Russian gunpowder factory attacked: Ukrainian official

A major Russian gunpowder factory in the Tambov region has been attacked, a Ukrainian official says, without directly claiming Ukrainian responsibility or specifying the consequences of the attack.

"The enterprise is one of the main suppliers of explosive materials for the army of the Russian Federation," Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's Centre for Countering Disinformation, wrote on Telegram of the powder factory.

"With the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, production at the plant increased significantly," he added.

There was no immediate public comment from Russia on the attack on the factory.

Separately, Ukraine's military said it had hit the Liskinska oil depot in Russia's Voronezh region overnight.

"According to the available information, at least three strike drones hit the target. A large-scale fire broke out at the facility," a military statement on the Telegram app said.

Russian authorities had said earlier that debris from falling Ukrainian drones had caused a fire at the facility.

Ukraine and Russia have regularly attacked military production facilities deep inside each other's territory in the course of their war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday signed a 100-year partnership agreement with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"We are with you not just today or tomorrow, for this year or the next, but for 100 years long after this terrible war is over and Ukraine is free and thriving once again," Starmer told Zelenskiy, promising that the UK would "play our part" in guaranteeing Ukraine's post-war security.

Starmer said that the landmark century-long agreement commits the two sides to co-operate on defence - especially maritime security against Russian activity in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Sea of Azov - and on technology projects including drones, which have become vital weapons for both sides in the war.

The treaty also includes a system to help track stolen Ukrainian grain exported by Russia from occupied parts of the country.

While Starmer was meeting with Zelenskiy at the presidential palace, debris from Russian drones shot down by Ukraine's air defences fell in at least four districts of Kyiv, according to city administration chief Tymur Tkachenko.

The United Nations called on the international community to give $US3.3 billion ($A5.3 billion) in aid for Ukrainians fleeing war inside and outside the country this year.

"We should not forget the people. They are suffering," said the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi at a press conference in Kyiv.

During his visit, Grandi visited regions close to the front line and areas on the Russian border and held talks with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

The UN plan for 2025 includes the provision of aid for six million people in Ukraine.

This includes food, medical care, shelter, cash and other measures.

The plan is aimed at helping vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

In addition, more than two million refugees in 11 host countries are to be given access to housing and health care.

The Russian army invaded Ukraine almost three years ago.

According to UN statistics, 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees are registered outside the country.

with AP and DPA