National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NAS Ukraine) is the country's highest self-governing state scientific organisation, founded in 1918. It is accountable to the Verkhovna Rada and coordinates a wide network of research institutes across the natural, technical and social sciences. The presidium is headquartered in Kyiv on Volodymyrska Street, where its buildings have sustained damage during Russian strikes.
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Zelensky urges Trump to pressure Putin, keep sanctions and provide air defense missiles
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Donald Trump could help end Russia’s war against Ukraine and force Vladimir Putin to negotiate if he applied the same rhetoric toward Putin that he uses toward Zelensky. He named two priorities for Ukraine’s allies: preserving sanctions against Russia and supplying more effective air defense missiles. Zelensky also rejected Trump’s claim that Ukraine is responsible for rising US diesel prices.
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Ukraine’s government-controlled territory had 28.5 million residents in mid-2026
The Institute of Demography estimated that Ukraine’s government-controlled territory had 28.5 million residents in mid-2026, about 500,000 fewer than in its previous estimate. The institute identified migration, rather than war deaths, as the main driver of population loss. Mortality currently exceeds births by roughly 3.5 times, while more than 4.4 million Ukrainians were receiving temporary protection in the EU.
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German Chancellor Merz makes surprise Kyiv visit, announces €1.3+ billion support package and 15 bilateral agreements
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv by special train on 4 October for an unannounced solidarity visit, accompanied by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and roughly ten business leaders from the defence and energy sectors. He and President Volodymyr Zelensky honoured fallen Ukrainian defenders at the memorial on Maidan Nezalezhnosti, visited the National Academy of Sciences building hit by a Russian drone on 28 September, and announced a new German support package worth more than €1.3 billion alongside 15 bilateral agreements valued at over €8.5 billion. Merz called on Vladimir Putin to stop the war and announced that Germany, France and the UK would host a Coalition of the Willing meeting in Berlin in winter.
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Russian drone strikes Kyiv's Northern Bridge, injuring two and closing a second Dnipro crossing
A Russian drone hit the Northern Bridge in Kyiv on the morning of 3 October, damaging the road surface and trolleybus contact network, injuring two people, and closing the bridge to traffic from the left to the right bank. The strike came a day after repeated Russian drone attacks forced the full closure of the Southern Bridge, leaving the capital with two of its main Dnipro crossings out of normal operation.
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Russia hits Kyiv and ten oblasts in large overnight missile and drone attack
Russia launched a large overnight missile and drone strike on 28–29 September 2025, hitting Kyiv and at least ten oblasts. Ukrainian air defense said all incoming missiles and 106 drones were intercepted, but the salvo damaged a major Kyiv railway depot, data and business centers, residential buildings, energy infrastructure and two foreign vessels in Odesa region.
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Russian guided bombs hit Sumy school during classes; two killed, children among wounded
On 29 September 2026, Russian forces struck the city of Sumy with guided aerial bombs, one of which hit a school in the Zarichnyi district where classes were in session. Children and staff were sheltering at the time; about 100 people were evacuated and no injuries were reported at the school. Two people were killed in their homes in the private residential sector, and multiple children were among the wounded. President Zelenskyy condemned the attack and called on Ukraine's international partners to increase pressure on Russia.
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Russian drone strikes Kyiv's National Academy of Sciences building, killing at least two
On 28 September 2026, a Russian jet-powered drone struck the Presidium building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) in central Kyiv around 13:30, causing a large fire and partially destroying the second and third floors of the historic structure. At least two people were killed — including the personal assistant of NASU Vice-President Volodymyr Horbulin — and multiple others were injured; some NASU staff remained unreachable after the strike. President Zelensky promised a Ukrainian response, Foreign Minister Sybiha called on UNESCO to strip Russia of voting rights, and the strike drew condemnation from European leaders and institutions.