Ukraine war briefing: Drone kills Russian commander just decorated after fake victory claim

Key Points:

• Ukrainian drone forces killed Russian Maj Gen Anton Grunis, a newly awarded Hero of Russia, during fighting in eastern Ukraine, marking the seventh Russian commander eliminated by Ukrainian drones.
• The battle for the strategic city of Kostiantynivka remains contested, with Russian claims of capture disputed by analysts who say Moscow’s forces have only partially infiltrated the area.
• Russian attacks caused casualties and damage in multiple Ukrainian regions, including airstrikes in Kyiv and Odesa, drone strikes on a passenger bus and train in the south, and shelling in Kherson and Sumy.
• A Russian Gerbera-2 drone armed with explosives was recovered from the Baltic Sea near Poland; Polish authorities are investigating the incident for potential legal action against Russia.
• Russia extended its ban on diesel exports until the end of October due to domestic fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, which have forced several major Russian refineries to reduce or halt production.
• Britain’s Ministry of Defence announced the death of Maj Paul Wilks, a 40-year-old intelligence officer, who died in a non-combat road accident in Ukraine.