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Russian intelligence agents have arrested a Swedish man they say led a Ukrainian drone unit. He was detained at Russia's western border and is accused of planning acts of terrorism and sabotage.
Ukraine on Wednesday accused the United States of helping Russia by failing to warn it of incoming missile strikes and hobbling Kyiv's military response through changes to the Starlink system it uses on the battlefield. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on US tech billionaire Elon Musk to restore Starlink, which Kyiv says has been slowed down.
Ukraine relies on Starshield, the military-grade version of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite service, to fight Russia.
Russia has accused Ukraine of going against US peace efforts, after an overnight Ukrainian drone strike.
Ukraine will no longer abide by US President Donald Trump's demands not to strike Russian oil refineries, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in remarks published Thursday, amid deepening tensions between the two leaders over a US-Russia diesel agreement. Relations between Kyiv and Washington have soured since last week, when Trump eased sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel onto global markets. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Angela Diffley tells us more.
The recent disruption of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine comes as Washington steps up pressure on Kyiv to halt its strikes on Russian oil refineries. The system plays a key role in Ukraine’s long-range drone operations, raising questions about the implications of the disruption and Elon Musk’s increasingly close ties with Donald Trump.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will again attack Russian energy sites, as Moscow has ignored a claim by US President Trump that an "energy ceasefire" had been agreed. Russia reported two attacks on refineries.
PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, October 15: First, reported Starlink disruptions in Ukraine make the European front pages. Next, US papers go into more detail about the situation. Also, an unusual alliance forms in Germany between far-right and far-left parties. Meanwhile, the winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards have been announced. Finally, Finland flaunts its smelly islands.
🇺🇦🇺🇸 As Ukraine reports slowdowns in the Starlink system used for battlefield communications and frontline logistics, Elon Musk says that "any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS."
Ukraine's president says a pause on striking energy sites is over following fresh Russian attacks.
Ukraine's president earlier said Kyiv was 'done' with energy ceasefire and that strikes on Russian oil refineries would resume.
Kyiv's mayor, Vitaly Klitschko, has advised those residents who can "temporarily relocate" for the winter to do so. That advice has been met with derision at best from many residents, who say his administration is responsible for failing to better prepare the Ukrainian capital for Russian attacks. In particular, they complain of a severe shortage of adequate bomb shelters.
Restrictions reported by Ukraine on its use of the US satellite internet system Starlink have exposed Kyiv's reliance on the technology for both offensive and defensive operations in its fight against Russia'a invasion, analysts and observers say. A senior Ukrainian official, who asked not to be named, told AFP on Wednesday that Starlink data communication speeds had been "throttled". The change has come at a time of renewed tension between Kyiv and Washington, with US President Donald Trump seeking to bring down global fuel prices by buying Russian diesel and pressuring both sides to stop att
SpaceX boss Elon Musk said Wednesday that any disruptions reported by Ukraine in using the Starshield satellite communications system would be the responsibility of the US government, not his company. "Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS," Musk said, referring to US President Donald Trump. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Kethevane Gorjestani tells us more.
European Union leaders will clash on Thursday over the size of bloc's next long-term budget, its sources of revenue and spending priorities, with no immediate deal in sight. The budget also covers help for Kyiv. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky will be joining the meeting on Friday in a bid to rally support amid fresh tension with US President Donald Trump. FRANCE 24's Europe Editor Armen Georgian reports from Brussels, Belgium.
Ukraine will now resume attacks on Russian energy targets after Moscow hasn't held up its end of the proposed deal brokered by Trump.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to "go" after Kyiv raised doubts over US support for his country against the Russian invasion. A day earlier, Musk said any restrictions on Ukraine's use of the Starshield system would be due to decisions made by the US government after Zelensky called on Musk to restore Starlink, which Kyiv says has been slowed down.
EU leaders meeting in Brussels will examine measures to curb the bloc's huge trade deficit with China. But they will also be looking to further agreement on the next EU budget ahead of some major elections next year.
Far-right leader and presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said on Wednesday that France could no longer afford to fund Ukraine, citing the country's high deficit and weak economic growth.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday asked the United States not to stand with Russia and called for "honesty" after Kyiv said it had been betrayed by Washington's intelligence sharing gaps. Earlier, Moscow struck Ukraine's Izmail port and two cargo ships en route to Odesa, the Russian Defence Ministry said. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
