Daily Briefing

Key Takeaways

• SBU drones destroyed a Su-35 and Su-34 at Khanska airbase in Adygea (~500 km inside Russia), corroborated by 31 sources — one of the deepest confirmed Ukrainian strikes on Russian air assets to date.
• German Chancellor Merz visited Kyiv and announced a combined aid package exceeding €1.35–1.46 billion, including IRIS-T systems, Patriot missiles, interceptor drones, and €350M for energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
• Russia launched 135 strike drones overnight targeting six Ukrainian regions; Kyiv's Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge was struck twice in one day, and a drone hit the National Academy of Sciences killing 2 and injuring 7.
• Zelensky disclosed Russia holds ~700 ballistic missiles in reserve (producing 130–140/month) and warned of a pre-winter campaign targeting logistics, roads, schools, and hospitals; Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi has deoccupied 125–140 km² with Russian monthly losses now ~42,000.
• Ukraine announced a domestic FP-9 ballistic missile (range up to 850 km, Moscow-capable) expected this autumn, a new 'Nika' anti-drone missile, and a Starlink-alternative satellite system called 'Similar' — signaling a major push for strategic autonomy.