Trump says US weapons already being sent to Ukraine – as Russia launches 'massive attack'

Kremlin hits back at Kyiv and calls for 'pressure to be put on the Ukrainian side'

More to bring you from the Kremlin now, which has called "on everyone" to put pressure on Ukraine.

It comes as Ukrainian officials have urged pressure to be ramped up on Russia after its overnight strikes (see 9.10 post).

"Many statements have been made, many world about disappointment, but we, of course, would like to hope that alongside this, pressure is being put on the Ukrainian side," Dmitry Peskov said.

"Now it looks like the Ukrainian side perceives all words of support addressed to it not as a signal for peace, but a signal for war, for the continuation of the war."

'That's what Putin fears': Zelenskyy aide calls on Trump to apply 'real pressure' on Russia

We can bring you more reaction out of Ukraine now after Russia's overnight attack across Ukraine.

In a series of social media posts, the head of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's presidential office insisted Ukraine seeks peace.

"A just peace is only possible when the aggressor pays for its crimes and retreats from terror," Andriy Yermak said.

Like other Ukrainian officials this morning, Yermak called for "real pressure" on the Kremlin.

"Russia must feel that its path leads only to isolation, sanctions and defeat on the battlefield," he said.

Turning to the US, Yermak called on Donald Trump to apply pressure on Russia "because that's what Putin fears".

"Since Russia shows no intention of stopping, we would be sincerely grateful if the United States, using its strength and global influence, could help apply real pressure on Moscow," he added.

As we explained in our 8.00 post, Trump has threatened to implement "severe tariffs" on Russia unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days.

He also announced a deal to boost weapons shipments heading to Ukraine.

Russia's overnight strikes across Ukraine

Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 400 drones and one ballistic missile overnight in an attack that mainly targeted energy infrastructure.

Take a look at the map below to see the parts of Ukraine that were targeted.

At least two killed in Russian strikes, Ukrainian officials say

At least two people have been killed by Russia's overnight strikes across Ukraine, according to local officials.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the large-scale attacks targeted energy infrastructure (see 8.47 post) and left at least 15 people injured.

Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 400 drones and one ballistic missile, mainly targeting Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih and Vinnytsia.

Russia has stepped up its attacks on cities across Ukraine this summer, and were cited by Donald Trump as a reason for his decision to approve more weapons for Ukraine.

Ukraine's outgoing PM calls for more pressure on Russia as Kharkiv targeted in 'massive attack'

Ukraine's outgoing prime minister has said Kharkiv was targeted in a "massive attack" overnight, with civilian infrastructure damaged and destroyed.

An "industrial enterprise" was destroyed in Kryvyi Rih, Denys Shmyhal said, with interruptions to electricity and water supplies.

"Russia continues to deliberately strike civilian objects," he wrote on X.

"It is critical to step up pressure on the aggressor and bolster support for Ukraine to protect people and ensure security through Europe."

Shmyhal submitted his resignation letter as part of a cabinet reshuffle yesterday. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed him as Ukraine's new defence minister, with Yulia Svyrydenko, currently first deputy prime minister, tipped to take over as PM.

Zelenskyy: Russian strikes targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says response efforts are still under way across the country after last night's Russian drone strikes.

He says the Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Odesa regions came under the heaviest attack, with energy infrastructure being targeted.

In Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy's home town, the power is still out, he adds, with one child among the 15 people injured there.

"Russia is not changing its strategy - and to counter this terror effectively, we need to systematically strengthen our defences," he added.

"More air defence systems, more interceptors and more determination - so that Russia feels our response."

Putin working out narrative to change Trump's mind, say analysts

Donald Trump appeared to show a shift in his stance on Russia with his announcements this week.

The US president has previously blamed Ukraine and Joe Biden for the war and has never been willing to accept that Russia is the aggressor.

That changed this week, with Trump making a deal to sell "top of the line" weapons to NATO to help Ukraine and also threatening Russia with new 100% tariffs if it doesn't strike a deal to end the Ukraine war within 50 days.

While Vladimir Putin is yet to comment, the Institute for the Study of War has said he "is likely attempting to identify which narratives could convince Trump not to follow through" with his secondary tariffs.

"Putin holds a theory of victory that posits that Russia can achieve its war aims by continuing to make creeping gains on the battlefield indefinitely and outlasting Western support for Ukraine and Ukraine's ability to defend itself," the US-based thinktank said.

Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Moscow was ready to negotiate but did not warm to ultimatums.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Trump's statements were serious and required further analysis.

What did Trump announce on Monday?

On Monday, Donald Trump threatened Russia with tariffs and announced a deal to boost weapons shipments heading to Ukraine.

These latest steps reflect an evolving approach from the US president, who once focused his criticism on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he described as unwilling to compromise.

Here is what Trump said...

He said he would implement "severe tariffs" on Russia unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days. 

He provided few details on how they would be implemented, but he described them as secondary tariffs, meaning they would target Russia's trading partners in an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy.

"My conversations with him [Putin] are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night," Trump said. 

He added: "We're going to be doing secondary tariffs. If we don't have a deal in 50 days, it's very simple, and they'll be at 100%." 

A White House official said Trump was referring to 100% tariffs on Russian goods as well as secondary sanctions on other countries that buy its exports.

Zelenskyy said on Telegram he had spoken to Trump and "thanked him for his readiness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace." 

One dead after Ukrainian drone attack in southwestern Russia

One person has died and two others are in a serious condition after a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia's Voronezh region, its governor reports this morning.

"On behalf of all Voronezh residents, I express my sincere condolences to the relatives of the deceased," Alexander Gusev wrote on Telegram.

"They can count on all the necessary assistance."

Finland bans Russians and Belarusians from buying property

Russian and Belarusian citizens will be banned from purchasing properties in Finland, it has been announced.

The ban, which took effect yesterday, is part of Finland's effort to bolster its national security. 

Finnish defence minister Antti Hakkanen described the move as an "important reform that was left undone for far too long".

"When I started at the ministry of defence, I considered this a shortcoming and initiated preparations for the property transaction about two years ago," he wrote on X.

He went on to say the move was about "strengthening Finland's security" and "preparing for all means of influence".

Trump: Zelenskyy should not target Moscow

As he stepped onto the South Lawn of the White House yesterday, Donald Trump told reporters that Volodymyr Zelenskyy should not target Moscow and that Vladimir Putin should agree to a ceasefire deal by a 50-day deadline or sanctions will kick in.

His comments came after The Financial Times, citing people briefed on discussions, reported that Trump had privately encouraged Ukraine to step up deep strikes on Russia.

The newspaper said that Trump asked Zelenskyy whether he could strike Moscow if the US provided long-range weapons.

"No, he shouldn't target Moscow," Trump told reporters when asked if Zelenskyy should attack the Russian capital.

In case you missed his comments yesterday, you can watch Trump in the clip below...

Russia launches drone strike on Ukraine

Ukraine has been hit by a large Russian drone attack overnight.

In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, at least 17 explosions were heard in the space of 20 minutes, the regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

"Most of the strikes were on a civilian enterprise in the Kyiv district of the city," he wrote on Telegram, adding that at least three people were injured.

Elsewhere, a 17-year-old boy was reported injured in the city of Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipro region, while another seven people were injured after strikes in the Vinnytsia region of central Ukraine.

In recent months, Russia has intensified its bombardments against Ukrainian cities.

Last Wednesday, Russia launched its largest aerial attack of the war against Ukraine, with 741 drones and missiles used.

-SKY NEWS