Oct 25, 2026, 04:30 AM UTC

Ukrainian authorities and municipal officials in Kyiv are stepping up winter preparations as Russian strikes against critical energy infrastructure continue to intensify. The national government is collaborating with local leadership to build protective structures around power facilities and establish evacuation protocols for citizens with limited mobility. Additionally, Kyiv's city administration has advised residents to prepare personal supplies of food, water, and emergency power.

However, former officials and media reports have raised significant doubts about the capital's readiness. Ex-Restoration Agency head Serhiy Sukhomlyn warned that enduring the winter may depend on mild weather, while investigative reports highlight procurement delays that could leave key backup systems unfinished until early 2027.

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

Portugal's parliament has concluded a three-hour debate on a motion of censure submitted by the far-right Chega party against the minority government. The measure failed after the governing coalition voted against it and the main opposition Socialist Party abstained.

The censure proposal stemmed from recent controversies surrounding the Ministry of Internal Administration. Closing the debate, Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro criticized Chega for introducing a parliamentary initiative destined to fail, while also faulting the Socialists for choosing to abstain.

Leitão Amaro noted that voters would render a "political judgment" on Chega's actions. Despite the political dispute, the minister affirmed that the minority government will maintain its approach of negotiating support on a case-by-case basis without establishing a preferred partner in parliament.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić officially resigned on Sunday, ending his second five-year term seven months early. The decision comes less than a month before early parliamentary elections scheduled for October 25, following the recent dissolution of the national legislature.

Under Serbia's constitution, Vučić is barred from seeking a third consecutive presidential term. His early departure triggers snap presidential elections, which must be organized within 90 days. Former parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabić has stepped in as acting president during the interim period while the country operates under a caretaker government.

The coordinated timing of the presidential and parliamentary votes consolidates Serbia's upcoming electoral calendar as political parties prepare for campaigns.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă.

Saulius Ivoška, an advisor to the mayor of Alytus and a member of Lithuania's Social Democratic Party, is facing public scrutiny following reports regarding hundreds of thousands of euros in financial gifts received from his retired parents. When questioned about the origin of the assets, Ivoška stated that the wealth "is justified."

An investigation into his family's business connections revealed that two entities previously managed by his mother obtained substantial revenue from the Alytus city municipality and its municipally owned enterprises. Taxpayer funds were directed toward a local news portal and a construction waste disposal firm linked to his family. Local authorities have not announced formal legal proceedings regarding the contracts.

Sources: 15min.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk accused Ukrainian forces of violating terms of service by using the commercial Starlink satellite network to conduct drone strikes. Writing on social platform X, Musk stated that civilian Starlink terminals were never intended for offensive combat operations and claimed SpaceX restricted the capability last week.

Musk emphasized that Starshield, a military-grade satellite system, remains under US government oversight, while acknowledging that Starlink is essential for Ukraine's frontline defense.

In response, Ukrainian volunteer Serhii Sternenko rejected the claims, asserting that using commercial Starlink hardware for combat drone strikes is technically impossible.

Sources: NEXTA, NV, The Insider, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда