Ukraine-Russia war latest news: Blow for Putin’s forces as Crimea airfield hit and Russia drone debris found in Romania

Saboteurs have launched a “malicious” arson attack on France’s rail networks just hours before the start of the Paris Olympic Games.

Eurostar customers have been told to cancel their trips where possible after “coordinated” vandalism caused disruption to high speed rail routes into the French capital on Friday.

The rail operator, which runs international services from London St Pancras, said on Friday several trains to Paris had been cancelled and others were diverted or subject to delays because of the ongoing issues over the Channel.

US and Canadian fighter jets intercepted Russian and Chinese nuclear-capable bombers after they were detected near Alaska.

The Russian Tu-95MS “Bear” strategic bombers and Chinese Xi’an H-6 bombers were spotted in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (Adiz) – but did not enter US or Canadian airspace, US authorities said.

It comes after Chinese and Belarusian troops joined forces for a joint military drill near its border with Nato member Poland earlier this month.

Russia’s parliament has adopted an ammendment to allow military commanders to punish soldiers for using their personal phones and navigation devices on the frontline.

The law states any possession of a device that allows military personnel to store or send video, photos or geolocation data on the internet is punishable by up to 15 days imprisonment.

It also disallows the transmission of any information that could be used to identify any Russian troops or their location.

A Ukrainian gymnast will compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics with more than just medals on his mind.

Oleg Verniaiev, 30, will join around 140 athletes in the smallest team that Ukraine has fielded for any Olympic Games.

But they enter Paris after the lives of an estimated 488 athletes, and thousands of civilians, have been taken following the Russian invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.