Ukraine brings back over 100 more soldiers from Russian captivity

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Telegram that Ukraine successfully brought back 103 of its defenders through a prisoner exchange mediated by the UAE. The group includes 82 privates and sergeants, along with 21 officers. Among those returned are soldiers who defended key regions such as Kyiv, Donetsk, Mariupol, the Azovstal steel plant, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv. The exchange included members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, border guards, and police.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the team responsible for the prisoner exchanges, highlighting the return of these defenders as a significant achievement. In return, Ukraine handed over Russian soldiers captured in Kursk Oblast. While the exact location of the exchange was not disclosed, it was noted that the exchanged Russian soldiers are currently in Belarus.

Russians attacked Odesa Oblast kiling several people

A Russian missile attack on the Odesa district resulted in the tragic death of a married couple and injured another woman. Oleh Kiper, the Head of Odesa Oblast State Administration, reported that the attack took place on Saturday evening, targeting residential buildings and outbuildings in the suburbs of Odesa. The missile reportedly carried a prohibited cluster warhead.

During the examination of the strike site, the bodies of the two victims, a man born in 1958 and a woman born in 1962, were found. Additionally, a 65-year-old woman sustained shrapnel wounds to her head and right hip joint. She was taken to the hospital and is in moderate condition.

Ukraine investigates 11 crimes of Russians militarising children in occupied territories

Ukraine is investigating 11 cases related to the militarization of Ukrainian children in the temporarily occupied territories. Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin reported that Russian forces are conducting "ideological brainwashing" of children, involving them in paramilitary organizations such as the Yunarmiya, Russia's Youth Army.

Kostin revealed that about 900 paramilitary detachments have been created in Crimea alone, involving over 29,000 children. Russian authorities have allegedly been granting Russian citizenship to these children, changing their personal data, and indoctrinating them with Russian propaganda. Furthermore, underage members of the Yunarmiya can reportedly be engaged in hostilities against Ukraine.

Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, approximately 4,000 criminal proceedings have been registered concerning crimes against children, particularly in Luhansk, Donetsk, and Kherson oblasts. These include cases of abduction, forced deportation, and sexual violence. So far, 54 individuals have been served with a notice of suspicion over war crimes against children, with 31 war criminals convicted. The investigation and prosecution efforts are ongoing.

3 killed in Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia Oblast

A Russian attack killed three civilians in the Huliaipole community, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, on September 14. Regional governor Ivan Fedorov reported that Russian forces targeted an agricultural enterprise, leading to the deaths of three of its employees. The type of weapon used in the attack was not specified.

Huliaipole, a front-line community with around 20,000 residents, has faced constant attacks from Russian positions in the south since the start of the full-scale invasion. The town is strategically located less than 10 kilometers north of the front line and approximately 90 kilometers southeast of the regional center, Zaporizhzhia. Fedorov also mentioned that Huliaipole had been attacked with artillery and various modifications of UAVs over the previous day.

Zelensky reveals details of July call with Trump, says he claimed to be 'very supportive'

President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that during a call in July, Donald Trump expressed strong support for Ukraine, stating that he would do "everything to strengthen Ukraine" if elected president. Zelensky mentioned in a CNN interview that Trump acknowledged the difficulty of surviving during the war. However, these private comments contrast with Trump's public statements, where he has emphasized ending the war quickly, even claiming he could do so in 24 hours.

During a recent presidential debate, Trump avoided providing details on his approach to ending the war and has criticized American aid to Ukraine. There are reports that he suggested a potential resolution involving Ukraine ceding occupied territories like Crimea and Donbas to Russia. Trump's vice-presidential running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, mentioned the possibility of establishing a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia.

Zelensky dismissed Trump's statements as "election messages" that might not reflect his actual policies if he is elected. While acknowledging that Trump's comments have made some Ukrainians nervous, Zelensky emphasized that election rhetoric often differs from real policy plans. Later this month, Zelensky plans to visit the U.S. to present President Joe Biden with a "victory plan" and will discuss it with both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Ukrainian officials have stressed the importance of maintaining productive cooperation with any U.S. administration, regardless of the election outcome.

Russian forces attacked Kharkiv

On September 15, a Russian airstrike hit a high-rise building in Kharkiv city, injuring at least 35 people, including three children, and causing a fire. President Volodymyr Zelensky shared photos of the extensive damage, noting that rescue operations were ongoing as the fire spread across the 9th to 12th floors.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Synehubov confirmed that the number of injured had risen to 35, with 12 people hospitalized and at least three in serious condition. The strike also caused significant structural damage, shattering around 1,500 windows and damaging dozens of cars. This attack came shortly after the city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, warned of incoming KAB guided bombs launched by Russia.

Zelensky's office denies the report that the victory plan includes a ceasefire along existing lines

An advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky has refuted a news report suggesting that Zelensky's forthcoming victory plan would involve a partial ceasefire, labeling the report as "fake." Zelensky intends to present a comprehensive victory plan to the United States during a meeting with President Biden later this month. Presidential Communications Advisor Dmytro Lytvyn responded to the claims made in Germany's Bild newspaper, stating that "Bild spread a fake" and that the details of the plan remain undisclosed to unauthorized parties.

Lytvyn emphasized that Ukraine is firmly against any freezing of the conflict, a stance that aligns with the Ukrainian leadership at all levels. He stressed the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine's Victory Plan, which aims to secure a definitive end to the war without capitulation or a temporary halt in hostilities. While the plan's specifics have not been revealed, Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine's recent operations in Kursk are part of the broader strategy. The plan also includes Ukraine's integration into the global security infrastructure, applying diplomatic pressure on Russia, and economic measures to end the conflict.

Ukraine is also preparing for a second peace summit, following the first global peace summit in Switzerland in June, which excluded Russia. Kyiv has expressed its intention to invite a Russian representative to this upcoming conference, maintaining its firm stance against any ceasefire that could allow Russia to regroup its forces.