Ukraine critically lacks ballistic missile interceptors, making asymmetric responses, including strikes on Russian launchers, necessary. In September and early October, Ukraine's Defense Forces struck eight launchers used for ballistic missile attacks.
Soldiers of the Alpha Special Operations Center of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) neutralized more than 7,600 Russian troops and hit 26 air defense systems and 16 multiple rocket launchers in September.
Ukraine's Defense Forces destroyed more than 4,700 aerial targets in September, including eight Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and eight Zircon anti-ship missiles.
Russian forces failed to accomplish their September objectives of capturing designated settlements in the Huliaipole and Orikhiv directions, but, due to reports of alleged successes, they were given even more ambitious objectives for October.
In September 2026, Ukraine's Defense Forces recorded more than 11,000 strikes against targets located more than 20 km away for the first time, and achieved record numbers of strikes against enemy air-defense systems and radar stations since the launch of the ePoints program.
Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin claimed that in September, Russian troops seized more than 1,300 km² of Ukrainian territory; however, these claims differ significantly from the actual data on the situation at the front.
In September, Russian military personnel losses amounted to 46,230, making it the highest monthly figure of 2026. Compared with January, losses increased by 14,520 people, or 45.8%.
On Wednesday, September 30, partly cloudy weather was expected across Ukraine, with no precipitation. Only in the Sea of Azov region and Crimea could there be occasional short-term rain.
219 combat engagements took place along the front line on September 15, with Ukrainian Defense Forces repelling 38 enemy attacks in the Pokrovsk direction, killing 70+ Russian troops.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the first results of the negotiations could emerge by the end of September. He suggested that these could include decisions on grain exports and energy.
MFA spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi confirmed that a preliminary agreement has been reached on an in-person meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump in September.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in September and will then work on organizing a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal hopes that the House of Representatives could approve Russia sanctions bill, initiated by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, in September.
NATO’s highest military body, the Military Committee, will hold a meeting at the level of chiefs of defense from September 18 to 19, 2026, in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.