Russian president Vladimir Putin has issued a presidential decree to allow the Russian state to take control of private critical infrastructure if they are not protected from Ukrainian drone attacks.
Putin’s order covers online retail warehouses that have increasingly been targeted by Kyiv, as well as energy, industrial and transport facilities deemed critical to the stability of the nation.
It comes as Ukraine has expanded its aerial assault on Russian infrastructure, repeatedly targeting logistics centres belonging to shopping websites Wildberries and now Ozon. Ukraine has accused these facilities of providing support to Russia’s armed forces.
Earlier, Britain and France pledged to provide Ukraine with access to classified technology and faster deliveries of air defence missiles during a meeting of allies to mark Kyiv's Independence Day celebrations.
Andy Burnham offered Ukraine the UK’s unwavering support “despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country”.
“This is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia. The moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war," Burnham said, calling for further economic sanctions.
Cargo vessel carrying aid for Ukraine struck, Russia says
Russia struck a cargo vessel carrying goods for the Ukrainian army” in the port of Pivdennyi near Odesa, its defence ministry has claimed.
Port infrastructure facilities used for unloading military cargo were also damaged in the strike, it was alleged.
Ukraine is yet to comment on the attack.
Deadly Ukrainian drones strike two oil refineries in Russia
At least two people have been killed in a Ukrainian drone strike targeting the Afipsky oil refinery in Russia.
Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of the southern Krasnodar region where the attack happened, said that falling debris also injured two others.
Telegram channel Exilenova+ published an alleged video of the aftermath, showing a large fire raging at the site.
The Afipsky oil refinery is one of the largest oil refineries in southern Russia.
In the neighbouring region of Rostov, the Novoshakhtinsky refinery also sustained damage in a separate attack and was forced to temporarily suspend processing operations.
Both refineries have previously been targeted by Ukraine.
Russia targets another shopping centre in overnight strike
Another shopping centre in Ukraine was targeted by Russia in an overnight strike.
Footage circulating on Telegram showed vehicles parked in front of the building engulfed in flames.
Plumes of dark smoke were shown rising from the site following the massive explosion.
Russia has been increasingly targeting shopping centres across Ukraine.
Last week, a double-tap strike on the packed Soniachna Gallereia mall in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, killed at least 16 people and injured 128, including at least 23 children.
Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), said on Saturday that the attack appears to constitute a breach of international humanitarian law.
“The fact that the shopping centre was struck twice within approximately 30 minutes strongly indicates it was the intended target of this attack,” she said.
“Our observations and interviews with victims and witnesses have so far not identified any military presence, activity or equipment at the site that could render the shopping centre a military objective.
“Instead, we found an operational shopping centre crowded with civilians on a Friday afternoon.”
Trump congratulates Ukraine on Independence Day, says Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky says US president Donald Trump had congratulated Ukraine on its Independence Day a day earlier.
Zelensky shared Trump’s message on X. It read: "Let us seize this moment to end the conflict and build a durable, lasting peace that unleashes the tremendous potential of Ukraine for generations to come.”
In response, Zelensky said: “These words, much like the sound of a Patriot PAC-3 launch, lift our spirits and give hope that lives can be protected from Russia’s savage attacks and that a dignified peace can be achieved. Thank you, President Trump and all Americans, for your support and congratulations!“
Ukraine displays its land, air and sea drones in Independence Day celebrations
Monday's Independence Day speeches by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and foreign delegates at St Sophia Square in Kyiv were accompanied by a parade of domestically-produced weapons.
Hovering in the sky above the capital, a squadron of aerial drones carried out a demonstration of the Ukrainian military technology, which has helped to keep Russian forces in check.
Naval drones swept along the Dnipro river, while unnamed ground vehicles – some equipped with heavy machine guns – trundled in formation along one of the city's main commercial avenues.
Zelensky says Ukraine wants peace but won't give in
Ukraine wants peace but will not just surrender to Russia at any price, president Volodymyr Zelensky said in a defiant speech on Monday to mark Independence Day, as foreign leaders pledged their support.
"Ukraine absolutely wants peace, but it is not ready to simply surrender," Zelensky said, warning that Russia would not halt its aggression even if Ukraine ceded to its demands for more territory in the country's east.
While praising the achievements of Ukraine's defence industry during the war, Zelensky called for an increase in cruise missile production to take the fight to Russia this winter.
Exploiting Ukraine's critical shortage of anti-ballistic missiles, Russia has stepped up its campaign of air strikes at cities far from the front line this summer.
Third drone and explosives found in Germany after failed airport attack
German investigators have discovered a third drone and suspected explosives linked to this month's attempted attack on the Leipzig/Halle airport, local media has reported this morning.
The drone was found on 14 August, 10 days after the incident, to the west of the airport, where investigators also discovered about 50 grams (1.8 oz) of a substance they suspected to be the military explosive hexogen, reported broadcasters NDR and WDR and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Security sources cited in the reports suspect Russian intelligence involvement in the attempted attack, an accusation Moscow has denied.
On 4 August, an explosives-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft used for military supplies. Investigators also suspect a second drone may have collided with a DHL cargo plane soon after the airport's temporary shutdown.
The airport is a cargo and military logistics hub used by Nato and Ukraine's Antonov Airlines for military supplies.
Putin adviser warns UK factories face attacks from ‘unknown sources’ for helping Ukraine
British factories manufacturing drones for Ukraine could face targeting by "unknown sources", a Kremlin adviser has warned, after the UK agreed to share long-range missile blueprints with the nation.
Andrei Fedorov, a former deputy foreign minister for Russia, stated he could not "100% exclude" the possibility of "semi-military" operations directed at Britain, speaking as Andy Burnham undertook a trip to Kyiv.
The visit marked the prime minister’s inaugural overseas journey since taking office. While in the capital, the UK reaffirmed its "unwavering" commitment to Ukraine, which in turn provided what officials described as a "goldmine" of combat data to enhance British security.
In discussions with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Burnham assured there would be "no change in the UK’s steadfast support" for the country.
Watch: Two children among several injured in Russian strike in Ukraine's Chernihiv
Ukraine eyes local production of Anglo-French missile
European leaders brought pledges of further military and financial support as they met Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv yesterday for Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations.
PM Andy Burnham announced his government has agreed to allow defence company MBDA to release classified information relating to British components used in the SCALP long-range missile.
That paves the way for France and Ukraine to advance plans for the weapon's production in Ukraine.
SCALP is the French version of the UK’s Storm Shadow missile, with both systems incorporating shared technology.
“Ukraine has been Europe’s protector, not a drain on our security, but the front line of keeping Europe safe,” Burnham said, adding that Kyiv and its partners “must keep up the pressure on Moscow.”
Ukraine has leaned heavily on Nato countries for help fighting Russia’s bigger army, although relations with the United States have been cooler under president Donald Trump.
Russia, meanwhile, is getting help from North Korea and China.
