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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Municipal workers wait in front of a damaged multistorey residential building as rescuers clear debris following a drone attack in Kyiv on Sept. 9, 2026. (Genya SAVILOV / AFP via Getty Images)
New record set: Ukrainian drones strike Russian gas facility over 3,000 km away in Siberia. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) carried out Kyiv’s deepest strike into Russia so far in the full-scale war, attacking a natural gas facility 3,200 kilometers (1,988 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
Russia plans final test of new ballistic missile with 800-kilometer range by end of 2026, Ukraine’s military intelligence says. Russia could use the missile tests to strike targets in western Ukraine, Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), said on Sept. 8.
Russia’s Sochi port hit in fiery strike by Ukrainian sea drone, officials claim. Russian officials said a fire broke out on a port embankment in Sochi as a result of a Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel (USV) strike. The attack reportedly disrupted a nearby concert.
Trump praises ‘great’ call with Putin as Russian forces pummel cities across Ukraine. “(Putin) is wanting to make a deal, and if Zelensky is wanting to make a deal, that’d be very nice,” Trump told reporters.
Trump considering giving CIA chief Ratcliffe greater role in Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, FT reports. U.S. officials have reportedly told their European counterparts about the proposed diplomatic shift, with Trump considering downsizing current special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s role in negotiations.
Russia tells Trump ending US support for Ukraine could help end war. “They should stop providing any assistance to Kyiv,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.
Amid EU push, Council of Europe launches rival bid to use Russian assets to help Ukraine. “Given the scale of the damage inflicted on Ukraine… any awards (of compensation) could potentially amount to billions, tens of billions, or hundreds of billions of euros,” reads a Council of Europe statement.
Exclusive: EU lawmakers join pressure to use 200 billion euros in Russian assets to help Ukraine. Ukraine needs substantial, long-term financing now, but Belgium should not have to shoulder Europe’s responsibility alone, EU lawmaker Karin Karlsbro told the Kyiv Independent.
Russian drone in Moldova nearly hit Zelensky’s plane, source says. At the time of the drone violation, Zelensky’s plane was taking off from Moldova en route to Norway.
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Ukraine war latest: Ukraine launches record-breaking deep strike on gas facility in Russia’s Yamalo-Nenets region, over 3,000 km from border
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) carried out Kyiv’s deepest strike into Russia so far in the full-scale war, attacking a natural gas facility 3,200 kilometers (1,988 miles) from the Ukrainian border on Sept. 9, the military said.
Photo: Exilenova-Plus / Telegram
Explainer: How a corruption scandal and loyalty to Zelensky brought down Ukraine’s prosecutor general
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko once helped lead the crackdown on Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). On Sept. 7, a corruption scandal ultimately led to his downfall after the same bureau broke through the gates of his office.
Photo: Danylo Antoniuk / Ukrinform / NurPhoto via Getty Images
‘Our desire to create is bigger than our fear’: How one Kyiv restaurant rebuilds, adapts and keeps going after 3 Russian attacks
It was never normal for Anna Zavertailo to shelter in her restaurant’s basement kitchen alongside her employees and diners as drones flew overhead. But after multiple attacks damaged her popular family-run businesses in Kyiv, safety has become the top priority.
Photo: Danylo Antoniuk/ The Kyiv Independent
Human cost of war
Russia resumes drone attacks on Kyiv, kills 1, injures 17, damages residential buildings. The air-raid alert related to drone threats has been in effect in Kyiv for more than six hours since the start of the day.
Deadly Russian drone strike targets Sumy shopping center, killing 2, injuring 20, including 3 children. Footage from the attack site shows firefighters battling flames engulfing cars and pools of blood from victims on the asphalt near the mall.
Russian attacks kill at least 12, injure 72 across Ukraine as Russia continues relentless strikes on Kyiv. In Kyiv, nine people were injured after a Russian morning strike hit a 24-story residential building, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Sept. 9.
Moldovan President Sandu condemns Russian drone strike on border crossing point that killed 2, injured 3. The Moldovan President called for more air defense for Ukraine.
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International response
‘We know who lives here’ — German foreign minister floats giving Kyiv data on Ukrainian men eligible for conscription. The process should happen without “coercion,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said.
Russia-friendly Serbian president dissolves parliament in a bid to stay in power. The announcement comes amid an apparent rapprochement between Serbia and Ukraine.
EU frontrunner Montenegro ready to help Ukraine with reforms. “Believe me, this is not an easy process at all,” Montenegro’s European Affairs Minister Maida Gorcevic said, expressing solidarity with the EU reform work still to be done by Ukraine.
Top EU court throws out Orban-era attempt to block funds for Ukraine. The Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the EU has thrown out Orban’s attempt to block military aid for Ukraine as “it does not fall within the jurisdiction” of the court.
As Russia-Ukraine war escalates in the air, what comes next?
In other news
3 former law enforcement officers involved in plot to frame outspoken ex-commander with planted drugs. Three former law enforcement officers now serving in a Ukrainian army brigade, whose name has not been disclosed, allegedly conspired with unidentified accomplices to illegally monitor Oleksandr Shyrshyn and gather confidential information about him, according to the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) and the Prosecutor General’s Office.
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