Sep 29, 2026, 01:00 PM UTC

Russian and Ukrainian forces carried out fresh overnight strikes against each other's territories, even as United States envoys prepare to visit both capitals this weekend to discuss peace proposals. Ukrainian authorities reported casualties in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia following Russian drone and missile barrages. Meanwhile, Ukrainian strikes hit a Russian oil refinery and targeted sites in Sochi and Belgorod.

The military actions coincide with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the United States. While US President Donald Trump announced a mutual understanding to refrain from targeting energy infrastructure, Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine requires Western guarantees that Moscow will cease attacks on energy and supply routes. Concurrently, European Union officials denounced a Russian strike on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border as an effort to divide European allies.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM, N1, Vijesti

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that the European Union will not tolerate attacks on its soil, following the identification in Leipzig of two suspects with alleged ties to Moscow involved with explosive drones. Her statement comes amid escalating military actions between Russia and Ukraine. Russia's Defense Ministry announced a new campaign targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, prompting subsequent overnight drone strikes across Kyiv that wounded at least one resident. The aerial bombardment follows increased Ukrainian long-range strikes against Russian oil facilities, which have created regional fuel shortages. These developments also coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing the United Nations General Assembly, where he characterized Russian President Vladimir Putin as "patient zero" responsible for initiating the war.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Military confrontations between the United States and Iran continue near the strategic Strait of Hormuz despite previous truce attempts. U.S. Central Command stated it sank five Revolutionary Guard vessels after an attempted attack on American warships. Iranian state media subsequently reported retaliatory strikes targeting six vessels, including three oil tankers and a U.S. aircraft carrier, alongside launching 20 missiles at U.S. military positions in Jordan.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the maritime passage remains open, asserting that "Tehran is in great difficulty." However, intelligence reports from Washington indicate that Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces could further intensify the conflict. Flames on a commercial tanker hit during the engagements were successfully extinguished, but regional security remains volatile.

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

US federal prosecutors have unsealed charges against five alleged Russian intelligence operatives for conducting a global campaign of targeted killings and sabotage against supporters of Ukraine. The indictment, unsealed in a Manhattan court, details plots across North America and Europe, including a June 2024 attack in Prague and surveillance operations designed to facilitate assassinations. All five suspects remain at large.

Concurrently, a regional court in Stuttgart, Germany, convicted a Ukrainian national involved in a Kremlin-linked scheme to ship parcel bombs across European delivery networks. German authorities stated the operation aimed to inflict physical damage and destabilize public confidence in security infrastructure.

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

Russian forces launched nearly 60 bombardments across five districts in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region over 24 hours, according to emergency responders.

Local authorities reported that the attacks killed at least five civilians and injured 16 others. In Kamenske district, strikes left three people dead and five wounded. Two fatalities and seven injuries were recorded in Pavlohrad, while rescue personnel responded to fires and casualty reports in the Nikopol district. Emergency services continue recovery operations and damage assessments across the impacted areas.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă.