Sep 24, 2026, 06:30 PM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is willing to halt strikes against Russian targets if Western allies guarantee that Moscow stops attacking Ukrainian energy facilities, infrastructure, and food supply routes. His statement followed comments by Donald Trump, who claimed both nations had agreed to cease targeting each other's energy infrastructure.

Meanwhile, military strikes continued in several regions despite commitments from both sides to pause attacks on Kyiv and Moscow during upcoming visits by U.S. peace envoys. Russian strikes hit multiple Ukrainian areas, causing civilian casualties, while Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil refinery and targets in Belgorod and Sochi. European Union officials also condemned a recent Russian attack on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border as an attempt to intimidate European partners.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM, N1, Vijesti

Tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to heighten following intense military engagements near the Strait of Hormuz. United States Central Command stated that American forces destroyed five Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels after an attempted strike on naval assets. Iranian forces retaliated by launching 20 missiles at US positions in Jordan, while state media claimed strikes on six vessels, including three oil tankers and an aircraft carrier.

Despite the hostilities, US President Donald Trump stated that critical maritime corridors remain operational and asserted that "Tehran is in severe difficulty." Firefighters successfully controlled a blaze aboard one damaged tanker. However, US intelligence reports suggest Iranian forces feel emboldened and may seek to further escalate the confrontation across the region.

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

American federal prosecutors have unsealed charges against five individuals linked to Russian intelligence for alleged involvement in a global campaign of assassinations and sabotage. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the suspects recruited covert operatives to surveil and target individuals in North America and Europe who support Ukraine. The suspects, who remain at large, reportedly directed operations including a June 2024 attack in Prague.

Concurrently, a regional court in Stuttgart, Germany, convicted a Ukrainian national for participating in a Russian-backed plot involving incendiary parcels equipped with tracking devices. Prosecutors stated the operation was designed to disrupt European logistical networks and weaken public confidence in national security.

Sources: BBC News, Cyprus Mail, France24, OCCRP, The Guardian

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened additional military action against Iran following the first direct military exchange between American and Iranian forces in a month. Trump claimed Tehran is urgently seeking a diplomatic resolution with Washington. Explosions were reported near the strategic Iranian coastal cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik during the strikes.

In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that while Tehran does not seek a broader conflict, it will respond decisively to any violations of its sovereignty. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that the nation's naval operations remain fully functional despite the recent bombardment.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly rejected a US-backed 15-point peace proposal for Gaza, insisting that Israeli forces will not pull back until Hamas is completely disarmed. In televised remarks to his cabinet, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" and confirmed that troops "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed".

The announcement underscores a widening diplomatic divide with US President Donald Trump, who recently hailed the framework as a major breakthrough. Although military operations have recently eased following Washington's intervention, Netanyahu faces competing pressures. He is navigating demands from far-right coalition partners while trying to maintain vital ties with Washington ahead of Israel's upcoming national election on October 27.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.