Nov 3, 2026, 01:30 AM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv will resume targeting Russian oil refineries, rejecting further unilateral restraint after Moscow continued attacking Ukrainian power infrastructure during a brief three-day pause requested by Washington.

The statement follows an assertion by U.S. President Donald Trump that both nations had agreed to an energy truce halting attacks on critical power grids. While Zelensky initially expressed conditional willingness to abide by a mutual arrangement, he stated "we are done" after Russian strikes persisted.

Concurrently, the Kremlin rejected proposals for a temporary ceasefire and submitted a counter-offer. Amid the escalating diplomatic and military friction, the European Union formally adopted its largest sanctions package to date against Russia.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that the European Union will "not tolerate attacks on EU soil" after German authorities in Leipzig discovered explosive drones near critical infrastructure. Investigators identified two suspects linked to Moscow in connection with the incident.

The German probe coincides with escalating strikes between Russia and Ukraine. Russian forces launched fresh drone raids on Kyiv, injuring a woman, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address at the United Nations General Assembly. Russian defense officials confirmed a new campaign targeting Ukraine's energy network, while Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries forced Moscow to purchase fuel from abroad.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Iran state media claimed military forces launched targeted missile strikes against a US aircraft carrier and six vessels, including three commercial tankers and three American naval ships, in retaliation for recent US raids near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces assert that these actions demonstrate their operational capability in the critical waterway following the breakdown of a June truce agreement.

However, US President Donald Trump refuted Tehran's statements, maintaining that Iran is facing severe operational difficulties and confirming that a fire aboard a struck tanker was successfully extinguished. Trump stressed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial navigation. Despite these reassurances, US intelligence assessments indicate that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps views its tactical standing as strengthened, increasing concerns over potential military escalation.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica

Federal prosecutors in the United States have unsealed charges against five alleged Russian intelligence operatives accused of directing a global network to conduct sabotage and targeted killings. According to an indictment filed in Manhattan federal court, the suspects paid or attempted to recruit operatives across North America and Europe to track and assassinate individuals "aligned, or perceived to be aligned, with Ukraine."

Authorities stated the campaign encompasses a June 2024 attack in Prague alongside planned assassinations inside the United States. All five accused individuals remain at large. Simultaneously, Denmark's Security and Intelligence Service reported that Moscow has engaged in targeted sabotage operations against Danish defense contractors supplying military equipment to Kyiv, framing the actions as an escalation in hybrid warfare strategy. Russian officials have not issued an immediate response to the allegations.

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

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has announced plans to raise average net monthly salaries to €1,600 by 2028, with consultations on minimum wage adjustments set for October. The government has also introduced a nearly €3 billion National Industrial Development Plan through 2034, aiming to boost high-tech manufacturing and raise productivity.

However, business leaders and economists offer contrasting assessments of the nation's trajectory following 22 consecutive quarters of GDP growth. Mislav Balković, head of the Croatian Employers' Association, cautioned that labor costs are rising faster than productivity gains, calling on the private sector to drive future growth. Meanwhile, economist and former minister Ljubo Jurčić criticized the current momentum, claiming the economy is drifting "without an engine and without a rudder" and requires annual expansion above five percent to remain competitive.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Poslovni dnevnik, Vijesti