Oct 23, 2026, 10:00 PM UTC

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has urged citizens not to panic following increased military deployments along the country's border with Russia, describing the move as a preventative measure against potential security risks. Nausėda stressed that "it is better to observe even excessive caution" to prevent incidents rather than responding after they occur.

Beyond border security, Nausėda acknowledged existing vulnerabilities in Lithuania's air defense infrastructure and reported delays in joint drone production efforts with Ukraine. He also voiced frustration regarding internal controversies within the Ministry of National Defence, warning of lasting reputational damage to the armed forces, while calling for improved emergency preparedness following recent severe storms.

Sources: 15min, LSM.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko announced charges against National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) Director Semen Kryvonos, accusing him of document forgery for financial gain and orchestrating a fake adoption to evade legal liability. In a video message, Kravchenko claimed he signed a notice of suspicion targeting Kryvonos before reportedly departing Ukraine in an official vehicle.

In response, NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) rejected the claims, stating no formal notice was served to Kryvonos. The agencies characterized Kravchenko's actions as an effort to disrupt a major investigation into a criminal network involving current and former lawmakers and senior presidential officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged parliament to swiftly dismiss Kravchenko.

Sources: NEXTA, OCCRP, Radio Svoboda, The Insider, Ukrainska Pravda

The United States has completed the military withdrawal of its final troops from Iraq, ending more than twenty years of military presence in the country. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the drawdown on social media, calling it a "great day for America" and asserting that local forces are equipped to maintain security.

While the pullout follows an agreement established in 2024, observers remain divided over its consequences. Some analysts emphasize that Iraq is more stable today than during the previous 2011 American withdrawal. However, others warn that the exit creates a power vacuum likely to benefit Islamic militants and expand Iranian influence across the region. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Defense is reviewing its broader strategic footprint in the Persian Gulf following recent attacks on American facilities.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

Sweden’s election results remain unsettled as vote counting continues, with opposition parties maintaining a slim parliamentary majority of 176 seats against the governing bloc's 173. The Social Democrats have called for Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to resign, while the Left Party recorded significant gains.

The right-wing Sweden Democrats faced their first parliamentary decline, dropping to 17.5 percent from 20.5 percent in 2022 after losing ground to the Moderates and younger voters. Senior official Tobias Andersson called the result disappointing. However, party leader Jimmie Åkesson dismissed claims of defeat, stating "there is no obvious winner in this election" while continuing to demand cabinet positions. Conversely, the party achieved local success in Färgelanda, securing 39 percent of the municipal vote following local disputes over school closures.

Sources: Dagens Industri, Dagens Nyheter, Svenska Dagbladet, SVT, Sydsvenskan

Azerbaijan is actively shaping the evolution of the Organization of Turkic States as the coalition expands its focus beyond cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Speaking during recent regional gatherings in Baku, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted plans to convert the group into a strategic hub for political, economic, and security alignment across Eurasia.

The proposed framework prioritizes integrating regional transport corridors and energy networks, alongside strengthening collective security measures. Baku aims to position itself as a central transit and diplomatic bridge within the bloc, enhancing member states' global leverage while preserving shared regional values. This broader focus reflects an effort to consolidate geopolitical influence across vital Eurasian trade routes.

Sources: Trend News Agency.