Sep 17, 2026, 11:30 PM UTC

Diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities in Ukraine intensified as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner scheduled visits to Kyiv and Moscow to discuss peace proposals. US President Donald Trump announced that both nations agreed to refrain from attacking energy infrastructure. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky specified that Kyiv would comply only if Western partners ensure Moscow also stops targeting Ukrainian energy facilities, logistics, and supply lines.

Reports indicate Ukrainian troops were instructed to observe a four-day operational pause along various front lines starting at midnight ahead of the envoys' arrival. Despite these diplomatic movements, cross-border exchanges continued overnight. Russian strikes resulted in casualties across several Ukrainian regions, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, while Ukrainian drone attacks were reported in Sochi and Russia's Belgorod region. Additionally, EU officials condemned a Russian attack near the Ukrainian-Polish border.

Sources: Beta, CDM, Index, N1, Vijesti

Military confrontations between the United States and Iran have intensified near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command reported destroying five Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels following an attempted attack on American naval assets. Firefighters successfully contained a blaze on a commercial tanker affected during the engagements.

In response, Iranian state broadcasting reported that Tehran launched 20 missiles targeting US military bases in Jordan and hit six maritime vessels, including oil tankers and an aircraft carrier. US intelligence agencies warned that Iranian forces might escalate hostilities further. However, US President Donald Trump minimized shipping risks, stating the waterway remains open and asserting Tehran is facing severe difficulty.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

European officials and intelligence agencies have heightened warnings over hybrid warfare tactics attributed to Russia. German authorities identified two suspects linked to explosive devices discovered at Leipzig airport, while Danish intelligence cautioned that Moscow could target domestic industries with sabotage. Italian security officials clarified that one suspect holding an Italian Schengen visa had not entered the passport-free zone through Italy.

In response to growing security concerns, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that the bloc "will not tolerate attacks on EU territory" and is prepared to respond. Meanwhile, fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues to escalate, with Moscow targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure following Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Russian forces launched nearly 60 strikes across five districts in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region over a 24-hour period, leaving at least five civilians dead and 16 others injured, according to local emergency services.

The heaviest casualties occurred in the Kamianske district, where artillery and drone strikes killed three people and wounded five. In Pavlohrad, bombardments left two individuals dead and seven injured, while additional civilian casualties were reported in the Nikopol area. Emergency crews deployed throughout the region to extinguish fires and clear wreckage from damaged buildings.

The intensive shelling marks one of the heaviest localized strikes reported on the 1,625th day of the war, as Russian troops continue targeting regional infrastructure across eastern and central Ukraine.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă

The United States military carried out strikes on two launchers on Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking its first action on Iranian soil in a month, according to US Central Command. Iranian media confirmed six naval personnel were killed in recent US bombardments.

Despite the military escalation, Qatari officials stated that discussions aimed at reaching a US-Iran agreement are ongoing. Tehran also announced an accord with Oman on geographical coordinates for a new navigation route through the Strait of Hormuz, provided external actors do not interfere.

However, negotiations face added friction after US President Donald Trump declared Washington would seek financial compensation from Iran for past casualties, complicating prospects for a swift deal.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.