Exclusives

Russia’s D-30SN built with Irish, Swiss, US components destroys 15,000-m² Ukrainian civilian facility in single strike. Foreign parts flow from factories to battlefields, powering strikes that ordinary people cannot outrun.

Ukraine built weapons, bureaucracy blocked exports. Zelenskyy’s export announcement highlights the urgent need to fix the system blocking Western partnerships.

Military

Frontline report: Ukraine systematically dismantles Russian air defenses in coordinated campaign spanning hundreds of kilometers. Ukrainian forces are executing a methodical campaign to destroy Russian air defense systems from Donetsk to Crimea, achieving air superiority through system demolition rather than fighter dominance.

ISW: Ukraine war enters critical new phase as Russia builds strategic reserves. Russia is forming a strategic reserve and has signed contracts with nearly 292,000 new recruits, increasing pressure on eastern Ukraine.

Drones hit FSB-linked resort complex in occupied Crimea that allegedly housed high-ranking Russian officials — three died. The main restaurant of the resort was closed for “special service” on the day of the attack. Anonymous sources claim “very important guests” were present and the FSB maintains operations there.

Ukrainian special forces report destruction of Russian S-400 launcher in Russia’s Kaluga Oblast. Ukrainian attack drones struck an S-400 Triumph air defense system in Russia’s Kaluga Region, destroying a missile launcher and its attendant radar unit, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) reported on 22 September.

Ukrainian drones struck railway substation critical for military supply in Russia’s remote Krasnodar Krai. Russian Telegram channels published video footage showing the overnight attack on the “Kanevska” traction substation that serves as a central hub for electrified railway sections.

First time in combat history: Ukraine destroys rare Soviet-era amphibious planes in occupied Crimea. The Be-12 “Chaika” amphibious planes targeted by Ukrainian special forces serve as Russia’s primary tool for detecting submarine movements in Black Sea waters.

“Deliberate terror against peaceful city:” Russian bombs kill three civilians and destroy homes and schools in Ukraine. Three civilians died in Zaporizhzhia on 22 September when aerial bombs struck residential neighborhoods during the 40-minute bombardment.

Intelligence and Technology

Kremlin agents used EU territory as covert highway to arm kamikaze drones for attacks on Ukrainians. The SBU raids Kyiv and surrounding regions, seizing evidence of a sophisticated operation to improve drone strikes.

Russia controls 1 in 5 “shadow fleet” oil tankers worldwide to dodge sanctions and fund war. The deceptive practices emerged after Europe banned Russian seaborne imports in late 2022 in response to its aggression in Ukraine, forcing Moscow to redirect sales to India and China via longer, more expensive shipping routes requiring additional vessels.

International

Russian-backed networks target pro-European trajectory of Moldova amid upcoming elections. Nearly 12% of the country remains under Russian-backed authority, a staging ground for destabilization operations.

Moldova detains 74 over alleged Russian-backed election unrest plot. Authorities say the suspects trained in Serbia on firearms and crowd-control tactics and were allegedly instructed by Russian operatives ahead of parliamentary elections.

Zelenskyy to meet with over 20 world leaders during UN General Assembly. Ukraine will host a global summit on returning kidnapped children during the UN General Assembly.

Ukraine insists on tender to buy 20 Korean electric trains – Deputy PM. Deputy PM Kuleba announced Ukraine would use open tenders to select Korean electric train suppliers during his Seoul working visit, as the country seeks to expand its high-speed rail capacity despite recent Russian attacks on existing rolling stock.

Humanitarian and Social Impact

“Intention to kill”: UN confirms Russia’s systematic drone attacks on civilians amount to crimes against humanity. A UN inquiry has documented systematic Russian drone attacks over 300 kilometers of front-line territory, striking civilians, homes, and first responders.

Summit on returning abducted Ukrainian children to take place during UN General Assembly. Zelenskyy will meet with world leaders during a week of high-level diplomacy at the UN General Assembly, the president said during his evening address.

Read our previous daily review here.