Sep 24, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

Cross-border military strikes between Russia and Ukraine persisted overnight despite reports that both sides agreed to suspend attacks on Moscow and Kyiv during upcoming visits by United States peace envoys. Russian bombardments across multiple Ukrainian regions, including Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, killed several civilians and injured over a dozen others. Ukrainian forces launched drone strikes targeting a Russian oil refinery alongside sites in Belgorod and Sochi.

The continued escalation occurs as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travels to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Responding to claims by Donald Trump that Kyiv and Moscow agreed to refrain from targeting energy infrastructure, Zelenskyy stated Ukraine would halt such strikes only if Western partners guarantee that Russia ceases attacks on Ukrainian power networks, civil infrastructure, and food supply lines.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM, N1, Vijesti

European nations remain on high alert following intelligence warnings and ongoing investigations into suspected Russian hybrid operations. Danish intelligence officials cautioned that Moscow is preparing sabotage campaigns against domestic industrial targets, prompting heightened security measures across the region.

Simultaneously, German authorities identified two suspects linked to Moscow—a Russian national holding Latvian documentation and a Belarusian with Russian papers—in connection with explosive devices found at Leipzig Airport. Italian security officials disputed media reports suggesting the Belarusian suspect had traveled through Italy.

In response to growing hybrid threats, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared, "we will not tolerate attacks on EU soil".

Meanwhile, conflict escalates on the front lines as Russian forces launched a coordinated campaign against Ukraine's energy grid, while Ukrainian drone strikes targeted Russian refineries, forcing Moscow to import fuel.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Military hostilities between the United States and Iran have intensified around the strategic Strait of Hormuz following new retaliatory strikes. US Central Command reported destroying five vessels belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after an alleged attack targeting American naval ships.

Iranian state media countered by claiming Tehran fired 20 missiles at US military facilities in Jordan and struck six maritime vessels, including three oil tankers and an aircraft carrier. Emergency crews successfully extinguished a fire aboard one hit tanker.

US President Donald Trump insisted that navigation through the waterway remains clear, stating that "Tehran is in severe difficulty." However, US intelligence officials cautioned that Iranian forces might escalate actions further across the region.

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

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran of additional military action following the first direct exchange of fire between the two nations in a month. The military activity included reported explosions near the Iranian coastal cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik.

Trump claimed that Iranian representatives are actively seeking a diplomatic deal with Washington. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian maintained that Tehran does not want war, though he warned that his country would "decisively respond to aggressors" who threaten its sovereignty. Meanwhile, Iranian media denied reports of major naval losses, claiming its fleet remains operational. Despite public warnings and military actions, backchannel diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran reportedly remain active.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on parliament to draft legal frameworks for holding national elections once martial law ends. Fedorov, who was dismissed from President Volodymyr Zelensky's cabinet in July, emphasized that early legislative planning is crucial to ensure transparent post-war democratic processes.

Under Ukrainian law, elections are prohibited while martial law remains active. Zelensky's administration has previously cited significant operational and security challenges, including facilitating votes for millions of displaced citizens and deployed military personnel. Fedorov's initiative reflects growing domestic debate over the country's political trajectory and electoral readiness following the conclusion of hostilities.

Sources: Le Monde