30 September 2026
Articles
Identical texts, old allegations and millions of views: How major Telegram channels target the Anti-Corruption Action Centre
Alongside Maryna Khromykh, an advocacy expert at AntAC, ZMINA examined how this process works, where the claims about "188 million" and a "blind" AntAC head Vitaliy Shabunin driving a Tesla originated, and why repeatedly circulating the same allegations matters
‘Had they detained foreign nationals, there would have been a greater outcry’: Over four years of efforts to free OSCE staff abducted by Russia
At the start of the full-scale invasion, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM), which operated in the occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, came under increasing pressure. In March–April 2022, Russian and Russian-controlled media launched a campaign to discredit the organisation. Meanwhile, the mission’s staff faced growing intimidation, harassment and hostile public rhetoric.
News
European Parliament vice-president on hunger strike over trapped civilians in Oleshky
Picierno explained that she had decided to go on hunger strike to draw international attention to the emergency in the town
Most women facing perinatal loss in Ukraine receive no hospital counselling, survey shows
The authors define perinatal loss as the death of a child at any stage of pregnancy, during labour or shortly after birth. At the same time, they noted that the survey results cannot be generalised to all women in Ukraine who have had such an experience, as participation was voluntary and the sample is not representative
Police White Angel unit evacuates eight seniors in Sumy Oblast
The White Angel special unit continues to assist border residents who, because of their circumstances, cannot leave the dangerous area on their own
Russian strikes hit residential buildings in Kyiv and Kharkiv Oblast, killing four
Russian strikes killed four people in Kyiv and the Kharkiv Oblast overnight on 21 October 2026, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported. Casualties were also reported in the Poltava Oblast, the Rivne Oblast and Odesa, with three children, three emergency responders and an ambulance paramedic among the injured
At least four killed and eight injured in drone strikes in Kyiv and surrounding region
. In total, 21 people have been injured and one killed in the capital over the day
Residents of occupied Stara Zburivka lack firewood amid an 18-month power cut
Russian occupying forces have cut Stara Zburivka off from medical care, according to the publication. Before the full-scale invasion, 2,445 people lived in the village, including 340 children. Currently, about 130 people remain there
Russian drone strike on Kharkiv region park kills six, including three children
Families with children were in the park in the Kharkiv Region (Oblast) at the time of the attack. Six people were killed, including three children, and 15 others were injured, including seven children
Funeral held in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for five children killed by Russian missile
In the settlement of Radushne, Kryvyi Rih District, a Russian Iskander-M ballistic missile hit the Voronov family’s residential house directly, almost completely destroying it
Zelensky says Ukraine again received no advance warning from allies before Russian strikes
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that there was once again no early warning from Ukraine's allies of overnight Russian attacks. He said Russia launched 16 ballistic missiles and over 200 drones, hitting energy facilities and knocking out power
Ukraine recognises LGBTQI+ protection as one of Ukraine’s state policy
On 12 October 2026, the president of Ukraine signed Decree No 1038/2026 approving the new National Human Rights Strategy. The full LGBTQI+ acronym was used in the document for the first time
Russian soldier suspected of torturing eight Ukrainian energy workers
The offences took place in the Chernihiv Region (Oblast) during the occupation of the Chernihiv District in February 2022. According to investigators, the men were initially held in the captured village of Ilmivka and later taken to Belarus
Six people killed, others injured and trapped under rubble following Russian air strikes on Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast
Six people were killed and 15 injured following Russian air and drone strikes on Sloviansk, the Donetsk Region (Oblast), on 17 October, the head of the Sloviansk city military administration, Vadym Liakh, and the State Emergency Service reported (SES)
US firms account for over 75% of parts in examined Geran-4 controller
The investigation was carried out by an engineer using the call sign Prop, who serves with the Ukrainian military’s 1230th Athena Engineering and Technical Regiment. The unit, part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Support Forces, shared the results with Militarnyi
Remains of about 30 people found in search for Ukrainians killed in 1944 in Poland
Searchers are examining the burial sites of Ukrainians killed on 10 March 1944 during an attack by units of the Home Army and the Peasants' Battalions – Polish underground armed formations from the Second World War
Ukraine accuses Russian soldier of killing six people in Kharkiv Oblast
On 14 October 2026, a 36-year-old Russian citizen, a native of St Petersburg and a serviceman of the 2nd Battalion of the 1009th Motor Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces, was detained in Kharkiv and is accused of involvement in the murder of five Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen and a civilian man
Russian occupying authorities seize four children from family in temporarily occupied Kherson region
One child was taken to the Henichesk Central District Hospital for medical assistance. Three others were placed in the Novokyivka "social rehabilitation centre for minors", which the occupation authorities illegally opened in November 2024
Five people killed in Russian attacks on Kirovohrad and Dnipropetrovsk regions
In the morning, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast came under attack. Overall, five people were killed and a further six were injured in the attacks in Kirovohrad Oblast and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
Russian forces kidnap over 2,000 civilians in Kherson region, 49 die in captivity, prosecutors say
Investigators have issued notices of suspicion against 159 people in 86 criminal proceedings over the illegal kidnapping of civilians. Eighty indictments against 153 people have been sent to court. Currently, 27 people have been convicted
Zelenskyy says Musk’s SpaceX restrictions on Starlink will cost lives in Ukraine
The Ukrainian president said Starlink is slowing down in Ukraine due to a decision by Musk's company
EU opens two more accession negotiation clusters for Ukraine covering 17 reform areas
The second cluster, "Internal Market", covers nine negotiating chapters. They concern the free movement of goods, services, workers and capital between EU countries, as well as competition rules, company operations and financial institutions
Zelenskyy says Ukraine again received no warning before Russian ballistic strike on Kyiv that killed two, injured 21, including a child
According to intelligence reports, Russian forces are preparing further ballistic missile launches
Zelenskyy says partners provided no early warning before Russian attack on Kyiv
Zelenskyy did not specify why the warning was not received and from which specific partners Ukraine expected information
Six Ukrainian energy sites hit by Russia since Donald Trump announced ceasefire – Zelenskyy
On Monday, Ukraine's state-owned grid operator Ukrenergo reported "new power cuts" in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia due to damage caused to energy equipment by Russian attacks
Russian forces attack civilian convoy leaving Kupiansk
The task force said it had been tracking and reporting such incidents. The military described the current direct strike on the civilian convoy as a new instance of Russia violating the laws of war
Russian cluster munitions kill family of three in Donetsk region
The police specified that the explosion killed the 13-year-old girl, her 36-year-old mother and her 62-year-old grandmother. The injured include three men (born in 1948, 1955 and 1964) and an 18-year-old man
Ukrainian parliament passes law on educational rights of national minorities expected to lift Hungarian veto on EU accession
The law regulates the right of children from national minorities and indigenous peoples of Ukraine to study in their native language alongside Ukrainian, both during classes and outside of lessons. A school will receive national minority status if at least 50% of its students are taught in the relevant language. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Education, 149 schools could receive this status
Media worker from Melitopol Heorhii Levchenko may be held in a detention facility in Russia’s Altai Krai
ZMINA is currently unable to confirm which facility Levchenko may be held in
Russian attack on Kyiv kills LISOD hospital oncologist Stella Bilas
The doctor had recently been working in the chemotherapy department of the LISOD Hospital of Israeli Oncology in Kyiv
Ukrainian security service discovers about 40,000 video cameras Russians could use for espionage and adjusting strikes
According to the WSJ, Russia and Ukraine use video surveillance cameras to gather intelligence, specifically about the movement of military equipment, the location of facilities and the consequences of strikes. Access to such cameras is often achieved through weak device security
Ukrainian state covers 60% of expenses for a child under 18 in family-based care – study
According to the study's results, average monthly expenses for one child amount to about 13,000 hryvnias. State assistance covers only 51% of expenses for a child under six and 63% for a child between six and 18
We are ready to agree, but energy facility in Kharkiv has just been hit – Zelenskyy on Trump’s ‘energy ceasefire’
He also noted that over the past week alone, the Russians have carried out over 200 strikes against power generation and transmission facilities in Ukraine. Another 17 strikes during the week have targeted gas and oil facilities in Ukraine. In this one week alone, the Russians have killed more than 150 Ukrainians and injured over 700 people
Russian forces drop drone munition on civilians in Dnipropetrovsk region: Boy killed, two more children injured
An 11-year-old boy was killed in Russian attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk Region (Oblast) on 10 October 2026. Five other people, including two children, were injured
Russian aerial bomb strike on Zaporizhzhia apartment block kills at least 24 civilians (updated)
A pre-trial investigation has been launched into a war crime resulting in casualties under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast are conducting the inquiry
Coordinated social media campaign targets NABU director Semen Kryvonos on Threads
Following massive Telegram attacks in September, Ukraine's anti-corruption chief Semen Kryvonos is now facing a suspected coordinated smear campaign on Threads
Council of Europe assesses draft law on reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities: gaps identified
The conclusion also highlights the gaps in the draft law. Among the remarks are the complexity of procedures and fragmentation due to the involvement of several bodies. This can affect the timeliness and availability of reasonable accommodation. There is a risk that formal requirements and strict deadlines may affect certain groups of people with disabilities differently
US imposes sanctions against International Criminal Court as an institution
The ICC stressed that the sanctions target an independent institution created under an international treaty. Currently, 125 states parties to the Rome Statute have entrusted the court to investigate genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression, as well as to bring perpetrators to justice
Zelenskyy calls for total shutdown of Russian economy to force negotiations
Zelenskyy recalled Rubio that the US had already done this when it attacked Iran, when "Israel had complete control of the skies over Iran"
Russian forces strike passenger buses in Kramatorsk, killing 35
The vehicles were carrying passengers at the time of the attack. Russian forces likely struck the buses using UMPB D-30 SN bombs
Four killed and 12 injured in Russian drone strike on Kyiv
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces also struck settlements in the Kharkiv, Kherson, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Regions (Oblasts)
Military ombudsman’s office launches survey on troop vaccination attitudes in Ukraine
Based on the survey results, additional briefings will be prepared for medical services on how to answer questions and dispel doubts more easily. The Office of the Military Ombudsman is also initiating explanatory sessions for personnel and will prepare recommendations for better organising vaccinations in military units
Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity received RAW in WAR award
RAW in WAR also made special mention of Viktoriia Roshchyna, a Ukrainian journalist who died in Russian captivity
Older people’s rights violated for years at private care home in Kharkiv: Inspections yield no results
Ukrainian ombudsman stated that during the latest visit, NPM monitors recorded violations of the right to life and safety, to respect for human dignity and privacy, to health protection and medical care, to an adequate standard of living, to accessibility for people with reduced mobility and to effective legal remedies
Russian missile strike on Pryluky kills at least 22 and injures 55 (updated)
The attack hit a five-storey residential building, a children's and youth creativity centre, and an enterprise. The strike killed at least 14 civilians, including four children
Universal Design School 2026 launches in Kyiv: participants to develop supported living house project
This approach takes a person’s needs into account comprehensively. In particular, an occupational therapist assesses their functional capabilities, while an architect or designer translates these needs into spatial solutions. A social worker helps connect them with the necessary services
Russian occupying authorities reuse old footage of Yevhen Shved, twice convicted for pro-Ukrainian views, in ‘SBU agent’ detention video
The date of birth given for the detainee in the security forces’ video dated 2 October also matches Shved’s
Russian drone damages civilian vessel in Black Sea: One killed, seven injured
Kiper said that by striking civilian shipping and port infrastructure, Russia is violating international law and creating a threat to global food security
Vladyslav Hershon, Telegram chat administrator, held in solitary confinement at Vladimir Central Prison
Hershon has health problems: during his most recent meeting with his lawyer, he said he was itching all over. Preliminary arrangements have been made for him to receive treatment
Journalist Iryna Danylovych faces repeated death threats in Russian penal colony
Their names are known to the ZMINA editorial office. Novytska said they believe they can act with impunity and regularly threaten Iryna, including telling her they would face no consequences for killing her
At least six dead and 59 injured in Russian bomb and drone attack on Kharkiv (updated)
Russian forces also struck a petrol station in Kharkiv's Kyivskyi District with a combat drone
Friends lose contact with disabled Ukrainian woman illegally transferred to Russia
The Emile Foundation called for an independent check of Anastasiia's safety and health, confidential communication for her, the restoration of direct contact with those close to her, and international support for her return to Ukraine
Ukrainian investigators open war crime proceedings into Russian use of human shields in Kharkiv region
The incident was filmed by reconnaissance drones of the 2nd Khartiia Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine on 27 September 2026
Ukraine’s anti-corruption chief calls for reform of prosecutors, state investigators and parts of security service over corruption
Kryvonos has previously emphasised that criminal exposures alone are not enough to overcome corruption. In February 2026, he elaborated that NABU can detect a crime and send the case to court, but systemic changes are needed to reduce corruption: independent institutions, digitalisation, and the elimination of political influence and bureaucratic obstacles
Russia has opened criminal cases against 1,500 Ukrainian prisoners of war, rights group head says
International organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, do not have regular access to places of detention, so no one can check regularly on conditions or whether prisoners’ rights are respected
Zelenskyy urges foreign nations to disrupt supply chains powering Russian drones
Zelenskyy said most of these companies are well-known manufacturers, but their components still reach Russia
Russian shelling kills eight civilians and injures 52 across Ukraine on 30 September
Russian shelling killed eight civilians and injured at least 52 others on 30 September, the National Police reported. The deaths were recorded in Kyiv and in the Kyiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy Regions (Oblasts), and the injured include people in the Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kharkiv Oblasts
UN human rights chief and nine independent rights experts urge Tennessee to commute death sentence after botched execution
Her lawyers are now asking for her sentence to be commuted. Pike, 50, was sentenced to death in 1996. Pike was 18 when she and her then-boyfriend, Tadaryl Shipp, beat, tortured and killed 19-year-old Slemmer
Agreement on Compensation Commission for Ukraine ratified by only 10 of required 25 participants
About 10 countries have told Ukraine they plan to complete ratification in the near future
