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 🇺🇦

Agreed thread guidance:

A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events

B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content

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UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

🇵🇱 Poland is preparing legislative changes that would allow it to shoot down Russian drones over Ukraine without NATO approval, according to Gazeta Wyborcza.
Journalists note that the new “shoot first, ask later” approach will give the Polish military greater flexibility in responding to threats.

“Lavrov has been Russia’s foreign minister since the birth of Jesus Christ, and nothing useful has ever come out of his mouth. Let’s not pay too much attention to him,” said NATO Secretary General Rutte about Lavrov.

On September 25, the Russian army launched a massive drone attack on Sumy, with strikes recorded in different parts of the city. The State Emergency Service assisted residents, while information on casualties is still being clarified.

The blackout at the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP has continued for a second day, creating a critical situation that threatens not only Ukraine but also European countries, Energoatom reported.
On September 23, as a result of another provocation by Russian forces, the power transmission line supplying the plant from Ukraine’s energy system was damaged. With no external power, the plant is forced to rely on diesel generators.
On the Ukrainian-controlled side, the line remains operational and has no technical obstacles to use. However, the occupiers deliberately refuse to reconnect the plant, while conducting a disinformation campaign against Ukraine.
Diesel generators are intended only for emergency supply and cannot cover the plant’s needs for long. Their shutdown could result in a loss of control over the facility’s nuclear safety.

Türkiye signed a nuclear agreement with the United States.

Ukraine will begin exporting its own drones this year, with an offer already received from an African country, President Zelenskyy said.
He noted that Ukraine has a strong drone industry with over 300 technology companies, about 30 of which are large. Export platforms will be created in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.

North Korea is in the final stages of developing a missile capable of delivering a nuclear weapon to the United States, South Korean President Lee Jae-myeon said.
He noted that the only unresolved technical issue is the technology for a warhead’s reentry into the atmosphere. According to him, Pyongyang sees its missile program both as leverage in negotiations with Washington and as a guarantee of regime stability.
Lee also said that Trump is the only leader who could become a partner for dialogue with North Korea. In August, Trump announced the possibility of a meeting with Kim Jong-un.
The South Korean president further called for negotiations to halt the production of new nuclear warheads that could be exported.

Unidentified drones were spotted over military installations in Mourmelon-le-Grand, France, RFI reported.
They were small devices, unlike those used for military purposes. At present, there are no grounds to consider this foreign interference, the outlet noted. (@notimeagain)

A Russian warship has been spotted near the border of Danish territorial waters, Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet reports.
The Russian amphibious assault ship Alexander Shabalin has been stationed in international waters about 12 kilometers off the Danish island of Langeland in recent days. It remained motionless on the edge of Danish waters with its AIS signal switched off, making it undetectable through standard tracking systems. Journalists confirmed its location using helicopter footage.
The ship is positioned 70 to 270 kilometers from several airports and military facilities where unidentified UAVs have recently been spotted. Local police confirmed that its presence is being considered as evidence in the investigation into the drone incidents.
Military experts suggest that vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet may have been used for the attacks. Danish Armed Forces Intelligence analyst Jacob Karsbo told the outlet that the warship could have served as a drone base, though he also noted it might have been used as a distraction or simply as an intimidation tactic.
European authorities have previously suspected Russia of using ships to spy on military facilities. In one case, German law enforcement officers stopped and searched a Russian vessel on suspicion it was launching a drone; most of the crew were Russian citizens.

The European Union has already reduced oil and gas imports from Russia by 80%, Kaja Kallas said.
She noted that the United States should use its influence on Hungary and Slovakia to push them to abandon Russian energy. Washington has enough “leverage” over these states, she added. [which is rather admitting openly that the EU itself does not]

Russian propagandist Tigran Keosayan has died, his wife, propagandist Margarita Simonyan, announced. Earlier this year, she wrote that Keosayan had suffered clinical death and fallen into a coma due to a heart condition.
Keosayan was a Russian TV presenter known for his pro-Kremlin stance. Together with his wife, the editor-in-chief of RT, he actively promoted propaganda against Ukraine.
He was sanctioned by the EU, Canada, the UK, and Ukraine for supporting the war and inciting hatred.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

US Defense Secretary urgently summons hundreds of generals and admirals for a closed-door meeting next week, sparking concern among top military brass — Washington Post

The US military has around 800 generals and admirals, (www.kyivpost.com/post/60916) with each commander expected to travel with advisers and aides, the gathering could run into the thousands.

If we cannot take back the territories by force, we are ready to reclaim them in the future through diplomacy. This is a good compromise — Zelensky

‘Married to one pipeline’ - Trump ‘disappointed’ (www.kyivpost.com/post/60885) as landlocked allies resist halting Russian energy.

Russian drones hit Chernihiv and Nizhyn, striking infrastructure and leaving 30,000 without power. (www.kyivpost.com/post/60869)
“Chernihiv is under attack again… no countermeasures in almost the entire region,” a monitoring channel wrote.

Zelensky said that Trump had realized Putin would not bring him success, noting that the American people do not trust Putin and that public support is crucial for Trump.

A massive fire erupted in Russia’s Smolensk region after a fuel train slammed into a truck, sending more than 10 wagons off the rails.
The blaze tore through the site, forcing the cancellation of several trains between Belarus and Russia.

Russia’s 2026–2028 budget focuses on social support, defense, and industrial/tech projects, (www.kyivpost.com/post/60896) with $483–551B revenues, $529–593B spending, and officials differing on deficit. The figures vary from 1.6% officially claimed to 2.2% estimated by The Bell.

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska met with US First Lady Melania Trump (www.kyivpost.com/post/60788) on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 24, highlighting a shared commitment to protecting children affected by war.

Were Russian jets sent over Alaska (www.kyivpost.com/post/60859) in response to Trump telling NATO to protect its airspace?

Daniel Fried, former US Ambassador, tells Kyiv Post (www.kyivpost.com/post/60887) that Moscow is exploiting divisions and only military firmness – backed by the US – will deter further escalation across Europe

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇩🇪🛰 German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has warned of a growing Russian threat in space.
Pistorius pointed to concerns about two Russian “Olymp-K” satellites that have been monitoring Intelsat communication satellites, which are used by the German armed forces and other countries.
“Russia and China have rapidly expanded their space warfare capabilities in recent years: they can disrupt satellite operations, blind satellites, manipulate them, or destroy them kinetically,” the minister added.

🇨🇳 Chinese engineers visited a Russian drone production facility and took part in UAV tests, Reuters reports, citing sources and documents.
According to the report, since last year Chinese experts have made several visits to the Russian defense plant Kupol, which is under Western sanctions.
During this time, the plant received shipments of Chinese strike and reconnaissance drones via a Russian intermediary.
Earlier, Reuters reported that Kupol had set up production of Harpiya-3 drones in China. It has now emerged that Chinese engineers were also involved in testing military UAVs inside Russia.
A group of Chinese specialists visited Kupol’s facilities in Izhevsk to assemble drones and train the company’s personnel in their use. They later traveled to a training ground in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region, where drone testing takes place.

[more info] 🇭🇺 Hungarian fighter jets intercepted five Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
The flyby of a Russian Su-30, Su-35, and three MiG-31s was recorded near Latvian airspace.
Two Gripen jets of the Hungarian Air Force took off from Lithuania’s Šiauliai air base to intercept them.

🇩🇪🇱🇻 The Rheinmetall group will build a 155 mm artillery-shell production plant in Latvia.
The parties signed the corresponding memorandum on 25 September in Hamburg. Investment in the project will amount to €275 million.
Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with production starting in 2027. Exports are expected to exceed €3 billion within ten years.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger emphasized that the partnership benefits both sides, saying it “will strengthen Latvia’s national sovereignty in the field of ammunition and reinforce the German company’s position as a world leader in artillery-ammunition production.”

🪖 Russia has shifted to a “death by a thousand cuts” tactic on the battlefield since the summer, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
Russian forces are now using small assault groups of 4–6 soldiers to infiltrate Ukrainian positions. This tactic was first employed on the Dobropillia axis and is currently being applied on the Novopavlivka axis.
Syrskyi noted that after a series of heavy battles near Pokrovsk, the enemy, thanks to its significant manpower and equipment advantage, managed to push in separate groups 12 to 20 km deep.
“Foreseeing such developments, we redeployed units to cut the enemy grouping along the Kazennyi Torets River. Those enemy elements that pushed deep are now trapped in a ‘pocket.’ At the same time, we closed the line with airborne units from both the north and the south. The enemy is now essentially being destroyed,” the commander said.
According to him, Ukrainian forces on the Dobropillia axis have already liberated 168 km² and cleared another 182 km² of enemy sabotage-reconnaissance groups — a total of about 360 km².
Syrskyi added that after Ukraine’s successful actions, Russia abandoned its offensive on the Novopavlivka axis and redeployed its naval infantry to the Dobropillia front.

🇮🇳 India is asking the United States to allow it to buy Iranian oil instead of Russian crude, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.
Indian officials told President Donald Trump’s administration that they would cut imports of Russian oil only if given permission to purchase supplies from sanctioned providers — Iran and Venezuela.
The Indian delegation visiting Washington this week reiterated this request during meetings with U.S. officials. They emphasized that stopping imports of Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan oil at the same time could drive up global prices.
India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said the country also wants to increase purchases of American oil and gas.
▪️At the end of August, Bloomberg reported that India’s state-owned refiners had resumed buying Russian oil despite higher trade duties and criticism from Trump administration officials.

Seventeen more Ukrainian children have been rescued from the temporarily occupied territories.
Among them is a 17-year-old boy who was taken in the middle of the night by Russian troops for hours of interrogation at gunpoint, without his parents or any legal guardians present. He was threatened and intimidated because of his pro-Ukrainian stance.
A 16-year-old girl was threatened with being taken away from her mother after refusing Russian documents and education under the occupation curriculum.
A 15-year-old boy and his 13-year-old sister miraculously survived a cluster munitions attack. Later, the occupation authorities forced them to choose: either attend a Russian school or the family would have to leave their home.

🇷🇴🇦🇪 Romanian mercenary Horațiu Potru has been detained in Dubai. In his home country, he is accused of attempting a coup and having ties to Russia.
Potru is sometimes dubbed the “Romanian Prigozhin” by local media for his involvement in mercenary operations in Africa.
Romanian authorities accuse him of preparing a coup in December last year, when the Constitutional Court disqualified far-right pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu from the presidential race and annulled the election results.
Georgescu is seen as the organizer of the coup, while Potru is described as the main executor.
Part of the indictment focuses on the conspirators’ connections to Russia, mentioning several companies allegedly linked to the Kremlin. According to prosecutors, these firms specialized in promoting ads and content on social media.
Romanian authorities are awaiting official confirmation of the arrest from the UAE, after which extradition procedures can begin.

Overnight, Ukrainian Air Defense Forces shot down 128 out of 154 Russian drones, the Air Force reports.
Another 26 attack UAVs hit nine locations, while debris fell in one more area.

“Lavrov has been Russia’s foreign minister since the birth of Jesus Christ, and nothing useful has ever come out of his mouth. Let’s not pay too much attention to him,” said NATO Secretary General Rutte about Lavrov.

that made me laugh, General Rutte is not wrong 😆

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-25-2025/

Key Takeaways

1. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) continues to artificially inflate its claims of advance in Ukraine to support the Kremlin’s false narrative that a Russian victory in Ukraine is inevitable.
2. Russian forces are reportedly rearranging forces to prepare for offensive operations across several sectors of the frontline but lack the forces and means required to sustain these operations simultaneously.
3. The Russian offensive in Kupyansk is reportedly vulnerable due to the lack of sufficient forces to sustain simultaneous offensive operations against Kupyansk and several other areas along the frontline.
4. Russian officials privately admitted that Russia is responsible for the September 19 incursion of three MiG-31 interceptor jets into Estonian airspace.
5. Russian officials continued attempts to convince the Trump administration to allow Russia to continue its war against Ukraine unimpeded in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s September 23 comments emphasizing that Ukraine has the ability to retake all of its territory.
6. The Kremlin reportedly plans to allocate less to national defense spending in 2026 than in 2025 but acknowledged that it is increasing some taxes to fund “defense and security.”
7. The Kremlin is likely looking for different avenues to raise funding for defense and national security spending without aggravating existing socio-economic tensions.
8. Russia continues to suffer from gasoline shortages in Russia and occupied Ukraine due to repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.
9. Ukrainian forces advanced near Velykomykhailivka. Russian forces advanced near Lyman and within the Dobropillya salient.

"Were Russian jets sent over Alaska (www.kyivpost.com/post/60859) in response to Trump telling NATO to protect its airspace"

Possible but doubt it, from what I've read about it sounds more like routine operations..

For years the Russians have been popping in and out of the Alaskan Air Defence Identification Zone....(ADIZ)..which is in International airspace so no rules broken and no real parallels with the incursions of sovereign airspace which have happened this side of the pond.

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-26-2025/

Key Takeaways

1. NATO jets recently scrambled in response to another Russian flight close to NATO airspace as European states struggle with unidentified, likely Russian, drone activity in border areas and near infrastructure.
2. Ukraine’s European allies continue to respond to increasing Russian aggression against Europe.
3. Russian officials continue efforts to undermine Western support for Ukraine and defensive measures against Russia.
4. The United States is reportedly considering lifting existing restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to use US-produced weapons to strike legitimate military targets located in Russian territory.
5. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area. Russian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk.

That’s 👌

The United States is reportedly considering lifting existing restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to use US-produced weapons to strike legitimate military targets located in Russian territory.

I wonder how likely this is to happen. If Trump's apparent exasperation with Putin will actually go this far.

it mentioned the online currency again

I think it needs weighed against the fact Trump is an absolute shitebag and would chicken out at the slightest threat from Putin.

This is absolutely routine. That's one reason why there are two major USAF bases in Alaska. I'm not aware of any cases when they've actually violated US airspace.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

🇲🇩 Just days before parliamentary elections in Moldova, authorities reported massive Russian interference.
Digital Minister Doina Nistor announced a cyberattack on the Central Electoral Commission, while Presidential National Security Advisor Stanislav Secrieru spoke of “unprecedented efforts by Moscow,” including vote-buying, AI-driven disinformation, botnets, and attempts to incite street violence.
The Central Electoral Commission has disqualified Victoria Furtună’s Moldova Mare party, linked to fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, accusing it of using undeclared funds and bribing voters.
According to the Bot Blocker project, the pro-Russian “Matryoshka” network has pushed out more than 300 fake videos, deepfakes, and AI-generated content aimed at Moldovan voters.
Meanwhile, a nationwide march in support of Maia Sandu’s party is underway.

Russian Paralympians will now be allowed to compete under their national flag.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) fully reinstated the rights of the Russian Paralympic Committee on Saturday, September 27, during the IPC General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea.
In the first round of voting, 111 delegates opposed the complete removal of the RPC, 55 supported it, and 11 abstained. In the second round, 91 voted for partial elimination, 77 against, and 8 abstained.

🇪🇺 The EU is building land, drone, and sea “walls” to protect its eastern flank.
European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius said the main goal of these “walls” is to enhance capabilities for detecting, tracking, and intercepting drones.
Hungary has joined the “drone wall” meeting, reportedly at its own request, and Slovakia has also submitted a request to participate.

Two 17-year-olds have been detained in the Netherlands on suspicion of spying for Russia.
According to De Telegraaf, the father of one of the boys said his son was recruited via Telegram by a pro-Russian hacker. Prosecutors reported that one of the suspects had access to Europol, Eurojust, and the Canadian Embassy in The Hague, and possessed a device capable of monitoring nearby networks and intercepting data.
Police said one detainee will remain in custody for two more weeks, while the other will be placed under house arrest. Under the Dutch Foreign State Intervention Act, espionage carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.

Unidentified drones have been spotted in Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany, near the Danish border, broadcaster NDR reports.
Regional interior minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waak said the origin of the drones and the purpose of their flights remain unknown. An investigation is underway into possible espionage.
Schleswig-Holstein has experienced several drone incidents before. In January, drones were seen flying over Schwessing air base, which hosts Patriot air defense systems.

Belarus has deployed the Oreshnik missile system on its territory to “guarantee its security,” Russian media report, citing the country’s Foreign Minister.

🤡 Lukashenko and Putin plan to build a nuclear power plant in Belarus to supply electricity to temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
During a Kremlin meeting, Lukashenko proposed constructing a new plant, suggesting eastern Belarus as a location following the shutdown of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. He noted that Rosatom had already developed options for expanding Belarus’s nuclear energy sector.
“There is no question of financing at all. If there is a consumer who will take electricity and pay the required tariff, this is not a problem at all,” Putin replied.

👀 In Sweden, a drone was recorded flying over a naval base in the Karlskrona archipelago, SVT reports.
Locals first spotted it, and police later confirmed the sighting. No targets were downed. Authorities believe the incident may be linked to recent drone activity in Denmark and Norway.

🇮🇪🇺🇦 Ireland has launched monthly marches in support of Ukraine.
On the 24th of each month, people gather to remind the world that the war continues and that the Ukrainian military is defending not only Ukraine but all of Europe at the cost of their lives.

Russia can use tankers as launch and control platforms for drones that would then attack Denmark, Norway, and the Baltic states, President Zelenskyy said, citing intelligence.
“This is not just a warning, it is reality. We need to learn to counter and build the right capabilities. Today I spoke with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and one topic was sharing details about the drones and these incidents — obviously not accidental,” he added.
Earlier, Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet reported that the Russian large landing ship Alexander Shabalin had been drifting near Danish territorial waters with its AIS signal turned off. The publication suggested the ship could have served as a base for launching drones.

🇺🇦👏 Yaroslava Mahuchikh is in the running for Europe’s best female athlete.
The Ukrainian high jumper and world record holder has been nominated for the 2025 title. Maguchikh won the same award in 2024 and now has a chance to repeat her success.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

A Fukushima-type scenario is possible at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, The Guardian reported, citing IAEA experts.For the third consecutive day, Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant has had no external electricity supply. Cooling and safety systems are operating solely on diesel generators after the last power line was cut.Experts warn that if the cooling systems fail, the reactors could overheat and the nuclear fuel could melt down.

Russian troops have already suffered over 3,000 losses in
the Dobropillia counteroffensive alone. Putin is lying when he claims
(https://www.kyivpost.com/post/60974) his forces are achieving their objectives
— Zelensky
Kyiv has barred three senior Hungarian military officials
(https://www.kyivpost.com/post/60950) from entering Ukraine in a “mirror
response” after Budapest imposed similar bans on Ukrainian officers.

🎙️ A new episode of OFF THE RECORD is now live.
🇫🇷 French Ambassador to Ukraine Gaël Veyssière joins 🇨🇦 Canadian Ambassador Natalka Cmoc in wartime Kyiv for a candid conversation on diplomacy, security, and resilience.
They talk about France’s evolving support for Ukraine since 2022, the Coalition of the Willing, NATO guarantees, EU accession, and how food, culture, and history shape diplomatic ties.
This episode explores how diplomacy adapts during war — and why France remains one of Ukraine’s closest friends.
Watch now: https://www.kyivpost.com/videos/60945

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has arrived in Moscow for a forum marking the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry.
Grossi took part in the events and met with Vladimir Putin as well as Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev.
“A timely and important exchange with President Putin on nuclear energy, non-proliferation, and nuclear safety. Grateful for the support of the impartial and professional work of the IAEA,” Grossi wrote on X.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said it values the IAEA’s technical presence at Ukrainian sites, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and will continue cooperation with the Agency within its mandate.
However, Russia sought to exploit the IAEA leadership’s visit for propaganda purposes.
“Moreover, the ‘celebrations’ with the IAEA Director General are taking place just as the human rights group Truth Hounds released its investigation Seizing Power, documenting Rosatom’s involvement in the occupation management of the Zaporizhzhia plant, as well as systemic torture, abuse, and persecution of civilians, including plant employees,” the Foreign Ministry added.

🇸🇰🇪🇺 Slovakia has blocked the EU’s 19th sanctions package against Russia.
Radio Free Europe editor Rikard Jozwiak reported that the sanctions were halted during the first round of discussions among EU ambassadors.
Slovakia had previously blocked the 18th package as well, citing its reluctance to fully abandon Russian energy supplies. The current package includes, among other measures, an accelerated phase-out of Russian liquefied natural gas.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has shown the exact location where a drone crossed the Ukrainian-Hungarian border.
To neutralize the potential threat, the airspace over the Uzhhorod district was patrolled by a “Chaklun-KM” UAV unit of the Defense Forces.

Unidentified drones were spotted near a Swedish Navy base.
Two drones were seen over the Karlskrona archipelago on the night of September 26. The area where the UAVs were observed is located just a few kilometers from the naval base.

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces destroyed Russian Iskander systems belonging to the 448th Missile Brigade named after S. P. Nepobedimy.
The operation was carried out on August 9, when SOF units struck hangars on the site of a former poultry farm in the Kursk region, where Russian forces had been secretly storing missiles.
In total, Ukrainian commandos destroyed:
🔴five 9T250 transporter-loader vehicles;
🔴one Iskander missile launcher;
🔴a Pantsir-S1 air defense system guarding the site;
🔴warehouses and other military vehicles.

🇸🇪 Sweden has become the first country to provide additional direct budget support under the Ukraine Facility.
The support amounts to about ₴3 billion, which Ukraine can access by meeting the Facility’s performance indicators. For comparison, this is equivalent to the planned 2026 budget for purchasing school buses (₴2 billion) or the compensation program for destroyed housing (₴3 billion).
Sweden also backs the idea of a “reparations loan” — direct budget support of up to €130 billion.
The mechanism means that, de facto, Russian funds would be transferred to Ukraine, while de jure the claim would remain with Russia’s Central Bank. Ukraine would only be required to repay the loan if Russia pays reparations for the damage it caused.

well that was interesting - I couldn't post as apparently my account was identified as spam and I got banned! Fortunately unbanned now :D

I suppose all the mentions of a certain thing, you'll need to edit it out of posts

Russian Paralympians will now be allowed to compete under their national flag.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) fully reinstated the rights of the Russian Paralympic Committee on Saturday, September 27, during the IPC General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea.
In the first round of voting, 111 delegates opposed the complete removal of the RPC, 55 supported it, and 11 abstained. In the second round, 91 voted for partial elimination, 77 against, and 8 abstained.

I hope that countries boycott in protest. Hard as that is for the athletes.

uff, @Natsku that'll take some doing, mostly because I'll have to pay more attention.

@LlttledrummergirI it did occur to me that a fair few of the Ukrainian athletes might be competing against the very country that left them without limbs or vision. And possibly some of the Russians. Those could be some interesting competitions.

Zelensky did an interview with Axios while he was in the US for the UN General Assembly.

He gets quite emotional talking about Ukrainian children, and about his own family.

Zelensky warns Putin, reacts to Trump reversal, apologizes to Ukrainian kids - The Axios Show, Ep. 2

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-27-2025/

Key Takeaways

1. Gasoline shortages continue in Russia and occupied Ukraine due to repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.
2. Ukraine’s Western partners continue to provide military aid to Ukraine, including through the purchase of US weapons.
3. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Spokesperson Maria Zakharova absurdly blamed Ukraine on September 26 for the September 9 to 10 Russian drone incursion in Poland and the September 13 Russian drone incursion in Romania.
4. European officials continue to report unidentified drones operating within NATO airspace.
5. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in northern Sumy and western Zaporizhia oblasts. Russian forces recently advanced in the Dobropillya tactical area and near Siversk, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivka.

Let's see if I can do the roundup today without being banned ....

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Update: NATO to expand Baltic Sea mission (kyivindependent.com/unidentified-drones-reportedly-spotted-in-denmark-lithuania-and-finland/) after Danish drone incursions.
The alliance plans to upgrade its Baltic Sentry mission to include new "intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms and at least one air-defense frigate," according to a NATO statement sent to Reuters.

⚡️Lavrov claims upcoming US-Russia talks (kyivindependent.com/lavrov-claims-upcoming-us-russia-talks-to-be-held-in-fall/) to be held in fall.
Lavrov claimed that the upcoming meeting with Rubio is intended to eliminate what he claimed were "irritants" in Washington-Moscow relations.
The possible meeting comes amid an apparent sudden shift in Trump's position on the war, who called Russia a "paper tiger" and said that Ukraine can win and even reclaim its occupied territory.

⚡️Ukraine, US planning major arms deals (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-us-planning-major-arms-deals-zelensky-says/), Zelensky says.
Ukraine is planning both a "Mega Deal" — a major agreement on the purchase of American weapons — and a "Drone Deal," to sell Ukrainian unmanned systems to the U.S., Zelensky said.

⚡️Moldova bans 2 pro-Russian parties (kyivindependent.com/moldova-bans-2-pro-russian-parties-on-eve-of-key-election/) on eve of key election.
Moldovans head to the polls on Sept. 28 for a pivotal parliamentary vote that could potentially derail Chisinau from its path to accession in the European Union.

⚡️Russia fails (kyivindependent.com/russia-fails-to-regain-seat-on-un-aviation-body-amid-eu-opposition-over-ukraine-war-mh17-case/) to regain seat on UN aviation body amid EU opposition over Ukraine war, MH17 case.
Moscow immediately demanded a "repeat round of voting" after failing to garner the support needed to return to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 36-member council.

⚡️Drone scare halts flights (kyivindependent.com/drone-scare-halts-flights-at-amsterdans-schiphol-as-zelensky-says-russia-probing-europes-defenses/) at Amsterdam’s Schiphol as Zelensky says Russia probing Europe’s defenses.
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, a military police force, later said its investigation found no drone on radar and concluded the object was likely a balloon.

⚡️Unidentified drones reportedly spotted (kyivindependent.com/unidentified-drones-reportedly-spotted-in-denmark-lithuania-and-finland/) in Denmark, Lithuania, Finland.
The incidents come as Russian drones and military aircraft have increasingly entered NATO airspace, prompting heightened alert and readiness across the alliance.

⚡️Lavrov tells UN Russia has no plans to attack (kyivindependent.com/lavrov-tells-un-russia-has-no-plans-to-attack-europe-warns-of-decisive-response-to-aggression/) Europe, warns of 'decisive response' to aggression.
Similar reassurances were heard before. Moscow repeatedly denied planning to invade Ukraine, but on Feb. 24, 2022, Russian forces launched air strikes and a ground assault from multiple directions — from Belarus toward Kyiv, from Crimea in the south, and from occupied Donetsk Oblast toward Kharkiv.

⚡️Ukraine condemns (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-condemns-iaea-heads-visit-to-russias-world-atomic-forum/) IAEA chief's visit to Russia, Rosatom meeting
Director General Rafael Grossi visited Moscow on Sept. 26, where he met with Russia's nuclear agency Rosatom — found to be complicit in war crimes at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Kyiv emphasized that such appearances by international officials risk "whitewashing its crimes in the field of nuclear and radiation safety."

⚡️Ukraine reacts (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-embassy-responds-to-arrest-of-nationals-streaming-from-restricted-fukushima-area/) to YouTubers’ arrest in Japan's Fukushima nuclear zone.
The Ukrainian embassy in Japan issued an apology after three Ukrainian nationals were arrested for entering the exclusion zone around the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant, the site of a 2011 nuclear disaster.

⚡️Ukraine warns against raising Russian flag (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-warns-against-raising-russian-flag-at-2026-paralympics-after-ipc-reinstates-moscow-minsk/) at 2026 Paralympics after IPC reinstates Moscow, Minsk.

⚡️Update: Russia's mass attack damages 9 houses, 14 apartment buildings (kyivindependent.com/russia-launches-heavy-bombers-at-ukraine-targets-kyiv-other-cities-with-drones-and-missiles/) in Zaporizhzhia.

⚡️Update: Russia's mass attack (kyivindependent.com/russia-launches-heavy-bombers-at-ukraine-targets-kyiv-other-cities-with-drones-and-missiles/) against Ukraine injures 3 in Kyiv, 16 in Zaporizhzhia.
At least three people in Kyiv have been hospitalized and five residents of Zaporizhzhia have been injured in Russia's latest mass drone and missile strike, authorities reported the morning of Sept. 28.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 1h
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — SEP 28, 2025 (1/2)
■ Highest reported casualties in over a week, engagements near average
■ Drone & land-based equipment losses both well above average; 7 tanks hit (most since early August)
■ Massive overnight attacks: 2nd largest, centered on Kyiv, good interception rate, casualties not yet reported
■ Double-digit 🇺🇦 strikes; improved strike ratio

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a record level of participation by leaders, state representatives, and international organizations was reached in events organized by Ukraine or tied to issues important for Ukraine, citing the report of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Ukraine’s work at the UN General Assembly.

☢️ Kim Jong-un has ordered the strengthening of North Korea’s nuclear “shield and sword”
He emphasized that further development of nuclear capabilities is a top priority for the country.
“Comrade Kim Jong-un stated that we must constantly improve and update the nuclear shield and sword, which can reliably guarantee national sovereignty, security, and interests, as well as the right to development,” state media reported.

NATO threatens not only Russia and China. It is attempting to encircle all of Eurasia militarily, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a virtually empty UN conference room.
More statements from the Kremlin’s international propagandist:
▫️ Hopes for Ukraine’s return to its 2022 borders are politically blind
▫️ Russia has no intention of attacking NATO or the EU
▫️ The rights of Russians and Russian-speakers in Ukrainian-controlled territories must be restored
▫️ Russia’s hopes for resolving the conflict in Ukraine are linked to continued dialogue between Moscow and Washington
▫️ Putin’s proposal to preserve the Treaty on the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms will create the conditions for avoiding a strategic arms race

President Zelenskyy: If they threaten Kyiv with a blackout, there will be a blackout in Moscow.

New update from the SBU: drones have halted the operation of an oil pumping station in Russia’s Chuvash Republic.
On the night of September 27, long-range drones from the SBU’s Special Operations Center “A” struck the Tyngovatovo oil pumping station in the village of Konar, about 1,000 kilometers from Ukraine.

British former MEP Nathan Gill has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes for his pro-Russian stance, Reuters reports.
Gill admitted in court that he took money for making pro-Russian statements, including during speeches at the European Parliament in support of pro-Russian parties amid the war against Ukraine. Court documents show that the payments were made between December 2018 and July 2019.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood said the charges were based on WhatsApp messages found on Gill’s phone, seized by police in 2021. These messages showed his agreement to accept money in exchange for certain actions — raising issues in Parliament, establishing contacts with senior officials, organizing events, and making statements.

It has become known that last week in the city of Rovaniemi, Finland, an unidentified UAV flew over a hydroelectric power plant. This happened despite the country closing the sky over energy infrastructure facilities back in August 2025, Yle reported.
A passerby noticed the drone in Rovaniemi and contacted the police. The police confirmed the authenticity of the information.
The company that owns the hydroelectric power plant said that video surveillance did not detect the UAV operator.

Russia Hides Tortured Ukrainian POWs From Red Cross, OSCE Investigation Finds (united24media.com/latest-news/russia-hides-tortured-ukrainian-pows-from-red-cross-osce-investigation-finds-12009)
Russia continues to restrict the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from freely accessing Ukrainian prisoners of war, according to a report released by an independent expert mission of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism.
The findings indicate that Moscow presents only those detainees in relatively good condition while concealing sick, injured, or tortured prisoners.
According to Ukrinform, Professor Hervé Ascensio of France said (www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-society/4040957-rosia-prihovue-hvorih-ta-skalicenih-ukrainskih-vijskovopolonenih-vid-cervonogo-hresta-eksperti-obse.html) cooperation with Russia remains “extremely complicated,” noting that although some visits have occurred, they were limited and did not cover all detention sites.
“We believe the International Committee of the Red Cross performs a difficult job, but unfortunately there is evidence that the organization does not have free access to detention facilities,” Ascensio stated.

🍷 In Odesa region, Russian shelling destroyed a winery’s bottling plant and warehouse.
At the time of the attack, 50 workers were on shift — all were evacuated.
About 100,000 bottles of wine were destroyed.

The number of injured in the morning attack on Zaporizhzhia has risen to 21.
Two of them are in serious condition. Doctors are providing all necessary assistance.

‼️Kyiv. A fire broke out in the building of the Institute of Cardiology, – Special Emergency Service.
The bodies of two people were found at the scene. The fire has been localized.

According to updated information, 31 people were injured in the [overnight] attack, including three children.

Some of the consequences of the Russian shelling in Kyiv.

Movement of air targets over Ukraine during today’s morning attack.