Sep 26, 2026, 12:30 PM UTC

Cross-border attacks between Russia and Ukraine continued overnight despite upcoming visits by American envoys to discuss potential peace plans in Moscow and Kyiv. Russian missile and drone strikes across multiple Ukrainian regions killed at least four people and injured over ten others, while Ukraine reported striking another Russian oil refinery alongside drone attacks on Sochi and Belgorod.

The ongoing violence coincides with statements from U.S. President Donald Trump asserting that both sides agreed to pause strikes on energy facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered that Kyiv would only halt such attacks if Western partners ensure Moscow refrains from targeting Ukraine's energy, transport, and food infrastructure. Meanwhile, European Union officials condemned a Russian strike on a train near the Polish border, describing it as an attempt to intimidate European nations.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM, N1, Vijesti

Military exchanges between the United States and Iran have intensified around the Strait of Hormuz following the breakdown of a recent truce. U.S. Central Command reported destroying five Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels after intercepting an attempted attack on American naval ships.

Tehran launched a swift counterstrike, firing 20 missiles at U.S. military positions in Jordan. Iranian state media claimed attacks on six maritime targets, including three tankers and a U.S. aircraft carrier. While American intelligence officials warned of potential further Iranian escalations, emergency crews managed to extinguish a fire aboard a struck tanker.

U.S. President Donald Trump maintained that the vital maritime corridor remains operational, asserting that Iranian forces are facing significant operational hardship.

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

United States federal prosecutors have unsealed charges against five individuals linked to Russian intelligence, alleging a coordinated plot to execute assassinations and sabotage targeting supporters of Ukraine across Europe and the US. According to the Department of Justice, the network funded operatives to conduct surveillance and carry out targeted attacks, including a June 2024 assault in Prague. All five suspects remain at large.

Concurrently, a regional court in Stuttgart, Germany, convicted a Ukrainian national for participating in a Russian-backed parcel bomb scheme. German prosecutors established that the operation routed packages containing tracking devices through logistics networks to undermine public trust in European security infrastructure.

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

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have heightened after United States President Donald Trump threatened additional military action against Iran following naval strikes near Bandar Abbas and Sirik. Trump stated that Iranian leadership is "begging" for a diplomatic agreement following the first direct military engagement between the two countries in a month.

In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that while Tehran does not seek an expanded regional war, it will "respond decisively" to any continued military aggression. Iranian military officials additionally rejected claims of heavy damage, maintaining that their naval forces remain intact and fully operational despite the American bombardment. International observers continue to monitor the strategic Persian Gulf region for potential retaliation.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro)

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged lawmakers to begin drafting a legal framework for future post-war elections. Fedorov, who was removed from his post by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, stressed that early preparation is essential to facilitate a seamless transition back to democratic processes once martial law is eventually rescinded.

National elections are currently banned under Ukrainian law while martial law remains in place. Preparing for eventual polling presents substantial logistical challenges, including facilitating votes for millions of displaced citizens living abroad and service members deployed on active frontlines. Fedorov's statements highlight ongoing political debates within Kyiv concerning governance and democratic continuity following the conclusion of the conflict.

Sources: Le Monde.