President Vladimir Putin praised the reunification of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson with Russia, marking September 30 as a day validating past decisions and celebrating what he called overwhelming support for annexation. Putin claimed Russian forces hold the strategic initiative in Ukraine, citing the liberation of nearly 5,000 square kilometers and hundreds of settlements in 2025, with defense industries meeting military needs for advanced weapons and equipment. He acknowledged Ukraine’s ongoing counterattacks, including drone and missile strikes targeting Russian infrastructure, but asserted these would not alter the war’s trajectory.