Ukraine-Russia war latest: Moscow tests nuclear missiles after plans for Trump-Putin summit collapse

The Tomahawk missile is a US-made long-range cruise missile typically launched from sea to attack targets in deep-strike missions.

First used in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War, the missiles have evolved considerably over the last 30 years. According to manufacturer Raytheon, the most recent version, called the Block IV Tactical Tomahawk, or TACTOM, can switch targets while in flight, loiter for hours and change course instantly on command.

Its most recent use came in 2024, when the US and UK Navies launched Tomahawk missiles at Houthi rebel sites in Yemen.

The intended summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was put on hold on Wednesday after Moscow refused to budge on its red lines for ending the war in Ukraine.

A senior White House official told Reuters that there are “no plans for President Trump to meet with President Putin in the immediate future”. It comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a “productive call” but opted against an in-person meeting.

Read our full explainer below.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a letter of intent to export up to 150 of Saab’s Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine.

Gripen is a fourth generation light single-engine supersonic fighter jet. It is a so-called multi-role fighter aircraft, designed for missions such as air-to-air combat, aerial bombing and reconnaissance.

It is seen as a solid low-cost alternative to the more expensive fifth generation planes, such as the F-35.

Gripen, Swedish for the mythical creature Griffin, has been in commission since 1996 but has been upgraded several times.

The first plane of the latest version, Gripen E, was delivered to the Swedish Air Force in October. In total more than 280 Gripens have been manufactured.

President Vladimir Putin oversaw a test of Russia’s nuclear forces on land, sea and air to rehearse their readiness and command structure.

The test included the launch of a land-based “Yars” intercontinental ballistic missile from a cosmodrome and the launch of nuclear-capable cruise missiles from strategic bombers.

Russia carries out regular drills of its nuclear forces to put them through their paces and to remind adversaries that it holds the world’s largest nuclear arsenal at a period of soaring East-West tensions.

“The exercise tested the level of preparedness of the military command and the practical skills of the operational personnel in organising the control of subordinate forces,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

“All exercise tasks were completed”.

Sweden has signed a letter of intent to export up to 150 of its domestically produced Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The two leaders met for talks in Linkoping in southern Sweden and visited Saab, which is the maker of the JAS 39 Gripen fighter and other equipment.

Kristersson told a news conference the two countries had signed a long-term cooperation agreement over air defences that included the possibility of exporting 100-150 newly produced Gripen E fighter jets.

“We fully realise it’s a long road ahead of us,” Kristersson said with a Gripen in Swedish livery in the background.

“But from today we are committed to exploring all the possibilities in providing Ukraine with a large amount of Gripen fighters in the future.”

Ukraine hit a Russian ammunition plant in the Mordovia region and an oil refinery in Dagestan in “tit for tat” overnight attacks on Wednesday.

“The defence forces continue to take all measures to undermine the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor and force the Russian Federation to stop its armed aggression against Ukraine,” the military said in a statement on the Telegram app.

EU diplomats have said that the 19th sanction package against Russia will include four companies in China’s oil industry.

They include two refineries, one trading firm and an entity engaged in circumvention.

The final text of the package has been agreed by member states but it has not been adopted yet owing to reservations from Slovakia.

Sanctions require unanimity to be passed.

Slovakia said it would back the package, providing its conclusions were taken into account.