Zelensky's 'victory plan' includes invitation to NATO, commitment to sustained weapons supply, Bloomberg reports
Bloomberg sources said that the "victory plan" also includes a clear pathway to European Union membership.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
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Russia preparing strikes against Ukrainian nuclear facilities ahead of winter, Foreign Minister says
The possible targets include open distribution devices at nuclear power plants and transmission substations, "which are essential for the safe functioning of the nuclear energy system," according to Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Former Wagner base in Russia's Krasnodar Krai reportedly on fire
A fire broke out at the Wagner Group's former military base in Molkino in Russia's Krasnodar Krai on Sept. 21, Russian independent media outlet Meduza reported, citing Wagner-linked Telegram channel.
Japanese PM Kishida to meet Zelensky in US, media report
According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, Kishida is expected to convey Japan's intention to continue supporting Kyiv and imposing sanctions against Russia during the meeting.
Zelensky signs law to increase state budget by $12 billion for defense expenditures
The law aims to finance "urgent measures in the field of security and defense to counter the large-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine," according to an explanatory note on the Ukrainian parliament's website.
General Staff: Russia has lost 640,920 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has also reportedly lost 8,746 tanks, 17,170 armored fighting vehicles, 24,966 vehicles and fuel tanks, 18,270 artillery systems, 1,193 multiple launch rocket systems, 949 air defense systems, 369 airplanes, 328 helicopters, 15,561 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
US may send Ukraine medium-range missiles for F-16s, Politico reports
A medium-range glide bomb known as the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) might be included in the new military aid package, U.S. officials told Politico. The missile can cover a distance of over 70 miles.
Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih kills 3, including child
A 12-year-old boy was killed in the attack, regional Governor Serhii Lysak said. The strike also killed two women, aged 75 and 79.
US to provide Ukraine with additional $375 million in military aid, Reuters reports
If confirmed, it would be the largest tranche of military aid the U.S. has sent Ukraine since May earlier this year, when a package worth $275 million was delivered.
Ukraine war latest: Russia commanders reportedly warned of plans for Ukraine's Kursk incursion months in advance
Key developments on Sept. 20: * Russian commanders warned of plans for Ukraine's Kursk incursion months in advance, seized documents show * Ghanaian men lured to fight for Russia appeal for help from inside occupied Ukraine * First group of Ukrainian pilots complete French jet training * Ukraine's strike on Russian arms depot destroyed
Ghanaian men lured to fight for Russia appeal for help from inside occupied Ukraine
The surviving members of a group of 14 men from Ghana who were lured into the Russian military to fight against Ukraine have appealed for help from Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast, Ghanaian news outlet TV3 reported on Sept. 19.
Ukraine's strike on Russian arms depot destroyed up to 3 months' worth of ammunition, Estonian military intelligence head says
The Ukrainian drone strike on the arms depot in Russia's Tver Oblast destroyed two to three months' worth of munitions, Estonian Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center, said on Sept. 20.
Norway allocates additional $5.7 billion to Ukraine until 2030
"This unwavering commitment will help Ukraine protect lives, defend freedom, and strengthen our resilience," Zelensky said.
Raiffeisen Bank agrees to sell Belarusian subsidiary
Austria-headquartered Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) agreed to sell its stake in its Belarusian subsidiary Priorbank, marking the first step toward fully withdrawing from the Belarusian market, RBI announced on Sept. 20.
First group of Ukrainian pilots complete French jet training
The first cohort of Ukrainian pilots have completed Alpha Jet training in France, the French Armed Forces announced on Sept. 20.
Ukraine plans to restrict Telegram use for government, military, critical infrastructure
"I have always advocated freedom of speech, but the issue of Telegram is not a matter of freedom of speech, it is a matter of national security," Ukraine's military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said.
Russia struggles to rewire global trade amid sanctions, war, WSJ analysis says
As the full-scale invasion continues, Western countries are imposing increasingly severe sanctions on Russia, forcing it to seek new partnerships with Asian powerhouses China and India.
US Congress nears deal on extending $6 billion in Ukraine aid before expiration, Reuters reports
U.S. Congress and the Biden administration are close to an agreement on a one-year extension of $5.8 billion in military aid for Ukraine before it expires at the end of September, Reuters reported on Sept. 19, citing two undisclosed sources.
General Staff: Russia has lost 639,480 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,340 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Kremlin begins criminal investigation into chief editor of Russian independent media outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe
Russia's Investigative Committee reportedly alleged that Kirill Martynov, chief editor of Novaya Gazeta Europe, was "conducting activities of an undesirable organization."
EU considering ending Georgia's visa-free access over ruling party's democratic backsliding
"All options are on the table" if Georgia does not reverse its trend toward authoritarianism, "including the potential temporary suspension of the visa liberalization scheme," a spokesperson for the European Commission told Politico.
Bulgarian far-right party’s foreign agent bill fails in committee vote
Founded in 2014 and described by some as pro-Russian, Revival came in third in Bulgaria's snap parliamentary election in June, gaining 41 seats in the 240-seat parliament. Revival has supported maintaining Bulgaria's "deep ties" with Russia.
Germany plans additional $445 million in aid for Ukraine in 2024, AFP reports
According to the document seen by AFP — a letter to the parliamentary budget committee — additional funds are needed to "fulfill the German government's support commitments to the Ukrainian armed forces."
Trump's campaign appearance with Polish President Duda canceled, sources tell Reuters
The reasons for the cancelation were not specified. It is unknown if Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda planned to meet elsewhere on the campaign trail.
US sanctions Russian individuals, entities engaging in prohibited transactions with North Korea
"The U.S. remains strongly committed to leveraging all our available tools to disrupt this and other schemes intended to support Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and enable (North Korea's) illicit access to the international financial system," said Treasury official Bradley Smith.
Bulgaria to ask EU to suspend egg imports from Ukraine
"When the import of a certain type of product or commodity — vegetables, meat, eggs — reaches certain limits that the European Commission has outlined in advance, then we can activate the mechanism of banning their import. We are currently doing this in terms of eggs," Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Georgi Takhov said.
Ukraine war latest: Russian airstrike on Sumy retirement home kills 1, injures 14
Key developments on Sept. 19: * Russian attack on retirement home in Sumy kills at least 1, injures 14 * Russia redeploys 40,000 troops to Kursk Oblast as Kyiv's incursion continues, Zelensky says * European Parliament backs Ukrainian strikes inside Russia, Taurus missiles delivery * Russia mining dams in Belgorod Oblast, Ukraine's military
EU aims to cover 25% of Ukraine's energy needs in winter, von der Leyen says ahead of Kyiv visit
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Kyiv on Sept. 20 to discuss Ukraine's energy needs with President Volodymyr Zelensky, she said on Sept. 19.
EU allocates over $100 million from Russian frozen assets to support Ukraine in winter
"Russia must pay for the destruction it caused," von der Leyen said.
MEPs vote in support of Ukrainian strikes inside Russia, Taurus missiles delivery
The European Parliament passed a resolution on Sept. 19 calling for EU member states to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weapons inside Russia, and accelerate weapons deliveries, "including Taurus missiles."
Controversial MP dismissed from Ukrainian Parliament's National Security Committee
Ukraine's parliament voted unanimously on Sept. 18 to dismiss the controversial lawmaker Mariana Bezuhla from her position as deputy head of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defense.
Ukrainian parliament renames over 300 settlements relating to Russia, Soviet Union
Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, voted on Sept. 19 to rename 327 settlements that had names related to the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union.
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