Live: Ukraine backers gather as Russian attacks escalate, air defence runs low
France 24
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France 24
Original Source
Ukraine hosts a crucial meeting of its key European backers to demand critical air-defence supplies and increased pressure on Moscow, as Russian attacks kill civilians at rates unseen since the invasion's early months. Leaders from Britain, France, and Germany convene in Kyiv to push for military aid and diplomatic leverage.
24/08/2026 - 10:08
2 people killed, 2 injured in Ukraine's drone attack on Russia's Belgorod region
24/08/2026 - 08:37
Zelensky, on Ukraine's independence day, says Ukraine wants peace but 'will not just give in'
24/08/2026 - 08:37
Germany's Wadephul to urge Rubio to take more active role on Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul plans to speak to his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, by phone to urge him to become more personally involved in diplomatic efforts related to the war in Ukraine, he told radio broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.
Wadephul, who was recently in Ukraine, told the broadcaster that US diplomacy had so far been handled largely by presidential envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
"I may be able to encourage him (Rubio) myself to do more there," the German minister said, adding that Berlin was pursuing other channels to help restart negotiations.
24/08/2026 - 08:13
Ukraine hit Russian fighter aircraft, two vessels in Black Sea
The Ukrainian military struck a Russian MIG-29 fighter aircraft and two Russian vessels in Black Sea overnight, Ukraine's drone forces commander Robert Brovdi said.
Brovdi said on the Telegram app that one of the vessels attacked was a tanker, and the other was a bulk carrier.
24/08/2026 - 08:02
EU approves further €6.1 billion for Ukraine's defence
The European Commission approved a further €6.1 billion ($7.12 billion) in financial aid for Ukraine to procure new defence systems, such as air defence, missiles, ammunition and radars.
The EU said this latest aid package came on top of €16 billion of previously approved procurement plans, of which €8.35 billion had already been disbursed.
"As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its skies. Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what it needs, when it needs it," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement.
24/08/2026 - 07:59
EU's Costa, UK's Burnham arrive in Ukraine for independence day
European Council President Antonio Costa and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv to mark the country's independence day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.
The visiting dignitaries also included Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden, Moldova's President Maia Sandu and Estonia's President Alar Karis, Sybiha said on X, posting photos of the officials arriving at the Kyiv station.
24/08/2026 - 07:58
Russia downs 351 Ukrainian drones overnight, defence ministry says
The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces had intercepted and destroyed 351 Ukrainian drones overnight over a number of regions.
24/08/2026 - 07:19
Russia says its forces hit tanker carrying fuel near Ukraine's Odesa
The Russian Defence Ministry said it had hit a tanker carrying fuel and lubricants for Ukrainian troops in the port of Pivdennyi near Odesa, as well as port infrastructure facilities used for unloading and storing military cargo.
24/08/2026 - 07:02
Zelensky rejects rival's call for elections
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the prospect of wartime elections, saying it would be highly dangerous.
Analysis by FRANCE 24 international affairs editor Matthew-Mary Caruchet.
24/08/2026 - 06:57
Ukraine keeps up attacks on Russian e-commerce giant Ozon
Russian e-commerce giant Ozon said that its warehouses came under drone attack, as Ukraine pressed ahead with its campaign targeting logistics sites.
Kyiv has for weeks mounted a campaign targeting Russia's Wildberries – the country's top online retailer – alleging it supplied components to the military.
Ozon is Russia's second-largest online marketplace, with its pick-up points and delivery boxes ubiquitous across the country.
24/08/2026 - 06:53
New UK PM Andy Burnham to make visit to Kyiv
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will visit Kyiv on his first international visit since taking office last month, his office said, as Ukraine marks its 35th independence anniversary.
Burnham has vowed to give strong support to Ukraine as it battles Russia's invasion.
The Labour Party leader's visit comes as he announced that Britain had "agreed that defence firm MBDA can release classified information on UK components for the long-range missile, SCALP, to establish local assembly lines in Ukraine", a statement said.
24/08/2026 - 06:48
Zelensky says war time elections in Ukraine would 'destroy the country'
In remarks on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke out against holding war time elections, saying it would be too dangerous for the country and would "split" Ukraine.
The remarks come in response to a call from the former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov to organise a vote, after he was fired by Zelensky last month.
Details and analysis by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Kyiv, Emmanuelle Chaze.
24/08/2026 - 06:40
Russia's Ozon says Dagestan logistics hub on fire after drone attack
Russian online retailer Ozon's logistics hub in Makhachkala in Dagestan was on fire after a drone attack, it said on the Telegram messaging app.
The company has also temporarily shut down two warehouses in the nearby regions of Stavropol and Adygeya in the North Caucasus amid a drone attack alert, it said, though they were not damaged.
24/08/2026 - 06:39
North Korea preparing further Russia troop deployments, no sign move imminent, Seoul says
South Korea's Defence Ministry said North Korea was continuing preparations for an additional troop deployment to Russia, but had detected no signs that such a deployment was imminent, according to a South Korean lawmaker's office.
The assessment came after North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, last week denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim that Pyongyang planned to send up to 50,000 more troops to Russia to fight for its ally.
South Korea's Defence Ministry said in a statement to lawmaker Yu Yong-weon that North Korea had continued to supply Russia with weapons systems, including short-range ballistic missiles, according to Yu's office.
24/08/2026 - 06:37
Drone debris kills two children in Russia's Krasnodar, governor says
Two children were killed and another nine people, including seven children, were injured after drone debris hit a private childcare center in Krasnodar in southern Russia overnight, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on the Telegram messaging app.
Debris also fell on apartment buildings in the city, causing a fire at warehouses, he said, without providing details.
24/08/2026 - 06:37
Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low
Ukraine on Monday hosts a meeting of its key European backers to press for critical air-defence supplies and more pressure on Moscow, with Russian attacks killing more civilians than at any time since the first months of the invasion.
The meeting of the Coalition of the Willing will be jointly chaired by the leaders of Britain, France and Germany.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will be in Kyiv for his first international trip since entering 10 Downing Street, and several other leaders are expected to join remotely.
2 people killed, 2 injured in Ukraine's drone attack on Russia's Belgorod region
24/08/2026 - 08:37
Zelensky, on Ukraine's independence day, says Ukraine wants peace but 'will not just give in'
24/08/2026 - 08:37
Germany's Wadephul to urge Rubio to take more active role on Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul plans to speak to his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, by phone to urge him to become more personally involved in diplomatic efforts related to the war in Ukraine, he told radio broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.
Wadephul, who was recently in Ukraine, told the broadcaster that US diplomacy had so far been handled largely by presidential envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
"I may be able to encourage him (Rubio) myself to do more there," the German minister said, adding that Berlin was pursuing other channels to help restart negotiations.
24/08/2026 - 08:13
Ukraine hit Russian fighter aircraft, two vessels in Black Sea
The Ukrainian military struck a Russian MIG-29 fighter aircraft and two Russian vessels in Black Sea overnight, Ukraine's drone forces commander Robert Brovdi said.
Brovdi said on the Telegram app that one of the vessels attacked was a tanker, and the other was a bulk carrier.
24/08/2026 - 08:02
EU approves further €6.1 billion for Ukraine's defence
The European Commission approved a further €6.1 billion ($7.12 billion) in financial aid for Ukraine to procure new defence systems, such as air defence, missiles, ammunition and radars.
The EU said this latest aid package came on top of €16 billion of previously approved procurement plans, of which €8.35 billion had already been disbursed.
"As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its skies. Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what it needs, when it needs it," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement.
24/08/2026 - 07:59
EU's Costa, UK's Burnham arrive in Ukraine for independence day
European Council President Antonio Costa and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv to mark the country's independence day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.
The visiting dignitaries also included Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden, Moldova's President Maia Sandu and Estonia's President Alar Karis, Sybiha said on X, posting photos of the officials arriving at the Kyiv station.
24/08/2026 - 07:58
Russia downs 351 Ukrainian drones overnight, defence ministry says
The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces had intercepted and destroyed 351 Ukrainian drones overnight over a number of regions.
24/08/2026 - 07:19
Russia says its forces hit tanker carrying fuel near Ukraine's Odesa
The Russian Defence Ministry said it had hit a tanker carrying fuel and lubricants for Ukrainian troops in the port of Pivdennyi near Odesa, as well as port infrastructure facilities used for unloading and storing military cargo.
24/08/2026 - 07:02
Zelensky rejects rival's call for elections
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the prospect of wartime elections, saying it would be highly dangerous.
Analysis by FRANCE 24 international affairs editor Matthew-Mary Caruchet.
24/08/2026 - 06:57
Ukraine keeps up attacks on Russian e-commerce giant Ozon
Russian e-commerce giant Ozon said that its warehouses came under drone attack, as Ukraine pressed ahead with its campaign targeting logistics sites.
Kyiv has for weeks mounted a campaign targeting Russia's Wildberries – the country's top online retailer – alleging it supplied components to the military.
Ozon is Russia's second-largest online marketplace, with its pick-up points and delivery boxes ubiquitous across the country.
24/08/2026 - 06:53
New UK PM Andy Burnham to make visit to Kyiv
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will visit Kyiv on his first international visit since taking office last month, his office said, as Ukraine marks its 35th independence anniversary.
Burnham has vowed to give strong support to Ukraine as it battles Russia's invasion.
The Labour Party leader's visit comes as he announced that Britain had "agreed that defence firm MBDA can release classified information on UK components for the long-range missile, SCALP, to establish local assembly lines in Ukraine", a statement said.
24/08/2026 - 06:48
Zelensky says war time elections in Ukraine would 'destroy the country'
In remarks on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke out against holding war time elections, saying it would be too dangerous for the country and would "split" Ukraine.
The remarks come in response to a call from the former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov to organise a vote, after he was fired by Zelensky last month.
Details and analysis by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Kyiv, Emmanuelle Chaze.
24/08/2026 - 06:40
Russia's Ozon says Dagestan logistics hub on fire after drone attack
Russian online retailer Ozon's logistics hub in Makhachkala in Dagestan was on fire after a drone attack, it said on the Telegram messaging app.
The company has also temporarily shut down two warehouses in the nearby regions of Stavropol and Adygeya in the North Caucasus amid a drone attack alert, it said, though they were not damaged.
24/08/2026 - 06:39
North Korea preparing further Russia troop deployments, no sign move imminent, Seoul says
South Korea's Defence Ministry said North Korea was continuing preparations for an additional troop deployment to Russia, but had detected no signs that such a deployment was imminent, according to a South Korean lawmaker's office.
The assessment came after North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, last week denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim that Pyongyang planned to send up to 50,000 more troops to Russia to fight for its ally.
South Korea's Defence Ministry said in a statement to lawmaker Yu Yong-weon that North Korea had continued to supply Russia with weapons systems, including short-range ballistic missiles, according to Yu's office.
24/08/2026 - 06:37
Drone debris kills two children in Russia's Krasnodar, governor says
Two children were killed and another nine people, including seven children, were injured after drone debris hit a private childcare center in Krasnodar in southern Russia overnight, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on the Telegram messaging app.
Debris also fell on apartment buildings in the city, causing a fire at warehouses, he said, without providing details.
24/08/2026 - 06:37
Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low
Ukraine on Monday hosts a meeting of its key European backers to press for critical air-defence supplies and more pressure on Moscow, with Russian attacks killing more civilians than at any time since the first months of the invasion.
The meeting of the Coalition of the Willing will be jointly chaired by the leaders of Britain, France and Germany.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will be in Kyiv for his first international trip since entering 10 Downing Street, and several other leaders are expected to join remotely.
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Source: France 24
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