TYB
Nasa astronauts captures monstrous eye of Hurricane Humberto light up from space
UPDATED: Sep 29, 2025 11:31 IST
Nasa astronaut Jonny Kim has shared breathtaking images of Hurricane Humberto from the International Space Station (ISS), capturing the powerful storm illuminated by bursts of lightning at night.
During a night pass over the Atlantic Ocean, Kim photographed the rare spectacle of lightning activity inside the eye of the hurricane, treating observers to a dramatic sight that underscored both the beauty and intensity of nature’s forces.
The images, posted from orbit, show Humberto’s swirling cloud bands with pulses of light radiating from within its core. Lightning inside the eye of a hurricane is not commonly recorded, making Kim’s visuals particularly striking.
From a distance of nearly 400 kilometers above Earth, the ISS offered a unique vantage point, allowing the astronaut to observe the storm system in its entirety.
Humberto, currently churning through the Atlantic, has drawn close monitoring from meteorologists. Though hurricane eyes are typically characterised by calm conditions at the surface, they often harbour electrified storm towers near the eyewall.
The lightning photographed by Kim is likely a result of intense updrafts carrying ice particles that collide and generate electrical activity. Such events indicate strong convection, a sign of the storm’s immense energy.
Astronauts aboard the ISS regularly photograph weather systems, providing valuable data as well as spectacular imagery.
These perspectives help scientists better understand hurricane behaviour, storm intensification, and atmospheric dynamics that are otherwise difficult to capture from ground-based instruments alone.
Kim, a US Navy veteran, physician, and astronaut selected by Nasa in 2017, shared his awe at the sight on social media.
His post quickly spread across platforms, with followers noting how the lightning appeared to make the hurricane’s eye glow from within, a reminder of how violent yet mesmerising Earth’s storms can appear from space.
As Humberto continues its path across the Atlantic, forecasts are being closely tracked for shifts in strength and potential impacts on coastal regions.
For now, Jonny Kim’s remarkable images stand as both a warning of nature’s power and highlight the extraordinary perspectives offered by human spaceflight.
https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/science/story/nasa-astronauts-captures-eye-of-hurricane-humberto-light-up-from-space-2795039-2025-09-29
https://x.com/JonnyKimUSA/status/1972313641568657489
https://x.com/JonnyKimUSA/status/1972091823503167753
https://x.com/JonnyKimUSA/status/1972019015888629854
NASA administrator says US should have ‘village’ on Moon in a decade
Mon 29 Sep 2025 // 06:23 UTC
IAC 2025 If the USA’s space strategy succeeds, it will run a “village” on the moon in a decade, NASA administrator Sean Duffy told the International Aeronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney today.
Duffy appeared in a session featuring the heads of space agencies from the USA, China, Japan, India, Europe, and Canada. Readers will likely have noted the absence of Russia, a longtime space player, from that list.
The NASA boss seemingly hinted at one reason Russia’s space boss is not at the Congress when he said the USA “comes in peace” to space. “We have not been in the business of taking people’s land,” Duffy said.
Asked what success looks like for NASA in a decade, Duffy said “We are going to have sustained human life on the moon. Not just an outpost, but a village.”
And a nuclear-powered village at that after NASA recently issued an RFI seeking commercial help to build a nuclear reactor on Luna
Duffy also predicted that a decade from now NASA will also have “made leaps and bounds on our mission to get to Mars” and “be on the cusp of putting human boots on Mars.”
The theme for this year’s IAC is “Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth”. Duffy’s take on that is how to sustain human life in space, an objective he said is NASA’s prerogative because it alone among US government agencies has a remit for exploration.
He pointed out that other US government agencies have the job of considering terrestrial stability and earthly resilience, and that NASA must focus on exploration,
The other space agency heads at the event took a different view.
When European Space Agency (ESA) director general Josef Ashbacher had his turn on stage, he offered a very different vision of sustainability by pointing out that the agency he leads freely shares data from its earth observation satellites.
“I am glad that we at ESA are working for the betterment of the planet,” he said.
V Narayanan, the chair of India’s Space Research Organization (ISRO) said ensuring food and water resources is his agency’s top goal in space.
Lisa Campbell, the President of the Canadian Space Agency said that when her country first orbited an earth observation satellite it had to pay private sector organizations to use its data.
“Now they want it,” she said, before announcing CA$5 million ($3.6 million) to fund studies on biodiversity from space.
The president of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Dr Hiroshi Yamakawa, reminded attendees that Japan recently launched its third greenhouse gas observation satellite.
The deputy administrator of China’s National Space Agency (CNSA) Zhigang Bian said his country has launched 500 earth observation satellites.
He sent a little murmur around the auditorium when he said China participates in a constellation of such sats shared by members of the BRICS bloc – a loose alliance that recently expanded its membership beyond Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Diplomatic types see BRICS expansion as China developing institutions that rival existing blocs – on Earth and in space.
Zhigang also said China is working to make space sustainable with new measures to track orbiting debris, manage traffic in space, and provide alerts to warn if spacecraft are at risk.
He said China believes those measures are necessary because the growing mega-constellations of broadband satellites increases risks for all users of space.
“China is currently researching active removal of space debris,” he said.
JAXA’s Dr Yamakawa said Japan’s private sector outfit Astroscale is probably three years away from capturing and de-orbiting a satellite, but that doing so won’t solve the space junk problem.
“We think the debris issue is one we must cope with,” he said. “There is not enough time to solve for this.”
Dr Yamakawa also suggested collaboration between spacefaring nations makes extraterrestrial exploration more sustainable, and pointed to the forthcoming JAXA/ISRO collaboration on the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission that will see a Japanese H3 rocket carry an Indian lander and a Japanese rover.
ISRO’s V Narayanan said the mission will supersize India’s previous Chandrayaan moon missions, by sending a 6,800kg lander and 300kg rover, up from the 600kgs and 25kgs sent by 2023’s Chandrayaan-3 mission.
https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/29/nasa_moon_prediction_iac_2025/
SpaceX Falcon 9 launch paints glowing 'jellyfish' across Western US skies
September 29, 2025
Parts of the Western United States were treated to a cosmic spectacle Sunday evening, as a giant streak illuminated the skies from Los Angeles to Phoenix.
Minutes after SpaceX's Sept. 28 Starlink launch lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Station (VSFS), in California, the Falcon 9 rocket supporting the mission reached the upper atmosphere to create a phenomenon often referred to as a "jellyfish" effect.
Falcon 9 launched at 11:04 p.m. EDT (7:04 p.m. local PDT; 0204 GMT, Sept. 29). The rocket carried 28 new Starlink satellites to join SpaceX's growing wireless internet megaconstellation of over 8,000 networked spacecraft.
The dusk liftoff provided ideal conditions for the setting sun to illuminate Falcon 9's expanding engine exhaust against the darkening sky, as onlookers for hundreds of miles gazed in amazement.
The density of Earth's upper atmosphere causes the exhaust plume of a rocket's engines to expand as it ascends.
The launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base is notorious for its overcast and extremely foggy conditions, but Sunday's clear skies created the ideal conditions for Falcon 9's jellyfish to emerge.
Among the many treated to the skyward spectacle, Space.com's Managing Editor Brett Tingley managed to snap a photo of the phenomenon as the rocket flew over Afton Canyon, in the Mojave Desert.
"I was camping in Afton Canyon in the Mojave National Preserve when I noticed a colorful streak of light in the sky. I've seen plenty of Falcon 9 'jellyfish' online but never in person." Tingley said.
"It was lit up gorgeously from below by the setting sun and made for a surprising start to a night of dark sky stargazing."
Posts to X also highlighted the spectacle as it crossed the sky, like these photos and video from West Coast spaceflight photographer, @spacecoastwest:
Sightings were also reported to the American Meteor Society (AMC), which tracks and triangulates anomalies in the sky (usually meteorites) using witness submission data.
Last night's launch prompted seven different fireball reports to the website, with a video from spectators in Phoenix, Arizona, wondering if the long streak moving across the sky might be a comet.
Sunday's launch was the 28th mission for this particular Falcon 9 first stage, which landed downrange on SpaceX's droneship "Of Course I Still Love You," in the Pacific Ocean about 8.5 minutes after liftoff.
The rocket's second stage continued to orbit, successfully deploying the satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO).
Sights like last night's aren't super rare, but can sometimes be hard to predict.
Launches near dawn and dusk most often create the conditions for the jellyfish phenomenon, so if you live within a few hundred miles of a launchpad, keep your eyes to the skies.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-falcon-9-launch-paints-glowing-jellyfish-across-western-us-skies-photos-video
https://x.com/spacecoastwest/status/1972512621648888067
Chinese astronauts add debris shielding to Tiangong space station during 6-hour spacewalk
September 29, 2025
China's Tiangong space station just got some more protection against debris strikes.
Two astronauts from the three-person Shenzhou 20 mission installed additional shielding on Tiangong during a six-hour spacewalk on Friday (Sept. 26), according to the state-run broadcaster CCTV.
It was the fourth spacewalk of the Shenzhou 20 mission, which arrived at Tiangong on April 24.
Beefing up Tiangong's debris shield is apparently a Shenzhou 20 priority; similar work was done during extravehicular activities (EVAs) on both May 22 and Aug. 15.
Taikonauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie ventured outside Tiangong during Friday's EVA, while fellow crewmate Chen Dong remained inside the T-shaped, three-module station, according to CCTV.
The two spacewalkers accomplished all of their prescribed tasks, which included "the installation of debris protection devices and the inspection and maintenance of external equipment," CCTV wrote in a description of the activities.
Tiangong is about 20% as massive as the International Space Station, but that may change: Chinese officials have said that they're considering adding more modules to the outpost.
Shenzhou 20 is the ninth crewed mission to Tiangong. Its three taikonauts are in the home stretch of their space stay; crewed flights to the orbiting outpost last about six months.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/chinese-astronauts-add-debris-shielding-to-tiangong-space-station-during-6-hour-spacewalk-video
https://www.cctvplus.com/news/20250926/8446537.shtml#!language=1
https://www.space.com/astronomy/venus/mysterious-crown-like-features-on-venus-may-finally-have-an-explanation
https://today.ucsd.edu/story/an-explanation-for-the-look-of-venus-mysterious-surface
Mysterious crown-like features on Venus may finally have an explanation
September 29, 2025
The mystery behind Venus' giant, crown-shaped geological features, known as coronae, may finally have an explanation:
A "glass ceiling" in Venus' mantle is trapping heat and driving slow, shifting currents that might lead to the formation of the crown-like surface features, scientists propose in a new study.
"On Venus, there is a pattern that is telling us something," Madeleine Kerr, a doctoral candidate at the University of San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the study's lead author, said in a statement.
"We think what we found is the key to unlocking the mystery of the origin of these coronae."
Venus and Earth are considered "twin" planets because they have roughly the same size, bulk density and distance from the sun.
However, the planets' surfaces indicate that they diverged on their evolutionary paths, leading to two substantially different worlds. One such difference is these coronae, which are unique to Venus.
Scientists have mapped more than 700 coronae across Venus' surface, and they span a wide range of sizes and features. Yet their origin is still a puzzle, given that Venus is covered in a single, continuous crust — unlike Earth, which has shifting tectonic plates.
Some hypotheses link the formation of Venus' larger coronae — those bigger than 310 miles (500 kilometers) in diameter — to mantle plumes and tectonic processes such as subduction and the delamination of denser parts of the planet's crust, the research team wrote in the study, published Sept. 16 in the journal PNAS. The smaller coronae — those with a mean diameter of about 124 miles (200 km) — on the other hand, can be attributed to smaller hot upwellings in the mantle, like blobs of wax rising in a lava lamp.
However, these theories have been difficult to substantiate.
"The current state of knowledge of the planet Venus is analogous to the 1960's pre-plate tectonic era because we currently lack an equivalent unifying theory capable of linking how heat transfer from the planet's interior gets manifested into the tectonics and magmatic features observed on Venus' surface," David Stegman, a professor of geosciences at the University of San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography and one of the study's authors, explained in the statement.
Now, Stegman and his colleagues believe they may have found a crucial piece of the puzzle.
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Cold material that sinks from the surface and hot material that rises from deeper inside both encounter a barrier at a depth of about 370 miles (600 km) — what the team calls a "glass ceiling."
Most rising hot plumes aren't strong enough to break through this barrier, so they get deflected and spread sideways underneath it. Only the largest plumes can penetrate all the way to the surface, where they form huge volcanic rises.
The material trapped beneath this ceiling stays warm, but it doesn't melt — so it acts like a hidden reservoir of heat in the mantle.
"This layer of warm fluid trapped between 600 to 740 km [370 to 460 miles] depth provides a global source of smaller-scale thermal instabilities," the researchers wrote in the study.
"These plumes have a wide range of sizes since they do not necessarily obey classical boundary layer theory." Using computational models, the team showed how these small-scale plumes beneath Venus' crust could form naturally.
A cold "drip" of rock from the base of Venus' stagnant crust cools and becomes denser, and it eventually sinks into the hotter mantle below. This event then sets off a chain reaction that pushes up several pockets of hot rock.
In past studies, scientists had to start their geodynamic models with these hot blobs already in place below the lithosphere — the planet's rigid outer layer — to simulate how coronae and volcanoes form.
However, this research has taken it a step further by showing a plausible natural origin for those initial conditions.
As these secondary plumes rise, melt and eventually sink again — interacting with Venus' mantle along the way — they could provide the variety of crown-shaped coronae seen across the planet's surface, the researchers proposed.
The models suggest that this mechanism works when the mantle is 250 to 400 kelvins hotter than Earth's mantle, but it's still unclear how long such a state could last.
The scientists cautioned that more work is needed. Future studies should model plume dynamics in 3D, account for melting both inside and on the surface, include different mantle compositions, and track changes over Venus' entire history, they said.
These steps will help to reveal how Venus' interior heat and movements shape the planet's coronae, volcanoes and overall surface.
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Ukrainian strikes hit energy facilities in Russian region’s capital – governor
28 Sep, 2025 17:32
Belgorod Region in western Russia is facing serious water and energy supply shortages following what its governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has described as Ukrainian strikes targeting local infrastructure.
At least two civilians have been injured in a Ukrainian missile strike on Belgorod, according to Gladkov.
Blackouts have been reported in a number of Belgorod districts including downtown, according to local Telegram channels.
Cuts to the water supply have also been reported in the city and the nearby area. Plumes of smoke are visible in the regional capital, according to some reports.
The extent of the damage is still being assessed, according to the governor. He also said there was a continued threat of airstrikes across the region and urged people to avoid going out.
Blackouts have also been reported in the city of Stary Oskol, located more than 150 kilometers away from Belgorod, the Russian media have said.
Ukraine has intensified its strikes targeting civilian areas and infrastructure inside Russia over the past months.
Kiev’s forces often relied on drones in such attacks. Earlier this week, Gladkov also reported power and water supply disruptions in parts of the region following a major Ukrainian drone strike.
The attack overnight on Wednesday left seven civilians injured in Belgorod Region alone.
The Russian military reported intercepting a total of 89 drones over Moscow, as well as Belgorod, Kursk, Volgograd, and Rostov regions, and over the Crimean Peninsula and the Black Sea.
Moscow has repeatedly denounced the raids as “terrorism” and launched retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian military sites, including drone assembly facilities.
https://www.rt.com/russia/625504-belgorod-strike-hit-infrastructure/
Russian orchestra play on in blackout caused by Ukrainian attack
28 Sep, 2025 23:56
A local orchestra continued to perform during a Ukrainian missile strike in the city of Belgorod on Sunday, according to a video shared by the region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov.
On Sunday, Ukrainian forces fired missiles into the border region targeting civilian infrastructure, which caused power interruptions in several districts of Belgorod, including downtown. At least three civilians were injured in the attack, according to Gladkov.
In the video posted by Gladkov on his Telegram channel the same evening, the Belgorod State Philharmonic is seen playing in the darkness, with audience members holding up their phones to illuminate the sheet music.
“Music is eternal, as is the heroism of our musicians,” the governor wrote, adding that “music continued to play even after the lights went out in the Philharmonic hall.”
Ukraine has intensified its strikes on Russia in recent months, frequently targeting civilian areas and infrastructure.
Last week, another major drone attack was reported in Belgorod Region, which left seven civilians injured and caused electricity and water supply disruptions in parts of the region.
Moscow has repeatedly denounced such raids as acts of “terrorism” and warned of retaliatory strikes against Ukrainian military facilities.
https://www.rt.com/russia/625541-belgorod-orchestra-ukraine-blackout/
Six-year-old and his grandmother killed in Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow Region – governor
29 Sep, 2025 09:32
A grandmother and her six-year-old grandson were killed in a fire after a Ukrainian drone raid targeted a town near the Russian capital overnight, according to Moscow Region Governor Andrey Vorobyov.
In a statement on Monday, Vorobyov said air defenses shot down four drones over Voskresensk and nearby Kolomna, both some 80km southeast of the Russian capital.
“Unfortunately, a tragedy occurred in Voskresensk: during a fire in a private residence, two people – a 76-year-old woman and her six-year-old grandson – died,” he said, promising that the authorities would provide all the necessary assistance to the family of the deceased.
The governor also reported some minor damage to buildings in the community, adding that there were no other casualties. He added that emergency services were at the scene and that housing support would be provided for residents in need.
Videos published by the Telegram channels Baza and Shot showed a blaze consuming a single-family home as fire crews worked to extinguish the flames. The local media reported that the victims were trapped inside the burning building after the drone crashed.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces intercepted 84 Ukrainian drones across several regions between late Sunday and early Monday.
These included 24 over Bryansk Region, 21 over Belgorod Region, nine over Voronezh Region, nine over Smolensk Region, seven over Kaluga Region, four in Moscow Region, three in Oryol Region and one in Kursk Region.
Kiev has routinely launched drone raids deep into Russia in recent months, targeting critical infrastructure and residential areas, and leading to civilian casualties.
Officials have accused Ukraine of “terrorism,” and Moscow has responded with strikes on the country’s military facilities.
https://www.rt.com/russia/625566-two-dead-ukraine-drone-moscow-region/
https://t.me/bazabazon/41188
https://t.me/shot_shot/87219
Netanyahu signals amnesty for Hamas
29 Sep, 2025 10:13
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is open to granting Hamas amnesty if the Palestinian militant group frees the remaining hostages and leaves Gaza.
The pledge marks a shift from Netanyahu’s long-held stance that the war can only end with the complete dismantling of Hamas, including its leadership.
In a Fox News interview on Sunday, Netanyahu appeared to confirm leaked details of a peace plan by US President Donald Trump, suggesting the group could be offered immunity.
“If Hamas leaders, for example, are escorted out of the country, yeah, if they finish the war, release all the hostages, we’ll let them out,” he said.
“All of that, I think, is part of the plan. I’m not going to pre-empt it, because we’re having these discussions right now.”
According to Trump’s plan, reported by the Times of Israel, Hamas leaders would be granted safe passage out of Gaza if the 48 remaining hostages are freed within 48 hours of Israel’s public acceptance.
In exchange, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners serving life terms, over 1,000 Gazans detained since the war began, and the remains of several hundred Palestinians killed in the conflict.
The plan also states that Hamas members who commit to “peaceful coexistence” would receive amnesty, while those choosing to leave Gaza would be given safe passage to third countries.
Other provisions in the 21-point plan include the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid and a pledge by Israel not to launch further strikes on Qatar.
Netanyahu said he would discuss the clause with the Trump administration but declined to say whether Israel would commit to it.
Netanyahu’s statements came amid Israel’s continued bombardment of Gaza.
Its large-scale ground offensive in Gaza City has leveled neighborhoods and forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee to tent camps – an operation Netanyahu says is aimed at destroying Hamas.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israel and seized over 250 hostages.
Since then, Israel’s campaign has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, a toll that a UN committee has deemed genocide, fueling global outrage and prompting some countries to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
https://www.rt.com/news/625574-israel-hamas-amnesty/
Trump may have authorized Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia – aide
29 Sep, 2025 14:02
US President Donald Trump may have already approved Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia, special envoy Keith Kellogg said on Sunday in an interview with Fox News.
Kellogg, who is often described in the media as a pro-Kiev voice within Trump’s team, was asked about the president’s recent remark that Ukraine could recapture all the territory it has lost to Russia and “maybe even go further than that,” which the host interpreted as a sign of imminent long-range strikes.
Ukraine must secure Washington’s approval to hit targets deep inside Russia with US-supplied weapons. The first such permission was granted in November 2024 under President Joe Biden, shortly after Trump won that year’s election.
Kellogg said the final call on any such request rests with Trump as commander-in-chief, noting that “sometimes the Ukrainians get some of these, sometimes they don’t.”
Pressed on whether Trump supports Ukrainian strikes into Russia, Kellogg replied, “I think, reading what he has said and reading what Vice President [J.D.] Vance has said as well as [Secretary of State Marco] Rubio, the answer is, yes.”
He added, “There are no such things as sanctuaries.”
Vance recently told Fox News that Trump is “certainly looking” at a renewed Ukrainian request for US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles. Kellogg said such weapons would allow Ukraine to deepen its reach inside Russian territory.
The Kremlin has downplayed the potential impact of any Tomahawk deliveries.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no “wonder weapon” would change the battlefield dynamic, although he added that Ukrainian forces would likely be unable to operate Tomahawks without direct US involvement – something Moscow would consider a serious escalation.
https://www.rt.com/news/625587-kellogg-strikes-russia-authorization/
Kiev stalling peace talks – Kremlin
29 Sep, 2025 11:44
The Ukrainian authorities have shown no desire to continue dialogue with Russia despite prior agreements reached in Istanbul to set up working groups, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
“During the last meeting in Istanbul, the delegations put forward proposals to create working groups to discuss all modalities on key issues.
Now, a pause has occurred. The pause is due to the Kiev regime’s unwillingness to continue the dialogue,” Peskov said during press briefing.
Peskov was responding to a question from journalists about Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who said last week that he would like to speak with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky.
“Vladimir Alexandrovich [Zelensky] needs to calm down - there is a good proposal on the table,” Lukashenko said Friday, adding only that it had earlier been discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Direct talks between Moscow and Kiev resumed in Türkiye early this year.
Three rounds of negotiations, the last of which was conducted in July, have not yielded any major breakthroughs, but have allowed the two sides to make certain progress with regard to various humanitarian issues.
Russia and Ukraine have held several major prisoner swaps, as well as exchanged the bodies of fallen soldiers.
Moscow has repeatedly stated it is open to a peaceful resolution of the hostilities at any time but has maintained that any deal must address the roots of the conflict and respect the realities on the ground.
This includes the status of the former Ukrainian territories that joined Russia after public referendums.
Kiev, on the other hand, is seeking a complete and unconditional ceasefire, security guarantees and has territorial claims of its own that it insists must be addressed in any talks.
https://www.rt.com/russia/625579-peskov-russia-ukraine-talks-pause/
Russians strike civil infrastructure with drone in Sumy region, kill one person
29.09.2025 17:58
In the Shostka district of the Sumy region, Russians struck civilian infrastructure with a drone, killing a 60-year-old woman - an investigation has been launched.
This was reported by the Sumy Regional Prosecutor's Office on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.
“According to the investigation, on September 29, 2025, at around 3:00 p.m., the occupiers attacked civilian infrastructure with a drone in the Shalyhyne community of the Shostka district.
As a result of the enemy attack, a 60-year-old woman was injured and died in the hospital,” the post says.
A pre-trial investigation is being conducted into the commission of war crimes that resulted in the death of a person (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
As reported by Ukrinform, Russian troops carried out 92 strikes on 41 settlements in the Sumy region over the past day, resulting in casualties.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4041818-russians-strike-civil-infrastructure-with-drone-in-sumy-region-kill-one-person.html
In an extremely rare strike, Ukraine’s $500 FPV drone takes down Russia’s $10 million Mi‑8 helicopter
29/09/2025
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces shared dramatic footage on 29 September showing a $500 FPV drone striking and destroying a Russian Mi-8 helicopter worth $10 million.
The reports did not specify the location or frontline sector where the operation took place.
Amid the ongoing drone-dominated Russo-Ukrainian war, FPV drone downings of helicopters remain extremely rare.
The last reported cases were in August 2024 when FPV drones of the Ukrainian SBU security service downed two Russian helicopters in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
Ukrainian FPV drone destroys Russian Mi-8 helicopter
According to commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, the strike took place in the morning of 29 September.
Initially, he posted a video claiming an FPV drone from the 1st Battalion of the Khyzhaky Vysot (“High-Altitude Predators”) of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade had destroyed a Mi-28 helicopter.
Later, he corrected the identification to Mi-8.
The aerial footage from another drone suggests that several drones were in the air during the attack. Also, a Russian Ka-52 helicopter can be seen flying past the Mi-8.
Brovdi also shared a second extended video showing the drone’s first-person view of the strike, the crash, and the burning wreckage on the ground.
In that footage, a Russian soldier can be seen in the helicopter’s open door moments before impact.
Militarnyi notes that FPV pilots operating in first-person mode at very low altitude can maneuver precisely to hit vulnerable parts of a helicopter, and that such incidents are extremely uncommon.
Russian military Telegram channels also confirmed the loss, claiming that the Russian pilots were allegedly evacuated after the crash. It is unclear if the crew and other soldiers in the Mi-8 could have survived the crash.
Ukrainian unit highlights the cost disparity
The High-Altitude Predators unit called the Mi-8 a new “fat target” in their collection.
They wrote that their Baltika crew destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter worth more than $10 million with a small FPV drone costing only $500.
They credited the result to coordinated work between reconnaissance, command, and pilots, as well as support from those backing the unit.
https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/09/29/in-an-extremely-rare-strike-ukraines-500-fpv-drone-takes-down-russias-10-million-mi%E2%80%918-helicopter-video/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGw_ID_-KG8
https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1972581786145501613
Denmark Scrambles Fighter Jets Over Baltic Sea Amid Suspected Drone Activity
Updated Sep 29, 2025 12:53
On the early hours of September 29 the Danish Air Force deployed fighter jets over the Baltic Sea amid reports of possible drone activity, Danish broadcaster TV2 reported.
According to police, the jets were scrambled after numerous local residents reported unusual aerial objects.
Thomas Elsgård, a duty officer with the Bornholm police department, confirmed that the aircraft flew over the island in one direction before circling back.
While Denmark’s armed forces have not issued an official statement on the incident, the military continues to monitor the country’s airspace and collect data on potential drone activity to safeguard national security and maritime infrastructure.
Two F-16 fighters remain on permanent standby in Denmark, ready to take off within minutes should a threat emerge.
The wave of drone incidents has also impacted civilian infrastructure. Aalborg Airport in Denmark, which serves both commercial and military flights, was forced to shut down for several hours on the morning of September 25 after drones entered its airspace.
North Jutland Police confirmed that “more than one drone” was observed flying near the airport with lights on.
The drones remained in the area for around three hours, causing significant disruption. Law enforcement noted that the incident resembled earlier drone activity that temporarily shut down Copenhagen Airport just days before.
Earlier, authorities in Denmark and Norway reported serious drone incidents in Copenhagen and Oslo, with Denmark’s largest airport, Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup), forced to suspend all flights after several drones were detected nearby.
https://united24media.com/latest-news/denmark-scrambles-fighter-jets-over-baltic-sea-amid-suspected-drone-activity-12031
Zelensky calls for closing Baltic Sea for Russia over drone incursions
September 29, 2025 2:08 pm
Russia is using its oil tankers to launch drones into NATO airspace and should be denied access to the Baltic Sea as a result, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during the Warsaw Security Forum on Sept. 29.
The statement comes amid escalating tensions between Russia and NATO, including increased Russian interference in the airspace of alliance member states.
"There is growing evidence that Russia may have used tankers in the Baltic Sea to launch drones — the drones that caused major disruption in Northern Europe," Zelensky said.
If a Russian tanker is used to launch drones, it has no place in the Baltic Sea, Zelensky said.
"This is de facto Russia’s military activity against European countries, so Europe has the right to close straits and sea routes to protect itself," Zelensky added.
In early September, Russian drones were shot down over Poland. The same week, drones also entered Romanian airspace, though Bucharest opted not to intercept them.
Just days later, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets breached Estonian airspace, remaining for 12 minutes before being intercepted by NATO aircraft.
"All of these are risks. It is definitely a violation of airspace, of borders, and of international law," Zelensky said.
"This must face a reaction, not from the standpoint of which country is under attack, but from the standpoint that Europe is under theoretical aggressive Russian actions."
The president stressed that the response to Russia's actions from allies must be united, including Europe and the U.S.
"We must look not only at the European countries, we must look at the countries that were in the USSR as well, the countries where Russia is losing its clout," Zelensky added.
In this context, Zelensky also pointed to Moldova, where on Sept. 28, President Maia Sandu’s pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) won parliamentary elections despite concerns that pro-Russian forces could gain ground.
"Maia Sandu did a very good job, because there have been many risks, and probably some risks stay there, remain there, but it’s good that the population demonstrated where they want to go and which future they foresee for them," Zelensky said.
"I think that there are also risks in the direction of Kazakhstan and many others," he added.
https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-calls-for-closing-baltic-sea-to-russia-over-drone-launches/
Drone wreckage found in Romania close to Ukrainian border
Mon, September 29, 2025 - 16:40
New fragments of an unknown drone were found in Romania near the border with Ukraine, said Romanian Defense Minister Ionuț Moșteanu, The Guardian reports.
Moșteanu noted that the drone fragments were discovered in Tulcea County, which borders Ukraine.
Experts from Romania’s Ministry of Defense have collected parts of the drone for further investigation.
Drone over Romania
On September 13, a Russian strike drone entered Romanian airspace.
The Romanian Air Force scrambled F-16 fighters and intercepted the drone.
That incident occurred during an attempted Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure along the Danube.
On September 25, Romanian authorities said they had developed rules for responding to airspace violations.
Those rules provide for three stages — identification, jamming, and intervention. The use of weapons to destroy aerial targets is considered an "extreme measure".
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/drone-wreckage-found-in-romania-close-to-1759152220.html
Orbán sparks outrage claiming Ukraine not sovereign amid drone incident
Mon, September 29, 2025 - 18:30
Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán believes that Ukraine is not a sovereign independent state. Therefore, he sees no problem with violating its airspace, the Hungarian prime minister said, according to hvg.
Orbán, commenting on the incursion of Hungarian drones into Ukrainian airspace, stated that "no one is planning to attack Ukrainian territory from the west."
The Hungarian prime minister believes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should be more concerned about the eastern direction.
"Well, two, three, or four Hungarian drones flew over or didn't — it's not a problem. Suppose they crossed a few meters over there, so what? Ukraine is not an independent sovereign state; we are sustaining it.
It should not behave as if it were sovereign. If the West decides tomorrow not to give a single forint, Ukraine will shut down. This is not what we should be dealing with," he said cynically.
The prime minister also added that it was supposedly "unclear" what Hungarian drones could be observing for the Russians in the Zakarpattia region, "if the front is not there."
Orbán reiterated that Ukraine "has lost a fifth of its territory" and its sovereignty is "over."
At the same time, the prime minister insisted that he and Zelenskyy are "not enemies of each other."
Hungarian drone over Ukraine
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Hungarian drones had violated Ukrainian airspace.
According to him, they may have been observing Ukraine's defense industry.
Hungarian officials denied launching drones over Ukraine and accused Zelenskyy of lying.
Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine provided evidence that a drone from Hungary had indeed violated Ukrainian airspace.
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukraine-expects-deliveries-of-swedish-gripen-1759159638.html
Flight diverted to Lanzarote due to drone at Fuerteventura Airport
September 29, 2025
Three flights were diverted over the weekend as a rogue drone forced the temporary closure of Fuerteventura Airport, causing a cascade of flight diversions across the Canary Islands, with one Ryanair service making an unscheduled landing here in Lanzarote.
The incident unfolded on Sunday morning when air traffic controllers detected an unauthorised drone operating in the controlled airspace around the Majorero airport.
As a standard safety precaution, all arrivals and departures were immediately halted, and the Guardia Civil were notified.
A total of three flights were ultimately diverted from their intended destination.
One of the affected flights was a Ryanair service originating from Santiago de Compostela. After being left in a holding pattern over Fuerteventura, the pilots requested to divert to Lanzarote Airport.
The control tower facilitated a direct approach to runway 03, bringing the passengers safely to ground, albeit on the wrong island.
Meanwhile, a Binter flight from Gran Canaria and a Vueling service from Seville, both left circling in the skies south of Fuerteventura, were finally rerouted to Gran Canaria airport after prolonged waits.
Fines for Drone Offenders
For recreational users, penalties can range from a minimum of €60 to a massive €225,000. Furthermore, offenders would be liable for compensating all material damages caused to airlines and passengers, on top of the fine itself.
The consequences are even more extreme for the professional use of a drone in a restricted zone, with fines ranging from €4,500 to an astronomical €4.5 million.
The search for the drone operator responsible for Sunday’s travel disruption is now underway.
https://gazettelife.com/news/flight-diverted-to-lanzarote-due-to-drone-at-fuerteventura-airport/
Ethiopia conducts drone strikes in rebel-held Amhara locations
29 September 2025 | 10:41
The Ethiopian Defense Force over the weekend carried out drone strikes in two locations near Woldia city, Amahara region, killing and wounding unspecified number of civilians.
The strikes came after the federal forces lost battles against the rebel forces also known as Fano at “Jarsa Ber” – near Woldia city and the other one is in Sanka, just about 10 kilometers west of the city.
Residents told APA on condition of anonymity that Jarsa Ber has seen three rounds of drone strikes. Residents also reported that there was continued gunfire.
From this one, at least two civilians are killed. There were also casualties on the side of Fano although the residents had an unspecified number of casualties.
Statement Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF) said physicians are among the victims of the drone attack at the health center in Sanka.
Residents from Woldia told APA that the attack and the vibe are intimidating. The drone has also been undertaking surveillance,” residents told APA on condition of anonymity.
The drone attacks came days after Ethiopian Defense Forces suffered heavy loss following a fighting with Fano near Beklo Manekia and adjacent areas.
Fano forces claimed victory killing over 470 deaths. More than 500 government others were captured. A video footage purportedly showing the captives was circulating on social media over the past few days.
52,600 machine gun ammunition, 6 mortars, 6 dshk, 438 AK 47 rifles, 14 machine guns, 9 snipers, 37 mortar shells, 148 F1 hand grenade, 9 military radio devices, a Sino-truck and a military camion are seized, witnesses have confirmed.
https://apanews.net/ethiopian-defense-force-carries-out-drone-strikes-in-two-locations-of-amhara-region/
France, Sweden send anti-drone units to Denmark to secure EU summit
Sep 29, 2025, 08:14 AM
France sent a military anti-drone unit to Denmark, and Sweden is planning to do the same, as the allies seek to help secure an informal European Union summit in Copenhagen this week against aerial threats, following recent flights of unidentified drones in Danish airspace.
The French military has deployed a team of 35 personnel with a Fennec light helicopter and “active anti-drone capabilities,” the country’s Armed Forces Ministry said in a statement Monday.
Meanwhile, Sweden will send a military unit with anti-drone capabilities following a Danish request, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a briefing in Stockholm.
“The main purpose is to protect the Copenhagen area from unwelcome drone visits, drone attacks for a period of time,” Kristersson said, speaking in Swedish.
Denmark in recent days observed unexplained drone activity at several of its airports as well as military locations.
So far it’s unclear who is behind the drone activity, though NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said last week Russian involvement can’t be ruled out.
The French detachment was sent to Denmark following a decision by President Emmanuel Macron, according to the French Armed Forces Ministry.
The detachment is already operational and will act in full cooperation with Danish authorities, it said.
“This detachment complements the Danish and European resources deployed for this occasion, and illustrates European solidarity in defense against this serious threat,” the ministry said.
Germany also sent anti-drone equipment to Denmark to enhance security during the EU summit, the Danish Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the German air-defense frigate Hamburg made a port call in Copenhagen and will support enhanced vigilance as part of operation Baltic Sentry, according to NATO Maritime Command.
Sweden is also sending radar capabilities to be able to detect threats over a wider area, according to Kristersson. He said the Swedish armed forces worked over the weekend to ensure the necessary equipment is now on its way to Copenhagen.
With 44 European prime ministers due to arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark took the risk of the summit being affected or cancelled “very seriously,” according to Kristersson.
Denmark currently lacks any ground-based missile defense after decommissioning its Hawk missile units 20 years ago.
The country has been scrambling in past months to secure air defense systems from three different suppliers to build an initial capacity as soon as possible.
Recent violations of European airspace and other incidents show the link between Russia’s war against Ukraine and broader European security, “and for this reason we must continue to counter Russia,” Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said in the briefing with Kristersson.
Russia’s actions right now point to increased risk-taking, according to the Swedish PM. He said the country does not have intelligence or evidence that links the Danish drone flights to Russia, “but we are not naive.”
Andrius Kubilius, the EU commissioner for defense and space on Friday said European plans for a “drone wall” to protect the bloc’s Eastern border against incursions by unmanned aerial vehicles had moved from discussions to concrete actions.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/09/29/france-sweden-send-anti-drone-units-to-denmark-to-secure-eu-summit/
From camouflage to close combat: What Hamas raid on IDF outpost in Gaza reveals
September 29, 2025 06:27
More than a month after Hamas terrorists stormed an IDF position in Khan Younis, the group has released a seven-minute video documenting the attack.
The footage, filmed in daylight and edited for propaganda purposes, sheds light on Hamas’ methods and the threats still facing Israeli troops nearly two years into the war.
The video appears aimed at two audiences: Israel, as proof that Hamas remains active and capable of launching raids inside Gaza, and supporters of the terror group in the Strip, as encouragement to continue attacks on IDF positions.
The raid struck a defensive position held by the Kfir Brigade along the Magen Oz axis.
These types of positions — where smaller groups of soldiers remain behind while larger forces advance — have become prime targets for Hamas, which seeks either an operational achievement such as a mass-casualty attack or the abduction of a soldier that could be portrayed as a symbolic victory.
Once Israeli forces establish control from such positions, Hamas begins collecting intelligence on them. The video, taken from last month’s attack, illustrates how immediate and serious the threat remains.
Lessons from the incident have already been shared across Gaza, including lapses in security procedures, low levels of alertness and errors in setting up ambushes.
The video shows the terrorists divided into three squads: one providing suppressive fire with machine guns, another with anti-tank weapons aimed at expected reinforcements, and two assault teams moving toward buildings believed to contain Israeli soldiers.
One building had been deliberately vacated, but the other still housed troops. About 15 soldiers were resting inside after a night mission, with one standing guard at the entrance.
The terrorists managed to reach the entrance of the occupied building and engaged the troops at close range. One soldier was seriously wounded and two others lightly hurt.
A commander upstairs, who had noticed suspicious activity in the area, issued a last-minute warning that gave the soldiers a chance to fight back.
The confrontation unfolded in seconds, with troops forced to fight immediately upon waking. Such a scenario, inside what is supposed to be a fortified position, is considered a serious security breach.
The IDF said the soldiers were fortunate. Grenades thrown into their room failed to detonate, forcing the terrorists to retreat.
Most of the attackers were later killed in Israeli airstrikes and by a reinforcing tank, though some escaped through tunnels near the displaced persons camp in Mawasi.
The footage highlights Hamas’ reliance on camouflage blankets to evade surveillance, drones for propaganda and reconnaissance, binoculars to track troop movements, and cranes fitted with Israeli observation gear.
It also confirms that Hamas still operates a large tunnel network in Khan Younis, despite previous Israeli operations in the area.
The terrorists were armed with “Shawaz” explosives, RPGs, Kalashnikov rifles and stolen IDF weapons, including M4 and Micro-Tavor rifles.
In one striking moment, two attackers stormed directly into the entrance of the building — an area that should have been secured — and even climbed the first staircase.
Meanwhile, a Hamas mortar squad fired from a distance to try to isolate the position.
Although the terrorists failed to kill or abduct soldiers, they have continued launching raids almost daily across the Gaza Strip.
In the south, they target defensive positions along supply routes such as Magen Oz and Morag, while in the north they focus on positions connected to renewed IDF maneuvers in Gaza City.
About two weeks after the Kfir Brigade incident, another Hamas unit attempted to raid a nearby post but discovered it had already been abandoned.
A day later, terrorists tried again at a different position but were detected in advance by Israeli intelligence. Troops responded, killing several attackers and forcing the rest to flee.
The IDF has since begun replacing some temporary defensive positions with more fortified outposts along the logistical routes in Khan Younis. The new structures are intended to provide greater safety and operational effectiveness.
Still, missions in the area remain largely defensive, prompting the army to increase intelligence and airpower support for troops on the ground, even as attention shifts to ongoing operations in Gaza City.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hk8q811003ll
IDF says Air Force, Navy and ground forces all in action as troops push deeper into Gaza City
September 29, 2025 10:45 am
The Israeli Air Force struck some 140 targets in the Gaza Strip in the past day, including buildings used by terror groups, operatives, and other infrastructure, the military says.
The Israeli Navy also operated in Gaza, shelling a weapons depot and other buildings Hamas operatives were using, in the Strip’s north, the IDF says.
The strikes come as ground troops from three IDF divisions continue to push into Gaza City.
The IDF says the 36th Division destroyed several buildings used by Hamas to observe forces, and directed a drone strike that killed a cell of gunmen planting bombs; troops of the 98th Division killed a Hamas operative who had launched mortars at the forces; and soldiers of the 162nd Division killed several operatives and neutralized booby traps.
Elsewhere, in northern Gaza, the 99th Division hit several more buildings used by Hamas for surveillance; and in the Strip’s south, soldiers of the Gaza Division killed several operatives near the forces in the southern Khan Younis area, the IDF adds.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-air-force-navy-and-ground-forces-all-in-action-as-troops-push-deeper-into-gaza-city/
WATCH: UFO Caught On Video “Teleporting” in Montana Sky
September 29, 2025
Aliens, UFOs, UAPs… whatever you want call them or what you believe, something is lurking out there and there continues to be new evidence around the glove almost every day.
Now, we received a video from a man in Laurel, Montana that leaves more questions than answers.
What's Happening In Laurel, Montana?
In a video that has been shared with us by a man named Shaun M., we see what appears to be an unidentified flying object zooming across the sky and rapidly changing directions.
According to Shaun's post, the date of the incident was on Monday, September 22nd and the video has gone viral with nearly 50,000 views at the time of writing this.
It's a surreal sight and something you have to see to believe, especially at the :20 second mark when things get REALLY WEIRD.
Now, even if you're a skeptic you have to admit: something is controlling this unidentified craft.
And look, we understand there could be a simple explanation for what we're seeing ranging from AI to drones… but we know it's not AI and can a drone do all of that? Also, the huge question:
How in the world did this UFO teleport from one place to another right before our very own eyes?!
I don't know about you, but I've never seen anything like it.
Social Media Has Theories For Montana UFO Sighting
Theories and explanations for the unidentified object left the internet coming up with a multitude of theories. One person joked that this was part of the "rapture" that was supposed to take place this week.
"It's the people that actually got saved during the rapture doing a fly by," the comment read.
"My husband seen the same thing above the airport in Billings 4 days ago," another person commented.
Another person shared an eerily similar story but with a little bit more detail:
Saw the same thing last night sitting out in my hot tub, and I couldn’t believe my eyes; it had like a light/hologram type thing shining down from it but was hard to catch on video.
There was another one close to it doing the same thing that disappeared shortly before I started recording.
What do YOU think it is? Let us know your thoughts HERE and as always, if you have your own unexplained footage, send it to us and we'll share it so we can all figure it out together.
Keep an eye on the skies!
https://kbulnewstalk.com/ixp/1106/p/ufo-sighting-montana-2025/
https://www.facebook.com/ShaunMctastic/videos/833696099188865/