The European Parliament has approved changes under the Omnibus V package that will allow expenses for testing defense projects in Ukraine to be financed from the European Defence Fund, while also accelerating defense investment and procurement in the EU.
Russian forces struck the center of Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad region, on September 16, injuring four people and damaging a kindergarten and private homes.
The Ukrainian and US teams are working to arrange a meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump in New York and to make it as substantive as possible.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the possible deployment of Western military contingents in Ukraine would constitute a “declaration of war” against Russia.
The European Parliament has called on the EU and its member states to recognize that hybrid attacks can constitute a form of warfare and to shift from responding to such actions to actively deterring them.
On the afternoon of September 16, Russian forces attacked a public transport stop with a drone in the village of Zelenivka, Kherson region, injuring a 93-year-old woman.
The Russian Gerbera drone shot down over central Lithuania on Tuesday morning was likely heading toward Ukraine but was diverted from its course by the effects of Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi discussed further cooperation on Ukraine's reconstruction with Eisuke Mori, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Japanese parliament.
The Russian attack on the “Yahodyn” border crossing occurred because Belarus has once again activated relay stations that help enemy drones penetrate deep into Ukrainian territory.
Russia is using the food crisis and the Black Sea blockade as tools to fuel migration and destabilize Europe; therefore, the EU must safeguard Ukrainian exports and work together to counter Russian hybrid campaigns.
On September 16, the Verkhovna Rada passed at first reading a package of revised bills on the taxation of small postal and express shipments worth up to EUR 150 ordered through marketplaces.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that, in the event of an agreement on an energy ceasefire, Russia must not strike Ukraine’s energy facilities with any type of weapon.