Ukraine War News Highlights, 23 September 2025: Germany's €80 billion rearmament plan to primarily benefit European industry

Germany's €80 billion rearmament plan to primarily benefit European industry

A procurement document for Germany's €80 billion military rearmament plan shows that the spending will predominantly benefit European industry, with limited purchases from the United States, according to a report in Politico. The plan, a key component of Germany's "Zeitenwende" (turning point) policy enacted in response to the Russia-Ukraine war, details how Berlin will modernize its armed forces. The focus on European suppliers marks a significant move to bolster the continent's own defense industrial base.

Trump says Ukraine can win back all territory lost to Russia, a shift in his stance on the war

Speaking at the United Nations, President Donald Trump declared that Ukraine has the potential to win back all of its territory that has been lost to Russia, AP says in a report. This new position marks a significant shift from the US leader's previous statements, which have often included suggestions that Kyiv should consider territorial concessions as a means to end the conflict. The statement suggests a potentially firmer stance on supporting Ukraine's goal of restoring its full territorial integrity.

Trump calls on NATO allies to shoot down Russian aircraft entering their airspace

US President Donald Trump stated that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft that enter their airspace, according to a report in The Guardian. His comments were made in response to a series of recent drone incursions by Russian fighter jets.

Ukrainian gas stations emerge as key support hubs for soldiers

Gas stations in Ukraine have transformed into vital hubs of civilian support for military personnel traveling to and from the front lines, The New York Times says in a report. These locations offer soldiers more than just fuel; they provide practical and morale-boosting assistance such as free coffee, food, and a place to rest, all part of a grassroots effort by individual citizens and businesses. The interactions demonstrate strong civil-military relations and a deep societal cohesion, which serves to bolster the morale of the armed forces. This phenomenon of widespread public support for the military at everyday locations like filling stations also acts as a counter-narrative to Russian propaganda that portrays Ukraine as a divided nation.

Macron warns against seizing frozen Russian assets

French President Emmanuel Macron has cautioned against the seizure of frozen Russian sovereign assets, stating that ignoring international law on this matter would lead to "the beginning of total chaos," according to a report in RT. The warning comes amid ongoing discussions among G7 nations about using approximately $300 billion in frozen Russian central bank funds to support Ukraine. Macron's position highlights a division within the Western alliance, with some European nations expressing concerns over the legal precedent and potential financial instability, contrasting with a more aggressive stance from the United States.

Trump rebukes European allies over Russian energy at UN as Kremlin denies drone involvement in Denmark

At the United Nations, US President Donald Trump criticized European nations for purchasing Russian energy, calling the practice 'inexcusable' and 'embarrassing,' according to a report in The Guardian. Trump also stated that Europe was 'going to hell' over its energy policies. Separately, the Kremlin has denied any connection to drone flights that led to the temporary closure of Copenhagen's airport. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed accusations of Russian involvement as 'unfounded' after Denmark's prime minister suggested it could not be ruled out.

Russia's crude oil flows reach a 16-month high amid rising output and attacks

Russia's seaborne crude oil shipments have surged to a 16-month peak, with four-week average flows reaching their highest point since May 2024, according to a report in Bloomberg. The increase in export volumes is attributed to a rise in the country's oil production, and this development comes despite ongoing Ukrainian attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure.

Ukraine accepts IMF assessment of a larger $65 billion financing gap

The Ukrainian government has agreed with the International Monetary Fund's revised projection that the country faces a larger financing gap of $65 billion through the end of 2027, according to a report in Bloomberg. This upward revision in required funding was reportedly urged by the IMF and is a direct consequence of the prolonged nature of Russia's full-scale invasion. The new figure represents the additional external funding Ukraine will need to cover its expenditures beyond its own revenues and previously committed aid.

Russian forces reportedly use underground pipes to assault Ukrainian positions

Russian forces are employing a high-risk tactic of using underground pipes and tunnels to bypass and assault fortified Ukrainian positions, according to a report in The Kyiv Independent. This unconventional method is being used in the context of intense trench warfare, where significant breakthroughs are difficult to achieve. The report suggests these assaults lead to extreme conditions for the attacking soldiers, including instances of suffocation and high casualties, highlighting a strategy that incurs a severe human cost for potential battlefield gains.

Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow overnight, mayor says

Moscow's mayor has stated that the Russian capital was attacked by Ukrainian drones throughout the night, according to a report in The Kyiv Independent. The incident is the latest in a series of similar strikes on Russian territory. Ukraine typically maintains a policy of ambiguity and does not officially claim responsibility for attacks inside Russia.

Germany seeks to boost military recruitment to strengthen defenses against Russian threat

In response to the growing threat from Moscow following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Germany is attempting to attract tens of thousands of new recruits for its military, the Bundeswehr, according to a report in AP. This recruitment drive is a key part of a broader, multi-billion euro effort to revitalize the German armed forces after years of neglect. The challenge of strengthening the military has increased as Germany and its NATO allies work to bolster their collective defenses.

Ukrainian educators and students to detail wartime schooling efforts at UN General Assembly

The war with Russia has resulted in the destruction of thousands of schools across Ukraine, forcing teachers and students to continue lessons underground or in other makeshift settings, as per a report in NPR. To highlight their resilience and the ongoing crisis, Ukrainian educators and students are scheduled to share their experiences at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this Tuesday.

Frustrations grow within Zelenskyy's party over perceived centralization of power

Frustrations are growing within Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's party, Servant of the People, over a perceived centralization of power amid the ongoing war with Russia, according to a report in Politico. These concerns, once primarily voiced by partisan rivals, are now reportedly spreading among members of Zelenskyy's own party. The internal dissent is linked to worries about a 'creeping monopolization of power' as the pressures of the full-scale invasion continue to mount on the country's leadership.

Russia steps up its drive to capture Ukraine's 'fortress belt' in Donetsk

Russia has intensified its offensive in an effort to conquer the entirety of Ukraine's Donetsk region, focusing on a string of four heavily fortified cities known as the 'fortress belt,' according to a report in AP. Moscow, which already controls about 70% of the region, is reportedly taking territory piecemeal and moving around the ends of the defensive line. The intensified assault is described as grinding down Ukrainian forces, who are reportedly facing shortages while defending what was once the country's industrial heartland.

UK and Poland vow to confront Russian aircraft violating NATO airspace

The UK and Poland have vowed to confront Russian aircraft violating NATO airspace, with Poland's foreign minister warning that any future incursions would be shot down, according to a report in The Guardian. The pledge follows accusations from NATO members of repeated Russian airspace violations in recent weeks. During an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Monday, called to discuss a Russian incursion over Estonia, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that if an intruding aircraft were shot down over alliance territory, Russia should not "come here to whine about it." Russia has reportedly dismissed the criticism.

Russian general Alexander Lapin reportedly dismissed from military service

Russian Colonel General Alexander Lapin has reportedly been dismissed from military service amid a series of changes in Russia's military command, according to a report in The Moscow Times. The dismissal from his military command duties will reportedly see him reassigned to a civilian post as an aide to the head of the republic of Tatarstan. This move is widely seen as a significant demotion from a high-level military command position related to the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine claims first-ever strike on two Russian amphibious aircraft in occupied Crimea

Ukraine's military intelligence has claimed its first successful strike on two Russian amphibious aircraft located in occupied Crimea, The Kyiv Independent says in a report. To support the claim, the agency released footage of the attack on the planes, which are used for maritime patrol and reconnaissance in the Black Sea. This action aligns with Ukraine's ongoing strategy to degrade Russian military capabilities and disrupt logistics on the strategically important peninsula.

Lithuania invests 15 million euros in Ukraine's human recovery efforts

Lithuania is investing 15 million euros to aid in the recovery of Ukraine's human capital amidst the ongoing war, The Kyiv Independent says in a report. The funding is designated for initiatives focused on the well-being of the Ukrainian people, such as education, healthcare, and social services, rather than physical infrastructure or military hardware. This contribution is part of broader international efforts to support Ukraine's long-term resilience and reconstruction.

Fire breaks out at electrical substation in Russia's Krasnodar region after reported drone attack

A fire occurred at an electrical substation in Russia's Krasnodar Krai on September 22 following a reported Ukrainian drone attack, according to a report in The Kyiv Independent. The incident took place in the southern Russian region, which is adjacent to the Azov Sea and near Crimea.

Drone sightings disrupt flights at Copenhagen and Oslo airports

Flights at airports in both Copenhagen, Denmark, and Oslo, Norway, faced disruptions following sightings of unidentified drones, Al Jazeera says in a report. The incidents on September 22 prompted airport authorities to temporarily halt air traffic, highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. These events take place in a context of heightened security alerts across the Nordic region, with concerns linked to potential Russian activity following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.