Zelenskyy imposes sanctions, Russia launches mass strikes on Ukraine, Kyiv prepares major prisoner exchange - Weekend brief

Russia strikes Ukraine overnight: High-rise in Dnipro hit, Mykolaiv on fire

On the night of September 20, Russia launched a massive attack on Dnipro, Mykolaiv, and other Ukrainian cities. The enemy struck with missiles and drones, damaging residential buildings and other infrastructure.

RBC-Ukraine reports everything that is known about the overnight drone strike.

Ukraine takes out 2 Russian refineries and Urals-producing oil station

On the night of September 20, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, under the command of the General Staff, struck the Saratov oil refinery. Explosions and a large-scale fire were recorded at the site.

This plant accounts for about 2.54% of the total oil refining volume in Russia, more than 7 million tons of oil per year.

Ukraine moves to free 1,000 in upcoming prisoner exchange, says Zelenskyy

Ukraine is preparing a new prisoner exchange with Russia, with up to 1,000 Ukrainians expected to return home.

"Rustem (Umerov) spoke with Medinsky — they are in contact. We want to bring back 1,000 people, and we are working on the lists," the president said.

Regarding a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, Zelenskyy noted that the issue is currently "without any progress."

Zelenskyy reveals how strikes on Russian refineries and the Druzhba pipeline shook Moscow — and what allies say

Attacks by Ukrainian drones on oil refineries and the Druzhba pipeline are already having a tangible impact on Russia. Against the backdrop of fuel shortages, logistics are collapsing, as Ukraine's partners acknowledge, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters on September 19.

“We have drones, we know how to produce them. It all depends on the number of drones we use per day. I think the results of recent operations show that we have started to use more drones. But it is still not enough for the targets I set for our manufacturers and the Ministry of Defense,” he said.

Bloggers, Kremlin historian, and Putin’s ‘mistress’: Ukraine unveils new sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed three decrees imposing sanctions. The measures target officials of the occupation authorities in Crimea, propagandists, and pro-Russian figures from Moldova, according to the official website of Ukraine’s Presidential Office.

In addition, sanctions were applied against 11 public and political figures from Moldova who promote pro-Russian narratives and justify Russia’s aggression. Among them are Vasile Bolea, who popularizes Russia’s foreign policy in the media, and Dmitrii Konstantinov, Chairman of the People's Assembly of Gagauzia, who openly repeats Russian propaganda.

Diplomatic scandal: Brazilian minister to miss UN assembly over 'unacceptable' US visa

Brazil's health minister refused to attend the UN General Assembly due to visa restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, according to AP.

However, the minister received a US visa that allows him to move in New York only between the UN headquarters and a few blocks near his hotel. In his statement, Padilha called the actions of the US authorities "unfounded and arbitrary limitations to Brazil's diplomatic exercise."

Trump claims he stopped 'Cambodia-Armenia war,' mistakenly mixing up Azerbaijan

US President Donald Trump stated in his speech on C-SPAN that it was he who stopped the war between Cambodia and Armenia. But instead of Azerbaijan he named Cambodia, confusing the countries in his speech.

During the speech, Trump attributed to himself the credit for "stopping the war" between Cambodia and Armenia. He emphasized that the conflict allegedly was only beginning and could have had serious consequences.