'We'll throttle your war machine': US lawmakers finally pass major Russia sanctions bill

Day 1,663.

Today, we hear reaction to the US Congress approving a bipartisan bill which could see significant sanctions against Russia enshrined into US law, with the potential of 100% tariffs against countries purchasing energy from Moscow. Then we bring you reports of airspace being closed over Poland, and the latest developments of the Ukrainian counteroffensive around Lyman. Later, Francis speaks to one of the UN team documenting Russian forces’ appalling sexual violence against Ukrainians, and leading the push for accountability for these war crimes.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Commissioner Vrinda Grover of the UN’s Ukraine Commission of Inquiry.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

The Graham sanctions act is a chance to punish Putin. Here’s what the White House should do next. (Daniel Fried for the Atlantic Council)

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/the-graham-sanctions-act-is-a-chance-to-punish-putin-heres-what-the-white-house-should-do-next/

Russians Prepare to Vote in Parliamentary Elections With Little Hope for Change (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000011153874/russia-parliamentary-elections.html

Summary factsheet of UN Ukraine Inquiry’s main findings on sexual violence:

https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/coiukraine/iicoiu-sgbv-may2026-en.pdf

Call for submissions by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine:

https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/iicihr-ukraine/call-for-submission

Papers featuring testimony of sexual violence in war:

August ‘23 – https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/A_HRC_52_CRP.4_En%20%28003%29.pdf

March ‘24 – https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/55/66

October ‘24 – https://docs.un.org/en/A/79/549

March ‘25 – https://docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/58/67

Germany to send fighter jets to Latvia during election amid drone threat (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-to-send-fighter-jets-to-latvia-during-election-amid-drone-threat/

Russia stages early voting in occupied Ukraine ahead of national election (Euronews)

https://www.euronews.com/video/2026/09/15/russia-stages-early-voting-in-occupied-ukraine-ahead-of-national-election

Putin weaponizing migration to destabilize Europe, Kyiv says (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/putin-weaponizing-migration-to-destabilize-europe-kyiv-says/

Global hunger is a threat to Britain’s national security, report says (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/global-hunger-is-a-threat-to-britains-national-security/

Russia plans new prison complex in occupied Kherson Oblast among wider prison expansion (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-plans-new-prison-complex-in-occupied-kherson-oblast-among-wider-prison-expansion/

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HIGHLIGHTS:

• 'We'll throttle your war machine': US lawmakers pass major Russia sanctions bill
• Ukraine targets Russian oil refinery and aircraft, igniting huge blaze

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