Ukraine-Russia war live: Mystery as military plane ‘carrying CIA director’ leaves Moscow after short visit

Two workers at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike, management said.

Drones hit near the ‌plant’s hydraulic ‌structures and wounded two ⁠maintenance and construction workers.

Management did not provide details on ‌any damage ​caused ‌by the ⁠attack.

British factories manufacturing drones for Ukraine could face targeting by “unknown sources”, a Kremlin adviser has warned, after the UK agreed to share long-range missile blueprints with the nation.

Andrei Fedorov, a former deputy foreign minister for Russia, stated he could not “100% exclude” the possibility of “semi-military” operations directed at Britain, speaking as Andy Burnham undertook a trip to Kyiv.

The visit marked the Prime Minister’s inaugural overseas journey since taking office. While in the capital, the UK reaffirmed its “unwavering” commitment to Ukraine, which in turn provided what officials described as a “goldmine” of combat data to enhance British security.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the move would add “fuel to the fire” and “prevent any progress in the peace process”.

British factories manufacturing drones for Ukraine could face targeting by “unknown sources”, a Kremlin adviser has warned, after the UK agreed to share long-range missile blueprints with the nation.

Andrei Fedorov, a former deputy foreign minister for Russia, stated he could not “100% exclude” the possibility of “semi-military” operations directed at Britain, speaking as Andy Burnham undertook a trip to Kyiv.

The visit marked the Prime Minister’s inaugural overseas journey since taking office. While in the capital, the UK reaffirmed its “unwavering” commitment to Ukraine, which in turn provided what officials described as a “goldmine” of combat data to enhance British security.

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that its forces ⁠had ​struck three ⁠cargo vessels carrying supplies for ⁠the Ukrainian military ​and ⁠a tanker ‌at the Black Sea port of Pivdennyi.

The ministry also said it had hit another cargo vessel in the nearby port of Odesa, as well as port infrastructure in Pivdennyi and Odesa and fuel storage facilities at the port of Chornomorsk.

Reuters ‌could not ⁠independently verify the ⁠ministry’s claims.

​A plane believed to be carrying CIA ⁠Director John Ratcliffe departed Moscow on Tuesday, according to ⁠data ​from ⁠flight-tracking website Flightradar24.

Neither U.S. ⁠nor Russian officials ​immediately ⁠commented on the ‌flight or confirmed that Ratcliffe ‌was on ‌board.

Earlier on Tuesday, several U.S. ⁠media outlets, citing unnamed sources, reported that Ratcliffe had travelled to Russia for meetings in ‌Moscow, although ​the purpose ‌of the ⁠reported visit was ⁠not disclosed.

British factories manufacturing drones for Ukraine could face targeting by “unknown sources”, a Kremlin adviser has warned, after the UK agreed to share long-range missile blueprints with the nation.

Andrei Fedorov, a former deputy foreign minister for Russia, stated he could not “100% exclude” the possibility of “semi-military” operations directed at Britain, speaking as Andy Burnham undertook a trip to Kyiv.

John Ratcliffe’s secret visit to Moscow is the highest-level visit by a Trump administration official to Russia since January.

Ahead of his trip, the US informed Ukraine that a senior delegation was travelling to the Russian.

The military was asked to suspend strikes until it leaves, according to a source with knowledge of the matter cited by Axios.

FBI director Kash Patel is scheduled to visit Russia – first stopping in Moscow and then St Petersburg – in a matter of weeks, according to reports.

Two insiders cited by Politico said he plans to visit one of America’s top adversaries on October 14 and 15.

Neither the White House nor the FBI have commented on the report.

It is also unclear whether Patel will meet with Vladimir Putin or any other Russian officials, and whether his rumoured trip is at all linked to the war in Ukraine.