Ukraine-Russia war – live: Drone attack on Putin’s forces at Crimea port as Germany to slash military aid
Ukraine has launched a major overnight aerial and naval drone attack on Vladimir Putin’s forces in occupied Crimea, according to officials.
Moscow’s defence ministry claimed to have downed 33 air drones and 10 unmanned Ukrainian boats over the Black Sea, as residents reported loud explosions near Sevastopol.
It comes as Germany revealed it would slash its military aid to Ukraine from £6.72bn to £3.36bn next year, according to its draft budget.
The country’s finance minister assured that the bulk of the money and military aid Kyiv needs has been secured “for the foreseeable future thanks to European instruments and the G7 loans.”
The blow to Kyiv comes as Donald Trump named as his vice presidential pick Senator JD Vance, who opposes military aid for Ukraine and warned Europe will have to rely less on the US to defend the continent.
Ukraine’s defence minister has said the war-hit nation will find a way to battle Russia’s invading forces even if Mr Trump wins a second term and imperils vital US support.
Key Points
- Ukraine launches major drone attack on Crimea
- Germany to halve military aid for Ukraine in deepening crisis
- Putin's house fortified as Kyiv's drone attack successes grow
- Russia and China begin live-fire naval exercises in South China Sea
- Russia and Ukraine conduct prisoner exchange involving 190 soldiers
Trump and Zelensky plan to speak today – CNN
03:46 , Arpan RaiRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump has a phone call scheduled for Friday with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky, in what would be their first conversation since the former US president left the White House in 2021, a CNN reporter posted on X, citing two unnamed sources.
The reporter did not provide details.
This would be the Ukrainian leader’s first exchange with the Republican nominee after he was shot in the ear but did not suffer any major injuries during a political rally last week.
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