been called up from international isolation while conceding nothing, not just back in the spotlight but in the back of Cadillac One. On Monday, however, Mr Putin, still an international pariah, was back in Moscow watching this show of unity between Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskiy and the power trust of Europe. Perhaps the optics, as much as the subsequent phone call, is what Mr Trump was ultimately trying to communicate to his Russian counterpart as he presses on with his unshakeable belief that he can master the art of even the most perilous deal.
RTÉ News
3 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Trump-Zelensky meeting more cordial than last encounter
A smile, a handshake, even a momentary arm around the shoulder kicked off a far more cordial meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. More cordial that is, than the encounter in the Oval Office just six months ago, which famously descended into a shouting match, with Mr Trump and his deputy JD Vance rounding on the wartime leader for failing to show enough gratitude or respect. A Ukrainian official in the room sat with her head in her hands. At that meeting, Mr Zelensky's trademark military attire was attacked by a reporter who asked why he hadn't turned up to meet the American president in a suit. Today, Mr Zelensky appeared to have learnt that lesson and wore a much more formal dark jacket, trousers and shirt. That was noted by the same reporter who today, by contrast, complimented Mr Zelensky on his outfit and said that he "looked good". "I said the same thing," President Trump chimed in. Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump were sitting in the same chairs in front of the lavish, gold garland-adorned fireplace – a Trump White House addition – as on that fateful February afternoon. There were moments of tension. At one point, Mr Trump picking up the train of a reporter's question pressed Mr Zelensky on the suspension of democratic elections in Ukraine. "So, you say during the war you can't have elections," Mr Trump said. Three and a half years from now, Mr Trump went on, "if we happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections?" Mr Zelensky laughed, and the moment passed. The press conference proceeded then in Mr Trump's usual freewheeling style, careening between diverse subjects from mail-in ballots to crime on the streets of Washington DC. Mr Zelensky's interjections were few and far between, but he was careful to thank Mr Trump, repeatedly. While Ukrainian officials this time probably skipped out of the encounter feeling relieved, it stood in stark contrast to Russian President Vladimir Putin's state-like visit to meet the US President in Alaska on Friday. The red carpet and military aircraft flypast spoke for themselves. When those two men addressed the waiting reporters, it was Mr Putin who spoke first and at length. Mr Trump listened and waited for his turn. And unlike the multiple questions fielded today at the Oval office, Mr Putin left America without answering a single one. Today, European leaders waited outside the Oval Office for their chance to meet the US President. When the time came, Mr Trump proceeded to host it in his now-familiar style of White House cabinet meetings, where each cabinet member is asked to say a few words – usually complimentary ones about the president. Today, European leaders, no doubt familiar with the format, played their part – each in turn thanking President Trump for his efforts. But there was a steely undertone from the Europeans. Both President Emmanuel Macron of France and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made it clear that a ceasefire had to come before any peace deal with Russia. That was a direct contradiction of Mr Trump's comments posted on social media on Saturday just a day after his tête-à-tête with President Putin, saying that ceasefires often don't "hold-up" and his preference was for a peace deal. Among the Europeans around the table was the Finnish president Alexander Stubb – someone who has been described as a "Trump whisperer". According to US press reports, Mr Stubb and Mr Trump bonded over a shared love of golf and are said to be in regular contact over text message. Today, Mr Stubb praised Mr Trump for making more progress on ending the war in the past two weeks, "than we have in the past 3.5 years". He said the meeting was very symbolic in terms of "Team Europe and United States helping Ukraine". Then the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Finland, UK, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO chief Mark Rutte, Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky all stood for a photograph. There weren't many smiles in the line-up. After that, they disappeared behind closed doors to thrash out the detail of a peace plan which, to date, has remained elusive. One big question is whether the US will pressure Ukraine to give up all its territory in Donbas – something Mr Zelensky has said is impossible, because the Ukrainian constitution forbids it. Another is: what security guarantees will the United States give Ukraine – and will those be accepted by the Kremlin? If Friday's meeting in Alaska was high stakes, this summit is truly historic. But we may have to wait to find out what really happened when Europe went to Washington.
Irish Independent
34 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Donald Trump interrupts meeting with Zelensky and European leaders to call Putin after ‘very good' peace talks
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Trump said the group wants to see 'if we can get it finished' and 'put this to sleep.' The U.S. president and his guests lined up in the White House in a show of solidarity for the cameras. Macron was on his left, Zelenskyy on his right. While they were standing there, Trump gestured toward a painting that depicts him pumping his fist after surviving an assassination attempt during last year's presidential campaign. 'That was not a good day. Not a great day. See the picture?' Today 03:26 PM Volodymyr Zelensky said that his discussions with Donald Trump have been "very good". The Ukrainian President said: "We are very happy with the president that all the leaders are here and security in Ukraine depends on the United States and on you and on those leaders who are with us in our hearts." He also urged the need for "all the prisoners" to be exchanged. Mr Zelensky said Mr Trump will "try" to organise a trilateral meeting and that Ukraine would be happy if he attended. He added that he showed Mr Trump "a lot of details" on a map of a battlefield. Today 03:22 PM Trump says he expects Putin to release Ukrainian prisoners US President Donald Trump on Monday said he expected Russian President Vladimir Putin to release over 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners soon after a trilateral meeting was set up with Ukrainian leader Voldymyr Zelensky. "I think you'll see that President Putin really would like to do something also," Trump said at the start of a meeting with Zelensky and seven European leaders, forecasting some "really positive moves" after a trilateral meeting was agreed. "I know there's over 1,000 prisoners, and I know they're going to release them. Maybe they're going to release them very soon, like immediately, which I think is great," Trump said. Andrea Shalal, Reuters Today 03:08 PM Trump says a peace agreement for war in Ukraine is attainable US President Donald Trump said on Monday a peace agreement for the war in Ukraine is attainable as he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. Trump, speaking with reporters present at the White House, said all would prefer an immediate ceasefire but that he was optimistic that an agreement can be reached to deter aggression in Ukraine. Steve Holland, Reuters Today 03:04 PM Trump says he covered 'a lot of territory' in talks with Ukraine's Zelensky US President Donald Trump on Monday said he covered "a lot of territory" in his meeting with Ukrainian President Volydymr Zelensky, saying the day had been successful thus far. Trump, speaking at the start of a meeting with seven European leaders and Zelensky, said he would try to work a trilateral meeting with the Ukrainian and Russian leaders. Today 02:46 PM Trump tells Zelensky US would help with Ukraine's security in peace deal President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States would help Europe in providing security for Ukraine as part of any deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine, as he and President Volodymyr Zelensky began a hastily arranged White House meeting to discuss a path to peace. But he also suggested to reporters that he no longer believed reaching a ceasefire was a necessary prerequisite for striking a peace agreement, backing a position staked out by Russian President Vladimir Putin and opposed by Zelensky and most European leaders. The two leaders took questions from the media in the Oval Office before meeting in private, six months after their last appearance there descended into disaster when Trump and Vice President JD Vance upbraided Zelensky in an extraordinary public dressing-down. This time, Trump and Zelensky struck a far more convivial tone, despite the US president's movement toward Russia in recent days following his summit in Alaska with Putin. And Zelensky was backed by the leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and NATO, who travelled to Washington to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine and push for strong security guarantees for the country in any post-war settlement. "When it comes to security, there's going to be a lot of help," Trump told reporters, adding that European countries would be involved. "They are a first line of defence because they're there, but we'll help them out." Trump greeted Zelensky outside the White House, shaking his hand and expressing delight at Zelensky's black suit, a departure from his typical military clothes. When a reporter asked Trump what his message was to the people of Ukraine, he said twice, "We love them." Zelensky thanked him, and Trump put his hand on Zelensky's back in a show of affection before the two men went inside to the Oval Office. Trump is pressing for a quick end to Europe's deadliest war in 80 years, and Kyiv and its allies worry he could seek to force an agreement on Russia's terms after the president on Friday in Alaska rolled out the red carpet - literally - for Putin, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes. Trump said he liked the concept of a ceasefire, but they could work on a peace deal while the fighting continued. "I wish they could stop, I'd like them to stop," he said. "But strategically that could be a disadvantage for one side or the other." He also said he believes Putin wants to end the war and that he hopes the three leaders can soon organize a trilateral meeting. Putin has not committed to such a meeting, though Zelensky said he is ready to sit down. Today 01:53 PM Trump says he will call Putin after meeting with Zelensky US President Donald Trump said on Monday he would call Russian President Vladimir Putin after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and it was possible the three leaders could hold a meeting. Trump also told reporters in the Oval Office that he had just spoken to Putin indirectly. Andrea Shalal, Reuters Today 01:52 PM Zelensky says he's open to election in Ukraine, if safe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday he was open to holding an election in safe circumstances if the war with Russia comes to an end. During a meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Zelensky said, "We need to work in parliament because during the war you can't have elections," adding that it needed to be possible for people to have a democratic, open, legal election. Elections in Ukraine are currently suspended under martial law. Maiya Keidan, Reuters Today 01:33 PM Trump says he believes Putin wants Ukraine war to end President Donald Trump said on Monday that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the Ukraine war to end. Trump made the comments ahead of a closely watched bilateral meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. Andrea Shalal and Jarrett Renshaw, Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meet at the Oval Office of the White House, amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 18, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Today 01:32 PM In a funny exchange which lifted the mood in the Oval Office, Volodymyr Zelensky interacts with a reporter who accosted him for not wearing a suit in a previous, disastrous, visit. Apologising to President Zelensky, he said: "You look great in that suit!" to which Mr Zelensky replied: "And you are wearing the same suit from that day. I changed but you didn't," to which the room erupted in laughter. Today 01:28 PM Trump says he thinks progress is being made on war in Ukraine US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he thought progress was being made in resolving the war in Ukraine and it was possible that something could come out of his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Appearing in the Oval Office alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump said it was an honour to meet with Zelensky, and Zelensky thanked Trump for his efforts. Andrea Shalal, Reuters Today 01:18 PM Zelensky arrives to meet Trump at the White House Today 01:07 PM The world's media awaits Ukrainian President Zelensky. European leaders have arrived and talks aimed at finding a lasting solution will soon begin. Today 12:57 PM Russia rejects NATO troop deployment in Ukraine, slams UK remarks Russia does not consider the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine a viable solution to the conflict, and views recent statements from the UK on the matter as provocative, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "At a time when there is a genuine push for a comprehensive, fair, and lasting resolution to the conflict around Ukraine, including addressing its root causes, statements continue to emerge from London that not only contradict the efforts of Moscow and Washington, but also appear aimed at undermining them," the ministry said. Maxim Rodionov Today 12:39 PM Zelensky says Ukraine ready to establish 'new security architecture' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv was seeking a "reliable and lasting peace" in its war with Russia and that it was prepared to establish "a new security architecture". "Our main goal is a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe. And it is important that the momentum of all our meetings lead to precisely this result," he wrote on X before meeting US President Donald Trump in Washington. "Ukraine is ready for a real truce and for establishing a new security architecture. We need peace." Yuliia Dysa, Reuters Today 12:26 PM European leaders begin arriving at the White House for a summit with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Today, I'm in Washington D.C. with @ZelenskyyUA and European leaders. Together, we will meet with @POTUS. We are working to end the bloodshed in Ukraine. And achieve a just and lasting peace. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 18, 2025 Today 11:28 AM Timeline of territorial shifts in Russia's war on Ukraine Russia's troops are continuing their slow war of attrition in eastern and northern Ukraine, even as the conflict enters a pivotal phase with a series of high-level meetings that are part of US President Donald Trump's push for peace. In the three-and-a-half years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the front line has continued to move slowly with some unexpected strikes also redrawing the map. Here is a look at some of the main events in the conflict: February 24 2022: Russian President Vladimir Putin launches an invasion of Ukraine from the north, east and south. Russian troops quickly reach Kyiv's outskirts, but their attempts to capture the capital and other cities in the north-east meet stiff resistance. March 5 2022: Russian advances toward Kyiv and Kherson reach their height. The port city of Mariupol is surrounded. April 2 2022: Ukraine defeats Russian forces in Kyiv after throwing them back in Chernihiv. August 29 2022: Ukraine's first counter-offensive starts in the east and south. September 30 2022: Russia illegally annexes Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, even though it does not fully control either of the four. September to November 2022: Ukrainian forces reclaim vast parts of the Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions in the first counter-offensive, including the city of Kherson itself. May 22 2023: Russia claims control of Bakhmut after months of fighting. June 6 2023: As Ukraine's long-anticipated second counter-offensive starts, the Russian-controlled Kakhovka Dam explodes, sending a wall of water into southern Ukraine and upending Ukrainian battle plans. Autumn 2023: The second Ukrainian counter-offensive ends, with little change to the front line. February 18 2024: Russian forces take complete control of the eastern city of Avdiivka after months of combat. April 19 2024: The US House of Representatives approves a 61 billion dollar package for Ukraine after months of delay. May 10 2024: Russia launches a new offensive in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv, capturing a string of villages and opening a new front in the war. August 6 2024: Ukraine launches a lightning incursion into Russia's Kursk region, holding territory along the border in an unexpected and embarrassing episode for the Kremlin. January 20 2025: Mr Trump is inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. His election raises uncertainty as to whether Washington will continue to support Ukraine. April 26 2025: Moscow says all Ukrainian troops have been forced out from Russia's Kursk region. Several weeks later, Mr Putin visits the area in a show of strength and is filmed speaking with local volunteers. June 1 2025: Ukraine strikes airfields deep inside Russia by launching drones that have been secretly stored and transported across the country on the back of trucks. The attack is codenamed Operation Spider Web. Summer 2025: Russia and Ukraine both step up drone strikes with the ability to strike deep into each other's territory. June 30 2025: Russia says it has taken full control of Ukraine's Luhansk, one of four regions that Moscow illegally annexed in September 2022. July 31 2025: Russia says it has taken full control of the strategically important Ukrainian city of Chasiv Yar after a grinding, months-long assault. August 2025: Russian forces continue their push in the Donetsk region, where the Kremlin has focused the bulk of military efforts, capturing small villages and closing in on Pokrovsk, a strategically important city. August 15 2025: Mr Putin meets Mr Trump in Alaska for the first Russia-US summit in four years to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials say Mr Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30pc of the Donetsk region that it controls as part of a deal.
