Ukraine: Zelensky warns of missile shortage and 'Putin will benefit'

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned of a missile shortage and says Putin will benefit from a “long war” in Iran.

Appearing on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he said the US produces around 60 to 65 Patriot missiles a month, which equates to roughly 600 to 700 a year. On the first day of the Middle East war, 103 missiles were used, he warned.

He said there will "definitely” be a deficit, and the question is now “when will all the stockpiles in the Middle East be exhausted”.

“For Putin, a long war in Iran is a plus,” as resources deplete, added.

“So it is beneficial for Putin that the resources do not go to Ukraine, against whom he has directed his army, and he's fighting with he needs to weaken us. And this is a long process. The Middle East is one of the ways to do that.”

His comments come after at least four people were killed in Russian drone attacks on Saturday, while strikes on energy infrastructure knocked out power to most of the northern Ukrainian region of Chernihiv.

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President Zelensky said he has a "very bad feeling" about how the war in the Middle East will affect Ukraine.

He told BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: "I have a very bad feeling about the impact of this war on the situation in Ukraine and the focus of America, it's more on the Middle East than on Ukraine unfortunately.

"Therefore, you see that our diplomatic meetings, trilateral meetings, are constantly postponed. There is one reason: war in Iran."

He added that Donald Trump is “concentrating on Iran”.

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In depth: The women ready to take up arms to defend Finland

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Following Russia’s invasion on Ukraine four years ago, the demand for civilian firearms training in Finland has risen sharply, with much of the interest being female.

The Independent’s Annabel Grossman meets the women who are learning shooting and survival skills in the face of a hostile neighbour:

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Recap: Four killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine on Saturday

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Russian attacks killed four people in southeastern Ukraine on Saturday, officials have said.

Authorities confirmed that a man and woman were killed after a house was killed in Zaporizhzhia.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, officials said two people died in an area southeast of the main regional centre, and another five people were injured in attacks at multiple places.

Power was also cut to much of the northern region of Chernihiv.

Zelensky hints, as he calls for Starmer and Trump to meet

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US-UK tensions are weakening NATO, President Zelensky has suggested.

The Ukraine president urged Donald Trump to meet with Keir Starmer to ensure a strong NATO is “ready to defend”.

In an interview on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she asked: “Do you believe that President Trump and his actions have made the world more dangerous?”

Zelensky replied: “I believe that any split in NATO will weaken both sides. I would really like President Trump to meet with Starmer, with the main countries so that they have a common position. We want to be allies with that kind of NATO, a strong NATO where everyone respects one another and is ready to defend.

“I can't tell Trump what to do. Keir is a smart and very cool partner. Absolutely, we know there are emotions in everyone at different times. I think that Keir, he's in touch with President Trump. He can meet with him and reload the relationship again. It happens. I don't see a big problem. To be honest. I do not see a big challenge.

“Your history is stronger than the emotions of two or three people. Your history is simply stronger.”