Statement by the President of Ukraine during a Joint Press Conference with the Prime Minister of Slovakia

5 September 2025 – 17:57

Dear Prime Minister!

Thank you for this visit!

Dear journalists!

Today, the Prime Minister of Slovakia is in Ukraine, and we have had a substantive discussion. It is important that we have this dialogue, and we will certainly continue it. The Prime Minister of Slovakia has been to Uzhhorod before, but this is our first meeting, right here, and it is important to maintain a pragmatic approach in our work, as we did today. It is also crucial that this continues at the level of ministers and our institutions, not only at the level of leaders. In particular, we agreed to hold a session of the intergovernmental commission in October.

Today, we covered key topics – matters of principle for Ukraine and matters of principle for Slovakia. I informed the Prime Minister about our conversation yesterday with President Trump, as well as our work with the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing to advance peace and ensure Ukraine’s security – and therefore the security of all our neighbors. Russian aggression and attempts to destabilize the lives of Ukraine and other countries never end with a single state. We must do everything to ensure that the negative pages of history are not repeated for Ukraine, Slovakia, or other Central European countries.

The Prime Minister told me about his contacts in China. We have seen who was there, what was said, and how they behaved. It is important that Putin does not perceive such visits as an indulgence. Peace has no alternative, and we stand for peace. The war must be ended, and it is Russia – the only party that started this war and, unfortunately, continues to prolong it – that must end it. In Ukraine, we want peace. We count on support for our peace efforts, and Robert assured me that Slovakia will stand with us and other partners in this work for peace.

We discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, and it is good that Slovakia is ready to define its position on this and is open to dialogue with us. Most of Europe is already engaged in guarantees, and we are working with partners. We believe it would be appropriate for Slovakia to also be part of the new security system.

We also value Slovakia’s readiness to cooperate with us in the Shelter Coalition format. Thank you for this support. This primarily concerns schools and kindergartens in Ukraine. We will be grateful for this support, and it is important that our ministers ensure relevant results. It is excellent that we have this meeting, this opportunity to discuss various international issues.

We also hear from the United States about the significant role energy independence – Europe’s energy independence – plays for President Trump. This must be addressed, and it depends on everyone in Europe. Russian oil, just as Russian gas, has no future. If America continues to be just as decisive, it will bring a real change to the situation and be a factor that guarantees that Russia will not continue its war.

I want to note that Slovakia supports Ukraine on its path toward the European Union. Thank you for this support. It is highly significant for us. Negotiations are ongoing, and Ukraine deserves the opening of negotiation clusters. We see Ukraine’s accession to the EU as part of our security guarantees, and this is positively received by European institutional leaders in European capitals, and we are strongly supported in Washington. This is important. Thank you, Prime Minister, for supporting Ukraine’s EU path. We also share the view that Ukraine and Moldova must continue moving together toward EU membership.

Equally important is that bilateral cooperation on economic and infrastructure matters here, in our region, strengthens our peoples and our countries. Today, ministers discussed cross-border traffic – it is important to increase the capacity of border checkpoints. We also value our cooperation on energy sustainability – this concerns electricity imports for Ukraine to meet the needs of our people during Russian missile and drone strikes. It also concerns the export of our energy resources through the Slovak territory to third countries. And the more we work together, the better it will be for all of Europe. I am confident in this. The principle for Ukraine is simple: we are ready to ensure energy stability for Slovakia and other partners, and to have joint projects. Our only principle: no Russian energy resources.

And one more thing. Today, our railway workers achieved an important result – and I want to congratulate them – a new line, part of the European network, connecting Uzhhorod with Bratislava, Košice, Budapest, and Vienna. And this is just one of the initial steps in the actual integration of Ukraine’s railway into the EU network. We thank everyone who worked for this result, for this project. This is a joint project with the European Union. And ahead of us are thousands of similar projects. Ukraine will be part of the European Union. Absolutely.

Thank you once again, Prime Minister, for your visit.

Glory to Ukraine!

President Zelenskyy and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, participated in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities:

Here’s the transcript of his statement:

Address by the President at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

5 September 2025 – 16:23

Distinguished guests, respected representatives of our communities, esteemed government officials!

Dear Mr. President, dear António, I am grateful that you are with us today!

I deeply appreciate this visit and thank you for your support. I also know that today we are joined – though we haven’t met yet – by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. Welcome!

The participation of our European friends in this event, in the work of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Ukraine, clearly demonstrates how interconnected these matters are: our Ukraine’s domestic policy and our relations with the European Union.

Ukraine is de facto integrating into the European Union. We are working to open clusters: achieving results and doing it together with the EU. All our cooperation programs are functioning today – primarily in defense, energy, and budgetary sustainability – which are so important for supporting our people. I greatly value all assistance and cooperation at the community level, between cities. European institutions are also working directly with communities. We are deeply grateful for this support and assistance – it is one of the ways to promote local development in Ukraine. Thank you for all of this.

We are now in Zakarpattia, one of the country’s key regions and one that currently forms an economic foundation for Ukraine. Relocated enterprises and our new businesses operate here. Today, together with President Costa, we visited some of these enterprises. The example of Zakarpattia, and other regions that are increasing Ukraine’s industrial and social capacity during the war, demonstrates the strength of the Ukrainian people. We thank you – all the representatives who are here, everyone who is present offline and online. I thank you all. Special thanks to each community that gives Ukraine its economic strength. I urge the Ukrainian Government to continue actively supporting the “Made in Ukraine” program for our communities, which includes Ukrainian industrial parks, jobs across the country, energy modernization programs at the local level, alternative energy, initiatives to ease access to networks, and lending programs. We also expect the Government to propose effective military risk insurance for frontline communities – a report on this program by the Honorable Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko is expected this week.

We are grateful to every community that supports our defense capabilities, with special thanks to those on the frontline. And I extend my special gratitude and deepest respect to all those living near the enemy and in frontline communities, who every day carry out their work, serve the state, help others, provide jobs, work in those jobs, and ensure that our country continues to live. I would like to personally thank and support every one of you. It is extremely important that, this year, Ukrainian communities continue supporting our troops, contributing no less than 15% of their revenues. This is a realistic target.

I want to thank all our friends in Europe and in other parts of the world who come to Ukraine, who visit our regions, who really see firsthand – not just through reports – what Russia is actually doing and how important it is to maintain support for Ukraine at a sufficient level. It is precisely the sufficient level of support for Ukraine that provides one of the elements of pressure on Russia. The second element of pressure is sanctions against Russia. We are working together on both of these elements. We are grateful for the EU’s sanctions pressure on Russia and, above all, for the alliance between Europe and the United States and their allied efforts to pressure Russia. We ask all of you – every community, every community leader – to be active in this, both at your own level – in sanctions – and in contacts with partners, other communities, with communities of the European Union. Always, please, promote the need to provide further support. Everyone can see that Russia does not stop its attacks. Everyone can see that the consequences of Russian strikes are most devastating, primarily for our ordinary cities and villages, for Ukrainian civilians. Europe is organized in such a way that the voices of communities often carry no less weight than the voices of states. That is why it is important for communities to remain active. And, in addition to such activity, please fully implement agreements with our partners. We ask you to do it. This is primarily a task for Ukraine’s diplomatic team. We have many coalitions with partners. We have defense coalitions, coalitions that help protect lives. This includes, for example, the Shelter Coalition. Everything must be filled with substance and produce results – if a coalition is announced, it must be clear to people exactly what Ukraine has accomplished within that coalition. Many countries and communities are ready to help us. This must be directed effectively. A concrete example is funding for school meals for all our children. A program of such free meals must be available in all our Ukrainian schools for all our Ukrainian children. We discussed this today with colleagues and raised this topic with António, and yesterday I spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. We hope to ensure this program. But I would like to see greater leadership from government officials, first and foremost from our ministries: the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must also assist in implementing such programs. This concerns assistance to children, not only meals, but also providing our schools with buses, shelters, which I already mentioned, and necessary equipment. It is also important to note the pace of construction of underground schools in regions that need them – I want to thank communities and each region for their concrete successes. There have indeed been successes. These include the Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.

And one more thing.

I want to thank all of you who are doing real things to integrate veterans into economic and social life. This is strategic work. Every veteran space, veterans’ businesses, and the creation of jobs for veterans – these must be priorities for every community. And it is important to have positive competition among communities in creating such opportunities, so that, by the end of the year, we can determine together which communities truly set an example in implementing veteran policy – the Heroes Policy. I strongly urge the Government and the Office team to coordinate this work with particular focus, and within a month, propose a comprehensive, unified platform with all opportunities for veterans, both at the central level – in relation to the state – and within communities. Programs for veterans, services, documents, opportunities in education and entrepreneurship, employment – everything must be integrated, everything must work for the benefit of our society and the development of Ukrainian communities.

Thank you all for your work, for serving the state.

Glory to Ukraine!

 

They then held a joint presser:

President Zelenskyy also addressed the Ambrosetti International Economic Forum:

Here’s the transcript:

Europe Needs a New Network of Modern Defense Production – Address by the President to the Participants of the Ambrosetti International Economic Forum

5 September 2025 – 12:11

Dear participants of the Forum, dear Italy,

I’m glad to be with you today, even online.

Thank you for the invitation and for your attention to Ukraine, to our people. We really appreciate that people in Italy hear us, our people, and support us.

This week is almost over and it was full of important events.

Yesterday, we had a very successful, I think, meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris. Most of them were from Europe – all free European nations. But also were present partners from Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Italy has a very active role, and I thank Giorgia Meloni and her team. President Trump’s Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, also attended. We also spoke with President Trump – it was one of those talks that can help shape future policy. And before the meetings in France, there was another one in Copenhagen. It was with the Nordic and Baltic countries – one of the strongest partnerships. They support our defense and help us develop our defense industry. Not only in Ukraine. Right now, we’re building the first joint weapons plant in Denmark. It’s a modern facility. This is a part of our defense strategy – to build weapons together, to modernize defense production in Europe, and to unite Europe in this work. It’s crucial – for modern industry, strong jobs, and for Europe to stay competitive in the world. I hope that Italy will also join us in building these joint production projects. In fact Europe needs a new network of modern defense production – one where countries support each other by producing protection for themselves and for all of Europe. This will make Europe much stronger and more resilient.

So, I want to share a few thoughts, just some things that will definitely affect our shared security.

First – even though Russia is trying to keep this war going, we’ve already started building a security system that can push Russia toward peace.

Of course, I can’t share all the details now – many of them are very sensitive and military-related. But we are preparing strength – on the ground, in the air, and at sea – that, by simply working as planned, will pressure Russia to stop the war.

For example, if we have enough systems to shoot down Russian missiles and drones, including Iranian drones, Russia will have fewer chances to keep fighting. The main tool of Russia’s war is killing civilians in our cities – that’s why we are working with our partners to get more and better air defense systems, and also modern fighter jets – to limit Russia’s ability to attack. This will push them toward peace. And we really count on America’s support in this, and our teams, both European and American, will be working on it.

So, when we talk about security guarantees for Ukraine, there are 35 countries in the Coalition of the Willing and 26 of them are ready to help with real support for security. This is a big change. These are strong countries, and Italy, of course, is one of them. President Trump confirmed – America is ready to take part. In the next few weeks, we’ll talk with each country about what exactly they can do. And it’s important that security guarantees start working now – during the war, not only after it ends.

Second point. Yesterday, we had a conversation with President Trump. European leaders were also on the call – including Giorgia Meloni, of course. We talked in detail about how to move the situation closer to peace. President Trump expects a stronger Europe – with better coordination between Europe and the United States. At the same time, he is very disappointed with some European countries, especially Hungary and Slovakia, because they continue to buy Russian oil. That means they are helping to fund Russia’s war machine.

America wants to seriously cut Russia’s income from energy exports – and this is the right path. The less money Putin makes from oil, the less he can spend on war and on destabilizing other countries. Please keep this in mind – energy independence from Russia is also key to strong relations with the United States.

Now in Ukraine I have meetings with António Costa, the President of the European Council, and, by the way, with the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico – and we will talk about this as well. And it’s important that Prime Minister Orbán also hears these signals from the United States, directly from President Trump – the signal about Russian oil.

And finally the third point.

When we talk about peace – this is peace in Europe –  about security and security guarantees, we also have to talk about supporting European business – our industries, our jobs, and our role in global competition. A strong Europe is a Europe that the world wants as an economic partner. This must remain unchanged.

In Ukraine, we believe that the project of rebuilding our country after the war is a fundamental economic project for the whole of Europe. Recently, we were in Rome at the Conference on Ukraine’s Recovery. Thank you so much! Thanks, Italy! What made that Conference strong was the presence of business – many companies took part. And I believe that rebuilding Ukraine should give growth and development to every European country. That is why we count so much on the participation of strong players like Italy and Italian business. Please, be active in this. For us, Ukraine’s EU membership and the reconstruction of Ukraine are also elements of security. Giorgia Meloni supports us in this. And I very much hope that Italy’s participation will be truly strong and visible. Thank you so much! Thanks, Italy! Thanks for this meeting, for the invitation. And I am ready to answer your questions.

I’m exhausted just posting all of it here!

First Lady Zelenska took part in an extended meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council on Mental Health.

Georgia:

“We won’t forget the terror. We won’t foegive the oppressions.”

Day 282 of daily, nationwide protests in Georgia. 🇬🇪

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 12:48 PM

Rustaveli Avenue on day 282 of daily, nationwide protests in Georgia. ✅🇬🇪

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 1:22 PM

Georgian activists are protesting in front of Georgian Dream’s new offices.

Georgian Dream MP and wrestler Geno Petriashvili is here, too, standing with a condescending smile, gesturing ‘come at me’ from time to time.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 12:32 PM

The second we began singing “F*ck the Georgian Dream” song, they lost their temper and advanced for trouble. Happening now.

Even few people trigger them deeply at this location.

Fantastic gift they made us by opening a campaign office here.

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 12:36 PM

GD members lose it every time they personally have to face even a small number of protesters.

In the last couple of days, they’ve behaved so shamefully that I’m sure even their propaganda victim grandmas wouldn’t approve.

Insults, swearing, vulgar gestures.

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 2:34 PM

🔴 Georgian Dream–appointed President Mikheil Kveliashvili pardons Lelo leaders Mamuka Khazaradze & Badri Japaridze, while other opposition figures remain jailed. Lelo, with For Georgia, joins local elections as most opposition boycotts.

#Georgia #RepressionInGeorgia #TerrorInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) September 5, 2025 at 2:35 AM

Leaders of the Lelo–Strong Georgia coalition, who were pardoned by Georgian Dream President Mikheil Kavelashvili, have left prison:

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 7:23 AM

2/ “The decision regarding the elections has been made by Strong Georgia. Today’s decision by the President suggests an attempt to provoke confrontation on the opposition’s path”. – Khazaradze said.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 7:23 AM

3/ According to Khazaradze, Kavelashvili’s decision was unexpected for him, and that this was a dirty move as other opposition leaders are serving sentences under the same article, for exactly the same so-called offence.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 7:23 AM

4/ Despite this, the decision of Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze to participate in the municipal elections, boycotted by eight opposition parties, remains unchanged.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 7:24 AM

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM

Lithuania:

Lithuania adopted a new protocol for drone threats. If a hostile UAV is identified as carrying explosives, sirens will sound along with phone alerts. The change follows a July incident when two Russian Gerbera drones entered from Belarus, one with 2 kg of explosives.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 10:05 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Banner reading “Fortress of Europe” displayed during the Ukraine-France football match today.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 3:48 PM

🇺🇦🦾 Group 8 of the Special Operations Forces regiment after successfully destroying the enemy’s forces!
Glory to our valiant warriors!

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM

Two Russian fuel trucks bombarded by night bomber drones of “Nemesis” unit.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 11:10 AM

OSINT has confirmed that 2,577 Ukrainian service members are in captivity, Ukraine’s Commissioner for Missing Persons reported. Data on 680 more individuals, including 91 civilians, remain unconfirmed by the ICRC. Eight listed as POWs were later found dead, six without ICRC confirmation.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 10:29 AM

Four Ukrainian servicemen who had hidden from Russian forces for over three years were rescued from occupied territory. The operation involved special units of the Navy and National Guard and was coordinated with the Presidential office.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 10:50 AM

Drone Systems Forces of Ukraine, supported by SOF and intelligence units, struck two major Russian fuel infrastructure sites overnight. Ryazan Oil Refinery, with an annual throughput of 17.1 million tonnes, and the Luhansk fuel depot were targeted, according to Commander Magyar.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 3:32 AM

The Donetsk front:

/1. A very unusual and interesting hunt for Russian BUK-M1 air defense by the “Lazar” unit.

A night drone bomber was sent to bomb a Russian BUK. A hole was made in the shelter where the BUK was hiding, but it was not destroyed. The drone landed on the BUK and did not stop broadcasting video signal

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 11:05 AM

/2. At that moment, a second drone was sent to finish the job. The Russians tried to redeploy the surviving BUK but were unable to escape.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 11:05 AM

On the Donetsk front, a Russian BM-21 Grad attempted to target Ukrainian positions but was destroyed by a drone strike from Ukraine’s 30th Mechanized Brigade.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 10:10 AM

Russian occupied Luhansk:

Occupied Luhansk. No gas, huge lines on the gas stations.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 7:26 AM

Russian occupied Crimea:

This time, two Russian radars in Crimea were hit by drones – the 48Ya6-K1 ‘Podlet’ and the 55Zh6M ‘Nebo-M’

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 5:50 AM

A Russian Project 1171 landing ship is visibly rusting and deteriorating in Sevastopol Bay, according to the monitoring group Crimean Wind. The ship hasn’t deployed in two years and is regularly repositioned by tugs, possibly due to damage from Ukraine’s 2024 strike.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 6:57 AM

The Sloviansk-Izium highway:

DeepState reports Russians carried out multiple FPV drone strikes along the Sloviansk–Izium road. Around 10 vehicles destroyed, including a civilian bus near Karpivka. Strikes reached 25+ km from the front as Russians exploited high ground. Civilians warned to avoid the area.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM

Dnipro:

A large fire has broken out at a warehouse on the grounds of a former combine harvester plant in Dnipro. Local channels report an explosion was heard, and thick smoke is visible across the city.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 9:32 AM

The Black Sea:

In August 2025, HUR carried out a raid in the Black Sea. Using FPV and other drones, Ukrainian military intelligence destroyed a BL-680 boat, a Harpoon-B radar, a Groza EW system and four antenna units, also inflicting personnel losses on Russian forces. Exclusive footage shows the strike.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 5:29 AM

Ryazan Oblast, Russia:

🔥🛢️Ryazan Oil Refinery with total oil refining capacity—up to 17 million tons annually was attacked tonight. Previously it was also targeted on 2nd of August.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) September 4, 2025 at 9:41 PM

Fires at the Ryazan oil refinery suggest that both the ELOU-AVT-6 and AVT-4 units may have been hit, Andriushchenko reports. Ukraine’s General Staff has also confirmed strikes on the refinery, a drone and ammunition depot in Luhansk, and other targets deep in Russian-held territory.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 8:16 AM

Krasnodar Krai, Russia:

Ukraine’s Defence Forces struck a 39N6 Kasta-2E2 radar station in Anapa, Krasnodar Krai, Exilenova reports. The radar was covering southern Russia from a military site on the outskirts of the city.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) September 5, 2025 at 3:49 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

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