Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky accuses Putin of spying with oil tankers as Trump ‘sort of’ decides on missiles for Kyiv

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia is utilising the tankers of its “shadow fleet” to finance the war and destabilise Europe.

“The Head of Foreign Intelligence reported in detail on how the Russians are utilising tankers of their ‘shadow fleet’ – not only to finance the war, but also for sabotage and various destabilisation attempts in Europe,” he said on social media. “Recent launches of drones from tankers are one such example. We share the information we have with our partners, and it is crucial that they take tangible steps in response to Russia.

“We are working toward this at all levels, and there will be further meetings and negotiations with partners, both public and behind closed doors. We are convincing them not to hold back on determination.

“The Russians must know that none of their destructive actions – all the vile things they do – will go unanswered by the world.”

Humanitarian aid organisation Hope For Ukraine has expressed doubt that the war-torn country will receive Tomahawks requested from the United States as Trump teases he has “sort of” made a decision on whether to grant the request.

CEO Yuriy Boyechko has said that it remains unlikely that Ukraine will receive the highly-coveted missiles, which have a range of 2,500 km, because “Traditional launch platforms for Tomahawk missiles are sea-based, primarily deployed from US Navy ships and submarines.

“Ukraine has a very small navy, and the chances of it acquiring a Tomahawk‑capable surface ship or submarine are nearly zero.”, the organisation added.

“The U.S. also has ground‑based launchers for Tomahawk missiles (the Typhon), but these systems are scarce and the U.S. will not sell them to European NATO members.

The only way Ukraine could receive Tomahawks would be if the US sent already‑retired LRF launchers, the organisation explained, adding that the country does not possess the specialised launch equipment or the trained personnel needed to field the Tomahawk missile system.

Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russian forces had captured almost 5,000 square km (1,930 square miles) of land in Ukraine in 2025 and that Moscow retained complete strategic initiative on the battlefield.

Putin, addressing a meeting with Russian top military commanders, said Ukrainian forces were retreating in all sectors of the front. He said Kyiv was trying to strike deep into Russian territory, but it would not help it to change the situation in the more than 3 1/2-year-old war.

“At this time, the Russian armed forces fully hold the strategic initiative,” Putin told the meeting in northwestern Russia, according to a Kremlin transcript.

“This year, we have liberated nearly 5,000 square km of territory – 4,900 – and 212 localities.”

Ukrainian forces, he said, “are retreating throughout the line of combat contact, despite attempts at fierce resistance.”

Russia’s Defence Ministry on Tuesday reported the capture of two more villages along the front, which Ukraine’s top commander says now extends over 1,250 km (775 miles).

Ukrainian accounts of the situation on the front line say Kyiv’s forces have made gains in the Donetsk region, particularly near the town of Dobropillia. President Volodymyr Zelensky has also said Ukrainian forces have regained ground in the border Sumy region, where Russia has established a foothold.

Russia hosted a delegation of Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban government Tuesday and issued a strong warning against a foreign military presence in the country.

Speaking at the start of an international meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised the Taliban government for efforts to combat the Islamic State and other extremist groups, as well as eradicate illegal drugs.

Lavrov emphasized that “the deployment of military infrastructure of any third countries on the territory of Afghanistan, as well as on the territories of neighboring states, is categorically unacceptable under any pretext.”

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Russia will send Dmitry Medvedev to North Korea for celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country’s ruling party.

It comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un joined Vladimir Putin and others at a Chinese military parade in Beijing last month.

China’s Premier Li Qiang will also travel to North Korea in its highest-level visit since 2019.

A statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry called China and North Korea “traditional friends and neighbors” and said it is “an unswerving strategic policy” of the Chinese government and the ruling Communist Party “to maintain, consolidate and develop” relations with North Korea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using oil tankers for intelligence gathering and sabotage operations.

Zelensky, writing in a post on Telegram after receiving a briefing from Ukraine’s foreign intelligence chief, said Ukraine was co-operating with allies on the matter.

“Currently, Russians are using tankers not only to earn money for the war, but also for reconnaissance and even sabotage activities. It is entirely possible to stop this.”

Russia and India have begun joint military drills in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan in a sign of deepening cooperation between Delhi and Moscow.

The Russian defence ministry said the “Indra 2025” drills would take place at the Mahajan range and continue until 15 October.

“The main goal of the drills is honing the cohesion of both countries’ units in the fight against terrorism, including the perfection of counter-terrorism operations’ tactics,” the ministry said.

Ukrainian soldiers carried out a successful counter-attack in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Kyiv’s military said.

The Skhval unit “eliminated” 50 Russian troops in a battle in Sichneve while eight others were taken prisoner, according to the Kyiv Independent.

Footage published on Telegram appeared to show Ukrainian troops advancing to a settlement and clearing out Russian positions. The footage could not be independently verified.

Sichneve lies at the administrative border with the key region of Donetsk, which Russian forces are desperate to capture.