Ukraine downs Russian warplane/ Zelenskyy victory plan/ Russia captures Zhelanne Druhe/ Ukraine war Donetsk/ Ukraine drone strike Horlivka/ Newslooks/ KYIV/ Ukraine/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian warplane near Kostiantynivka in Donetsk on Saturday, while Russia claimed to have made gains in the eastern village of Zhelanne Druhe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to present a “victory plan” at an upcoming Ramstein group meeting, aiming for a decisive end to the conflict. Meanwhile, Russian shelling in Zaporizhzhia killed two people, and a Ukrainian drone strike injured nine in Russian-occupied Horlivka.
Ukraine Downs Russian Warplane as Russia Claims Gains in the East Quick Looks
- Warplane shot down: Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian fighter jet near Kostiantynivka, Donetsk.
- Russian gains: Russia claims it captured Zhelanne Druhe, following Ukraine’s withdrawal from Vuhledar.
- Zelenskyy’s plan: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will present a “victory plan” at the next Ramstein group meeting.
- Ongoing strikes: Russian shelling killed two in Zaporizhzhia, while a Ukrainian drone strike injured nine in Horlivka.
Ukraine Downs Russian Warplane As Moscow Claims Gains in Donetsk
Deep Look
On Saturday, Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian warplane near Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk province, a key region where heavy fighting has been ongoing. Serhiy Horbunov, head of Kostiantynivka’s military administration, confirmed the incident, showing images of the plane’s charred remains. The aircraft landed on a residential home, setting it on fire.
Russian Gains in Donetsk
In another development, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed control over the village of Zhelanne Druhe in the Donetsk region. If confirmed, the capture comes shortly after Ukrainian forces pulled out of the nearby town of Vuhledar after a two-year defense. Although the loss of Vuhledar may not dramatically alter the war’s trajectory, it reflects Kyiv’s increasingly precarious position. Part of the issue lies in Washington’s restrictions on Kyiv’s ability to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, limiting Ukraine’s capacity to weaken Moscow’s forces.
Zelenskyy’s Victory Plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to present a comprehensive “victory plan” at the next Ramstein group meeting on October 12. Zelenskyy has already shared aspects of the plan with U.S. President Joe Biden during his recent visit to Washington. While the full details of the plan remain confidential, it is known to include Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO and the need for long-range missiles to target Russia.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy emphasized that “clear, concrete steps” are needed to achieve a just resolution to the war and prevent further Russian aggression. The upcoming Ramstein meeting will be the first held at the leaders’ level, further underscoring the international focus on ending the conflict.
Ongoing Strikes and Civilian Casualties
Meanwhile, the war continues to exact a toll on civilians. In Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region, two people were killed in Russian shelling, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. Ukraine’s air force also reported that it intercepted three guided missiles and shot down several Russian drones, including three over the Odesa region.
In a separate incident, nine people were injured when a Ukrainian drone struck a passenger bus in the Russian-occupied city of Horlivka, located in Donetsk. The city’s Russian-installed mayor, Ivan Prikhodko, confirmed the strike.
Russia’s Defense Ministry also reported that it had shot down 10 Ukrainian drones overnight across three Russian regions—Belgorod, Kursk, and Voronezh—further illustrating the intensifying drone warfare on both sides.
As the conflict drags on, both Ukraine and Russia continue to claim tactical victories, while the human and economic costs of the war mount across the region.
