Ukraine-Russia war latest: Huge blast at key airbase for Russian nuclear bombers after Ukrainian drone strike – UK Times

President Volodymyr Zelensky has slammed Viktor Orban for being “anti-European”, after the Hungarian prime minister voted against a statement affirming unwavering support for Ukraine.

Addressing an EU summit by video, Mr Zelensky said it was “simply anti-European when one person blocks decisions that are important for the entire continent”.

In the address, the Ukrainian president urged EU allies to approve a package of minimum 5 billion euros for artillery purchases.

As the UK hosts European military leaders for discussions on peacekeeping in Ukraine, the Prince of Wales is busy representing Britain overseas.

William has arrived in Estonia, where he met with president Alar Karis at the start of as two-day visit to the Baltic state to bolster the UK’s ties.

The future king also met a small group of kindergarten age children waving union flags as he started his trip in the capital of Tallinn. He greeted the children before heading into the presidential building where he posed with Mr Karis outside his office for a photo.

Britain and Estonia have enjoyed a long-term alliance, with the latter hosting a permanent overseas deployment of around 900 British troops.

William is making the visit on behalf of the UK government and the Foreign Office and to show support for the British troops serving as a deterrence against the Russia, with which Estonia shares a border.

Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain and its allies must react immediately should a peace deal be struck between Russia and Ukraine.

Speaking during a visit to a nuclear submarine facility Sir Keir told reporters: “(Our) plans are focusing on keeping the sky safe, the sea safe and the border safe and secure in Ukraine, and working with the Ukrainians.

“We’re working at pace because we don’t know if there’ll be a deal. I certainly hope there will be, but if there’s a deal, it’s really important that we’re able to react straight away.”

The prime minister’s visit came on the day that military chiefs from dozens of countries will meet in Britain to discuss planning for the so-called Anglo-French-led ‘coalition of the willing’ peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

Earlier on Wednesday, a state of emergency was called in the Russian region of Saratov, following a massive strike on a vital Russian airfield.

The explosions took place at Engels, a military airbase dating back to Soviet times around 700 km (435 miles), from the Ukrainian frontline. Videos show a massive fireball from which huge plumes of smoke rise into the sky

Ten people were injured in the attack, local officials said, with Saratov governor Roman Busargin saying residents were evacuated from their homes.

But why did Ukraine target the airbase deep inside Russia?

The Engels airbase hosts Russian Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy strategic bombers, also known as White Swans.

According to a Ukrainian security source, Kyiv struck a storage facility holding guided bombs and missiles.

Kyiv, which says the huge explosions came due to secondary detonations of ammunition following the trike, says Moscow had used the base to carry out strikes on Ukraine

It isn’t the first time Ukraine has struck Engels, having carried out multiple attacks on the base dating back to December 2022. In January, it claimed to have struck an oil depot serving the base, prompting a huge fire which took five days to put out.

All EU leaders currently at a Brussels summit have backed a statement reaffirming support for Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty – except for Hungary.

Run by hard-right prime minister Viktor Orban, Hungary has always taken a softer stance against Russian aggression and has been critical of the European bloc’s level of support for Kyiv.

Mr Orban has also positioned himself as an ally of Donald Trump, praising his efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to a quick end.

EU leaders will receive an address from Volodymyr Zelensky today, where he will debrief them on his hour-long phone call with the US president on Wednesday.

US and Russian officials will convene on Monday to discuss peace prospects in Ukraine, Kremlin aid Yuri Ushakov has confirmed.

The talks will be held in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, and will likely address the implementation of the 30-day ceasefire agreed to in a call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Moscow will be represented by Grigory Karasin, the head of the international affairs committee in Russia’s upper house of parliament, and Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the head of Russia’s FSB security service,

Volodymyr Zelensky has met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Oslo for talks.

His visit comes as military chiefs from 30 countries prepare for talks in Britain about a possible peacekeeping force to help protect an eventual ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has urged leaders to pledge €5 billion (£4.1bn) for artillery shells for Ukraine to strengthen its hand in peace talks, amid divergences over how to bolster Kyiv and the EU’s own military capabilities.

Arriving at an EU summit in Brussels, Ms Kallas called on leaders to match words of support for Kyiv with deeds, as US President Donald Trump pushes ahead with his efforts to end the war, including through a rapprochement with Russia.

Ms Kallas has scaled back a proposal to pledge up to 40 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine this year, with each country contributing according to its economic size, after resistance from some countries, particularly in southern Europe.

She told reporters she was now focusing on what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy – who is addressing the summit by video link – says he needs most urgently, such as two million artillery shells at a cost of €5bn

“We should at least start to have a really concrete step – not only words, but also in deeds that we are helping Ukraine right now. Because the stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are behind the negotiation table,” Ms Kallas said.