Ukraine, Zelensky: ‘Trump has given the go-ahead for Patriot licences’. US proposes trilateral talks

Russia is attacking Ukraine’s IT infrastructure, but thanks to the widespread availability of internet access, the country will not be left completely without a connection. As reported by Ukrinform, the announcement was made on Facebook by Serhiy ‘Flash’ Beskrestnov, an unofficial adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky on technological matters and an expert in the sector. “The Russians are attacking our IT network infrastructure. But Ukraine is the country with the widest coverage of internet connections, so the whole country (regions, cities) will not be left without the internet,” Flash noted.

Beskrestnov added that the attacks could cause local disruptions to internet access. In his view, providers should resolve such issues promptly. “The cost of providing internet services could well rise to offset the costs of repairing damaged infrastructure,” the consultant explained. Beskrestnov also urged people not to succumb to disinformation and not to panic over reports of a possible internet outage. “We were already frightened by the idea that there would be no food or fuel, and now they’re scaring us with the prospect of the internet disappearing,” he emphasised.

Meanwhile, the mutual attacks between Russia and Ukraine on military and civilian infrastructure and populated areas continue unabated. A Russian attack carried out with missiles and drones during the night caused fires in Kyiv and damaged a commercial building on the night of 24–25 September. This was reported by the capital’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, as quoted by the Kyiv Independent. A commercial building in the Podilskyi district was damaged after being struck by a Russian drone, whilst another building in the Solomyanskyi district sustained damage from debris from a drone, the mayor reported. Klitschko also reported that a fire had broken out in an open area near a building in the Solomyanskyi district. Earlier, the Ukrainian Air Force had reported Russian drones approaching Kyiv, and air raid alerts had been issued due to the threat posed by missiles and drones.

ArcelorMittal has announced that it has suspended operations at its site in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine’s largest steelworks, following four missile attacks over the past five weeks. “It is with deep regret that we have concluded we are no longer able to operate the ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih plant safely. Since the start of the war, our staff in Ukraine have worked tirelessly to keep the mines and the plant operational. They have shown tremendous courage in circumstances that most of us cannot even begin to imagine. We are discussing the future of the plant with the Ukrainian government and will focus on preserving the infrastructure so that, when peace returns, options for resuming production will still be available,” said Mauro Longobardo, CEO of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih.

Also during the night, Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil refinery located some 1,500 kilometres from the border between Ukraine and Russia, as well as an electronics factory. This was reported by the Kyiv Independent, citing Telegram channels. An oil refinery in Perm was set alight after being targeted, according to eyewitness accounts, as reported by the Telegram channel Exilenova Plus. Meanwhile, the Iskra electronics factory, which manufactures components for communications and radio technology, was struck in the city of Ulyanovsk, according to the channel.