Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1316: Russian intelligence parcel bombs nearly caused another MH17 catastrophe in Europe

Exclusive

Russia's parcel bomb terror: how the GRU nearly caused another MH17 in Europe. Disguised as cosmetics and sex toys, Russia's parcel bombs could have turned cargo planes into falling fireballs. Investigative journalist Michael Weiss tells Euromaidan Press why Europe is still on the back foot.

Naked truth: drone strikes leave Russia begging for fuel imports. Russia admits to a structural fuel crisis with import tariff suspension.

Moldova stays European—here's how they beat $180 million in Russian bribes. Despite Moscow's disinformation and proxy protests, PAS wins big, handing Sandu a renewed mandate for Moldova's European path.

Military

Russian advance stalls — September sees lowest territorial gains since May, but it's not time to relax. Russian attempts via gas pipelines were thwarted, but Kupiansk remains on high alert for renewed attacks. From Kinzhal missiles to Shaheds: Ukraine destroys 10,215 Russian targets in September, proving it is Europe's frontline defense. Meanwhile, Poland and Denmark announce plans to adopt Ukrainian tactics after repeated Russian drone intrusions. Atesh partisans hit deep in Russia — railway nearly 1,000 km from Ukraine burns. Drones meant for Ukrainian cities lie stranded on scorched tracks. Top Russian collaborator behind years of torture of civilians in Kherson Oblast, dies after meeting with Ukrainian drone. Leontiev kidnapped mayors, tortured journalists, and terrorized the city for two years. Fire engulfs Russia's fifth-largest oil refinery in Yaroslavl, authorities deny drone attack. Yaroslavl Governor characterized the blaze as having a "man-made/technological nature," while the incident occurs amid intensified Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

Intelligence and technology

"Runway for drones, classroom for war": Camp Jomsborg in Poland becomes Europe's frontline school for modern combat. Soldiers from Ukraine and allied nations will train here side by side, mastering drone warfare, electronic defense, and real battlefield tactics drawn from Ukraine's war experience. Romania seeks Ukraine drone partnership after Russian airspace violations. The partnership builds on Ukraine's transformation from importer to drone warfare powerhouse.

International

PACE calls for sanctions pressure on Russia over 800 crimes against Ukrainian journalists. From captivity to killings, Europe demands justice for journalists and citizen reporters risking everything under gunpoint. Budapest bans 12 independent Ukrainian media outlets, while Russia broadcasting propaganda in Europe without pause. If Europe mistakes truth for lies, the information war is already lost. US senators urge use of $300 billion frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense at no taxpayer cost. Republican senators John Kennedy and Lindsey Graham joined Democratic senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse in the resolution, arguing that increasing the financial costs of continued military operations would pressure Putin to end the war. British Princess visits Kyiv to draw attention to Ukrainian kids Russia killed or deported. Princess Anne leaves a toy bear at the memorial for 657 Ukrainian children killed by Russia and speaks to teenagers who escaped Russian occupation.

Humanitarian and social impact

Turkish truck driver and father of three among four killed in Russian 12-hour bombardment of Kyiv. Tevfik Bektaş had completed a cargo delivery to the Ukrainian capital and was waiting in a customs zone when Russian forces launched an assault involving nearly 500 strike drones and over 40 missiles. Russia hits city of Chornobyl nuclear plant workers, while other occupied nuclear station in Zaporizhzhia is on brink of disaster. Shahed drones plunge Slavutych into darkness. "We lost everything": Russia hits same Kharkiv civilian market for eighth time destroying businesses and leaving people in debt. Four guided aerial bombs hit two Kharkiv districts overnight, igniting fires at trading pavilions at Barabashovo market and damaging private homes and garage cooperatives, while at least six people were injured.

Political and legal developments

Ukraine receives €4 billion EU payment on Day of Defenders, funded by frozen Russian assets. The funds will be allocated to social programs, military spending, and reconstruction.

New developments

Group of youths in Poland lured Ukrainian man on date with fake profile—they beat him and marked his face with Nazi symbols. The attackers, some of whom are minors, created a fictional teenage girl "interested in sexual contact" to arrange a meeting with a 23-year-old Ukrainian in Wrocław. Read our earlier daily review here.