Oct 18, 2026, 11:30 AM UTC

Fighting and strikes persist across Ukraine and Russia despite US President Donald Trump announcing a tentative agreement between Kyiv and Moscow to halt attacks on energy infrastructure.

Local Ukrainian officials reported that Russian shelling in the Kherson region killed two people and injured 14 others. Concurrently, Ukrainian drone strikes reportedly injured seven individuals across Russia's Belgorod region and the coastal city of Sochi.

In diplomatic developments, European Union officials condemned a recent Russian strike on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated the action was designed to intimidate European nations and create divisions among Kyiv's allies. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree dismissing the country's prosecutor general.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the European Union will "not tolerate attacks on EU soil" following German investigations into explosive drone incidents in Leipzig, where two suspects with alleged links to Moscow were identified. She stated that the bloc stands ready to respond to deliberate threats within its borders.

Meanwhile, military escalation continues on the front lines. Russian forces launched new drone strikes against Kyiv, injuring at least one civilian following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address at the United Nations General Assembly. Concurrently, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced a renewed military campaign targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. In response, Ukrainian forces have stepped up long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and energy facilities, straining domestic fuel supplies in Russia.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

United States federal prosecutors have charged five alleged Russian intelligence agents with orchestrating targeted assassination and sabotage campaigns against pro-Ukrainian figures across Europe and North America. According to unsealed court documents, the network recruited and paid operatives globally to conduct surveillance and carry out violent acts, including a June 2024 attack in Prague. All five suspects remain at large.

Simultaneously, Denmark's Security and Intelligence Service disclosed that Russian actors executed physical sabotage against Danish defense contractors producing equipment for Kyiv. Danish authorities framed the acts as a direct escalation in Moscow's ongoing hybrid warfare operations targeting Western allies.

Sources: BBC News, France24, OCCRP, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have reflected on their football careers and their enduring ties to domestic rivalries. Čeh, who served as captain during the national team's acclaimed era under manager Srečko Katanec, transitioned into coaching after retiring as a player. He spent over a decade as Katanec’s assistant coach, including seven years working in Asia, while maintaining high respect for clubs such as Olimpija, Grazer AK, and Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ljubljana-born forward Jan Mlakar has returned to Maribor for a third spell in search of his first league title with the club. Mlakar dismissed past rumors linking him to rival club Olimpija, emphasizing that despite Olimpija's recent struggles, upcoming derby matches remain unpredictable and high-stakes encounters.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on the country's parliament to begin drafting a legal framework for future post-war elections. Fedorov, who was removed from his ministerial role by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, stressed that establishing voting mechanisms in advance is crucial to restoring normal democratic processes once martial law ends.

National elections are currently banned in Ukraine under martial law imposed due to the ongoing Russian invasion. Organizing a future vote involves major obstacles, including establishing ballot access for front-line soldiers, displaced persons within Ukraine, and millions of refugees residing abroad. Although no formal election bill has been submitted to parliament yet, Fedorov’s comments reflect growing domestic discussions surrounding Ukraine's political structure following the eventual conclusion of hostilities.

Sources: Le Monde