Zelensky curses in Russian during Moscow trip question, Russia intensifies attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv
President Zelensky swore in Russian when asked about a possible Moscow visit, while Russian forces struck Kyiv and Kharkiv, causing deaths and injuries.
President Zelensky responded to a question about a potential meeting in Moscow by shouting the Russian profanity "bljad," a remark that sparked discussion across Ukrainian and Russian media. Russian forces continued their bombardment of Ukrainian cities, with a missile strike on Kyiv killing one person and injuring two hospital staff members, while debris fell in three districts and partially destroyed a residential block.
In Kharkiv, separate attacks caused further fatalities and injuries, and officials warned of possible entrapment of people under rubble. Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged citizens to remain in protected shelters and called for emergency assistance in the affected neighborhoods. Additional Russian attacks were reported in Sumy, the Donetsk region, and other locales, targeting civilian infrastructure and causing further casualties.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing tensions over diplomatic talks and the escalating civilian toll of Russia's attacks on Ukrainian cities.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Russia multiplies jet-powered Shahed drone strikes fivefold in one month
- Sep 12 Russia has broadened deployment of jet‑propelled drones, prompting Kyiv to trial quicker, low‑cost interceptors.
- Sep 12 President Volodymyr Zelensky called the EU's move to consider easing sanctions on Russian billionaires immoral and self-destructive as the bloc struggles to renew the measures before the September 15 deadline.
- Sep 15 EU Coreper authorized a week‑long postponement of the sanctions expiry.
- Sep 17 The European Commission will disburse €3.3 billion to Ukraine for missile and drone purchases, announced by Ursula von der Leyen following a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Sep 20 In the early hours of Friday, Russia's anti-aircraft units reported destroying 35 Ukrainian drones heading for the capital. Local authorities said a comparable wave of drones was also intercepted in the Toula district south of Moscow. The incidents occurred as Russia began a three-day parliamentary and local election cycle. No casualties were reported from the interceptions.
- Sep 20 Zelensky said a major Russian oil refinery, a logistics structure and the Voronezh region were hit in the massive attack.
- Sep 20 Officials reported that 249 unmanned aircraft were intercepted in the latest wave of attacks.
- Sep 21 Russia's defence ministry said it will increase the frequency and precision of its strikes on Kyiv.
- Sep 22 EU announced a €3.3 billion release for Ukrainian missile and drone purchases.
- Sep 22 Latvia announced it will not back the proposal to delist Usmanov and Fridman, prompting an emergency cabinet meeting.
- Sep 23 Latvia ultimately abstained in the EU vote, enabling renewal of the wider sanctions package while accepting the delisting of Usmanov and Fridman.
In this story
Related stories
21 in this thread