It Is Now the Seventh Day – Something That Has Never Happened Before – Of an Emergency Situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant – Address by the President

30 September 2025 – 21:31

Dear Ukrainians!

Rescue efforts are still ongoing in Dnipro following a Russian drone strike – it was a deliberate strike on the city center. Sadly, people were wounded. Overall, throughout the day, the eastern regions – Kharkiv, Dnipro, our Sumy, and Chernihiv – have been under near-constant air threats. Kharkiv came under attack. A substation in the Chernihiv region was hit, and restoration work is currently underway. In the Sumy region, during the night, the Russians killed an entire family, just killed them right in their home: a wife, a husband, and two young children, who were four and seven. The woman was pregnant. A Russian drone strike. My condolences to their families and loved ones. We will definitely respond to Russia for its strikes. There were also military reports today, covering, in particular, our deep strikes. We will continue, entirely justly, to destroy Russian logistics, Russian fuel infrastructure – everything that sustains Russia’s war. The world knows that only Russia is to blame for the war not ending. We are receiving the right signals from the United States of America and our other partners – signals that strength is needed to force Russia into real diplomacy and negotiations, into peace and meetings – the formats that can truly help and that Russia keeps dodging. Without strong pressure, the Russians will not stop; instead, they seek to escalate the aggression.

It is now the seventh day – by the way, it is something that has never happened before – of an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The situation is critical. Because of Russian shelling, the plant has been cut off from power, disconnected from the electrical grid, and is being supplied with electricity by diesel generators. This is extraordinary. The generators and the plant were not designed for this, and have never operated in this mode for so long. And we already have information that one generator has failed. It is Russian shelling that prevents the repair of the power lines to the plant and the restoration of basic safety. And this is a threat to absolutely everyone. No terrorist in the world has ever dared to do to a nuclear plant what Russia is doing right now. And it is right that the world does not stay silent. I held a meeting with the military and the Ministry of Energy. I instructed the Government – the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – to bring the world’s full attention to this situation.

I also held a sanctions meeting with the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council and the Presidential Commissioner on sanctions policy. The task is clear: sanctions must inflict more pain, more tangible consequences on Russia. In October, the work on sanctions synchronization must be expedited – particularly on harmonizing our sanctions within partner jurisdictions. We are counting on the adoption of the European Union’s 19th sanctions package, which will also be a strong point with the Americans – to ensure their pressure does not lag behind that of Europe and the other G7 members. I also instructed that preparations begin for the extension of expiring sanctions. So far in September, we have introduced five new sanctions packages. There were also decisions from our partners that are very helpful. In many cases, Europe’s sanctions, Canada’s sanctions, and the United States’ sanctions are based on our Ukrainian proposals. We are very grateful to our partners for this.

Today I spoke with UN Secretary-General Guterres. I thanked him for his support and outlined our efforts to bring home our Ukrainian prisoners, our adults, and to bring home our Ukrainian children held in Russia. We are preparing our resolution for the General Assembly on the children abducted by Russia. We are working with countries to ensure an effective vote and, above all, the main result – the return of our people, the return of our children. And one more thing.

Today, Ukrainian intelligence together with the MFA evacuated another 57 people from Gaza – 48 of them Ukrainian citizens, including 16 children. Altogether, over almost two years, through our efforts, 422 people have been evacuated from Gaza – not only citizens of Ukraine but also citizens of neighboring states. Thanks to an American initiative, there is an agreement to work toward resolving the entire situation in Gaza – and this matters not only for that region but for many others around the world. President Trump’s proposals are important – we discussed them today with the UN Secretary-General as well. This is a real chance for a settlement. We are ready to contribute to making the American proposals succeed. I thank everyone who is helping protect lives, all those who restore the power of international law and the international norm of respecting nations, respecting human life, and stopping wars. This is what matters most.

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

Day 307 of uninterrupted protests in 8+ cities across Georgia. 🇬🇪

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 1:09 PM

“More people may end up behind bars than in the previous case,” Kobakhidze threatened Georgians ahead of the October 4 mass protest. “This is our friendly warning,” he added. #GeorgiaProtests

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 1:26 PM

1/ The Ministry of Internal Affairs has arrested the member of the Gela Khasaia, a member of the Coalition for Change, on charges of intentional infliction of minor bodily harm. He faces up to 3 years in prison.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 3:54 AM

2/ His lawyer stated:

“Gela was arrested late last night, Sept 29, around 23:00–23:30, for unclear “urgent” reasons;

The Ministry says the case concerns an incident from Sept 1, yet Gela was never summoned for questioning”.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 3:54 AM

3/ “The exact wording of the charge remains unknown until the indictment and case materials are shared;

Gela believes, based on police threats during the arrest, that this is directly linked to his political and civic activism”.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 3:54 AM

4/ According to the ruling party’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Gela Khasaia — a member of the Coalition for Change — has been arrested on charges of intentional minor injury to health. He faces up to 3 years in prison.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 3:54 AM

5/ The agency says another person, V.K. (b. 1998), was also arrested under the same article.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 3:54 AM

6/ The Ministry’s statement:

“The investigation established that the defendants, following a mutual dispute, inflicted various injuries on R. Kh. (b. 1975) and fled the scene”.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 3:54 AM

7/ “The injured man was hospitalized and received medical care. As a result of investigative actions, G. Kh. and V.K. were arrested as defendants”.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 3:54 AM

Gela, my friend and my coalition member ❤️

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 2:54 PM

Ivanishvili’s former business partner, Giorgi Bachiashvili’s elderly parents have been sentenced to prison. Prosecutors accuse them of laundering money together with their son — the case is tied to Bachiashvili’s financial dispute with Ivanishvili. 1/2

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— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 9:42 AM

Bachiashvili was detained on May 27 near the “green border” by SSS.

He fled Georgia on March 4, stating he used “black holes in the system” to escape an 11-year sentence tied to a legal battle with Ivanishvili over ~9,000 bitcoins. The SSS claims an anonymous tip led to his arrest. 2/2

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— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 9:42 AM

⭕️Acco/to MFA of the Czech Republic, the asdded five Georgian regime representatives to the sanctions list over the brutal crackdown on 2024–25 peaceful protests.

🗣️“We stand with a democratic and free #Georgia,” the ministry said.
#GeorgiaProtests #TerrorInGeorgia #RepressionInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) September 30, 2025 at 8:29 AM

The US:

The way Trump puts it, he’s disappointed not by Russia’s invasion, but by Putin’s inability to finish off Ukraine quickly.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 11:08 AM

NATO:

“NATO is still determining whether the incursions of Russian drones and fighter jets into the airspace of Poland and Estonia were intentional, Rutte said.

“…when it comes to Poland and Estonia, it is clear it is the Russians. Still, we are assessing whether it is intentional or not,” said Rutte.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 6:46 AM

Turkey:

Turkish fishermen caught a Ukrainian Magura sea drone.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:51 AM

Back to Ukraine.

❗️The sky over Western Ukraine may be closed, — The Telegraph. Later, the shield is proposed to be extended to Kyiv.

The issue will be discussed tomorrow in Copenhagen.

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— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@militarynewsua.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 8:00 AM

From The Telegraph: (emphasis mine)

Drones over Denmark, Poland and Romania. Jets over Estonia. Suspicious cyber attacks against Heathrow and other European airports. In the past three weeks, Russia has launched a series of dramatic and brazen tests of Nato’s will to defend itself.

The alliance did not exactly pass with flying colours. The number of Russian drones the allies downed over Poland was a fraction of the hit rate achieved by the Ukrainian air force.

But the incidents themselves are less significant than the timing.

These missions were tests. They were designed to confirm the hypothesis that Nato – in particular, its most important member, the United States – lacks the will to respond forcefully to violations of its airspace.

The big question is why test this hypothesis now?

The answer is that Vladimir Putin and his allies judge that America is profoundly distracted. Donald Trump and those around him have already jettisoned the old Reaganite doctrine of American global dominance.

Instead, the administration is split between “prioritisers” who believe America must focus its limited resources on containing China in the Pacific, and “restrainers” who are averse to American overseas entanglements anywhere at all.

This process of realignment has been super-charged by the dramatic events since the murder of Charlie Kirk.

Weeks of domestic turmoil culminated on Saturday with Donald Trump announcing he was sending troops into “war ravaged” Portland, Oregon, to tackle anti-ICE protestors.

Russia’s strategic goal in Europe is no secret. It wishes to build what it calls a “new European security architecture” by essentially, rewriting the post-Cold War settlement to restore Moscow’s dominance on at least part of the Continent.

That means destroying Ukraine as a sovereign state. But it also means dismantling Nato, and it may never get a better chance than the current Trump presidency.

Sending fast jets into Estonian airspace and the successive drone intrusions over Poland, Romania and Denmark are Russian missions designed to determine how European nations will behave in practice when faced with war. If it comes to one Nato member shooting down a Russian fighter, say, will they stand shoulder to shoulder, or turn on each other?

First, European nations including Britain must accept that they have to act with minimal American help. Of course, the United States can never be wholly written off. Recently, Trump and JD Vance, his deputy, have dramatically shifted their rhetoric about the war in Ukraine.

But rhetoric is one thing. What is clear is the world’s superpower is preoccupied, and will continue to be for some time.

Secondly, we must accept that our influence over the future of the Continent is directly proportional to our willingness to use force – and take risks – to defend it.

One option proposed by a group of senior Western politicians and soldiers is to put an air defence shield up over western Ukraine to shoot down Russian missiles and drones, with the option ultimately to extend that shield – an effective no-fly zone – over Kyiv itself.

After all, RAF fighters have intercepted Iranian drones and missiles headed for Israel.

Since Russia’s air campaign is waged by drones and long-range missiles fired from well inside Russian airspace, such an operation would not risk killing Russian servicemen.

However, it would demonstrate that Europe is determined enough to hit back at air incursions, and to shoulder a degree of risk to do so.

It would also make a material difference to Ukraine’s war effort. Most importantly, it would signal to Putin that if Russia makes dilemmas for the West, Europe can – and will – do the same for Russia.

European leaders gathering in Copenhagen this week will undoubtedly discuss this, along with other ideas. But the important thing is that whatever posture they adopt, it sends a clear signal to Moscow.

As Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Saturday: “Putin will not wait for the war in Ukraine to end. He will open some other fronts. No one knows which one. But there is no doubt that he wants it.”

I have no idea what the reporter’s sourcing is, but even if this is discussed it is not going to happen.

Dnipro:

Russia attacked the downtown of Dnipro in the broad daylight with several drones ‼️There are casualties and fires.

Bastards!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM

Dnipro right now after russian drone attack on the city ‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 10:07 AM

Dnipro right now ‼️
Fuck russia!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 10:08 AM

The moment of Russian drone strike on Dnipro downtown in the broad daylight today ‼️🤬

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 10:54 AM

Smoke over Dnipro, now under Shahed drone attack by fascist Russia in broad daylight. Kharkiv also currently under attack. After launching mass drone production in Russia, the Russians are not only using more drones – they’re attacking for longer and at more times of the day.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 9:28 AM

At least one person was killed in russian attack on Dnipro today, and at least 15 others were injured.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 11:07 AM

Sumy:

In Sumy region, a couple and their two young children were killed by a Russian drone‼️

The attack occurred in the village of Chernechyna. A two-story and a one-story residential building were hit and partially destroyed.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:29 AM

Last night, a russian drone targeted a residential home in the Sumy region, killing an entire family of four — both parents and their two minor sons, aged 4 and 6.

We will never forgive.
We will never forget.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 4:46 AM

The strike ignited a fire. Emergency responders battled the flames while inspecting the damaged structures.

From beneath the rubble of one of the homes, where the family had lived, rescue workers recovered the bodies of all four victims — the parents and their sons, born in 2018 and 2021.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:29 AM

A video from the village of Chernechyna in Sumy region, where a couple and their children were killed.

During the night, Russian forces struck a residential home where a couple lived with their sons, aged 6 and 4. Locals say the woman was pregnant with twins, and the man was serving in the military

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:42 AM

Kharkiv:

Explosion in Kharkiv ‼️ glide bomb this time

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM

I woke up, and it was a good day, at first.

Then came the news: a strike on Sumy wiped out an entire family. Husband. Two little boys. Wife, pregnant with twins. I had to process it and move on because work, responsibilities, you know?

1/5

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:58 PM

Then Kharkiv got hit by drones.

I grabbed a big cappuccino afterward, trying to cheer myself up.
Almost at the same time, Dnipro was attacked. Downtown.
A man was killed, he just married the love of his life a week ago. And now he is gone.

2/5

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:58 PM

But I had to keep going. Evening chores don’t wait. Groceries don’t buy themselves. Dinner doesn’t cook itself. It isn’t about me, of course. We all have to keep going, that’s what im trying to say.

Then another drone attack on Kharkiv. I had nowhere to hide, so I just ignored it.

3/5

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:58 PM

I made dinner. Washed dishes. Flopped into bed, completely drained. Then came the missiles.
Then glide bombs.

Now it’s almost 3 a.m. Kharkiv is burning. I’m sitting in my kitchen, exhausted, drinking coffee in the middle of the night because it’s going to be a long freaking night.

4/5

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:58 PM

And because I feel small. Powerless. And I honestly don’t know what else to do.

This is just one day in Ukraine under attack. Out of so many days.

5/5

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:58 PM

Chernihiv Oblast:

26,000 people left without power in Bobrovytsya in Chernihiv Oblast after fascist Russia hits energy infrastructure overnight with drones on Sept. 29-30. With cold season approaching, fascist Russia is expected to wage another campaign of air attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 2:56 AM

Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts:

💥NEMESIS unit of the Unmanned Systems Forces bombard four North Korean ‘Koksan’ 170mm self-propelled guns in Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 11:34 AM

Russian occupied Crimea:

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces claim they struck the radar of a Russian S-400 “Triumph” air-defense system in occupied Crimea on the night of September 30.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 3:49 AM

Russia:

❗️Putin signed an order to begin autumn conscription, 135 thousand men are planned to be drafted

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— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@militarynewsua.bsky.social) September 29, 2025 at 7:39 AM

/1. Russia sees another wave of high-profile purges, a new wave of arrests targeting senior officials and businessmen over the past week.

On September 30, Major General of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Mikhail Nadyozhin, was detained.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:49 AM

/2. On September 29, Major General Valery Golota, head of the National Guard in North Ossetia–Alania, was arrested along with subordinates.

On September 29, Oleg Chemezov, deputy governor of Sverdlovsk region, was also taken into custody.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:49 AM

/3. On September 25, Dmitry Rodionov, deputy governor of Vologda region and former Karelia official, was detained.

On September 23, businessman and billionaire Alexey Bobrov, was arrested together with his associates.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 7:49 AM

Stavropol Krai, Russia:

/1. Lieutenant Colonel of the Russian National Guard eliminated in Stavropol region by (HUR)

On September 27, 2025, an operation by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, conducted with support from the local resistance, targeted Russian National Guard personnel in the Stavropol region.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 4:26 AM

A vehicle carrying a National Guard lieutenant colonel — commander of the “Avangard” special unit — along with his aide and driver, was destroyed by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in advance. The device was detonated as the car passed, killing all three occupants.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 4:26 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos tonight. Here is some adjacent material.

💙😻 The kitten snuggled up, as if it had found its home right where the heart beats in time with steadfastness and love.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) September 30, 2025 at 9:54 AM

Open thread!