Nov 12, 2026, 07:30 AM UTC

Russian aerial strikes targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure have disrupted power supplies for over 850,000 consumers across the Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions, according to local authorities and energy operator DTEK. In response to the intensifying winter campaign against grid assets, Ukrainian operators have introduced emergency blackouts and scheduled stabilization cuts to prevent total system failure.

Simultaneously, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported successful long-range precision strikes against Russian positions in occupied areas of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. Targeted assets included ammunition depots, logistical hubs, and a satellite communications jamming station.

On the diplomatic front, focus remains on potential peace talks in Abu Dhabi and security guarantees for Ukraine, alongside public statements from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump asserting that the war will conclude soon.

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

Moldovan authorities have officially commenced the "Moldova Pregătită" emergency readiness campaign, scheduled from 19 to 21 November. The initiative focuses on informing the public about essential self-sufficiency measures during the initial 72 hours of a potential crisis, including advice on household reserves and preparing an emergency kit. Officials reaffirmed that the exercise does not stem from an immediate threat or involve planned service disruptions.

Concurrently, Moldova marked a major milestone in energy independence with the opening of the 400 kV Vulcănești–Chișinău power line, directly integrating the domestic network into the European grid. In the digital sector, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos announced a €1 million grant from the European Union during a Chișinău summit to expand free public Wi-Fi access across 30 Moldovan towns.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă, Newsmaker, Moldova1, HotNews, TV8

Leaked death registry data from Russia’s statistics agency, Rosstat, indicates that nearly 500,000 Russian military personnel have been killed since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Analyzed by Janis Kluge of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs and reported by The Guardian, the records suggest monthly Russian military fatalities exceeded 15,000 in late 2024 and early 2025.

The high casualties coincide with ongoing scrutiny over Russia's recruitment methods, including cases where individuals with severe mental health conditions were enlisted. Meanwhile, European security services continue to crack down on Russian proxy networks, evidenced by a recent Latvian counter-intelligence raid near Riga arresting suspected operative Vasilijs Kovacovs. Internally, vocal criticism persists from former military personnel, including retired Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov, who stated that Russia has lost the war and urged President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an immediate ceasefire.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti

European Union member states are finalizing a new safeguard mechanism for prospective members, with Montenegro set to become the first candidate nation subject to the conditions. The proposed rules include provisions to suspend a new member's voting rights if democratic standards are breached, a measure Brussels considers non-negotiable.

Meanwhile, security concerns continue to affect the continent. In Eastern Europe, Russian strikes targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure while Ukrainian forces struck a major Russian oil refinery just hours before scheduled bilateral talks. In Western Europe, recurring student-led weekend demonstrations have disrupted local businesses, prompting heightened security measures in several commercial districts.

Sources: BalkanWeb, Gazeta Tema, Koha

Campaigning for Slovenia's local elections has entered its final phase ahead of the vote scheduled for November 15. In Ljubljana, 15 candidates are competing for the mayoral seat, including incumbent leadership and several high-profile political figures such as Klemen Boštjančič, Jasmin Feratović, Zoran Janković, Marko Koprivc, and Luka Mesec.

ahead of the Sunday election, the candidates will face off in a key televised debate on TV SLO 1 to present their visions for the capital's future. The wide field of contenders highlights intense competition in the capital, alongside discussions in other municipalities where candidates have focused on personal accountability, civic duty, and recent administrative reforms affecting municipal leadership compensation.

Sources: Siol.net, Delo