Nov 4, 2026, 06:30 PM UTC

Ukrainian and Russian forces have carried out further cross-border attacks despite claims by US President Donald Trump of a mutual agreement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure. Local authorities reported that Russian shelling in Ukraine's Kherson region killed two people and injured 14 others, while Ukrainian drone strikes wounded seven people across Russia's Belgorod and Sochi regions.

Diplomatically, the European Union extended its sanctions regime against Moscow. EU diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned a recent Russian strike on a train near the Polish border, characterising it as a deliberate attempt to intimidate European nations. In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an executive decree formally dismissing the country's prosecutor general from office.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro)

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy truce to halt attacks on power infrastructure. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky countered the claim, explaining that Kyiv had only observed a three-day pause on targeting Russian oil refineries following a request from Washington.

Zelensky stated "we are done" with temporary restraint after Russian forces continued bombarding Ukraine’s power grid during the three-day window. Consequently, Ukrainian forces are set to resume strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Kremlin rejected temporary ceasefire proposals, offering a counter-proposal instead, as the European Union enacted new sanctions against Moscow.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged authorities in Kyiv to initiate technical and administrative preparations for post-war democratic elections. Fedorov, who was dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, stressed that establishing a functional voting framework during the ongoing conflict is necessary to prevent significant delays once hostilities end.

Under current Ukrainian legislation, holding elections is strictly prohibited while martial law remains in force. However, Fedorov argued that early planning is vital to address complex logistical hurdles, including guaranteeing ballot access for millions of displaced citizens, overseas refugees, and frontline military personnel. While the presidential administration remains focused on immediate defense operations, Fedorov cautioned against postponing structural planning until peace is officially declared.

Sources: Le Monde

France's Constitutional Council has approved landmark legislation legalizing assisted dying while rejecting a proposed ban on social media for children under 15.

In its August 14 rulings, the high court deemed the end-of-life bill constitutional, applying three interpretative reservations. These include an institutional conscience clause allowing private and religious healthcare facilities to decline performing assisted dying procedures. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the ruling, remarking that it "completes an exemplary democratic debate."

Concurrently, the magistrates invalidated the core clause of a separate digital safety law that sought to bar minors under 15 from social media. The council ruled that the broad prohibition disproportionately infringed upon personal liberties, effectively dismantling the primary objective of the legislation.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, Politico Europe (Defense)

The U.S. military conducted air strikes on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, destroying two Iranian missile launchers in the first attack on Iranian territory in a month. Iranian state media confirmed six naval personnel were killed during the operation.

Despite the military escalation, Qatari mediators stated efforts remain active to facilitate a diplomatic resolution between Washington and Tehran. However, Iranian officials insisted Tehran sees "no necessity" for a direct meeting with the U.S. unless preliminary conditions are met. Diplomatic prospects face further obstacles after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to demand financial compensation from Iran over past regional attacks and domestic crackdowns.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.