Russia Escalates Drone Attacks on Ukraine as Zelenskyy Visits Canada

In September 2026, Russia intensified its drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, causing civilian deaths and damaging military targets. At least three people were killed in one attack as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Canada. Russia has begun deploying new jet-powered drones that are outpacing Ukraine's air defenses, and a drone destroyed a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet at Vasilkov Air Base. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) continues to assess the Russian offensive campaign. In a separate morale-boosting effort, Russia sent the bones of a medieval warrior prince to the front lines.