Key developments on the 1,312th day of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine are outlined below.
Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
Combat Updates
- Ukrainian forces deployed long-range drones targeting an oil pumping facility in Russia’s Chuvashia region, igniting a blaze and halting operations, according to a statement from the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported by Reuters.
- Russian troops have reportedly captured three additional villages in the eastern Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Dnipro, continuing their slow but steady territorial gains, as announced via a Telegram post by the Russian military.
- Both Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of orchestrating attacks on the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been disconnected from the main power grid for four consecutive days due to these incidents.
Security in the Region
- NATO is enhancing its Baltic Sea presence by deploying an air-defense frigate along with other military resources, following a series of unexplained drone sightings near airports in Denmark and military installations.
- Latvia and Lithuania have urged NATO to bolster its defense commitments to the Baltic States, citing repeated alleged incursions by Russian aircraft into alliance airspace.
- Norwegian authorities have initiated an inquiry into potential drone activity near Orland, the country’s largest military base housing advanced F-35 fighter jets, as confirmed by a military spokesperson.
Military Assistance
Diplomatic and Political Developments
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a stern warning at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, declaring that any hostile actions against Russia will provoke a firm response, signaling Moscow’s readiness to retaliate if provoked.
- In a pointed comment to the press, Lavrov insinuated that Germany is revisiting its Nazi-era policies, a veiled critique aimed at Chancellor Friedrich Merz amid Germany’s plans to increase defense expenditures in response to perceived threats from Russia.
- Russia failed to secure the required 93 votes to join the governing council of the UN aviation agency, receiving only 87 votes during the assembly held in Montreal, marking another diplomatic setback following its invasion of Ukraine.
- South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Lavrov in New York, expressing serious concerns over military collaboration between Russia and North Korea. This comes as thousands of North Korean soldiers have reportedly been deployed to support Russia’s efforts in Ukraine, alongside substantial arms transfers from Pyongyang to Moscow.
