Nov 9, 2026, 12:30 PM UTC

Widespread blackouts have hit eastern Ukraine following a second consecutive night of Russian drone and missile strikes targeting critical energy infrastructure. According to Ukrainian energy operator DTEK and regional authorities, more than 600,000 people in the Dnipropetrovsk region and approximately 250,000 in the Kharkiv region were left without electricity.

The attacks damaged vital energy facilities across eastern regions, renewing fears of extended winter disruptions to heating and water services. At the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, emergency diesel generators were activated to maintain essential reactor cooling operations following power grid disruptions.

Russia's Ministry of Defence confirmed its forces conducted strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and reported targeting a commercial container vessel. Emergency crews are currently working to restore power to affected communities.

Sources: France24, La Tribune, Libération, ORF, Tagesschau

European countries will be represented at upcoming negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 10 and 11, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. Speaking during an interview on French broadcaster RTL on Sunday, Barrot confirmed that "Europeans will be well represented" and that France would attend the talks.

While specific delegation details remain unannounced, Barrot stressed the importance of ensuring European interests and security concerns are included in peace discussions. The US-mediated talks in the United Arab Emirates mark an ongoing effort to address the conflict, with European representatives seeking direct involvement in negotiations affecting continental security.

Sources: Digi24, Kathimerini, Tagesschau, Ziarul de Gardă, Українська правда.

Sustained Russian air attacks across Ukraine overnight damaged critical energy infrastructure and civilian areas, leaving over 850,000 electricity consumers without power across the Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions. Utility provider DTEK and local administrators implemented emergency cutoffs and scheduled stabilization blackouts across multiple territories.

In Odesa, regional authorities confirmed one casualty and infrastructure destruction following targeted drone strikes, while overnight bombardment in Kharkiv triggered fires and extended air raid alerts. Further strikes targeted an industrial site in Poltava's Kremenchuk district, where local officials reported no casualties. Ukrainian officials continue urging citizens and commercial enterprises to restrict energy usage as utility teams attempt grid repairs ahead of winter.

Sources: Adevărul, HotNews, Moldova1, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă.

Pro-Russian cyber collectives including Noname057(16) and Everest have targeted European infrastructure and public services in a series of recent breaches. Affected operations include systems linked to the Brenner Base Tunnel project, travel provider Smartbox, supermarket refrigeration networks, French blood banks, and aviation systems.

Concurrently, confidential personal data belonging to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Rome Chief Prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi, and cyberpolice chief Ivano Gabrielli was leaked on dark web forums alongside cash bounties offered for further information.

While European intelligence agencies broadly attribute the multi-front campaign to pro-Russian hackers, Italian intelligence officials noted that there is "no single directing authority" behind the cyberattacks, raising the possibility of misdirection tactics.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Der Standard, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.

Polish authorities continue to investigate the motive behind Saturday's mass shooting in central Krakow after the 24-year-old suspect, identified as Michal O., died in hospital from injuries sustained during his arrest. Police confirmed that the gunman held a valid firearms permit and was an active member of a shooting club. He utilized a civilian semi-automatic variant of an AR-15 rifle to open fire from a vehicle on bystanders in the city's main square, killing six people and injuring at least 17 others.

Investigators also discovered the bodies of three family members—believed to be his parents and 21-year-old sister—at his residence. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the discovery as "the next act of this tragedy." President Karol Nawrocki declared Sunday and Monday as days of national mourning.

Sources: Danas, Delo, N1, Siol.net, Vijesti.