Daily Briefing

Key Takeaways

• Ukraine launched one of its largest drone operations on record — approximately 430 UAVs over Russian territory — striking an S-400 battery and oil depot in Adler, a naval vessel (NEFRIT) in Sochi, and triggering airport closures across 7+ Russian cities; Russia's MoD claims 416 intercepted across 16 regions.
• US envoys Wittkoff and Kushner are set to conduct shuttle diplomacy between Kyiv and Moscow in the coming days, with Zelensky confirming preliminary dates agreed — the most concrete peace-process signal in months (26 sources corroborated).
• Russia deployed a new 'Geran-5' jet-powered drone near Kyiv — capable of 600 km/h, ~90 kg payload, and up to 1,000 km range — and confirmed use of Shaheds as airborne FPV launch platforms, significantly complicating Ukrainian air defense.
• US intelligence reportedly forecasts up to 8 waves of mass Russian missile strikes on Ukraine's energy grid starting late September, with up to 90 missiles per wave; Kyiv, Odesa, and Kryvyi Rih assessed as highest-risk cities.
• Germany began serial production of 5,000+ long-range strike drones for Ukraine (~€300M contract) and is preparing a broader retaliation package against Russia including Iris-T missiles, while the US House may fast-track a Russia sanctions vote within two weeks.