Nov 12, 2026, 08:00 PM UTC

Ukraine launched a series of overnight long-range drone attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure, including the Kirishi oil refinery near St. Petersburg. The facility, recognized as Russia's second-largest fuel processing plant, suffered multiple explosions and a fire that was later extinguished by emergency services. Local authorities reported one casualty after a woman was struck by falling debris from an intercepted drone.

Simultaneously, at least four drones crossed into Baltic airspace during the operations, prompting Baltic nations to trigger air raid alarms. NATO fighter jets scrambled to monitor the regional airspace, while Finland temporarily instituted maritime and aerial restrictions. The alerts were subsequently canceled after security conditions normalized.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

United States mediators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow following two days of talks in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, the US envoys advocated for European representation in future peace negotiations to support lasting stability in the region.

However, President Putin reiterated Moscow's unyielding position regarding territorial concessions. He stated that any future boundary between Russia and Ukraine must correspond to Russia's official constitutional borders. These claimed boundaries encompass the Crimean Peninsula, annexed in 2014, as well as four eastern Ukrainian regions that Russian forces have partially occupied since 2022.

Following their Kremlin consultations, the US delegation is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as shuttle diplomacy efforts continue.

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

Candidates for the Ljubljana mayoral race are making their final appeals to voters ahead of the local elections on Sunday, 15 November 2026. A field of 15 contenders is competing for the capital's top office, including incumbent Zoran Janković alongside prominent figures such as Klemen Boštjančič, Jasmin Feratović, Marko Koprivc, Luka Mesec, and Kajetan Bajt.

A live television debate scheduled for Thursday evening on TV SLO 1 offers voters a direct comparison of the candidates' municipal platforms. Highlighting the campaign's diverse perspectives, independent candidate Aleksandar Repić emphasized that mayoral qualifications must look beyond formal education and professional background, advocating for personal integrity and a strong dedication to ordinary citizens.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

U.S. federal agencies and Nvidia’s board of directors continue to evaluate the implications of an alleged Chinese intelligence operation targeting Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang. The probe centers on Huang's extra-marital affair with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed who is suspected by Washington of attempting to gather sensitive semiconductor information for Beijing.

While Huang publicly admitted to marital infidelity without naming his partner, he denied any knowledge of espionage activities during a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump publicly expressed surprise at the allegations while confirming that the FBI is examining the case. Internal reviews by Nvidia have so far found no evidence of compromised corporate or state secrets, though the scandal contributed to a temporary decline in the company's stock price.

Sources: Hospodářské noviny, Money, Rzeczpospolita, Seznam Zprávy, TVP info.

U.S. mediators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the swift conclusion of peace discussions in Abu Dhabi. Upon landing at Vnukovo airport, the diplomats were greeted by Kirill Dmitriev, a special representative for the Russian president.

The second day of trilateral negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations lasted just two hours, ending considerably sooner than the opening round. Russian lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky noted that both parties reached preliminary understandings, though details remain sparse.

Following their Moscow meetings, the American envoys are slated to travel to Dublin to consult with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky voiced doubts over the progress, maintaining that any settlement requires solid security assurances and full Ukrainian authority over the Donbas region.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Jornal Económico.