Deadly overnight drone attacks involving more than 200 Russian drones killed five people and injured at least 16 across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force.
The strikes targeted a port and a maternity hospital in Odesa, in what Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky described as a night of “pure terror”.
"Every such strike proves that Russia does not want to end the war," Zelensky wrote yesterday.
Meanwhile, the US secretary of state Marco Rubio denied the Ukrainian president's assertion that the Trump administration is demanding Kyiv hand over its eastern Donbas region to Russia to receive American security guarantees in any ceasefire plan.
Rubio told reporters on Friday: “That’s a lie. And I saw him say that. And it's unfortunate he would say that because he knows that's not true and that's not what he was told.”
Trump said earlier that the US could divert weapons from Ukraine to the Middle East – despite Zelensky’s urging Europe not to allow Putin to take advantage of the escalating Iranian crisis.
“You know, we have tremendous amounts of ammunition. We have them in other countries…sometimes we take from one and we use for another," the US president said.
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Tara Cobham29 March 2026 07:35
Russian drone attacks kill five in night of 'pure terror'
A wave of deadly drone attacks overnight by Moscow killed five across Ukraine and injured at least 16, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.
Odesa suffered the most as the attacks targeted a maternity hospital, port, and residential buildings in what Ukrainian president Zelensky called a night of "pure terror".
"Every such strike proves that Russia does not want to end the war. Therefore, any easing of pressure on it is dangerous. And coordinated work to protect people and life will help us, help our country's defence and diplomacy," Zelensky said in a statement.
"Only true barbarians can do something like this. And only true strength can stop such terror," Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said.
Vishwam Sankaran29 March 2026 07:06
Zelensky responds to Rubio's accusation he was 'lying'
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky elaborated on his understanding of Washington's position about security guarantees for Ukraine after US secretary of state Marco Rubio called his previous statement on the issue "a lie".
On Friday, Zelensky said the US security guarantees for Kyiv were conditional on Ukraine's full withdrawal from Donbas.
However, Rubio said this was "a lie".
"I saw him say that, and it's unfortunate he would say that, because he knows that's not true and that's not what he was told," the US secretary of state said.
"What he was told is the obvious: Security guarantees are not going to kick in until there's an end to the war, because otherwise you're in — you're getting yourself involved in the war," Rubio elaborated.
Zelensky clarified his remarks yesterday stating an "end to the war" is synonymous with Ukraine's withdrawal from Donbas.
He said as he understands it that Russia "will end the war only after the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the entire territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions."
"We will be able to get security guarantees from the United States not until the ceasefire, not until the end of the war. And after our troops leave Donbas, that these are conditions for the end of the war," the Ukrainian president said.
Vishwam Sankaran29 March 2026 06:54
Watch: Russia launch overnight drone attack on Ukraine, reportedly damaging hospital
Bryony Gooch29 March 2026 05:00
Recap: Russia declares emergency in Dagestan's capital as floods cut power to more than 327,000 people
Authorities in the capital of the southern Russian region of Dagestan declared a state of emergency on Saturday after heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding and power cuts in the region.
"Emergency services have been placed on high alert, efforts are under way to deal with the aftermath, and assistance will be provided to affected residents," the Makhachkala city administration said on Telegram.
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Ukraine agrees defence cooperation with UAE, Qatar as Zelenskiy visits Gulf
Ukraine on Saturday agreed to cooperate on defence with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as president Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to both countries amid escalating tensions in the region.
Qatar's defence ministry said in a statement on Saturday that Doha and Kyiv have signed a defence cooperation agreement which includes the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems.
"We are talking about a 10-year partnership. We have already signed the agreement with Saudi Arabia, and we have just signed a similar 10-year agreement with Qatar," Zelensky told reporters during an online briefing.
"We will also sign a 10-year agreement with the UAE. It will happen within the next several days."
Zelensky had earlier been to the UAE and met President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the two countries agreed to cooperate in the fields of security and defence.
The US-Israeli war on Iran has killed more than 2,000 people, upended global markets and effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz.
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Zelensky condemns Russian strike as ‘pure terror’ after hospital hit
Zelensky condemns Russian drone strike as ‘pure terror’ after maternity hospital hit
Russia launched an overnight drone attack on the city of Odesa, southwestern Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has said. The Ukrainian President said the attack, consisting of "over 60 drones", hit "a maternity hospital, residential buildings, businesses, the port, and critical infrastructure" causing "extensive damage". In a post to X on Saturday (28 March), Mr Zelensky wrote, "There was no military purpose whatsoever – this was pure terror against ordinary civilian life." Russian president Vladimir Putin has said Russia will fight on until it captures the remaining areas of the Donbas region not under its control, reported the Financial Times.Bryony Gooch29 March 2026 02:00
Watch: Russia launch overnight drone attack on Ukraine, reportedly damaging hospital
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Russia ordered to stop organising chess events in occupied territories
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The panel concluded that this conduct infringed upon the ‘territorial integrity and sovereignty’ of the Ukrainian federationBryony Gooch28 March 2026 23:00
Ukraine hits major oil refinery in Russia's Yaroslavl region, Kyiv says
Ukraine's military struck a major Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl, north-east of Moscow, in an overnight attack, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Saturday.
It said in a statement that the attack caused a fire at the site of the refinery, which is critical for the Russian army's logistics.
Maira Butt28 March 2026 22:00NewerOlder