Modern Ukrainian contrasts. Some save a camel, others repair equipment… pic.twitter.com/iAKkiYLO5Y

— MAKS 25 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) October 27, 2025

 In the video, released by one of the Ukrainian army units, Ukrainian army fighters can be seen standing next to a damaged M-113 APC that was hit and working to repair it. A few seconds after the video starts, a white pickup truck arrives from the front, carrying several more fighters, with a two-humped camel walking behind it, tied with a rope.

The unit that posted the video explained the camel was taken from a Russian position captured in a Ukrainian attack and that the animal, which is not found in the plains of eastern Ukraine, was wandering confused near the position. Russian army forces are known to use animals for transport or mobility purposes for fighters, as their units struggle increasingly with shortages of motorized vehicles damaged by Ukrainian fire. In the past, videos were released of Russian soldiers using horses, mules, and donkeys to move around the combat zone, which is full of mines and subject to constant threat from Ukrainian drones.

Bactrian camel somewhere in Russia or eastern Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/trbcEZVqDz

— History of Khorâsân and the Persianate World (@BiruniKhorasan) December 15, 2024

 The two-humped camel, or Bactrian camel by its scientific name, is a beast of burden domesticated in the deserts of Central Asia, and its thick fur provides protection not only from the heavy heat prevailing in the deserts during summer months but also from the cold and snows of winter. These camels can easily withstand the harsh Ukrainian winter and can carry a large amount of equipment.

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According to the US Treasury Department, the move is intended to strike the heart of the Russian economy and pressure the Kremlin to return to the negotiating table, due to "Russia's lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine."

"This is the most severe action taken since President Donald Trump assumed office," the Treasury said in a statement, explaining that the sanctions aim to "Increase pressure on Russia's energy sector and degrade the Kremlin's ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy."

"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Given President Putin's refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia's two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin's war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trump's effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions."

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Brovdi initially claimed the target was a modern Mi-28 attack helicopter, but closer analysis suggested it was an older model. The footage shows the helicopter flying low over a field in eastern Ukraine when it suddenly bursts into flames. Moments later it turns into a fireball, rapidly loses altitude and crashes. It remains unclear whether any of the crew survived. Shortly afterward, another Russian helicopter is seen hovering over the wreckage, apparently attempting to protect or rescue the downed crew.

Video: A Ukrainian drone brings down a Russian attack helicopter // Social media

A second video, filmed from the drone's perspective, revealed that the strike was carried out by a simple FPV drone, not one of Ukraine's more advanced interception models. The clip shows the drone initially pursuing vehicles on a road before its operator redirects it toward the helicopter. Just before impact, the helicopter's gunner can be seen looking out from its side door.

Interception drones are fast becoming a central weapon in Ukraine's arsenal, alarming aviation experts worldwide who fear the technology could spread and allow small, inexpensive aircraft to bring down helicopters, drones and even planes.

Ukraine is now mass-producing these drones in multiple models and numbers large enough to change the air war. Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said on September 18 that the country would soon be capable of deploying at least 1,000 interception drones daily to repel Russian attacks.

"That level will be achieved. I cannot say what the current figure is, but in the near future this will be the reality," Shmyhal said at a press conference alongside Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

The technology is critical for Ukraine's air defense as Russia has intensified its aerial bombardments. In July, Russia launched a record 6,129 Shahed drones at Ukraine, followed by another record on September 7, when 810 drones were fired in a single night. Shmyhal said Ukraine's goal is to intercept every Russian drone crossing into its skies.

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This prolonged assault, occurring on Saturday night, marks one of the most intense overnight aerial bombardments in months, as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine extends into its third year. An attack on the city's Institute of Cardiology resulted in the deaths of a nurse and a patient, emergency services disclosed. President Zelensky also noted that a large bakery, residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, and an automobile rubber factory were intentionally struck.

President Zelensky promised that Ukraine "will strike back" to "force diplomacy" from Russia, adding that he expects a "strong reaction" from the United States and Europe. "This dastardly attack took place in fact as the end of the week of the UN General Assembly, and this is how Russia declares its real position," Zelensky stated. The Ukrainian leader reiterated his support for US President Donald Trump's proposal of stricter sanctions against Russia, along with his demand that European allies limit Russian oil and gas imports.

The regions of Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, and Chernihiv also experienced impacts from the attacks, Zelensky indicated. Governor Ivan Fedorov stated that 31 people were wounded in the Zaporizhzhia region, including three children: two boys, aged 11 and 12, and a nine-year-old girl. Additionally, a 59-year-old man was confirmed dead in strikes within the Sumy region, according to its regional governor.

President Trump has recently adjusted his stance on the war, suggesting last week for the first time that Ukraine is capable of reclaiming land lost to Moscow as the protracted conflict weakened the Russian economy. Despite this, the US president has refrained from imposing further sanctions on Russia, though he appears increasingly frustrated by the Kremlin's lack of eagerness to initiate peace discussions.

President Zelensky cautioned that Russia would not be confined to his country, which he believes is why European air defenses are being tested through incursions into several nations belonging to the NATO alliance. Responding to the strikes on western Ukraine, jets were scrambled in neighboring Poland early on Sunday, the nation's armed forces reported. While denying any intent to attack NATO or EU states during a speech at the UN General Assembly, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov did issue a warning of a "decisive response" to any "aggression" directed toward Moscow, Reuters reports.

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The Krishi refinery, located deep inside Russian territory near St. Petersburg, was hit during the night, with large flames rising from the damaged industrial complex. A urea production plant was also struck, and a fuel train was attacked near St. Petersburg, apparently as part of Ukrainian sabotage operations.

In less than a month and a half, Ukraine has carried out 17 attacks against 12 refineries across Russia. Together, those facilities account for 45% of Russia's fuel production. Analysts believe that between one-fifth and one-quarter of the country's refining capacity has been knocked out, causing billions of dollars in losses to the Russian economy and to Moscow's war effort. Ukraine has also targeted related infrastructure, including oil pipelines, transfer terminals and rail networks.

While Russia regularly strikes Ukraine's civilian infrastructure in an effort to hinder the country's defense industry and lower public morale, Kyiv has chosen to focus on Russia's oil sector, the biggest source of revenue for President Vladimir Putin's regime.

The toll of Ukraine's campaign is already being felt in Russia, where long lines have formed at gas stations in several major regions. In some places, fuel prices have jumped by dozens of percentage points at the few stations where supplies remain.

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Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that the armed forces were engaged in "a military response operation related to multiple violations of Polish airspace" and confirmed that "the military has used weapons against the objects," according to CNN.

President Karol Nawrocki emphasized on X that "the security of our homeland is our highest priority" and said he would be briefing Poland's National Security Bureau later in the day, CNN noted.

The incident came as faith in NATO unity continues to falter, with CNN pointing to President Donald Trump's stance urging Europeans to take the lead in defense strategy.

Ned Price, who served as a US State Department spokesperson, told CNN that Russia may have deliberately tested NATO response by sending drones. He warned that "their presence, if deliberate, could expose what Russia might see as 'weakness,'" while also acknowledging the possibility of accidental overflight.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois was more blunt, warning on X that "repeated violations of NATO airspace by Russian drones are fair warning that Vladimir Putin is testing our resolve to protect Poland and the Baltic nations," CNN said.

Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed that Poland is "in constant contact with NATO command." He said Territorial Defense Forces had been deployed to recover wreckage and called on civilians to stay calm and report findings.

Operation Command stressed the mission was "ongoing" and that forces remained "fully prepared for immediate response." It identified the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lubelskie Voivodeships as most vulnerable and instructed residents in those areas to remain indoors.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CNN that he had been briefed on the intrusions after leaving a dinner with President Trump on Tuesday evening.

Polish authorities earlier closed Warsaw International Airport, while both Polish and NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled in response to incoming drones.

After Russia's massive barrage on Ukraine, Operational Command raised Polish air defenses to maximum readiness. "To ensure the security of Polish airspace, the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces has activated all necessary procedures," it said, stressing readiness.

The FAA released a NOTAM confirming that Warsaw Chopin Airport and at least two more airports were shut "due to unplanned military activity related to ensuring state security."

Prior to that statement, Ukraine's Air Force warned on Telegram that drones were headed toward Zamosc, though the post was later deleted, Reuters wrote.

It was unclear how many drones crossed into Polish skies, with Ukrainian media claiming one approached Rzeszow. CNN said it was unable to verify.

A NOTAM later confirmed Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport's closure, a critical NATO logistic hub until US troops withdrew earlier this year.

Lublin Airport near Warsaw was also declared closed due to military activity, making it the third facility restricted, air authorities said.

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In addition to the arms deal, Kyiv is proposing a $50 billion joint venture to co-produce drones with Ukrainian companies, leveraging their extensive wartime experience. The proposal is crafted to align with President Donald Trump's priorities.

The document serves as Ukraine's counteroffer following President Trump's recent alignment with Russia's position after his meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska over the weekend. Ukraine emphasizes that "lasting peace will rely not on concessions and free gifts to Putin but on a robust security framework to prevent future aggression."

Kyiv also rejects Putin's proposal, conveyed to Trump, to freeze the front line in exchange for Ukraine's withdrawal from Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, arguing it would create "a foothold for rapid Russian advances toward Dnipro city."

The document highlights Russian media's mockery of Trump, citing Russian television host Vladimir Solovyov, who ridiculed the American president's "threats" against Russia, claiming Moscow could "destroy the United States with nuclear weapons."

At the heart of the White House discussions was the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine – a mechanism described by Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy, as "similar to Article 5" of the NATO treaty, which mandates mutual defense among member states. Leading this effort are the "coalition of the willing" nations – primarily European powers that pledged in Washington on Monday to guarantee Ukraine's security. Britain has expressed readiness to deploy troops and aircraft in Ukraine, while France and Germany are considering similar measures. The United States, however, is not expected to send American troops but will provide support through weapons, intelligence, and other means.

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Multiple European leaders joined Zelenskyy's Washington journey for diplomatic discussions with Trump concerning potential pathways to conclude the prolonged conflict. Through a Truth Social message late Sunday evening, Trump appeared to establish conditions for Monday's negotiations, generating a potentially adversarial environment for discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart.

Trump declared, "President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!"

Shortly afterward, Zelenskyy issued his own response, restating that "we all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably" while referencing his own conditions regarding territorial compromises and security assurances, emphasizing durable peace requirements.

Zelenskyy wrote in a post to X: "Peace must be lasting. Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East – part of Donbas – and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack. Or when Ukraine was given so called 'security guarantees' in 1994, but they didn't work."

Reports indicated Trump expressed confidence that Putin would accept an arrangement if Ukraine relinquished its easternmost Donbas region, including territories Russia doesn't currently control. Zelenskyy previously cautioned that such surrender would cost Ukraine key defensive positions and increase vulnerability to future Russian assaults.

The Ukrainian president made certain to express appreciation for Trump's efforts, which the Trump administration previously accused him of neglecting during their explosive confrontation in the Oval Office in February, declaring that "our people will always be grateful to President Trump."

Monday's emergency meeting in the US capital was arranged by Trump following his Alaska summit with Putin on Friday. The US president, who warmly welcomed Putin to American territory, promoted those discussions as an opportunity for potential trilateral peace negotiations with Zelenskyy – yet they ended without agreement and no ceasefire was visible.

Following a conversation with his European colleagues after that encounter, Trump stated: "it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up."

European leaders welcomed Trump's trilateral peace talk proposal following Friday's meeting, yet maintained caution that Monday's summit might repeat Zelenskyy's winter Oval Office experience, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly confronted the Ukrainian leader.

To demonstrate Kyiv support – and guarantee any agreement prevents Putin concessions – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb will participate in Monday's conference. Despite his sharp message to Zelenskyy on Sunday, Trump appeared enthusiastic about hosting the European leadership group.

Trump wrote in a separate post: "Big day at the White House tomorrow. Never had so many European Leaders at one time. My great honor to host them!!!"

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"At the initiative of the American side, an agreement has essentially been reached to hold a high-level bilateral meeting in the coming days, meaning a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump," Ushakov said in a televised interview. "We are now beginning concrete preparations together with our American counterparts," he added.

Ushakov declined to specify where the summit would be held and said it was too early to determine how long it would last. His comments followed a phone call Wednesday night between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

That same day, special envoy Steve Witkoff held a meeting in Russia. In connection with the visit, the deputy chair of the upper house of the Russian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee said Witkoff was warmly received, noting his "openness and realistic approach." A White House official also commented that the meeting "went well," according to the official.

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The Zaporizhzhia facility, which ranks as Europe's biggest nuclear plant and among the world's 10 largest, has remained under Russian control since March 2022. International Atomic Energy Agency personnel stationed at the site heard the blasts and witnessed smoke rising from the targeted area, according to Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi's statement to The Kyiv Independent.

Staff members at the nuclear complex informed the IAEA team that the auxiliary facility sustained damage from the bombardment, which coincided with military operations that agency personnel could hear from their position. The attacked buildings sit approximately 1,200 meters (0.75 miles) from the plant's main perimeter, yet smoke from the strike zone remained visible to monitors throughout the afternoon hours.

"Any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant – regardless of the intended target – poses potential risks also for nuclear safety and must be avoided," Grossi stated, according to The Kyiv Independent. The IAEA chief emphasized the ongoing dangers, declaring that "once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident."

The Saturday incident represents the most recent in a series of concerning developments that underscore the persistent nuclear safety threats arising from Russia's military campaign against Ukraine. The facility has experienced multiple security breaches and power disruptions since falling under Russian occupation more than two years ago.

Meanwhile, satellite imagery analysis suggests Russian forces are constructing new electrical infrastructure that could connect the Zaporizhzhia plant to Russia's power grid. The New York Times reported in May, citing a Greenpeace investigation, that Russian personnel have installed over 80 kilometers (50 miles) of high-voltage transmission lines along the Sea of Azov coastline since February 2025.

The newly constructed power lines connect the occupied cities of Mariupol and Berdyansk, according to the Greenpeace report cited by The New York Times. Nuclear energy experts believe this construction aims to link these transmission systems to a major electrical substation near Mariupol, which could then channel power from the Zaporizhzhia facility located approximately 225 kilometers (140 miles) away.

The potential connection would enable Russia to redirect Ukrainian nuclear-generated electricity into its own national grid, effectively appropriating the energy production from Ukraine's most significant atomic facility.

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