Ukraine returns 6 more POWs from Russian captivity

In this interview, the Kyiv Independent’s Jimmy Rushton speaks with Sven Kruk, a former German army officer and the CEO of European drone manufacturer Quantum Systems, about Ukraine’s changing air defense needs and what Europe is learning from the battlefield.

The latest strikes came as Russia intensifies its attacks on Kyiv since August, relentlessly launching drone attacks, even in daytime, to exhaust the Ukrainian air defense.

Russia told NATO it would be ready to use nuclear weapons if alliance members attempt to isolate Kaliningrad Oblast, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart told the Kyiv Independent Sept. 30.

The ongoing Ukrainian offensive, led by the Third Army Corps, achieved success despite a disadvantage in manpower.

"We categorically deny the existence of any political prisoners and believe that framing the issue in this way is completely inappropriate," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

"The Register of Damage for Ukraine represents the legal memory of this unjust war," said the Council of Europe's Secretary General Alain Berset.

Russian attacks have caused an estimated $10 billion in damage to fixed assets in Ukraine this year alone, according to Kravchenko. Steel plants, warehouses, logistics hubs, and data centers have all been hit as Moscow increasingly targets infrastructure supporting the country's economy.

"Sanctions relief will embolden Russia and prolong the war," a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers said.

The Air Force said Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with Zircon and Onyx anti-ship missiles, Iskander-M and S-400 ballistic missiles, and 188 attack drones of various types.

Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with 188 drones and various missiles, according to Ukraine's air force.

The number includes 1,470 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

The measures target 13 individuals and entities in Russia, Hong Kong, China, and Pakistan as the United States continues to exert economic pressure on Tehran under "Operation Economic Outcast" amid its months-long war with Iran.

"With the treatment of Ukrainian children, of POWs and detained civilians within the Russian Federation, there is actually a rather limited amount of coincidence involved. It is a systemic challenge," Norwegian State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson said.