Sep 26, 2026, 12:30 AM UTC

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy specified that Kyiv will suspend strikes on Russian energy targets only if Western partners guarantee Moscow ceases targeting Ukrainian energy, transport, and food supply facilities.

The developments come amid continued cross-border hostilities. Russian strikes across several Ukrainian regions, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, left at least two people dead and over a dozen injured. Simultaneously, Ukrainian drones targeted a Russian oil refinery as well as sites in the Belgorod and Sochi regions.

The ongoing fighting precedes planned visits by U.S. envoys to Kyiv and Moscow to discuss peace proposals, alongside Zelenskyy's scheduled address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Additionally, EU officials condemned a Russian strike near the Polish border as an attempt to intimidate European allies.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM, N1, Vijesti

European Union leadership has warned against escalating hybrid threats following sabotage concerns across member states. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared, "we will not tolerate attacks on EU soil," affirming that the bloc remains "ready to respond." Her statement coincided with German authorities identifying two suspects linked to Moscow over an explosive device discovered at Leipzig Airport. Meanwhile, Danish intelligence officials warned that Russia may target domestic industrial sites.

Simultaneously, military operations between Russia and Ukraine intensify. Moscow launched targeted strikes against Ukraine's energy network, while Kyiv conducted drone raids on Russian oil infrastructure, disrupting local fuel supplies. Italian security officials confirmed that one Leipzig suspect holding an Italian Schengen visa did not pass through Italy.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Escalating maritime and missile exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz continue to heighten instability between the United States and Iran. U.S. Central Command reported destroying five Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels after intercepting an attempted attack on American forces. Iranian state media subsequently claimed Tehran launched 20 missiles at U.S. military positions in Jordan and struck six maritime vessels, including an aircraft carrier and three tankers.

U.S. intelligence agencies warned that Iranian forces might intensify operations further. Despite the military activity, U.S. President Donald Trump insisted that the strategic waterway remains open, asserting that Tehran faces severe operational difficulties. Meanwhile, emergency crews contained a fire aboard an affected tanker following the strikes. The renewed hostilities follow the breakdown of a brief truce agreement reached earlier this year.

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

United States prosecutors have unsealed charges against five individuals linked to Russian intelligence, accusing them of orchestrating a global campaign of sabotage and targeted killings against pro-Ukrainian figures across North America and Europe. According to federal court documents filed in Manhattan, the suspects directed paid operatives to conduct surveillance, arson, and violent physical assaults. All five men remain at large.

Concurrently, a regional court in Stuttgart, Germany, has convicted a Ukrainian citizen involved in a separate Russian-backed operation. Prosecutors proved the individual worked alongside accomplices to ship explosive parcels embedded with tracking devices across European postal networks to disrupt logistics and security.

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

As the United States approaches pivotal midterm elections, political observers warn that potential Republican losses in Congress could shift Washington's focus toward domestic disputes, diminishing bandwidth for foreign policy priorities like Ukraine. Former Ukrainian Ambassador Valeriy Chalyi noted that losing control of both legislative chambers would leave American lawmakers largely absorbed in internal battles.

Concurrently, reports indicate senior advisers are urging President Donald Trump to avoid escalating tensions with Iran to safeguard party prospects ahead of the vote. Meanwhile, a visiting bipartisan delegation of US congressmen in Kyiv reaffirmed support, emphasizing that Ukraine must negotiate from a "position of strength." However, lawmakers acknowledged that political gridlock in Washington continues to stall key legislation, including new sanctions targeting Russia.

Sources: Liga net, NV, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда.