Nov 5, 2026, 01:30 PM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Kyiv will resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's declaration of a mutual energy truce. Trump announced on social media that both nations had agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. However, Zelensky clarified that Ukraine had only observed a three-day trial pause requested by Washington.

Because Russian forces continued targeting Ukrainian power infrastructure during the trial, Kyiv ended the arrangement, with Zelensky declaring, "we are done."

Meanwhile, Moscow rejected initial temporary ceasefire terms and issued a counter-proposal, while the European Union enacted its largest sanctions package against Russia to date.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix

Following the US midterm election results, the Democratic Party has officially secured control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, creating a divided government for the remainder of President Donald Trump's term.

Democratic candidates flipped several crucial seats in traditional Republican strongholds, providing the party with the majorities needed to lead both legislative chambers. The election outcome significantly restricts the White House's ability to advance key domestic legislation through Congress without bipartisan compromise. Furthermore, Democratic leaders are expected to use their newly gained authority to initiate congressional investigations and deepen oversight into executive administration policies.

While early projections had indicated a close race for the Senate, final vote counts confirmed dual Democratic victories, reshaping the political landscape in Washington for the next two years.

Sources: BBC News, France24, The Guardian, The Journal, The Scotsman

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the bloc will not tolerate security threats on its territory and remains "ready to respond" after German authorities identified two Moscow-linked suspects in connection with explosive drone incidents in Leipzig.

The statement comes amid a renewed Russian military campaign targeting Ukraine's energy grid. Moscow launched fresh overnight drone strikes against Kyiv, wounding a civilian, shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly. Meanwhile, escalated Ukrainian air strikes on Russian oil refineries have disrupted domestic petroleum production, compelling Moscow to import fuel.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

European Union member states have resolved a diplomatic deadlock over sanctions targeting individuals and entities supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

To maintain unanimity and prevent the penal regime from expiring, the bloc agreed to renew sanctions against nearly 3,000 targets while removing steel magnate Alisher Usmanov and financier Mikhail Fridman from the list. The exemptions followed requests from France, Slovakia, and Luxembourg, which had temporarily delayed the approval process.

Alongside the target list renewal, EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg approved the union's largest sanctions package to date. The comprehensive measures target Moscow's military-industrial complex, aiming to sustain economic pressure as geopolitical dynamics evolve.

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

Federal prosecutors in New York have unsealed an indictment charging five alleged Russian intelligence operatives with directing targeted assassinations and sabotage operations across Western nations. According to the United States Department of Justice, the network recruited individuals globally to track and target prominent supporters of Ukraine, including coordinating an attack in Prague in June 2024. All five suspects remain at large.

In a related development, Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service reported that Moscow has engaged in direct sabotage against Danish defense companies manufacturing military hardware for Kyiv. Danish officials characterized the acts as a deliberate escalation of Kremlin hybrid warfare designed to erode Western backing for Ukraine.

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