Russian government

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia has broadened its attacks to strike Ukraine's data centres, extending strikes beyond energy infrastructure to the digital systems that keep government services and communications running. The claim comes as waves of Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure continue, raising concerns about the resilience of the country's critical digital networks during the war.

US intelligence has reportedly warned Spain, France and Italy that Russia may be preparing drone attacks against targets in Southern Europe. The warning was shared with European governments according to Spanish daily El Mundo, and follows a briefing by the CIA Director. The news is spreading rapidly across Spain, France and Italy, where officials have yet to publicly confirm the intelligence or announce any security measures.

The German and Russian foreign ministers have held a rare direct meeting at a time of sharply heightened tensions between Berlin and Moscow. Direct high-level contacts between the two governments have become unusual since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, making the talks notable. The meeting suggests both sides see some value in keeping diplomatic channels open, even as political relations remain deeply strained.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized Western actions in Ukraine, repeating Moscow's position that the West is fueling the conflict through its support for Kyiv. The remarks come as the war continues to dominate international diplomacy, with Western governments maintaining arms supplies and sanctions against Russia while Moscow blames NATO expansion for the crisis.

The foreign ministers of Germany and Russia have held a rare face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Direct talks between senior European and Russian officials have been scarce since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, making the encounter notable. Observers are watching for any signal of diplomacy, though no substantive outcomes have been reported from the discussion so far.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Sunday that his decision to meet Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov was driven by security concerns and the need to address a growing food-export crisis. The meeting marks a notable diplomatic contact between Berlin and Moscow at a time when European governments remain divided over engagement with Russia.

Russian and German diplomats have held their first high-level talks since 2022, meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations. The encounter marks the most significant direct contact between the two governments since Germany radically reoriented its Russia policy after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The talks signal a possible, cautious thaw in diplomatic channels between Berlin and Moscow, though no concrete outcomes have been announced.

Russia has publicly accused European governments of working to derail negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The accusation, reported by international outlets including France 24, escalates tensions between Moscow and European capitals just as diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement come under renewed scrutiny. European leaders have so far not responded directly to the claim, and no evidence was offered for the assertion.

Russia is confronting a growing budget gap, and analysts at The Moscow Times argue that borrowing will not offer an easy way out. Years of high military spending and falling energy revenues have strained state finances, while Western sanctions limit Moscow's access to foreign capital markets, leaving the government with difficult spending and borrowing choices.

A reported CIA warning says Russia may be preparing a drone attack against Spain, France or Italy in the near future. The claim, circulated by news aggregator BRICSinfo, is drawing wide attention and concern about European security, though no official confirmation from the CIA or affected governments has been detailed so far.

Germany's and Russia's foreign ministers have held a rare direct conversation as tensions between Berlin and Moscow remain high. German Foreign Minister Wadephul urged Russia to abandon what he called a dangerous path, but Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the appeal. The exchange marks unusual diplomatic contact between the two governments as the war in Ukraine continues to strain relations.

Russian strikes are increasingly directed at Ukraine's data centers, infrastructure that underpins government services, banking, and communications. The attacks fit a broader campaign against Ukrainian energy and digital infrastructure, aiming to disrupt state operations and public life. Analysts note that destroying data facilities can be harder to reverse than hitting the power grid, raising concerns about the long-term resilience of Ukraine's digital state.

The foreign ministers of Germany and Russia have met on the sidelines of the United Nations, in what is being described as a rare direct encounter between the two governments. Talks between Berlin and Moscow have been almost non-existent since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, making any high-level contact notable as diplomatic channels remain sharply strained.

An administrative building in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district has been hit, according to Ukraine's national news agency Ukrinform. The report comes amid ongoing Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital, with the district's local administration confirming damage to its premises. Details on casualties or the extent of the damage were not immediately available, but the strike adds to the pattern of regular attacks on infrastructure across the city.

Japan's government has dismissed as "factually incorrect" comments by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the U.N. General Assembly in which he claimed Japan was on a path of militarization. Tokyo pushed back against the characterization, which comes amid already strained relations between the two countries over Russia's war in Ukraine and ongoing disputes over the disputed Kuril Islands.

A new survey shows corruption is the top worry for Ukrainians, with 50% citing it as their main concern. Another 40% said they are most concerned about large-scale Russian missile and drone attacks. The findings highlight that even during the full-scale war, domestic governance problems remain a leading source of anxiety among the Ukrainian public.

The German and Russian foreign ministers have met at the United Nations, a rare face-to-face encounter between the two governments amid deep strains over Russia's war in Ukraine. Direct talks between Berlin and Moscow have been almost entirely frozen since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, making even a brief meeting on the sidelines of the UN notable. Observers are watching for any sign of a shift in diplomatic contacts.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas cautioned that giving in to Russia's intimidation campaign would only encourage further aggression. She urged European governments and allies to stand firm against pressure from Moscow rather than reward it with concessions. The warning comes amid ongoing tensions over Russia's war in Ukraine and its efforts to test Western resolve.

South Korea's presidential office has issued a strong expression of regret to Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of violating a non-public agreement by announcing the repatriation of captured North Korean soldiers. The dispute centres on the confidential arrangement between the two countries regarding the fate of North Korean troops captured while fighting alongside Russian forces, and the public disclosure of their planned return.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov for about 20 minutes at the United Nations, urging Moscow to halt hybrid attacks and further escalation against Germany, Europe and NATO. The German delegation said Wadephul cited an attempted attack in Leipzig as an example of Russian hostile activity. The meeting marks a rare direct exchange between the two governments at a time of heightened tensions over sabotage, disinformation and the war in Ukraine.

The German and Russian foreign ministers have met for the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The talks mark a notable diplomatic contact between Berlin and Moscow, which have been at odds since February 2022. Details of what was discussed and any outcomes remain limited in the reports so far.

The UK government is bringing together leaders of major defense companies for a private briefing on Russian security threats. The closed-door session signals Whitehall's effort to align industry with national security priorities, likely covering intelligence assessments and defense production readiness. The move comes amid heightened concern over Russia's actions and Europe's push to scale up military manufacturing and preparedness.

A UK newspaper opinion piece argues that Russian aggression should not distract Western governments from supporting Ukraine fully and without hesitation. The article, published by The Independent, calls on allies to back Kyiv 'to the hilt', framing continued military and financial assistance as essential. It reflects an ongoing debate in Europe and the US about whether sustained support for Ukraine will hold as the war with Russia continues.