Zelensky's 'victory plan' and Biden's long-range strike dilemma | Ukraine This Week

4:01 PM

Iran provided no launchers with missile deliveries to Russia, Reuters reports.

Iran did not include mobile launchers along with its delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia, Reuters reported on Sept. 21, citing three sources with knowledge of the matter.

3:22 PM

Video

Zelensky's 'victory plan' and Biden's long-range strike dilemma | Ukraine This Week.

The Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur explains the top stories of the week, from Zelensky’s "victory plan" to Biden’s policy on long-range missile strikes within Russia.

2:12 PM

Russian attack on mine in Donetsk Oblast kills 2 women, injures 1.

Russian troops shelled a mine in Donetsk Oblast, killing two female mine employees and injuring one other person, Ukraine's Energy Ministry reported on Sept. 22.

12:56 PM

Russia launches over 1,000 aerial weapons against Ukraine in a week, Zelensky says.

Russia has launched nearly 30 missiles, around 400 drones, and more than 900 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine over the past week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 22, as he called for Ukraine to be given long-range strike capabilities.

12:03 PM

NATO jets intercept six Russian aircraft flying over Baltic Sea.

NATO jets intercepted six Russian aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea without transponders or a flight plan over the past two days, the Latvian Air Force reported late on Sept. 21.

10:48 AM

Russian attacks kill 5, injure 40 in Ukraine over past day.

Civilian casualties were reported in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Donetsk oblasts.

9:31 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 642,420 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

This number includes 1,500 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

12:18 AM  (Updated:  September 22, 2024 9:17 am)

Russian strike on apartment building in Kharkiv injures 21, including children.

The injured include one 8-year-old child and two 17-year-olds, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. At least six of the wounded have been hospitalized and over 60 people have been evacuated from the high-rise.

6:57 AM

US, India, Japan, Australia issue joint statement calling for peace in Ukraine.

"(W)e reiterate the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity."

6:12 AM

Iran unveils new ballistic missile, upgraded Shahed drone.

The Shahed-136B is reportedly an upgraded version of the Shahed-136, a type of drone used by Russia in near-daily attacks against Ukraine. The newer drone has an operational range of 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles).

3:03 AM

Zelensky to visit US ammunition factory in Scranton producing shells for Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, a factory producing critically-need 155 mm shells for Ukraine, during his visit to the United States on Sept. 22.

2:07 AM

Putin must not win in Ukraine, Russian dissident Kara-Murza says.

"Vladimir Putin must not be allowed to win this war in Ukraine. More than that, he must not be allowed to have a face-saving exit from this war," Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza said at a press conference in London.

10:40 PM

Russia says it will not take part in follow-up peace summit.

Russia has announced it will not participate in any future iterations of the Swiss-hosted peace summit held in June, labeling the process a "fraud," Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sept. 21.

9:58 PM

Russian attack on Nikopol kills 2, injures 2.

Russian drone attack on the city of Nikopol killed two civilians, including a 12-year-old girl, and injured two others, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak reported.

5:59 PM

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.

4:51 PM

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.

6:59 AM  (Updated:  September 21, 2024 4:08 pm)

UPDATED: Ukraine confirms overnight strikes on Russian arms depots.

The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed on the afternoon of Sept. 21 that the country's military and security service struck two Russian arms depots overnight.

2:48 PM

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.

2:04 PM

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.

12:46 PM

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.

11:26 AM

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 8, injure 53 over past day.

Russian attacks against Ukraine killed eight people, including a 12-year-old boy, and wounded another 53 in the past day, regional authorities reported on Sept. 21.

9:13 AM

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.

5:11 AM  (Updated:  September 21, 2024 7:46 am)

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.

6:22 AM

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.

4:31 AM

49% of Russians support withdrawal of troops from Ukraine, poll says.

A majority of those surveyed (53%) also said it was more important for Russia to oust Ukrainian forces from Kursk Oblast than to occupy more territory in eastern Ukraine.