Ukraine-Russia latest news: Trump pledges more weapons for Kyiv and says he is ‘not happy’ with Putin

A Ukrainian soldier has died of injuries sustained under torture less than a month after his release from Russian captivity, a Ukrainian media outlet, Suspilne, has reported.

Valery Zelensky, 57, spent 39 months in Russian captivity and was part of the landmark thousand for thousand prisoner deal on 25 May. He died just 22 days later.

Mr Zelensky’s unit delivered weaponse to Ukrainian forces in Mariupol, his daughter told the the outlet. His family thought he was missing in action. Upon returning, he met his grandson for the first time.

Doctors initially treated him for suspected pancreatic issues, before his condition severely deteriorated. A medical report listed extensive injuries, according to the Kyiv Independent.

A number of Ukrainian soldiers have died following their return from Russian captivity after the UN commission reported last year that prisoners of war were facing “brutal treatment inflicting severe pain and suffering during prolonged detention, with blatant disregard for human dignity.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on the circumstances of Mr Starovoit’s death, saying that investigators will have to determine the details.

“Such information is always tragic and sad,” Mr Peskov said, noting that Mr Putin was immediately informed about it.

“Naturally, we were shocked by it.”

Roman Starovoit was found dead in his car hours after Vladimir Putin fired him from the role of minister of transport.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This case is clear example of an organisation linked to the Russian state using ‘proxies’, in this case British men, to carry out very serious criminal activity in this country on their behalf.

“The ringleaders, Earl and Reeves, willingly acted as hostile agents on behalf of the Russian state.

“I am pleased that, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, we were able to use the new National Security Act legislation, which meant the severity of Earl and Reeves’s offending was reflected in the charges they faced.

“The warehouse arson put members of the public at great risk, and it was only by good fortune nobody was seriously injured or worse.

“Those involved showed little or no regard for the potential impact of their actions on the UK’s wider security.

“Seemingly motivated by the promise of money, they were prepared to commit criminal acts on behalf of Russia.

“I hope these convictions send a strong warning of the very serious consequences of committing offences on behalf of a foreign country.”

Three men have been found guilty of an arson attack on a warehouse linked to Ukraine on behalf of the terrorist Wagner Group.

It’s the first case of its kind in which British criminals have been convicted for the proscribed Russian organisation.

About £1 million of damage was caused by the blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, last March 20, the Old Bailey was told.

The attack was orchestrated by Dylan Earl, 20, with Gatwick airport cleaner Jake Reeves, 23, who had targeted the warehouse because it was being used to supply humanitarian aid and StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine.

They went on to plot more arson attacks in a restaurant and wine shop in Mayfair and the kidnap of the owner, the wealth Russian dissident Evgeny Chichvarkin.

Earl and Reeves had admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group and were the first to be convicted of offences under the National Security Act 2023, jurors heard.

President Zelensky praised citizens as he shared a tribute on social media to those fighting for Ukraine.

“Our people do everything they can every day to ensure that Ukraine lives, fights, and moves forward.

“The men and women defending Ukraine on the front lines, and everyone working to make our defense possible and to secure a normal, independent future for Ukraine. Thank you for being here for Ukraine, for loving your country so deeply, and for believing in it.

“We will always remember every single person who gave their lives for Ukraine, for her independence and freedom. Eternal honor to all our fallen heroes.”

Sir Keir Starmer and the French president Emmanuel Macron are also expected to co-host a meeting of the “coalition of the willing”, the peacekeeping mission proposed to be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.

Mr Macron said: “There is so much we can build together: for the stability of our continent, for our shared prosperity and competitiveness, and for the protection of our democracies.”