Ukraine-Russia war: Russia fires hypersonic missiles at Kyiv in rare daytime attack
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Russia appears to have fired a salvo of hypersonic missiles on Kyiv in a rare daytime attack.
Ukrainian television channels reported shortly after 2pm that six Kinzhal missiles had been fired on the country after the end of Vladimir Putin’s call-in press conference.
Two explosions were reported in Kyiv by the AFP news agency and independent Russian outlet Meduza said strikes had also hit the Starokostyantyniv air base 150 miles to the west.
The explosions followed an air raid alert issued by the Ukrainian air force in response to Kinzhal-capable MiG-31 fighter jets taking off from Russia’s Savasleyka air base.
Russia has exclusively used ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine in recent months and has tended to only fire them at night.
The only Ukrainian anti-air system that can shoot down the advanced, multi-million pound Kinzhal missiles is the US-made Patriot, of which Ukraine only has two in service.
03:12 PM GMT
That's all for today
Thank you for following today’s live blog. We’ll be back tomorrow for all the latest from Ukraine.
03:10 PM GMT
Today's headlines
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had met the criteria for starting EU accession talks ahead of a crunch summit on Thursday and Friday which will decide whether talks can commence
He added that the bloc’s decision on whether or not to admit Kyiv would “go down in history”
Russia put Ukrainian spy chief Kyrylo Budanov on its wanted list
Vladimir Putin hosted a four-hour televised press conference in which he ruled out a second mobilisation
The Russian president said he would be open to exchanging Evan Gershkovich in a prisoner swap
He boasted that “freeloading” Ukraine will eventually run out of Western aid
He said 617,000 Russians are fighting in Ukraine, almost double the 360,000 men Russia had at the war’s start
Texts critical of Mr Putin were accidentally displayed on screens during the phone-in Q&A
Ukraine raided the Spanish villa of a detained army enlistment chief accused of corruption
02:44 PM GMT
Russia returns five abducted children
Russia has returned an additional five children who were abducted from occupied Ukrainian territory.
“Two of them have families and we managed to take them out together with their parents,” the Kherson region’s military administration said.
“Three more are children who found themselves in difficult life circumstances.”
The Save Ukraine charity says 223 children have been returned to Ukraine so far.
02:18 PM GMT
Watch: Shocked Putin confronts AI-generated deepfake
Vladimir Putin denied he has a body double during a marathon phone-in press conference broadcast on Russian television.
Putin told viewers that there is “only one person can speak like myself and use my voice, and this is going to be me”.
The Russian president has been accused of using a body double for some public engagements and trips to occupied Ukraine.
He was asked about the allegations by an AI-created version of himself, in a bizarre turn at the end of his press conference and call-in marathon, in which he fielded questions from journalists and members of the public.
“As regards the AI, this is my first twin,” he joked when the deepfake asked if he had a body double.
Mr Putin’s annual call-in marathon was cancelled last year but has returned ahead of the presidential elections in March 2024.
It comes as his forces are on the front foot in the war in Ukraine and the Russian leader is buoyed by squabbling in the West over funding for Kyiv.
02:01 PM GMT
Two explosions heard in Kyiv
Two explosions have been heard in Kyiv after the Ukrainian air force earlier warned of an incoming Russian missile threat.
01:45 PM GMT
Ukraine raids Spanish villa of 'corrupt' army enlistment chief
Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators have raided the £3.5million ($4.4million) Spanish villa of a military enlistment chief accused of exploiting his position to earn £3.9million ($5million).
Yevhen Borysov, the former head of Odesa’s enlistment office, has been under investigation for corruption since July and in pre-trial detention since November, the Kyiv Independent reported.
He was sacked in June after claiming the Marbella mansion – which he bought after Russia’s invasion in February 2022 – was for his retired mother.
The heads of every regional army enlistment office were fired by Volodymyr Zelensky in August after a probe prompted by the revelations.
Mr Borysov could face up to 12 years in prison if found guilty.
01:13 PM GMT
Putin ends event
Vladimir Putin has now ended his combined press conference and call-in.
12:58 PM GMT
Pictured: Deepfake asks Putin a question
12:27 PM GMT
Finland signs defence pact with US
Finland and the United States have agreed a defence pact which will see the US rush to the Nordic country’s aid if it is invaded.
The agreement will enable the Americans to have rapid and unimpeded access to bases and military storage facilities in the event of a war.
The two countries will sign the deal on Monday in Washington DC.
Finland joined Nato in April 2023.
11:55 AM GMT
EU's decision on Ukraine will go down in history, Zelensky says
The European Union’s decision on whether or not to start accession talks with Ukraine will “go down in history”, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
“Today is a special day and this day will go down in our history,” he said.
“Whether it’s good or bad for us, history will capture everything. Every word, every step, every action and inaction. Who fought for what.”
The leaders of EU member states are meeting in Brussels today to decide whether to start the talks, which require unanimous support to begin.. Hungary has said it will oppose them.
Mr Zelensky added: “Today is the day when determination will either be in Brussels or Moscow. People in Europe won’t understand if Putin’s satisfied smile becomes the reward for a meeting in Brussels.”
11:47 AM GMT
Watch: Ukrainian emergency services clean up after Odesa drone attack
11:38 AM GMT
I hope for Gershkovich prisoner swap, Putin says
Vladimir Putin has said he hopes for a “mutually acceptable solution” when asked if he would consider a prisoner swap for detained American reporter Evan Gershkovich and fellow citizen Paul Whelan.
“It’s not that we decline to send them home,” he said in the first question allowed from a Western journalist.
“No, we want to come to terms and these agreements must be mutually acceptable and should be okay for both of the parties.”
The Russian president said there had been “dialogue” with the US about the men and that he hoped for a “solution”.
“But the American side should also listen to us and make a decision that would be satisfactory for the Russian side also,” he said.
11:28 AM GMT
Putin apologises for high price of eggs
Vladimir Putin has apologised to a pensioner who urged him to “take mercy” on elderly Russians and reduce the cost of eggs amid soaring inflation.
“I am very sorry, please accept my apologies for that,” he said, adding that imports from Turkey and Belarus would increase supply and reduce prices.
“I am very happy to eat them, sunny side up,” he added. “I could eat a dozen of them at breakfast.
“What happened is there was greater demand, however the production did not [increase].”
Mr Putin started his answer with a smutty joke. In Russian, eggs is slang for testicles.
“I asked the agriculture minister how his eggs are doing, and he said they were fine,” he said to laughter.
11:17 AM GMT
Russian paratroopers suffer huge losses at Dnipro bridgehead
A newly formed Russian paratroop division “suffered exceptionally heavy losses” when it tried to dislodge Ukrainian forces from their Dnipro bridgehead, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
In its latest defence intelligence briefing, the MoD said the 104th Guards Airborne Division (104 GAD) was decimated when it made its combat debut in early December by trying to push Ukrainians off the left bank of the Dnipro river.
“104 GAD was reportedly poorly supported by airpower and artillery, while many of the troops were highly likely inexperienced,” it said.
Russian bloggers called on Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky, who commands Russian forces in the area, to resign in the aftermath of the defeat.
10:55 AM GMT
Critical texts displayed at Putin's press conference
Critical text messages have been displayed on screens at Vladimir Putin’s press conference in an apparent gaffe by the organisers.
One read “Mr President, when will the real Russia be the same as the one on TV?” and another asked “Why is your ‘reality’ at odds with our lived reality?”.
“Don’t run for another term as president,” another demanded. “Make way for the young!”
“This question won’t be shown,” added a fourth. “I’d like to know, when will our president pay attention to his own country? We’ve got no education, no healthcare. The abyss lies ahead...”
Mr Putin has not responded to any of the text messages, which appear to have been sent in by members of the public.
10:52 AM GMT
'Real risk' Putin will invade other countries, says Stoltenberg
There is a “real risk” that Vladimir Putin will invade other countries if Russia wins in Ukraine, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg has warned.
“If Putin wins in Ukraine, there is real risk that his aggression will not end there. Our support is not charity. It is an investment in our security,” he said.
“The only way to reach a just and lasting solution is to convince president Putin that they will not win on the battlefield.
“And the only way to ensure that president Putin realises that he is not winning on the battlefield is to continue to support Ukraine.”
10:30 AM GMT
Putin: 617,000 soldiers fighting in Ukraine
The number of Russians fighting in Ukraine has doubled to more than 600,000.
Vladimir Putin told an end-of-year press conference that 617,000 soldiers are in Ukraine, almost twice as many as the 360,000 men the Russian army had at the start of the war.
“Our armed forces are improving their position on almost the entire line of contact... The situation of our troops is improving throughout,” he said.
Britain and the United States estimate that more than 300,000 Russians have been killed or wounded since the war began.
10:27 AM GMT
Russian nationalist Donbas commander tried in secret
A Russian nationalist who commanded pro-Russian forces in Donetsk during the war in Donbas has appeared in a Moscow court for a behind-closed-doors extremism trial.
Igor Girkin, 52, was detained in July after criticising Vladimir Putin on social media following the Wagner group’s attempted coup in June.
Mr Girkin has declared his intention to challenge the president in next March’s elections.
He faces up to five years in prison.
10:15 AM GMT
Australia expands Ukraine soldier training scheme by £98m
Australia has announced a £98million ($125million) expansion of its training programme for Ukrainian soldiers.
Operation Kudu deploys Australian instructors to Britain to take part in multinational training exercises.
The Australian instructors have trained 1,200 Ukrainians so far.
10:09 AM GMT
Putin: ‘Freeloading’ Ukraine will run out of Western aid
Vladimir Putin has said “freeloading” Ukraine will eventually run out of Western aid because it manufactures “nothing itself”.
“Today Ukraine virtually produces or manufactures nothing,” the Russian president told an end-of-year combined press conference and public phone-in at the Kremlin.
“They have been trying to maintain their manufacturing capability but they have actually been importing things for free, freeloading. But it will come to an end sooner or later.”
09:59 AM GMT
Ukrainian soldiers have 'failed everywhere', says Putin
Ukrainian soldiers have “failed everywhere” in their counter-offensive, Vladimir Putin has said.
“They are pushing their people and these people are going to be killed,” he told a combined press conference and phone-in.
“They are going to other countries asking for money, and now they have to show the Ukrainian army has at least some chances of reaching something without thinking about any losses.”
He described Ukraine’s political leadership as “foolish” and “irresponsible” and said Russian forces were advancing across the frontline.
“Our armed forces are improving their position on almost the entire line of contact... The situation of our troops is improving throughout,” he said.
09:51 AM GMT
Russian court upholds extension to Gershkovich detention
A Moscow court has upheld a previous ruling which extended the pre-trial detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich until 30 January 2024.
Mr Gershkovich was arrested on 29 March in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage that carry up to 20 years in prison. He denies the charges.
09:44 AM GMT
'Imperial' US hurting itself by supporting Ukraine, Putin says
Vladimir Putin has described the United States as an “imperial” country and said it is hurting itself by supporting Ukraine.
“Their absolutely imperial policy is hurting themselves,” he said. “It’s not even hurting us, it’s hurting them.
“First and foremost because in the public eye they have to act as an empire and when they are trying to compromise on something, their voters see it as a failure.”
09:30 AM GMT
Putin rules out second mobilisation
Vladimir Putin has ruled out a second mobilisation in Russia for his war in Ukraine, James Kilner reports.
He said that Russia’s mobilisation in September 2022 had been so successful that out of the 320,000 men drafted into the army, 14 had already won the Hero of Russia – the country’s highest honour.
“Why do we need a mobilisation?” he said during his annual marathon phone-in with the Russian public. “Today there is no need for this.”
One of the hosts of the marathon phone-in had said that the issue of a second mobilisation was one of the most asked questions.
Some mothers and wives of men mobilised in September 2022 have protested that their sons and husbands have not been given a break and demanded that they be returned home.
The September 2022 mobilisation was the first in Russia since the Second World War.
09:22 AM GMT
War will end when Ukraine demilitarises, says Putin
Vladimir Putin has said the war in Ukraine will only end when the country demilitarises and is ‘de-Nazified’.
“The peace will come when we reach our goals,” the Russian president said when asked what Russia still calls a “special military operation”.
“Coming back to our goals, they remain unchanged,” he added.
“I will remind you, it means denazification, demilitarisation of Ukraine and its neutral status.”
09:17 AM GMT
Putin opens remarks
Vladimir Putin is wearing a black suit with a white shirt and burgundy tie and is sat with a white plastic flask in front of him.
He is sat at the head of an almost hexagonal table, with two journalists asking questions from either side of the table.
Journalists and members of the public are seated around the television studio.
He has started the press conference by reading out a list of economic statistics for the year, including GDP growth of 3.5 per cent and a planned 18 per cent increase in the minimum wage from 1 January 2024.
09:09 AM GMT
Putin's TV marathon begins
Vladimir Putin has started his press conference and public phone-in at the Kremlin, which is expected to last at least three hours.
You can watch it live using the video feed at the top of this page.
08:48 AM GMT
Ukraine launches drones on Moscow
Ukraine launched drones over Moscow this morning as Vladimir Putin prepared to address the nation in a combined press conference and public phone-in.
City mayor Sergei Sobyanin said anti-air defences downed two drones early on Thursday morning.
He did not comment on casualties or damage.
08:42 AM GMT
Macron, Scholz and von der Leyen to meet Orban before summit
Viktor Orban will meet Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the summit of European Union leaders in Brussels later today.
The three EU bigwigs will look to convince the Hungarian prime minister not to veto accession talks with Ukraine.
Mr Orban has also threatened to block £43bn ($54bn) in aid the EU wants to send to Ukraine.
08:24 AM GMT
Russian hackers used employee's account to attack Kyivstar network
The Russian hackers who attacked Ukraine’s Kyivstar mobile network on Tuesday gained access using an employee’s compromised account, its chief executive has said.
Oleksandr Komarov said his company had repelled more than 500 attempted cyber attacks since the war in Ukraine began.
Kyivstar is Ukraine’s leading mobile data provider and has more than 24million customers.
08:10 AM GMT
Russia puts Ukraine spy chief on wanted list
Russia has put the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR) on its “wanted list” for carrying out attacks behind enemy lines.
Moscow has accused Kyrylo Budanov of organising the October 2022 attack on the Kerch bridge linking occupied Crimea with mainland Russia.
Ukraine said last month that it suspected Russia of having poisoned Mr Budanov’s wife, Marianna Budanova, using mercury and arsenic. Ms Budonova is an adviser to the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko.
The Kremlin dismissed the accusation. “Ukraine blames Russia for everything,” said spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
07:50 AM GMT
Analysis: What to expect from Putin's press conference
From dealing with noisy neighbours to local water quality, Vladimir Putin’s annual marathon phone-in is a chance for the Russian leader to pose as a man-of-the-people, James Kilner reports.
It’s also an opportunity for the Kremlin to announce major policies and the war in Ukraine and March’s presidential elections are expected to feature strongly when the three-hour phone-in begins at 9am GMT.
Putin has projected increased confidence over the past few months as his forces in Ukraine face down a Nato-backed counteroffensive and support for Kyiv in the West starts to fracture. He skipped the event last year because Russian soldiers were being pushed back along the frontline.
The phone-in also comes a week after the UAE and Saudi Arabia rolled out the red carpet for Putin on his only foreign trips this year outside the former Soviet Union, China and Iran.
The Kremlin carefully choreographs the three-hour phone-in, teeing up soft questions.
State media has reported that 2 million questions have been submitted ahead of the phone-in.
07:40 AM GMT
Russia launches 42 drones over Ukraine
Russia launched 42 drones over southern Ukraine overnight, injuring 11 civilians.
The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 41 of the Iranian-designed Shahed drones.
A dozen buildings were damaged in Odesa, where 11 civilians were injured including three children.
The air force added that six S-300 anti-aircraft missiles were fired by Russia on the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions.
One elderly woman was later found dead in the rubble of her home in the Kherson town of Myroliubivka.
07:34 AM GMT
Ukraine has met EU accession criteria, says Zelensky
Ukraine has met the criteria to start accession talks with the European Union, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
“I believe that unity will prevail at tomorrow’s meeting of the European Council and the European Union will once again confirm its strength and leadership,” he said on Wednesday night.
The remarks come ahead of a European Council summit starting later on Thursday and extending into Friday in which member states will vote on whether to start membership talks with Kyiv.
Unanimous approval is needed for talks to begin and Hungary has said it will veto them because Ukraine is “not ready”.
