On September 30, Donald Trump made a high-profile statement during a meeting with the US military leadership, saying he could dismiss any general he did not like and urging America to prepare for war. The head of the Pentagon supported this stance and stressed the need to strengthen the country's defense capabilities.
That same day, Dnipro was hit by a massive drone strike: one person was killed and at least 28 were injured, including children. The attacks targeted exclusively civilian infrastructure.
In the sphere of covert operations, Ukrainian intelligence (HUR) conducted an operation inside Russia, with the involvement of the Caucasus Liberation Movement, eliminating a Rosgvardiya lieutenant colonel and two other occupiers.
The Russian side increased its information campaign, claiming that Ukraine was planning provocations in Poland involving NATO. Such statements came from the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Internationally, the US, through Belarus, is conducting limited talks with Russia, considering the easing of sanctions on Minsk, though the situation remains tense.
The Washington Post reports on a Pentagon strategy crisis, spurred by Hekt’s defense policy that calls for leadership cuts and reduced US presence in Europe. The need to prepare US forces for new challenges is emphasized.
Trump said the US is ahead of Russia and China in submarine technology, though both countries could catch up within five years. Trump advocates selling weapons to Ukraine through NATO mechanisms but does not plan to fund them directly.
European leaders — Stoltenberg, Tusk, von der Leyen — called for increased support for Ukraine. The EU is allocating €2 billion for drone technology, and Ukrainian military are deploying training missions in Denmark, forming a “drone wall.”
NATO and member states are expanding air defense systems on the eastern flank, notably in Poland and Denmark.
China has called for an end to the war and supports a political settlement, emphasizing the need for negotiations. Comprehensive international dialogue between the US, EU, China, Russia, and Ukraine remains in progress.
