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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A woman in occupied Donetsk Oblast casts her vote into a mobile ballot box held by a Russian soldier during early voting in Russia’s parliamentary election, illegally held in the Russian-controlled village of Verbivka on Sept. 14, 2026. (AFP via Getty Images)
NATO jets shoot down drone over Lithuanian airspace after it flew in from Belarus. “With Russia intensifying its aggression against Ukraine, such readiness is vital for our region. Together with our NATO Allies, Lithuania will defend its airspace,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said.
Ukrainian forces reportedly strike Russia’s Syzran Oil Refinery, target Ozon retail warehouse in Taganrog. Ukrainian forces targeted the Syzran Oil Refinery in Russia’s Samara Oblast and an Ozon warehouse in Taganrog overnight on Sept. 15, monitoring channels and authorities reported.
‘Not the time to shield Russian oligarchs,’ Zelensky says as EU delays sanctions decision amid pressure from France. The EU now has until Sept. 22 to renew its sanctions on 2,600 Russian entities and individuals. Attempts to reach an extension agreement have been stalled by calls to remove Russian billionaires from the list.
Russia using Belarusian LTE networks, relay stations for mass drone attacks on Ukraine, Kyiv says. The revelations came a day after Russia sent hundreds of the petrol-powered drones in a rare mass attack targeting regions in northwestern Ukraine on Sept. 12.
Trump claims Ukraine, Russia agree to halt strikes on energy targets, Kyiv unaware of deal. “Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy Targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise!” Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sept. 14.
Zelensky to push energy, Black Sea ceasefire at possible Trump meeting in New York. “We are open to a maritime ceasefire, as well as an energy ceasefire,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Russian general involved in Donetsk offensives reportedly killed in Ukrainian strike. The reported death has been linked to a Ukrainian strike on Aug. 26 against Russian command posts in occupied Donetsk.
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Ukraine war latest: Zelensky ‘not sure’ Russia wants to stop strikes on energy infrastructure
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Sept. 14 that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to halt strikes on “energy targets,” as fuel prices continue to rise worldwide. “Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy Targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise!” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
Photo: AFP via Getty Images
Russia’s cinemas may lose their backdoor access to Hollywood blockbusters
After years of illegal screenings, Russians may soon lose access to major foreign films in their cinemas. Since 2022, “pre-screening entertainment” — as the practice is known locally — has allowed Russian cinema-goers to watch Hollywood blockbusters.
Photo: Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP via Getty Images
Disgraced top prosecutor’s attack on anti-corruption bodies may trigger a political crisis
Ukraine’s disgraced Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko’s Sept. 14 revenge charges against the country’s top anti-corruption official could trigger a major political crisis if this becomes a full-on crackdown on anti-corruption institutions, analysts say.
Photo: Prosecutor General’s Press Office / AP
Human costs of war
Russia strikes Kyiv gas station as 1 person hospitalized. Russian forces struck a gas station in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district, and one person was hospitalized, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Russian attacks kill 6, injure 43 across Ukraine over past day, Donetsk Oblast among hardest hit. The Air Force said Russia attacked Ukraine with 108 drones. Air defenses shot down or intercepted 85 drones, while strikes were recorded at seven locations.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,508,600 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The figure includes 1,700 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
International response
US slaps new penalties on Russia’s VTB Bank over Iran sanctions evasion. “VTB is now among the most comprehensively sanctioned financial institutions in the world,” the U.S. Treasury said in a press release Sept. 14.
Ukraine to receive $841 million from World Bank amid budget deficit. The funding will be used to reimburse pension payments from the state budget.
Drone strikes near Polish border show Putin’s ‘desperation,’ NATO’s Rutte says. Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said Poland was treating the incident with the “utmost seriousness.”
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In other news
Donald Trump Jr. admits Russian oligarch with Putin ties partially funded wedding celebration. The couple described Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev as a “dear friend” who generously funded a three-day party for the Trumps in the Bahamas with no political motive whatsoever.
Update: Prosecutor General’s Office says charges brought by its disgraced leader have no legal grounds. “NABU and SAPO view these actions as a continuation of the systematic attack on the independence of anti-corruption agencies,” Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau said.
Kyiv warns state budget nearing ‘critical point,’ urges lawmakers to pass key finance bills. Ukraine could lose out on “a significant portion” of $29.5 billion in planned funds if parliament fails to advance the necessary legislation in time, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi warned.
No one’s expecting Prosecutor General Kravchenko at Paris event on Ukrainian children. Outgoing Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko requested permission to leave Ukraine to attend a Sept. 16 European conference on Ukrainian children in Paris, but organizers told the Kyiv Independent he will not attend the event in any capacity.
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