What’s top story today on Irkutsk TV? Not the death of a Russian plague researcher. I watch the local TV news bulletin and take a look at today’s Russian newspapers. #ReadingRussia

What's making news on Irkutsk TV this morning?

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg

youtu.be

“What should I do if I need my motherland, but she doesn’t need me?” Superheroes, special operations and “shaping the mindset of children.” An extended edition of #ReadingRussia

Superheroes, "special operations" and “shaping the mindset of Russian children.”

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg

youtu.be

Destroyed Russian logistics in occupied Luhansk region. Lately, Ukrainian drone strikes have increased again according to locals. #Ukraine

Russia uses drone with warhead designed to cut power pylons for first time, Zelensky adviser says; Drone crashes in Moldova, Romania scrambles fighter jets amid Russian mass attack on Ukraine; Missile alerts cost Ukraine $45 million for every hour businesses stop, economy minister says; and more.

Winds are blowing from West to the East, good luck Russia with the nuclear fallout from your own bomb.

The Kyiv Independent@kyivindependent.com · 2w ago

⚡ Update: Russia sends NATO new nuclear threat over Kaliningrad as tensions rise. Russia told NATO it would be ready to use nuclear weapons if alliance members attempt to isolate Kaliningrad Oblast, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart told the Kyiv Independent.

1/ Russian forces in the Lyman area have fallen back to a line along the Zherebets river according to Russian warbloggers, with fighting ongoing in areas of the formerly Russian-held salient. They warn that Ukraine's counteroffensive is now working towards crossing the river. ⬇️

🦅🔥 The moment of today's attack by the Defense Forces' Lyutyi attack drone on Permnaftoorgsintez in Perm.

🔥 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment launched strikes against both Russian infantry on the front lines and logistics vehicles in the rear.

Moscow situation 👀❗️

🇺🇦🇱🇻🇪🇺 Zelensky: I am grateful to our Latvian friends and other partners in the EU for maintaining the legal front against the aggressive war against Ukraine. As Russia increases the number of civilian killings, the pressure on Moscow must increase. Against those who contribute to Putin’s war.

🔥 7th Corps of DSHV publishes footage of the destruction and subsequent detonation of a truck with 152-mm shells hit in Hulyaipole

The EU is on fire!🔥👏🏻😊🫶🏻

Ursula von der Leyen@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu · 3w ago

Spoke to President Marcos of the Philippines. We just agreed on a 🇪🇺🇵🇭 free trade deal! This comes just 3 years after my visit to Manila to relaunch the negotiations. I want to thank Maroš Šefčovič for yet another trade success. link.europa.eu/66H8yF

“The No. 1 problem the Kennedy Center has had is President Trump.” www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/u...

How President Trump Broke the Kennedy Center (Gift Article)

Internal emails and documents demonstrate the political capture of the institution, including how officials once pursued a plan to unload much of the art collection.

nytimes.com

🔥Drones attacked Rostov region and Kuban, ✈️Fire at Yeisk airfield, 🇩🇰$276 million from Denmark, 💥Minus S-400 launcher in Bryansk region, 🇳🇴$100 million from Norway! SUPPORT ME 🇺🇦😎 ☕️ buymeacoffee.com/MAKS22 ☕️ PayPal: maksmu24@ukr.net ☕️ patreon.com/Maks24

❗️Ballistic missile in the direction of Brovary. Air alert in Kyiv and a number of regions.

😎🇺🇦 The Third Army Corps stated that during the offensive operation "Vivaldi" in the northern part of the Donetsk region, it was possible to inflict losses on the elite Russian Rubicon UAV unit, which is why it was withdrawn from Lyman-Borivske direction.

🤩 Destruction of Russian Shahed over Odesa

🇺🇦❗️Zelensky told CBS News that Russia tried to target his presidential plane with drones twice during recent trips through Moldova. “In Moldova, my presidential jet was there, and that’s why they attacked Moldova,” Zelensky said. “When we went back home, again through Chisinau, they did the same.”

🇺🇦Zelensky: We are ready for an energy ceasefire, but you have to understand what it means for us. For Putin, energy is to sell oil and gas. For us, energy is to have electricity for our people. Q: Is there an energy ceasefire right now? 🇺🇦Zelensky: No. We never attack first.

🇵🇱🇺🇦 Poland is reinforcing its border crossings with Ukraine, Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said, after Russian drone attacks just ‌miles from the NATO member's guard posts at the frontier over the weekend, - Reuters

🇫🇷🇺🇦 Zelensky: Spoke with Emmanuel Macron. Discussed the situation in the diplomatic process in detail. Informed Mr. President about communication with all our partners and jointly discussed possible steps to stop this terrible Russian war.

🇺🇦 Officially confirmed 20 thousand deported and forcibly displaced Ukrainian children, — Lubinets Big Russian business is also involved in this. In particular, “Gazprom” financed the export to Russia of thousands of children.

🇪🇺 Democracy is a fundamental European value. The EU works to protect it by: 🔸countering disinformation and foreign information manipulation 🔸making political advertising more transparent 🔸protecting free and pluralist media Learn more ➡️ link.europa.eu/krBrrP

We will be relentless in the defence of our democracies. Proud of the concrete recommendations put forward by @europarl.europa.eu today to strengthen our democratic resilience. Stronger sanctions. Better enforcement. Because defending democracy requires a collective European response.

A new chapter for the EU-Canada partnership 🇪🇺🇨🇦 Ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s address to @europarl.europa.eu this Thursday, I am delighted that tonight, the European Parliament's Bureau has endorsed the establishment of an EP antenna office in Ottawa.

Kremlev, the Russian who sponsored Don Jr's wedding, is a former member of the Night Wolves biker gang, went to China with Putin and is personally sanctioned by Ukraine for his role in abducting children. He praises Stalin on social media www.propublica.org/article/dona...

Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding Bankrolled by Putin-Linked Russian Oligarch

The oligarch, Umar Kremlev, spent hundreds of thousands on expenses like renting out a private island. He appears to have met Trump Jr. only recently, but he attended the intimate wedding with a large...

propublica.org

Your regular reminder: If the Russians stop fighting, the war ends. If the Ukrainians stop fighting, their land will be occupied, their leaders will be killed, their history and language will be erased, their children will be kidnapped to serve Russia.

🇵🇱 Near the beach in Rusinowo, military recovered a drone from the Baltic Sea. Initial inspection indicates it is a military drone originating from Russia.

Zelensky says Ukraine is testing a new generation of drone interceptors designed to counter jet-powered Shaheds. He says development is underway, funding has been secured, and steps are being taken to speed up delivery of an effective system at scale. #Ukraine

Ukraine's 33rd Mechanized Brigade says it captured five Colombian nationals fighting for Russian forces in June. One surrendered first and informed his family. The next day, his older brother convinced four other Colombians to surrender during an assault. #Ukraine