Ukrainian media on September 26 began with reports of drone attacks on the Afipsky oil refinery in Russia (Glavcom, Liga.net). Donald Trump's shifting stance continued to be a focus, with his criticism of Putin for Russia's slow occupation of Ukraine (Pravda, Ukrinform UA) and his disappointment with landlocked allies resisting halting Russian energy imports (Kyiv Post).
Later, attention turned to intensified Russian drone attacks on Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk, disrupting rail services (Kyiv Post), and reports of 200 combat clashes, particularly around Pokrovsk (Ukrinform, Ukrinform UA). A new military branch in the Air Force was announced, and President Zelenskyy expressed belief in Trump's desire for Ukraine's victory (UNIAN). The day concluded with Zelenskyy reporting that Hungarian reconnaissance drones had entered Ukrainian airspace (Pravda, Ukrinform UA), while a Russian strike hit a Kharkiv shopping center (Glavcom). Trump later suggested he might lift the ban on using American weapons for strikes deep inside Russia (WSJ).