Ukraine Invasion: Part 58

[MagicFox]

We’re all still here for Thread 58. Thanks to all regular contributors, especially those doing the daily hard work. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-6-2025/

Key Takeaways

1. Ukrainian officials warned that the Russian military command is regrouping and reinforcing its troops in western Donetsk Oblast, likely ahead of a major offensive operation.
2. Russian forces are also attempting to interdict key Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) in western Donetsk Oblast in order to complicate Ukrainian logistics and enable further Russian advances during future offensive efforts in Donetsk Oblast.
3. Recent geolocated footage indicates that Russian forces have likely advanced into northwestern Kupyansk following the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD)’s efforts to falsely portray limited infiltrations as enduring advances.
4. Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Lyman and Russian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk, Lyman, Pokrovsk, and Velykomykhailivka.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Russia preparing 'decisive breakthrough' (kyivindependent.com/russia-preparing-decisive-breakthrough-near-pokrovsk-ukrainian-military-says/) near Pokrovsk, Ukrainian military says.
Russian troops near Pokrovsk are attempting to secure new positions and expand the boundaries of the "gray zone," according to Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces.

⚡️Fires reported at residential buildings in Kyiv (https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-heard-as-russia-launches-hundreds-of-drones-towards-ukrainian-cities/) as Russia launches hundreds of drones, missiles towards Ukraine.

⚡️Reuters withdraws Putin-Xi immortality video (kyivindependent.com/reuters-withdraws-putin-xi-immortality-video-after-chinese-legal-objections/) after Chinese legal objections.
Reuters on Sept. 5 withdrew a video in which Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed whether humans could live to 150 years old, after China's state broadcaster revoked permission to use the footage.

⚡️ Trump says he'd 'love' to host Putin (kyivindependent.com/trump-says-hed-love-to-host-putin-xi-at-next-years-g20-summit-in-us/), Xi at next year's G20 summit in US.
When asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to join the G20 summit in Miami, Trump said he would "love them to if they want to."

⚡️Fico says Putin interested in meeting Zelensky outside Moscow, as Russian leader contradicts (kyivindependent.com/putin-expressed-interest-in-meeting-zelensky-outside-moscow-fico-says/).

⚡️Ukrainian drones reportedly strike (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drones-reportedly-strike-russias-ilsky-oil-refinery-media-reports/) Russia's Ilsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar Krai, media reports.

⚡️ Update: Polish protesters lift (kyivindependent.com/polish-protesters-launch-another-ukraine-border-blockade-amid-heightened-tensions/) Ukraine border blockade after few hours.
Polish protesters have stopped blocking trucks at the Medyka crossing by 3:30 p.m. Kyiv time, Ukrainian Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko told Ukrainska Pravda.

⚡️Nearly 60% of Ukrainian forces' weapons domestically produced (kyivindependent.com/nearly-60-of-ukrainian-forces-weapons-domestically-produced-zelensky-says/), Zelensky says.
"During this war, Ukraine has already reached the level where nearly 60% of the weapons we have, weapons in the hands of our warriors, are Ukrainian-made, and they are strong weapons, many of them cutting-edge," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Sept. 6.

⚡️ Russia airdrops fake banknotes (kyivindependent.com/russia-airdrops-fake-banknotes-in-ukrainian-border-region-offering-collaboration/) in Ukraine, seeking collaborators.
Leaflets in the form of 100-hryvnia banknotes offered real money in exchange for coordinates of Ukrainian forces, the police said.

⚡️ Ukraine detains fugitive lawmaker (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-detains-fugitive-lawmaker-suspected-of-collaborating-with-russia/) suspected of collaboration with Russia.
The Kyiv Independent's law enforcement source identified the suspect as Fedir Khrystenko, a 41-year-old lawmaker and a former member of the now-banned pro-Russian party, Opposition Platform — For Life.

⚡️Russian drone strikes in Zaporizhzhia (kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-strikes-in-zaporizhzhia-injure-4-destroy-kindergarten/) injure 4, destroy kindergarten.

⚡️Update: 2 killed (kyivindependent.com/explosions-heard-as-russia-launches-hundreds-of-drones-towards-ukrainian-cities/), 20 injured in large-scale attack on Kyiv.
The number of injured victims has risen to 13 amid Russia's large-scale attack on residential buildings in Kyiv, Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration reported.
Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 810 Shahed-type drones during the attack, making it the largest such attack of the full-scale invasion. Thirteen cruise and ballistic missiles were also launched.

[...]11 people were killed and 71 injured in the overnight attack across Ukraine. Those figures reflect the total casualties across Ukraine over the past 24 hours, including the overnight attack.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — SEP 7, 2025 (1/2)
■ Overnight attacks: Largest to date, with 92% intercepted by air defence
■ Casualties at their highest in three weeks, while engagements remain slightly below average
■ Nearly three hundred drones downed; 11 APVs destroyed
■ Increase in MLRS strikes

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️For the first time, more than 800 drones and missiles were launched in a single night. For the first time since the start of the full-scale war, Russia struck the Ukrainian Government building in Kyiv. This marks a serious escalation, said Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha regarding another Russian attack on Ukraine.

Budanov: Russia may announce new mobilization and is preparing $1.2 trillion rearmament
HUR Chief Kyrylo Budanov stated that Moscow could launch a new wave of mobilization, sharply increasing troop numbers “and sending even more people to the front lines.”
Key points from Budanov:
▫️ Exercises by Russia and Belarus do not pose a threat to Ukraine
▫️ Cases of cannibalism have been reported in the Russian army due to hunger at the front
▫️ The Kremlin plans a strike on Europe around 2030 and is preparing a large-scale rearmament valued at $1.2 trillion

🔥 Drones struck 24.2% of Russia’s oil refining capacity in August. Five of the seven targeted refineries completely or partially halted operations, the Unmanned Systems Forces reported.

‼️ 818 enemy targets were recorded this night. Air defense forces shot down 747 UAVs and 4 missiles, the Air Force reported.
The Russians also launched 9 Iskander-K cruise missiles and 4 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles. Four Iskander-Ks were destroyed during combat operations.

❗️ The Russian Armed Forces launched a massive combined attack on Ukraine. What is known:
▪️ In Kyiv, the Sviatoshynskyi and Darnytskyi districts suffered the most. Three people were killed — two women and a baby — and at least 13 were injured. Multi-story buildings were damaged, and cars in parking lots and warehouses caught fire.
▪️ In Odesa, the Sports Palace, civilian infrastructure and residential buildings were damaged. A “Shahed” broke through the concrete wall of a residential building.
▪️ In Kremenchuk, Russians struck the bridge over the Dnipro, and traffic was temporarily blocked.
▪️ In Zaporizhzhia, 17 people were injured in the evening. The occupiers struck again at night, targeting the same facilities.
▪️ In Sumy region, a woman was killed and seven people, including a child, were injured.
▪️ Power outages were reported in Kryvyi Rih, where three locations were hit.
About 900 UAVs attacked Ukraine during the night, along with ballistic and cruise missiles.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko, confirmed there was a fire in the government building.
“Yes, for the first time, the government building—its roof and upper floors—has been damaged due to a hostile attack. Rescuers are extinguishing the fire,” she wrote on Telegram. https://t.me/United24media/35177

🥀 Russia killed a woman and her two-month-old son in Kyiv.
According to the National Police, the strike partially destroyed a nine-story building in the Sviatoshynskyi district.
Rescuers pulled the bodies of a young woman and her baby from the rubble. Two patrol police officers were injured.

Endurance Horse Sport Club in Kyiv region was targeted as a result of a massive Russian attack overnight. At least seven horses were killed as a result, according to reports by local media.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Nothing extra not covered elsewhere.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Video shows the moment of the strike on a bridge in Kremenchuk.
Due to the damage, Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) has altered the routes of several trains over the coming days.
t.me/liveukraine_media/34179

With reference to scale of the continuing attacks funny how it's gone all quiet from certain people in office when it comes to the idea of ending the war in two weeks...(or else).

"Endurance Horse Sport Club in Kyiv region was targeted as a result of a massive Russian attack overnight. At least seven horses were killed as a result, according to reports by local media."
Russia is sick in the head. Time before, they attacked a rest home for horses. For what purpose?

Budanov: Russia may announce new mobilization and is preparing $1.2 trillion rearmament.
Trump had Putin scurrying to him at the threat of secondary sanctions and blew it. Instead they discussed trade.
I feel a deep gloom about the situation now. Not helped by reading the Ukrainian press, the mood there has changed for the worse.
How different from the first year of hope and confidence. Remember the clever videos Ukraine made and how they laughed at the enemy.

Putin's slowly manoevering Trump into accepting trade with Russia and normalization again. He knows he's dealing with someone who can't see things in terms of values other than trade and business.

They're mates now.
Can it really be true that US is importing Russian eggs and what is it about the US and eggs? It's as though the state of the economy is judged on the egg price.
I dread the thought of a Reform government here. Farage is a miniature version of Trump in a turquoise suit and even using the same Trumpisms.
Farage hosts a political show on television and can barely hide his admiration for Putin and Russia.
I don't believe the war can last another three and a half years until the next election. Just as well, as Reform wouldn't support Ukraine.

Beat me to it Ducks. I was posting about the eggs.
Oh for an honest leader with a backbone, they're such slippery creatures.

He's too busy making the US government more efficient by - er - spending $1bn rebranding the Department of Defense to the "Department of War". On the basis that the Truman administration was too "woke" in 1947. Or something.

Something is happening with the price of eggs all over. First there was great laughter about the huge rise in price of eggs in Russia, now its happened in the US. I don't think those are the only countries either. Each side is pointing at the other and using eggs as an excuse for saying how bad things are in the other place tho.

I have a feeling that bird flu has been a big issue in a few countries leading to culls.

The price of eggs in the UK, in Lidl where I buy the free-range ones, has gone up a great deal, having been 89p for 12 (large) in late 2018, 99p in 2019, then £1.59 at the end of 2020 and £1.89 at the end of 2021. They had reached £2.69 by the end of 2023 and are now £2.89 last time I bought some last month.

Whether this was because of bird flu or simply because they could I have no idea.

The spike in egg prices and egg shortages in the US was over last spring. Supply and prices are now back to normal. I just paid 10 USD for 36 extra large eggs at the warehouse club. They were about double that price in February.

That's because rubbish Russian eggs are in UHP food. Good eggs are on the shelves.
I had visions of the stock market opening on the price of eggs.
I bet you eat more eggs than us. Do children have an egg for breakfast or French toast? Kids here tend to have cereal or toast these days.
We're as bad, chicken comes in from God knows where and we've never stopped taking Russian oil. We finance Russia and Ukraine. Crazy World.

Talking of crazy. Starmer took the time to condemn the bombing of minister's offices in Kyiv.
Are they off limits then? Far worse has happened to civilians that he's never commented on.
Would a Flamingo reach Red Square?

I do eat a lot of eggs. I need a high protein diet, and they're a cheap source of high quality protein. The ones I just bough have a best used by date of the end of October, and they'll be gone long before then.

All eggs in the US meet the same quality standards. It's the smaller ones that get used in prepared foods, as people don't want to be bothered with cooking them here.

Cereal consumption in the US has been trending down for year, as has the consumption of fluid milk. My kids were never big breakfast eaters, though DD did like pancakes.

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-7-2025/

Key Takeaways

1. Russia launched its largest combined drone and missile strike against Ukraine of the war to date on the night of September 6 to 7 with 823 total projectiles.
2. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) attempted to deny that Russian forces struck civilian infrastructure across Ukraine or the Cabinet of Ministers building within Kyiv City.
3. Russian drone strike packages against Ukraine will likely continue to expand as long as Russia is able to increase its long-range strike drone production.
4. Russia is continuing to expand its long-range strike drone production in part due to support from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
5. Russia’s latest strikes against Ukraine further demonstrate that Russian President Vladimir Putin is disinterested in ending his war in Ukraine and stopping the killing.
6. Ukraine continued its attacks against military and oil infrastructure in Russia on the night of September 6 to 7.
7. Ukrainian forces advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka and Dobropillya tactical areas. Russian forces advanced in northern Kharkiv Oblast.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Ukraine retook (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-regains-5-times-more-territory-than-it-lost-in-august-near-pokrovsk-syrskyi-says/) 5 times more territory than it lost near Pokrovsk in August, Syrskyi says.
Ukrainian forces lost 5 square kilometers but regained control of 26 square kilometers in the Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk Oblast in August, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

⚡️ Ukraine recaptures another village (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-troops-recapture-village-in-donetsk-oblast-from-russian-forces/) in Donetsk Oblast from Russian troops, military says.
Zarichne's strategic importance comes from its position near key transport routes connecting Sloviansk and Lyman.

⚡️Russia has recruited 280,000 contract soldiers (kyivindependent.com/russia-has-recruited-280-000-contract-soldiers-in-2025-military-intelligence-says/) in 2025, military intelligence says.
Propaganda campaigns and "large payments" to contract soldiers contribute to Russia's recruitment success, intelligence official Vadym Skibitskyi said.

⚡️Russia plans to produce (kyivindependent.com/russia-plans-to-produce-nearly-2-500-precision-missiles-in-2025-hur-says/) nearly 2,500 high-precision missiles in 2025, military intelligence says.
In addition to missile production, Russia plans to manufacture a range of modern military hardware by the end of 2025, including 57 combat aircraft.

⚡️Trump claims he's ready for 'second phase' (kyivindependent.com/trump-claims-hes-ready-for-second-phase-of-sanctions-against-russia/) of sanctions against Russia.

⚡️Update: Trump 'not thrilled' (kyivindependent.com/trump-claims-hes-ready-for-second-phase-of-sanctions-against-russia/) with Russia's mass attack, will speak with Putin 'very soon.'
"I am not thrilled with what’s happening there," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters.
"I believe we're going to get it settled. But I am not happy with them. I'm not happy with anything having to do with that war."

⚡️ 'We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia (kyivindependent.com/us-treasurys-bessent-pushes-for-joint-eu-action-on-russian-oil-buyers-to-increase-pressure-on-moscow/),' US Treasury's Bessent says.
The U.S. is prepared to work with European allies on new sanctions targeting countries that buy Russian oil.

⚡️ Alaska summit with Trump (kyivindependent.com/trumps-alaska-summit-gave-putin-what-he-wanted-zelensky-says/) 'gave Putin what he wanted,' Zelensky says.

⚡️ Slovak prime minister's ally compares Ukraine to Hamas (kyivindependent.com/slovak-prime-ministers-ally-compares-ukraine-to-hamas-claims-russia-was-provoked/), claims Russia was 'provoked.'
"This is the same kind of provoked conflict as when terrorists from Palestine attacked Israel. The war developed in exactly the same way," Deputy chairman of Slovakia's ruling Smer party and member of parliament, Tibor Gaspar, said.

⚡️'Responsibility is inevitable' — Ukraine's military intelligence honors anniversary by plastering Moscow (kyivindependent.com/responsibility-is-inevitable-ukraines-military-intelligence-honors-anniversary-by-plastering-moscow-with-greeting-cards/) with 'greeting cards.'
Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) celebrated its 33rd anniversary on Sept. 7 by posting "greeting cards" from Ukraine in public places throughout Moscow, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent.
"Residents of the capital of so-called Russia can obviously expect special congratulations from Ukrainian military intelligence soon."

⚡️ Update: Russia suffered nearly 300,000 soldiers killed, injured (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-regains-5-times-more-territory-than-it-lost-in-august-near-pokrovsk-syrskyi-says/) in 2025, Syrskyi says.
This number included 28,790 casualties incurred in August alone, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

⚡️Ukrainian refugee stabbed (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-refugee-stabbed-to-death-in-north-carolina-suspect-charged-with-murder/) to death in North Carolina, suspect charged with murder.
A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Aug. 22, The Charlotte Observer reported.

⚡️Death toll in Russia's Sept. 7 mass attack (kyivindependent.com/explosions-heard-as-russia-launches-hundreds-of-drones-towards-ukrainian-cities/) rises to 5.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — SEP 8, 2025 (1/2)
■ Casualties stay above average, engagements below
■ Record number of downed drones (previous record set on Aug 29)
■ Visually confirmed batch: 24 🇷🇺 (net) : 10 🇺🇦 — 30-day ratio rises to 1.1x
■ Overnight attacks: All drones, decent interception rate
■ Most daily MLRS strikes since May 26, but trend still downwards

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

F-16 pilot Oleksii Mes, aged 30, died on August 26, 2024, during a combat mission. By decree of Ukraine’s President, he was posthumously honored with the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Golden Star.

Germany stockpiles strategic reserves of canned food, including ravioli, in case of war with Russia — The Washington Post.
The country’s Agriculture Minister, Alois Rainer, has proposed adding more ready-to-eat foods to the reserves for wartime or other emergencies, such as canned ravioli and lentils.
The initiative is expected to cost about $105 million.

Russia attacked a thermal power facility in the Kyiv region — Ministry of Energy
Emergency responders and energy specialists are working to eliminate the consequences of the attack.

🙏 Pregnant woman injured in Russian attack on Kyiv gives birth, doctors fight for her life
In Kyiv, doctors performed an emergency cesarean section on a pregnant woman injured in the September 7 Russian attack. The baby was delivered prematurely and placed in intensive care. The mother is in extremely serious condition with deep burns, and doctors are fighting for her life.

A young mother, Viktoria from Kyiv, was among the victims of a Russian missile strike. Her infant son, Roman, was also killed in the attack last night.

💔 Yuliia Svyrydenko showed what the Cabinet looks like after the Russian attack.
“Time to act. Ukraine needs more air defense systems to protect the sky and energy infrastructure, especially before winter. Sanctions pressure on Russia must be increased to reduce resources for its military machine,” the Prime Minister wrote.

Moon eclipse in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Trump signaled a new diplomatic push to resolve Russia’s war in Ukraine, (www.kyivpost.com/post/59627) telling reporters he will speak Putin “very soon” and that unnamed European leaders will visit the US to discuss a resolution.

The EU is considering new sanctions against about six Russian banks and energy companies, Bloomberg reports.
An EU delegation will visit Washington this week to discuss possible joint action.

Trump’s envoy Kellog warns of dangerous escalation (www.kyivpost.com/post/59639) after Russian strike on Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers.
“The attack was not a signal that Russia wants to diplomatically end this war.”

A Ukrainian drone strike caused “comprehensive fire damage” (www.kyivpost.com/post/59635) to Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline in the Bryansk region, the commander of Kyiv’s drone forces says.

With regard to continued attacks on the energy infrastructure I'll offer up this;

https://blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy/2023/04/20/protection-energy-infrastructure-armed-conflict/

And observe that the marching masses in some countries continue to have a blind spot when it comes to the actions of Russia but are yelling "war crimes" at the drop of a hat when it comes to other conflicts.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

In August, Ukraine’s Defense Forces lost 5 km² on the Pokrovsk front but regained control over 26 km².
A similar ratio in Ukraine’s favor was recorded on the Dobropillia front, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
He added that Russian forces have concentrated their main effort on the Pokrovsk direction, deploying their largest assault grouping there in an attempt to break through Ukrainian defenses.

🇩🇪 Germany to allocate a record €10 billion for civil protection by 2029.
The German government is set to invest the largest sum in decades as part of a major plan to strengthen its civil protection system.
The funds will be used to purchase new fire and medical vehicles, equipment for rescue services, mobile command units, and to develop digital communication and warning systems. They will also go toward the modernization of shelters — currently, only 579 remain across the country.
Germany will also conduct joint exercises involving the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, emergency services, and the Bundeswehr. Special focus will be placed on restoring the siren network and introducing modern mobile phone-based alert systems.

🇵🇱 Drone debris found near Poland–Belarus border.
Fragments of an unidentified flying object were discovered in a cornfield near Terespol, just 300 meters from the Belarusian border.
The information was reported to the police by border post personnel around 10:00 p.m. on September 7.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the drone was found without an explosive payload and had Cyrillic markings.

In Mariupol, the occupiers have destroyed all Ukrainian murals, monuments, and pedestals.
The city is now being filled with wall art featuring Russian tricolors, propaganda about “friendship with Russian cities,” “heroes of the special military operation,” and images of Peter I and Catherine II.
The occupiers have also renamed Azovstal Street to Tula Avenue and installed a monument to a gingerbread and samovar.
According to the Mariupol City Council, all of this is being done to symbolically de-Ukrainianize the city and impose pro-Russian narratives.

Thanks for doing round ups @ReleaseTheDucksOfWar. Just signed in to do it but relieved it’s done as I’m away till tomorrow. Happy to do Wednesday instead.