Skip next section Russia and Belarus rehearse nuclear launches during war games
09/16/2025September 16, 2025Russia and Belarus rehearse nuclear launches during war games
Putin, wearing a military uniform, met top military officials in Russia’s Nizhny Novogorod region, where some of the drills took placeImage: Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik/REUTERS
Russia and Belarus rehearsed the launch of Russian tactical nuclear weapons as part of the “Zapad” war games.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said the exercises also featured Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic missile.
Minsk said that 7,000 troops participated in the Belarusian part of the exercises, which Western military analysts say are designed to intimidate Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, dressed in military fatigues, visited some of the troops taking part in the exercises.
Putin claimed that 100,000 troops were participating in the war games over the entirety.
He said it was aimed at exercising “repelling potential aggression against the Union State.”
Meaning, “west” in Russian, “Zapad” is held every four years and sees Russia and ally Belarus undertake joint military exercises in each of their territories.
It is considered the key event for the “Union State” forces, a joint economic and defense partnership between the two nations.
This year, soldiers from India, Iran, Bangladesh, as well as Burkina Faso, Congo, and Mali also took part.
https://p.dw.com/p/50a69
Skip next section WATCH — Reports: China is quietly fueling Russia’s Ukraine war
09/16/2025September 16, 2025WATCH — Reports: China is quietly fueling Russia’s Ukraine war
China proclaims neutrality in the war, but Ukrainian intelligence and multiple reports point to the country’s covert involvement in Russia’s war machines, including supplying drone engines, microchips and other critical components.
Reports: China is quietly fueling Russia’s Ukraine war
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/50XlI
Skip next section EU members agree post-war measures for Ukrainians to return home
09/16/2025September 16, 2025EU members agree post-war measures for Ukrainians to return home
European Union (EU) member states on Tuesday agreed on measures allowing displaced Ukrainians a sustainable return and reintegration into Ukraine, when conditions allow.
It was also agreed that eligible refugees may be granted residence status.
“Russia’s relentless, unjustified attacks on Ukraine continue. The EU’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people remains steadfast,” said
Danish Immigration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek in a statement.
“At the same time it is common sense to prepare for the day when the situation allows for the Ukrainian people to return home to help
rebuilding their country,” he added.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has offered safety and shelter to more than 4 million displaced Ukrainians.
Germany has taken in the largest overall share, more than 1.2 million people.
Many refugees benefit from temporary protection status, allowing Ukrainians access to EU labour markets and social benefits.
This status is scheduled to end in March 2027.
“Member states are called upon to offer displaced Ukrainians national residence permits, issued for instance on grounds related to employment, training, education or family grounds, if the persons meet certain conditions,” an EU press release said.
How Moldova helps Ukrainian refugees fleeing war with Russia
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/50YMc
Skip next section German FM calls on Washington to impose fresh Russian sanctions
09/16/2025September 16, 2025German FM calls on Washington to impose fresh Russian sanctions
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is pushing for further sanctions on Russia Image: Soeren Stache/dpa/picture alliance
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged the US to impose more sanctions on Russia following drone incursions in Poland and Romania.
“Anyone who clearly sees themselves on the side of freedom, and no country does this as convincingly as the United States of America, must act now,” Wadephul said alongside Swedish counterpart Maria Malmer Stenergard in Berlin.
Germany’s top diplomat noted that the Trump administration had been teasing fresh Russia sanctions for months, but called on Washington to “finally make this happen.”
“We know that over 90 senators are determined to do so. And I wonder why this is not being implemented,” he said, highlighting support for new sanctions in the US Senate.
The Russian economy, along with its officials, has been subjected to numerous sanctions imposed by the EU and the US after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
https://p.dw.com/p/50ZNZ
Skip next section Why Trump’s letter to NATO won’t shift EU’s course on Russia09/16/2025September 16, 2025Why Trump’s letter to NATO won’t shift EU’s course on RussiaTrump has accused NATO member states of weakening the alliance by continuing to buy Russian oil and gasImage: Piroschka Van De Wouw/REUTERS
US President Donald Trump has said the US will sanction Russia only if all NATO members end Russian oil and gas imports. Brussels sees the move as pressure on Hungary and Slovakia — and as an excuse for the White House to delay.
Trump accused member states of weakening the alliance’s negotiating position and bargaining power in relation to Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to buy Russian oil and gas.
He vowed that the US would be ready to impose “major sanctions” on Russia once all NATO countries had stopped such purchases.
Read the full article here.
https://p.dw.com/p/50YXY
Skip next section Italy orders extradition to Germany for suspected Nord Stream saboteur
09/16/2025September 16, 2025Italy orders extradition to Germany for suspected Nord Stream saboteur
An Italian court has ordered that Serhii K, a Ukrainian national arrested in connected with sabotaging the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September 2022, be extradited to Germany. He was arrested in August in Italy.
Controversial even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine for increasing Europe’s reliance on Moscow, Nord Stream had become increasingly so following the outbreak of the war. Before the war, Germany got over half of its gas from Russia.
A series of underwater explosions in 2022 caused serious damage to the pairs of Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, and essentially rendered all four inoperable.
Because the explosions occurred in Swedish and Danish waters on German-owned equipment, all three countries launched investigations.
In August 2024, German authorities concluded their initial investigation and issued an arrest warrant for the suspected ringleader, a Ukrainian national identified as Volodymyr Z. Officials said he had been living in Poland and had chartered a German yacht to carry out the attack. Serhii K. is suspected of being one of his accomplices.
The Ukrainian government has vehemently denied any involvement in the incident.
K’s lawyers have said they will appeal his extradition all the way up to Italy’s highest court. The suspect’s full name has been withheld due to German press code guidelines
Nord Stream: Germany’s thwarted dream of energy security
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/50Y94
Skip next section Ukraine says it struck Russia’s Saratov oil refinery
09/16/2025September 16, 2025Ukraine says it struck Russia’s Saratov oil refinery
Ukraine’s military leadership said its forces had struck Russia‘s Saratov oil refinery in the western part of the country.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that explosions and fire were recorded in the area of the facility in a post on its Facebook page.
In recent months, Ukraine has been targeting Russia’s oil refineries, depots, terminals and railway lines.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said strikes on Russia’s oil sector significantly impact Moscow’s ability to wage war.
Putin’s secret shadow tankers
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/50Xvy
Skip next section Poland’s president says everything must be done ‘to be ready for war’
09/16/2025September 16, 2025Poland’s president says everything must be done ‘to be ready for war’
Polish President Karol Nawrocki said NATO needed to strengthen deterrence after Russia‘s drone incursion last week.
Speaking to Germany’s Bild newspaper, Nawrocki said: “We must do everything to be ready for war, because only that ensures peace.”
Nawrocki said he expected that “such attacks on NATO territory” would not happen again and that the alliance would be even better prepared.
Last week, at least 19 Russian drones entered Polish airspace and were shot down with the support of NATO forces. Later in the week, another Russian drone incursion occurred in Romania.
Nawrocki said he was confident the attack was “directly controlled from Moscow” and demonstrated Russian President Vladimir
Putin’s capabilities.
Poland shoots down Russian drones in its airspace
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/50Xdm
Skip next section Zelenskyy urges allies to deliver air-defense systems
09/16/2025September 16, 2025Zelenskyy urges allies to deliver air-defense systems
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the delivery of air-defense systems ahead of winter.
“All agreements on the delivery of air-defense systems, the associated missiles, and also the purchase contracts must be fulfilled 100%,” Zelenskyy said during his evening video address on Monday.
The Ukrainian leader referred to promises made by Western allies at recent meetings in London, Washington and Paris but did not provide specific details.
In August, NATO members reaffirmed their commitments to further strengthen Ukraine’s defenses.
At the NATO summit in July, allies announced Ukraine would receive additional strategic air defense systems, including more Patriot batteries.
It was also agreed that they would provide a minimum of €40 billion ($47 billion) of security assistance in the next year. Ukraine is concerned about new Russian missile strikes targeting the energy system and is relying primarily on US Patriot systems to defend itself.
Could US Patriot systems be a gamechanger for Ukraine?
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/50XRJ
Skip next section Russian strikes kill at least two
09/16/2025September 16, 2025Russian strikes kill at least two
At least two people have been killed following another night of Russian attacks.
A man was killed in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia in an attack that sparked a number of fires, according to local authorities.
At least 18 others were injured, including two children, regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said.
Other Ukrainian cities in the central, southern, and eastern parts of the country were also attacked as Russia launched more than 100 drones and about 150 glide bombs overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
In Ukraine’s southern Mykolaiv region, one person was killed and two people were injured, Zelenskyy said.
“This is precisely the kind of aerial terror against which Ukraine is calling for joint defence…,” Zelenskyy said in a post on social media platform X.
“Now is the time to implement the joint protection of our European skies with a multi-layered air defence system,” Zelenskyy stressed.
The Ukrainian leader said that this month alone, Russia had launched more than 3,500 drones, nearly 190 missiles, and more than
2,500 aerial bombs.
https://p.dw.com/p/50XUV
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage
09/16/2025September 16, 2025Welcome to our coverage
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged allies to deliver air-defense systems before the onset of winter.
In August, NATO members condemned Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen Ukraine’s defenses.
At the same time, Ukraine’s southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia was hit by a Russian attack that left one reported dead and at least 18 injured.
Another person was killed in the southern Mykolaiv region
Meanwhile, Poland‘s President Karol Nawrocki told Germany’s mass-market newspaper Bild: “We must do everything to be ready for war, because only that ensures peace.”
Follow developments here.
https://p.dw.com/p/50XLw