Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv strikes Russian defence plant as Zelensky tells Putin to ‘take a step towards peace’

A Russian military plant producing artillery ⁠systems ​and ⁠components for missile ⁠launch systems ​in ⁠the Volgograd ‌region was struck by Ukrainian-made Flamingo missiles, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky ‌said on Saturday. Explosions were heard while a fire was seen in the city as authorities issued a missile threat alert for Volgograd, Russian independent outlet Astra reported, citing locals. Zelensky claimed that the airstrike caused a fire at ‌the ​premises ‌of the ⁠Titan-Barrikady ⁠plant. The attack comes after Zelensky told Vladimir Putin to “get out of Ukraine” and “take that step toward peace” after approving a 40-day offensive to “influence” Russia to end the war. In a post on X, Zelensky wrote: “Russia must get out of Ukraine with its war – we want no war. “Ukraine has put forward proposals to our key partners, and Putin’s friends have also heard from us that a meeting is possible and that ending this war is possible. Russia must now take that step toward peace.” Zelensky said he made the decision of ordering a 40-day offensive after consulting the head of the Ukrainian security service.Russia launches overnight strikes on Kyiv Russia launched ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv in the early hours of Sunday, injuring two people and damaging several sites within the city. Explosions were reported just before 2am local time and later another wave of missiles struck around 2.35am, the Kyiv Independent reported. Fires were also reported elsewhere in the area, including near a residential building, at a service station, and at an unspecified non-residential building. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar28 June 2026 05:40Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai A Ukrainian drone attack reportedly set an oil refinery in the Russian city of Slavyansk-na-Kubani on fire. Photos circulating on social media appear to show large flames rising from storage tanks at the refinery in Krasnodar Krai region. The regional operational headquarters said the fire was caused by falling debris. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar28 June 2026 05:00Zelensky says Russia launched 1,400 drones and 1,500 bombs at Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Russian forced deployed almost 1,400 attack drones, 1,500 guided aerial bombs, and 19 missiles against Ukraine over the past week. He said that 15 Ukrainian regions were subjected to Russian attacks in that time, including Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Sumy, which faced the harshest bombardment. “Using various types of weapons, the Russians are striking people, ordinary residential buildings, and our civilian infrastructure,” Zelensky said Alisha Rahaman Sarkar28 June 2026 04:23RECAP: Ukraine strikes Russian military plant after approving 40-day offensiveUkraine has struck a Russian military plant with Flamingo missiles, president Volodymyr Zelensky has said, after approving a 40-day offensive campaign aimed at influencing Russia to end the ongoing conflict. This decision was made after consultations with the head of the Ukrainian security service, though it is unclear if the offensive has commenced. Ukrainian forces also attacked two Russian oil refineries in Ufa, 1,500km from the frontline, and an oil depot in the Krasnodar region, 300km from Ukraine, targeting Russian infrastructure. Amy-Clare Martin28 June 2026 03:00In pictures: Aftermath of a Russian drone attack in Sumy Amy-Clare Martin28 June 2026 02:00Ukraine secures return of seven civilians held by Russia for years Ukraine has secured the return of seven civilians who it says have unlawfully detained by Russia for years. The returned civilians, aged between 35 and 66, were captured during the occupation of Mariupol and parts of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts in 2022, Kyiv Independent reported. “After years of unlawful detention by Russia, our people are finally home and can breathe free Ukrainian air,” Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said. Amy-Clare Martin28 June 2026 01:00Analysis: Putin is asking for peace talks. It’s time to kick him while he’s down Putin is rattled and Trump needs a win – this is the chance for Ukraine and her allies to force the collapse of Russia’s army and push back against its land grab, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley: Amy-Clare Martin28 June 2026 00:00What is a Flamingo missile and why is Ukraine using them?Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed Ukraine used domestically-produced FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles to strike a Russian military plant. The FP-5 Flamingo missile, which entered service in 2025, has a 3,000km range and can carry a tonne of explosives.It is designed for low-altitude flight to avoid detection and has been used for long-range targets deep inside Russian territory, aimed at disrupting their war economy. Amy-Clare Martin27 June 2026 23:00Ten wounded in strike, Volgograd governor says Volgograd’s governor Andrei Bocharov confirmed an attack on a business in the region’s Krasnooktyabrsky district, saying 10 people had been wounded and taken to a hospital. He said production facilities at the site were damaged but did not identify the company. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky ‌claimed they had struck a Russian military plant in Volgograd producing artillery ⁠systems ​and ⁠components for missile ⁠launch systems. The said the attack on Saturday used Ukrainian-made long-range Flamingo missiles and caused a fire at ‌the ​premises ‌of the ⁠Titan-Barrikady ⁠plant. Explosions were heard while a fire was seen in the city as authorities issued a missile threat alert for Volgograd, Russian independent outlet Astra reported, citing locals. Amy-Clare Martin27 June 2026 22:00Royal Navy shadows Russian warships in UK waters for three months Five naval vessels were deployed to track the Admiral Grigorovich, the ship involved in the 16 June incident with the Bright Future yacht south of the Isle of Wight.