Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a warning to Kremlin officials on September 25th, stating they would need bomb shelters if the war does not cease, and asserted that Ukraine does not bomb civilians. This warning comes amidst reports of significant military activity and a widening fuel crisis in Russia. Ukrainian forces claimed to have shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber near Zaporizhzhia early on September 25th, around 04:00, according to Ukraine's Air Force. Overnight, Ukrainian forces also targeted two An-26 aircraft and radar systems at Kacha airbase in Crimea, destroying at least one aircraft. A milblogger associated with the Russian Air Force confirmed the loss of the Su-34 to Ukrainian fire. Separately, Russian Naval Infantry brigades were reported to be engaged in combat operations near Poltavka and Nove Shakove in the Dobropillya area. In a separate development, Chinese drone experts have reportedly traveled to Russia to engage in technical development of military drones at a state-owned weapons manufacturer, according to two European security officials and documents reviewed by Reuters. This collaboration occurs while the manufacturer is under Western sanctions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov provided a thumbs-up when asked about his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, indicating a potentially positive diplomatic interaction. Meanwhile, a significant fuel crisis in Russia has been noted, with 360 gas stations having shut down and nearly half of the stations in occupied Crimea out of service. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated on September 25th that American troops would not be deployed to Ukraine, with the U.S. prioritizing weapon sales to European nations for onward transfer to Kyiv. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler reaffirmed Turkey's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. A Ukrainian drone strike targeted the TV tower in Belgorod during the night of September 23-24. Additionally, NORAD detected and tracked two Russian Tu-95s and two Su-35s within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone on September 24th. Reports from Krasnogorovka, Donetsk Oblast, indicate that Russian forces are pilfering cars from residents for scrap metal.
