In brief
Ukraine's military successfully attacked a Russian chemical facility with Storm Shadow missiles, claiming the strike penetrated Russian air defenses. The Bryansk Chemical Plant is deemed crucial for Russia's military efforts, according to Ukrainian sources. As Kyiv continues to engage in active conflict with Moscow, the attack coincides with new commitments from European leaders to bolster sanctions against Russia and reinforce Ukraine's position in any potential ceasefire discussions. This incident underscores the escalating tensions in the region, particularly as both sides prepare for heightened military actions.
Ukraine has hit a Russian chemical plant with Storm Shadow missiles, its military said on Tuesday, referring to the UK-made long-range weapon.
Calling the strike a successful hit that penetrated the Russian air defence system, Ukraine's general staff of the armed forces said they were still assessing the outcome of the massive strike.
The Kremlin has warned the West not to give Ukraine weapons capable of long-range attacks, but Kyiv says it's imperative to target Russian facilities that play a key role in Moscow's war against Ukraine.
The Bryansk Chemical Plant is a key facility of the aggressor state's military-industrial complex, the Ukrainian military said in an X post on Tuesday.
It added that the plant produces gunpowder, explosives and rocket fuel components used in ammunition and missiles employed by the enemy to shell the territory of Ukraine.
Moscow's authorities have not yet commented on the strike.
The attack came on the same day that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other European leaders vowed to ramp up the pressure on Russia's economy and its defence industry until Russian leader Vladimir Putin is ready to make peace.
A joint statement - co-signed by the Ukrainian, German, French, Italian, Polish, Danish, Finnish, EU and Norwegian leaders - added that Ukraine must be in the strongest position - before, during, and after any ceasefire.
Russia launched an overnight air attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Wednesday morning, according to the city's mayor, Vitali Klitschko.
Witnesses heard explosions that sounded like air defence units in operation, the Reuters news agency reported.
The latest attacks came after a meeting at the White House last week between Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which the US leader indicated he was not ready to supply sought-after Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv.
Trump initially agreed with Putin to hold talks in Budapest regarding the war in Ukraine, possibly in the coming weeks. But that plan was put on hold on Tuesday, with Trump saying he did not want a wasted meeting.
In remarks at the White House, the US president indicated that a key sticking point remained Moscow's refusal to cease fighting along the current front line.
Just last month, Trump appeared to take a major shift in his position towards ending the war, saying Kyiv could win all of Ukraine back in its original form - referring to Ukraine's internationally recognised borders.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the southern Crimea peninsula Moscow annexed in 2014.
