A building burns after Russian strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, September 8, 2026

EA-Frontline VideoCast: Ukraine and “Diplomacy of the Doomed” — Trump’s Envoys in the Kremlin

Tuesday’s Coverage: Kyiv’s Prosecutor General Resigns Amid Corruption Alllegations

UPDATE 0659 GMT:

Facing a spiralling Government deficit, Russia is selling off its gold reserves.

The Russian Central Bank sold 1.6 million troy ounces (49.7 tons) from its reserves between the beginning of the year and the end of July. The selloff was the largest since Russia’s default in 1998.

In the second quarter of 2026, Russia sold 21.77 tons. Turkey was second in the world with 4.23 tons.

UPDATE 0643 GMT:

Trying to break Ukraine’s border crossings, Russia killed two people and injured three in the Odesa region.

The Russians targeted a crossing between Ukraine and Moldova. Operations were suspended.

Two killed and three injured by the Russian attack on Starokozache border control point between Ukraine and Moldova.

Russian drones hit the infrastructure and nearby territory of the control point. It is currently not functioning.

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— Anton Gerashchenko (@antongerashchenko.bsky.social) September 9, 2026 at 8:22 AM

UPDATE 0639 GMT:

Ukraine’s air defenses downed 165 of 198 drones launched by Russia overnight. Iskander missiles and UAVs struck 23 locations.

UPDATE 0617 GMT:

Ukraine’s drones struck and set ablaze an oil terminal in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk overnight.

Novorossiysk Mayor Andrey Kravchenko said debris from downed drones has fallen on “the territory of enterprises” and near a residential building, without specifying sites. Russian officials claim four people were killed.

The monitoring channel Astra said a residential building was damaged.

UPDATE 0604 GMT:

Ukraine is locking in a supply of around 1,000 Patriot air defense missiles over the coming years, says Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara.

In the past 48 hours, the UK has announced supply of some Patriot missiles through the PURL scheme for purchase of US weapons. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Berlin is “urgently” sending of its stockpile. And European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine can use part of the next tranche of the €90 billion European Union loan for the interceptors.

Khmara appealed, “The majority of these [1,000] missiles will only start to be shipped in the coming years, which is why we ask that you supply us the missiles from your stockpiles today.”

Pistorius bolstered the message, “I am aware that it is not easy to strike a balance between one’s own security requirements and urgently needed support to Ukraine. But please, if in doubt, decide in favour for Ukraine.”

ORIGINAL ENTRY: At least five civilians have been murdered and 35 injured by Russia’s latest strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv early Tuesday.

Three of the wounded are in serious condition. Residential buildings, a school, and warehouses were damaged.

The Russians hit Kyiv for nine consecutive days before last weekend, pausing for the visit of Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Explosions began around 3:30 a.m., continuing for around 45 minutes. At least 12 ballistic missiles targeted the city.

“It’s like The Hunger Games, it’s just about survival,” said Dariia Kolisnyk, a resident of a building damaged by a missile in the Solomianskyi district. “You just go to bed, wondering whether you’ll wake up or not. That’s life in Kyiv.”

Liudmyla Akhremenko said her home was damaged for the second time in Solomianskyi, “The blast wave blew out the windows, and stones flew into the house. People’s furniture was damaged.

The Ukraine Air Force said Russia launched 32 cruise missiles; 166 Shahed-type drones, of which more than half were jet-powered; and an unspecified number of ballistic missiles. Two ballistic missiles, 31 cruise missiles, and 142 drones were intercepted.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the interception of almost all Russian cruise missiles as “a good result”. However, he added:

Is it enough? No. We need [interceptor] missiles. We need a package of ballistic missiles from the Americans. They heard in detail what we need, when we need it.

He later posted, “The Russians tried to deliberately cause as much harm to life as possible.”