Oct 24, 2026, 02:00 PM UTC

Combat operations continue across Ukraine and Russia despite US President Donald Trump announcing an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv to cease attacks on energy infrastructure. Russian shelling in Ukraine's Kherson region killed two people and injured 14 others, while Ukrainian drone strikes wounded seven people across Russia's Sochi and Belgorod regions.

Tensions between Moscow and European allies escalated following a Russian strike on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the attack, stating it aimed to intimidate European partners and create divisions. Following the incident, the European Union extended its sanction regime against Russia. In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree officially dismissing the country's prosecutor general.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro)

Heavy fighting and shifting front lines continue across several sectors in Ukraine, according to operational updates. Ukrainian forces are advancing along the right bank of the Oskil River north of Kupiansk, with military officials expected to announce control over approximately 200 square kilometres in the Lyman area.

Simultaneously, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed its forces captured several settlements on the approaches to Sumy and targeted ammunition depots in the Kyiv region. On the southern front, Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov publicly denied reports of Ukrainian progress in the Zaporizhzhia region. The contrasting assertions highlight the fluid situation and persistent conflict across northern, eastern, and southern sectors.

Sources: The Insider

At least five people were killed and 16 others sustained injuries after Russian forces launched extensive bombardments across Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region over a 24-hour period, emergency services reported.

Russian troops carried out nearly 60 attacks using artillery and drones across five districts within the region. The highest toll was reported in the Kamianske district, where three fatalities and five injuries occurred. In Pavlohrad, two people were killed and seven others were wounded. Further civilian casualties and infrastructural damage were recorded in the Nikopol district, where rescue crews battled multiple fires caused by shelling.

Emergency responders continue working at the impacted sites to clear debris and provide aid to local residents.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace plan introduced by US President Donald Trump, insisting that Israeli forces will not pull back until Hamas is completely disarmed. Addressing his cabinet, Netanyahu stated, "Israel rejects the 15-point document," which Hamas had previously endorsed following Washington-led negotiations.

The rejection highlights growing friction between Netanyahu and the US administration, even as Israeli military strikes in Gaza have temporarily paused under American diplomatic pressure. Ahead of Israel's upcoming general election on October 27, Netanyahu faces conflicting domestic political demands from far-right ministers opposed to concessions and international calls for a settlement.

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

US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House during Xi's first state visit to the United States in over a decade. The bilateral talks addressed critical global security issues, including the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The summit followed discussions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who urged Washington to press Beijing into leveraging its relationship with Moscow to achieve de-escalation. Observers suggest China may seek US economic or trade concessions in exchange for altering its foreign policy posture regarding Russia. Trump demonstrated a notable diplomatic gesture by personally greeting Xi at his aircraft steps upon arrival.

Sources: Liga net, NV, Radio Svoboda, Ukrainska Pravda