German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated at the Ecosystem Summit in Berlin on September 26 that peace in the Federal Republic of Germany can no longer be discussed. He listed actions that concerned him, including drone flights, espionage, and cyberattacks, and also highlighted the war in Ukraine as an attempt to shift borders by military force in Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered a full investigation into the violation of Ukraine's airspace by Hungarian reconnaissance drones. He instructed to respond accordingly in case of repeated incidents.
On September 26, a drone was recorded flying over Zakarpattia, which twice violated the Ukrainian border from Hungary. The Ukrainian Defense Forces patrolled the airspace over Uzhhorod district.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia might be using tankers as launch pads for drones targeting Denmark, Norway, and the Baltic states. According to him, this is not easy to prevent, but it is realistic.
The Hungarian Ministry of Defense refutes President Zelenskyy's statements about Hungarian drones violating Ukrainian airspace. The agency claims that it has not received any information about such incidents from the Ukrainian side.
Maria Zakharova stated that Ukraine allegedly plans to use Russian drones, brought to the Yavoriv training ground, for attacks on NATO countries.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded to his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó, who accused the President of Ukraine of losing his mind. Sybiha stated that Ukraine sees the hypocrisy and moral degradation of the Hungarian government, as well as its work against Ukraine and Europe.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is "losing his mind" due to an "anti-Hungarian obsession. " This was a response to Zelenskyy's words about the possible entry of Hungarian reconnaissance drones into Ukrainian airspace.
On September 28, Moldovan citizens will vote in parliamentary elections that will decide whether the country maintains its course towards the EU or leans towards Russia. Large-scale disinformation campaigns supported by the Kremlin are creating a tense situation, and President Maia Sandu is urging citizens not to succumb to manipulation.
Since the beginning of the day, 106 combat engagements have been recorded, 31 of which were in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy was also active in the Novopavlivka, Toretsk, and Lyman directions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a military meeting where the situation at the front and the counter-offensive operation in the Dobropillia direction were discussed. 168.8 km² of territory has been liberated, and Russian losses amounted to almost 3,000 personnel.
President Zelenskyy heard a report on reconnaissance drones entering Ukrainian airspace from Hungarian territory. He ordered all available data to be checked and an immediate report on each recorded fact.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with Axios that NATO should shoot down Russian drones and planes if they violate airspace. He called the reaction to previous incidents weak, which allowed Russia to continue violations.
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.
The Ministry of Defense of Moldova and the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine denied information about alleged mass distribution of conscription notices in Chisinau. These reports were called fake, aimed at destabilizing the situation and manipulating public opinion on the eve of elections.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russian troops are trying to penetrate deep into Dnipropetrovsk region in small groups to demonstrate their presence. However, they lack the forces for a large-scale offensive, and an attempt to break through in the Novopavlivka direction was thwarted.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that since the beginning of summer, Russia has switched to the tactic of "thousand cuts", using small assault groups. They penetrate Ukrainian territory, attack AFU facilities, and paralyze logistics.
After the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, there is a significant increase in passenger traffic leaving Ukraine. Over the past day, about 5,000 pilgrims crossed the border, which led to a load on the checkpoints in the Lviv region.
Two border guards were detained in Khmelnytskyi region for extorting $5,500 from a colleague from a combat unit for transferring him to a rear unit. They have been notified of suspicion of receiving undue benefits combined with extortion.
On September 25, 157 combat engagements were recorded at the front, with the most active battles taking place in the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions. The occupiers launched 38 air strikes, dropping 71 guided aerial bombs, and used 1,440 kamikaze drones.
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.
Delays in vehicle traffic leaving Ukraine at the Shehyni-Medyka and Krakovets-Korczowa checkpoints are possible at the border with Poland. This is due to the Polish side testing the biometric data verification system and the departure of Hasidic pilgrims. Drivers are advised to choose other checkpoints.
The former representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea has been convicted in absentia and sentenced to 11 years in prison for high treason. He participated in the vote for the so-called "all-Crimean referendum" and the adoption of the declaration of Crimea's "independence."
In Zaporizhzhia, a lawyer and two of her accomplices were exposed for setting up an illegal scheme to smuggle conscripts across the state border of Ukraine.
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.
Five Russian generals and one colonel are accused of bombing schools and kindergartens in Sumy region in 2022. At that time, 15 civilians, including children, were killed, and five more were injured.
After celebrating Rosh Hashanah, thousands of Hasidic pilgrims are leaving Ukraine, which has led to an increase in passenger traffic at the borders with Moldova and Poland. Queues have formed at a number of checkpoints, and border guards have deployed additional patrols to speed up processing.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Donald Trump's optimism regarding Ukraine conceals a promise to reduce US involvement and shift responsibility for ending the war to Europe.
Expeditionary work to search for and exhume Ukrainians in the Polish village of Jureczkowa will begin at the end of September. This happened after the exchange of lists of places for searching for remains between Ukraine and Poland in January.
The President of the European Commission and EU heads of state will discuss drone incursions at an informal meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen next week. This issue will also be considered at the first meeting on the 'drone wall' on Friday, with the participation of representatives from seven border EU member states, Denmark, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
