Sep 12, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

Russian forces launched extensive overnight aerial bombardments across multiple Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Kryvyi Rih. A strike on a commercial complex in Kryvyi Rih killed at least 15 people and injured over 130 others, while combined missile and drone attacks in Kyiv left 13 dead and 40 wounded. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas denounced the barrage, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to pursue all diplomatic avenues to end the conflict.

In response, Ukrainian drones targeted a major Lukoil oil refinery inside Russia, as Moscow indicated that preparations for a prisoner exchange remain active. On the diplomatic front, the United Kingdom authorized France and Ukraine to manufacture Scalp cruise missiles locally, drawing warnings from the Kremlin. Meanwhile, Italy reaffirmed its refusal to deploy troops to Ukraine and confirmed it will not participate in joint military exercises scheduled for October.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have dismissed media reports alleging critical ammunition shortages in the American military following recent actions involving Iran. Initial reports, including from CNN, suggested dwindling missile stockpiles influenced US strategy and prompted a halt to further strikes.

Trump stated on Truth Social that the military possesses "huge amounts of 'ammunition'" while domestic defense manufacturing expands rapidly. He also warned that individuals leaking classified stockpile data to journalists face lengthy prison sentences. Furthermore, reports indicate Trump confronted Hegseth over internal security breaches that enabled the leaks. Hegseth corroborated the administration's position, insisting that US armed forces maintain full combat readiness.

Sources: Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF

Hungary’s new administration is reviewing the state's extensive financial and ownership connections with technology conglomerate 4iG, following a decree published in the official gazette. The investigation encompasses all direct and indirect subsidiaries of the group, while public officials have been instructed to refrain from making public statements regarding the firm.

The review coincides with Science and Technology Minister Zoltán Tanács announcing a €500 million commitment to the European Union’s IRIS² satellite constellation. The move signals a broader re-evaluation of major state infrastructure contracts previously slated for 4iG, particularly in telecom and space projects.

Responding to the political shift and audit, 4iG stated that it continues to view the Hungarian state as a "partner."

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex.

Russian air attacks against Ukraine have intensified, including a double strike on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih that left at least 14 people dead and more than 120 injured. Civilian fatalities reached at least 437 in July, marking the highest monthly casualty count since early 2022. As nightly attacks targeting key urban infrastructure continue into August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed appeals for Western air defense systems, such as Patriot units.

The escalating strikes have prompted Kherson regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin to urge families with children and elderly residents to evacuate before winter due to expected long-term power and heating outages. Meanwhile, between 250 and 300 displaced civilians arrive daily in Lozova fleeing Donetsk. Domestically, military recruitment officers and police actively patrol public spaces to draft eligible men, while an estimated two million individuals seek to avoid military service.

Sources: Dagens Industri, Dagens Nyheter, Svenska Dagbladet, SVT, Sydsvenskan.

Six months following major U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iranian infrastructure, regional stability remains precarious as analysts assess the trajectory of the Middle East conflict. Despite suffering significant degradation to its military capabilities, Tehran retains its ability to disrupt key international shipping lanes, notably within the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining pressure on global energy markets.

Experts interviewed by Radio Free Europe highlight four central factors that will shape the next phase of the crisis: the endurance of Iran's economy under heavy sanctions, domestic political stability, the scope of its remaining regional influence, and whether viable conditions exist for diplomatic engagement. Concurrently, broader diplomatic discussions, such as assessments by former ambassador Zef Mazi, emphasize how shifting dynamics among Washington, Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran interact with regional tensions, including the war in Ukraine and Balkan security concerns.

Sources: BalkanWeb, Gazeta Tema, Koha