Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv attacks Russian drone factory in Tatarstan
Related: Ukraine blows up bridge linking Russia and CrimeaOn The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondentsGet a weekly dispatch from our international correspondentsGet a weekly international news dispatchUkraine attacked a Russian drone factory in the Tatarstan region, located about 1,200km away from the frontline.At least one person was killed and 13 others wounded in Sunday's attack, according to regional governor Rustam Minnikhanov. He said the Ukrainian drone was destroyed, but falling debris ignited a fire and struck a vehicle manufacturing plant in the Yelabuga district.The Ukrainian military said the Russian factory produced, tested, and launched drones at Ukraine. Russia launched 183 drones and decoys, along with 11 missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, which said its air defences destroyed 111 drones and eight missiles, while another 48 drones were jammed.Meanwhile, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has urged the G7 nations to ramp up sanctions on Russia to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine. "Last week, we put forward a proposal for an 18 sanctions package. I will invite all G7 partners to join us in this endeavour," she said.The EU is set to adopt a new sanctions package on Russia, but has so far failed to convince US president Donald Trump, who has been reluctant to pressure Russian president Vladimir Putin into imposing new American sanctions.Russia fires 138 drones at Ukraine Russia fired 138 drones at targets across Ukraine in its latest overnight aerial assault, Kyiv’s air force has reported. Ukraine said they shot down 84 of the drones, and 41 more were either lost or downed using electronic warfare. We will bring you news of any casualties from the attacks as soon as we find out. Tom Watling16 June 2025 08:19Russia returns bodies of 1,200 more Ukrainians Russia has returned the bodies of 1,200 Ukrainians killed in the war as part of a prisoner of war swap with Russia.The latest swap brings the total number of bodies repatriated to Ukraine to over 4,800, according to Ukrainian authorities.“I am grateful to everyone involved in this humanitarian mission,” said Ukraine's defence minister Rustem Umerov. “Ahead is an important and responsible stage of identification. This is a complex and delicate work that will give each family the opportunity to receive answers.”Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 June 2025 08:00G7 will discuss Russia sanctions if Putin holds out peace talks, says Sir KeirGroup of Seven allies will discuss the prospect of more sanctions on Russia if Vladimir Putin continues to resist calls for an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer has said.The prime minister said targeting Moscow with further action would "undoubtedly" form part of talks at the international summit this week unless the Kremlin engages in peace talks.Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the conference in Canada, where leaders from the world's major economies are descending on a luxury mountain lodge in the Rockies for talks on global security.Mr Zelensky has accepted a US-backed ceasefire proposal and offered to talk directly with his counterpart in Moscow, but the Russian leader has so far shown no willingness to meet him.Speaking to reporters travelling with him to Kananaskis, Sir Keir was asked if he expects additional sanctions on Russia to be agreed by international partners."We've got President Zelensky coming, so that provides a good opportunity for us to discuss again as a group," he said."My long-standing view is, we need to get Russia to the table for an unconditional ceasefire."That's not been really straightforward. But we do need to be clear about we need to get to the table and that if that doesn't happen, sanctions will undoubtedly be part of the discussion at the G7."Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 June 2025 07:45In pics: Kin of Ukrainian prisoners of war hold portraits of them during a rallyRelatives and friends of Ukrainian prisoners of war hold portraits of them during rally named "Where are you?" calling to speed up their exchange, at the Independence Square in Kyiv on June 15, 2025, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia conducted another POW swap -- the fourth one in a week -- the warring sides said on June 14, 2025, under agreements reached in Istanbul earlier this month. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)Kin of Ukrainian prisoners of war hold portraits of them during a rally (AFP via Getty Images)Relatives and friends of Ukrainian prisoners of war hold portraits of them during a rally (AFP via Getty Images)Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 June 2025 07:21Finland accuses senior crew of Russia-linked vessel in damage of undersea power cableFinnish authorities have accused senior officers of a Russia-linked vessel that damaged undersea cables last year between Finland and Estonia of criminal offenses related to the wreckage.They say the oil tanker, the Eagle S, dragged its anchor to damage the Estlink-2 power cable and communication links between Finland and Estonia on 25 December last year.The Kremlin previously denied involvement in damaging the infrastructure, which provides power and communication for thousands of Europeans.Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 June 2025 07:06Zelensky says Russia's latest attack 'spit in the face' of peace talksUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Russia's latest bout of attack against Ukraine was a "spit in the face of everything the international community is trying to do" to end the three-year-long war.Russia yesterday attacked the city of Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast with missiles and drones, which reportedly damaged agricultural facilities. The attack involving 200 drones and missiles was launched shortly after a phone call between US president Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kyiv Independent reported.Mr Zelensky, in his nighttime address, said that the attack was "deliberately and treacherously planned to target our civilian infrastructure" and that Russia intended to damage energy facilities."This is Russia's spit in the face of everything the international community is trying to do to stop this war," Mr Zelensky said."It happened right after Putin's conversation with Trump. After the Americans asked us not to strike Russian energy facilities. At the same time as Putin tries to portray himself as a mediator for the Middle East ... The level of cynicism is staggering."Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 June 2025 07:05North Korea troops suffered 'over 6,000 casualties in Ukraine war'North Korean troops have suffered more than 6,000 casualties fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine, more than half of the about 11,000 soldiers initially sent to the Kursk region, the British Defence Ministry said in a post on X.“DPRK [ Democratic People's Republic of Korea] operations have thus far been confined to the Kursk region. Any decision to deploy into internationally recognised, sovereign Ukrainian territory in support of Russian forces would almost certainly require sign-off from both Russia's president Vladimir Putin, and [North Korean president] Kim Jong Un,” the defence ministry said.“The total casualties represent over 50 per cent of the North Korean troops originally deployed. Open sources suggest that North Korea has sent a small number of extra soldiers to support their forces in the region.”Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 June 2025 06:42EU urges G7 to ramp up sanctions on RussiaEuropean commission president Ursula von der Leyen has urged the Group of Seven nations to ramp up sanctions on Russia to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine.Leaders of the world's largest industrial nations are meeting in Canada's Rockies with European countries seeking to keep the war in Ukraine firmly on the mind of US president Donald Trump despite fighting breaking out between Israel and Iran in the Middle East."Last week, we put forward a proposal for an 18 sanctions package. I will invite all G7 partners to join us in this endeavour."The European Union is set to adopt a new sanctions package on Russia, but have so far failed to convince US president Donald Trump, who has been reluctant to weigh on Russian president Vladimir Putin to impose new US sanctions.Mr Trump has said he did not want the sanctions to interfere with getting a ceasefire. "We must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table and to end this war, sanctions are critical to that end," Ms von der Leyen told a news conference before Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States begin talks today.Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 June 2025 06:38Ukraine strikes Russian drone factory 1,200km away from frontlineOne person was killed and 13 others wounded after Ukraine struck an alleged drone factory in Russia's Tatarstan region, local authorities said.Regional governor Rustam Minnikhanov said the drone was destroyed, but falling debris ignited a fire and struck a vehicle manufacturing plant in the Yelabuga district, some 1,200km from the frontline. Russia’s defence ministry said it shot down six Ukrainian drones overnight.The Ukrainian military claimed the factory produced, tested, and launched drones at Ukraine, which targeted Kyiv's energy and civil infrastructure.Russia launched 183 drones and decoys, along with 11 missiles, at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force, which said its air defenses destroyed 111 drones and eight missiles, while another 48 drones were jammed.Alisha Rahaman Sarkar16 June 2025 06:33
Comments (0)