Ukraine shoots down 11 of 14 missiles, all 19 Shahed drones that Russia launched on Odesa. Ukraine’s counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia direction enters an “extremely dynamic phase”, ISW says. Ukraine to get through winter with own gas for first time ever.
Ukraine shoots down 11 of 14 missiles, all 19 Shahed drones that Russia launched on Odesa
A Russian drone and missile strike on Odesa overnight on September 25 damaged the marine station, one of the city’s landmarks, an abandoned hotel, and a grain silo. Two people were killed.
A fire broke out in the hotel. The flames were quickly put out but not before the fire caused damage to the building.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, the drones and missiles maneuvered in flight, changing directions before flying toward Odesa.
Ukraine’s Air Command South destroyed all 19 attack drones and 11 of 14 Kalibr cruise missiles, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command Colonel Yuriy Ihnat said, calling it “impeccable work”.
Russia launched Shahed drones from Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Kalibr missiles from a small missile ship and a submarine near Feodosia and Novorosiysk in the Black Sea. It launched Onyx missiles from near Sevastopol.
There were a total of 33 aerial targets, including 12 sea-launched Kalibr cruise missiles, two P-800 Onyx anti-ship missiles, and 19 Shahed 136/131 drones.
“We need to bolster [air defenses] in the south. Onyx missiles are difficult to shoot down. There are ways to counter them, but missile defenses are useless against them. The missiles are hypersonic and flight at low altitude. Existing air defenses are useless against these missiles,” Ihnat said.
Ukrainian counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia direction enters “extremely dynamic phase”, ISW says
The Ukrainian counteroffensive is in an extremely dynamic phase. Ukrainian troops deploy infantry fighting vehicles against Verbove and north of the village. They may isolate a Russian VDV regiment from the rest of the division, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in a report on September 24.
ISW is providing an assessment of a very dynamic situation in the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive near Orikhiv in western Zaporizhia Oblast. Despite “recent positive indicators” ISW emphasizes that the situation remains dynamic and unclear and that the tactical situation is likely changing rapidly. It is too early to forecast if Ukrainian forces will achieve an operational breakthrough in this sector of the front, the report reads.
Russian sources report that Ukrainian forces broke into Verbove on September 22 and continued attacking the settlement with armored vehicles as of September 24. Geolocated combat footage posted on September 24 shows a Ukrainian BMP operating within Verbove’s westernmost village limits. A VDV-affiliated source reported that Ukrainian forces occupy half of Verbove as of September 24. The VDV source accused the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) of trying to conceal “the breakthrough in Verbove” — Ukraine’s tactical progress in Verbove. Several Russian sources reported on September 24 that Ukrainian forces continue deploying vehicles against Verbove, including Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces captured new unspecified locations near Verbove on September 24.
Ukraine to get through winter with own gas for first time ever
For the first time ever, Ukraine will have enough of its own gas for the upcoming heating season, said Ukrainian state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz.
“We are increasing production of our own gas, and these figures are rising. Naftogaz drilled a record number of new wells in 2023, and this trend will continue next year. We plan to get through this winter relying on Ukrainian-produced gas, and our calculations confirm this possibility,” said Oleksiy Chernyshov, CEO of Naftogaz.
Chernyshov expressed confidence that Ukraine will get through the heating season without disruptions in the gas supply or changes to gas prices for households.
“We look to the coming winter with absolute confidence. We have enough gas, and the tariffs are stable. I’m asking all consumers to carry out energy-efficient measures and take a responsible approach to this type of energy. Because this is Ukrainian gas: you and I have achieved this together,” Chernyshov said.
Family Rights Amidst War: A Perspective on the Youth Ukraine in Flames #511
In this episode of Ukraine in flames, we discuss Ukrainian organizations’ efforts to support family-based child welfare during wartime, emphasizing the importance of children’s rights to family care. It touches on training programs for adoptive parents and foster families, as well as the goal of bringing children back to Ukraine for better living conditions after being placed in Europe during the war. Our speakers also highlight the commitment to reforming traditional institutions and reconstructing family values with international support in post-war Ukraine. Take a watch of UIF #511 to learn more!