This week saw intensified military clashes, strategic maneuvers, and sustained international support for Ukraine as the conflict with Russia entered another critical phase. Both sides reported significant losses, and the war continued to take a severe toll on civilian populations and infrastructure. While Moscow claimed advances across multiple fronts, Kyiv asserted that Russian offensives have largely stalled, highlighting the ongoing struggle for control over contested regions.
In eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian attacks near Kupiansk, where Moscow had attempted to infiltrate positions using underground gas pipelines. Ukrainian troops responded by flooding the pipelines and strengthening access points, effectively preventing Russian incursions.
Meanwhile, in southern Ukraine, Ukrainian counteroffensives continued to target occupied territories, with officials reporting gradual progress despite entrenched Russian defenses. Localized skirmishes in Sumy and Novopavlivka highlighted the intensity of fighting along both frontlines, underscoring the high human cost of these engagements.
Russian military officials reported advances in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk. General Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s Chief of Staff, claimed that Moscow’s forces were “advancing in practically all directions,” citing particularly heavy fighting around Pokrovsk, previously known as Krasnoarmeisk. Based on Russian statements, Ukrainian units deployed their best-trained troops to resist these advances, unintentionally facilitating Russian progress in other sectors. Ukrainian authorities disputed these claims, emphasizing that Russian offensives have suffered repeated setbacks. Kyiv highlighted the capture of Russian soldiers near Kupiansk and the successful defense of key positions around Pokrovsk as evidence of their resilience.
The human toll on both sides remained severe. Russian state media TASS, citing Moscow’s Ministry of Defense, claimed that Ukraine had lost more than 1,500 soldiers in recent frontline fighting. Ukrainian officials did not confirm these figures, framing the reports as part of a broader narrative designed to exaggerate military gains. In turn, Kyiv reported that Russian forces had suffered roughly 1,020 casualties over the past days, along with the loss of 360 drones and 36 artillery systems. Russian authorities have not verified these claims. Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted on social media that, despite Russia’s preparations for offensives in Sumy, Novopavlivka, Pokrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia, Moscow had sustained such heavy manpower losses that it currently lacked the capacity for large-scale attacks.
The conflict’s impact on civilians was stark. On September 9, a Russian airstrike hit a pension distribution point in eastern Ukraine, killing at least 23 retirees and injuring 18 others. In Russia’s Belgorod border region, a Ukrainian drone struck a vehicle, killing one person and wounding another, demonstrating that cross-border attacks remain a feature of the conflict. Infrastructure has also been a primary target, with Russian forces striking Ukrainian railway facilities, storage and launch sites for long-range drones, and temporary military deployment sites. These attacks threaten Ukraine’s logistical capacity and its ability to maintain supply lines, particularly as winter approaches.
With the violence escalating, international support for Ukraine remains substantial. The European-funded Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program began delivering its first shipments, including Patriot missile system ammunition and HIMARS rockets, valued initially at $1 billion, with total pledges expected to reach $3.5 billion by October. Ukraine’s President Zelensky noted that these shipments would enhance Kyiv’s ability to repel Russian strikes, particularly as Moscow accelerates attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Sweden also contributed its 20th military aid package, worth $984 million, comprising self-propelled howitzers, artillery ammunition, and reconnaissance drones. The Trump administration has additionally confirmed that it is sending Ukraine its first Patriot and HIMARS missiles under this Europe-funded scheme, with the initial batches worth $500 million each, signaling continued Western commitment to supporting Kyiv’s defense.
Energy security and infrastructure resilience have become central concerns. Russian forces continue to target Ukraine’s energy facilities, particularly gas infrastructure, disrupting domestic production and power generation. Ukrainian officials warned that the country may need to import an additional 1–2 billion cubic meters of gas, at a cost of up to $1 billion, to meet winter storage targets. These attacks threaten both civilian populations and industrial operations, compounding the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
As of September 18, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not reported any new developments regarding the shelling and black smoke observed near the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) on September 16. The IAEA’s monitoring team had reported hearing artillery shelling and observing black smoke rising from three locations approximately 400 meters from the plant’s off-site diesel fuel storage. No casualties or damage were reported, but the incident underscored ongoing nuclear safety concerns. The IAEA team had planned to inspect the affected area on September 17, pending security conditions. However, as of going to press, there have been no updates on whether the inspection took place or if any new incidents have occurred.
Diplomatically, Ukraine has maintained a firm stance against territorial concessions. Zelensky reiterated this position during the Yalta European Strategy forum in Kyiv, stating that giving up land would not lead to peace and that Kyiv expects continued support from Western allies. Meanwhile, NATO and EU officials have emphasized the importance of coordinated defense measures. In response to recent Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace, the European Union announced plans to establish a €6 billion “drone wall” to protect member states. The initiative, to be coordinated with Kyiv, aims to prevent future aerial attacks and improve the alliance’s collective defensive posture.
The intensity of fighting this week reflected the high stakes on both sides. Russian forces claim progress in multiple sectors, while Ukrainian troops continue to mount effective resistance, leveraging advanced Western-supplied weaponry and fortifying key positions. Analysts note that despite Moscow’s claims of territorial gains, the situation remains highly fluid, with neither side achieving decisive breakthroughs.
The week also highlighted the asymmetric nature of the conflict. Ukrainian drone operations into Russian territory, such as the attack in Belgorod, underscore Kyiv’s ability to project force beyond its borders, while Russian missile strikes and cross-border attacks continue to challenge Ukrainian defense and civilian safety. Both sides continue to leverage information campaigns to reinforce domestic and international perceptions of success, further complicating independent assessments of battlefield outcomes.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
