Key events on Sunday, September 28, 2025, day 1,312 of Russia’s war on Ukraine. Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil pumping station in Russia’s Chuvashia region, causing a fire and halting operations, the Ukrainian security service (SBU) said. Russia claimed it took over three villages in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Dnipro regions amid a slow advance. Moscow and Kyiv blamed each other for attacks on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been off the main power grid for four days.
NATO is upgrading its Baltic Sea mission with an air-defence frigate and other military assets after drone sightings at airports in Denmark and military bases. Latvia and Lithuania requested more NATO protection over alleged Russian airspace violations. Norway is investigating possible drone sightings near its largest military base, Orland, home to advanced F-35 fighter jets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced upcoming talks in the US on major arms purchases and drone production deals. Ukraine has prepared a list of about $90 billion in US weapons requests. Zelenskyy also confirmed that Ukraine received a US-made Patriot air defence system from Israel last month, with two more expected soon.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned NATO and the EU that any aggression against Russia would trigger a “decisive response.” He also criticized Germany, suggesting it is returning to its Nazi past amid increased defence spending. Russia failed to secure a seat on the UN aviation agency’s governing council, receiving 87 of the 93 votes needed. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met Lavrov in New York, expressing concern over Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea. Thousands of North Korean troops and weapons have supported Russia in its war against Ukraine.
