Ukraine to receive JSOW long-range munition; 72nd Brigade continues to hold Russian offensive on Vuhledar: September 26 highlights

Ukraine to receive JSOW long-range munition

US President Joe Biden decided to provide Ukraine with the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) long-range munition “to enhance Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities."

To build the capacity of Ukraine's Air Force, Biden also ordered the expansion of training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots by supporting the training of 18 more Ukrainians next year. 

The US also announced a new $7.9 billion aid package for Ukraine. The package includes an additional Patriot air defense battery, other air defense equipment and interceptors, drones, long-range missiles and air-to-surface munitions, etc.

72nd Mechanized Brigade continues to defend Vuhledar

Service members of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade said they continue to hold the defense of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region, denying all rumors that the Brigade has left the city. 

Earlier, foreign media reported that the 72nd Brigade, which is defending the city, may be surrounded by the Russian forces.

Photos of destroyed Mariupol used in Georgia for election campaign

As part of its election campaign, Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party presented a series of posters and a video contrasting the images of bombed Ukrainian cities with fountains and new buses in Georgian cities.

The political party used photos of Ukrainian cities for its posters, including Mariupol, which suffered from Russian attacks. In this way, the party wanted to emphasize that this would allegedly happen to Georgia if the opposition came to power.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned the use of images of Ukrainian cities affected by Russian attacks, calling such actions unacceptable.

Zelensky is allegedly planning elections – The Economist

The Economist says President Zelenskyy is considering calling presidential elections in 2025 amid his falling ratings "to consolidate his power." The media added that according to America's National Democratic Institute, Ukrainians' trust in Zelenskyy dropped from 80% in May 2023 to 45% in 2024.

The media did not specify the source, but Yulia Tymoshenko was among the politicians interviewed who also confirmed the alleged preparations for the elections.

hromadske sent a request to the Presidential Office for information on the possibility of holding elections.

Trump criticizes Zelenskyy

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for refusing to make a deal with Russia.

“We continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refuses to make a deal: Zelenskiy,” Trump said.

Other important news

• Zelenskyy presented Ukraine’s plan for victory to Biden. 
• NYT: A figure impersonating Ukraine’s former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called the US Senator and asked for sensitive information related to Russia.
• “Not for the first time": EU responds to changes in Russian nuclear doctrine that allows nuclear strike after massive air attack.
• Time: Zelenskiy and Trump did discuss the possibility of a meeting.
• Biden and Harris met with Zelenskyy and assured him of further support for Ukraine in the military and political spheres.
• Germany will allocate another €400 million in military aid to Ukraine and an additional €170 million to restore Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
• Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with KAB guided bombs on September 26, injuring four people.
• Russia shelled Chasiv Yar and Toretsk in the Donetsk region, killing three and injuring five people.