Russia has bombarded Ukraine nationwide with hundreds of combat drones. A fire broke out in the main government building. Donald Trump hinted at his intention to toughen his stance against Vladimir Putin. More in the live ticker.

Efforts to end the war in Ukraine continue. European states are discussing security guarantees for Kyiv—and the possible deployment of troops to secure a peace agreement. Meanwhile, Putin is bombing residential and government buildings in Kyiv.

All events related to the Ukraine war in the live ticker:

8:19 PM – Selensky: Putin is putting the world to the test

Following the new, intensive Russian air strikes, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is calling on the international community to respond."This is a clear sign that Putin is testing the world to see whether it will accept this and come to terms with it," the head of state said in his evening video message. Russia is trying to inflict pain on Ukraine and is launching increasingly bold strikes. This must be countered with"sanctions against Russia, against individuals associated with Russia, and with severe tariffs and other trade restrictions on Russia," he added."Their losses must be felt," the president emphasized.

He also justified Ukrainian drone attacks on pipelines and refineries in Russia with Russian denial."The gasoline shortage in Russia and other economic problems are a logical response to Russia's refusal to enter into a ceasefire and a meeting of heads of state," Zelenskyy said. Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said, does not want negotiations and is hiding from them, the speech stated.

7:24 PM – Trump: I'm ready for second stage of Russia sanctions

US President Donald Trump says he believes he is in a position to impose further sanctions against Russia. When asked by a White House reporter whether he was ready to enter the second phase of sanctions against Moscow, he replied succinctly:"Yes, I am." The Republican offered no further details. It remained unclear whether new sanctions would actually be imposed, and if so, when.

Trump had indicated days ago that, in addition to the tariff penalty the US recently imposed on India for business with Russia, there were further plans – a"Phase 2" and "Phase 3." He did not elaborate further.

The US sees sanctions as a means of exerting pressure on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and thus achieving a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine. Trump's diplomatic efforts in this regard have so far been unsuccessful. Putin was recently accused of delaying a direct meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

18:10 – CDU foreign policy expert Kiesewetter calls for Taurus delivery to Ukraine

Following the heaviest Russian airstrikes on Ukraine since the beginning of the war, CDU foreign policy spokesman Roderich Kiesewetter is calling for significantly increased military support. In an interview with the"Süddeutsche Zeitung," Kiesewetter called, among other things, for the delivery of longer-range weapons such as Taurus cruise missiles and for the provision of Russian assets frozen by European states to Ukraine.

"Instead of hoping for completely unrealistic negotiations and a ceasefire, and thus wasting time on counterproductive pseudo-negotiations, Germany, in particular, should take a leaf out of the Nordic and Baltic countries' book," Kiesewetter said. Russia, he said,"doesn't want a peace-for-land deal," but is "showing its intent for destruction every day."

17:44 – Bessent: Economic pressure could force Russia to negotiate

According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, additional economic pressure from the US and Europe could persuade Russian President Putin to begin peace talks with Ukraine."If the US and the European Union intervene and impose further sanctions and secondary tariffs on the countries that buy Russian oil, the Russian economy will completely collapse, and that will bring President Putin to the negotiating table," Bessent said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

The administration of US President Donald Trump is prepared to increase pressure on Russia. However, European partners must join the US,"because if the US and the EU do this together, we will be in a race: How long can the Ukrainian military hold out and how long can the Russian economy hold out?"

16:56 – Kyiv’s mayor: Russia has crossed the red line

Following the Russian airstrike on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warns of an escalation of the war by Russia and its President Putin. The attack carries a clear political message from Moscow, Klitschko told the"Bild" newspaper."In my view, it is no coincidence that Putin has attacked a government building for the first time in three years. The whole world must realize: Putin wants to escalate the war further and is unwilling to find a diplomatic solution. This is also demonstrated by the attack on the government building, which was previously considered a red line."

3:53 PM – Starmer expresses horror at attack on Kyiv

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his horror at the largest Russian airstrike since the war began, which also set fire to Kyiv's most important government building."I am appalled by the latest brutal attack on Kyiv and across Ukraine, which took place overnight, killing civilians and damaging infrastructure," Starmer declared."For the first time, the heart of Ukraine's civilian government has been damaged. These cowardly attacks show that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin believes he can act with impunity. He is not serious about peace."

3:11 p.m. – Melnyk apologizes to Germany

Former Ukrainian ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk has apologized for remarks he made during his time in Berlin."It was a truly exceptional situation," he told Stern magazine, referring to the first months of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine."I often had to act very impulsively to persuade the Germans to help us." He added that he wasn't always able to find "well-considered words." "Therefore, I apologize if I offended people because emotions ran high."

14:40 – “Attempts to appease Putin are pointless,” says Donald Tusk

The massive Russian airstrike on Ukraine has met with harsh criticism in Poland. It has"once again shown that the continued delay in a strong response against Putin and the attempts to appease him are pointless," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X.

2:26 p.m. – “Kremlin mocks diplomacy and kills indiscriminately,” says von der Leyen

EU leaders view the recent drone attacks as evidence of a lack of willingness to negotiate."The Kremlin is once again mocking diplomacy, trampling on international law, and killing indiscriminately," wrote EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement. EU Council President António Costa commented that Putin's version of peace is obviously to talk about peace while simultaneously intensifying bombings and targeting government buildings and residential buildings.

08:13 – Ukraine reports more than 800 drones

Ukraine reports the largest Russian drone attack since the war began. Russia attacked with 805 drones and 13 missiles overnight, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. This is the highest number of drones Russia has used since the beginning of its invasion in February 2022. 751 drones and four missiles were intercepted by air defenses.

05:32 – Russian airstrikes on Ukraine leave several dead in Kyiv – Fire in the main government building

Russia's military once again carried out heavy airstrikes on Ukraine overnight. According to Ukrainian sources, a fire broke out in the main government building, as several news agencies reported. The building is located in the Pechersky District, according to Reuters, the head of the capital's military administration, Timur Tkachenko, said.

Associated Press reporters saw a plume of smoke rising from the roof of the Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv, but it was initially unclear whether the smoke was the result of a direct hit—which would indicate an escalation of Russian airstrikes. It's also possible that falling debris sparked the fire. Russia has so far avoided attacking government buildings in the city center.

Ukrainian cities in almost all parts of the country were attacked by hundreds of combat drones and cruise missiles, local media reported, citing air defense sources. In the capital, Kyiv, several residential buildings were severely damaged. According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, there were at least two fatalities and eleven injured. Among the dead was a one-year-old toddler.

Explosions were also reported in the cities of Odessa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, and Krivyi Rih. In Odessa, drones attacked residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure, the news portal"The Kyiv Independent" reported, citing the region's governor. In Krivyi Rih, targets within the city limits were also hit. In Zaporizhia, the attackers targeted an industrial zone. The information could not initially be independently verified.

03:04 – Russian oil refinery hit by drones

According to Russian sources, a Ukrainian drone strike triggered a fire at the Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region."One of the processing units caught fire, but the fire was quickly extinguished," the administration of the southern Russian region reported. There were no injuries. The staff were evacuated to safety.

02:47 – Polish Air Force on high alert

Due to Russian airstrikes on western Ukraine, Poland and its allies have deployed military aircraft to the border region."Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems are on high alert," the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces announced. An air alert is in effect across almost all of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force is warning of Russian missile and drone attacks.

00:09 – Alleged drone strikes at nuclear power plant

According to Russian reports, drones struck the roof of a training center at the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, according to the plant's administration, which was appointed by Russia. There was no major damage, and radiation levels were normal. No comment from Ukraine has yet been received.

9:28 PM – Selensky: Strong air defense remains a priority

Following another attack by Russian combat drones on various targets in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy once again emphasized the need to further expand air defenses."Among the most important priorities of our overall cooperation with our partners is better protection of our airspace, protection against Russian 'shaheds' (combat drones) and Russian missiles," Zelenskyy said in his evening video appearance."This Russian threat exists every day, and that means we must strengthen Ukraine every day."

Even if Ukraine receives air defense systems from its Western partners, the country must produce its own weapons."This is a challenge, but we must achieve this goal," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy did not provide details on the status of the development and construction of Ukrainian air defense systems.

7:47 PM – Russian drones over Kyiv

The Russian military attacked Ukraine again this evening with swarms of drones. Air defense systems were deployed over the capital Kyiv, Ukrainian media reported. The impact of these attacks was initially unknown. The military also warned of combat drones approaching over the Black Sea toward Kherson. Residents of both cities were urged to seek shelter.

Air raid warnings were also triggered in other parts of Ukraine. In addition to the Dnipropetrovsk region, Zaporizhia also reported impacts and explosions from combat drones. Authorities reported damage in both locations. Military Administrator Ivan Fedorov reported that in Zaporizhia, among other places, a kindergarten and a residential building were hit. A woman suffered a shrapnel wound to the head.

18:52 – Kyiv sees new Russian tactics at Pokrovsk

After months of heavy fighting around the city of Pokrovsk in southeastern Ukraine, the Russian army is changing its tactics, according to information from the Ukrainian armed forces. A unit of Russian marines recently deployed to the area is now attempting to penetrate as deeply into the city as possible in small groups, according to the Ukrainian airborne unit responsible for the area. Their primary goal is to approach the positions of Ukrainian artillery and drone controllers.

In addition, Russian troops attempted to fragment the Ukrainian defense lines and establish themselves in new positions. With the increased use of tanks and armored vehicles, the Russian military is also attempting to completely encircle the city of Pokrovsk and its defenders."According to available information, Russia plans to deploy its troops in the Donetsk region for a so-called 'decisive breakthrough,'" the statement posted on Facebook reads.

There is no current, independent assessment of the actual situation near Pokrovsk. The Institute for War Studies in Washington (ISW) recently reported on Friday that Russia was advancing near Pokrovsk and that Russian soldiers had also attacked near Pokrovsk itself.

2:48 p.m. – Governor: Deaths after drone attacks in Russian border area

According to Russian sources, three people were killed in Ukrainian drone strikes in the Belgorod border region. The region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, wrote on Telegram that attacks occurred at four different locations not far from the border with Ukraine. According to the report, the drivers of a bus and a van, as well as another man, were killed in separate attacks. Two other people were also injured.

13:41 – Klöckner: Russia’s war against Ukraine is also a war against the truth

Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) has called for decisive action against disinformation."Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is also a war against the truth," Klöckner said on Saturday, according to the Bundestag, on the sidelines of the meeting of the parliamentary speakers of the G7 countries in Ottawa, Canada. This war is"accompanied by disinformation campaigns intended to destabilize democratic societies far beyond Ukraine."

10:31 a.m. – Trump: “It will end suddenly”

US President Donald Trump has underscored his support for Ukraine in talks about security guarantees following a potential peace agreement."We're going to get this done. We're going to help them," Trump said at the White House in response to a reporter's question about security guarantees."Look, we want to save a lot of lives."

Europe will be "by far the first, and they want to be the first." Europe wants it to end, Trump declared."And it will end. It will end suddenly, it will all fall into place. You'll see."

09:33 – Putin's statement causes Selenskyj to shake his head

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again rejected Moscow as a location for a possible meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. When a journalist in an interview with the US broadcaster ABC News pointed out that Putin had invited him to Moscow, Zelensky laughed briefly and shook his head."He can come to Kyiv," Zelensky then said. He himself could not travel to Moscow when his country was being attacked every day by the"terrorist" Putin. The Kremlin leader was suggesting this to delay the process.

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