Ukraine launches drone attack on Russian factory ahead of peace summit
A Ukrainian official said at least four drones launched by the country's security services, or SBU, struck a plant in the city of Arzamas that produced components for the Khinzal 32 and Khinzal 101 missiles.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss operations, said the Plandin plant produces gyroscopic devices, control systems and on-board computers for the missiles and is an 'absolutely legitimate target' because it is part of the Russian military-industrial complex that works for the war against Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers from air-defence unit of 59th brigade fire at Russian strike drones in Dnipropetrovsk region (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)
Russia's defence ministry said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a total of 39 Ukrainian drones overnight and Monday morning over several Russian regions as well as over the Crimean peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014.
The summit, which US President Donald Trump will host in Alaska later this week, sees Mr Putin unwavering on his demands to keep all the Ukrainian territory his forces now occupy but also to prevent Kyiv from joining Nato with the long-term aim to keep the country within Moscow's sphere of influence.
Mr Putin believes he enjoys the advantage on the ground as Ukrainian forces struggle to hold back Russian advances along the 600-mile front.
But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insists he will never consent to any Russian annexation of Ukrainian territory nor give up his country's bid for Nato membership.
European leaders have rallied behind Ukraine, saying peace in the war-torn nation cannot be resolved without Kyiv.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also spoke with Mr Trump on Sunday, Mr Merz's spokesman said on Monday, but did not disclose the contents of the talks.
Spokesman Steffen Meyer reiterated that the German government 'has always emphasised that borders must not be shifted by force' and that Ukraine should decide its own fate 'independently and autonomously'.
Meanwhile, on the front lines, few Ukrainian soldiers believe there is an end in sight to the war, other than a brief respite before Moscow resumes its attacks with even greater might.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ITV News
2 minutes ago
- ITV News
Putin is bluffing, Zelenskyy tells Trump at talks ahead of Alaska summit
Pro-Ukraine allies, including the UK and Europe, met US President Donald Trump virtually ahead of the US and Russian leaders' summit on Friday.
Daily Mirror
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Russia's 'Doomsday Radio' emits signals last heard days before Putin invaded Ukraine
The UVB-76 radio station, Russia's infamous 'Doomsday Radio', has emitted codes not heard since shortly before Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine Russia's infamous 'Doomsday Radio' has burst into life ahead of the meeting of presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Alaska. The UVB-76 radio station, a relic from the Cold War, was picked up sending the nonsense words: 'schesolub', 'druzhnost', 'kerner", 'ryushny', 'dzhinochili' and 'lyukospas'. It also messaged: 'NZHTI 12687 TOLKOSRAM 9585 4510.' Nicknamed 'The Buzzer', the station has usually transmitted only buzzing sounds during its half a century of use. But, according to the Telegram channel 'Militarist', these messages were the same as issued in the first 10 days of January 2022, but some preceding codes were different. Putin launched his barbaric full-scale war on Ukraine only a month later. It comes after Putin warns of nuclear war after unleashing another night of hell on Ukraine The bizarre station - a Cold War relic - has been on air for half a century and usually transmits just buzzing sounds, leading to its nickname The Buzzer. The purpose of the station - also known as 'Dead Hand Radio' or 'Judgement Day Radio' - remains classified. One theory is that it is a 'dead man's switch', automatically triggering a military response possibly to nuclear attack, or they may signal training involving the Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) or General Staff. The signals it broadcasts can be sent without the internet or satellite. It is believed to be located northwest of Moscow, in a military zone classified since the Soviet era. In June, in one burst it equalled the highest number sent in a short period since the end of the Cold War. The station has been active this year around the time of telephone calls between Putin and Trump. Ahead of the Putin-Trump meeting, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said they had a 'constructive' discussion with Trump today. Speaking alongside Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said after the videoconference that 'important decisions' could be made in Anchorage, but stressed that 'fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be protected' at the meeting. Merz convened the virtual meetings in an attempt to make sure European and Ukraine's leaders are heard ahead of the summit, where Trump and Putin are expected to discuss a path toward ending Moscow's war in Ukraine. Zelensky and the Europeans have been sidelined from that summit. German government spokesperson Steffen Meyer said the intention of Wednesday's meetings was to 'make clear the position of the Europeans.' Zelensky said his government has had more than 30 conversations with partners ahead of the summit in Alaska, but reiterated his doubt that Putin would negotiate in good faith. Writing on his official Telegram channel, Zelensky said there was 'currently no sign that the Russians are preparing to end the war,' and urged Ukraine's partners in the United States and Europe to coordinate efforts and "force Russia to peace". "Pressure must be applied on Russia for an honest peace. We must take the experience of Ukraine and our partners to prevent deception by Russia,' Zelensky said. Trump has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year, describing Friday's summit as "a feel-out meeting" where he can assess the Russian leader's intentions. Yet Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He has also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender. Zelensky has said repeatedly that Ukraine would not give up any territory it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion.
Daily Mirror
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer says Ukraine ceasefire 'viable' and makes Donald Trump claim
Keir Starmer has said a "viable" chance of reaching a ceasefire in the Ukraine war now exists because of Donald Trump's work. The Prime Minister said Britain stands ready to "increase pressure" on Russia if necessary ahead of high stakes in-person talks between Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Opening a meeting with the Coalition of the Willing, Mr Starmer said: "As I've said personally to President Trump, for three and a bit years this conflict has been going on and we haven't got anywhere near the prospect of actually a viable solution, a viable way, of bringing it to a ceasefire. And now we do have that chance because of the work that the President has put in." It comes after the Kremlin warned of nuclear war after unleashing another night of hell on Ukraine. The PM also thanked the countries in the Coalition of the Willing who have contributed to military plans "which are now ready in a form, which can be used if we do get to that ceasefire". After the talks, Volodymyr Zelensky said Mr Trump supports providing security guarantees for Ukraine if there is a peace agreement. He said: 'There should be security guarantees. President Trump said that he supports this and about America's readiness to take part.' Elsewhere, the wartime leader accused Putin of 'bluffing' ahead of Russia-US talks. The Ukrainian President said the situation at the frontline on the battlefield was discussed during the calls, adding: 'I told the US President and all our European allies that Putin is bluffing. He's trying to push forward along the whole front. And Putin is also bluffing, saying he doesn't care about the sanctions and that they're not working. In reality, the sanctions are very effective and they're hurting the Russian military economy.' Downing Street said European leaders thanked President Trump 'for his efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end to the ongoing bloodshed.' 'The Prime Minister was clear that our support for Ukraine is unwavering - international borders must not be changed by force and Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal,' No10 said. "Europe stands ready to support this and will continue to work alongside President Trump and President Zelenskyy for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, they added. They looked forward to speaking again following the meeting in Alaska on Friday.' Participants of the call included the leaders of the United States, Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, NATO and the European Union. The calls took place ahead of the US President's face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The Russian tyrant and Mr Trump are expected to discuss the future of the Kremlin's brutal invasion of Ukraine at the high-stakes meeting on Friday. Russia, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this week launched a major offensive on Ukraine's eastern front - days before the Kremlin-US peace summit. There are fears that Putin will try to hoodwink Mr Trump into believing Ukraine does not want a peace deal - with concerns that a plan might be negotiated without Kyiv's involvement. President Zelensky, who joined German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin today for the virtual talks, earlier today said: "This war must be ended. Pressure must be exerted on Russia for the sake of a just peace. Ukraine's and our partners' experience must be used to prevent deception by Russia. "At present, there is no sign that the Russians are preparing to end the war. Our coordinated efforts and joint actions – of Ukraine, the United States, Europe, and all countries that seek peace – can definitely compel Russia to make peace. I thank everyone who is helping." Intelligence assessments yesterday revealed Russian troops had quickly swept north in a two pronged attack, unusually gaining almost seven miles. Their aim is to land-grab the entire industrial heartland of Ukraine's Donetsk region so they can claim this in forthcoming negotiations. We'll be bringing you the latest updates on this Breaking Politics News story. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story HERE. Get email updates on the day's biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following The Mirror every time you see our name.
