It Is Especially Important That the Sanctions Strike Painfully at Russia’s Energy Trade and the Entire Infrastructure of Russia’s Tanker Fleet – Address by the President

28 September 2025 – 20:16

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

All day today, recovery efforts have been underway after the Russian strike – in Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Kyiv region, and other regions of our country. The majority of the hits were on ordinary residential buildings and civilian facilities. More than 80 people were injured. Sadly, 4 people were killed, including one child. My condolences to their families and loved ones. In Kyiv, among the affected facilities was the Strazhesko Institute – the Institute of Cardiology – one of the leading medical institutions in our country and across our region in Europe. Two people were killed there, and one of the buildings suffered significant damage. Restoration must be carried out as quickly as possible, and the Government should provide assistance. In total, only in Kyiv, 32 locations sustained damage. The Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia was extremely brutal. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but in the Zaporizhzhia region alone nearly 40 people were injured last night. All of them are receiving the necessary assistance. I want to thank everyone involved in the rescue operations – all our State Emergency Service workers, EMS, doctors, nurses, police officers, and the municipal services. There were also Russian strikes on energy facilities. Unfortunately, this has already become a traditional Russian tactic – Russia is once again trying to hit Ukraine with a blackout this year. In fact, during these weeks, while the UN General Assembly was taking place, Russia literally used every day, every hour to strike Ukraine. Extremely treacherous strikes. And this is what defines Russia – what they do, not what they say or send out as signals around the world. They have spurned all genuine peace proposals and deserve truly tough pressure. This week, we expect decisions from Europe on such pressure – at the very least, there should be a new sanctions package, the 19th package. It is especially important that sanctions hit painfully at Russia’s energy trade and the entire infrastructure of Russia’s tanker fleet. Moreover, intelligence now indicates that the Russians are using tankers to launch and operate drones against European countries. This is yet more evidence why the Baltic Sea and other seas must be closed to Russian tankers – at the very least to the shadow fleet.

We also count on strong steps from the United States. We discussed with President Trump what could truly push Russia to change its position and stop the war. The world has tools that can work in a genuinely peace-making way.

Today, I spoke with the President of Finland and thanked him for his support. We coordinated contacts with our partners, particularly with the United States. It is important that we steadily move toward finalizing security guarantees – those measures that can both help bring this war to an end and deter Russia from any further aggression. I also spoke with the Prime Minister of Norway. We discussed today’s Russian strike – more than 500 drones, about 350 of them “shaheds,” and 48 missiles, including two air-launched ballistic missiles. That is why air defense invariably remains the top priority for Ukraine. I thank partners who are helping. Norway is among them, and it is one of our strongest partners. Thank you, Jonas!

Today, I also spoke with Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General. We discussed, among other things, our PURL initiative. The initiative is working, providing very active assistance – it is precisely the mechanism that allows us to purchase American weapons with funding from our NATO partners. These include items such as missiles for Patriots and missiles for HIMARS. There are already six countries contributing to PURL: the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, and Canada. Another six have declared their readiness to join: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Iceland. I thank them all! This is what truly helps. This week, we will work with our European friends to implement the agreements on air defense as quickly as possible. Russia will definitely be held accountable for everything it does. Thank you to everyone around the world who is helping Ukraine – our people, our state, and our independence.

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

On Day 305 of daily nationwide protests in Georgia, demonstrators march from the German Embassy in solidarity with Germany’s Ambassador — recently summoned by GD and accused of “encouraging the radical agenda.”

🎥 Video by Publika

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 12:06 PM

“Together towards Europe! Together for Europe!” 🇬🇪🇩🇪

On the 305th day of continuous protest, a Georgian-German friendship march was held in Tbilisi.

Civil & academic society thanked Germany and showed solidarity with Amb. Peter Fischer before joining the daily rally at Parliament.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 2:07 PM

Moldova:

🇲🇩 Moldova (78,50%)

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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 4:30 PM

🇲🇩 Moldovan MFA said that Russia is trying to disrupt the elections by planting fake mines at polling stations abroad: in Brussels, Rome, Genoa, Bucharest, Asheville and Alicante.

The turnout exceeded 33%. The diaspora is showing high activity – over 145 thousand votes against 124 thousand in 2021.

— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM

Moldova’s Foreign Ministry says bomb threats targeting foreign polling stations began exactly as authorities had warned — as part of Russia’s interference in the country’s election. Incidents were recorded in Brussels, Rome, Genoa, Bucharest, Asheville (US), and Alicante.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 9:05 AM

Rad

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— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM

First results show Moldova’s pro-EU party PAS leads with 43%

Pro-European political forces captured a clear majority in Moldova’s parliamentary elections, with three pro-EU parties securing 57% of votes compared to 34% for pro-Russian and Eurosceptic parties
euromaidanpress.com/2025/09/28/m…

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— Euromaidan Press (@euromaidanpress.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM

From EuroMaidan Press:

Moldova’s pro-European Action and Solidarity party (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, holds a commanding lead with 43% of votes after more than 60% of ballots have been counted in the parliamentary elections, according to the Central Election Commission.

The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc secured second place with 28% of the vote. With 730,511 votes counted from 1,424 polling stations representing 62.62% of precincts as of 22:59, the results indicate a decisive pro-European victory, the Central Election Commission reports.

Two other pro-European parties cleared the parliamentary threshold: Alternative with 8% and Democracy at Home with 6%. The left-populist Our Party, which promotes Euroscepticism, also secured 6%. All other political forces failed to meet the electoral threshold.

More than 1.5 million people participated in the vote, with turnout reaching 51.9% of registered voters. The election saw participation from 15 parties, four electoral blocs, and four independent candidates.

The outcome carries significant weight for Moldova’s future direction. As a parliamentary republic, these elections will determine both the country’s foreign policy course and domestic agenda.

President Sandu narrowly won reelection in 2024’s presidential race. Prior to the vote on 28 September, she warned that Russia was preparing unprecedented interference in the parliamentary elections.

Election day was marked by security concerns. Police detained three individuals who allegedly planned to incite unrest in Chisinau after voting concluded. Additionally, Moldova’s Foreign Ministry reported bomb threats at overseas polling stations during the voting process.

The bridge connecting Transnistria and Moldova has been mined, according to Russian media.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 10:26 AM

Estonia:

Estonia will contribute €10 million to the NATO-led PURL initiative for urgent military aid to Ukraine, FM Tsahkna announced. The mechanism funds US-made weapons through allied donations. Estonia joins other European states pledging €2 billion so far.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 8:53 AM

The EU:

Zelenskyy: Russians use tankers to launch drones across Europe

This announcement comes as Russian drones and aircraft violated the airspace of eight NATO and EU countries throughout September.
euromaidanpress.com/2025/09/28/z…

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— Euromaidan Press (@euromaidanpress.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers are being used to “launch and control” Russian drones over European cities, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 28, citing intelligence reports.

The comments come amid increased tension between Russia and NATO countries over airspace violation. Over the past month, Russian drones have violated Polish, Romanian, and possibly Dutch, Finnish, and Danish airspace.

On Sept. 19, Estonia accused Russia of violating its airspace with three MiG-31 fighter jets, which remained in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, triggering NATP’s Article 4. While on Sept. 26, Hungarian fighter jets intercepted five Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea.

Zelensky made the comments during his evening address, calling for additional sanctions to be implemented on Russia’s shadow fleet, amid the drone threats.

“It is especially important that the sanctions hit Russia’s energy trade and the entire infrastructure of the Russian tanker fleet painfully,” Zelensky said. “This is further evidence that the Baltic Sea and other seas should be closed to Russian tankers, at least for the shadow fleet.”

Russia’s shadow fleet has been increasingly targeted by Western sanctions as Ukraine’s international partners seek to limit Russian oil revenues, which help fund Moscow’s war machine.

The shadow fleet includes hundreds of older, often uninsured or poorly maintained tankers. These typically operate under the flags of other countries and have little transparency, making it difficult for regulators to enforce sanctions.

Amid the European Union’s anticipated 19th sanctions package, U.S. officials have also considerednew sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet should Russian President Vladimir Putin fail to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

More at the link.

Back to Ukraine.

At least four people, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed and over 70 were injured in the latest Russian missile and drone attack; Ukrainian HIMARS rockets reportedly stuck a thermal power plant near the Russian city of Belgorod; and more.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) September 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

At least four people, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed and over 70 were injured in the latest overnight mass Russian missile and drone attack, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported on Sept. 28.

The attack lasted for over 12 hours, and Russia launched almost 500 drones and over 40 missiles, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia have reported the heaviest damage from the attack thus far.

Nearly 20 locations were damaged from the attack, including a five-story building that suffered from “partial destruction,” according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Seven districts had endured damage, the city’s military administration said.

At least four people have been killed in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old girl. At least 14 people were also reported injured. In the surrounding Kyiv Oblast, the regional military administration reported that 28 people were wounded, including three children. Four victims, among them a child, were hospitalized, and their conditions are “moderately severe,” according to the local authorities.

A nurse and a patient died due to the attack at the Institute of Cardiology, according to Klymenko.

The southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia was also targeted by the Sept. 28 missile attack. Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov reported that at least 38 people have been injured, among them three children.

The three children have been hospitalized and two of them are in serious condition, according to Fedorov – one from mine exposion injuries and the second from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Throughout the night, swarms of Shahed-style drones also threatened a number of Ukrainian regions. Explosions were reported in Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, and Sumy.

Five Russian Tu-95 bombers took off from Olenya airfield in Murmansk Oblast at approximately 1:45 a.m. local time, monitoring channels reported. At around 2:25 a.m., the Kyiv City Military Administration warned that Russia had launched MiG-31K bombers, prompting an aerial alert across the country.

Ukraine’s Air Force then issued a warning at 3:52 a.m., saying Russia had likely launched Tu-95s from the Engels air base.

A five-story building in the capital was partially destroyed and residential infrastructure has been damaged in multiple districts, Kyiv City Military Administration Head Tymur Tkachenko said. The attack also damaged non-residential buildings and parked cars.

In Kyiv Oblast, fires broke out in several homes and buildings in districts outside the capital during the “mass enemy strike,” regional authorities said.

In Zaporizhzhia — the regional capital of partially Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast in southeastern Ukraine — the attack targeted the city’s civilian infrastructure, regional Governor Ivan Fedorov reported. One missile struck a multistory building directly.

Nine houses and 14 high-rise buildings were damaged in total, Fedorov said. The attack also damaged non-residential buildings, including a school and the production facilities of an unspecified enterprise.

“Insidious tactics, an inhuman thirst for human suffering,” Regina Kharchenko, acting head of the Zaporizhzhia City Council, said the morning after the attack.

“Yesterday’s life still smolders in the windows — someone’s photographs, children’s toys, books. People have suffered, and the city is counting its wounds again.”

Explosions were also reported in Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Governor Serhii Tiurin confirmed that air defenses had been active over the region during the attack, but said preliminary reports indicated no casualties.

Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to the mass attack, as it has done previously when Russian strikes threatened western Ukraine. During a mass attack on Sept. 10, Poland shot down multiple Russian drones that crossed the border and breached Polish airspace.

Flight monitors reported that Poland on Sept. 28 closed the airspace over Lublin and Rseszow due to “unplanned military activity related to ensuring state security.”

Russia has intensified the scale of its aerial attacks on Ukraine throughout the spring and summer of 2025. Heading into the colder months, officials have warned Ukrainians to brace for a new wave of Russian mass attacks targeting the country’s energy infrastructure.

Earlier in September, Russia launched over 810 Shahed-type drones and 13 missiles in a record-breaking attack that struck the Cabinet of Ministers building in central Kyiv. Two nights later, Russia attacked again, striking Ukraine and violating Polish airspace.

The incident marked the first time a NATO member has destroyed Russian drones during the full-scale war against Ukraine. It was followed by a string of Russian airspace violations and suspicious drone incursions in NATO territory.

⚡️Polish Embassy in Kyiv struck in Russia’s large-scale overnight attack.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pawel Wronski told Polish outlet RMF24 that “a missile element or a small-caliber rocket” fell on the roof of the embassy, piercing through the ceiling.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) September 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM

Ukrainian pilots from the Phoenix unit set a new record with 61 enemy troops eliminated in one day.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 5:31 AM

Ukrainian troops from the 44th Artillery Brigade continue striking enemy positions around the clock. In recent days, they have destroyed D-30 and Msta-B howitzers and a Russian UAV command post.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 5:14 AM

Kyiv:

💔Kyiv

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 7:18 AM

I feel deeply exhausted — & my only task last night was to shelter. I’m thinking of the air defense forces who repelled a relentless, nearly 12h-long combined air raid & of the first responders who immediately rushed to save lives amid drones & missiles. Their courage is truly extraordinary.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 6:05 AM

The Institute of Cardiology in Kyiv after the russian strike

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 3:54 AM

​This is what the destroyed homes in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, just outside Kyiv, look like after russian attack last night.

Bastards. Murderers.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 7:18 AM

The most heavily damaged building in Kyiv is where a 12-year-old girl was killed. Her mother is currently in the hospital, reports a Radio Liberty (Радіо Свобода) correspondent. Crews are continuing to clear the rubble at the scene.
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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 6:38 AM

The moment drone debris fell during the morning attack on Kyiv.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 5:18 AM

Series of powerful explosions here in western Kyiv: incoming cruise missiles being shot down, probably. Now hearing sound of a drone and anti-aircraft fire.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 27, 2025 at 11:17 PM

Burned to the frame, a car keeps rolling through Borshchahivka, Kyiv after a Russian strike.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 8:39 AM

Zaporizhzhia:

Zaporizhzhia after russian attack last night. 22 people have been injured here

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 6:31 AM

Zaporizhzhia. russian monsters target residential buildings on purpose. Terrorists.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 12:15 AM

Odesa:

Destroyed winery in Odesa region. Russia will say that it was a military object.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 7:23 AM

Kharkiv Oblast:

Kharkiv Regional Administration: In the Dergachi community, Russian occupiers attacked a civilian vehicle with a drone as it traveled the highway toward Prudynka.

A 44-year-old man was killed in the strike.

A 41-year-old woman was injured, and a 14-year-old girl suffered an acute stress reaction.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 11:58 AM

Read that again👆. A civilian family was driving their car. With a child. Russia decided to murder them.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 11:58 AM

Prosecutor’s office have released an image from a Russian first-person-view (FPV) drone attack on a civilian car in Kharkiv region. A family was inside. The strike killed a 44-year-old man, injured a 41-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM

Chernihiv Oblast:

Yak-52 chases Russian Shahed in the sky over Chernihiv region

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 9:45 AM

Kupyansk:

Kupiansk is now fully closed to all, including emergency services, local head Andriy Besedin said. Only military are allowed to enter. Civilians can evacuate only on foot, where they’ll be met outside the city by police, rescue teams, and volunteers.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 4:47 AM

Russian occupied Crimea:

Satellite imagery confirms the destruction of a Be-12 and an An-26 aircraft in occupied Crimea, Crimean Wind reports. The RF-46878 An-26 was identified as destroyed in a GUR strike at Kacha airfield near Sevastopol. A Mi-8 was also destroyed near Simferopol, with another damaged.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 10:39 AM

Volnovakha, Russian occupied Donetsk Oblast:

Sometimes, one partisan can do more than a whole brigade: an agent of pro-Ukrainian Atesh movement halted the flow of Russian ammunition, vehicles, and troops in occupied Volnovakha

This city in Donetsk Oblast is a vital supply hub for Russian forces on the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts 📹 Atesh

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— Euromaidan Press (@euromaidanpress.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 12:08 PM

Russian occupied Melitopol:

At least four Russian drone operators were killed when Ukraine’s HUR destroyed a UAZ “Bukhanka” van on a guarded military base in occupied Melitopol on 27 September. The strike targeted a UAV unit operating from the airbase district, HUR reports.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 7:08 AM

⚡️Ukraine’s military intelligence claims killing Russian drone operators in occupied Melitopol.

HUR claimed the explosion rocked a military base on the airfield in occupied Melitopol, destroying a van and at least four operators inside the vehicle.
kyivindependent.com/ukraine-clai…

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) September 28, 2025 at 10:31 AM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) claimed on Sept. 28 that it killed at least four Russian drone operators in the Russian-occupied city of Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

HUR claimed that an explosion rocked a guarded military base on the airfield in occupied Melitopol, destroying a Soviet-era UAZ-452 van and at least four operators who were allegedly inside the vehicle. The video provided by HUR shows the van exiting a facility but doesn’t show the explosion.

The Kyiv Independent couldn’t independently verify the claim, as information coming from occupied territories is scarce. HUR did not disclose further details of the operation.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukraine has conducted various high-stakes operations in occupied territories to disrupt the Russian army’s logistics and military capacity, as well as to boost morale.

Often using homemade long-range drones, Ukraine is often hitting military targets in occupied territories and deep inside Russia.

The Russian Defense Ministry has not reacted to the Ukrainian claim. Both sides rarely admit military targets taking a hit.

Bryansk Oblast, Russia:

Just now, “Electrodetal” plant in Karachev, Bryansk region of Russia, was targeted.

The factory produces electrical connectors and wiring assemblies used in Russian military equipment — including fighter jets, missiles, submarines, tanks, air defense systems, and drones.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM

Reports indicate that Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out a strike on the Karachev “Electrodetal” plant in Russia’s Bryansk region

Karachev Plant Elektrodetal specializes in manufacturing electrical connectors, cable products, and electro-technical components

Burning pretty🔥

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 7:05 PM

Belgorod Oblast, Russia:

Strikes on Russian thermal power plant and substations in Belgorod.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 12:30 PM

Lights go out in Belgorod, in fascist Russia.

Russia’s national grid operator Rosseti says blackouts in city and region are due to “unfavorable weather conditions” – I suppose a creative way of saying it’s raining Ukrainian missiles and drones on the region’s power facilities.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM

Multiple hits on Belgorod heat and power plant Belgorodskaya TETS, located near the city’s main railway station.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 2:19 PM

Good.

— Rita Harrison (@ritaharrison.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 3:14 PM

Russian mili-bloggers saying this was a HIMARS strike. The location is about 33 km from the nearest Ukrainian-controlled territory, putting it well within range of this multiple rocket system. Verdict: Plausible.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 2:39 PM

Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia:

Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia, is on 🔥
👀

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 28, 2025 at 11:27 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

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

Due to constant russian shelling, many animals have been left on the streets: they have nothing to eat and are in danger. Therefore, volunteers and military personnel have to evacuate animals from dangerous zones, risking their own lives just as they do when rescuing people.

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— UNITED24 (@u24.gov.ua) September 23, 2025 at 11:23 AM

Open thread!