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.
Bryony Gooch29 March 2026 04:00
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.
Bryony Gooch29 March 2026 03:00
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
Bryony Gooch29 March 2026 00:00
Russia ordered to stop organising chess events in occupied territories
Bryony 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 22:00
Ballistic missiles and drone attacks ‘biggest challenge’ in Middle East, says Zelensky as he shares strategy with Qatar
Volodymyr Zelensky is sharing Ukraine’s experience with countries in the Gulf in order to defend against Iran.
He explained in a post on X on Saturday: “Ballistic missile and drone attacks are currently the biggest challenge here in the region. And while only air defense systems can effectively counter ballistic threats, in Ukraine, we have developed other, significantly more cost-effective solutions to combat drones.
“These solutions have already proven their effectiveness against various types of drones, which is why Qatar is so interested in our experience. Ukraine has always said that we are ready to share our expertise and help those who can also help us strengthen our own protection in Ukraine.”
Maira Butt28 March 2026 21:00
Zelensky provides update after talks with Gulf countries
President Volodymyr Zekensky has provided an update following talks this week with Gulf countries including Qatar as they are hit by Iranian drone attacks.
“Our experts have already conducted an overall assessment of the security situation, Qatar’s capabilities to counter aerial threats, and have developed concrete solutions to strengthen the protection of its airspace,” the Ukrainian leader wrote in a post on X on Saturday.
“And today, during my meeting with the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, it was important for me to hear such a high assessment of our team’s work and appreciation for their consultations.”
He added: “Qatar is ready for long-term cooperation across various areas. It is important to restore stability in the region so that no one suffers from Iran’s terrorist strikes. And we support an approach where, by helping one another, we increase security worldwide.”
Maira Butt28 March 2026 20:00
Russia photographing US military facilities in the Gulf for Iranian interests, says Zelensky
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that US military facilities in the Middle East and the Gulf region are being photographed by Russian satellites in the interests of Iran.
In a statement on social media, he said that on Tuesday they imaged the US-UK joint military facility on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago.
He said they also captured pictures of Kuwait International Airport and parts of the infrastructure of the Greater Burgan oil field.
He said that on Wednesday, they took pictures of the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
The Shaybah oil and gas field in Saudi Arabia, İncirlik Air Base in Türkiye, and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar were all imaged on Thursday, he added.
Bryony Gooch28 March 2026 19:33
