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Russia continues offensive gains in eastern Ukraine as both sides wage drone and missile campaign

17 September 2026 · Source balance: Centre-Left

As of mid-September 2026, Russia and Ukraine remain locked in intense conflict across multiple fronts in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces have captured additional territory in Donetsk and surrounding regions, with recent gains reported around Huliaipole and various settlements. Both sides continue sustained drone and missile attacks on military and infrastructure targets. Ukraine's air defenses shot down approximately 87 drones in a single overnight attack in early September, while Russian air defense systems have intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones targeting Russian regions. International peace efforts are underway, with U.S. envoys visiting the region for talks. The conflict continues to inflict heavy casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure on both sides, with reports indicating roughly 1,500 daily losses for Ukraine in recent weeks. Western allies have shown continued support for Ukraine despite the grinding nature of the conflict now in its fifth year.

Key facts

  • Russia captured the city of Huliaipole and 42 surrounding villages in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts between September 2025 and January 2026
  • Ukraine reported shooting down 87 drones with 70 more lost to electronic countermeasures in a single overnight attack in February 2026
  • Russian forces have attacked Ukraine with hundreds of strike UAVs in recent weeks, with reports of 160, 174, 453, and 80 drones in separate attacks
  • Russian military losses estimated at approximately 40,000 soldiers per month as of September 2026
  • Ukraine is conducting combat tests of at least four jet interceptors designed to counter Russian jet drones
  • North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia in the conflict

How different outlets framed it

Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets emphasize Ukraine's resistance and technological innovation, noting Ukraine is developing new interceptors to counter Russian drone attacks and highlighting international support for Ukraine. They frame Ukrainian infrastructure strikes against Russian targets as defensive measures and stress the humanitarian cost of the war on Ukrainian civilians.

Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning and Russia-aligned sources emphasize Russian military territorial gains and superior drone strike capabilities. They frame the conflict as a Russian advance against NATO-backed forces and suggest Ukrainian military difficulties, while some commentary suggests Russia may pursue broader territorial control.

Limits of this briefing

The available sources provide military and tactical information but contain limited perspective from Russian civilian sources beyond state-aligned outlets. Peace negotiation details remain opaque, and casualty figures vary between sources and parties claiming them.

Sources

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