President Zelensky has praised emergency workers after a deadly Russian missile strike on a hotel where British and American aid workers were staying left four dead.

       The Ukrainian leader posted on X today (Thursday) saying four people had been killed in the Kremlin strike which has happened after Washington announced a halt on intelligence sharing which has previously helped Ukraine shoot down aerial attacks.

       Mr Zelensky said the strike on the five-storey hotel in Kryvyi Rih, in southern Ukraine, was a ballistic missile strike on an "ordinary hotel".

       He said: "Just before the attack, volunteers from a humanitarian organisation – citizens of Ukraine, the United States, and the United Kingdom – had checked into the hotel.

       "They survived because they managed to get down from their rooms in time. Unfortunately, four people were killed in this attack. My condolences to their families and loved ones."

       Mr Zelensky added that "more than 30 people were injured" in the strike.

       Russia's continued aerial assault on Ukraine with drones and missiles comes as French President Emmanuel Macron said he is contemplating using France’s nuclear deterrent to protect Europe against Russian threats. In a televised address, he described Russia as a "threat to France and Europe" and announced plans to consult with European allies on the matter.

       And in Washington later today British Defence Secretary John Healey is expected to meet his US counterparts to discuss support for Ukraine, after the White House announced a halt on military aid and intelligence sharing in the past few days.

       This is a live blog, follow along for updates.