Sep 18, 2026, 07:00 PM UTC

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has rejected warnings from Berlin that Russia could attack NATO by 2029, stating he sees "neither evidence nor facts" to support such projections. Speaking to German media, Stubb expressed skepticism that Moscow would target the military alliance, though he stressed that NATO must remain fully prepared for any scenario to ensure effective deterrence.

Despite low expectations of a full-scale invasion, Baltic and Nordic allies remain on high alert against non-traditional threats. Military analysts, including Polish expert Col. Maciej Korowaj, warn that Russian intelligence is actively monitoring NATO responses in the Baltic Sea region to refine plans for potential provocations, particularly from September onward. In response, regional nations continue strengthening intelligence coordination and military cooperation to counter ongoing hybrid and espionage activities.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

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

The heaviest casualties were recorded in the Kamianske district, where shelling killed three people and injured five. In the Pavlohrad district, bombardments resulted in two fatalities and seven injuries. Additional casualties and damage to infrastructure were reported in the Nikopol district, where rescue personnel worked to contain blazes sparked by artillery and missile fire.

Local emergency teams continue to clear debris and assess the full scope of destruction to residential housing and essential infrastructure across the impacted areas.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have provided insights into their football careers and the current landscape of the domestic league.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia during its qualification for major tournaments under manager Srečko Katanec, detailed his transition into coaching. Following club spells at Olimpija, Grazer AK, and Maribor, he spent over a decade as Katanec’s assistant, including seven years coaching in Asia.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar reflected on his third return to Maribor. Despite his Ljubljana origins, Mlakar stated he was never close to signing with hometown rivals Olimpija. Looking ahead to the upcoming derby against a struggling Olimpija side, Mlakar cautioned that rivalry matches remain unpredictable, noting their opponents "can only gain" from the fixture.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

The United States Supreme Court has allowed construction to temporarily resume on President Donald Trump's planned $400 million ballroom at the White House while a legal challenge proceeds.

In a decision issued by Chief Justice John Roberts, a five-justice conservative majority granted a stay against a lower court injunction, giving the justices additional time to evaluate the federal government's appeal. The suit was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which seeks to halt the project.

The Supreme Court emphasized that its ruling does not constitute a final judgment on the ultimate legality of the building project. However, pausing the injunction enables developers to advance construction, potentially completing major structural work before the legal dispute concludes.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

US-led NATO forces have conducted military maneuvers near Russia's Kaliningrad enclave, deploying American and Norwegian aircraft alongside Polish ground troops. NATO representatives characterized the operations as routine efforts to maintain the alliance's defensive capabilities.

The activity coincides with investigative reports revealing Moscow has established ten covert launch facilities near NATO borders. According to reports, several of these hidden sites are already active in offensive operations against Ukraine and hold the capacity to launch long-range attack drones deeper into Western Europe.

Concurrently, direct attacks between the belligerents continue. Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv, killing at least two people and wounding six others, following drone damage to commercial infrastructure in northern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces launched retaliatory drone strikes targeting Russia's Saratov region, resulting in reported casualties.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV.