Oct 24, 2026, 03:00 PM UTC

Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies and Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko have entered a sharp public confrontation after Kravchenko announced criminal charges against Semen Kryvonos, director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). In a video statement, Kravchenko accused Kryvonos of document forgery for financial gain and orchestrating a fake adoption to avoid prosecution.

NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) denied that any formal notice of suspicion was delivered to Kryvonos. The agencies characterized Kravchenko's claims as an attempt to undermine their ongoing investigation into a criminal network involving current and former lawmakers alongside senior officials from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office.

Following Kravchenko's statement, reports surfaced that he departed Ukraine in an official vehicle. President Zelenskyy subsequently requested parliament to expedite Kravchenko's dismissal.

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

The United States has completed the withdrawal of its military forces from Iraq, ending a presence spanning over two decades. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the drawdown, stating on social media that it marked a "great day for America" and asserting that Iraq remains in good hands. The departure fulfills a timeline originally negotiated under the Biden administration.

While military analysts acknowledge that Iraq is currently more stable than during the previous U.S. exit in 2011, security experts remain divided over the potential fallout. Concerns persist that the departure creates a power vacuum favoring Iranian-backed factions and regional militant groups. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Defense is reviewing its strategic footprint across the Persian Gulf following recent attacks on American facilities.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

French authorities have deployed military personnel and established heightened security protocols across major cities ahead of upcoming weekend gatherings following widespread unrest over living costs. President Emmanuel Macron requested local officials to prohibit all unauthorized rallies, excepting union-led events, while regional authorities in Lyon instituted a complete ban on public demonstrations.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed a "massive" security operation, deploying armed forces alongside police units to prevent further property damage after recent protests resulted in nearly 2,400 detentions and extensive commercial losses. Relative calm returned early Tuesday after targeted night curfews were enforced in parts of Paris and other urban hubs.

Concurrently, European Union officials continue examining foreign digital interference. Regulators suspect online accounts linked to pro-Russian and far-right campaigns of amplifying footage of arson and looting to worsen social unrest across Europe.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.

Azerbaijan is actively leading efforts to broaden the mandate of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), moving the grouping beyond its foundational focus on cultural and humanitarian cooperation. According to recent statements from President Ilham Aliyev, Baku seeks to integrate the bloc's strategic priorities across regional security, energy networks, transport infrastructure, and political alignment.

By hosting high-level multilateral events and promoting joint strategic initiatives, Azerbaijan aims to position itself as a central diplomatic and logistical hub within Eurasia. The proposed expansion intends to enhance the international standing of the OTS while deepening trade and economic links among its member states.

Sources: Trend News Agency.

Ukrainian national and municipal authorities are stepping up preparations for the upcoming winter heating season as Russian missile attacks against energy infrastructure intensify. Central government officials are coordinating with Kyiv local authorities to build protective shelters around critical energy sites and organize evacuation plans for residents with limited mobility. Concurrently, Kyiv city administration has advised residents to prepare emergency stockpiles of food, water, and backup power supplies.

However, former officials and investigative reports express serious skepticism regarding the capital's actual preparedness. Serhiy Sukhomlyn, former head of the State Restoration Agency, warned that survival through winter may depend on "a warm winter and the inaccuracy of Russian strikes." Critical reports also revealed delays in purchasing backup power equipment for municipal utilities, predicting that some essential installations will not be complete until early 2027.

Sources: Liga net, NV, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда.