Ukraine-Russia War: 2026-09-17

The US Department of Justice charged five men allegedly linked to Russian intelligence with conspiring to finance terrorism and target people aligned with Ukraine in the United States and Europe. Three defendants are described as high-ranking members of a Russian intelligence network, including a father and son tied to Russian services. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would not comment without credible evidence. All five remain at large.

Military Summary reported Russia fired about 18 missiles overnight, including roughly nine Iskander-M/S-400 and five KN-23 ballistic missiles plus four Kalibr cruise missiles. Main reported targets were Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa. NASA FIRMS data later showed a large fire at the Iskra radar plant in Zaporizhzhia and another fire at a food factory in Tarasivka, Kyiv Oblast.

The US House of Representatives voted 262-159 to pass a bipartisan sanctions package targeting Russian officials, banks and the shadow tanker fleet, after the Senate had already approved it. The bill, associated with the late Senator Lindsey Graham, would also let the president impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries importing Russian energy. It is the first Ukraine-related legislation Congress has passed in more than two years.