The European Union will allocate €6 billion from frozen Russian assets and create a new format of cooperation, the Drone Alliance, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

 

"We call it Qualitative Military Edge. It will support investment in the capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces," von der Leyen said.

 

According to the head of the European Commission, Ukraine did not have drones before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Today, their use accounts for more than two-thirds of Russian equipment losses.

 

EU to allocate €6 billion for Ukraine's drone production

 

Photo: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)© RBC-Ukraine (UK)

 

 

 

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's revenue from sales of crude oil and oil products declined in August to one of the lowest levels seen since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday.

 

The IEA said the revenues fell by $920 million from July to $13.51 billion following a decline in crude oil and fuel exports as well as the widening discount to the Russian flagship Urals oil blend's price to around $56 per barrel, below the Western-imposed price cap of $60 per barrel.

 

"Russia's oil export revenues remain near five-year lows, reducing tax revenues and exacerbating Russia's economic slowdown," the Paris-based IEA said.

 

Russia's oil and fuel export revenue fell in August, IEA says

 

 

 

The hits keep coming.

Possibly now up to 25 percent of Putin's blood money oil capacity off line now?

 

Ukraine is winning the war

 

What does Putin have? Terrorism. Human safaris on pensioners. 

 

 

 

Posts that were degenerating into a personal quarrel were removed. Please debate the topic. Thank you.

On the night of September 11, the Ukrainian Navy targeted the communications hub of the Russian Black Sea Fleet located at the 184th Research and Experimental Base "Sevastopol" in temporarily occupied Crimea.

 

On August 28, it was reported that Defense Intelligence of Ukraine operatives struck the Russian small missile ship Buyan-M, capable of carrying Kalibr missiles, while it was in the Sea of Azov.

 

During the operation, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine used drones: one targeted the ship’s radar system, while another collided with its hull.

 

Ukrainian forces strike Black Sea Fleet communication hub: Details emerge

Attacks by Ukrainian drones on Russia’s critical infrastructure have caused widespread internet outages, leaving residents in some regions without connectivity for several months, according to The Financial Times.

 

According to the FT, Ukrainian drones repeatedly struck data centers and network equipment controlling internet traffic in Russian regions. As a result, users in remote areas of the country were left without stable access to online services, social networks, and communication platforms.

 

For example, in July and August, over 2,000 cases of mobile network outages were recorded in Russia - more than three times the number reported in June.

 

Ukrainian drones leave Russia offline for months - FT

Putin's clash with Russia's top banker shows increasing disconnect over war economy, experts say

 

A recent clash between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Sberbank CEO German Gref shows an increasing disconnect between the Kremlin and Russia's economic community, experts say.

Gref, head of Russia's largest bank, told the Eastern Economic Forum on Sept. 5 that Russia's GDP growth had slowed to near zero in July and August after a sharp drop in the April–June quarter.

"The second quarter can practically be considered technical stagnation," he said.

Putin pushed back, insisting lending continued and that the slowdown only reflected "a soft landing" to stabilize prices.

"Ask Gref. Has lending stopped? No. The pace has just slowed," Putin said.

Experts note that the rare public clash revealed a deep gap between the Russian leadership and financial specialists over the true costs of the war in Ukraine.

 

War-fueled growth fading

Official data show Russia's GDP grew 1.1% year-on-year in April–June, down from 1.4% in the first quarter and far below the 4.3% and 5.4% growth rates of the same periods in 2024.

"The economy is not entering stagnation; it already has," Pendzin said.

Some analysts say the picture is worse.

 

https://kyivindependent.com/putin-top-banker-clash-over-russias-technical-stagnation-as-war-costs-mount/

 

 

 

 

A post using a slur to describe nationals of a country was removed. 

1 hour ago, kwonitoy said:

 

If sabotage, congratulations to the brave defenders who pulled that off. If simply the result of Russian incompetence, that works too. 

The EU needs to start manufacturing drones, and drone defenses. I'm sure Ukraine would gladly give them the tech...

 

A significant Russian oil refinery in the Leningrad region was reportedly struck by Ukrainian drones overnight, sparking a fire.

 

Both Russian officials and Ukraine's military confirmed the attack on the Kirishi refinery, a major facility operated by Surgutneftegas.

 

The ongoing drone strikes, coupled with seasonal demand, have contributed to gasoline shortages across Russia, leading to a full ban on gasoline exports until 30 September.

 

Ukraine strikes one of Russia’s largest oil refineries

Due to the illegal elections held in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, cyber specialists from Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) carried out a massive attack on the digital infrastructure of Russia's Central Election Commission on the so-called "single voting day" of September 14, 2025, sources say.

 

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the goal of the attack was to block online voting in Russian elections, which the occupying authorities are also conducting in occupied parts of Ukraine.

 

The powerful DDoS attack targeted digital resources involved in the illegal elections, including:

As a result, the work of these digital services was temporarily paralyzed, and many Russians were unable to cast their votes in regional elections.

 

Massive cyberattack cripples Russia's election commission, sources

 

Keith Kellogg -- works for Trump but actually knows a lot about Russia and Ukraine unlike that Putin loving unqualified incompetent golf buddy Steve Witkoff who knows nothing about the region has now proclaimed:

UKRAINE is beating russia. russia is not winning this war!

Some thought starting this topic was some kind of troll move.

Nope. Anyone paying attention can see it.

 

koff

The operation allegedly happened in Vladivostok and targeted Russian troops accused of war crimes.

 

The operation reportedly struck the 47th Airborne Assault Battalion of the 155th Guards Marine Brigade.

The unit is based in Shchitovaya, a village in Primorsky Krai. It has been linked to major battles and alleged atrocities in Ukraine.

 

According to the source, the battalion took part in fighting near Kyiv, Mariupol, Vuhledar, Kursk, and Pokrovsk.

It stands accused of committing brutal acts against civilians and executing Ukrainian prisoners of war.

 

Report: Ukraine strikes 6000 km inside Russian territory in “revenge operation”

 

Vladivostok, a strategic port city on the Sea of Japan, is located nearly 6,000 kilometers (3,730 miles) from Ukraine.

 

 

The HUR source said a powerful blast rocked the parking area of a military facility, followed by a second explosion.

Russian media outlets confirmed emergency services and a helicopter were deployed to the scene.

Exclusive: Russia close to cutting oil output due to drone attacks, sources say

 

Russia's oil pipeline monopoly Transneft has warned producers they may have to cut output following Ukraine's drone attacks on critical export ports and refineries, three industry sources said on Tuesday.

Kyiv has stepped up attacks on Russian energy assets since August in a bid to impede Moscow's war effort in Ukraine and reduce the Kremlin's revenues as attempts to secure an end to the conflict through peace talks have stalled.

 

Oil and gas revenues have accounted for between a third and half of Russia's total federal budget proceeds over the past decade, making the sector the single most important source of financing for the government.

Ukrainian drones have hit at least 10 refineries - cutting Russia's refining capacity by almost a fifth at one point - and damaged its leading Baltic Sea ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk, Ukrainian military officials and Russian industry sources said.

Russian authorities have not publicly commented on the extent of the damage or its impact on production and exports.

However, Transneft, which handles more than 80% of all the oil extracted in Russia, has in recent days restricted oil firms' ability to store oil in its pipeline system, two industry sources close to Russian oil firms told Reuters.

 

Transneft has also warned producers it may have to accept less oil if its infrastructure sustains further damage, the two sources said.

The attacks could force Russia, which accounts for 9% of global oil production, to ultimately cut output, said the two sources and a third source familiar with oil pumping operations.

The three sources asked not to be named due to sensitivity of the issue.

Transneft did not answer requests for comment.

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russia-close-cutting-oil-output-due-drone-attacks-sources-say-2025-09-16/

 

 

 

Ukrainian intelligence intercepted a conversation in which Russian soldiers openly admit that they break their own soldiers' legs if they try to flee the battlefield.

 

The new intercepted conversation makes it clear that in the Russian army, soldiers who try to escape are brutally punished by their own commanders

.

One of the speakers described a fighter captured near temporarily occupied Mariupol:

"Soon, a <deleted>-up fighter will be brought to you. But he has <deleted> broken arms and legs, lying there like bait for the Ukrainians," the occupier said.

 

Russian army reportedly maims soldiers for fleeing the front, Ukrainian intelligence intercept

 

 

Ukrainian assault troops of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, together with fighters of the Azov Brigade, took part in liberating the settlement of Pankivka in the Donetsk region from Russian occupation, Valentyn Manko, Head of the Assault Units Directorate, reports.

 

According to Manko, the 1st Assault Battalion Black Swan of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, in close coordination with fighters of the Azov Special Forces Brigade, successfully liberated the settlement of Pankivka from Russian occupation.

 

“This is yet another proof of the coordinated work of Ukrainian assault units: in close cooperation with fighters of the 1st Assault Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine Azov, the operation to eliminate the enemy breakthrough in the Dobropillia direction continues,” Manko stated.

 

Ukrainian assault troops liberate Pankivka on the Dobropillia direction

 

Photo: Ukrainian military cleared Pankivka of Russian troops (Getty Images)© RBC-Ukraine (UK)

 

 

 

Ukrainian assault troops liberate Pankivka on the Dobropillia direction© RBC-Ukraine (UK)

In August, drone forces destroyed three enemy air defense systems valued at $80–90 million, according to the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Drone Forces Telegram channel.

 

Operators of the 412th Nemesis Regiment eliminated two Tor-M2 SAM systems, a Buk-M3 launcher, and a radar system from a Buk-M2 SAM.

 

“The enemy is changing tactics, trying to stop us and hide, but in vain - our retaliation reaches its target,” the Drone Forces post stated.

 

Ukrainian drone forces destroy $80M of enemy equipment, list revealed

 

Drone forces destroy Russian army air defense systems (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)© RBC-Ukraine (UK)

 

 

Ukrainian intelligence from the Viking naval operations center installed mine barriers on Tendra Split at night. Ukrainian defenders also managed to destroy the Russian Vityaz multipurpose tractor, according to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR).

 

"A successful raid on Tendra Split — fighters from the Viking naval operations center of the Active Operations Department of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine carried out another night landing and installed mine barriers on the spit," the intelligence service wrote.

 

"The multipurpose tractor DT-10 Vityaz of the Russian occupiers, which the Russians used to deliver personnel, weapons, and supplies to enemy positions, fell into a trap set by Ukrainian military intelligence special forces — the tracked Russian Vityaz has been destroyed," the intelligence service noted, adding that the fight against enemy logistics continues.

 

Ukrainian intelligence troops landed on Tendra Spit and set trap for Russian soldiers