Photo : BBC
Photo : BBC
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 09 October, Ukrinform reported on a major Russian assault on central Kyiv set a high-rise apartment building on fire and targeted energy infrastructure, causing power outages across parts of the capital. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that nine people were injured, with five needing hospitalisation. Power and water disruptions affected areas on the east bank of the Dnipro River. The Ukrainian air force described the attack as a combination of ballistic missile strikes and a large drone assault, urging residents to stay in shelters for safety.
On 09 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, announced that 23 Ukrainian children and adolescents had been safely evacuated from Russian-occupied territories to areas under Kyiv’s control. The operation was part of the president’s "Bring Kids Back UA" initiative, which focuses on rescuing children deported to Russia or trapped in occupied regions of Ukraine.
On 09 October, Ukrinform reported that the Ukrainian military struck Russian oil facilities using newly developed long-range missiles and drones are leading to severe gas shortages in Russia. A recent Ukrainian counteroffensive has disrupted Russia’s efforts to capture parts of the eastern Donetsk region. Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine’s new Palianytsia missile had targeted and hit numerous Russian military depots. In contrast, the Ruta missile drone successfully struck a Russian offshore oil platform more than 250 kilometres away.
On the same, Zelenskyy accused Russia of attempting to create "chaos" in Ukraine by targeting the country's energy grid and railway infrastructure. He highlighted that Moscow had recently intensified aerial assaults on Ukrainian energy facilities and rail systems as part of its ongoing escalation of attacks.
On 09 October, the Ukrainian military reported that it had targeted the Korobkovsky gas processing plant and oil transport infrastructure in Russia’s Volgograd region during overnight strikes. In response, the Russian defence ministry stated that its forces had targeted port facilities and energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region, claiming they were being used by the Ukrainian military.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 09 October, Russia's Defence Ministry reported on Ukrainian troops targetting a section of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline in Donetsk Region during their retreat, causing a toxic ammonia spill. The blast was intended to slow the advance of Russian forces, and though no Russian soldiers were injured, the explosion released ammonia into the surrounding area. Russia previously warned of potential Ukrainian sabotage of the pipeline, and earlier in 2025, it accused Ukraine of violating the Chemical Weapons Convention.
On 09 October, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that there are no plans for another meeting between Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. The two last met in mid-August in Alaska, where they discussed efforts to mediate the Ukraine conflict, but Peskov said a follow-up summit is not currently on the agenda. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov echoed this, claiming the momentum for peace from the Alaska meeting had been "exhausted."
On the same day, Peskov stated that Ukraine seemed to be unwilling to pursue a peaceful resolution with Russia, believing it could still turn the tide on the battlefield. He criticised Ukraine’s decision-making as driven by the false hope that the situation will change in its favour, despite Russia's steady territorial gains in recent months. Peskov accused Ukraine of stalling peace talks, dismissing Russia's proposals, and focusing instead on shifting, unrealistic public messages.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from Europe and the US
On 09 October, US President Donald Trump stated that Washington and its NATO allies were increasing efforts to end the war in Ukraine, following his failed attempt to broker a ceasefire with Putin. Speaking in the Oval Office during a meeting with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Trump confirmed: "We are stepping up the pressure," emphasising that NATO was playing a crucial role in the effort. He also mentioned the possibility of imposing additional sanctions on Russia as part of the intensified pressure.