Zelenskyy outlines Ukraine's vision of "real peace" to UN General Assembly

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the UN General Assembly in New York and called for a just peace in Ukraine. He emphasized that his Peace Formula is the best path to achieving peace. Zelenskyy rejected proposals for partial settlements, stating they would only give Russia more time to continue the war. He stressed that Ukrainians will never accept a compromise that ignores their suffering.

Zelenskyy outlined key points for peace, including restoring nuclear safety, ensuring food security, and stopping the use of energy as a weapon. He called for the return of captured soldiers and civilians, the withdrawal of Russian forces, and accountability for war crimes. Zelenskyy also urged the international community to prevent future Russian invasions. He asked the world to pressure Russia to stop its attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear facilities.

In a separate interview, Zelenskyy expressed confidence that the war with Russia is closer to its end than many believe.

Russia attacks Kramatorsk city center,2 dead, 12 injured, including children

Russian forces launched an attack on Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast on September 25, killing at least two people and injuring 12, including three children, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin. The strike hit the city center with three guided aerial bombs, damaging two high-rise buildings, shops, and cars. Emergency services are on the scene.

Filashkin condemned the attack as a war crime and warned that no place in Donetsk Oblast is safe, urging residents to evacuate. Kramatorsk has been a frequent target of Russian attacks. In June 2023, a strike on a popular restaurant in the city killed 13 people and injured many others, including Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina, who later died from her injuries.

Russian offensives near Vuhledar and Pokrovsk aim to stretch Ukrainian forces

Experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have observed that Russian offensive operations near Vuhledar and Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast are designed to stretch Ukrainian forces across a wider front. While Russian troops have advanced to the outskirts of Vuhledar, ISW notes that capturing the settlement would likely offer little operational advantage for future Russian offensives in the region.

Russian forces are attempting to encircle Vuhledar from both the northeastern and southwestern flanks, to force Ukrainian troops to withdraw from this long-held stronghold. Western media and Ukrainian experts have warned that constant Russian assaults pose a risk of encirclement, which could prompt a Ukrainian withdrawal to avoid urban combat.

However, should Ukrainian forces decide to defend the settlement, Russian troops may struggle to overcome Vuhledar’s fortified defenses, which have been bolstered over the past two years. If the settlement isn’t captured quickly, Russia's progress may be further hindered by the onset of autumn rains, which will likely turn the rural terrain into difficult, swampy ground.

ISW experts also emphasized that even if Russia seizes Vuhledar, it would not drastically change the broader dynamics of offensive operations in western Donetsk Oblast. The settlement lacks crucial logistics routes, and Russian forces already control most key roads. Therefore, capturing Vuhledar would not significantly affect Ukrainian supply lines or provide a major strategic advantage for future Russian operations.