Current Wars in the World See Ukraine Report 3,000 Russian Troops Hit by Robot Campaign
Ukrainian forces report killing or wounding more than 3,000 Russian troops and reclaiming 125 square kilometers in a months-long ground robot campaign in Donetsk, as President Zelensky announces 10,660 Russian casualties in the past week amid ongoing advances in the Lyman sector as part of broader developments in current wars in the world.
Ukrainian Robot Campaign Inflicts Heavy Losses on Russian Forces
A Ukrainian army corps conducted a months-long ground robot campaign in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region that was kept from public view until this month. The effort resulted in more than 3,000 Russian troops killed or wounded and 125 square kilometers reclaimed under Ukrainian control. [1] The campaign formed part of Operation Vivaldi around Lyman in northern Donetsk Oblast, which Ukrainian officials made public on Sept. 15. [4] Russian pro-war Telegram channels and independent open-source intelligence researchers had tracked Ukrainian attacks in the area since late spring 2026. [4] On Sept. 20 the 3rd Corps reported it liberated a further 40 square kilometers of territory in Donetsk Oblast and retook several villages during the ongoing offensive. [4]
Zelensky Reports 10,660 Russian Casualties in One Week
Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces killed or wounded 10,660 Russian troops over the past week while making gains in the Lyman sector as part of Operation Vivaldi. [4] He wrote on X that the occupiers continue to be eliminated and the designated objectives are being achieved, citing a report by Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi. [4] Ukrainian forces have video evidence confirming every Russian loss included in the weekly figure. [4] Ukraine's General Staff said on Sept. 15 that Russian forces have lost more than 300,000 troops killed and wounded since the beginning of 2026. [4] After the summer campaign on the battlefield in Ukraine ended, Russian losses exceeded 1.5 million since the start of the full-scale invasion. [4] Russia does not routinely disclose its military losses, and the figures could not be independently verified. [4]
Ongoing Combat Across Multiple Ukrainian Fronts in Current Wars in the World
The heaviest fighting is occurring in the Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Lyman sectors. [4] Ukrainian operations are also underway in Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Sumy oblasts. [4] Zelensky said the past week's results were achieved as part of Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi in the Lyman sector and another active defense operation involving Ukraine's Air Assault Forces. [4] He did not provide further details on the territorial gains. [4] The 3rd Army Corps offensive operation around Lyman in northern Donetsk Oblast continued to produce incremental advances reported by Ukrainian sources. [4]
Clashes in Afghanistan Involving Cross-Border Fighters
Afghanistan’s defence ministry said on Sunday its forces had killed 28 fighters and wounded 32 in the eastern province of Nuristan after a group it said included Islamic State militants travelled from Pakistan. [3] The ministry alleged Pakistani militias had supported the fighters and that most of them were former Afghan government security personnel. [3] Pakistan’s information ministry rejected the allegations, describing them as “frivolous, baseless and devoid of any truth” in a post on social media. [3] The ministry denied that its security forces or intelligence agencies were involved in clashes in Nuristan, had recruited or trained former Afghan security personnel, or had facilitated Islamic State or other militant groups in Afghanistan. [3]
Strait of Hormuz Oil Flows Increase Despite Iranian Threats
Oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz have climbed despite the conflict. [2] Washington pointed to rising exports as Iran warns shipping companies against unauthorized passage and threatens US forces with retaliation if fighting resumes. [2]
Gaza Water and Sewage Infrastructure Devastated by War
Since Israel's war on Gaza began in October 2023, wells, desalination plants, water networks, sewage systems and pumping stations have sustained extensive damage. [5] According to Doctors Without Borders, Israeli bombardment has destroyed or damaged around 90 percent of Gaza's water and sanitation infrastructure. [5] More than 210 of Gaza's 320 wells have been destroyed, while around 80 percent of desalination plants have been damaged, leaving only one central desalination plant operating. [5] UNICEF reported in May 2026 that 82 percent of Gaza households faced water insecurity, while up to 70 percent could not access the minimum six litres per person daily minimum for drinking and cooking. [5] Desalination output also fell from 20,000 to 16,000 cubic metres per day due to shortages of essential supplies. [5] Overall daily water production fell from approximately 300,000 cubic metres before the war to less than 120,000 cubic metres in February 2026. [5] OCHA reported in September that all six wastewater treatment plants were out of service and around 70 percent of sewage pumping stations had stopped operating, resulting in more than 150,000 cubic metres of untreated sewage being discharged into the environment daily. [5] The 2026 Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment estimated damage to Gaza's water, sanitation and hygiene sector at around US$1.7 billion. [5] Around 220,000 meters of sewage networks were destroyed during the war, along with eight pumping stations. [5] Untreated sewage is currently discharged through around ten main outlets along Gaza's coastline, with daily volumes estimated at between 40,000 and 45,000 cubic meters. [5]
What to watch next: Ukrainian forces continue operations in the Lyman sector under Operation Vivaldi while oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain elevated and Gaza residents face ongoing water insecurity from damaged infrastructure.
