Sep 21, 2026, 12:30 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky specified that Western partners must guarantee Moscow's compliance across energy, logistics, and food routes. Meanwhile, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned a Russian strike on a train near the Polish border, describing it as an effort to divide European allies.

Despite diplomatic visits by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv, cross-border exchanges persisted overnight. Strikes in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson caused casualties, while drone activity affected Russia's Belgorod region and Sochi. Reports also indicated a temporary four-day operational pause was ordered for select Ukrainian frontline units during the peace talks.

Sources: Beta, CDM, Index, N1, Vijesti

Military engagements between the United States and Iran have escalated near the Strait of Hormuz following a series of retaliatory strikes. US Central Command reported destroying five Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels after thwarting an attack on American naval ships. In response, Iranian state media claimed Tehran launched 20 missiles targeting US military bases in Jordan and struck six vessels, including three oil tankers and an aircraft carrier. Emergency crews successfully extinguished a fire aboard one targeted tanker.

Despite the direct military exchange, US President Donald Trump stated that Tehran remains in "great difficulty" and insisted the strategic shipping route remains open. However, American intelligence assessments warned that Iranian commanders may feel emboldened by recent actions, raising concerns that the conflict could intensify further across the region.

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

Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted commercial infrastructure and civilian areas across several Russian regions, disrupting major e-commerce operations. Facilities belonging to retail giants Wildberries and Ozon caught fire in Moscow, Leningrad, and Dagestan, leading to an almost 30% decline in Ozon's share price.

The strikes resulted in multiple casualties, including five deaths at a Moscow Oblast logistics site and seven fatalities after a drone crashed onto a beach in Krasnodar Krai. Meanwhile, Russian bombardment killed nine people in Kyiv.

On the front lines, Russian troops made tactical gains near Kharkiv, while Ukrainian forces reported advances in Donetsk. Additionally, Belarus announced plans to establish a new air assault brigade near the Ukrainian border.

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

The United States conducted airstrikes against missile launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking Washington's first military action on Iranian soil in a month. Iranian official media reported that six naval personnel died in recent clashes.

Despite renewed hostilities, diplomatic channels remain active. Qatari negotiators reported ongoing discussions aimed at securing a bilateral agreement, while Tehran reached a provisional deal with Oman regarding a revised shipping passage in the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on external non-interference.

However, prospects for an immediate diplomatic breakthrough face strain after US President Donald Trump stated that Washington would demand financial compensation from Iran for historical attacks.

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

Russian forces launched nearly 60 strikes across five districts in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region over a 24-hour period, according to emergency responders.

The widespread bombardments resulted in five fatalities and left 16 people wounded. In Kamianske district, three individuals were killed and five suffered injuries. Meanwhile, strikes in Pavlohrad district caused two deaths and wounded seven others. Additional casualties were reported in Nikopol district as shelling damaged local civilian infrastructure.

Emergency services deployed across the affected municipalities to extinguish structural blazes and clear rubble from impacted sites.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă.