Russia financed trips for Moldovan Orthodox priests to Moscow and provided them with debit cards, after which the clergy created Telegram channels to influence elections in Moldova. The campaign's goal was to warn believers about integration with the EU and promote traditional Russian values.
The airspace over Aalborg Airport in Denmark reopened on Friday after an overnight closure due to suspected drone activity. This marks the second such incident in a few days, raising security concerns.
Oil prices rose, reaching their highest weekly gain since June, due to attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, which led to a reduction in fuel exports and a decrease in oil production. Brent futures rose to $69.55 per barrel, and WTI to $62.22 per barrel.
US President Donald Trump's angry rhetoric towards Russia is a "negotiating tactic" aimed at pressuring the Kremlin. This approach is driven by Trump's frustration with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, stated that Russian planes provoking NATO should be shot down when entering the Alliance's airspace. He commented on the interception of five Russian military aircraft near the Latvian border by Hungarian fighters.
Diplomats from Great Britain, France, and Germany warned the Kremlin that NATO is ready to respond to airspace violations, including by shooting down Russian planes. This happened after three MiG-31 fighters intruded over Estonia.
Two Hungarian Gripen fighter jets intercepted five Russian military aircraft on September 25. This happened near Lithuanian airspace, demonstrating Hungary's commitment to protecting the Baltic states.
"Unknown" drones were recorded over the Mourmelon-le-Grand military base in France on the night of September 21-22. The incident was called "exceptional," and an investigation is underway.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, stated that Russia is lying about the start of a world war if its planes are shot down by NATO countries. He recalled the 2015 incident when Turkey shot down a Russian bomber.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that Ukraine will continuously receive American weapons, financed by NATO countries under the PURL initiative. $2 billion has already been allocated for aid packages.
Romanian Minister of National Defense Ionuț Moșteanu announced the completion of the development of a methodology for applying legislation regarding the shooting down of drones and manned military aircraft that violate airspace. The procedure includes identification, jamming, and intervention, with shooting down being a last resort after other steps have been ignored.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supported Donald Trump's statement that NATO member countries should shoot down Russian drones and planes if they enter their airspace, if such a step is necessary. NATO military personnel are trained to assess such threats and determine further actions.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha participated in a meeting on the downing of flight MH17, emphasizing the need for an international response to Russia's impunity. He stressed that holding Russia accountable for the downing of the passenger plane is a test for international law.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed incidents involving drones over Danish airports, calling them “serious. ” The parties agreed on NATO's cooperation with Denmark to ensure the security of critical infrastructure, as the incidents could be part of a “hybrid attack.”
Poland plans to change its legislation to allow its military to act independently against Russian drones over Ukraine, removing bureaucratic restrictions from 2022. A Ministry of Defense bill, submitted in June, would allow drones to be shot down without NATO and EU approval.
Turkey has deployed an advanced AWACS radar aircraft to Lithuania to bolster defenses in the Baltic region following Russian airspace violations. The mission will last until Thursday, with the aircraft capable of detecting low-flying objects.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated the possibility of shooting down Russian fighter jets that violate NATO airspace. This position is supported by US President Donald Trump and Czech President Petr Pavel.
Poland is creating a center for implementing Ukrainian combat experience, as announced by Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. This will allow the impressive development of Ukraine's drone industry and its implementation in the army at the Alliance level to be utilized.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss the expansion of the PURL program, which has already reached $2. 1 billion. The parties also coordinated positions on threats from the escalation of Russian aggression, emphasizing the deliberate nature of violations of NATO airspace.
A Russian fighter jet flew over a German Navy frigate in the Baltic Sea, which German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called a provocation. He compared the incident to recent Russian violations of Polish and Estonian airspace.
The presidents of Poland and the United States discussed the situation in Central and Eastern Europe and also mentioned the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Czech President Petr Pavel stated that Russia, being a member of the UN, is setting a dangerous precedent that armed aggression can bring territorial and political gains. He emphasized that this could destroy the system of governance based on respect and partnership, and a similar situation to that in Europe could happen anywhere on Earth.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated at the UN General Assembly debates that only strong alliances and its own weapons can guarantee Ukraine's security. He emphasized that international law does not work without allies and weapons, which is why Ukraine is investing in its defense industry.
Slovakia will join the EU-initiated meeting on the "drone wall" on September 26, chaired by European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius. The European Commission expects concrete results and firm commitments from member states regarding this initiative.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, highlighted key trends that will shape global security in the coming decades. These include the formation of a new axis of cooperation, the growing role of societal resilience, and radical changes in warfare due to technology.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is being urged to return lands that Ukraine failed to liberate during the 2023 counteroffensive. Trump believes that Ukraine can win and Russia's economy will stop.
Chief adviser to the President of Lithuania, Deividas Matulionis, stated that the country must be able to use force against aircraft of hostile countries if they violate its airspace. This is a matter of national competence, but NATO may be involved in the event of a serious threat.
During a visit to the UN, Donald Trump stated that Ukraine could restore its borders with the support of Europe and NATO. He avoided promising new aid to Ukraine, shifting responsibility for the continuation of the war to European allies.
After a trip to Great Britain and a meeting with Zelensky, Trump's rhetoric regarding Ukraine softened, and he allowed the return of all Ukrainian lands. Political scientist Oleh Lisnyi explained that this is a pleasant surprise, but the US is not rushing to take effective steps, as it does not have a clear plan.
Shares of European defense companies surged after US President Donald Trump's statement that Ukraine is capable of regaining all occupied territories. The aerospace and defense index rose by 1.1%, approaching record highs.
