If you join us for this festive lunch, you will know that it has been a vital morning for the war in Ukraine.
Here’s what you want to know:
That’s it for now: stay with us for more updates and research in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that fuel compressor stations had been attacked in three parts of Ukraine.
It also claims to have attacked electrical substations and artillery airfields in the West during heavy shelling on Monday morning.
Telegram claims that its director-general, Pavel Durov, “has nothing to hide” after his arrest in France, adding that the accusations against him are “absurd”.
The billionaire founder of the encrypted messaging app was detained after his personal plane landed at Le Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday.
News channels BFMTV and TF1 cited anonymous sources saying that the Russian-born businessman, who became a French citizen in 2021, is the subject of a search warrant.
Both outlets that the investigation focused on focused on the lack of moderators on Telegram and possible criminal activities through users.
They said the order alleges that their platform was used for money laundering, drug trafficking and other crimes, although the French government has not yet commented.
As we reported today, Russia claimed that Ukraine had introduced several drone attacks on buildings in Saratov.
Ukraine has not yet responded to those claims, but the video below purports to show the moment a drone crashed into a high-rise construction in Russia.
The Russian government says several other people were injured.
Hundreds of people took shelter in an underground subway station as Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones on the Ukrainian capital.
Kyiv citizens were photographed sitting on the steps of an exercise station, waiting for light as missiles hit power and water infrastructure sites in the city.
Russia admitted to wearing down anti-Ukraine measures, saying they targeted sites connected to the Ukrainian military.
A “military object” has reportedly entered Polish airspace following the Russian attack on Ukraine this morning.
It comes amid Russia’s biggest attack on Ukraine in weeks, with Moscow’s electricity infrastructure in three regions.
By Deborah Haynes, Security and Defense Editor
One of the greatest secret weapons to combat Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is to gain visibility.
A new video posted on social media seeks to publicize the covert activities of a network of Ukrainian civilians living (and fighting) on Russian lines.
Led by Ukrainian special forces, this resistance movement is developing, according to its commander, who specifies that any adult (old, young, man) can join.
All they want is to be unwavering towards Ukraine. . . and brave.
A British citizen, who worked for Reuters, was discovered dead after a suspected Russian airstrike in Ukraine, the news firm confirmed.
Ryan Evans, who was a security adviser to the news agency, was discovered dead Sunday under the rubble of the Sapphire Hotel in the eastern city of Kramatorsk, which is under Ukrainian control but close to the front line.
The Ukrainian government said Russian forces had attacked a hotel in the eastern Donetsk region. Russia has not yet commented.
In a statement, Reuters said: “We are devastated to learn that Reuters security adviser Ryan Evans, a member of our reporting team in Ukraine, has been killed.
“Ryan, a member of a Reuters team who was staying at the Sapphire Hotel in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, when it came under a missile attack on Saturday, August 24, 2024. “
A new video posted on social media seeks to publicize the covert activities of a network of Ukrainian civilians living – and fighting – on Russian lines.
Led by Ukrainian special forces, this resistance movement is growing, according to its commander, who specifies that any adult (old, young, man) can join.
Below, Sky News explains more. . .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted this morning to Russian measures against his country.
He claims that more than a hundred missiles were used, as well as a hundred drones, and asked Western allies to provide him with air defense resources.
Previously, their leader had asked them to authorize the use of their long-range weapons on targets in Russia.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister also needs his country’s allies to shoot down Russian drones and missiles attacking its airspace (see post 9. 34)
This morning Moscow attacked 15 regions of Ukraine, in addition to Kiev, where other people took refuge in underground metro stations after explosions were heard.
Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post that there is “a lot of damage in the energy sector. “
Kremlin: ceasefire talks “have lost their relevance”
Meanwhile, the Kremlin said the strikes fuel critical infrastructure for Ukraine’s war effort.
He also claimed that any prospect of ceasefire negotiations with Kyiv had “lost relevance” and warned of a reaction to the Kursk incursion.