Around 180,000 consumers were left without electricity supplies across five Ukrainian regions after a Russian attack overnight, Ukraine's acting energy minister Artem Nekrasov said on Thursday.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told ABC News during an exclusive interview in Moscow on Monday that he believes the warring parties are close to a deal.

But part is because Ukraine is keeping secret the methods it hopes will help it regain a winning edge elsewhere. Participants refuse to say how they circumvented the all-seeing eyes and kill-zones of the modern battlefield.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has been given a final chance to turn over the 2.5 billion pounds ($3.25 billion) that he promised to give victims of Russia's war in Ukraine from the sale of Premier League club Chelsea,

U.S. administration officials signaled Monday a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine may be closer than ever.

Ukraine controls nearly 90% of the strategic northeastern town of Kupiansk, its military chief said on Wednesday, but Russia's defence minister said a Ukrainian counter-attack on the town had been unsuccessful.

Putin says Russia will achieve its goals in Ukraine by military means if Kyiv and its allies abandon dialog:: Moscow, Russia:::: Vladimir Putin, Russian President"The goals of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved.