On September 16, the official "Zapad-2025" military exercise in Belarus concluded, with up to 30,000 troops set to withdraw. At the same time, after drone attacks on Poland from Belarusian territory, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Poland for talks with the country’s president. Discussions focused on settling the Ukrainian crisis and bilateral cooperation in global politics.
Meanwhile, Russia launched a new series of strikes on Ukraine: about 10 rockets hit Zaporizhzhia, killing 2 people and injuring 14, including children aged 4 and 17. At night, Sumy region suffered drone attacks, leaving part of the city without power. Over the past day, Russia launched 113 drones across Ukraine, of which 89 were shot down or suppressed by air defense.
A logistics center near Kyiv was damaged, and explosions reportedly occurred in Vladivostok, Russia, likely due to a gas equipment incident. The Kirov oil refinery in Volodymyr region halted operations on one block, reducing capacity by 40% after a drone attack.
President Volodymyr Zelensky expects additional military supplies from the US, especially Patriot systems, and urges stricter sanctions on Russia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, refrained from openly criticizing Russian attacks on Poland.
In Poland, a drone was neutralized over government buildings, with two Belarusian citizens detained. The airspace is now protected by German, French, and Royal Air Force planes under the NATO mission—a sign of alliance unity.
Poland-China relations have reached a new level, with Beijing ready to support Poland's bid to join the G20 and both countries strengthening trade ties.
In Israel, a military operation continues in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported a possible economic blockade due to the campaign, as some European countries introduced arms supply restrictions. Israel has launched massive airstrikes and a ground operation, urging about a million Palestinians to leave the combat zone.
India joined the Russia-Belarus exercise for the first time, sending 65 military personnel. Meanwhile, the US and China reached a framework agreement on the oversight of data security operations for TikTok.
The economic situation in Russia and China remains tense: Russia's economic growth has slowed sharply, and China is again experiencing deflation. The countries are negotiating a trade deal, with the war in Ukraine as a crucial element.
