A Russian MiG-31 fighter jet crashed while attempting to land in the western Lipetsk region near the border with Ukraine, the Russian defence ministry said. The aircraft reportedly crashed in an uninhabited area in Lipetsk, which is about 300km (190 miles) from Ukraine's eastern border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine's new long-range missiles and drones are causing significant gas shortages in Russia.

A supply of U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would help "push Russia back," the foreign minister of NATO ally Estonia told ABC News.

Russian strikes reportedly destroy over half of Ukraine's gas output before winter ・Ukraine strikes Russian gas and oil facilities in Volgograd Oblast, military says ・Europe faces 'significant risk' of major war if Russia starts mobilization,

Zelenskiy's account, based on a report by Ukraine's top commander, contrasted with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's address to senior Russian officers a day earlier in which he said Moscow's forces held the strategic initiative in all frontline sectors.

A fifth New Zealander has been killed in Ukraine, and his body is yet to be recovered from the front line. The death brings the known death toll of New Zealanders in Ukraine to five: three other soldiers and an aid worker have also lost their lives since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Thursday that efforts by Russia and the United States to end the conflict in Ukraine were still alive, state news agency TASS reported, appearing to contradict remarks from a top Russian diplomat a day earlier.

Ukraine faced a 38% jump in Russian drones and missiles through September when compared with August, Ukrainian air force data analyzed by ABC News showed.

President Donald Trump takes harder line on Russia, allowing deeper Ukrainian strikes and coordinating new sanctions while urging NATO allies to increase defense against Moscow provocations.

Trump, who has boasted about ending "seven wars" since returning to office, has actively campaigned for receiving the prestigious award.