War in Europe

Zelensky hears Trump again and demands more weapons from Macron. Moscow on alert for Tomahawks

Kiev: 103 drones shot down overnight In Donbass, the Ukrainian authorities order the evacuation of parts of the city of Kramatorsk

12 October 2025

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An instructor watches as infantry recruits of the 28th Seperate Mechanized Brigade undergo a basic training course at an undislosed location in eastern Ukraine on October 11, 2025. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP)

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

"I just spoke with US President Donald Trump - for the second time in two days - and today's conversation was also very productive," Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, reports on X. "Yesterday we agreed on a number of topics to be discussed today and we addressed all aspects of the situation: the defence of life in our country, the strengthening of our capabilities - in air defence, resilience and long-range capabilities. We also discussed many details related to the energy sector. President Trump is well informed about everything that is happening. We agreed to continue our dialogue and our teams are making preparations," Zelensky adds, concluding with thanks.

According to the Financial Times, which cites informed sources, Ukraine has received US intelligence information to target Russian energy resources, including oil refineries located well beyond the front line. "This support has intensified since mid-summer," and "Kiev's attacks have sent energy prices in Russia skyrocketing and forced Moscow to cut diesel exports and import fuel," writes the Ft.

The possibility of the US agreeing to supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles is an issue of "extreme concern," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state television journalist Pavel Zarubin in statements published today and picked up by several international media outlets. "Now is indeed a very dramatic time in terms of the fact that tensions are escalating on all sides," he added. According to Axios, the issue was discussed by the US and Ukrainian presidents, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, during their phone call yesterday. The two spoke again today, with Zelensky describing the latest conversation as "very productive" as well.

Un retroscena che si inserisce perfettamente in uno scenario che, nelle ultime ore, ha visto il presidente ucraino Volodymyr Zelensky congratularsi al telefono con l’omologo Usa Donald Trump per il risultato ottenuto in Medio Oriente. «Se si riesce a fermare la guerra in quella regione», ha detto, «sicuramente altre guerre possono essere fermate, compresa questa guerra russa». L’Ucraina ha chiesto un rafforzamento della propria difesa aerea e la fornitura di missili a lungo raggio per colpire la Russia più in profondità anche nel suo territorio, Mosca inclusa. Tra venerdì e sabato si sono registrati nuovi attacchi alle centrali ucraine che, tra l’altro, hanno provocato un blackout nella regione di Odessa. I ministri della Difesa Ue int

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly called for new air defence systems and missiles to protect Ukraine from Russian attacks, during a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.

"I spoke with President Emmanuel Macron. I informed him of our priority needs - first of all anti-aircraft defence systems and missiles," Zelensky wrote on his Facebook page.

Russian troops also carried out attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure that is part of its military-industrial complex, the Ria news agency reported on Sunday, citing the Russian Defence Ministry.

The Ukrainian Air Defence Forces shot down 103 Russian drones overnight, at least 50 of which were Shahed attack drones, plus drones, out of 118 launched, as well as at least one X-31 hypersonic guided missile, over the north, east and west of Ukraine. The latter and 15 attack drones, however, were successful, hitting 10 locations. Ukrainian media, including Ukrinform, citing the Kiev Air Force's Telegram channel, write this. No further details are known.

Ucraina, 1.318° giorno di guerra
Photogallery23 foto

In the Donbass, meanwhile, local authorities have ordered the evacuation of the civilian population from parts of the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk because invading Russian troops are less than 20 kilometres away. The city in the eastern Donetsk region, which before the war had a population of almost 150,000, many engaged in coal mining, has been a symbol of Ukrainian resistance for more than a decade, reversing a brief takeover by pro-Russian separatists in 2014 and resisting capture after the Russian invasion in 2022.

In April 2022, the Russians struck the railway station where many civilians had gathered to flee, killing 57 people, and in June 2023, they hit a crowded pizzeria, killing 11 people. A week ago, a drone guided by a fibre optic wire several tens of kilometres long struck a vehicle in the centre of the city. Russia now controls almost 80% of the Donetsk region and has been slowly and costly approaching the mining town for months, hoping to take control and invade the vast plains of eastern Ukraine.

Russian soldiers have entered Konstantinovka in the Donetsk region and fighting is ongoing in the eastern districts of the city, military analyst Andrey Marochko told the Tass news agency, admitting that the positions gained are not yet secure.

Zelensky hears Macron, 'we need more missiles and air defences'

Today Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation with Emmanuel Macron, emphasising the Ukrainian need for more air defence systems and missiles. "I am grateful to France for its commitment to the defence of life. I informed him of our priority needs, primarily air defence systems and missiles. Russia is now exploiting the moment, the fact that the Middle East and each country's internal issues receive the most attention," Zelensky said on X, adding that "Russian attacks have become even more cowardly. We have discussed how to counter this. In particular, we are working to expand the Purl initiative" for arms purchases. "We have also coordinated our contacts with other partners and our diplomatic initiatives for the coming weeks. We are working to increase the pressure on Russia."