Huliaipole only partly controlled by Russia, Ukraine's military says

Only part of the southeastern town of Huliaipole is under Russian control, Ukraine’s military has said on Sunday, contradicting an earlier claim by Moscow that it has captured it.

"The situation in Huliaipole is currently very difficult. But at the moment the Russians do not have full control over this settlement," Ukraine's southern command said in a statement.

It added that fighting was also still underway for Stepnohirsk, another town in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region that Russia said on Sunday it had captured.

Moscow released a picture of soldiers holding Russian flags in Huliaipole (via REUTERS)

Nicole Wootton-Cane28 December 2025 16:30

Russian attack damages Kherson heating plant

Russian forces struck an important heating plant in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, causing "significant damage" to the facility, state oil and gas firm Naftogaz said on Sunday.

Russia has stepped up strikes on Ukraine's critical infrastructure and energy system to try to crush morale nearly four years into its full-scale invasion.

In a statement, Naftogaz said an employee was wounded in the latest Russian attack on the facility, which it said had provided heating to tens of thousands of homes in Kherson.

The city has been under intensifying Russian drone, missile and bomb strikes in recent months, making daily life increasingly dangerous.

Nicole Wootton-Cane28 December 2025 16:15

When will Zelensky meet with Trump?

Volodymyr Zelensky has now landed in Florida for crucial peace talks with US President Donald Trump.

The Ukrainian leader will be hoping to shore up security guarantees, as well as territorial issues in the contested areas of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia.

Presidents Trump and Zelensky are set to meet at 1pm ET (6pm GMT).

Nicole Wootton-Cane28 December 2025 16:00

Zelensky says he held 'detailed' phone call with British PM Starmer

‌Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said ‌that he held a "detailed" phone call with British prime ‌minister ​Keir ​Starmer ahead of his ‍planned meeting with US president ​Donald Trump ‍in Florida later in the day.

"We ‍discussed preparations ⁠for the meeting with President Trump, as well as all our contacts with European partners," Zelensky wrote on X. "I informed ‌him on ​the situation on the frontline and on ⁠the consequences of Russian airstrikes.”

Bryony Gooch28 December 2025 15:45

Watch: Zelensky arrives in Miami ahead of Trump talksZelensky arrives in Miami ahead of Trump talks

Bryony Gooch28 December 2025 15:30

Zelensky and Trump to hold call with European leaders

Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump will hold a call with other European leaders as they’re set to continue discussions surrounding ending the war between Russian and Ukraine later on today in Florida.

The Ukrainian president previously said he hoped European leaders could also be involved in talks either on Sunday or at a future date.

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said on Saturday he would speak with the leaders of Ukraine, Germany, France, the UK, Italy and the EU ahead on the chances for peace ahead of the Florida talks.

Bryony Gooch28 December 2025 15:09

Three Iranian satellites launched from Russia, state media says

Three more ‌Iranian satellites were sent into space on Russia's Soyuz launchers on Sunday, Iranian state media said, ‌as the two US -sanctioned nations extend their space collaboration.

Iran has increasingly relied on its ally Russia to put satellites ‌in orbit ​in recent ​years, with the latest three intended to help with ‍monitoring agriculture, natural resources and the ‍environment.

"These ​satellites were designed ‍and produced by Iranian scientists ... despite all the sanctions and threats," Iran's ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali told state TV in reference to Western measures over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Bryony Gooch28 December 2025 14:39

Russian submarine followed spy ship into British waters as it mapped gas pipeline

Bryony Gooch28 December 2025 14:15

In pictures: Moments from Kyiv's power outage after Russian bombardment(AFP via Getty Images)(AFP via Getty Images)

Bryony Gooch28 December 2025 14:00

Russia says situation at Zaporizhzhia power plant is stable

The situation at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia ‌nuclear power plant is stable and power is ‌being ​supplied ​through one high-voltage ‍line, the state RIA ‍news ​agency cited ‍a spokesman at the ‍plant as saying. An ⁠IAEA team is monitoring repairs near the plant after a local ceasefire brokered by the agency ‌began. The ​work is expected to last several ⁠days.

Bryony Gooch28 December 2025 13:30