Mayor: Melitopol residents forced to vote in ‘referendum’ for absent relatives, neighbors

Dmitry Kozak, a longtime associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin and one of the few senior Russian officials to oppose the invasion of Ukraine, has reportedly resigned from his post as the Kremlin's deputy chief of staff.

Georgian authorities detained two Ukrainian nationals for allegedly attempting to smuggle 2.4 kilograms (5.3 pounds) of hexogen explosive from Turkey to Georgia, local media reported on Sept. 11.

The suspects allegedly used courier services DHL and DPD to send four parcels disguised as cosmetic products from Vilnius to various locations across Europe.

"Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace," King Charles III said.

"There is no doubt that Russia will be a threat to Denmark and Europe for many years to come," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.

Representatives of the Polish Defense Ministry and the country's Armed Forces are set to meet their Ukrainian counterparts and discuss defense cooperation and support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

Ukrainian forces downed 48 out of the 75 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Twenty-six drones struck six different locations, according to the statement.

The number includes 930 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Ukraine expects a delegation of Polish military officials to arrive this week to study the country’s experience in countering Russian air attacks, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said at a briefing on Sept. 17.

Over the summer months, the Russian army has failed to secure any front-line breakthroughs or capture a single major Ukrainian city, with its main efforts concentrated in Donetsk Oblast.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine will receive Patriot and HIMARS missiles as part of a U.S. weapons package financed by NATO allies.

The drone, whose model was not disclosed, flew over several sensitive sites, including government buildings and the presidential residence, on the evening of Sept. 15.

Washington and Kyiv will invest $75 million each to kickstart the Ukraine reconstruction investment fund that gives the U.S. special access to mineral sites and other projects in Ukraine, the Economy Minister Oleksii Sobolev told journalists on Sept. 17.

"Today, they are all safe in Ukraine, receiving psychological support, restoring their documents, and taking their first steps toward a peaceful new life," Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak said.