Russian strike on Kharkiv and Zelenskyy's visit to US - Weekend brief

Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest

News for September 21

• Ukraine's defense forces hit two Russian military arsenals in Tikhoretsk (Krasnodar Krai) and near Oktyabrsky (Tver region) and attacked the Podlet radar station.
• Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that Ukraine was consulting with partners on supplying several types of fighters, not only Mirage-2000 and F-16.
• Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that the Kremlin was preparing strikes on Ukraine's critical nuclear energy facilities ahead of winter.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces were hitting Russia's rear arsenals in the territory of Russia with domestic weapons.

News for September 22

• Aggregate plant in Vovchansk becomes problem for Russia: Potential good news for Ukraine
• Russia fired over 900 missiles, 400 drones at Ukraine this week - Zelenskyy
• Russia loses 2-3 months' worth of ammunition in strike on Toropets depot - Estonian intelligence
• Almost 9,000 troops and over 200 artillery systems: Russia's weekly losses

Russia strikes Kharkiv with GABs

On Saturday evening, the Russian military attacked Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs (GABs). The attack damaged 18 multi-story residential buildings, leaving two people in very serious condition.

According to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, one of the buildings was severely damaged, with the structure of the building displaced.

According to Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Regional Military Administration, a total of 21 people who were injured in the Russian strike on Kharkiv sought medical assistance. Three of them are minors: two 17-year-olds and an 8-year-old child.

Zelenskyy's visit to US

On Sunday, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy began a working visit to the United States. He will first visit Pennsylvania, then New York and Washington.

The head of state has planned several events there, including at the UN General Assembly. Zelenskyy is going to present a plan for Ukraine's victory to his American counterpart, as well as to the US presidential candidates.

For more details, read RBC-Ukraine's article "Peace plan and end of war? Is West pushing Ukraine to negotiations and how Zelenskyy will respond".

Polish Foreign Minister: Poland backs Ukraine in EU, but has own demands

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski states that Poland supports Ukraine's EU membership, but Warsaw has "its own demands" for Kyiv along the way.

"We want to maintain the support of both sides of the political divide in the United States regarding the alliance with Europe, support for Ukraine, and the physical presence of American troops in Poland," he said.

Biden prepares $375 million aid package for Ukraine

The US is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $375 million, expected to be announced next week, according to Reuters.

According to officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the new aid package includes patrol boats, additional munitions for high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), and 155 mm and 105 mm artillery ammunition, as well as Western components and other weapons.

However, the contents and size of the package may change in the coming days before it is signed by US President Joe Biden.

Israeli President denies involvement in Hezbollah pager explosions in Lebanon

Israeli President Isaac Herzog denied his country’s involvement in the mass explosion of pagers and radios used by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. This is the first official comment from an Israeli government representative.

Herzog said that Hezbollah has many enemies and is suffocating Lebanon by repeatedly creating chaos in the country.

Read more about the explosions in Lebanon in a separate RBC-Ukraine report.