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Russian has launched a devastating ground assault and seized two new settlements just hours after bombarding Ukraine with biggest drone and missile attack of the war so far. In a worrying sign for Kyiv and the West, Putin has pushed home an assault near the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv in the east of the country and taken new territory for the first time.
It's reported the Russian war machine has captured the villages of Milove and Stroivka for the first time in a military success for Moscow that brings troops closer to Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv. The huge front line between Ukrainian forces and Kremlin troops in the east of Ukraine stretches for more than 600 miles, but day-by-day Putin's soldiers are making gains.
The action on the ground comes as waves of drone and missile attacks targeted Kyiv overnight into Friday injuring 23 people and inflicting damage across multiple parts of the capital. The majority of projectiles were Iranian-developed Shahed drones, and Russia also used 11 missiles in the attack.
The renewed attacks came hours after President Donald Trump held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin which Trump said was "disappointing". He added: "I'm very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don't think he's there, and I'm very disappointed. I'm just saying I don't think he's looking to stop, and that's too bad."
Polish minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Putin's latest July 4th attacks on Ukraine were "mocking" Trump's peace plans. He wrote on X: "President Trump, Putin is mocking your peace efforts."
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12 mins ago12:16 Richard Ashmore
Kremlin spokesman says diplomatic end to war in Ukraine does not 'appear possible'
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the war in Ukraine did not appear to showing any sign of ending through diplomacy, as he discussed President Putin's phone call with Donald Trump.
He said: "Naturally, we pay close attention to all President Trump's statements.
"During the conversation, President Putin reiterated that we are interested in achieving our objectives in the course of the special military operation, and preferably by political and diplomatic means.
"However, since that currently does not appear possible, we are continuing our special military operation."
He added that Putin told Trump that the Kremlin was waiting for "the coordination of dates" for the third round of direct talks with Ukraine.
Dmitry Peskov (Image: Getty )
48 mins ago11:40 Richard Ashmore
Putin forces capture two Ukrainian settlements for the first time
Russian forces have staged a ground assault in the east of Ukraine breaking through Ukrainian defences to seize the villages of Milove and Stroivka in the Kharkiv region.
The settlements are in the north east of Ukraine close to the Russian border, but he advance of Moscow forces will be worrying for the Ukrainian military trying to protect the country's second-largest city, Kharkiv.
1 hour ago11:20 Richard Ashmore
Vast clouds of dust and smoke over Kyiv after Russia barrage
Aerial images show a huge band of smoke and dust hovering over Kyiv today after the massive Russian drone and missile strike last night.
Smoke and dust clog the sky over Kyiv after the drone attacks (Image: Getty )
Smoke and dust clog the sky over Kyiv after the drone attacks (Image: Getty )
1 hour ago11:11 Richard Ashmore
German and Dutch intelligence claims Russia using chemical weapons in Ukraine
Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans said Russian use of chemical weapons was "widespread".
He said: "With large-scale use of chemical weapons, Russia once again shows its malicious face.
"Drones drop the chemical substance chloropicrin on trenches, driving away Ukrainian soldiers and then killing them. Horrific and unacceptable."
A solider in a gas mask (Image: Getty )
1 hour ago11:03 Richard Ashmore
Polish minister says Putin is mocking Trump peace efforts
Posting on X, Polish minister Radoslaw Sikorski wrote: "Massive Russian attack last night has caused fires and much damage, including to the Polish consulate in Kyiv.
"President Trump, Putin is mocking your peace efforts. Please restore supplies of anti-aircraft ammunition to Ukraine and impose tough new sanctions on the aggressor."
Massive Russian attack last night has caused fires and much damage, including to the Polish consulate in Kyiv.
President Trump, Putin is mocking your peace efforts.
Please restore supplies of anti-aircraft ammunition to Ukraine and impose tough new sanctions on the aggressor. pic.twitter.com/ZFdbqYn4QH
2 hours ago10:51 Richard Ashmore
Map shows scale of Russian attack hours after Putin spoke with Trump
Aerial intelligence maps released from Ukraine show the drone attacks centred on Kyiv with swarms of Russian projectiles converging on the capital overnight.
A map of the Russian attack (Image: Ukraine armed forces )
2 hours ago09:59 Richard Ashmore
Ukraine hits power infrastructure near Moscow
Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyev said the district of Sergiyev Posad was hit by a Ukrainian drone attack overnight, injuring one person and leaving the religiously significant area without power.
It's understood the drones hit a substation around 47 miles north of Moscow and at least four explosions were heard.
Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyev released this image (Image: AP)
3 hours ago09:25 Richard Ashmore
Kremlin says it will continue war
3 hours ago09:20 Richard Ashmore
Residents and emergency services in Kyiv inspect the damage
Daylight brought some relief from the missile and drone strikes but showed the devastation wrought in civilian areas of Ukraine's capital city.
A woman and child walk in the rubble (Image: Getty )
An apartment building with a direct hit (Image: Getty )
4 hours ago08:46 Richard Ashmore
Blitz-like scenes from Kyiv as residents shelter in metro system from Russia attack
Overnight Ukrainian men, women and children packed into the Kyiv metro system to shelter from Russian drone and missile attacks on the capital.
As explosions sounded in the city above, beseiged residents did their best to sleep through the night.
Ukrainians shelter from Russian missiles (Image: Getty )
Ukrainians shelter from Russian missiles (Image: Getty )
4 hours ago08:39 Richard Ashmore
Trump 'disappointed' with phone call with Putin before air attack
President Trump said he made "no progress" following a phone call with Russia's President Putin.
Trump told reporters: ""I'm very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don't think he's there, and I'm very disappointed.
"I'm just saying I don't think he's looking to stop, and that's too bad."
Donald Trump spoke to Putin (Image: Getty )
4 hours ago08:27 Richard Ashmore
Ukraine's Foreign Minister calls Russian strike 'one of the worst so far'
Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X: "Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv. One of the worst so far.
"Hundreds of Russian drones and ballistic missiles rained down on the Ukrainian capital. Right after Putin spoke with President Trump. And he does it on purpose.
"Enough of waiting! Putin clearly shows his complete disregard for the United States and everyone who has called for an end to the war.
"Moscow must be slapped with the toughest sanctions without delay. Ukraine must be provided with all necessary means to defend itself.
"Wrong decisions can only encourage the aggressor to escalate terror. Every criminal regime in the world is now watching closely Putin’s actions and responses to them. If he gets away with all of this, everyone will get a very clear message.
"Stop waiting for peace. Act to achieve peace. Peace through strength."
4 hours ago08:21 Richard Ashmore
Ukrainian President Zelensky issues statement on the Russian attacks
The Ukrainian President said: "Firefighting efforts and debris removal are still ongoing after another Russian strike.
"This was one of the most large-scale air attacks – deliberately massive and cynical.
"In total, 550 targets were launched, including at least 330 Russian-Iranian “shaheds”, along with missiles, including ballistic ones."
The President added that the air raid sirens seemed to start sounding "almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin".
He added: "Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror. Only around 9am today did the air raid alert end in Kyiv. It was a brutal, sleepless night.
"The capital was the main target of this Russian strike. Our warriors managed to shoot down 270 aerial targets, while another 208 drones were jammed by electronic warfare. Interceptor drones have started operating – dozens of drones were taken down.
"We are doing everything possible to develop this element of defence for our cities. And it is critically important that our partners continue to support us in defending against ballistic missiles. Patriots and the missiles for them are true protectors of life.
"In total, today's Russian strike affected not only Kyiv but also the Dnipro, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions. As of now, 23 people are known to have been wounded. Everyone is receiving assistance. There are many sites where drone and missile debris fell. Sadly, there were also direct hits.
"All of this is clear evidence that without truly large-scale pressure, Russia will not change its dumb, destructive behavior. For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure. This is the only thing that can be achieved quickly to change the situation for the better. And it depends on our partners, primarily the United States."
President Zelensky made a statement on X (Image: Getty )
4 hours ago08:17 Richard Ashmore
Fires and smoke grip Kyiv as residents awake to devastation
Smokes billowed across Kyiv this morning as emergency services fought fires across the capital overnight.
Smoke over Kyiv this morning (Image: Getty )
Fires in Kyiv overnight (Image: Getty )
4 hours ago08:15 Richard Ashmore
Statement from Ukrainian military
In a statement the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said the country needs more air defence
It said: "Overnight, russian invaders launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine, using 11 missiles and 539 strike UAVs. The main target of the attack was Kyiv.
"Ukrainian air defenders destroyed 478 aerial targets: 268 Shahed-type and other UAVs were shot down, 208 were suppressed via EW
The statement said that "2 Iskander-K cruise missiles" were also shot down. It added: "Ukraine needs more air defence! It is crucial to protect our people from russian terror."
4 hours ago08:14 Richard Ashmore
Districts in Kyiv hit by air attack
Emergency services reported damage in at least five of the capital's 10 districts. In Solomianskyi district, a five-story residential building was partially destroyed and the roof of a seven-story building caught fire. Fires also broke out at a warehouse, a garage complex and an auto repair facility.
In Sviatoshynskyi district, a strike hit a 14-story residential building, sparking a fire. Several vehicles also caught fire nearby. Blazes were also reported at non-residential facilities.
In Shevchenkivskyi district, an eight-story building came under attack, with the first floor sustaining damage. Falling debris was recorded in Darnytskyi and Holosiivskyi districts.
Ukraine’s national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, said drone strikes damaged rail infrastructure in Kyiv.
4 hours ago08:11 Richard Ashmore
Pictures from Kyiv overnight
Images have emerged of firefighters tackling huge blazes across Kyiv as air defences engaged Russian missiles and drones above the Ukrainian capital.
Firefighters tackle a blaze (Image: Getty )
Air defences engage drones and missiles (Image: Getty )
4 hours ago08:10 Richard Ashmore
Good morning and welcome to this LIVE blog
Follow this LIVE blog for more updates on the Russian air attack on Ukraine and the ongoing war.
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