Monday, September 30

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Residents wait outside after a Russian aircraft’s guided aerial bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia on Sept. 29, 2024. At least 16 people have been reported injured. (Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Zelensky: Putin ‘afraid’ to use nuclear weapons because he ‘loves his life.’ President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism in an interview with Fox News over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued nuclear threats since the full-scale war, saying that Putin “loves his life” and is, therefore, likely afraid to use nuclear weapons.

Denmark to invest nearly $630 million into Ukraine’s defense production. Denmark will invest 4.2 billion Danish kroner ($628 million) into Ukraine’s arms production, according to Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

General Staff: Ukraine strikes Russian military arsenal storing missiles, drones in Volgograd Oblast. Ukrainian forces struck the Kotluban military arsenal in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast, the General Staff reported on Sept. 29.

Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.

Ukraine commemorates 83rd anniversary of Babyn Yar tragedy. Ukraine commemorated the 83rd anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy on Sept. 29, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying that it is a “terrifying symbol” of what can happen when the world “lacks the determination to stand up against evil.”

Russia claims 125 Ukrainian drones intercepted across 7 regions. One hundred twenty-five Ukrainian drones launched overnight were intercepted over seven Russian regions, Russian state-controlled media TASS claimed on Sept. 29.

Read our exclusives

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky says Putin ‘afraid’ to use nuclear weapons because he ‘loves his life’

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism in an interview with Fox News over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued nuclear threats throughout the full-scale war, saying that Putin “loves his life” and is, therefore, likely afraid to use nuclear weapons.

Photo: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Human cost of war

Russia’s attack on Zaporizhzhia destroys apartment building, injures 16. Russia attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia with guided bombs overnight on Sept. 29, injuring at least 16 civilians, local authorities reported.

Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast injure 10. Russian forces attacked 14 communities on Sept. 29, injuring 10 people throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

Trump meets Zelensky, calls for end to war | Ukraine This Week

International response

Russian parliament speaker announces bills tightening migration policy. The Russian State Duma introduced five bills that would tighten migration policy in the country, Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced on Sept. 29.

The Insider: Obtained documents drawn following Navalny’s death omit acute stomach pain, hint at possible poisoning. According to The Insider, the Russian independent investigative outlet received access to “hundreds” of official documents that were drawn following the death of Alexei Navalny in a penal colony in Russia’s Arctic.

Far-right party opposed to Ukraine aid wins Austria elections. Austria’s far-right Freedom Party came first in a general election on Sept. 29, according to voter projections.

Norway considering building fence along Russian border to curb migrant crossings. Norway is considering building fencing along the country’s border with Russia amid ongoing concerns over migrant crossings, Norway’s Justice Minister Emily Anger Mel said in an interview with Norway’s NRK media outlet.

This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand’s visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Contact partnerships@kyivindependent.com for more details.

Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Liliane Bivings, Oleksiy Sorokin, Kate Tsurkan, Olga Rudenko, Dmytro Basmat, and Nate Ostiller.

If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.