Russia-Ukraine war latest: EU and UK increase sanctions on Putin as mass drone attack kills one in Odesa
Recap: One dead after drone attack on Odesa
A mass drone attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa has killed one person overnight, officials said.
Mayor Hennady Trukhanov said at least 20 drones converged on the city early on Saturday, setting ablaze at least one multi-storey apartment building and killing one resident.
Pictures posted online showed a fire engulfing floors near the top of one building as president Volodymyr Zelensky said six people were injured – including a child – in the attack.
Zelensky added over 300 drones and 30 missiles had been launched at Ukraine overnight overall, with several regions affected.
Athena Stavrou19 July 2025 15:02
Full story: Russian spies who ‘targeted Britain in sustained campaign’ sanctioned
Athena Stavrou19 July 2025 14:28
Latest pictures from Ukraine
Athena Stavrou19 July 2025 13:59
Zelensky’s latest statement in full:
Last night, our warriors from various units repelled another Russian attack. More than 300 strike drones and over 30 missiles of various types were launched against our cities. Target elimination is still ongoing — drones remain in the air.
Rescue operations are underway following the attack: the Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Dnipro, Sumy, Kherson, Volyn, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Zhytomyr regions were affected.
In Sumy, critical infrastructure was damaged, leaving several thousand families without electricity. Shostka was hit with combined strikes. In Odesa, an apartment building was damaged — six people were injured, including a child. Sadly, one person was killed. My condolences to their family and loved ones. Missiles and drones also struck Pavlohrad, damaging a residential building and vital infrastructure. All relevant services are now on the ground wherever needed, restoring affected areas and assisting people after the attack.
I thank all the leaders who understand how crucial it is to promptly implement our agreements. Joint weapons production, investment in drone manufacturing in Ukraine — especially interceptor drones — the provision of air defense systems and missiles for them, and the ability to manufacture them here in Ukraine — all of this saves lives and is needed by Ukraine right now.
Zelensky on X
Athena Stavrou19 July 2025 13:31
Lammy warns Kremlin: We see what you are doing
The UK has sanctioned a string of Russian spies and hackers, accusing them of carrying out a campaign to “destabilise Europe”.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens.
“The Kremlin should be in no doubt: we see what they are trying to do in the shadows and we won’t tolerate it. That’s why we’re taking decisive action with sanctions against Russian spies.”
Athena Stavrou19 July 2025 13:02
Analysis: How Ukraine’s drone-infested front is slowing Russia’s advance
Athena Stavrou19 July 2025 12:35
Watch: Trump threatens Russia with sanctions and tariffs if peace with Ukraine is not reached in 50 days
Athena Stavrou19 July 2025 11:57
UK says sanctioned more than 20 Russian spies, hackers and agencies: ICYMI
Britain on Friday said it had sanctioned more than 20 Russian spies, hackers and agencies over what it called a “sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity” to destabilise Europe.
The foreign ministry said it was sanctioning three units of the Russian military intelligence GRU agency and 18 of its officers, including those it said were involved in targeting strikes against Mariupol during the war in Ukraine, and spying on former agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia before they were targeted in a Novichok poisoning in 2018.
Athena Stavrou19 July 2025 11:27
In full: How the EU aims to put the squeeze on the Russian economy with new sanctions package
EU’s 18th sanctions package against Moscow explained:
Athena Stavrou19 July 2025 11:02
Australia delivers Abrams tanks to Ukraine
The Australian government this morning said it delivered M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a A$245m ($160m) package to help the country defend itself against Russia in their ongoing war.
Australia, one of the largest non-Nato contributors to Ukraine, has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment since Moscow invaded its neighbour in February 2022.
Ukraine has taken possession of most of the 49 tanks given by Australia, and the rest will be delivered in coming months, said defence minister Richard Marles.
The “M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion,” Mr Marles said in a statement.
The tanks formed part of the A$1.5bn ($980m) that Canberra has provided Ukraine in the conflict, the government said.
Australia has also banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.
Athena Stavrou19 July 2025 10:42
