PinnedFive dead as Russia launches massive overnight attack on UkraineAt least five people were killed and dozens were wounded in the early hours today after Russian forces attacked major Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv, officials said.Most casualties are being reported from Dnipro where regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha said four people were killed and 16 were injured in a brutal attack on a residential area and a children’s playground.All those injured were hospitalised and reported to be in moderate condition, he said. The official shared photos of heavily damaged residential buildings, burnt-out vehicles and a destroyed playground for children.In ​Kyiv, ⁠at least one person was killed and 29 others were injured in attacks across the capital, said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the capital's military administration.Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said a suspected missile strike on a 24-storey apartment building triggered a collapse, with people likely trapped under the rubble.Other buildings, including a nine-storey apartment block, caught fire from suspected missile debris, he said."In the Obolon district, cars are burning after being struck by falling missile debris. There are also fires at two locations in open areas, including one near a kindergarten," ‌Klitschko said.As of this morning, thousands of residents of Kyiv were taking refuge inside metro stations ‌and other shelters, witnesses said, after air raid warnings that covered much of the country.Russian missile and drone barrages rocked parts of Ukraine overnight (AFP/Getty)Arpan Rai2 June 2026 03:56Russia's Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar region catches fire after drone attackRussia's Ilsky oil refinery in the southern Krasnodar region caught fire after a drone attack, local authorities said this morning.There were no casualties, ‌according to preliminary information, ‌the authorities said.The ⁠Ilsky refinery, with an annual processing capacity of 6.6 million metric tonnes ‌of oil, ​or ‌133,000 barrels ⁠per day, ⁠is export-oriented.Arpan Rai2 June 2026 04:32Ukrainian attacks limit fuel sales in Russia-controlled SevastopolFuel sales in Sevastopol in Russia-controlled Crimea will be limited on Tuesday and authorities are working to resume the sales as usual from Wednesday, Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-backed governor of Sevastopol, said in a Telegram post.Drivers in Russian-controlled Crimea were ‌grappling with gasoline rationing this week after Ukrainian drone attacks constricted road supplies across south-eastern Ukraine, Reuters witnesses and officials said.In Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea and the traditional base ⁠of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, Reuters witnesses reported long queues at filling stations.Former Ukrainian lawmaker Oleg Tsaryov, a pro-Russian figure, said that the road ​that connects Crimea to the mainland in the north had been attacked by Ukraine.“Fuel in Crimea ​is being sold ⁠in limited quantities and via rationing coupons. The reason is Ukrainian drone attacks on fuel trucks on the 'Novorossiya' highway – a land corridor linking mainland Russia and Crimea," Tsaryov said.People put their names on a list to join the queue for fuel at a gas station after the authorities restricted fuel sales in Sevastopol, Crimea (Reuters)Arpan Rai2 June 2026 04:14Russia attacks Ukraine after Zelensky warns of major assaultThis morning's barrage of Russian drones and missiles came just hours after warnings were issued that Moscow was planning a major assault.Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday reiterated warnings of a potentially major assault and urged residents to pay special attention to air raid alerts."Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible, they have prepared one," Zelensky said in his nightly video address."Our defenders are ready 24/7 to the fullest extent possible with the supplies currently available,” he said.Russia last week warned that it intended to launch "systematic strikes" on targets in Kyiv linked to the Ukrainian military as well as decision-making centres, and urged foreigners to leave.Russian missile strikes buildings in Kyiv (AFP/Getty)Arpan Rai2 June 2026 04:13Ukraine secures deal for 20 new fighter jets partly built in UKUkraine will significantly bolster its air defence with new Gripen fighter jets from Sweden under a new deal announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.The deal, unveiled at a joint press conference on Thursday, involves Ukraine purchasing 20 advanced Gripen E models and Sweden donating 16 older C/D variants next year.The agreement builds on a letter of intent signed last year for Sweden to potentially sell up to 150 Saab Gripen E jets to Kyiv. While Gripen E deliveries are several years away, the immediate provision of C/D models offers a crucial stopgap for Ukraine's air force, which operates a mix of Soviet-era and Western aircraft.James Reynolds2 June 2026 04:00Recap: Kremlin says French seizure of tanker 'bordering on piracy' and vows responseThe Kremlin said on Monday the French seizure of a Russian-linked tanker was “bordering on piracy” and vowed to respond.French president Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that the navy had boarded the sanctioned Tagor oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean with support of international partners including the UK.He said the operation took place “in strict compliance with the law of the sea”.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia considers the move “illegal”, warning that Russia would take measures to ensure the safety of shipping cargo in response.In February, a Kremlin aide said Russia could deploy its navy to prevent the seizure of its vessels and may retaliate against European shipping if Russian ships are taken.James Reynolds2 June 2026 03:00Where have peace talks been left?Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have been on hold since February, when the United States shifted focus to its new war in the Middle East.Moscow and Kyiv walked away from talks in Geneva no closer to a deal, as Ukraine suggested the US was unfairly demanding Kyiv alone make concessions to end the war.Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said the last round of direct talks had been “difficult” and accused Russia of deliberately stalling, with the issue of territory still in dispute.What does either side want?Russia insists on its demands for Ukrainian territory and the withdrawal of forces from its borders.Ukraine insists it needs clear security guarantees from allies to stop Russia reopening the conflict and says it cannot and will not give up territory sought by Russia. The lands in the east include industry heavy regions and Ukraine’s belt of ‘fortress cities’ to protect against invasion.Will talks start again?Volodymyr Zelensky said late in April that he was keen to meet with Vladimir Putin, his Russian counterpart, in an effort to restart negotiations.While Ukraine claimed a string of wins on the ground, Zelensky warned that US attention on the war with Iran was soaking up resources and leaving Ukraine with critical shortages of air defences.But the Kremlin said Putin would only meet Zelensky in Moscow for the purpose of finalising agreements on the conflict.Turkey said it was making efforts to restart talks and bring together the leaders, after hosting delegations in July 2025.Zelensky told CBS on Sunday he wants to press on with talks on securing peace with Russia before the onset of winter to take account of Kyiv’s improved strategic position.James Reynolds2 June 2026 01:00Pictured: Aftermath of a Russian drone strike in Ukraine's OdesaCommunal workers stand at a site of an apartment building and houses damaged by a Russian drone strike (Reuters)Residents look at houses damaged by a Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine, June 1, 2026 (Reuters)James Reynolds2 June 2026 00:00James Reynolds1 June 2026 23:00What we know about French interception of Russia-linked tankerFrench president Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that the French navy had intercepted a Russia-linked tanker in the Atlantic Ocean.He said the operation was carried out in conjunction with international partners including the UK.What was intercepted?Macron said the navy had intercepted the sanctioned oil tanker ‘Tagor’, which had sailed from Russia’s Arctic port of Murmansk.He said the ship was suspected of flying under a false flag. According to MarineTraffic, the 252-metre-long tanker was sailing under a Madagascan flag.Why does it matter?To try to skirt Western sanctions, Russia has relied on old vessels, known as the shadow fleet, to ship its oil and gas.France and Britain have both vowed to obstruct such vessels as part of a European strategy to combat the oil revenues that help fund Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.The Tagor is the fourth sanctioned tanker the French have intercepted.A French army helicopter flies over the sanctioned Tagor in the Atlantic, on 31 May (AP)Will it change anything?Western sanctions and a small number of interceptions have had little obvious impact on the Russian 'shadow fleet' at a time oil prices pushed higher by the Iran war offer tankers a big incentive.Instead it is the Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities that are stopping Moscow from capitalising on the spike in global fuel prices.What has Russia said?The Kremlin said it considered the move illegal and accused France of an act bordering on international piracy, vowing to respond.Macron said the operation was carried out in line with maritime law.James Reynolds1 June 2026 22:00