Sep 23, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

Slovenian football figures Aleš Čeh and Jan Mlakar have shared perspectives on their footballing careers and the regional rivalry between NK Maribor and Olimpija Ljubljana.

Čeh, former captain of Slovenia's national team during its successful qualification era under manager Srečko Katanec, reflected on his post-playing career. Following his retirement, he spent over a decade working as Katanec's assistant coach, including a seven-year tenure in Asia. Čeh highlighted his affinity for Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian club Grazer AK, while emphasizing his respect for Maribor.

Separately, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar discussed his third stint with NK Maribor. Born in Ljubljana, Mlakar noted he was "never close to Olimpija" and expressed confidence in Maribor leadership under Zlatko Zahović and Darko Milanič. He added that derby fixtures allow struggling opponents an opportunity to regain momentum.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Cross-border aerial attacks between Russia and Ukraine persisted overnight as both nations launched strikes against strategic targets. Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv, resulting in at least two fatalities and six injuries, following earlier drone damage to an industrial site in northern Ukraine. In response, Ukrainian drones hit industrial facilities in Russia's Samara and Saratov regions, causing a fire at the Kuibyshev oil refinery. Samara officials reported intercepting dozens of incoming drones.

Concurrently, reports cited unusual U.S.-led NATO military movements near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. The operations involved American, Norwegian, and Polish units alongside reconnaissance aircraft. NATO stated the actions represent routine training to maintain defensive readiness.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

U.S. Central Command has executed a series of military strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz following an Iranian attempt to deploy sea mines and fire ballistic missiles at two U.S. warships. According to military officials, all detected mines in the international shipping corridor have been neutralised.

The military confrontation has expanded to include commercial maritime traffic, with U.S. forces targeting three Iranian crude oil tankers. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran that further attacks on tankers or maritime transit could prompt retaliatory strikes against Iranian power grids and critical infrastructure. Media analyses highlight that the conflict underscores a broader evolution toward targeting energy networks and leveraging drone technology in modern warfare.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

Recent analysis across Nordic media underscores the expanding scope of Ukraine's deep strikes and Russia's growing strategic limitations. Ukrainian attacks targeting key Russian airbases have inflicted notable damage on strategic bombers, undermining Moscow's combat effectiveness and economic stability. Concurrently, Kremlin officials have intensified verbal attacks against Norway over recent NATO exercises and a seized Russian vessel, with Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing Norway of "statsterrorisme."

Meanwhile, European security agencies reported suspected Russian sabotage plots and drone activities targeting critical infrastructure in Germany and Denmark. Despite heightened hybrid operations and aggressive rhetoric, analysts emphasize that European nations must remain calm. While Moscow retains the capacity to prolong the conflict, sustained Western backing for Ukraine continues to narrow Russia's operational flexibility, making an ultimate Russian strategic defeat increasingly difficult to avoid.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, Dagens Næringsliv (DN), Finansavisen, TV 2 Nyheter

German investigators have linked a failed drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport directly to an operative from Russia's GRU military intelligence service, according to reports. The August attempt, which targeted four Ukrainian cargo planes, failed when an explosive detonator did not ignite. Security sources identified a Russian national responsible for coordinating logistics for the operation.

The case forms part of a broader probe into more than 100 suspected foreign-backed hybrid incidents across Germany. Security agencies warned that actions including concealed weapon stockpiles, critical infrastructure sabotage, and digital disinformation campaigns aim to destabilise democratic institutions and foster social division. While regional authorities track numerous suspected state-sponsored cases, domestic intelligence officials warn of persistent threats to national security.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau