Ukraine: 22 dead and more than 50 injured in independence day attack on train station

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Britain and Norway are set to send further military aid to Ukraine in the form of ‘microdrones’ which can infiltrate buildings to spy on Russian positions.

The six-inch Black Hornet drones were first used by British forces during the invasion of Afghanistan.

The drones originally come from Norway and are part of the new £54 million aid package from Britain and Norway to Ukraine.

The two western allies to Ukraine will send 850 Black Hornet’s to Kyiv which will be capable of flying close to Russian soldiers undetected and entering buildings.

The miniature drones are reminiscent of a children’s toy and have a 1.2 mile range and a top speed of 11 miles per hour.

The rotors on the drones are near enough silent and can enter compounds without being spotted and with night vision and three cameras with high-definition video, are perfect to spy on Russia positions.

A British major spoke to the Daily Mail in 2013 about the Black Hornet and how they were helpful in Afghanistan.

The major said: “Previously we would have sent soldiers forward to see if there were any enemy fighters hiding inside a set of buildings.

“Now we are deploying Black Hornet to look inside compounds and to clear a route through enemy-held spaces.”

The military tech costing £10,000 per drone has a flight time of up to 25 minutes and flies on autopilot using GPS.

The drones are equipped with a rechargeable battery, a handheld controller and a camera which can live-stream video and images to the seven-inch LCD screen which comes with the drone.

UKRAINIAN MP Kira Rudik has delivered a warning to Vladimir Putin's invading forces as defending troops ready to "fight like never before" against Russia's campaign of aggression.

As Ukraine marks six months since Russian forces invaded, the country has come together to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day.

In a fiery statement to mark the occasion, Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik has issued a clear warning to Moscow that Ukraine shows no signs of bowing to Russia’s brutal campaign of violence. 

Speaking to GB News, Ms Rudik said: “We did not think we would get to this. It is a very happy day for us because we are around, we are alive and we are ready to fight like never before.”

The Ukrainian MP spoke of how Independence Day had united the nation to condemn Moscow’s continued pursuit to bring the country under Kremlin control.

Ms Rudik said: “This is the first year that we are celebrating Independence Day as a nation that is truly united and truly behind one cause.

“We know what we are fighting for and we know what is at stake and we know the way that we want to win. 

“This is incredibly important and there is a feeling that we have never had before.”

VLADIMIR PUTIN has been warned a furious coup is plotting his downfall after his "architect of the Ukraine war" narrowly avoided an assassination attempt that killed his daughter.

The daughter of Alexander Dugin, an ultra-nationalistic philosopher and the alleged architect of the Ukraine war, was killed by a car bomb that exploded on Saturday night.

Daria Dugina, 29 years old, herself a highly controversial figure, ultra-nationalist and pro-war, was blown up in the bomb that is thought to have been intended for her father.

The FSB claims a mother serving in the Ukrainian army slipped into Moscow to assassinate Ms Dugina before escaping to Estonia in a Mini Cooper.

Speaking on television on Tuesday, Urmas Reinsalu, Estonia’s Foreign Minister, said: “We regard this as one instance of provocation in a very long line of provocations by the Russian Federation, and we have nothing more to say about it at the moment.”

Russian historian Dr Yuri Felshtinsky said the car bomb was "most likely part of an internal Russian conflict".

PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY has reported to the UN Security Council that a Russian rocket strike has hit a Ukrainian railway station as Ukraine celebrates its independence day.

At least 50 people have been wounded and 22 people killed in the Russian attack as Ukraine celebrates 31 years of independence from the Soviet Union and marks six months since the war began.

Ukrainian President Zelensky addressed the UN late on Wednesday evening that a Russian rocket had hit a train station.

He said the attack took place in the town of Chaplyne in eastern Ukraine.

Chaplyne is a small rural town with a population of 3,500 people and is 90 miles west of Donetsk.

The rocket hit a railroad passenger train and vehicles nearby, but the total number of people killed has not yet been confirmed.

Good evening I’m Emma Crabtree, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on Ukriane for the next few hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome. 

Email: emma.crabtree@reachplc.com

Twitter: @emmacrabtree98 

The death toll after the Russian attack on a train station in Ukraine has risen to 22.

The attack, which occured on Ukraine's independence day was initially reported to have killed 15 people. 

At least 50 were initially reported to have been injured.

Ukraine's foreign minister has criticised Moscow for killing civilians after at least 15 people were killed in an attack on a Ukrainian train station. 

In a tweet, Dmytro Kuleba said: "Terrorist Russia keeps killing Ukrainian civilians. At least 15 killed in a Russian missile strike on a train station in Chaplyne, Dnipropetrovsk region. As @ZelenskyyUa stressed at UNSC: terrorist Russia must be stopped now before it kills more people in Ukraine and beyond."

Here are some pictures from Boris Johnson's surprise visit to Kyiv on Wednesday. 

A Russian "military expert" has claimed that European countries are run by "nazi collaborators". 

Igor Korotchenko told Russian state TV that European leaders are "moral degenerates" and added that the president of Lativa needs 40 rabies jabs. 

In an address to the President of Ukraine to mark Ukrainian Independence Day, the Queen congratulated Ukrainians. 

She said: "It gives me great pleasure to send Your Excellency and the people of Ukraine my warmest greetings on the celebration of your Independence Day.

"In this most challenging year, I hope that today will be a time for the Ukrainian people, both in Ukraine and around the world, to celebrate their culture, history and identity. May we look to better times in the future”.

At least 15 people have been killed and 50 more have been wounded in an Independence Day attack on a Ukrainian railway station, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

On Tuesday, Ukraine celebrated 31 years of independence from Soviet rule.

However, horror struck when Russian troops fired missiles at a train station in the Dnepropetrovsk region.

Mr Zelensky announced during a speech at the UN Security Council that the missile had hit a passenger railroad car at Chapline station.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has snubbed ally Vladimir Putin as he congratulates neighbouring Ukraine on Independence Day.

Belarus has repeatedly sided with Moscow since the war broke out February 24, with Ukraine accusing President Alexander Lukashenko of allowing Russian troops to stage attacks from Belarusian territory. Despite the turbulent relationship, Mr Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, issued a statement on his official website to mark Ukraine's formal celebration of its independence. He said: "I am convinced that today's contradictions will not be able to destroy the centuries-old foundation of sincere good-neighbourly relations between the peoples of the two countries.

Belarus will continue to stand for the preservation of harmony, the development of friendly mutually respectful contacts at all levels." The statement added that the Belarusian state "wished the Ukrainians a peaceful sky, tolerance, courage, strength and success in restoring a decent life." His statement comes amid concerns that Belarus could join the war in support of Russia. 

Russia has put the world on the brink of radiation disaster when it comes to the Zaporizhzhia power plant, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. 

Mr Zelensky made the comments while speaking to the UN in New York from Kyiv this afternoon. 

The Zaporizhzhia is under Russian control but has been hit by explosions in recent weeks. 

Both Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the explosions. 

Mr Zelensky said: "It is a fact that the Russian military has turned the territory of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, into a war zone. 

"Now Europe and neighbouring regions face the threat of radiation pollution."

Boris Johnson has said that the public must endure high energy prices as part of the effort to resist Vladimir Putin. 

He said: "If we're paying in our energy bills for the evils of Vladimir Putin, the people of Ukraine are paying in their blood".

Mr Johnson made the remarks during a surprise visit to Kyiv, as Ukraine celebrates Independence Day. 

Russia and Ukraine should not use food and starvation as weapons of war a hunger charity has warned. 

Jean-Michel Grand, Executive Director for Action Against Hunger UK said: "The number one driver of hunger is conflict and this is exactly what we are seeing in Ukraine. With war comes displacement, disruptions to local production, supply chains and soaring food prices. Families are driven into poverty and struggle to access food.

“Winter is harsh in Ukraine. Deliveries of hot meals, cash and winter items will be necessary to help families to face the coming months, but the parties in conflict should commit to protect civilians and not to use food and starvation as a weapon of war. Resolutions of conflicts often start with humanitarian agreements;  small steps but critical for the survival of millions.”

Vladimir Putin’s aims have shifted since the invasion began February 24, 2022. 

His initial aim was to overrun Ukraine and depose its government. 

The Russian leader claimed this was a preventative measure to prevent Ukraine from joining the Western defensive alliance NATO.

After a month of failures, he abandoned his bid to capture the capital Kyiv and turned his ambitions to “liberating the Donbas region” in Ukraine's east and south.

Ukraine's spy chief has said that Russia's offensive is slowing down due to fatigue. 

Defence Intelligence agency chief Kyrylo Budanov said:"Russia has rather seriously slowed down the tempo of its assault. The reason for this is the exhaustion of their resource base, as well as a moral and physical fatigue from the fighting."

This remark is one of the strongest signals from Kyiv that it believes Russia's offensive is waning. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the US for its "unprecedented" support on Ukrainian Independence Day. 

In a tweet, Mr Zelenksy said: "Grateful to @POTUS and the people of the US for the powerful congratulations on Ukrainian Independence Day - an unprecedented package of security assistance of almost $3 billion. The people of Ukraine, all our defenders highly appreciate the US's unwavering support. Together we will win!"

Russia has detained two workers from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant for passing information to Ukrainian authorities, Russia's National Guard said on Wednesday.  

The National Guard said the arrests had prevented what it called "illegal actions" that threatened the plant's security as the two workers had passed information to Ukrainian armed forces about the location of personnel and equipment on the site.

Russia captured the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in March.

In recent weeks it has been shelled, raising fears of a nuclear disaster.

Both Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for the shelling.

Boris Johnson visited Kyiv today to show solidarity with Ukraine on its Independence Day. 

In a tweet announcing his visit, Mr Johnson said: "What happens in Ukraine matters to us all. That is why I am in Kyiv today. That is why the UK will continue to stand with our Ukrainian friends. I believe Ukraine can and will win this war."

The Prime Minister has paid tribute to Ukraine on its day of independence from Soviet rule. 

In a tweet, Xavier Bettel said: "Today, when all Ukrainians should be able to celebrate their independence, Luxembourg salutes you. On yesterday’s Crimea Platform, I strongly supported Ukraine’s right to freedom and self-determination. We stand by your side. #UkraineIndependenceDay".

Good afternoon, I'm Olivia Stringer and I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the war in Ukraine for the next eight hours. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.

Email: olivia.stringer@reachplc.com 

Twitter: @Livstringer_

Ukraine is holding full fire control over all transport links through which Russian forces can re-supply their reserves and supplies in Kherson. 

Natalia Humeniuk, head of the joint coordination press center of the South Operational Command told the Ukrainian Apostrophe television channel that these supply routes must be completely cut off, but some thought must be given to how the Ukrainian Army will advance later.

She said: “The passage of military hardware across the Antonivsky bridge is already blocked, since the (bridge) pylons won’t withstand (heavy loads).

“The invading forces are trying to evacuate to the left bank by cars, including the invaders’ leadership.”

The Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See has slammed the Pope for his "disappointing" comments about the war in Ukraine. 

Pope Francis condemned the "madness" of war, and noted the death of Darya Dugina, the daughter of ultra-nationalist philosopher Alexander Dugin, who was killed by a car bomb thought to be intended for her father. 

"Innocents pay for war, innocents," the Pope said. 

Andrii Yurash, Ukrainian ambassador to the Vatican, said: "Today's speech of from the Pope was disappointing and made me think about many things: can't speak in the same categories about an aggressor and a victim, rapist and raped. How is it possible to mention one of the ideologists of Russian imperialism as an innocent victim? She was killed by Russians as a scared victim."

Ukraine has accused Russia of abducting more than 1,000 children from Mariupol and transferring them to Russian families. 

A statement from the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry said: “Only according to the information of the Office for Family and Childhood Affairs of the city of Krasnodar, more than 1,000 Ukrainian children from Mariupol captured by the Russian army were illegally transferred to unauthorized persons – in Tyumen, Irkutsk, Kemerovo and Altai Territory; more than 300 children are now in specialized institutions in the Krasnodar Territory."

The ministry pointed out that these actions violate the 1949 Geneva Convention for the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War - which dictates an occupying state must not change the civil status of children. 

It also violates the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has urged the UN to condemn Russia's crimes against children in Ukraine. 

To honour Ukraine's 31 years of independence from the former Soviet Union, the Band of the Scots Guards performed tha nation's winning Eurovision song. 

A Russian exile has revealed his mission is to bring about the end of warmongering dictator Vladimir Putin, whose death will usher in a new era in Russia.

Ilya Ponomarev, a former Russian lawmaker who was exiled over his anti-Kremlin positions, has vowed to "finish off" President Putin.

Mr Ponomarev was exiled from Russia after being the only member of the state Duma to vote against annexing Crimea in 2014 and in recent months has turned his attention to turning Russian opinion against the war.

Speaking to independent Russian media outlet Meduza, he said: "I believe that I've been in Russia since February 24, because since then we don't have state borders, we have the front line.

"When I'll be in Moscow I don't know, but I think [I'll be there] before you because the first to arrive will be those who will hold weapons in their hands.

"And now our task is to finish off Putin. I think it will end with our victory and the physical death of Vladimir Putin.

"I think it will end with the destruction of the Russian Federation and the creation of a new republic."

Ukraine's ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko has asked Britons to be "patient" as Ukraine "cannot afford to lose your support" as the Russian invasion hits six months. 

He said: "To every UK citizen who is supporting Ukraine and our common values - I ask for your patience.

"We cannot afford to lose your support. The UK is providing us with the tools to stop Russia from spreading its destructive influence across civilised nations.

"You are playing a very important part in this fight. Ukraine will do what it takes to claim victory.

"When the war is over, there is certainly a great future for us all - one with close friendship tested through mutual struggles and the perseverance to tackle issues affecting the modern world."

The Security Service of Ukraine has successfully foiled a plot by the Russian security service (FSB) to sabotage the Ukrainian independence day celebrations.

The Ukrainian Security Service has now revealed the FSB planned to stage "protest actions" to undermine Independence Day in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Poltava.

The pseudo-protest was intended to involve "demonstrators" actively condemning the military command of Ukraine on Tuesday.

The demonstration would then have been filmed and the footage pumped around Russia and Ukraine as part of the Kremlin's propaganda.

The architect of the FSB plot is reportedly Kyrylo Stremousov - the Russian-appointed deputy head of the Kherson Oblast.

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko today congratulated Ukraine as it marked 31 years of independence from the former Soviet Union.

Mr Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, issued a statement which read: "I am convinced that today's contradictions will not be able to destroy the centuries-old foundation of sincere good-neighbourly relations between the peoples of the two countries.

"Belarus will continue to stand for the preservation of harmony, the development of friendly mutually respectful contacts at all levels."

The statement added that the Belarusian state "wished the Ukrainians a peaceful sky, tolerance, courage, strength and success in restoring a decent life."

Over the past day, Russia has carried out 26 strikes on the Donetsk region, killing and injuring civilians. 

National Police reported 12 localities coming under attacks.

These included the towns of Avdiivka, Bakhmut, Toretsk, Slovyansk, Mykolaivka, Krasnohorivka, the villages of Pivnichne, Nelipivka, Karlivka, Opytne, Kostiantynopol, Shcherbynivka.

Avdiivka reportedly withstood nine enemy attacks.

Russian troops carried out their assault with aviation, artillery, tanks, Grad MLRS, missiles.

They damaged 20 residential buildings, a school, a health resort and a power line. 

A Russian-opposition politician has been detained in his home in a video published on social media. 

Kremlin critic Yevgeny Roizman told reporters that he was being investigated under a law against discrediting the armed forces as he was taken away by law enforcement officials.

Mr Roizman said he was being arrested "basically for one phrase, the invasion of Ukraine'".

Asked where he had used the phrase, he replied: "I've said it everywhere and I'll say it now."

State news agency TASS cited Yekaterinburg security services as confirming the reason for the arrest, saying Mr Roizman was being investigated for "discrediting the Russian army".

If found guilty, the offence carries a prison sentence of five years. 

Vladimir Putin's "main priority" is to rebuild the Soviet empire, according to the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: "Putin's main priority is to rebuild the Soviet empire and Ukraine is a very important puzzle in his plans.

"Right now we're fighting for our independence. We are fighting also for you for every one you. We are fighting for our values, for democratic values and for a democratic future."

He also said Ukraine wanted to "build a European country" with "democratic values, human rights and press freedom".

"This is not accepted from Russian Federation," he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned the world is at a "tipping point," transitioning on from an era of "abundance". 

Speaking on Wednesday, he said "sacrifices" lay ahead in a new era characterised by climate change and global instability caused by Putin's invasion of Ukraine that signalled "the end of abundance".

In an address to his cabinet, he said: "I believe that we are in the process of living through a tipping point or great upheaval. Firstly because we are living through... the end of what could seem like the end of abundance."

Referring to the war in Ukraine, he added: "Our system based on freedom in which we have become used to living, sometimes when we need to defend it, it can entail making sacrifices."

Russian forces have launched a missile attack on Myrhorod, of the Poltava oblast in central Ukraine. 

Dmytro Lunin, the head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration, said: "The infrastructure of Myrhorod was struck four times. We are establishing the details. Stay in shelters." 

Below is a map detailing the latest developments for Russian and Ukrainian forces in terms of terrain, courtesy of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Former Tory leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat has announced he is in Kyiv as Ukraine celebrates 31 years of independence from the Soviet Union. 

The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee chairman said: "Here in Kyiv we're in shelters after being woken by the air raid siren."

The former soldier is there alongside 30 representatives from across Europe"to show our support for Ukraine and stand against Putin's illegal invasion". 

He added: "Where the communists once paraded, now the Kremlin's callous failure is on display."

Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine is "a lie," a Russian paratrooper has said as Ukraine prepares to celebrate independence day. 

Pavel Filatyev, a 33-year-old from Russia's 56th air assault regiment, told CNN he will either be put in prison or silenced by Russia "taking him out" for speaking out about the war.

He said: "We understood that we were dragged into a serious conflict where we are simply destroying towns and not actually liberating anyone.

"Many understood that we do not see the reason that our government is trying to explain to us. That all of it is a lie.

"We are just destroying peaceful lives. This fact immensely influenced our morale. That feeling that we are not doing anything good."

Mr Filatyev claimed Russian troops lack basic equipment and commanders were not given any insight into the war before travelling to Ukraine.

He continued: "Our barracks are about 100 years old and are not able to host all of our servicemen ... all of our weapons are from the times of Afghanistan.

"Several days after we encircled Kherson many of us did not have any food, water, or sleeping sacks on them.

"Because it was very cold at night, we couldn't even sleep. We would find some rubbish, some rags, just to wrap ourselves to keep warm."

The world is still "pretty solid and determined" to continue standing up for Ukraine, according to the British Defence Secretary. 

Ben Wallace told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't think that there's been any wavering, I think that's what Putin would love the world to do.

"It's what he would fantasise, we'd all sort of go back to our sun loungers.

"The simple reality is we see this as a direct threat not only to Ukraine, but to our values, and the world is still pretty solid and determined.

"Now, of course, as we see, he will use gas as a weapon.

"I think we saw yesterday a reduction in parts of the gas pipeline into Europe, deliberately to drive up prices.

"But, of course, that is why he must not be allowed to be successful in Ukraine in the long term."

Ukrainian forces have reportedly destroyed a Russian ammunition depot in the Russian-held city Tokmak, Zaporizhzhia region. 

Odesa Regional Military Administration Spokesperson Serhii Bratchuk shared footage of the strike on Telegram, adding: “The rashists’ ammunition depot is on fire in the temporarily occupied city of Tokmak, Zaporizhzhia Region.”

The term "rashist" has become commonplace in Ukrainian discourse around the war. 

The word combines "Russian", "racist" and "fascist". 

The Armed Forces of Ukraine claims to have eliminated around 45,700 Russian soldiers since the invasion began on February 24. 

Other Russian losses include: 

1,924 Tanks (+3 over the past day),

4,243 Armored fighting vehicles (+5)

1,036 Artillery systems (+3)

266 Multiple launch rocket systems (+0)

147 Anti-aircraft warfare systems (+1)

234 Aircraft (+0)

199 Helicopters (+1)

3,160 Motor vehicles and fuel tanks (+10)

15 Warships/boats (+0)

819 Unmanned aerial vehicles (+2)

99 Special equipment units (+0)

196 Russian cruise missiles (+0) were shot down

In the past 24 hours, Russian forces have suffered the most severe losses in the Donetsk direction. 

Troop loss estimates differ between sources because the hostilities of war make it challenging to monitor. 

Britain ordered the assassination of Darya Dugina, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed in a bizarre rant.

Petr Akopov, a regular contributor to Russian state-controlled RIA news agency, said: “There are no words to express condolences to Alexander Gelevich [Dugin] - he miraculously survived, but lost his beloved daughter.”

Citing Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, he added: “After February 24, a new era began - not the era of Dugin and not the era of Putin, but just the time that Dugin both predicted and brought closer.

“That is why, apparently, they decided to kill him - when they cannot defeat the idea, hatred turns against the one who dares to think differently than he should.

“The attack itself was almost certainly organised by the Ukrainian special services - but there is no doubt that they acted on instructions and in the interests of the Anglo-Saxon agencies.

“Having failed to kill Dugin, they immediately began the dance of death over the body of his daughter - mocking and having fun.”

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Vladimir Putin is braced for a major Ukrainian counterattack in the Donbas as Russian troops struggle with a shortage of munitions, vehicles and personnel, according to the British Ministry of Defence. 

Wednesday's briefing said: "Today marks the 31st anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.

"Since 2014 President Putin has sought to use a mix of force and coercive diplomacy to increase and solidify Russia’s influence in Ukraine and interfere in its sovereign affairs.

"Russia launched a full invasion of Ukraine six months ago, with the aim of toppling the government and occupying most of the country.

"By April, Russia’s leaders realised this had failed, and reverted to more modest objectives in eastern and southern Ukraine.

"The Donbas offensive is making minimal progress and Russia anticipates a major Ukrainian counterattack.

"Operationally, Russia is suffering from shortages of munitions, vehicles and personnel.

"Morale is poor in many parts of its military and its army is significantly degraded.

"Its diplomatic power has been diminished and its long-term economic outlook is bleak.

"Six months in and Russia’s war has proven both costly and strategically harmful."

Good morning from London. I’m Tara Fair, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the conflict between Ukraine and Russia Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.

Email: Tara.fair@reachplc.com

Twitter: @TaraFair_