Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation in Kyiv on September 25th to discuss critical issues including front line status, weapon needs, sanctions against Russia, and the use of frozen assets. The meeting, which included Senators Chris Coons, Mark Kelly, and Richard Blumenthal, as well as Representatives Joe Wilson, Gregory Meeks, and Young Kim, underscored continued U.S. support for Ukraine. Separately, reports emerged on September 25th detailing new correctional module kits for Russian SU-34 bombers, enhancing the flight range of FAB-500 bombs to 80-90 km when dropped from over 10 km altitude. Additionally, Poland is revising military deployment laws to allow its forces to intercept Russian objects over Ukraine without prior NATO or EU approval, according to Euractiv. President Zelenskyy expressed deep gratitude for the bipartisan support, highlighting the importance of air defense and a "reliable shield over Ukraine" during his discussions. He also addressed the need for strengthened sanctions against Russia and the utilization of frozen Russian assets. The Ukrainian Air Force claimed to have shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber near Zaporizhzhia around 04:00 on September 25th, with a Russian milblogger confirming the loss to Ukrainian fire. Overnight, Ukrainian forces also targeted two An-26 aircraft and radar systems at Kacha airbase in Crimea, destroying at least one aircraft. In military developments, the Ukrainian 122nd Territorial Defense Brigade posted an image of its artillery in action, stating they were "reminding the enemy whose land this is." The new correctional module kit for Russian SU-34 bombers, featuring a dual glide wing component, increases the lift and thus the flight range of UMPK FAB-500s from 60-70 km to 80-90 km. Meanwhile, Poland's revision of its military deployment laws, as reported by Euractiv, signifies a potential shift in regional defense posture. Previous reports from September 25th indicated that Chinese drone experts had traveled to Russia for military drone development at a state-owned manufacturer under Western sanctions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov offered a positive gesture when asked about his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. A significant fuel crisis in Russia was also noted, with numerous gas stations closed, particularly in occupied Crimea. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated 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.
