“The number has clearly increased,” Matti Pitkaniitty, head of international affairs at the Finnish Border Guard, told Reuters. He added that the situation was under control and border guards were ready at nine checkpoints. One-way flight prices from Russia rose after Putin announced a partial mobilization of the country’s military and images on social media appeared to show long queues at border crossings. — Sam Meredith
“Our heroes are free”: Ukraine rejoices at the release of prisoners
Top Ukrainian officials are hailing the release of several hundred Ukrainian fighters as part of a prisoner swap with Russia on Wednesday. “President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set a clear task: to return our heroes. The result: our heroes are free,” the head of President Zelenskyy’s office Andrii Yermak said on Telegram last night. More than 200 Ukrainian prisoners were exchanged for 55 Russian soldiers and a pro-Kremlin Ukrainian politician, as well as 10 foreign prisoners of war fighting in Ukraine. Yermak said that among the freed Ukrainian prisoners were “soldiers, border guards, policemen, sailors, national guardsmen, territorial defense fighters, customs officers, civilians.” “Among them are officers, commanders, heroes of Ukraine, defenders of “Azovstal” [a steelworks complex in Mariupol defended by Ukrainian fighters during a long seige] and pregnant military women,” he added. Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war on September 21, 2022. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images “This is a huge success and I am grateful to everyone who participated in this operation – everyone who did this titanic work. I sincerely congratulate our heroes for returning to their homeland. We will provide them with all the necessary help – medical, social and any other,” he said. He added that the 10 foreign fighters were in the city of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, which helped free them, before traveling back home to their respective countries of origin. — Holly Elliott
Over 1,300 were arrested in nationwide anti-war protests
More than 1,300 people have been arrested in Russia following nationwide protests over President Vladimir Putin’s decision to mobilize more troops for the war in Ukraine. Some 1,307 people were detained in 39 cities across the country, according to the independent human rights organization OVD-Info. The largest number were arrested in the capital Moscow (at least 527) and St. Petersburg (at least 480). — Sam Meredith
Foreign fighters were released after a major prisoner exchange
Ten prisoners of war from five countries, including the US and UK, were freed after being held in Russian-held areas of Ukraine on Wednesday as part of a wider prisoner exchange. The prisoner exchange came after Saudi Arabia brokered a deal between Russia and Ukraine, the Saudi government said in a statement. The deal led to an exchange of 10 prisoners of war – Moroccan, US, UK and Swedish and Croatian nationals – as part of a larger prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kiev. Some of the captives had been “tried” in tribunals set up by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine and told they faced the death penalty for fighting in Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine exchanged about 200 prisoners of war on September 21, 2022. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images As part of a wider prisoner exchange also brokered by Turkey, Russia exchanged 215 Ukrainian soldiers, including those trapped in the Azovstal steel complex in Mariupol in a long siege in the early stages of the conflict, for 55 Russian soldiers and a Ukrainian politician and oligarch pro-Kremlin, Viktor Medvechuk. Ukrainian President Zelensky’s Telegram channel hailed the exchange on Thursday, saying “a total of 215 heroes” were finally returning home after being captured by Russian-backed forces in Ukraine. There have been reports of torture and ill-treatment during captivity, although Russia denies these. Russia and Ukraine exchanged about 200 prisoners of war on September 21, 2022. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images “The exchange has just been completed. We are bringing our people home. This is definitely a victory for our state, for our entire society. And most importantly – for 215 families who will be able to see their loved ones safely. “We remember all our people and try to save every Ukrainian. This is the meaning of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy. We value every life! And we will definitely do everything to save everyone who is in Russian captivity,” he said. — Holly Elliott
Zelensky calls Russia a state sponsor of terrorism
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine on September 16, 2022. Valentyn Ogirenko Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on world leaders to hold Russia accountable for its months-long attack on his nation. “Russia must pay for this war,” Zelensky said, calling for the creation of a special UN court to “punish Russia.” “We must finally recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism,” Zelensky told the 77th UN General Assembly in New York. Zelensky’s dramatic remarks to world leaders came after Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops for war. Zelensky, who has not left his war-weary nation since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February, made a formal appearance after being introduced by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at the 77th UN General Assembly. — Amanda Macias
Partial mobilization ‘great tragedy’ for Russian people, says Ukrainian official
A senior Ukrainian official described Russia’s announcement of a partial mobilization of its army as a “great tragedy” for the Russian people. The move, announced by President Putin on Wednesday morning, will see around 300,000 military reservists called up and sent to Ukraine. Serhiy Nykyforov, a spokesman for the Office of the President of Ukraine, told NBC’s Erin McLaughlin that “300,000 people who were conscripts just yesterday will be sent to the places where they are repeat offenders, mercenaries and despise Kadyrov. [Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic] fighters failed. It is clear what will happen to those children there, who, as we saw in the first days of the invasion, the army cannot train and provide properly,” he said. “This is a recognition of the incompetence of the Russian professional army, which has failed in all its tasks. As we can see, the Russian authorities intend to compensate for this with violence and repression against their own people. The sooner it stops, the fewer Russian sons they will go to die at the front,” he added. — Holly Elliott
NATO Secretary General Says Allies Will ‘Continue to Step Up Support’ for Ukraine as Putin Mobilizes More Troops for War
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. “The Ukrainian people and forces inspire us all with their courage and determination,” the NATO chief tweeted. “As President Putin escalates Russia’s war, it is even more important that NATO allies continue to step up support,” he added, referring to the Kremlin’s recent announcement to mobilize additional troops for the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to deliver a dramatic speech at the UN later on Wednesday. — Amanda Macias
Biden calls on UN member states to stand by Ukraine and oppose Russian aggression
US President Joe Biden addresses the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, September 21, 2022. Brendan McDermid | Reuters President Joe Biden called on UN member states to stand by Ukraine and oppose Russian aggression, warning that the Kremlin’s invasion of its smallest neighbor threatened the independence and sovereignty of nations around the world. “This war is about eliminating Ukraine’s right to exist as a state plain and simple, and Ukraine’s right to exist as a people,” Biden told the UN General Assembly. “Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe — this should make your blood run cold.” Biden condemned the Russian invasion as a clear violation of the UN Charter. The US president said the nations of the world have an obligation to put aside their political differences and defend the world body’s founding principles by standing in solidarity with Ukraine. “If nations can pursue their imperial ambitions without consequence, then we jeopardize everything this very institution stands for,” Biden said. The president called on the UN to be “clear, firm and unwavering in our resolve”. “Ukraine has the same rights that belong to any sovereign nation. We will stand in solidarity with Ukraine, we will stand in solidarity against Russia’s aggression – period,” Biden said. — Spencer Kimball Wed Sep 21 2025 5:18 AM EDT
In the partial mobilization of Russia, 300,000 reservists will be called up
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attend a wreath-laying ceremony marking the anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany in 1941 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier next to the Kremlin wall in Moscow, Russia June 22, 2022. Michael Metzel | Sputnik | Reuters Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization order will call up 300,000 additional personnel to serve in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, Reuters reported. In an interview on Russian state television, Shoigu said that students and…
