President Donald Trump has authorized long-range strikes into Russia, with Special Envoy to Ukraine General Keith Kellogg confirming the authorization on September 29th, 2025. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary Rubio, and Kellogg stated that Ukraine has the ability to strike deep into Russia, emphasizing that "there are no such things as sanctuaries." This authorization comes as Russia conducted its third-largest combined missile and drone strike against Ukraine to date on the night of September 27th to 28th, deploying 643 projectiles. General Kellogg asserted that all personnel must follow the President's directives, stating, "When the president said to do something, we just need to do that and complete the action." The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assesses that Russian strikes are increasingly impacting civilian areas in Russia and underscore Ukraine's need for continued Western air defense systems, particularly US-provided Patriot systems. Separately, Voskresensk in the Moscow Region worked out its air defense. US Vice President JD Vance criticized Russia's rejection of American invitations for negotiations, noting that Kremlin officials continue to demonstrate a lack of interest in good-faith discussions with Ukraine. European officials continue to report unidentified drones operating within NATO airspace. Kremlin-linked Moldovan politicians called for protests in Moldova following the September 28th parliamentary election. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Russia will use its UN Security Council presidency to "review" the 1995 Dayton Accords. Russian forces recently advanced near Lyman and Novopavlivka.
