Russia views NATO’s growing military activity in the Arctic as a direct threat to its national security, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Russian drone attacks on Kyiv and surrounding areas continued for a fifth consecutive day, causing disruptions across the Ukrainian capital.
The latest strikes injured four people and damaged warehouses, an apartment building and a retail facility, according to Ukrainian officials.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched nearly 1,500 drones against Ukraine over four days, with more than half powered by jet engines.
The attacks have targeted warehouses, logistics hubs and commercial facilities, affecting daily life and businesses.
Air raid alerts have repeatedly halted public transport in Kyiv, including metro services, leaving residents stranded during their daily routines.
Ukraine and Russia have both intensified strikes on economic and infrastructure targets in recent weeks.
Kyiv says the attacks are aimed at exhausting civilians and putting pressure on Ukraine’s air defences.
Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom said it will continue supplying the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with diesel fuel while it operates on backup generators.
Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev said the situation at the plant is under control but warned that relying on diesel generators cannot continue indefinitely.
He said restoring external power lines is essential for the plant’s long-term safety.
Likhachev called for a local ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to allow repairs to the damaged Ferrosplavnaya-1 power line.
The Zaporizhzhia plant has been operating without external electricity for more than a week and depends on emergency diesel generators for essential safety systems.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned that the plant’s diesel reserves could last about 10 days if external power is not restored.
Ukraine’s new Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said Kyiv will present allies with a clear plan for how it intends to fight Russia.
The move comes as Ukraine seeks to bring forward part of a planned EU loan to cover a $27 billion military budget gap.
Khmara said the plan will outline defence priorities, required projects and expected results.
He added that Kyiv is also seeking more contributions from existing partners and support from new countries.
The defence chief said Ukraine needs a shared vision across its military ranks and promised to focus on the needs of frontline troops.
Ukraine is trying to regain the initiative by increasing long-range drone strikes on Russian energy, defence and logistics targets.
Khmara also said Ukraine has tested four interceptor drone models to counter Russia’s growing use of fast-moving attack drones.
A missile attack on the Russian city of Belgorod killed two people and injured 16, according to acting governor Alexander Shuvayev.
The strike hit a commercial facility and caused fires at seven warehouses, he said.
Russian online retailer Ozon reported that its logistics hub and sorting facility in Belgorod were also damaged, with a fire breaking out and people injured.
It was not immediately clear whether the facilities mentioned by authorities and Ozon were the same locations.
Russia and Ukraine continue to exchange strikes on infrastructure, including energy, logistics and military-related sites.
Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians, while Reuters said it could not independently verify the damage reports.
NATO launched its Arctic Sentry mission in February to strengthen the alliance’s presence in the far north.
Lavrov described NATO military exercises in the region as “aggressive” and warned that they increase the risk of incidents leading to armed confrontation.
He said such a confrontation could have “potentially catastrophic consequences.”
Russia maintains the largest military presence and most extensive military infrastructure in the Arctic, including nuclear-armed submarines.
Moscow also sees the Arctic as strategically important for developing shipping routes connecting Russia with Asian markets.
Norway recently expanded a military brigade based in the Arctic as NATO members strengthen their defence presence following Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Moscow has repeatedly rejected claims that Russia poses a military threat to NATO.
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Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
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French President Emmanuel Macron is visiting the tiny French territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, off the coast of Canada, where he is due to meet Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday (20 September).
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
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Russian authorities have reported attacks on voting systems and communication lines as the country’s parliamentary election entered its second day on Saturday (19 September).
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