Alfa-Bank, a major Russian financial institution, experienced widespread application failures and non-functioning ATMs throughout the day on September 13th, 2025, according to multiple user complaints. The disruptions have lasted for almost the entire day, impacting thousands of Russians and leading to speculation of cyber activity linked to geopolitical events. Several other banks are also reported to be offline. The outages at Alfa-Bank come as a Ukrainian partisan movement, "Atesh," claimed to have scouted the Avangard JSC defense plant in the Smolensk region. Atesh stated that its agents recorded the operating modes, security, video surveillance, and transport of the plant, which is part of the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation and produces components for missiles. Atesh indicated that information has been transferred to Ukrainian defense forces, suggesting potential future precision strikes, following previous Ukrainian drone overflights of the facility. In related security developments, French Rafale fighter jets have been deployed to Poland following recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace. A French A400M aircraft was observed flying from Saint-Dizier, a French nuclear air base, to Warsaw, likely transporting equipment for the Rafale jets. This deployment is intended as a strong demonstration of France's commitment to allied defense and a strategic message to Russia, according to reports. The French aircraft will be involved in air policy missions to protect EU airspace. These events occur against a backdrop of continued heightened security concerns in Eastern Europe. NATO's Operation Eastern Sentry remains active, bolstering the alliance's eastern flank in response to escalating Russian airspace violations. The United Nations has also noted deep concern over these incursions, with 46 member states having signed a statement condemning Russia's actions. Previous reports indicated that Poland had stated the number of drones that flew across its country earlier this week amounted to 21, with many experts pointing to details in the drones suggesting Russian manufacturing, though Russia continues to deny involvement. In separate but concurrent news, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Odesa on September 13th, 2025, accompanied by British philanthropist Lord Ashcroft. Additionally, the European Union Council extended its sanctions against Russia for an additional six months, continuing measures against over 2,500 individuals and entities due to Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine. Russia had previously proposed buying back S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Turkey, with Turkey reportedly open to discussing the repurchase as it seeks the lifting of American sanctions.
