Aug 23, 2026, 04:00 PM UTC

Russian forces carried out extensive overnight missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, targeting Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Chernihiv. Officials reported multiple civilian deaths, dozens of injuries, and damage to residential buildings and energy infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine would retaliate, while Russian officials stated that air defences intercepted Ukrainian drones over Moscow.

In Kyiv, political tensions mounted as former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for the resumption of democratic elections, arguing that national voting must not remain indefinitely suspended during prolonged warfare. The call coincided with ongoing anti-corruption operations targeting associates connected to the presidential administration and an upcoming parliamentary vote to confirm Yevhenii Khmara as the new defense minister.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his opposition to a US-backed 15-point peace framework for the Gaza Strip, maintaining that armed forces will not pull out until Hamas undergoes total disarmament.

Addressing government officials on Sunday, Netanyahu directly dismissed the proposal, which had earlier received backing from Hamas and US President Donald Trump. He affirmed that Israeli forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces."

The refusal highlights friction between Israel and Washington as Trump pushes for a diplomatic resolution. Netanyahu faces overlapping pressures at home, navigating demands from nationalist coalition allies ahead of general elections scheduled for late October while attempting to preserve critical relations with the United States.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

Italy and Spain continue to enforce mutual border checks at ports and airports following Rome’s temporary suspension of Schengen arrangements with Spain. The Italian government stated that inspections will remain active until potential security risks linked to mass migration crossings into Ceuta are fully evaluated and the situation stabilizes.

In response, Madrid introduced reciprocal screening on arrivals from Italy, causing processing delays for travelers at major transit hubs. The diplomatic standoff has also triggered political friction in Rome. Italian opposition figures criticized Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for escalating an unfounded row, while governing coalition officials defended the screening measures as necessary steps to address irregular migration into the European Union.

Sources: ANSA, Canarias7, El Día, El Mundo, La Vanguardia.