Sep 21, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

US President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to stop targeting each other's energy infrastructure, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the pause depends on Western partners guaranteeing Russian compliance regarding energy, logistics, and food supply lines.

The announcements coincide with reported four-day operational pause orders issued to Ukrainian military units ahead of visits to Kyiv and Moscow by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Despite pledges to halt strikes on capital cities during the talks, cross-border combat persisted overnight. Russian strikes across Ukrainian regions resulted in casualties, including a civilian death in Zaporizhzhia, while Ukrainian drone attacks were reported in Russia's Belgorod region and Sochi.

Sources: Beta, CDM, Index, N1, Vijesti

Tensions between the United States and Iran have heightened following a series of military engagements near the Strait of Hormuz. According to US Central Command, American forces destroyed five Iranian vessels after preventing an attack on Navy ships. Tehran subsequently launched a counter-strike, claiming to have fired 20 missiles at US military facilities in Jordan and targeted six vessels, including three oil tankers and an aircraft carrier.

Emergency responders managed to put out a fire on board one affected tanker. While US President Donald Trump stated that Tehran faces severe difficulties and that the shipping corridor remains open, intelligence reports from Washington indicate Iranian commanders may feel emboldened, raising fears of further escalation.

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

European Union leaders have increased security precautions following reports of potential hybrid threats and sabotage across the bloc. German investigators identified two suspects linked to explosive devices discovered at Leipzig airport: a Russian citizen with a Latvian passport and a Belarusian national carrying Russian documentation. Italian security authorities confirmed the Belarusian suspect possessed an Italian Schengen visa, though preliminary checks indicate he did not travel through Italy.

The security developments coincide with warnings from Danish intelligence services regarding possible Russian sabotage against domestic industrial sites. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that the bloc "will not tolerate attacks on EU soil." Meanwhile, Russia initiated a new military campaign targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian petroleum facilities.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted major Russian e-commerce logistics centers, causing significant fires at distribution hubs for Wildberries and Ozon across the Leningrad region, Moscow Oblast, and Dagestan. Ozon saw its stock decline by nearly 30 percent after multiple facilities suspended operations following the strikes.

Regional authorities in Moscow Oblast confirmed five deaths and ten injuries following strikes on warehouse facilities. Separately, local officials reported seven fatalities and dozens of injuries after a drone crashed onto a crowded beach in Krasnodar Krai.

Concurrently, a Russian strike on Kyiv resulted in nine deaths and 33 injuries. On the frontline, Russian forces achieved tactical gains in the Kharkiv region, while Ukrainian troops advanced in the south. Meanwhile, Belarus announced the formation of a new air assault brigade along its southern border with Ukraine.

Sources: Mediazona, Point, Радіо Свобода, The Guardian, The Insider

American forces conducted airstrikes on Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first US strikes on Iranian soil in a month. Iranian state media reported that six naval personnel were killed in recent US operations.

Despite the escalation, diplomatic channels remain active. Qatar reported ongoing discussions regarding a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran. Additionally, Iranian officials confirmed a tentative arrangement with Oman to revise shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on preventing third-party interference.

However, negotiation prospects face obstacles after US President Donald Trump announced his administration will demand financial compensations from Tehran for past fatal attacks, potentially delaying any immediate deal.

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