Belarus
Belarus has officially deployed Russian Oreshnik missile systems, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, on its territory, as announced by the country's Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, called this an information operation by Russia, pointing to a failed launch of the system.
European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius emphasized the need for the EU to develop additional capabilities to combat drones. He noted that this requires drawing on Ukraine's experience, as well as focusing on drone detection and the use of traditional artillery.
Belarus plans to build a new nuclear power plant in the east of the country to supply electricity to Russian-controlled territories of Ukraine, as stated by Lukashenka during talks with Putin. Putin noted that financing is not a problem if there is a consumer willing to pay for electricity.
Poland resumed traffic at border crossings with Belarus on September 25, but urges its citizens to refrain from traveling and to leave Belarus. The Polish Foreign Ministry warns of possible difficulties with evacuation and border closures in case of a worsening situation.
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenka stated that the Russian Oreshnik missile system is already on its way to Belarus.
The European Commission has rejected the demand by EU lawmakers to confiscate 200 billion euros of frozen Russian central bank assets. This would violate international law and risk widespread retaliatory measures from Moscow.
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.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, stated that Russian troops left Belarus after joint exercises. However, the threat from this direction for Ukraine does not disappear, so the Defense Forces remain vigilant.
Belarus is betting on trade with Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia. This has become a new stage in the country's economic strategy, which is trying to support enterprises through cooperation with Venezuela, Syria, North Korea, and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Poland will open its border with Belarus on the night of September 23-24 after the completion of the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises 'Zapad-2025'. Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the government may close the borders again in case of tension or aggressive behavior from Russia or Belarus.
In Poland, the Central Bureau of Investigation liquidated a criminal group involved in the illegal trade of luxury cars. Almost 600 vehicles were illegally smuggled to Russia and Belarus, and companies received over 40 million zlotys in undue VAT refunds.
On September 21, fragments of objects resembling drones were found in three voivodeships in Poland. Reports came from the Białogard, Siedlce, and Zamość counties.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, reported that no movement of Russian equipment or personnel is being recorded on the border with Belarus. Belarus continues to keep a small number of its units near the Ukrainian border.
The fuel shortage has affected at least 20 regions of Russia, including the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The price of AI-92 gasoline rose and exceeded 73.2 thousand rubles per ton, which became a historical maximum.
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note of protest to the Russian side regarding the diplomatic mission's publications about opportunities to study in the illegally occupied territories of Ukraine. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna explained that such actions by the embassy contradict Estonian legislation.
Belarus declared a Czech diplomat persona non grata and summoned a Polish diplomat. This happened in response to the expulsion of Belarusian diplomats from the Czech Republic and Poland.
Ukraine has been elected to the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council of the Universal Postal Union. Russia and Belarus lost the elections to this organization, which underscores their isolation.
Estonia will completely stop importing Russian natural gas, including liquefied gas, from next year, according to a government decision of September 18. This expansion of sanctions was initiated by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to cut the Kremlin's revenues.
Lithuanian operator Litgrid has completely dismantled sections of cross-border power lines connecting Lithuania with Russia's Kaliningrad region. This signifies the final disconnection from the Russian grid and strengthens integration into Europe's continental electricity system.
Local residents of the Polish village of Stanisławka discovered a drone that likely violated Polish airspace. This is not the first incident after Russia's attacks on Ukraine, which led to an investigation and the invocation of NATO Article 4.
MFA spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi stated that Russian troops who participated in the "Zapad-2025" exercises in Belarus are preparing to return to the territory of the Russian Federation. The number of Russian military personnel in the exercises was significantly smaller than in previous years.
Russia has redeployed marines from the Kursk and Sumy directions, also capturing part of the Serebryansky forest.
In the first eight months of 2025, over 25 million people crossed the Ukrainian border, which is 5% more than last year. Hundreds of attempts at illegal crossing are recorded, mostly in the Polish direction.
The joint Russian-Belarusian exercises "Zapad-2025" have concluded, with no direct threats to the Ukrainian border recorded. Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, announced the reduction of Russian military presence in Belarus.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the participation of American military personnel in the Russian-Belarusian exercises "Zapad-2025" in Belarus. This visit took place as part of a "distinguished visitors day" and is a sign of warming relations between Washington and Belarus.
In Poland, according to sources, a missile from an F-16 fighter jet, which was trying to shoot down a drone, crashed into a house in Wyryki. The prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Defense do not disclose information, but sources claim that it was an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile with a guidance system malfunction.
A 21-year-old Ukrainian and a 17-year-old Belarusian woman were detained in Warsaw for launching a drone over government buildings and the Belvedere Palace. They could face up to five years in prison for violating aviation law.
The exercises also involve Russia's Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which was tested last year.
Aliaksandr Lukashenka claims that Belarus has nothing to do with drones violating the airspace of Poland and Lithuania.