Sep 21, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to refrain from targeting each other's energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded that Kyiv is prepared to suspend strikes only if Western allies guarantee Moscow abstains from targeting Ukrainian energy, logistics, and food supply routes.

Despite diplomatic progress, cross-border fighting continued overnight. Ukrainian emergency services reported casualties from strikes in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, while drone attacks were reported in Russia's Belgorod region and Sochi. The ongoing exchanges coincide with visits by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv to discuss potential peace frameworks, as frontline Ukrainian forces reportedly observe a temporary operational pause.

Sources: Beta, CDM, Index, N1, Vijesti

Military tension between Washington and Tehran continues to escalate near the Strait of Hormuz following a series of direct maritime and missile engagements. According to US Central Command, American forces destroyed five Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels after thwarting an attempt to target US Navy ships.

Tehran retaliated by launching 20 missiles at American military installations in Jordan and targeting six vessels, including an aircraft carrier and three oil tankers, one of which caught fire before emergency crews extinguished the blaze.

While US President Donald Trump stated that Tehran remains in "great difficulty" and insisted the strategic waterway remains open, American intelligence agencies warned that Iranian commanders may feel emboldened, raising concerns over prolonged regional instability.

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

United States Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe has conducted an unannounced visit to Moscow to deliver a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Western media reports.

The high-level encounter, tracked via military aircraft flight data, comes as intelligence agencies assess growing risks of potential Russian hostile actions targeting NATO member states. Although details of the discussion remain confidential, Finnish outlets offered differing perspectives on the visit's implications. While Helsingin Sanomat provided factual coverage of the flight tracking and media disclosures, analysis in Iltalehti cautioned that the meeting signals severe concern over impending Russian provocations against Western allies.

Neither Washington nor Moscow has issued official statements regarding the talks.

Sources: Helsingin Sanomat, Iltalehti

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have provided insights into their football careers and the ongoing dynamics within Slovenian domestic football. Čeh, who led the national squad during its successful period under manager Srečko Katanec, transitioned into coaching following his playing career. He served as an assistant to Katanec for over a decade, including seven years spent coaching in Asia. Despite his strong ties to Olimpija Ljubljana and Austria's Grazer AK, Čeh maintained high regard for rival club Maribor.

Concurrently, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar discussed his third tenure with Maribor. Expressing trust in the club's leadership, Mlakar highlighted the intensity of the rivalry with Olimpija Ljubljana, noting that derby matches remain inherently unpredictable regardless of recent team performance.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net