Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1317: Ukraine brings 205 POWs home from Russian captivity

Exclusives

Russia's biggest tank division is heading straight for Zaporizhzhia and its 700,000 residents. Unnoticed by the wider world, the Russian army is steadily marching west through south Donetsk, toward a crucial regional center

Russia activated Soviet submarine veterans to bomb European cargo planes, journalists reveal. "Stop calling it hybrid war. It's war," investigative journalist Michael Weiss tells Euromaidan Press

International

€140 billion for Ukraine stalls in EU deadlock: Belgium blocks loan that could secure Ukraine's future. Meanwhile, leaders from Finland and Sweden argue that investing in Ukraine is investing in European security, yet obstacles in the Eurozone persist. Zelenskyy at EU summit in Copenhagen: Russia's ambition to divide Europe is clear. Ukrainian troops train partners to intercept UAVs while Moscow exploits division, energy dependencies, and hybrid tactics to weaken support for Kyiv. Canada cancels Trudeau's buyback-for-Ukraine plan — the guns weren't fit for war anyway. Officials admitted most of the weapons failed NATO standards and couldn't be used in combat. WSJ: US to share intelligence for Ukraine's deep strikes in Russia as Trump administration weighs sending powerful weapons. Tomahawk and Barracuda systems are among the options under review.

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine approves 80 domestically produced drone and robot systems to its armed forces in September 2025. An accelerated arms surge modernizes the force: domestic production jumps 40% month-on-month as Kyiv moves from reliance to resilience. A bigger nose, longer body, larger fins — Ukraine's unveils long Neptune missile, which reportedly strikes 1,000 km away. Officials confirmed it can still be launched from existing systems. ISW: Russian oil tankers cruising NATO waters suspected in NATO airspace drone intrusions. Investigators probe a pattern of drone incursions coinciding with shadow fleet ships in NATO waters. Explosives in corn cans: Russia's plot to strike Poland, Lithuania, and Germany revealed. Authorities intercepted a courier carrying disguised bombs and drone parts.

Military

Russia fertilizer-explosives plant 1,600 km from Ukraine explodes—ammonia refrigerator blast claimed. Locals posted images of towering smoke and flames at the Berezniki site in Perm Krai after two powerful evening explosions. ISW: The Kremlin continues its nuclear threats while dangling economic carrots to sway Washington. The Kremlin appears focused on reshaping its ties with the US through a mix of nuclear threats and economic promises, all while refusing to engage in peace talks with Ukraine and pushing for more battlefield leverage. Russia deliberately hits facility powering Chornobyl's confinement, which hides 3,250 tons of nuclear waste. The New Safe Confinement loses power amid a targeted strike, showing Russia's willingness to weaponize nuclear safety against Europe.

Humanitarian and social impact

Bucha was only beginning: Russian troops deliberately kill men and use women, children as "human shields" in Ukraine — military. Presence of civilians doubles the complexity for Ukrainian forces, forcing them to balance protection with combat under constant threat. Chernihiv left with blackouts and no hot water as Russia appears to restart power grid strikes campaign ahead of winter. The city confirms boiler shutdowns and rolling outages after a drone strike on nearby Slavutych a day earlier. "I counted every single day": 2025 Ukrainian POWs endured three years of Russian captivity — and finally came back home. 185 soldiers and 20 civilians return from torture and darkness, greeted by tears, smiles, and the bitter weight of friends still imprisoned. Newlywed Ukrainian couple planned Christmas with Sinatra—Russia made her widow instead. Bohdana and Yaroslav had just married and dreamed of listening to records together this holiday season. He was killed on 30 September in a Russian drone strike on Dnipro. Russia hit Ukraine's railways overnight — and kills a civilian woman in northeastern Ukraine. Russian drones and missiles struck railway infrastructure in Odesa and Konotop while a missile hit Balakliia, killing a woman and injuring 16, including a 4-year-old. Read our earlier daily review here.