On 1 September, a team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant for a several-day inspection. Meanwhile, fighting continued in Enerhodar, a nearby town. 

On 3 September, Russian offensive operations continued in the Donetsk region towards Sloviansk and Bakhmut. According to the ISW, President Vladimir Putin ordered the capture of Donetsk oblast by 15 September 2022. 

On 5 September, the European Union reiterated its support for Ukraine and its European aspirations. At the 8th meeting of the EU–Ukraine Association Council, the European Union reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression. The participants also discussed bilateral relations, particularly implementation of the Association Agreement and cooperation between the EU and Ukraine.

The Russians disconnected the Kakhov hydroelectric power plant, leaving some parts of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions without electricity.

On 9 September, the European Council decided to fully suspend its visa facilitation agreement with Russia. Consequently, Russian citizens will be subject to the general visa rules, meaning among others: that the visa application fee will increase from €35 to €80, additional supporting documents must be presented, application processing period will be longer and more restrictive rules for the issuance of multiple-entry visas will apply. 

The Ukrainian army reported breaking through Russian positions in the Kharkiv region. Within three days, Ukrainian forces advanced up to 50 km deep into Russian positions and retook over 20 settlements. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian troops in the Sloviansk and Kramatorsk regions. 

On 11 September, Ukrainian forces won an important operational victory, reclaiming almost the entire Kharkiv region, as reported by the ISW. 

On 14 September, the Ukrainian General Staff reported a significant reduction in the intensity of Russian operations, including shelling, in the Kharkiv region. Russian forces shifted their focus on the Donetsk oblast. Meanwhile, following Ukraine’s counteroffensive in Kharkiv, Russia for the first time officially acknowledged its defeat. This setback prompted a more extensive mobilization of Russian forces, including changes to the State Duma laws to allow conscription notices to be sent by mail.

Photo: EU flag in the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Author: Official website of the President of Ukraine. Public Domain