From: Transform Ukraine By Douglas Landro / September 17, 2025
As Russian President Oversees Final Day of Zapad-2025 Exercises in Military Uniform, Ukrainian Forces Strike Deep Into Enemy Territory While Massive Drone Campaign Targets Civilian Areas
Summary of the Day – September 16, 2025
September 16 witnessed Russian President Vladimir Putin personally overseeing the final day of Zapad-2025 military exercises while wearing military uniform, as 100,000 personnel from six countries participated in the drills. Ukrainian forces struck the Saratov oil refinery and carried out explosions at a Russian military facility near Vladivostok. Russia launched 113 Shahed-type drones overnight, with 89 intercepted by Ukrainian defenses. At least seven civilians died and 49 were injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine, including a daylight drone strike on central Kharkiv that damaged a university. The Trump administration approved its first weapons aid packages for Ukraine funded by NATO allies, while the EU announced plans to accelerate its phase-out of Russian energy purchases.
Putin Takes Center Stage: Russian President Personally Oversees Zapad-2025 Finale
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Mulino training ground in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast on September 16 to oversee the final day of the Zapad-2025 joint military exercises. Putin appeared in military uniform — only the second time he has worn military attire at a public event since February 2022.
Defense Minister Andrei Belousov reported to Putin that 100,000 military personnel participated in the exercises, including forces from Russia’s Leningrad and Moscow military districts, Aerospace Forces, Airborne Forces, Northern and Baltic fleets, and Belarusian elements. Personnel from Bangladesh, India, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and Iran also participated.
Voice of Ukraine 