On September 21, 2026, it became known that Russia is likely stockpiling ballistic missiles for strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since August. According to Bloomberg, the number of missile strikes has decreased, while the use of reactive drones has increased. It is expected that cold weather in Ukraine will begin in late October to early November.
Western Allies' Efforts
At UN meetings this week, European leaders plan to persuade US President Donald Trump to provide Ukraine with more Patriot missiles for intercepting ballistic missiles. Some Western allies believe that even without these interceptors, Ukraine will be able to cope with the difficulties, while others express concerns that if Ukraine cannot survive the winter, it may ultimately lose the war.
Election Results in Russia: Implications and Consequences
In Russia, elections for the State Duma have concluded, resulting in the "United Russia" party securing a record 355 out of 450 seats. This gives them a constitutional majority for independently passing laws and amending the Constitution. According to the Central Election Commission, the party received 57.83% of the votes, while the liberal "Yabloko" managed to gain only 5.67% of the votes in the Novgorod region.
- 355 seats out of 450 — a record number for "United Russia".
- 57.83% of the votes in the elections.
- The liberal "Yabloko" received 5.67% of the votes only in one region.
These results have caused panic among some Russians who consider the elections to be rigged. For instance, in Chechnya, the party received 99.85% of the votes, which also raised doubts about the legitimacy of the elections.