Oct 8, 2026, 01:30 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump announced that Moscow and Kyiv have agreed to stop targeting each other's energy infrastructure. The diplomatic update comes alongside a decision by the European Union to prolong sanctions against Russia following a strike on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the railway attack, asserting it was intended to "intimidate and divide Europeans."

On the ground, fighting persists across multiple fronts. Ukrainian officials reported two deaths and 14 injuries caused by shelling in the Kherson region. Meanwhile, drone attacks across Russia's Belgorod and Sochi regions reportedly wounded seven people.

In domestic political developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an official decree dismissing the country's prosecutor general.

Sources: CDM

Russian forces conducted fresh overnight drone strikes on Kyiv, injuring a woman and damaging infrastructure following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, Zelensky described Russian President Vladimir Putin as "patient zero who wanted the war." The strikes form part of a renewed Russian campaign targeting Ukraine's power grid.

In response, Ukrainian long-range drones targeted Russian fuel infrastructure, disrupting refinery output and forcing Moscow to import foreign gasoline to cover domestic deficits.

Concurrently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Brussels will react to foreign aggression inside the bloc, stating, "We do not tolerate attacks on EU soil." Her remarks followed German investigations identifying two suspects connected to Moscow regarding explosive drone incidents in Leipzig.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Regional tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain elevated following recent maritime strikes claimed by Iranian state media. Tehran reported targeting six vessels, including three oil tankers and three American ships, as well as launching missiles toward a United States aircraft carrier in response to earlier American military raids.

Despite the claims, United States President Donald Trump minimized the severity of the situation, stating that "Hormuz is open" and asserting that Tehran faces major difficulties. Meanwhile, emergency crews successfully contained a fire on board one of the damaged tankers.

However, American intelligence officials expressed concern that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps feels emboldened by the recent clashes, raising fears of renewed military escalation following the breakdown of a June ceasefire agreement.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on parliament to draft the legal framework required for holding post-war national elections. Ukrainian law currently bans elections while martial law remains active during the conflict with Russia.

Fedorov, who was dismissed from his cabinet post by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, stressed that early administrative preparations are essential. Managing voting for millions of Ukrainian refugees abroad alongside military personnel on the frontline poses significant logistical hurdles. Establishing guidelines in advance is intended to safeguard democratic participation as soon as security conditions allow martial law to end.

Sources: Le Monde.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal promoted by US President Donald Trump, reiterating that Israeli troops will not withdraw from the territory until Hamas is fully disarmed. Speaking to his cabinet, Netanyahu stated, "Israel rejects the 15-point document," and insisted military forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed".

The decision comes despite a recent halt in Israeli air strikes under diplomatic pressure from Washington. Netanyahu faces balancing demands ahead of Israel's national election on October 27, navigating pressure from far-right coalition partners who oppose concessions alongside Washington's push for progress.

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