Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, stated this morning, September 15th, 2025, that allowing NATO countries to shoot down Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over Ukraine would signify a war between the alliance and Russia. Medvedev's warning, shared on X at 8:46 AM UTC, directly addresses Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's repeated calls for NATO to intercept Russian drones. Zelensky stated on X at 7:24 AM UTC, "To save lives, and protect Europe, intercept Russian drones above Ukraine today - rather than above us tomorrow!" This plea follows earlier reports of Russian drone and ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine overnight. During these attacks, Russia launched 84 drones and three ballistic missiles, with Ukrainian forces neutralizing 59 drones and all missiles. Four emergency workers were injured in the Nizhyn district of Chernihiv region. President Donald Trump commented this morning, stating, "NATO and Europe need to step up" and criticized European allies for still buying Russian oil. He urged for tougher sanctions, noting, "Right now, they talk but don’t act. We don’t buy Russian oil. They shouldn’t either." Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces reported liberating the settlement of Pankivka and its surrounding areas in the Dobropilsk direction. Separately, Belarusian Mi-35 helicopters were observed covering the intersection of a water barrier by Russian motorized rifle units during exercises. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also commented this morning, criticizing unspecified allegations and describing a figure dismantling the rule of law in his own country. He expressed heartbreak over reports detailing criminal networks exploiting Swedish children, stating that Sweden is "collapsing."
