Today there are interesting updates from the Pokrovsk direction. 

Here Ukrainian forces have launched a sweeping strike campaign targeting Russian bases, training camps and troop concentrations across the whole Donbas front to bleed out Russia’s capacity for a renewed offensive. 

Coupled with the ground operations, these combined efforts have already inflicted 60,000 losses on the 110,000 strong initial Russian grouping since the start of the Pokrovsk offensive.

Major strikes on command infrastructure

A repeated Ukrainian strike came in the aftermath of one of the most significant blows against the Topaz plant in Donetsk, which housed a Russian command post. 

Eyewitnesses reported again thick smoke, multiple explosions, and noticeable damage to repair and logistics facilities. 

Meanwhile, other strikes in Donetsk have repeatedly hit troop concentrations, energy and command infrastructure, preventing the Russians from regrouping smoothly or re-establishing staging areas, as well as the Russian army. The strike was confirmed by multiple released videos from the region.

Precision strikes near the frontline

Closer to the frontline near Myrnohrad, Russian forces concentrations were also targeted by the Ukrainians. 

In one geolocated video, a MiG-29 dropped a GBU-62 JDAM bomb on a cluster of Russian assault troops along with the nearby ammunition storage, obliterating both the fighters and their supplies simultaneously. 

In another strike, a similar precision weapon demolished a building sheltering an enemy assault group, cutting off the Russian operation before it really started. 

Such strikes have undercut the Russian ability to mass troops or prepare joint assaults threatening Pokrovsk.

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Systematic destruction of air defense systems

Essential strikes against Russian air defenses that are conducted in parallel with every radar or air defense system destroyed, meaning fewer obstacles for Ukrainian drones, missile launches and fighter jets to reach high-value targets. 

For example, a Zupark radar near Donetsk was destroyed after a shark-reconnaissance drone, followed by a HIMARS artillery strike. Two Pantsir-S1 systems were eliminated within 24 hours, one via a Ram-2X drone strike, the other in Snizhne by another still-unidentified Ukrainian drone, removing critical mobile air defense cover. 

Near Donetsk, an expensive Russian Buk-M2 system, costing more than 10 million US dollars, was geolocated and knocked out by HIMARS, as visible on a video published by a Ukrainian blog. 

Another Buk-M1 was first tracked to a warehouse by a drone and targeted there unsuccessfully. But when Russian crews attempted to move it, Ukrainian operators readjusted their fire and destroyed it in the follow-up strike.

Devastating impact on Russian forces

These Ukrainian strikes have contributed to exceptional Russian losses in the Pokrovsk direction in the past ten months, while the Russian command repeatedly tried outflanking maneuvers, infiltrations and direct assaults aiming to capture Pokrovsk and sever its supply routes. 

Ukrainian analysts estimate that Russia has already lost around 60,000 soldiers, killed and wounded during the Pokrovsk offensive alone. The daily toll on Russian manpower and equipment has surged, particularly since the Russian breakthrough near Dobropillia failed and Ukrainian forces began isolating, cutting off and eliminating trapped enemy units. 

In addition, Ukrainian air raids against troop concentrations and training camps in the rear have taken out Russian units before they ever reached the front line, reducing pressure on defenders and allowing Ukraine to repel assaults more efficiently, while the combined long-lasting strike campaign has added thousands of Russian losses to the statistic.

Strategic multi-layer campaign

Ukraine is executing a well-synchronized multi-layer campaign to first suppress Russian air defense, then strike command posts and logistical nodes, and finally funnel damage onto Russian forces in the rear or awaiting deployment. 

Because of these efforts, Russian attempts to mount large-scale assaults have been repeatedly delayed or cancelled, as commanders suffer from the loss of staging bases, supply depots, repair facilities and associated personnel. 

The heavy targeting of their command structure has left whole units and even divisions with confusing orders, disrupted communications and fewer operational reserves.

Long-term strategic implications

Overall, Ukraine’s recent strikes on bases, training camps and air defense systems represent more than tactical successes. 

Strategically decisive in blunting and, in many cases, halting, Russian plans to renew the offensive toward Pokrovsk. By striking rear areas and infrastructure and by destroying air defenses that shield those targets, Ukraine not only protects its front line but sets conditions, where Russian forces must operate exposed and fragmented. 

This gives Ukraine breathing room on multiple flanks, reduces incoming pressure, reduces attack speed, and forces the enemy to defend inside and out of the flank. 

To and raises the cost of any renewed Russian attack to levels that may not be sustainable, no matter how many additional units the Russian command transfers to this sector.

Ukraine has received the first shipment of military equipment under a new agreement between the United States and NATO, a NATO representative told Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne on Thursday.

The Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program is a new NATO-US mechanism that allows military aid to Ukraine to be financed collectively by allies, while weapons and equipment are drawn directly from American stockpiles. 

The system is designed to speed up deliveries and share costs among NATO members, ensuring a steadier flow of support to Kyiv that does not rely on US political will.

The NATO official said additional aid packages are already on the way, with four packages financed so far through PURL.

The news comes a day after the Trump administration confirmed that Ukraine would soon receive its first assistance from NATO allies through US stockpiles under the PURL mechanism.

The agreement restores the flow of weapons from the United States to Kyiv after months of uncertainty.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that the first PURL aid packages will include missiles for Patriot air defense and HIMARS systems. 

The PURL agreement

The PURL initiative was announced by former US President Donald Trump on 14 July, 2025, pledging billions of dollars in weapons for Ukraine, to be purchased and distributed by European NATO allies. Trump specified plans to prepare up to 17 Patriot air defense systems for shipment.

By the end of August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that seven countries had committed to the program, contributing a total of $2 billion. Defense experts say Ukraine’s priorities remain focused on air defenses, interceptors, missile systems, rockets, and artillery.

Ukrainian forces are conducting a counteroffensive operation in the Pokrovsk and Dobropillia areas of Donetsk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on 18 September. 

The reported operation represents a significant strategic shift after Russia made major territorial gains in summer 2025 around Pokrovsk and surrounding areas, including a breakthrough near Dobropillia in August that Ukrainian forces subsequently contained and reversed. 

“Since the start of the [counteroffensive] operation, our warriors have already liberated 160 square kilometers, and over 170 square kilometers have been cleared of the occupiers,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

He reported that seven settlements in the area have been liberated, and nine more “cleared of Russian presence.”

“Russian losses just since the start of this counteroffensive – in the Pokrovsk area alone, in these past weeks – are already more than 2,500, of which over 1,300 Russians have been killed,” Zelenskyy added.

He also said Ukraine has taken 100 Russian prisoners in the operation.

Pokrovsk and Dobropillia counteroffensive

The counteroffensive comes after months of intense fighting around Pokrovsk, where Russia concentrated nearly 100,000 soldiers in what analysts called a force capable of attacking a European country. 

Ukrainian forces successfully contained a Russian breakthrough near Dobropillia in August, where Moscow’s troops had advanced 15 kilometers before elite Ukrainian units, including the redeployed Azov Brigade, reversed their gains.

Pokrovsk represents the key to unlocking Russia’s broader campaign to capture all of Donetsk Oblast, serving as a critical supply hub for Ukrainian forces across the eastern front. 

The city’s potential fall would severely compromise Ukraine’s defensive positions throughout the region and open pathways for deeper Russian advances toward Kostiantynivka and the broader Donbas fortress belt. 

Recent intelligence indicates Russia is preparing fresh assaults with redeployed naval infantry brigades and additional armor after their summer failures.

On 18 September around 10am, Russian forces struck the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka with a FAB-250 bomb with a UMPK guiding module, killing 5 civilians, the National Police of Ukraine reported. 

Kostiantynivka, in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, is located near the front line and has been frequently targeted by Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion.

The FAB-250 is a Soviet-designed, 250-kilogram general-purpose bomb that Russia often modifies with glide kits such as the UMPK module to increase its range and accuracy.

The victims – three men and two women aged 62 to 74 – were killed in the street. Four apartment buildings were also damaged.

The Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office has opened a pre-trial investigation into a potential war crime over the attack.

Ukraine has received 1,000 bodies which the Russian side says are Ukrainian servicepeople, as part of coordinated repatriation efforts, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported on 18 September.

The repatriation of fallen soldiers is a critical component of wartime humanitarian and legal obligations. It allows families to recover the remains of loved ones, ensures proper identification, and supports official record-keeping and investigations. 

Law enforcement investigators and expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will conduct necessary examinations and identify the repatriated remains in the coming days.

The operation involved a broad range of Ukrainian authorities, including the Armed Forces, the Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Emergency Service, and the Office of the Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights. The International Committee of the Red Cross also assisted in the efforts.

Personnel from the Armed Forces organized the transport of the fallen to state facilities and facilitated handover to law enforcement and forensic experts for identification.

In conflicts like the war in Ukraine, coordinated efforts between military, law enforcement, and international organizations such as the Red Cross are essential to carry out these operations safely and respectfully.

An investigation by RFE/RL has uncovered details about the highly secretive elite Russian drone formation: the Rubicon Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies. 

Rubicon has become one of Russia’s most formidable forces on the battlefield since the battle for Russia’s Kursk Oblast in mid 2024.

Throughout Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, drones have increasingly become critical to the conflict, reshaping both battlefield tactics and long-range operations. Both Moscow and Kyiv are constantly adapting, deploying new drone technologies and countermeasures to strike supply lines, observe enemy movements, and target key infrastructure.

Russia’s Rubicon has proven especially effective at challenging Ukraine’s previously-superior drone capabilities on the battlefield. 

Key findings from the RFE/RL report:

• Commander: Colonel Sergei Budnikov, 37, former artillery and marine officer.
• Headquarters: Facilities include Patriot Park near Moscow, used for training and testing drones.
• Formation: Established mid-2024, shortly after Andrei Belousov became Russia’s defense minister.
• Structure: At least seven detachments, 130–150 personnel each, specializing in drone attacks, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
• Recruitment: Offers bonuses up to 3 million rubles ($36,000) to attract skilled personnel.

The RFE/RL reporting identifies Colonel Sergei Budnikov, a 37-year-old career artillery and marine officer, as the unit’s commander – the first public confirmation of his leadership.

One of the unit’s main facilities appears to be at the Patriot Park Exhibition and Congress Center near Moscow, which hosts training and testing activities. 

Analysts say Rubicon represents a new level of organization and systematic planning within the Russian military, narrowing Ukraine’s previously decisive advantage in drone warfare.

Rubicon was created in mid-2024, shortly after Andrei Belousov became Russia’s defense minister. It operates as a hybrid organization, combining drone development, operator training, and electronic warfare, with at least seven detachments of 130-150 personnel each, each specializing in different aspects of unmanned operations.

Rubicon in Kursk Oblast

The unit first made its mark countering Ukraine’s operations in Kursk Oblast. Working alongside Russian regular troops and North Korean reinforcements, Rubicon employed highly coordinated drone strikes on short sections of roads supplying Ukrainian positions, often striking vehicles from multiple angles to overwhelm defenses. 

These efforts ultimately forced Kyiv to retreat from the region and allow Russia to regain almost all of Kursk Oblast.

Previous reporting has shown that Rubicon’s drones use rapid frequency shifts and electronic countermeasures to bypass Ukrainian jamming, targeting both frontline convoys and operators stationed far behind the lines. 

Rubicon units now systematically target Ukrainian drone operators who fly drones from distant positions away from the front lines. 

One brigade reportedly lost 70% of their drone operators in a single week due to Rubicon’s precision strikes.

Experts warn that unless Kyiv develops more advanced counter measures, Russia’s elite drone force will remain a persistent threat across multiple sectors of the front.

Germany is throwing its support behind the use of frozen Russian state assets to support Ukraine, marking a significant shift in Berlin’s position, Bloomberg reports.

The move adds momentum to European discussions on how to leverage the roughly $300 billion frozen after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

European governments and G7 allies have been weighing options to channel additional revenue from these funds to bolster Kyiv’s defense. So far, the EU and partners have agreed to direct interest income from the assets to Ukraine, but pressure has been growing to go further.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this month urged the bloc to create a “reparations loan” for Ukraine, funded by cash balances linked to the frozen Russian assets.

Germany’s support is seen as crucial, as it had previously been wary of measures that might threaten Europe’s financial hub or breach principles of state immunity.

The shift in Berlin reflects fears that declining US support under President Donald Trump could leave Europe shouldering a larger share of the aid for Ukraine. There are concerns this economic burden could also fuel the rise of the country’s far-right. 

The issue will be raised at a meeting of EU finance ministers in Copenhagen this week and again at the October 23-24 EU leaders’ summit, where officials aim to reach a decision.

A study by the Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) at Yale University’s School of Public Health has identified 210 facilities in Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories where children abducted from Ukraine are held and “re-educated.” The report also found evidence that some children are being militarized.

“Russia has been engaged in the deportation, re-education, militarization, and coerced fostering and adoption of children from Ukraine since at least 2014 in the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, these efforts significantly expanded in scale and scope. Cohorts of children were rapidly included in the Russian Federation’s pre-existing program of Russification from newly occupied regions such as Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and cities such as Kharkiv and Mariupol.” – the report reads.

210 “re-education” facilities for Ukrainian children

The majority of the facilities identified in the report are located in European Russia and occupied Crimea.

Children are being held in camps and sanatoriums (most frequently), as well as cadet schools, a military base, medical facilities, a religious site, secondary schools and universities, a hotel, and family support centers and orphanages.

Researchers found that re-education activities occurred at 130 sites (62%), involving cultural, patriotic, or military programming aligned with pro-Russia narratives.

Militarization programs were observed at 39 sites (19%), and 49 sites (23%) have been expanded or newly constructed, including two new cadet schools, likely to accommodate more children.

More than half of the facilities (106 of 210) are managed by the Russian federal or local government, including 55% of re-education sites and 58% of militarization sites.

Children in these facilities fall into four main groups:

• children taken to summer camps for what was intended to be temporary “re-education” by pro-Russian patriotic organizations;
• children taken from Ukrainian orphanages and other institutions for children, and/or children with physical disabilities;
• children forcibly separated from parents in frontline areas after the 2022 invasion; and
• children taken directly from their parents in Russian-operated filtration camps in and around Mariupol in 2022 when the city was first occupied.

The report urges international organizations and governments to support the return and reintegration of Ukrainian children, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen protections to prevent such abuses in the future.

“The impact of the alleged crimes perpetuated by the Russian government are likely to leave generational scars,” the report concludes.

Russia’s history of abducting Ukrainian children

The systematic abduction of Ukrainian children has accelerated since Russia’s 2022 invasion, building on practices begun in 2014 in occupied Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk.

Over 3,000 children from occupied Kherson Oblast were taken to remote Russian regions during summer 2024 alone. Separate documentation identified 40,000 children relocated to various Russian locations including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and facilities as far as 8,000 kilometers from Ukraine. 

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in March 2023 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova on charges of illegal child deportation.

Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) published a detailed analysis of Russia’s new turbojet attack drone, the Geran-3 “U” series, showing it relies heavily on foreign components. The drone, a localized version of the Iranian Shahed-238, incorporates parts from the US, China, Switzerland, Germany, Britain, and Japan.

Despite Western sanctions, Russia continues to acquire foreign technology for its weapons programs. Moscow remains able to develop and produce advanced weapons systems for its war against Ukraine.

In total, 45 foreign components were identified in the new Russian Geran-3 drone: 

• roughly half from American manufacturers;
• eight from China;
• seven from Switzerland;
• three from Germany;
• two from Britain, and 
• one from Japan. 

The Russian Geran-3 drone

HUR reports that the drone can operate at ranges up to 1000 km, and can reach speeds of 300-370 km/h, powered by a Chinese Telefly JT80 turbojet engine.

It can reach its top speed in areas covered by Ukrainian air defenses, electronic warfare systems, and drone interception zones, and during the terminal stage of its flight descending towards a target. 

To maintain satellite navigation in contested areas, the Geran-3 also features a jam-resistant navigation system with a 12-element adaptive antenna array known as Kometa-M12.

The drone’s internal layout closely mirrors that of the gasoline-powered Geran-2, including a standard inertial navigation system, air pressure measurement unit, and power distribution unit. The drone also uses cameras and video systems adapted from earlier Geran-2 models.

Russia’s Geran drone is a locally made version of the Iranian Shahed drone, supplied by Iran and used against Ukraine. Moscow is producing its own variants and gradually improving their design and capabilities.

Russia uses these drones to carry out long-range attacks on Ukrainian targets, including civilian areas and critical infrastructure.

HUR published the findings as part of its “Means of Destruction” series, which now catalogs over 5,000 foreign components in 177 weapons systems used by Russia and its allies. The Geran-3 is the eighth Russian weapon system to be detailed in the series.

Russia carried out a large-scale overnight assault on Ukraine on 16 September, striking the eastern city of Zaporizhzhia with multiple rocket salvos.

The strikes killed two people and injured 20 others, including four children. The attack also caused widespread destruction to residential areas, according to regional and national officials.

Zaporizhzhia, a major city in southeastern Ukraine, has been a frequent target of Russian strikes since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The city lies close to the front line and just north of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest.

Though never captured, Zaporizhzhia has endured repeated barrages of missiles, drones, and artillery that have destroyed residential neighborhoods, energy facilities, and infrastructure. The region has become a symbol of both Ukraine’s resilience and the ongoing vulnerability of civilian areas to Russia’s campaign of aerial terror.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that around midnight Russian forces launched ten Tornado-S multiple rocket system rounds at Zaporizhzhia. The strikes hit private homes and non-residential buildings, sparking fires across several neighborhoods.

“They struck deliberately to terrorize our people,” said Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration.

Russian “aerial terror” overnight

The strike on Zaporizhzhia was part of a wider wave of Russian attacks on early 16 September. According to Ukrainian officials, more than 100 drones and 150 guided aerial bombs were used against multiple regions, including Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Kherson.

In Mykolaiv Oblast, a strike on a farm killed one civilian.

Since the beginning of September, Russia has fired more than 3500 drones, nearly 190 missiles, and over 2500 aerial bombs against Ukraine. Fedorov described these attacks as “aerial terror.”

“Now is the time to implement the joint protection of our European sky with a multilayered air defense system. All the necessary technologies exist. What is needed are investments and the will, strong actions, and decisions from all our partners,” he added.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko urged the world to respond by strengthening sanctions against Russia and providing Ukraine with more air defenses to protect cities and people.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that while Ukraine maintains control of the battlefield, the situation remains highly complex due to the scale of Russian forces and rapid shifts in drone and electronic warfare technology.

“As for the battlefield, the situation is not simple. It is complicated by the number of enemy forces, the number of drones, and changing technologies: today one type of drone is in use – one electronic warfare (EW) system works; tomorrow drones change, engines change – and other EW systems operate. What’s most important to understand is this: we are controlling the front,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram. 

He dismissed claims of major Russian advances in eastern Ukraine, calling such narratives disinformation. “Russians are far better at disinformation than they are on the battlefield,” he said.

“They have more troops than Ukrainians – that is their advantage. Their strongest grouping is in the east, but they are in very difficult conditions,” he continued, adding that predictions of Russia occupying the entire east in a matter of months were “lies,” arguing that such an outcome would take years, if at all.

Zelenskyy also urged closer coordination between Western and Ukrainian intelligence, calling for daily consultations “directly from the battlefield” to counter Russian narratives.

The fighting in Ukraine’s eastern regions has intensified in recent months, with Russia massing around 150,000 troops near Pokrovsk and cutting key supply routes amid heavy bombardment. Ukrainian forces, however, have carried out counterattacks, including the liberation of Novomykhailivka and strikes on Russian command centers, even as Russian assaults and civilian casualties continue to mount.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski questioned the effectiveness of discussion about security guarantees for Ukraine, suggesting the term itself may be misleading, according to European Pravda.

In recent months, Ukraine’s western partners have been discussing “security guarantees” aimed at preventing further Russian aggression in the event of a ceasefire. 

Proposed measures include formal security treaties, peacekeeping forces, military support, and economic sanctions. However, the effectiveness of these guarantees remains unproven, as they largely depend on Russia agreeing to a ceasefire in the first place.

Speaking at the annual Yalta European Strategy meeting in Kyiv, Sikorski said that Ukraine already had “guarantees”, even if they were called differently, in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. 

The Budapest Memorandum was an agreement signed by Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom that was intended to safeguard Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in exchange for Kyiv giving up its nuclear arsenal. The memorandum ultimately failed when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014.

Sikorski argued that any new, more concrete guarantees would likely fail to deter Russian aggression.

“The purpose of security guarantees is to deter Russia from renewed aggression. In essence, if we give security guarantees to Ukraine, we are saying we could go to war against Russia,” Sikorski said. 

“I don’t think that’s convincing. Who wants to fight Russia? I don’t see many volunteers. In international relations, nothing is worse than offering guarantees that are not trusted.”

Sikorski called for a shift in focus away from guarantees, urging instead for monitoring of peace and strengthening Ukraine’s capabilities. 

He emphasized prioritizing military and financial support, warning that prolonged discussions on guarantees could distract policymakers from urgent funding needs for 2026 and 2027.

Romanian authorities issued an alert on Saturday for the northern area of Tulcea County after a Russian drone was detected in the country’s airspace, Romanian media outlet Digi24.ro reports. Citizens were warned of potential falling objects and urged to take protective measures.

The incident follows a pattern of Russian drones violating NATO airspace in recent days. On 10 September, a wave of Russian drones entered Poland, causing alarm among NATO members. 

The Romanian Ministry of National Defence said two F-16 fighter jets from Fetesti Air Base took off at 18:05 to monitor the airspace near the border with Ukraine, following Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian infrastructure along the nearby Danube river. 

The jets detected the drone near Chilia Veche, tracking it for roughly 50 minutes as it operated about 10 kilometers inside Romanian territory before disappearing from radar. 

The drone did not fly over populated areas and posed no imminent threat to civilians. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the incident, noting that Russian drones were active throughout the day in various regions of Ukraine. 

“The Russian military clearly knows the targets of their drones and how long they can stay in the air. Flight routes are always carefully calculated,” Zelenskyy said. 

“This cannot be accidental, a mistake, or the result of rogue actions by lower-level commanders. This is a deliberate expansion of the war by Russia.”

Zelenskyy called for sanctions, trade tariffs, and a coordinated system of collective defense. He said Ukraine has urged its partners to establish such protections proactively, warning against waiting for further drone or missile attacks before taking action.

The Tulcea Emergency Situations Inspectorate emphasized that Romania’s territory is not the direct target of Russian attacks and that the air alert, lasting roughly 90 minutes, was precautionary. 

Poland also responded to a separate threat on Saturday, mobilizing military aircraft after Russian drones were reported in Ukrainian regions bordering the country.

Polish authorities scrambled fighter jets and suspended operations at Lublin Airport on Saturday after reports of Russian drones in Ukrainian regions near the Polish border.

The incident comes after a wave of Russian drones entered Poland on 10 September, prompting NATO to review its eastern defenses. 

“Due to the threat of drone strikes in Ukrainian regions bordering Poland, military aircraft have been deployed in our airspace,” the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said on Facebook. 

“Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have been placed on the highest state of readiness,” the statement continued.

The Operational Command said that the measures are preventive, aimed at ensuring the safety of Polish airspace and protecting citizens near areas under threat. 

US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on 13 September that the United States would impose “major sanctions” on Russia only if NATO nations agreed to do the same and stopped purchasing Russian oil.

These remarks come after Axios reported that, despite his public promises to end the war in Ukraine, Trump is having doubts about his ability to influence Putin. A source told Axios that Trump has “misjudged Putin’s desire for peace.”

Trump has repeatedly threatened harsher US sanctions on Russia if no ceasefire is reached with Ukraine. He has set several deadlines this year, all of which have been missed, yet no new sanctions have been imposed by the administration.

In the post, Trump appeared to shift responsibility for US sanctions onto NATO and European allies.

He argued that European reliance on Russian oil weakens NATO’s bargaining power and called for additional tariffs on China, which he said holds significant influence over Moscow.

“I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA,” Trump wrote.

Hungary and Slovakia continue to buy Russian oil, despite criticism from US, European, and Ukrainian officials.

Trump also said that NATO should also place 50% to 100% tariffs on China, claiming that this will help end the war in Ukraine. 

He added that “This is not TRUMP’S WAR, it is Biden’s and Zelenskyy’s WAR. I am only here to help stop it, and save thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives.”

Russia has dramatically scaled up attacks on civilian areas since Trump took office in January. 

Footage circulating on Russian social media on Saturday suggests that Ukrainian long-range drones have struck the Novo-Ufa oil refinery in the Russian city of Ufa, Bashkortostan, nearly 1400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

The strike on Novo-Ufa marks one of the deepest drone attacks inside Russian territory since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

According to local Telegram channels, an explosion was recorded at the refinery at around 13:30, allegedly caused by drone impact.

Eyewitness footage appeared to show flames at the site as well as a drone flying over one of Ufa’s neighborhoods.

By evening, the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, confirmed that the Novo-Ufa refinery had been attacked by long-range drones.

Khabirov said security forces shot down a drone that crashed on the refinery grounds, sparking a fire and minor damage but no casualties. Another drone was later downed nearby, with the scale of its impact still under review.

Earlier in the day, Russian media, citing the aviation agency Rosaviatsia, reported that temporary flight restrictions were introduced at Ufa Airport at about 14:20. The reason was not officially disclosed.

The Novo-Ufa refinery, operated by Russian oil company Bashneft, is one of three major oil processing facilities in Ufa. Together, they form a refining hub with an output exceeding 20 million tons annually. Novo-Ufa alone is estimated to have a capacity of 7.5 million tons of crude oil per year.

This is not the first reported drone strike at the complex. In March, Ukrainian drones allegedly struck the nearby Orgsintez plant, part of the same refining cluster, sparking explosions and a large-scale fire.

As of now, Ukrainian authorities have issued no official statement confirming an attack on the Novo-Ufa refinery. 

Radio and television stations, facing enormous budget holes, are pleading with NPR and PBS to lower their fees as they examine whether to drop national programming altogether.

© Jordan Gale for The New York Times

NATO has announced a new defensive initiative, “Eastern Sentry,” aimed at strengthening the alliance’s ability to respond to Russian drone incursions. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus G. Grynkewich made the announcement at a joint press conference on 12 September 2025. 

This comes just two days after a wave of Russian drones entered Polish territory, sparking alarm among NATO members.

The operation is a direct response to Poland invoking Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which calls for consultations among allies when a member’s territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.

Rutte said Eastern Sentry will bolster the eastern flank, ensuring the safety and security of alliance nations.

The operation will begin in the coming days and involve military assets from Denmark, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other member states.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the effort will combine traditional military capabilities with measures specifically designed to address drone threats. 

“Eastern Sentry will add flexibility and strength to our posture, and make clear that, as a defensive alliance, we are always ready to defend,” he said.

SACEUR highlighted that integrated air- and ground-based defenses will be central to the initiative. While the immediate focus is on Poland, he emphasized that the threat transcends national borders and affects the entire alliance. 

Eastern Sentry will enhance deterrence, increase information sharing, and allow rapid deployment of counter-drone technologies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram that Russian attempts to advance in the Sumy oblast have been fully repelled by Ukrainian forces.

Russian forces have been trying to break through Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast for months, but made little progress. 

Sumy Oblast is in northeastern Ukraine, bordering Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod regions. The city of Sumy lies about 15 miles from the Russian border, making the area a frequent target for Russian drones, missiles, and guided bombs.

Zelenskyy added that while fighting continues along the border, Russian units have lost their offensive capability due to heavy losses.

Last month, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russian forces had been defeated in Sumy Oblast and lost several settlements. He added that Russia is now redeploying troops to other fronts, including Zaporizhzhia.

Although Russian forces initially captured several villages this year, they were ultimately halted by Ukrainian defenses.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski dismissed suggestions that recent drone incursions into Polish airspace were linked to Ukrainian actions. He said the claims were either authored by or complicit with Russian propaganda.

This comes after a wave of drones entered Polish airspace on 10 September, engaging Polish air defences and causing alarm among NATO members. 

Speaking at a joint press conference in Kyiv with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on Thursday, Sikorski stressed that the incident was a deliberate Russian operation, and not an accident.

“This intrusion into Polish and NATO airspace by Russian drones is a moment of truth, because these drones entered our airspace not only from Ukraine but also from Belarus. The air engagement lasted seven hours.

“This was not a coincidence, and anyone who claims it was a Ukrainian provocation is either the author of, or complicit in, Russian propaganda,” Sikorski said, according to a Ukrinform correspondent. 

He warned against repeating these disinformation narratives, and clarified that Poland is “confident these were Russian drones and that this was a Russian operation.” 

In Kyiv on 12 September, Ukrainian and Polish foreign ministers discussed boosting defense cooperation through joint ventures, arms production, and air defense initiatives, as well as sanctions on Russia and advancing historical reconciliation.

The European Commission announced a new €40 million humanitarian package to support Ukrainians as they head into a fourth winter of full-scale war. 

Winters in Ukraine are harsh under normal circumstances, but the war has made them even more dangerous. Russia has repeatedly struck Ukraine’s energy grid in previous winters, knocking out electricity and heating for millions. These attacks have left entire cities in freezing conditions, with civilians often forced to endure long nights without light or warmth. 

The EU says the new funding is focused on “strengthening the country’s preparedness for winter and protecting civilians against extreme cold.” 

Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management notes that “winter brings new hardships for millions of Ukrainians already suffering from the consequences of Russia’s war.”

Planned support includes providing shelter materials, repairing damaged homes and displacement centres, and improving access to heating, clean water, and sanitation.

These issues are especially pressing in winter months, when Russian strikes on infrastructure regularly disrupt living conditions and essential services. 

According to the Commission, the aid will prioritize the most vulnerable groups: elderly people, children, people with disabilities, and displaced people living in collective housing. 

This latest package adds to the EU’s broader humanitarian support for Ukraine, which has now reached several billion euros since the start of the invasion in 2022.

“The EU has channelled over 156,000 tonnes of relief supplies through its Civil Protection Mechanism. In response to the widespread destruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, this support includes energy equipment such as 9,342 power generators, 6,917 transformers and millions of energy-saving LED bulbs. In parallel, the EU and its Member States have mobilised over €4.2 billion in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and neighbouring countries. The EU has also successfully coordinated the medical evacuation of more than 4,500 patients from Ukraine to hospitals across 22 European countries for treatment,” the European Commission said in its statement.

The south-western Russian city of Krasnodar has reopened its airport for the first time since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian media reports.

The airport had been closed since February 2022 over what authorities called “security issues.” Krasnodar has since been a frequent target of Ukrainian drone strikes on military infrastructure.

The city serves as a regional transit hub connecting Russia to occupied Crimea, with only 200km between them.

Russian state airliner Aeroflot said it will resume flights between Moscow and Krasnodar on 17 September, with other domestic destinations to follow. The airline also plans to open international routes from Krasnodar to Yerevan, Istanbul, and Dubai.

Krasnodar is the second airport in southern Russia to resume operations after long closures. Gelendzhik airport, located on the Black Sea coast, reopened in July.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine General Keith Kellogg in Kyiv on Thursday. The two discussed defense cooperation, sanctions, and work on international diplomacy, Zelenskyy said on X.

The meeting takes place in the context of intensified Russian attacks and international efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the war.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has proposed an agreement on co-production of drones and weapons with the US. He added that they are “counting on a positive response from the US.”

He also said they discussed financing production and procurement of Patriot air defense systems under the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) initiative.

Zelenskyy pushed for increased sanctions and tariffs against Russia to enable a leaders’ meeting to “bring this war to an end.”

He added that preparations are underway for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. They discussed coordination with the US and work within the Coalition of the Willing, as well as other potential meetings at the session.

Zelenskyy has met with US Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg several times in 2025, including in Kyiv in February and July, and again in Washington in August. The meetings have focused on air defense, weapons production, and broader coordination between Kyiv and Washington.

Poland will send military representatives to Ukraine to learn techniques for shooting down drones, Reuters reported on 11 September.

The move follows Russian-made drones crossing into Polish airspace on the night of 10 September, leaving debris from around 15 drones in various regions. Polish authorities said the incursions were intended as a provocation and to test NATO’s response.

Ukraine has extensive experience defending against Russian drone and missile attacks and will provide guidance for the Polish personnel. The training will give Polish forces practical, hands-on experience under instructors who have faced similar threats on the frontline.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for multi-layered air defense systems combining mobile fire units, interceptor drones, helicopters, and aircraft. He noted that expensive systems like Patriot missiles ($2-3 million each) are not practical for intercepting cheaper Shahed drones, which cost roughly $100,000 each.

Zelenskyy also suggested that the Poland drone strike may have been intended to influence Western decisions on supplying air defense systems to Ukraine.

The incident highlights the growing transnational risks of Russia’s drone operations and the importance of NATO allies coordinating defensive measures.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Russia’s recent drone attack on Poland may have been intended to discourage Western partners from supplying air defense systems to Ukraine ahead of winter. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Kyiv on 11 September.

Air defense remains critical for Ukraine as it faces continuous Russian drone and missile attacks. Protecting civilians, infrastructure, and military positions requires a multi-layered system capable of countering both high-cost ballistic threats and swarming drones. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s experience in coordinating such defenses can benefit European partners.

The drone attack on Poland on 10–11 September involved Russian-made drones crossing into Polish territory. While damage was limited, the strike alarmed NATO and European countries, showing the reach of Russia’s drone operations.

Zelenskyy suggested the attack also tested NATO’s response and sought to influence decisions on supplying additional air defense systems to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said the strike allowed Russia to test NATO’s political response and Poland’s defenses. “The most terrible thing is that this attack is psychologically similar to Crimea,” he noted, adding that drones have replaced the “little green men” of the 2014 occupation.

The Ukrainian president stressed that high-cost systems like Patriot and SAMP/T missiles, which cost $2-3 million each, are not ideal for countering low-cost drones such as Shaheds, which only cost about $100,000.

Effective defense requires a combination of mobile fire groups, interceptor drones, helicopters, and aircraft. He concluded that building reliable, multi-layered air defenses across Europe is now a top priority.

Russian forces struck the city of Kramatorsk, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region near the frontlines, with a wave of drones, setting multiple fires across the city on 11 September. 

Firefighters on the scene of an attack came under a second strike while responding to a blaze at an administrative building, Ukraine’s emergency services (DSNS) reports.

Russian forces have repeatedly used so-called “double-tap” strikes, hitting the same location twice – often targeting first responders arriving after an initial attack. These strikes aim to cause additional casualties, disrupt rescue efforts, and increase chaos.

The attack underscores the dangers faced by first responders in Ukrainian cities, as Russian drone strikes target both civilian areas and the emergency services that respond to the initial strikes.

No emergency personnel were injured in the strike, but debris damaged a fire truck ladder. DSNS said that firefighters quickly regained control, extinguished all fires, and assisted civilians trapped in their apartments.

Authorities reported 15 separate strikes across Kramatorsk on 11 September, leaving six civilians wounded in the city. 

Sweden has announced its 20th military support package for Ukraine, valued at $836 million. The package continues long-term aid commitments, including annual military support of $3.6 billion in 2026-2027.

The move comes as Ukraine faces increased Russian attacks and international partners increase defense assistance. Sweden’s aid is designed to strengthen Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities and maintain operational readiness, while supporting broader European security.

The package includes 18 new Swedish-made Archer self-propelled artillery systems with extra 155 mm ammunition, bringing Ukraine’s total Archers to 44. Kyiv will also receive mobile coastal radar systems, new support boats with grenade launchers, drone systems, and upgrades to 32 previously delivered CB90 combat boats with sensors, weapons, and radar.

Other equipment features 500 motorcycles and vehicles for airfield operations, including trucks and tractors. Air defense systems, particularly the Tridon Mk2, will be enhanced with radar sensors, command modules, and programmable 40 mm ammunition. 

The package also provides $68 million for international coalitions developing Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Certain systems remain classified for battlefield use.

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Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson noted that additional secret systems and projects are included in the package, but their deployment will be revealed directly on the battlefield. 

Additional secret systems and projects are also included, but their introduction will have to be saved for the battlefield. The Russian army can expect Swedish-Ukrainian surprises going forward. Sweden will continue to put hard pressure on Russia until they stop this war. (6/6)

— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) September 11, 2025

He said that the Russian army can expect “Swedish-Ukrainian surprises” in future operations and affirmed that Sweden will maintain pressure on Russia until the war ends.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Sweden, emphasizing that sustained military aid strengthens European security and helps advance efforts toward lasting peace.

The analyst, Matthew Dowd, apologized for his remarks on social media.

© Lorenzo Bevilaqua/Disney General Entertainment Content, via Getty

The United States has lifted sanctions on the state-owned airline Belavia, Belarusian state media reported on 11 September. The announcement was attributed to John Cole, deputy special representative of the US president for Ukraine, during a meeting with Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk.

Sanctions against Belavia were first imposed by Washington over Belarus’s human rights abuses and its close alignment with Moscow. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump said he was prepared to ease measures if Minsk moved toward releasing political prisoners.

Cole said the decision had been ordered by Trump and approved by relevant US agencies. He was quoted as saying Washington wants to normalize relations with Belarus and that lifting sanctions is “only the beginning.”

The same day, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said 52 former prisoners crossed into Lithuania from Belarus, including six Lithuanians and citizens of several EU states.

He thanked the US and Trump for their role, but stressed that more than 1,000 political prisoners remain jailed in Belarus.

Cole also delivered a personal gift from Trump – cufflinks with the White House emblem. The outreach follows Trump’s August call with Lukashenko, which he described as a “great conversation” ahead of meeting Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Belarus has remained a key ally of Moscow throughout Russia’s war against Ukraine, allowing Russian forces to use its territory for troop deployments and missile strikes, while avoiding direct involvement of its own army in frontline combat.

A Russian airstrike hit the frontline village of Yarova in Donetsk Oblast, killing at least 24 people and injuring 19 others, local officials report. 

The attack struck civilians standing in line to receive pensions, with most victims reportedly of retirement age.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike, calling it “brutal” and “directly targeting ordinary people.” He urged the international community, including the United States, Europe, and G20 members, to take decisive action against Russia.

Vadym Filashkin, Head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, described the attack as “pure terrorism.” He said rescue teams, medics, police, and local authorities were working to assist the injured and assess the full damage.

The attack was carried out with a 250kg KAB-250 guided bomb, according to Alexander Zhuravlev, head of the nearby Lyman city military administration.

Ukrposhta, the Ukrainian state-run postal service, was delivering pensions by van when the strike occurred. The CEO confirmed one employee was wounded but survived thanks to rapid assistance.

Ukrposhta said it is now working with authorities to relocate pension and parcel distribution in frontline areas to safer locations to protect people from targeted Russian attacks.

“Since the beginning of the war, we have continuously adjusted our security procedures, and […] the vehicle was parked under trees to reduce the risk of being noticed. But apparently, someone gave away the coordinates,” the CEO said.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called on the world to condemn the attack, stressing that Russia deliberately targets ordinary civilians.

Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, called for international measures, including sanctions and increased support for Ukraine’s defense, to prevent further attacks.

“Russian propaganda claims to be ‘saving’ people in the Donetsk region, but in reality, it is dropping massive air bombs on people who came to receive pensions,” Sybiha said on X.

The Athens State Orchestra has canceled the planned concert of Russian pianist Denis Matsuev following a wave of criticism on social media. 

Matsuev, a well-known supporter of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, has received awards directly from Vladimir Putin, including the Russian Order of Honour in 2018, making his scheduled performance in Greece highly controversial.

In February 2022, one day after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, his appearance with the Vienna Philharmonic in New York was canceled over his public support of Putin. Since then, he has not performed in the West, as many cultural institutions distance themselves from artists tied to the Kremlin.

Locals and the Ukrainian diaspora in Greece mobilized online after the Athens concert was announced. Comments criticizing the event flooded the orchestra’s promotional posts on Facebook and Instagram, drawing wider attention. 

Talk of staging a protest followed, but before any demonstration could take place the orchestra moved to cancel the event. Within days of the backlash, it confirmed the concert would not go ahead.

“Throughout its many years of activity, the Orchestra has served artistic excellence as well as the values of open dialogue and respect that define the European cultural community. Within this framework, it has chosen to adjust its programming in response to the very recent international situation,” the orchestra said in a statement on Facebook.

Across Europe, cultural institutions have faced growing scrutiny over hosting Russian artists linked to the Kremlin. Many scheduled shows have been cancelled after outcry from local and international communities across the continent. 

Activists argue that figures like Matsuev serve as instruments of Russian soft power, making their presence problematic during Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

The cancellation highlights how grassroots activism and solidarity between Ukrainian and local European communities can lead to swift results. It also reflects a wider European trend of reassessing cultural ties with artists who openly support Russian aggression.

Russia continues to amass large numbers of strike drones for coordinated attacks on Ukraine, with recent assaults involving hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles at once, Ukrainian defense news portal Defense Express reports.

Such large-scale attacks strain Ukraine’s air defenses. Even though many drones are intercepted, those that get through still inflict damage and cause civilian casualties.

Over the night of 6-7 September, Ukraine faced the largest drone attack of the full-scale war. Russian forces launched 810 Shahed attack drones, alongside multiple decoy and imitation UAVs. The assault also included nine Iskander-K cruise missiles and four Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles.

Ukraine’s defenses intercepted 747 drones and four cruise missiles. Despite this, nine missiles and 54 strike drones hit 33 locations across the country, with debris recorded at eight additional sites.

This strike follows a string of large-scale attacks. On 2-3 September, Russian forces launched 502 drones; on 29-30 August, 537; and on 27-28 August, 598.

In July and August, raids consistently involved over 500 drones, a sharp increase from previous periods when Russia typically deployed a few hundred.

Earlier in August and July, the aerial assaults consistently involved over 500 drones, a significant increase from prior periods when Russia typically launched no more than a few hundred.

Defense Express notes it is unclear whether these waves reflect higher production or a deliberate tactic to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses with concentrated “salvo” attacks. The mix of Shaheds versus decoy and imitation drones also remains unknown.

According to Ukrainian military intelligence, Russia’s defense industry currently produces roughly 2,700 Shahed drones per month, allowing Moscow to sustain repeated large-scale strikes.

Russia has brought in nearly 280,000 contract servicemen since the start of 2025, with around 35,000 new recruits joining each month, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) said in an interview published 7 August.

Russia’s ability to steadily recruit tens of thousands of soldiers each month is central to its war effort. Ukraine’s military intelligence says this manpower allows Moscow to offset heavy battlefield losses and sustain operations. 

With a far larger population, Russia relies heavily on sheer numbers to pressure and wear down Ukraine’s much smaller armed forces.

Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of HUR, told Ukrinform that the Kremlin continues to meet its targets through financial incentives and propaganda.

“Unfortunately, they have the resources, backed by money and propaganda,” he said. New recruits are offered payments of up to 2 million rubles ($21,000) when signing their first contract.

“There are clear signs they will fully meet their recruitment plan by the end of the year,” Skibitskyi added.

Ukraine’s government headquarters in central Kyiv was struck overnight by Russian missiles and drones, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Thursday. The building, used daily by government staff, sustained structural damage, but no one inside was harmed.

Svyrydenko called the attack an example of “Russian barbarism” and urged the international community to turn outrage into concrete support for Ukraine.

“The walls will be repaired, they are only bricks, but the lives of our people can’t be restored,” Svyrydenko said on X.

As of 5:00 p.m. on 7 August, four people have been reported killed in Kyiv following the strikes.

For the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the roof and upper floors of the government building were damaged. Firefighters worked through the night to put out the flames.

Svyrydenko emphasized that only a united international response, including increased air defense systems and sanctions pressure on Moscow, can protect Ukrainian communities and help bring an end to Russian aggression.

Overnight on 6-7 August, Russia carried out one of the largest aerial assaults on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, deploying over 800 drones – a record number – alongside cruise missiles. 

The attacks struck multiple cities, including Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, and Odesa.

Russian forces struck a humanitarian demining team near Chernihiv on Thursday, killing two Ukrainian workers and injuring five others, local authorities and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) confirmed.

The DRC said in a statement: “At the time of the incident, DRC teams were conducting purely civilian humanitarian activities—working to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war in order to protect communities and enable safe access to essential infrastructure, farmland, and homes.” 

The attack targeted civilians conducting life-saving demining operations in the Kyselivska community of Chernihiv, a border region in northern Ukraine.

The organization described the strike as a “serious violation of International Humanitarian Law” and emphasized that humanitarian workers must never be targeted.

Chernihiv Regional State Administration head Viacheslav Chaus described the strike as “a deadly Russian hit on civilians.” 

“First they littered the region with explosives and mines; now they are killing people who risk their lives clearing our land from the consequences of Russia’s invasion,” he added.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Luke Rasmussen condemned the attack, calling it “yet another proof that Putin has no intention of ending his illegal war of aggression.”

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas added: “The death of aid workers employed by Danish Refugee Council in a missile strike underscores the brutality of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Attacks on humanitarian missions are a grave violation of international law. The EU will keep supporting Ukraine and will hold those responsible accountable.”

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos also spoke out: “Striking a humanitarian demining team near Chernihiv, killing two and injuring five, is yet another brutal attack by Russia against civilian targets in Ukraine. It is a deliberate attack on peace and recovery.”

This strike follows previous attacks on humanitarian teams in Ukraine, highlighting the dual danger from unexploded ordnance and targeted missile strikes in frontline areas.

Humanitarian workers like those with the DRC are critical to recovery in regions affected by Russia’s ongoing aggression. Their work prevents further civilian casualties and restores safe access to farmland, infrastructure, and homes, even amid repeated threats from aerial attacks and mines.

Ukraine’s Armed Forces are expanding capabilities to counter strike drones like the Shahed and Geran, according to Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Russian forces regularly launch attack drones against Ukrainian cities across the country, hitting infrastructure, energy facilities, and civilian areas. Anti-drone defenses are vital to protect civilians and maintain Ukraine’s operational resilience.

The initiative follows a comprehensive meeting on drone defense, during which Syrskyi outlined the creation of a layered system to protect Ukrainian territory.

“Our joint task is to form more interceptor crews, train additional operators, and provide them with more effective strike systems and radar,” he said.

After the meeting, Syrskyi issued a series of tasks to address gaps and strengthen Ukraine’s UAV-interceptor operations. These include selecting and training personnel for new interceptor crews, forming additional regular units, and improving the performance of interceptor systems and radar coverage.

The Commander-in-Chief emphasized that air defense is a top priority, stating that the effectiveness of Ukraine’s “anti-Shahed” system directly affects the security of the rear areas.

Russian authorities have sentenced two Ukrainian media workers seized by Russian forces in occupied Melitopol in August 2023 to long prison terms, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

RSF says the convictions reflect Russia’s broader campaign to silence independent media in occupied territories, where Ukrainian journalists face harsh detention and unfair trials.

Heorhiy Levchenko, administrator of the Telegram channel Ria-Melitopol, was sentenced on 2 September to 16 years in a high-security penal colony, plus a one-year ban on internet use. 

The court accused him of “high treason” and “incitement to extremism.” It claimed the channel was used for “anti-Russian and pro-Ukrainian propaganda” and to pass information to Ukrainian intelligence.

Vladyslav Hershon, an administrator of Melitopol tse Ukraina (“Melitopol is Ukraine”), received a 15-year sentence on 3 September from a military court in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. 

He was prosecuted for “terrorism.” In letters to his family, Hershon described his detention as “every morning is hell.” 

RSF condemned the sentences as a “travesty of justice” and warned that they signal a chilling precedent for the other journalists still imprisoned in Melitopol. 

Only one of the group of seven journalists arrested in August 2023, Mark Kaliush, has been released to date in a prisoner exchange.

The remaining detained journalists face ongoing legal proceedings. Maksym Rupchov’s next hearing is scheduled for 8 October, Oleksandr Malyshev’s for 15 September, and Yana Suvorova’s for 18 September. Anastasia Hlukhovska has been missing since her arrest, with her location undisclosed by Russian authorities.

RSF emphasizes that these prosecutions are part of a broader pattern of repression targeting journalists in occupied Ukrainian territories. Media professionals are treated as spies, face baseless charges, forced confessions, and denial of fair defense. 

“These are not trials, but political spectacles,” said Jeanne Cavelier, head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk. “Russia is weaponising its justice system to criminalise independent journalism in the occupied territories.” 

“We call for the immediate release of Heorhiy Levchenko, Vladyslav Hershon, and all journalists imprisoned for their reporting,” she continued. 

Melitopol, in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia oblast, has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. 

At least 26 Ukrainian journalists remain imprisoned by the Kremlin either in occupied territories or inside Russia. 

Across occupied regions and within Russia, Ukrainian journalists face severe repression. Their detentions are widely considered violations of international law and could amount to war crimes. 

Leaders from more than 30 countries gathered on Thursday in a hybrid session of the Coalition of the Willing to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.

Twenty-six countries pledged support for a peacekeeping force in the event of a ceasefire in Ukraine. They also committed to bolstering Ukraine’s long-term security, strengthening its military, and coordinating international efforts to deter further Russian aggression. 

“We have today 26 countries who have formally committed […] to deploy as a ‘reassurance force’ troops in Ukraine, or be present on the ground, in the sea, or in the air,” French president Emmanuel Macron told reporters after the summit.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said following the meeting that “a strong Ukrainian army is and will remain the central element of security guarantees.” 

Representatives from Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand took part in the session. 

The talks covered support across land, sea, air, and cyberspace, as well as the mechanisms needed to coordinate these contributions effectively. 

Zelenskyy highlighted the role of financial assistance, weapons supplies, and domestic production as essential components of Ukraine’s defense. 

He confirmed that new sanctions are being planned, including secondary measures and special trade tariffs, to further pressure Russia and its economy.

Zelenskyy said that the Coalition shares the view that Russia is “doing everything possible to drag out the negotiation process and continue the war.”

The Coalition of the Willing, formed in 2023, brings together countries committed to providing Ukraine with security and defense support beyond standard NATO and EU frameworks. 

The group coordinates financial aid, military equipment, training, and strategic planning to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and capacity to respond to Russian aggression.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that members of the “Coalition of the Willing” have pledged to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles, as part of efforts to strengthen Kyiv’s defense capabilities.

The delivery of long-range missiles will enable strikes on military targets deeper inside Russian and Russian-held territory supporting both defensive and counteroffensive operations.

Ukraine has long requested additional long-range weaponry, but Western partners have been cautious due to concerns about escalating the conflict. Such weapons allow Ukraine to effectively disrupt supply lines that sustain Moscow’s war effort far from the front lines.

Speaking to a virtual session of the Coalition of the Willing from Glasgow, the Prime Minister said that Russian President Vladimir Putin could not be trusted, citing ongoing attacks on Ukraine and delays in peace talks.

The Prime Minister also thanked military planners and chiefs of defense of Coalition countries for their work to ensure forces could be deployed if a ceasefire is reached. 

He described the coalition’s support for Ukraine as “unbreakable” and that they had US President Trump’s backing. 

He added that they now need “to go even further to apply pressure on Putin to secure a cessation of hostilities.”

Russian forces on Thursday targeted a humanitarian mission from the Danish Refugee Council. The team was clearing mines near Novoselivka in Ukraine’s Chernihiv Oblast.

The strike killed 2 humanitarian workers and injured 5.

“This is yet another cynical crime. Attacking people carrying out humanitarian work means deliberately putting humanitarian efforts at risk,” said Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights.

The missile strike hit the team as they worked near a checkpoint outside the village, as reported by Dmytro Bryzhynskyi, the head of the Chernihiv City Military Administration.

The victims were employees of a Danish demining team carrying out humanitarian work to make the area safe for civilians.

Chernihiv Oblast lies on Ukraine’s northern border with Russia and Belarus, making it a frequent target for cross-border shelling and strikes.

Russian forces have repeatedly attacked humanitarian missions across Ukraine. These strikes target the people trying to restore normal life in liberated regions, where explosive remnants of past Russian occupation remain a major danger to residents.

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Russia is turning Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant into nuclear weapon with offering “joint control” over facility, says Kyiv.

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Macron and Zelenskyy to meet in Paris before talks with European leaders. The talks will follow preparatory work by Western officials, aiming to provide security guarantees to Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia to achieve a ceasefire.

Ukraine unveils upgraded “Palianytsia” drone that can reach targets 650 km into Russia. Developed amid restrictions on Western missiles, the upgraded Palianytsia gives Ukraine a domestic, long-range tool to hit targets deep behind Russian lines.

Russia recruits German citizens as “single-use agents” via social media to sabotage Ukrainian military training sites. At the same time, Chancellor Merz labels Russian President Donald Trump “the most serious war criminal of our time.”

Rutte on threats from Russia: Russian missile takes 5-10 minutes to reach The Hague

. Distance from Russia no longer equals safety for NATO members, Secretary General Mark Rutte warned in Luxembourg, citing missile technology that can strike The Hague, Madrid or London within minutes of launch.

Merz: Putin “may be the most serious war criminal of our time”. Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that dealing with war criminals requires zero tolerance, specifically targeting Russian President Putin as potentially the current era’s worst offender

UK sanctions targeting Russian oil profiteers coming “very shortly”. The UK’s announcement comes as Europe steps up economic pressure on Russia, with coordinated measures aimed at limiting Moscow’s oil revenue and supporting Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.

Ukraine creates new security guarantee to protect itself from Russia, as Trump-Putin peace talks only end with more casualties. Ukraine produces 3,000km Flamingo missiles with $10 billion European funding as “best security guarantee.”

Western nations making progress on post-ceasefire security for Ukraine – Finnish President. Stubb said US coordination is key, but a ceasefire in Ukraine remains unlikely.

US finally began to “listen to Russia” under Trump, says Putin, denying plans to attack Europe. Putin’s denials of EU attack plans echo his identical 2022 statements before invading Ukraine, as NATO’s Supreme Commander warns the West has just 18 months to prepare for potential Russian-Chinese aggression.

Putin has just created alibi for himself at Shanghai summit for killing over 13,800 Ukrainian civilians

. He also says, America now “listens to Russia.”

Zelenskyy, Putin “not yet ready” for meeting – Erdoğan. Past talks have stalled, but Erdoğan says diplomacy is still possible.

Russian coal mines are collapsing under sanctions, yet Moscow is filling profit gap from occupied Ukrainian territories. Western sanctions demonstrate clear economic impact as Russian manufacturing contracts for three consecutive months.

Sanctions bite: Russian steel output collapses to lowest point since invasion. The metallurgy sector’s worst performance since Putin launched his invasion signals mounting strain on Russia’s military-industrial capacity.

Ukraine liberates Udachne village near Pokrovsk. After two weeks of house-to-house fighting, Ukrainian assault groups have liberated the village of Udachne in Donetsk Oblast, raising the national flag over the settlement located 10 kilometers west of the contested city of Pokrovsk.

About 2000 North Korean soldiers reportedly killed in war against Ukraine. Despite losing approximately 2,000 soldiers in Ukraine, North Korea is preparing to send 6,000 additional troops to Russia

Russian drones kill one in Kyiv Oblast strike as Ukraine shoots down 120 of 150 attack UAVs. One civilian died in Bila Tserkva during a Russian drone strike that damaged enterprise buildings and sparked multiple fires

Ukraine’s builders boom while factories bust in tale of two economies. Ukraine’s war economy splits in two: builders thrive on reconstruction demand while manufacturers struggle.

Read our previous report here.

The 10th underground school in Zaporizhzhia Oblast has opened its doors at Semenenko Lyceum in the Pavlivska community, the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration reports.

Ukraine’s underground classrooms provide secure spaces for students living in frontline regions to learn even during the threat of missile and drone attacks. These facilities aim to provide a sense of normalcy, protect students, and ensure education can continue uninterrupted during the war.

The school in Pavlivska is designed for 200 students, with 10 classrooms including a modern computer lab and a sports hall. An elevator ensures the facility is accessible and inclusive.

Before the new underground school opened, many students in Pavlivska had been learning remotely due to the ongoing threat of attacks in the region. 

This facility is part of Ukraine’s growing network of underground schools, providing safe education in frontline areas.

Similar schools have been built in Kharkiv, where metro stations were converted into classrooms for thousands of students.

Across Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine has already opened multiple underground schools, including missile-proof facilities designed to protect children from attacks and even potential nuclear threats.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on the evening of 3 September, a day before the “Coalition of the Willing” summit scheduled for 4 September, according to an undisclosed source at the Élysée Palace cited by European Pravda.

The meeting comes as Ukraine continues to press for security guarantees from Western allies amid efforts towards a ceasefire with Russia.

The Paris summit will bring together countries ready to provide security guarantees to Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached, with the aim of coordinating technical and strategic measures to strengthen Ukraine’s defense and support the enforcement of peace efforts.

A French official told European Pravda that the talks aim to convey that the countries ready and able to provide security guarantees have completed their planning. They said that chiefs of staff and defense ministers have already completed the necessary groundwork.

“Today we are ready to provide these security guarantees,” the official said, adding that the effort also includes support for applying pressure on Russia to achieve a ceasefire.

The “Coalition of the Willing” summit will take place in a hybrid format under the joint leadership of Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is expected to join. 

Discussions are likely to cover potential deployment of peacekeeping forces, as highlighted recently by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.

This meeting follows earlier efforts by Ukraine to secure Western security guarantees. Western nations are continuing to develop frameworks for post-ceasefire security in Ukraine, but many believe that a ceasefire remains unlikely in the near term. 

The upcoming Paris talks are seen as a continuation of these efforts, providing Ukraine with a platform to push for concrete commitments on security guarantees and measures to strengthen pressure on Russia.

Ukraine’s state defense group Ukroboronprom has revealed the specifications of its updated “Palianytsia” kamikaze drone at the MSPO international defense exhibition in Kielce, Poland, according to Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi.

The upgraded drone gives Ukraine a long-range, domestically produced option for striking stationary land and naval targets deep inside Russian territory. It was developed in response to restrictions on the use of Western long-range missiles and reflects ongoing efforts to scale production and reduce costs.

The Palianytsia is not a new weapon – Ukraine first unveiled it in 2024, and it has already seen combat. Ukrainian officials say it was created out of urgent necessity, while its cost-effective design offers a long-range alternative to Western missiles.

The redesigned “Palianytsia”

The new model, presented a year after the drone’s initial debut, features redesigned wings, a longer fuselage, and modified tail surfaces. It measures 3.5 meters long with a 1.7-meter wingspan and weighs 320 kilograms, one third of which is a 100-kilogram warhead.

The drone can fly up to 650 kilometers at speeds of 900 km/h and operates at altitudes between 15 and 500 meters. It is powered by a turbojet engine and launched with a solid-fuel booster. Navigation combines inertial guidance, resistant to electronic jamming, with satellite correction for accuracy.

Proven in combat

The developers describe the drone as intended to strike targets deep behind enemy lines, including stationary land and naval positions. Its first reported combat deployment was on 24 August 2024. Details of that strike were not disclosed, but officials have announced plans to scale up production and reduce costs. 

The name “Palianytsia” comes from a traditional Ukrainian bread. During the war, it has taken on symbolic meaning, since Ukrainians can pronounce it easily while Russians often struggle – turning it into a cultural marker of identity and resistance.

At MSPO, the drone was displayed alongside other systems. Poland’s WB Group showcased a mock-up of its “Lanca” cruise missile, while Ukrainian company Ukrainian Armor presented the “Krechet,” a mobile command unit that integrates air-defense systems, mobile fire teams, and radars.

The UK is set to unveil additional sanctions targeting Russia, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in Parliament on Wednesday, Sky News reports.

The new measures are expected to target individuals profiting from Russian oil. Lammy said that an announcement would be made “very shortly,” without providing further details.

Lammy highlighted Britain’s previous measures, including lowering the Russian oil price cap – a move designed to limit Moscow’s revenue from exports while avoiding major disruptions to global energy markets – which he described as “essential.”

He also noted Britain’s role in enacting what he described as the “largest package of sanctions anywhere in the world against Putin’s war machine.”

This development comes as the European Union is discussing its 19th sanctions package, which may include secondary sanctions on countries aiding Moscow.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Tuesday that Western countries are continuing to develop a framework for security guarantees for Ukraine, Reuters reports.

The discussions are focused on planning security arrangements for Ukraine after a potential ceasefire, with Western officials working to ensure protection without provoking further escalation.

Stubb added that any Western security measures would depend on a peace agreement with Russia, but he said he is not optimistic a ceasefire will be achieved soon.

Russia’s repeated rejection of Western security proposals for Ukraine puts the process in doubt. European leaders have emphasized that Moscow’s consent is essential. 

Stubb said coordination with the United States is central, as it would provide the main support for any post-ceasefire security arrangement. “We are working closely with our military chiefs to draw up concrete plans for what these security operations could look like,” he said.

German officials have previously stressed that Ukraine would need NATO-style security guarantees before any peace deal. 

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that the leaders of Ukraine and Russia are “not yet ready” for a face-to-face meeting, Reuters reports.

Previous efforts to bring the two sides together have failed to materialise, with lower-level negotiations showing little progress toward ending the war.

Türkiye supports “raising the level of negotiations gradually”, with the ultimate goal being a direct meeting between the two leaders. Erdoğan believes this to be the only way to achieve concrete results for peace. 

The Turkish president made the comments following his trip to China, where he met with Russian president Vladimir Putin and said he called Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy by phone. 

He also said that the diplomatic path to peace remains open, demonstrated by talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Istanbul in recent months. 

Türkiye has taken an active role in mediation since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, keeping channels with both countries open and hosting diplomatic meetings between officials from the two warring countries.

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Read our previous daily report here.

Germany is reconsidering its position on sending troops to enforce ceasefire efforts in Ukraine, a shift from its stance two weeks ago, Bild reports. 

Following talks at the Alaska summit, Germany signaled readiness to send troops to Ukraine as part of a potential peacekeeping mission should the war be frozen. 

However, with the realization that Russia is unlikely to agree to ceasefire proposals, German officials are now prioritizing financial support to strengthen Ukraine’s defense, according to Bild. 

Both Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil have expressed skepticism about peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, citing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lack of interest in negotiations. 

Financial support as a form of “security guarantee” allows Germany to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities without direct military involvement. 

“Even if the guns fall silent and there is an agreement between Russia and Ukraine, the German government wants to secure the security guarantee primarily with money,” Bild reports, citing government sources.

Bild reports that Germany may cover part of Ukrainian soldiers’ salaries, while continuing training and supporting expanded weapons production with German defense firms.

Deploying German soldiers to monitor a ceasefire is “off the table for now,” with changes only possible if Trump acts and Russia ends the war, which “shows no signs” of happening, government sources said.

Ukraine pushes for stronger Western security commitments

The concept of security guarantees for Ukraine has been a central topic in international discussions in recent weeks. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has outlined a three-pillar framework, focusing on sustained military support, NATO-level backing, and continued sanctions against Russia as key elements of any post-war arrangement.

However, Russia has broadly rejected Western proposals, calling them attempts to turn Ukraine into a “strategic provocateur” on its borders. This refusal complicates any potential implementation of security guarantees.

Discussions in the West, including considerations of additional support mechanisms such as private military contractors, continue as countries seek ways to bolster Ukraine’s defense while avoiding direct military escalation. 

Russian forces launched a series of drone and artillery attacks on Kherson on the morning of 31 August, causing significant damage to civilian and public infrastructure, local officials reported.

Civilians are frequently targeted in the city, with homes, public spaces, and energy facilities regularly hit, leaving residents at constant risk.

“A woman was fatally injured in the Dniprovskyi district after an explosive device was dropped from a drone,” said Oleksandr Prokudin, head of Kherson Regional Military Administration.

The National Police of Ukraine also reported that Russian forces shelled a park in the Central district, killing a 74-year-old man. 

Other strikes damaged homes, garages, and vehicles, and left several residents and police officers injured across Kherson Oblast.

Kherson sits on the bank of the Dnipro River, directly opposite Russian-held territory, making it vulnerable to repeated short-range attacks.

Since its liberation in November 2022, residents have faced so-called “human safaris,” in which Russian forces hunt civilians in the streets using explosive drones.