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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A multi-story residential building is seen damaged in Odesa as a firefighter looks on following a Russian strike on Sept.13, 2026. (Arthur Shvits/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Poland warns of ‘real’ threat after Russian drones strike Ukraine near its border. “Drones were operating and even striking targets located very close to the Polish border,” Polish Armed Forces’ Operational Command spokesperson Jacek Goryszewski said.
Next months will see ‘very intensive actions‘ from Russia, Tusk warns after strikes near Polish border. Tusk’s statement comes a day after Russia launched drones overnight at western Ukraine, striking a gas station near the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing and a Kyiv-Warsaw passenger train just 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Polish border.
Ukrainian forces reportedly strike energy infrastructure in occupied Mariupol as fire burns in Russia’s Taganrog. Ukrainian forces hit energy infrastructure in the occupied city of Mariupol late on Sept. 13 as fires continued to burn in southern Russia’s Taganrog following an earlier attack, monitoring channels reported.
Explosion, fires reported in Russia’s Sochi following Ukrainian drone attack. Initial reports from Supernova+ say that the Bocharov Ruchey residence, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s vacation estate was damaged in the attack.
Trump tells Zelensky to stop striking Russian diesel infrastructure. “He’s causing a shortage of diesel,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Ukraine’s refusal to give up territory to Russia stalls peace deal, Trump envoy says. “Ukraine right now does not want to do that,” U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner said.
Russia admits it is striking ‘everything and anything’ in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed Russia had previously avoided indiscriminate strikes but changed its approach after Ukraine began targeting Russian economic and strategic infrastructure.
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Ukraine war latest: Kyiv-Warsaw train struck by Russian drone near Polish border as mass attack targets western Ukraine
A Russian drone struck the locomotive of a Kyiv–Warsaw train near Ukraine’s border with Poland, Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) reported. The train was about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Polish border. No passengers were injured.
Photo Collage: State Emergency Service /Telegram
Ukraine’s missile gap — Kyiv’s struggle to close the ballistic divide
Incredibly fast and destructive, ballistic missiles have become a key feature of Russia’s continuing long-range assault against Ukrainian cities. And while Kyiv has built world-leading drone technology, when it comes to producing ballistic missiles, a key capability in modern warfare, Ukraine still decisively lags behind Russia.
Photo Collage: Denys Shtilierman / X
Human costs of war
Over 248,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation. Since Mediazona last updated the figures in late August 2026, the names of 6,097 Russian soldiers were added to the list of those killed.
International response
Canada seeking to join EU support loan to Ukraine, FT reports. Canada and the EU hope to finalize the amount Ottawa will contribute to the loan before the upcoming EU-Canada Summit in Montreal in late October, according to FT.
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How faith survives the war in Ukraine’s Donbas
In other news
Zelensky imposes sanctions on former press secretary Mendel who echoed Russian propaganda. “I anticipated the possibility of sanctions. This does not change my position,” Iulia Mendel said.
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