Volodymyr Zelensky is urging allies to provide air defence support ahead of a “massive attack” he expects Russia to carry out tonight.

He said Ukraine’s air force had informed him that Russian had prepared a massive attack several days ago, and there was a “high probability” it would take place tonight. t

“It is important that our partners fully understand what is happening and that the protection of lives directly depends on their readiness, or lack thereof, to help us with air defence missiles,” he said.

“First and foremost, this concerns the United States and those partners that have Patriot missiles and can provide them to support our defence.

“Every partner knows what is needed and fully understands the consequences of marking time. Please, in all regions of Ukraine, pay attention to air raid alerts today and stay safe.”

Ukrainian iron ore concentrate producer, Pivdennyi Mining and Processing ⁠Plant, has begun suspending operations because of the disruption caused by Russian attacks on civilian vessels heading to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, the company said.

It added it hoped to resume production in August. Other companies have also curtailed operations after intensified Russian ⁠strikes. Shipowners last week halted vessel ​arrivals ⁠at Ukraine’s main Black Sea seaports in the southern Odesa region.

The ports handle much of the country’s grain and iron ore shipments ⁠that are Ukraine’s biggest exports and an important source of foreign ​currency ⁠earnings.

“Pivdennyi Mining and Processing Plant ‌has begun the process of suspending production and temporarily reducing work,” the company said in a statement.

Fears have mounted over the world’s two major wars converging after Ukraine attacked an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, with Tehran vowing to respond.

Kyiv’s attack on an Iranian vessel is a move to bolster US support at a crucial juncture, experts tell Maryam Zakir-Hussain.

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Russian forces have claimed to hit a series of vessels carrying military supplies to Ukraine.

The defence ministry claims to have struck ⁠two ships carrying weapons and military equipment to Ukrainian ports near Odesa.

It said a fuel storage facility in Odesa was also hit, along with two additional ‌vessels in the port ‌of Pivdennyi near Odesa, and another vessel northwest of ⁠Zmiinyi (Snake) Island in the Black Sea.

The ministry said, without providing evidence, that all the vessels were being used to transport military supplies to Ukraine.

Russia’s largest lender, Sberbank, said on Wednesday it was considering increasing loan-loss provisions after Ukrainian drone attacks on e-commerce giant Wildberries’ warehouses hit the finances of ⁠online retailers and their suppliers.

Sberbank said the credit quality of online retailers and vendors had deteriorated following the attacks, with about 300 companies seeking to restructure loans.

“Their financial condition and potential future cash flow have, of course, ⁠decreased. Are we considering increasing provisions? Yes, ​we ⁠are considering it,” Chief Financial Officer Taras Skvortsov said on a conference call with analysts.

He said no decision ⁠had been taken. Sberbank lends to both Wildberries and rival Ozon, ​whose ⁠facilities have not been targeted.

Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) has launched an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to provisionally reinstate the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).

The Ukrainian body confirmed its action on Wednesday, challenging a move it deems premature and dangerous.

The IOC had provisionally lifted the ROC’s suspension on 7 July, a significant step that appeared to pave the way for Russia’s reintegration into the Olympic movement ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

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US envoy Steve Witkoff ⁠and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, ⁠could ​visit ⁠Kyiv in the ⁠next two ​weeks, according ⁠to ‌Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, as ‌cited by ‌Axios.

Zelensky is also ⁠seeking 300 Patriot interceptors before winter as Ukraine expects Russia to ‌renew its ​campaign ‌against Ukraine’s energy ⁠infrastructure, ⁠Axios reported.

French ​President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Macron’s office said on Wednesday, ⁠confirming a earlier post on this by the Ukrainian leader.

“On my way from Washington, I ⁠had a ​call ⁠with President Macron. I informed Emmanuel about the ⁠details of my meetings at the ​White ⁠House and ‌in the U.S. Senate, as well as our current prospects ‌in diplomacy,” wrote ‌Zelensky on X.

“I am grateful for President Macron’s readiness to ⁠help and to make every necessary effort,” he added.

Macron’s office did not disclose details regarding the nature of the talks with Zelensky.