Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky reveals ‘significant’ Russian losses in Kursk and says fight continues – UK Times

Ukraine’s military said in a statement that it had struck the Bolkhov semiconductor plant in Oryol Oblast overnight.

The plant is one of Russia’s leading producers of semiconductor devices and components, focusing on diodes, microcircuits, optoelectronic switches, and more, the General Staff said.

Bolkhovsky Semiconductor Devices Plant is also a supplier in the Oryol region to Russian fighter jet and missile makers.

Unverified footage published online appeared to show the plant on fire. The region’s governor initially claimed there had been no damage from the attack, but subsequently admitted that the plant and several buildings were damaged.

Andriy Portnov, 51, was gunned down on Wednesday morning outside the gates of the American School in Madrid’s affluent neighbourhood of Pozuelo.

Police received the call about the shooting at 9.15 am local time. Radio station Cadena SER said the man was taking his children to school when he was shot.

Mr Portnov, from the eastern region of Luhansk, is a former Ukrainian politician closely tied to Yanukovych, having served as deputy head of the presidential office from 2010 to 2014.

My colleague Tom Watling reports:

Airports in Moscow were briefly shut on Wednesday after Russia claimed it shot down hundreds of Ukrainian drones.

The capital region’s three major airports briefly halted flights twice during the day before resuming operations.

Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports halted both inbound and outbound flights, while Sheremetyevo suspended arrivals but allowed some departures on a case-by-case basis, said Artyom Korenyako, a spokesperson for Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency.

Russia’s aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia confirmed the airport shutdown but did not mention the reasons behind the closure.

In the past 24 hours, Ukraine has ramped up its attacks on Russia, including Moscow city.

In a series of announcements, Russia’s defence ministry said on Telegram that at least 376 Ukrainian drones were intercepted or destroyed yesterday.

Here’s a look at the current state of play on the battlefield:

The heaviest battles along the Ukraine war frontline are being fought around Pokrovsk, president Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday.

Mr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces remained active in two Russian regions along the border – Kursk and Belgorod.

“Russian assault operations continue, and our forces maintain all necessary combat activity. The most intense situation remains in the Donetsk region, particularly in the Pokrovsk direction,” he said in his nightly address.

“Since the start of the Kursk operation in August, the Russian army has suffered significant losses – more than 63,000 killed and wounded in that area alone. Our forces have also managed to substantially replenish the exchange fund for Ukraine,” Mr Zelensky said.

The battleground update from Mr Zelensky comes hours after Russian president Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region for the first time since Moscow said Russian forces ejected Ukrainian troops from the area last month.

Mr Zelensky said: “Unfortunately, the Russians show no signals of a ceasefire, and they are not yet ready to end the war.”

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces were advancing at key points along the front, and pro-Russian war bloggers said Russia had pierced Ukrainian lines between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Russia said its air defences shot down more than 370 Ukrainian drones, including some approaching Moscow, in a late night update.

Officials said airports in the capital city Moscow were briefly shut down to ensure the safety of flights but there were no reports of casualties.

Russia’s defence ministry, in a series of announcements, said that at least 376 Ukrainian drones were intercepted or destroyed yesterday.

Of these, most were destroyed over Russia’s western regions bordering Ukraine and central Russia.

The latest tally issued by the ministry said 77 drones were downed in the period from 8pm to 11.50pm (1700 GMT to 2050 GMT).

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at least 27 drones were destroyed or intercepted en route to the capital where some 21 million people live.

The region’s three major airports briefly halted flights twice during the day before resuming operations.

Claiming responsibility in part, Ukraine’s military said its drones hit the Bolkhovsky Semiconductor Devices Plant, a supplier in the Oryol region to Russian fighter jet and missile makers.