Nov 3, 2026, 07:30 AM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kyiv will resume strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, countering claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that a mutual energy truce had been established. Zelensky explained that Ukraine temporarily halted refinery attacks for three days at Washington's request, but Moscow continued targeting Ukrainian power grids during that period. Emphasizing that "we are done" with unilateral restraint, the Ukrainian leader reaffirmed that any pause remains contingent on reciprocal Russian compliance.

Concurrently, the Kremlin dismissed proposals for a temporary ceasefire while submitting a counter-offer, as the European Union formally adopted a new sanctions package targeting Moscow.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that the bloc will not tolerate hostile actions on member state territory, warning of a potential response following the identification of two suspects linked to Moscow over explosive drones in Leipzig.

Meanwhile, Russian forces launched additional overnight drone attacks against Kyiv, injuring one resident. The strikes followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the United Nations General Assembly, in which he described Russian President Vladimir Putin as "patient zero who wanted the war." Simultaneously, Russia's defense ministry confirmed a campaign aimed at Ukrainian energy infrastructure, while Ukraine expanded retaliatory strikes against Russian petroleum facilities and oil refineries.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced plans to raise average net monthly salaries to €1,600 by 2028, with consultations on minimum wage adjustments scheduled for October. To support long-term economic resilience, the government also outlined a nearly €3 billion National Industrial Development Plan through 2034, focusing on productivity and high-tech manufacturing.

Despite 22 consecutive quarters of GDP growth, analysts and business leaders offered contrasting views on the nation's trajectory. Mislav Balković, head of the Croatian Employers' Association, cautioned that labor costs are rising faster than productivity gains, calling on private businesses to lead future growth. Meanwhile, economist Ljubo Jurčić criticized the current direction, claiming the economy is drifting "without an engine and without a rudder" and requires annual expansion above five percent.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Poslovni dnevnik, Vijesti

United States federal prosecutors in Manhattan have unsealed an indictment against five alleged Russian intelligence operatives accused of orchestrating targeted assassinations and sabotage operations across Western nations.

According to federal authorities, the suspects recruited a global network to surveil and target individuals aligned with Ukraine, including a June 2024 attack in Prague and planned killings inside the United States. All five accused agents remain at large.

Concurrently, Denmark's Security and Intelligence Service stated at a Copenhagen conference that Russian operatives executed targeted sabotage against Danish defense contractors supplying Ukraine's military. Officials described these acts as an escalation in Moscow's hybrid warfare against Western defense infrastructure. Russian authorities have not issued a formal response to the charges or allegations.

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

European Union member states have reached an agreement to extend sanctions against approximately 3,000 individuals and entities linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. The resolution followed diplomatic negotiations and temporary delays caused by disagreement over specific targets. To preserve member state unanimity and prevent the expiration of the measures, diplomats agreed to remove steel magnate Alisher Usmanov and banker Mikhail Fridman from the blacklist. The decision ensures that existing travel bans, asset freezes, and expanded economic restrictions remain active against Moscow. The consensus coincided with the adoption of a major sanctions package by EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg aimed at maintaining support for Kyiv.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.