Putin says that all intended goals will be achieved in Ukraine

On Sept. 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his pledge that "all intended goals will be achieved" in Ukraine, marking the second anniversary of objectives that remain unfulfilled. In a video address, Putin commemorated the so-called "Day of Reunification" with the illegally annexed regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, despite Russia only partially controlling these areas.

The illegal annexations, declared in September 2022, came shortly before a Ukrainian counteroffensive liberated large portions of Kherson Oblast, including its capital. While the capitals of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia remain under Ukrainian control, Luhansk and Donetsk have been occupied by Russia since 2014.

Putin accused Ukraine’s Western allies of turning the country into a military base aimed at Russia, fostering "hatred and radical nationalism," and preparing Ukraine for war. He expressed gratitude to Russian citizens for their unity, asserting, "The truth is on our side."

Putin’s original invasion goals in 2022 included "liberating" Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, "demilitarizing and denazifying" Ukraine, and capturing Kyiv. After failing to achieve most of these aims, he has since shifted focus to capturing all of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.

Russia attacked Zaporizhzhia, destroyed apartment building, 16 injured

Russia launched a series of glide bomb attacks on the city of Zaporizhzhia overnight on Sept. 29, injuring at least 16 civilians, according to local authorities. Among the wounded is a 17-year-old boy, and more victims may still be trapped under rubble. Several buildings caught fire, and a high-rise along with multiple residential homes were destroyed.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov reported that the city was hit at least 10 times. The attacks come as Russia continues targeting civilian infrastructure in the region, which lies less than 50 kilometers from the front lines and is partially occupied by Russian forces.

Just days earlier, on Sept. 23, a Russian strike on the city killed one man and injured seven others, including two teenagers. Additionally, Ukrainian military intelligence has reported that Russian forces are amassing personnel in southeastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, potentially preparing for further assault operations.

Russia plans to start exporting coal from occupied Donbas in October

A source familiar with the plans told RBK that exports could be routed through the occupied Mariupol port, as well as the Russian ports of Taganrog and Rostov-on-Don. Additional transport may occur via rail through Azerbaijan and Iran. According to Andrey Chertkov, a senior official in the occupying Russian administration in Donetsk, negotiations for coal exports are underway with potential buyers from China, India, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Malaysia. Oleg Knyazev, the company's CEO, confirmed the discussions. The Russian company Torgoviy Dom "Donskoy Ugol" (Trade House "Don Coal") is set to begin exporting coal from the occupied Donbas region in October, using the port of Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast.