Sep 24, 2026, 01:30 PM UTC

Former Slovenian national football team captain Aleš Čeh and 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar have shared insights regarding their careers and views on the rivalry between NK Maribor and Olimpija Ljubljana.

Čeh, who served as team captain during the national squad's golden era, discussed his transition to coaching. Following his playing career, he spent over ten years assisting head coach Srečko Katanec, including seven years working in Asia. While expressing personal affinity for Olimpija and Austria's Grazer AK, Čeh emphasized his ongoing respect for Maribor.

Separately, Mlakar detailed his decision to return to Maribor for a third spell. Despite hailing from Ljubljana, Mlakar stated he was "never close to Olimpija." He voiced confidence in Maribor's management under Zlatko Zahović and Darko Milanič, adding that derby matches provide struggling squads an opportunity to rebuild momentum.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Cross-border military actions between Russia and Ukraine have persisted alongside reports of increased NATO operations near Russia's Kaliningrad enclave. Russian ballistic missile strikes against Kyiv resulted in at least two fatalities and six injuries, following earlier drone attacks that struck an industrial site in northern Ukraine. In response, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted facilities in Russia's Saratov and Samara regions, triggering a blaze at the Kuibyshev oil refinery. Local authorities reported that air defenses downed "dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles" aimed at commercial enterprises. Meanwhile, media reports indicated U.S.-led NATO maneuvers around Kaliningrad involving American, Norwegian, and Polish forces. NATO representatives described the activity as routine efforts by a defensive alliance to continuously refine its operational capabilities.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

U.S. Central Command has executed major military strikes against three Iranian commercial oil tankers and strategic targets near the Strait of Hormuz. The action followed an Iranian ballistic missile barrage directed at two American warships and an attempt to lay sea mines in international shipping lanes, which U.S. forces confirmed have since been fully cleared.

The confrontation marks a severe escalation in regional hostilities, directly expanding combat operations toward commercial maritime and energy transport networks. U.S. President Donald Trump warned of further strikes against Iranian domestic infrastructure if maritime disruption continues, asserting that "very little of Iran will be left" should attacks persist. Analysts view the developments as part of an emerging era of fifth-generation energy warfare centered on drone technology and infrastructure targets.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

European security analysts and intelligence agencies report that Russia faces narrowing strategic options despite maintaining the capacity to sustain its war in Ukraine. Recent Ukrainian drone and missile strikes deep inside Russian territory have hit strategic aviation assets, pressuring Moscow's combat effectiveness and economic stability.

Concurrently, European authorities report an increase in covert Russian hybrid operations, including alleged sabotage plots targeting Danish defense infrastructure and explosive incidents at Leipzig airport in Germany. In the diplomatic sphere, Kremlin officials have intensified attacks on Norway, labeling recent NATO exercises and the seizure of a Russian vessel as threats to national security. Security experts emphasize that European governments should maintain composure and sustain support for Kyiv while confronting hybrid threats.

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

German investigative authorities are examining more than 100 suspected cases of state-sponsored hybrid warfare, including sabotage, unauthorized drone flights, and subsea cable damage. Recent disclosures concerning a failed explosive drone attack near Ukrainian transport aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport indicate a direct link to Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, with reports identifying a GRU operative who allegedly coordinated logistics. Domestic intelligence services also warn that foreign actors may have hidden weapon caches across Germany to facilitate future sabotage operations. Beyond physical attacks, security officials highlight digital subversion tactics, such as manipulated videos and fake websites, aimed at deepening societal divisions and eroding public trust in democratic institutions.

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