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Russia’s war against Ukraine

Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian strike on a residential building in Kryvyi Rih on Jan. 29, 2026. The attack killed one person and injured three others. (Ukraine’s State Emergency Service / Telegram)

Trump claims Putin agreed not to strike Kyiv, other Ukrainian cities ‘for a week.’ “I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week,” Trump said. “And he agreed to do that.”

Ukraine repatriates bodies of 1,000 fallen soldiers. Russia confirmed that it had handed over 1,000 bodies to Ukraine under the Istanbul agreement in exchange for 38 bodies of fallen Russian soldiers, Kremlin-controlled news agency TASS reported on Jan. 29.

‘Without power, without heat’ — EU allocates over $170 million for Ukraine amid Russian attacks on energy. The funds will support protection assistance, shelter, food, cash aid, psychosocial services, and access to water and healthcare for Ukrainians affected by the attacks.

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Ukraine’s central bank cuts interest rate in first change in 10 months. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) voted on Jan. 29 to cut its benchmark interest rate to 15%, the first change since March last year, as inflation cools and a new aid package from Europe eased pressure on the country’s finances.

Defense Ministry working with SpaceX to solve Russian use of Starlink on drones. Ukraine says it is working with SpaceX to stop Russian drones from using Starlink, after reports that satellite-connected UAVs are extending their range to strike deeper into Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine distributes boilers from Italy to support heating for up to 90,000 homes. Ukraine has distributed industrial boiler equipment delivered by Italy among communities in 10 regions as part of a broader support program aimed at strengthening the country’s heating infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said on Jan. 29.

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‘They don’t consider their work heroic’ — 4 energy workers die amid Kyiv repairs following Russian attacks

As Kyiv’s repair crews scramble to keep the lights and heat on after repeated Russian strikes, the work has become punishing — and, in recent weeks, deadly.

Photo: Oleksandr Magula / AFP via Getty Images

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Ukraine war latest: ‘The enemy is likely preparing an offensive’ — Ukrainian forces report more aerial strikes in Pokrovsk sector

Russian troops have stepped up aerial bomb attacks in the Pokrovsk sector of Donetsk Oblast, which could signal preparations for an offensive, Yuliia Stepaniuk, head of communications for the 117th Separate Mechanized Brigade, told Suspilne on Jan. 29.

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International response

Germany’s Merz says Ukraine joining EU in 2027 ‘not possible.’ The comments come after President Volodymyr Zelensky set 2027 as the target date for Ukraine’s entry into the bloc.

Estonia warns Russian veterans could flood Europe after Ukraine war, urges EU entry ban. “We have close to 1 million combatants in Russia. They’re mainly criminals; they are very dangerous people,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. “We have information that most of them will come to Europe after the war.”

EU plans to impose 20th sanctions package against Russia on Feb. 24, Kallas says. The European Union aims to impose a 20th sanctions package against Russia on Feb. 24, the day marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters on Jan. 29.

China denies helping Russia produce Oreshnik missiles. The news comes after the Telegraph reported that China has sent Russia tools used to build Oreshnik warheads.

‘Repression cannot go unanswered’ — EU sanctions Iran over protest crackdown, Russia support. European foreign ministers also agreed to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat.

Lukoil agrees to sell most of its foreign assets to US investment group. The Carlyle deal does not include Lukoil’s assets in Kazakhstan and is still subject to approval by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Russian energy giant said.

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The only reason #Smartphones got big is because it actually provided an improvement compared to a "#StupidPhone" already solving the communication problem whilst becoming a more accessible version of #computing for many people in "The #GlobalSouth" for whom #Desktops and #Laptops never were close to 'affordable' even when built with dumpster-dived / landfill-scavanged parts.

• Most people in "P.R." #China and Subsahara - #Africa skipped the #PC entirely as #Smartphones are not just #cheaper, but also better suited for places with #infrastructure #deficits re: #broadband and #electricity.

And if we correlate #GDP per capita, average income, average downtime for electricity grid, average fixed broadband speed and number of #blackouts for #pwer, we'll definitely see that it'll be more likely for #Smartphones to dominate even harder than they already do in the "The Global North" where some households can afford more PCs than the occupants have limbs-

• Whereas in many places @landley 's Allegory of a Smartphone being cobbled on a USB-C hub to an old display, keyboard and mouse is way more in line with reality than 5 billion VR headsets in 2030!

#Android #tech

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Russia’s war against Ukraine

A screenshot of footage that purports to show a drone attack on Saratov, Russia overnight on Nov. 28, 2025. (ExileNova+/Telegram)

Explosions reported in several Russian cities amid Ukrainian drone attack.

Explosions were reported in several Russian cities, including Taganrog, Novorossiysk, and Saratov, overnight on Nov. 28 amid a widespread drone attack.

Amid chaotic Ukrainian withdrawal, Russian forces reportedly execute 5 POWs in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. At least five Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) were executed by Russian soldiers amid a chaotic withdrawal near Huliaipole, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, it was reported on Nov. 27.

Putin demands Ukrainian troops withdraw before ceasefire, as Witkoff set to visit Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 27 reiterated his demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from their current positions as a condition for a ceasefire, even as the U.S. attempts to reinvigorate peace talks.

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US to discuss Ukraine security guarantees after peace deal signed, Rubio tells allies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured allies during a Nov. 25 call that the U.S. plans to address security guarantees once an agreement is reached, Politico reported.

Explosion, possible drone strike reported in Grozny, Chechnya.

An explosion occurred at a military base in Grozny, Chechnya, several Telegram channels reported on Nov. 27.

Occupation authorities to send 400 Ukrainian children to Russia for mandatory ‘exchange’ program. Approximately 400 Ukrainian children will be sent to Russia from occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast for a mandatory “exchange” program by year’s end, the Center for National Resistance (CNR) reported on Nov. 27.

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Ukraine war latest live: Russia presses Huliaipole front, DeepState says situation stabilizing

A Ukrainian unit withdrew from its position near Huliaipol in an ‘uncoordinated manner,’ allowing Russian troops to penetrate the flanks of Ukrainian forces, Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces, said on Nov. 27.

Photo: Oles Kromplias/Global Images Ukraine

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In bomb-shelter classrooms, Ukrainian university students turn to weapons engineering

The needs of the war effort and, particularly, Ukraine’s new defense industry are changing the job market for new graduates in Ukraine. Students of a techie bent are increasingly turning away from software development and toward hard engineering to deliver future weapons.

Photo: Serhii Korovayny / The Kyiv Independent

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Russia’s coy game: Why Kremlin won’t commit to Trump’s peace push

Even though the original peace plan unveiled by the U.S. last week was skewed in Russia’s favor, it is not clear if Moscow would have accepted it since it still falls short of its sweeping demands.

Observers note that Moscow has never clearly signaled readiness to accept the proposals.

Photo: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

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Opinions and insights

The light Ukraine cannot lose: Justice

“Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure have brought rolling blackouts back to Kyiv,” writes Assistant Researcher with Human Rights Watch’s Europe and Central Asia Division, Kseniya Kvitka.

“Our food, our movement, and, more often than not, our mental health are dictated by the schedule of power outages that change depending on the scale of Russia’s latest strikes.”

Photo: Serhii Korovayny / The Kyiv Independent

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The wrong way to peace in Ukraine

“(U.S. President Donald) Trump’s yearning to win a Nobel Peace Prize – one of the most well-known vulnerabilities in the history of international relations – has led to an ill-conceived attempt at a peace settlement that, if implemented, all but ensures future conflict,” writes

American author and historian Timothy Snyder.

“Besides the basic injustice of allowing an aggressor to decide the outcome of the war it started, there are six fundamental problems with this ‘peace’ plan.”

Photo: Graeme Sloan / Bloomberg / Getty Images

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International response

‘Historical precedent’ — Ukraine, UK sign license agreement for Octopus interceptor drones. Ukraine and the U.K. have signed a license agreement to produce Octopus interceptor drones, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Nov. 27.

In other news

Ukrainian oligarchs fail to pay $3 billion fine in landmark Privatbank case.

Given two weeks to voluntarily pay the sum in a landmark ruling on Nov. 10, notorious Ukrainian oligarchs Ihor Kolomoisky and Hennadiy Boholyubov failed to make any payments before a Nov. 24 deadline, PrivatBank said in a statement.

Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan damaged after Russia’s ‘Soyuz’ launch to the International Space Station. Russia’s Roscosmos space agency reported that the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan sustained significant damage during the Soyuz MS-28 launch to the International Space Station, according to multiple Russian media reports published on Nov. 27.

Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream case extradited to Germany.

A Ukrainian national was extradited to Germany on Nov. 27 over suspected involvement in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, Reuters reported, citing Germany’s federal prosecutor’s office.

Ukraine ex-energy chief saga drags on as political pressure stalls case, critics say. A Kyiv court delayed the appeal of the former head of Ukraine’s state-owned national power company until mid-December, a step that seems aimed at dragging out what is widely considered a politically motivated case.

Company news

The Kyiv Independent introduces a new e-store collection inspired by the history of the Ukrainian Trident. The Kyiv Independent has launched a new collection, “The Ukrainian Trident — Through History and Modernity,” designed to visualize the symbol of Ukrainian sovereignty in its diversity.

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Russia’s war against Ukraine

Dark streets and residential buildings during a major blackout in Kyiv on November 8, 2025, following massive Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. (Maxym Marusenko / NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Commander charged with negligence after Russia hits military award ceremony in eastern Ukraine. The Russian strike killed 12 servicemen and seven civilians, while 36 others were injured, according to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Ukraine’s state-owned energy company says all of its power plants are down after Russia’s ‘largest-ever attack.’ The recent Russian attack destroyed all restored capacity, leaving the plants generating no power, the state-owned energy company Centrenergo said on Nov. 8.

Russian Ka-226 helicopter crashes in Dagestan, killing weapons plant employees. The Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant produces equipment for Russian Sukhoi and MiG aircraft and has been sanctioned for its role in the war against Ukraine.

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Kyiv faces over 12 hours of emergency power cuts following ‘one of the largest’ Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Russia launched yet another wide-ranging attack on Ukrainian cities overnight on Nov. 8, using a combination of drone and missiles to strike targets across the country.

Ukrainian attacks in Russia’s Belgorod, Kursk oblasts leave over 20,000 without power. A local power plant was reportedly damaged, causing widespread blackouts in the city of Belgorod and the surrounding region.

Russia targeted substations powering nuclear plants during large-scale overnight energy attacks, Sybiha says. Russian forces targeted energy substations that power the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear power plants overnight on Nov. 7-8, amid its large-scale attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

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‘We had only a few seconds before it hit’ — Russian drones force journalists farther from Ukraine’s front lines

With incessant Russian drones flying all over areas near the front that once were safer, it has become increasingly difficult for journalists covering the war in Ukraine to keep doing their jobs. In October alone, three journalists were killed and five were wounded while working in eastern Donetsk Oblast. The Russian attacks happened relatively far from the front, sometimes more than 20 kilometers (12 miles) away.

Photo: Artem Stepanov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

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Human costs of war

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,150,100 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,190 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Russian attacks kill at least 11, injure 44 in Ukraine over past day. Ukrainian forces downed 406 out of the 458 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Russia also launched 45 cruise and ballistic missiles, nine of which were downed, the statement said.

Russia strikes residential building in Dnipro, killing 3, injuring 12. Russia carried out a drone attack on the city of Dnipro overnight on Nov. 8, killing at least three people and injuring 12 others, including two children, officials reported.

One night with interceptor drone squad hunting Russian Shaheds

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Russia’s war against Ukraine

Russian air strike on a kindergarten in Kharkiv on Oct. 22. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine / Telegram)

In Trump first, US sanctions Russia’s oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil after White House cancels Putin meeting. “Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine.”

‘Budanov’s sanctions’ — HUR confirms Ukrainian drone strike on Dagestan oil refinery. Russian air defenses intercepted 44 Ukrainian drones overnight and into the morning of Oct. 22, including eight over Dagestan, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. No drones were reportedly shot down over Mordovia.

Explosions reported near military base in southern Russia, blasts allegedly rock ammunition plant 1,700 km from Ukraine. Explosions were reported near a military base just outside the southern Russian city of Stavropol late on Oct. 22, and additional explosions allegedly rocked an ammunition plant in the central city of Kopeysk, local media reported.

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Intercepted radio suggests Russian commander ordered troops to shoot civilians near Pokrovsk, HUR says. Intercepted calls released by Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) suggest a Russian commander ordering his soldiers to shoot civilians near the embattled city of Pokrovsk.

SBU reveals next-gen Sea Baby naval drones, confirms use in June Crimea Bridge attack. In a video, the SBU revealed two versions of the new drones.

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As Zelensky set to land in Brussels, EU rushes to offset Trump’s pressure on Ukraine

EU leaders, meeting in Brussels on Oct. 23, are expected to weigh in on a wide range of measures in support of Ukraine — including whether to unlock frozen Russian Central Bank assets for Kyiv.

Photo: Nicolas Economou / NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Russian assault on Ukraine’s power grid leaves over 100,000 without power in north, east

A massive Russian attack pummeled Ukraine’s energy and port infrastructure on Oct. 22 as Moscow shows no sign of slowing down its plan to freeze out Ukrainians as winter draws closer.

Photo: Ukraine’s Energy Ministry/Telegram

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Analysis: Pokrovsk on the brink as Russian troops, drones infiltrate deeper into Ukraine’s fortress city

After more than a year as the rock upon which Russia’s territorial ambitions in Donbas were broken, cracks are opening in Ukraine’s defense of Pokrovsk, and the end may finally be near.

Photo: Taras Ibragimov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

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Why every call with Putin changes Trump’s Ukraine policy

Human cost of war

6 killed, 29 injured in Kyiv oblast during mass Russian overnight missile and drone attack. Explosions rocked Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight on Oct. 22 as Russia launched a large-scale aerial attack against Ukraine.

Russia just hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv. Russia attacked Kharkiv with drones on Oct. 22, damaging a kindergarten and killing one person, injuring at least 10, local authorities reported.

‘Any one of us could have died’ — Russian drone attack on Kyiv damages residential buildings, injures 7. A Russian drone attack injured seven in Kyiv, damaged buildings, and set fires throughout the city late on Oct. 22.

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International response

Up to 150 Gripens — Ukraine, Sweden move toward long-term deal on Swedish jets. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Zelensky are meeting in the city of Linkoping, home to the defense company Saab, which produces Gripen fighter jets and other arms.

Opinions and insights

Editorial: Europe, it’s time to finally be brave. Start with Russian assets

“What is needed is a direct European military presence in Ukraine, with or without a ceasefire,” the editorial states. “The road to achieving a robust peace and the road to ensuring Ukraine’s (and Europe’s) security in the future are the same road.”

Photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

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In other news

Poland hopes Ukraine knocks out Druzhba pipeline — Sikorski taunts Hungary.

“I hope your brave compatriot, Major Magyar, finally succeeds in knocking out the oil pipeline that feeds Putin’s war machine and you get your oil via Croatia,” Sikorski told Szijjarto on X.

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Russia’s war against Ukraine

A view of the destruction after the Russian army’s Shahed drone attacks that hit two schools in the city of Sloviansk, on Oct. 7, 2025. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Partisans derail train carrying military cargo in Russia, military intelligence source says. A train carrying military cargo derailed in Russia’s Leningrad Oblast following an explosion early on Oct. 7, a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent.

Kyiv condemns attacks near occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, cut off from Ukraine’s grid for 2nd week. After Russian state media put the blame for the attacks on Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Oct. 6 that it was “a deliberate provocation by Russia.”

Ukraine hits largest oil terminal in Russian-occupied Crimea, sparks massive blaze, General Staff confirms. The terminal can hold up to 250,000 tons of fuel, which supplies Russian forces.

‘Liberating our land, step by step’ — Ukraine reports successful counterattack in Dnipropterovsk Oblast, shows footage. The Shkval (“squall”) assault unit “eliminated” 50 Russian troops in the battle, while eight others were taken prisoner, the 141st Mechanized Brigade reported.

Russian who joined Ukraine’s military detained over suspected espionage. The man, detained in the western city of Lviv, is suspected of helping Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) coordinate strikes on his unit’s temporary base and nearby positions in Lviv Oblast.

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Thales arms maker delivers new missiles to Ukraine designed to take out Russian drones. The weapon has a maximum range of 3,000 meters and is designed to counter Shahed-type attack drones that Russia has used extensively against Ukraine.

Controversial ex-adviser to Zelensky’s office hit with Russian international arrest warrant. Russian authorities have accused Oleksiy Arestovych of terrorism and spreading “fake news about the Russian army.”

Ukraine allocates $36 million to bolster energy grid of frontline regions amid Russian strikes, Zelensky says. The announcement comes, as Russia stepped up its campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in recent days.

Indian national surrenders to Ukraine after fighting for Russia for 3 days, military says. Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein, a 22-year-old student from the Indian city of Morbi, allegedly came to Russia to study at a university.

Ukraine to increase gas imports 30% after Russian strikes on energy sector. Ukraine plans to increase natural gas imports by 30% after recent Russian strikes caused major damage to its energy infrastructure, Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said Oct. 7.

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Ukraine war latest: ‘Not in Poland’s interest,’ to hand over Ukrainian in Nord Stream probe, Tusk says

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Oct. 7 said those who built Nord Stream 2, not those accused of sabotaging it, “should be ashamed and remain silent,” adding it is “not in Poland’s interest” to hand over the suspect.

Photo: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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The military branch behind Ukraine’s battlefield apps turns to weapons bureaucracy

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry’s digitization fights to streamline a clunky military machine. But can centralized data hold out in the face of constant Russian cyber attacks?

Photo: Maks Muravsky / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

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‘Logistical terrorism’ — Russia steps up attacks on Ukrainian railways

Russia has escalated its strikes on the country’s critical railway infrastructure, targeting Ukrainian Railways, also known as Ukrzaliznytsia, in what appears to be a bid to disrupt military logistics amid new arms delivery announcements. The attacks, primarily carried out by drones, targeted oblasts near the Russian border and active front lines, including Donetsk, Sumy, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Kirovohrad, as well as southern areas.

Photo: Pavlo Zarva / Kordon.Media / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

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Investigation: Top Russian defense industry boss tries to lift sanctions, spills own secrets instead

A bid to unfreeze a superyacht exposes a Russian defense executive’s ties — including a Trump Tower investor — and shows how Russian elites use complex networks to lift sanctions, including Western law firms. In March 2025, an American law firm signed a deal to assist Russian national Sergei Chemezov with efforts to have sanctions against him lifted.

Photo: Nataliia Shulga/The Kyiv Independent

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Human cost of Russia’s war

Russian attacks kill 1, injure 33 in Ukraine over past day. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 88 out of the 152 Russian drones launched overnight. Russia also attacked Ukraine with two ballistic missiles.

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,117,360 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,020 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

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International response

World Bank lowers Ukraine’s 2026 GDP growth forecast. The World Bank has cut Ukraine’s 2026 GDP growth projections by more than 3 points, citing the ongoing impact of Russia’s invasion on the economy.

‘Not in Poland’s interest,’ to hand over Ukrainian in Nord Stream probe, Tusk says. “From our point of view, the only people who should be ashamed and should remain silent on the issue of Nord Stream 2 are those who decided to build it,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

EU to reportedly restrict Russian diplomats’ travel amid espionage surge. The measure follows a surge in hybrid operations targeting Ukraine’s partners in the EU and NATO, including arson, cyberattacks, infrastructure sabotage, and drone incursions.

Poland, Lithuania reject Merkel’s claim they ‘did not support’ EU unity on Russia. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she sought to revive dialogue between the EU and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Hungary’s Orban accuses Zelensky of ‘moral blackmail’ over Ukraine’s EU bid. “Hungary has no moral obligation to support Ukraine’s EU accession,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

Slovakia sends first non-lethal defense aid package to Ukraine since Fico took office. The package includes engineering and construction equipment, transportation, demining systems, and medical evacuation vehicles.

Europe believes Russia responsible for drone sightings, Dutch PM says

In other news

Estonian court sentences soldier for spying for Russia. Estonia’s State Prosecutor Triinu Olev-Aas said Ivan Dmitriev, an active member of the Estonian Defense Forces who handled drone operations, posed a significant threat to Estonia’s security.

Latvia extends nighttime airspace restrictions near borders with Russia and Belarus. Latvia fully closed its airspace along the Russian and Belarusian borders between Sept. 11 and 18, following a series of regional security incidents. Since Sept. 18, restrictions have applied during nighttime hours.

Aliyev congratulates Putin on birthday in rare call amid strained Russia-Azerbaijan ties. The call is the first publicly reported conversation between the presidents since March. Their relations had seemed to deteriorate since then, as Moscow and Baku clashed over several political and security issues.

US Supreme Court won’t review Russian bank’s appeal over MH17 downing. The move enables the family of Quinn Schansman, an 18-year-old American passenger killed in the crash, to sue Sberbank under the U.S. anti-terrorism law.

Ukraine’s top anti-graft prosecutor decries pressure amid reports of Security Service probe targeting him. “Such reports, as well as a number of clearly illegal actions against NABU employees that have already taken place, are nothing other than a continuation of pressure on anti-corruption agencies,” Oleksandr Klymenko told the Kyiv Independent.

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Russia’s war against Ukraine

An injured woman watches as firefighters put out a fire on a residential building following a massive Russian strike on the city, on Sept. 7, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Paula Bronstein /Getty Images)

Ukraine expects ‘strong reaction from America,’ Zelensky says after Russia’s record-breaking attack. Zelensky called for sanctions, tariffs, and trade restrictions on Russia, as well as increased long-range strike capabilities for Ukraine.

Trump claims he’s ready for ‘second phase’ of sanctions against Russia, will speak with Putin ‘very soon.’ Trump said he was “not thrilled” with Russia’s mass attack against Ukraine and plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin in “the next couple of days.”

‘Responsibility is inevitable’ — Ukraine’s military intelligence honors anniversary by plastering Moscow with ‘greeting cards.’ “Residents of the capital of so-called Russia can obviously expect special congratulations from Ukrainian military intelligence soon,” a source in HUR told the Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine hits ‘strategically important’ oil infrastructure in Russia, General Staff confirms. Ukrainian forces struck the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai and the “8-N” oil pipeline control station near the village of Naitopovichi in Bryansk Oblast, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed on Sept. 7.

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Ukraine retook 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.

Russia has recruited 280,000 contract soldiers 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 nearly 2,500 high-precision missiles in 2025. In addition to missile production, Russia plans to manufacture a range of modern military hardware by the end of 2025, including 57 combat aircraft.

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Ukraine war latest: Record Russian drone, missile attack kills at least 4, injures 44 across Ukraine, hits government building for first time

Multiple Ukrainian regions, as well as the capital, came under attack. The overnight strikes damaged multiple residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, causing power outages in some regions, and struck the Cabinet of Ministers building in central Kyiv. 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.

Photo: Kyodo News via Getty Images

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From Crimea to Donbas, Russia’s “peace” has always meant more war. We’re here in Ukraine to give the world a reality check. Support independent journalism in this critical moment.

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Human cost of Russia’s war

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 11, injure 75 over past day. At least eight Ukrainian regions, as well as the city of Kyiv, came under attack over the past 24 hours. Russian forces launched missiles, drones, and glide bombs across Ukraine.

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,088,150 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 970 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

China backs Russia as Trump’s peace talks stall | Ukraine This Week

International response

Russia’s mass attack shows Kremlin not interested in ending war diplomatically, Trump’s Ukraine envoy says. “The attack was not a signal that Russia wants to diplomatically end this war,” U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg wrote the day after Russia launched its largest attack of the full-scale war.

‘We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia,’ US Treasury Secretary says. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told NBC News on Sept. 7 that the U.S. is prepared to work with European allies on new sanctions targeting countries that buy Russian oil, aiming to weaken Moscow’s economy and step up pressure on Russia to reach a ceasefire.

‘This is Putin’s response to calls for peace’ — European leaders condemn Russia’s Sept. 7 devastating attack on Ukraine. Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine on Sept. 7, killing at least four people and injuring more than 40, prompting swift condemnation from Kyiv’s European partners.

In other news

Ukrainian refugee stabbed 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.

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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Martin Fornusek, Francis Farrell, Kateryna Hodunova, Sonya Bandouil, and Abbey Fenbert.

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