Ukraine war latest: Zelenskyy reveals plan after Kursk invasion; more than 50 killed in double missile strike (2024)

That brings an end to our live coverage of the Ukraine war for this evening.

We'll be back with any major developments overnight and our rolling updates will continue soon.

Before we go, here's a reminder of the day's key events:

• Ukrainian authorities said at least 51 people were killed and more than 200 injured in a Russian ballistic missile attack on the central city of Poltava. The missiles hit a military academy and a nearby hospital, officials said;
• Three days of mourning were declared by Poltava regional head Philip Pronin after one of the deadliest attacks of the war;
• Moldova's government said its energy dependence on Russia made it difficult to heed a requirement by the International Criminal Courtto arrest Vladimir Putinas he visited the country.

• Meanwhile, several government ministers resigned and the deputy head of the Ukrainian president's office was sacked ahead of an expected government reshuffle;
• And Volodymyr Zelenskyy told NBC News in an exclusive interview that Ukraine planned to indefinitely hold territory seized in its shock invasion of Kursk last month as part of a plan to force Mr Putin to the negotiating table.

Washington plans to send more military aid to Ukraine in the coming weeks, the White House has said.

National security spokesperson John Kirby told a briefing that the US's support for Kyiv remains "unshakeable" and it was focused on strengthening Ukraine's military and defences against Russian attacks.

He noted that the US recently announced another drawdown of military assistance - and said it intends to send another round of aid in the coming weeks.

Mongolia ignored the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin as it rolled out the red carpet to receive him today.

The Russian president should, in theory, have been handcuffed as he arrived - but the Mongolian government said earlier that it was difficult to arrest him due to the country's position of energy dependence on Moscow (see 17.35 post).

Mr Putin was welcomed in the main square of Ulaanbaatar by an honour guard as a crowd of people watched behind temporary barriers.

He and Mongolian leader Ukhnaa Khurelsukh later laid a wreath at a monument to Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov, visited a school curated by a Russian economic university and attended a reception ceremony where Mr Putin gave a toast.

Russia has launched another attack on Ukraine, officials have said, less than a day after its deadly ballistic missile strike killed more than 50 people in Poltava.

The regional administration of the northeastern Sumy region said Russian forces launched an airstrike on Sumy city tonight, hitting one of its university buildings.

It said a guided bomb was believed to have been used in the attack. There were no details of any casualties.

"All necessary services are available on site," the administration said in a post to Telegram.

We reported earlier on Voldymyr Zelenskyy's comments that Ukraine plans to indefinitely hold territory it has seized in its Kursk invasion (see 18.17 post).

Asked about the surprise invasion in an interview with our US partner networkNBC News, Mr Zelenskyy said the operation was aimed at restoring Ukraine's "territorial integrity".

He also said Kyiv did not "need" Russian land - but he remained silent on what the next steps would be.

Watch a clip from the interview here...

People are still trapped under the rubble of a building destroyed by a Russian attack in Poltava, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

Rescue efforts are ongoing and rubble is still being cleared, he said in his nightly address.

The Ukrainian president confirmed at least 51 people have died and 271 are injured as a result of one of the deadliest attacks of the war so far.

"I am grateful to all the rescuers, doctors, medical nurses and all the Poltava residents who have joined in to help, donated blood, and who provide support," he said.

"We know that there are people under the rubble of the destroyed building. Everything is being done to save as many lives as possible."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has posted a video of his meeting with the UN's nuclear chief Rafael Mariano Grossi in Kyiv today.

Mr Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, met the Ukrainian president ahead of his visit to the Zaporizhzhia power plant, where he said the situation was "very fragile".

"The station is again on the verge of being on a blackout. We've had eight of those in the past. A blackout [means] no power; no power, no cooling. No cooling, then maybe you have a disaster," he told reporters before the meeting.

Mr Zelenskyy said his talks with Mr Grossi were focused "on the issue of strengthening nuclear safety in Ukraine, ensuring constant monitoring not only of the state of NPPs (nuclear power plants), but also of substations that are critical for their operation".

Russia has launched a new military-focused school course as it looks to prepare teenagers "mentally and physically" for service, the UK Ministry of Defence has said.

In its latest intelligence update, the ministry said the course for 15 to 18-year-olds is part of a new programme called "Foundations of Security and Defence of the Motherland".

Over 11 modules, students will cover a range of topics including "combined arms combat and small arms familiarisation", it said.

"The programme seeks to create and will likely result in a more militarised and security focused society," the MoD said.

It added that the new youth strategy in Russia was aimed primarily at preparing "pre-conscription age teenagers mentally and physically for military service".

Russia has also increased the number of summer camps for children which involve various military activities, according to the MoD.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the deputy head of the Ukrainian president's office, Rostyslav Shurma, according to a decree on the presidential website.

Ukrainian media outlets had been reporting that the dismissal of Mr Shurma, who took up the role in November 2021, was being considered by parliament.

The decree does not explain why he was sacked.

Meanwhile, Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's deputy prime minister responsible for European integration, has resigned, according to Ukraine's parliamentary speaker.

Her resignation comes after Ukraine's strategic industries, justice and environment ministers also tendered their resignation earlier today (see 15.37 post).

An expected shakeup of Ukraine's government comes at a critical time during the war with Russia, and ahead of Mr Zelenskyy's visited to the US this month where he hopes to present a "victory plan" to Joe Biden.

The Ukrainian president said changes were being undertaken toensure Ukraine had the strengthened government it needed.

"Autumn will be extremely important. Our state institutionsmust be structured in such a way so that Ukraine can achieve allthe results it needs," he said.

"For this, we must strengthen some areas of the governmentand changes in its makeup have been prepared. There will also bechanges in the (president's) office."

A volunteer has recalled how he knew "something evil" had happened as he heard the explosions caused by Russia's missile strike on Poltava today.

Yevheniy Zemskyy, who headed to the area of the attack to offer help, said: "I heard explosions... I was at home at that time. When I left the house, I realized that it was something evil and something bad, I was scared."

Mr Zemskyy said he was worried about the children and other residents of the city.

"That's why we are here today to help our city in any way we can," he said.

According to the prosecutor general's office of Ukraine, at least 51 people were killed in the ballistic missile strike by Russian forces earlier this afternoon. More than 200 people have been injured.

Regional head Philip Pronin called the attack "a great tragedy" and announced three days of mourning starting tomorrow.