{
  "id": 5502728,
  "title": "Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1653: Russian troops are grinding closer from multiple directions around Sloviansk and Kramatorsk",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/russo-ukrainian-war-day-1653-russian-troops-are-grinding-closer-from",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T05:28:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euromaidan Press",
    "slug": "euromaidan-press",
    "url": "https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/09/04/russo-ukrainian-war-day-1653-russian-troops-are-grinding-closer-from-multiple-directions-around-sloviansk-and-kramatorsk/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On day 1653 of the Russo-Ukrainian war, Russian forces are inching closer to the Ukrainian cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk from various directions. Ukrainian forces are launching counterattacks and reinforcing these two crucial cities in the Donbas region. Winter is expected to provide a brief respite from the ongoing conflict. NATO has pledged to defend every inch of territory.\n\nThe CIA chief's recent visit to Moscow has raised concerns that Russia may be targeting the Baltic states. However, Russia has a more immediate opportunity for disrupting NATO's operations. Ukrainian Khartiia soldiers cleared a 4 square kilometer area near Kupiansk, while Russian forces push towards a major rail hub.\n\nOn the left bank of the Dnieper River, Russian supply lines were so disrupted that they resorted to delivering water via drone. In another incident, a gunman on a motorcycle allegedly shot down a Russian air force general near Engels. The general was hit twice before surgeons managed to save his life in Saratov.\n\nRussian forces have now begun targeting Kyiv during daylight hours. Ukraine's intelligence and technology have been growing, with Poland sending Ukraine 350 tanks, and Europe agreeing to refund half a billion dollars. Hungary's two-year veto on the refund has been lifted, and the total amount is nearing $1.4 billion, with an additional $500 million due in 2027.\n\nRussia is utilizing small attack drones strapped to long-range Geran aircraft, releasing them deep into Ukraine. However, these drone drops have shown limited success. For the first time, Ukraine's British Rapid Ranger air-defense system, mounted on a Spanish off-road chassis, was tested and deployed successfully. This 500-kilogram missile system is designed to counteract radar evasion tactics.\n\nUkraine's brigade tested the Serval Cube Electronic Warfare dome, which effectively suppresses drones that manage to get past radar detection. The Serval Cube targets the communication channels, navigation, and video-transmission systems of the drones. The international community has taken note of Zelenskyy's warning to the UN aviation body regarding Russian airspace, requesting that member states refrain from flying over Russia.\n\nUkraine's main wartime export routes are under pressure due to Russian attacks on the Black Sea and low water levels in the Danube, threatening the country's agricultural economy and global crop prices. Estonia paid $81 million for Ukraine's shells from a firm that had never manufactured them before, but the shells failed quality standards. Estonia may now have to repay €70 million in EU funds. EU foreign ministers are pushing for Russia's former fighters to be removed, but no clear criteria for proof have been established. The EU aims to provide a loan to Ukraine next year, bypassing Russia's frozen assets.",
  "summary": "Meanwhile Kyiv formally asked the UN's aviation body to warn airlines away from Russian airspace.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}