Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv’s forces are firmly holding their positions in Russia’s Kursk region despite intensified efforts by Russian forces to drive them out. “Russia tried to push back our positions, but we are holding the designated lines,” Zelensky stated in his nightly address, reaffirming Ukraine’s resilience along the contested front lines.
On the ground, Russia has unleashed a large-scale drone and missile assault on Ukrainian territory, reportedly deploying 68 drones and four missiles overnight, as confirmed by Ukraine’s air force. Ukrainian forces have struck back, targeting a key Russian fuel depot that supplies the Russian army, with Kyiv reporting a significant fire at the facility.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky has been on a diplomatic tour of Europe, rallying support for Ukraine and presenting his “victory plan.” During a stop at the Vatican, he appealed to Pope Francis to assist in the release of Ukrainians detained in Russia. In Berlin, he expressed his hope for a resolution to the conflict by next year, underscoring the urgency for continued European backing.
The toll on Russian forces has been severe, with September marking the deadliest month for Russian troops since the war began in 2022. According to recent U.S. estimates, Russian casualties have now topped 600,000, with Western intelligence indicating as many as 36,000 casualties in September alone. The staggering figures highlight the unrelenting nature of the conflict and the profound human cost on both sides.
