Drones destroy Russian political party headquarters in occupied city
Two Ukrainian drones struck the headquarters of the pro-Russian United Russia party in the occupied city of Polohy in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on Saturday, according to Ukrainian officials.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are slowly but surely advancing east of the city of Rubizhne, where heavy fighting has been underway for weeks.
To the south of Bahmut, Ukrainian forces are also making progress, putting pressure on Russian positions.
In the past 24 hours alone, Russian forces have lost an estimated 600 troops.
Ukrainian troops used a drone to destroy a Russian self-propelled mortar, causing a large explosion and completely destroying the Russian equipment.
A Russian tank was also captured by Ukrainian forces in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Local residents say they have been left with little shelter due to the war.
Despite this, some people who fled the area are returning home.
One resident said, "Last year, they were bombing often. As soon as it got light, we had to run out of the garden because the rockets were flying overhead. We didn't leave because it would have been a shame to leave the animals. We have a cow, chickens, and ducks."
Another resident said, "I drink rainwater. - Rainwater? - Yes, I boil it and drink it. I make tea with it. If you don't have water, where are you going to get it?"
A third resident said, "People are returning to their homes because we are hard-working people. Many people left for other Ukrainian towns because they needed money. The most important thing is that they feel at home here. Before the war, there were over a thousand residents here, but now half of them have left."
The Ukrainian military's use of drones has been a key factor in its success in recent weeks.
The drones have been used to strike Russian troops and equipment, as well as to gather intelligence.
The bombing of the United Russia headquarters in Polohy is a significant blow to the Russian-backed authorities in the occupied region.
The attack came a day after the region's so-called "elections" were held.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's voice must be heard and understood by the world.
He called for continued sanctions against Russia and for more support for Ukraine.
"We are now seeing a pause in sanctions from our partners. And Russia is actively trying to avoid them. There are three priorities: to continue sanctions against the Russian energy sector, real restrictions on the supply of chips and microelectronics in general to terrorists, and continued blocking of the Russian financial sector. This global sanctions offensive must be resumed," Zelenskyy said.
Romanian Chief of Defense General Daniel Petrescu spoke by phone on September 8 with Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
Petrescu said that Romania has taken additional measures to strengthen its monitoring and air security capabilities at Romania's borders.
He also said that Romania condemns in the strongest terms Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the unjustified and illegal attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians.
Translation by Iurie Tataru