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Ukrainian Command Pushes to Regain Bridgehead In Dnipropetrovsk Direction

26 October 2026 at 21:49

Click to see full-size image. (Russian Ministry of Defense)

In the Dnipropetrovsk direction, Ukrainian units are attempting to regain control of the western bank of the Mokri Yaly River. In the Sumy direction, assault units of the “North” grouping continue to advance deeper into the region with heavy fighting, engaging near Khoten, Velyka Rybytsia and Nikolskoye. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian assault groups are pressing Ukrainian defenses towards Kharkiv and in the north-east of the region. In the Zaporozhye direction, airborne troops of the “Vostok” grouping have driven more than five kilometers into Ukrainian lines, forced the Solyonaya River and taken Obshcheye. In the Slavyansk direction, Russian units have resumed offensive operations north of the agglomeration, fighting in the Lyman area and along the Ozyornoye–Yampol line. Meanwhile, the reluctance of several EU countries to allocate further funds to Ukraine has caused bewilderment in Berlin: the Czech Republic and Slovakia have already indicated they will not take part in a new lending program, and Hungary is expected to adopt a similar stance.

Dnipropetrovsk direction

Fighting continues along the Mokri Yaly River, where Ukrainian forces are trying to re-establish control of the western bank in order to threaten the flank of Burlatskoye. Ukrainian formations were recently observed capturing a chain of strongpoints near Veseloye.

Russian troops retain firm control of Veseloye itself and most of the fortifications on its immediate approaches. The situation in neighboring Komar remains obscured by the “fog of war”; Ukrainian forces are actively employing loitering drones against supply units. On the right flank of the Dnipropetrovsk direction an extensive combat zone persists, with assault groups from both sides operating. Ukrainian units are relying on infiltration into the near rear of Russian positions in an effort to disrupt the defense and reach the fortified line along the Shevchenko–Veseloye axis.

Sumy direction

Assault units of the “North” grouping continue to push deeper into the Sumy region amid heavy fighting. Ukrainian forces have not conducted significant offensive actions and have concentrated on strikes against civilian targets in the border areas. Russian aviation, artillery and drone crews have struck concentrations of personnel and equipment in the areas of Sumy, Pervomayskoye, Gnilitsa, Podishche, Markovske, Stepanovka, Korenek, Malaya Slobodka and Krasnopolye.

In the Sumy district there are no major changes: Russian assault troops are advancing step by step near Khoten, Velyka Rybytsia and Nikolskoye. In the Shostka district Russian units have cleared a section of woodland near Korenek. Russian forces continue to methodically press Ukrainian defenses, supported by artillery and drones, thereby expanding their control in the border districts.

 

 

Kharkiv direction

Fierce fighting continues on all sectors of the front in the Kharkiv region. Russian units are pressing Ukrainian defenses towards Kharkiv and in the north-east of the region. The Ukrainian side is reinforcing its motorized infantry brigades with recruits from training centers.

On the Liptsy sector Russian assault groups are advancing south of Novaya Kazachya. Most of the area is already under Russian control; fighting is shifting towards Tsupovka. On the Volchansk and Velykyi Burluk sectors the heaviest fighting continues around Prikolotnoye and Malyi Burluk. Advances have been recorded near Bugayevka and Kotovka. Russian assault troops are pushing forward under heavy conditions in the Prikolotnoye, Bugayevka and Malyi Burluk areas, gaining up to 800 meters in the past 24 hours.

Zaporozhye direction

Near Malye Shcherbaki Russian airborne troops are expanding their zone of control and advancing along the gully towards Novoyakovlevka. In the Novopavlovka area Russian forces are holding their positions and striking Ukrainian units that are transferring reserves in an attempt to retake Orekhov.

The battle for the approaches to Orekhov is intensifying. While the southern outskirts of the town remain the scene of heavy fighting, Ukrainian forces continue to send small assault groups into Malaya Tokmachka. Members of Ukrainian units were recently hit by drones near the center of the village. It is likely that the Ukrainian side is attempting to reach IK-88, an area long used as the main defensive node for Malaya Tokmachka.

As a result of coordinated action by unmanned systems troops, artillery, aviation and assault troops of the 39th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the 68th Army Corps of the “Vostok” grouping, Russian forces have driven more than five kilometers into Ukrainian defenses, forced the Solyonaya River, overcome a system of engineer obstacles including an anti-tank ditch, and taken control of Obshcheye.

Slavyansk direction

East of the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration Russian assault units continue to advance in the Raiskoye area. On the Krasny Liman sector Russian forces have resumed offensive operations north of the agglomeration. Fighting is under way in the Lyman area and along the Ozyornoye–Yampol line. Advances have been noted towards Maslyakovka and near Rai-Aleksandrovka. From the Zarechnoye area Russian units are moving towards Maslyakovka.

Meeting engagements continue in the Zarechnoye, Stavki and Dibrova sectors. Over the past 24 hours Russian units conducted several successful attacks towards Stavki and Dibrova. Reports from the eastern approaches to Krasny Liman are of particular interest: an advance from Zarechnoye towards Maslyakovka has been recorded, although the settlement itself has not yet passed under Russian control. Further south, heavy fighting continues along the Yampol–Ozyornoye line.

Conclusion

In the Dnipropetrovsk sector the struggle centers on the western bank of the Mokri Yaly and the retention of Veseloye. In the Sumy direction Russian forces are slowly pressing the defense near Khoten, Velyka Rybytsia and Korenek. In the Kharkiv direction pressure continues on Prikolotnoye, Bugayevka and Malyi Burluk. In the Zaporozhye direction the more than five-kilometer penetration, the forcing of the Solyonaya and the capture of Obshcheye create conditions for further envelopment of the Orekhov grouping. In the Slavyansk direction the resumption of attacks north of the agglomeration and fighting along the Ozyornoye–Yampol line are gradually eroding Ukrainian defenses.

Meanwhile, the reluctance of several EU member states to provide further funding for Ukraine has caused consternation in Berlin, according to Politico, citing European diplomats and officials. “How can one seriously expect our taxpayers to send even one more euro from the cohesion funds to those who refuse to take part in defending the EU against the greatest threat to our common security?” a German diplomat told the publication. The Czech Republic and Slovakia have already indicated they will not participate in a new lending program; according to two sources, Hungary is likely to take the same position. At a recent EU summit Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine would require an additional €70 billion in 2027.

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Military Situation In Ukraine And Ukrainian Attacks On Russian Territory On October 26, 2026 (Maps Update)

26 October 2026 at 15:32

Click to see the full-size image

  • Russian strikes hit targets in the the Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Chernihiv, Chernivtsi regions, and the DPR;
  • According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 1 Kh-31P anti-radiation missile, 3 Kh-59/69 missiles, and 140 strike UAVs;
  • Russian forces struck a UAV depot and the Zalyutino PS-330 power substation in the Kharkiv region;
  • Russian forces struck the PS-330 power substation in the Khmelnytskyi region;
  • Russian forces struck the infrastructure of three berth terminals in the port of Chornomorsk and a dry cargo ship delivering military cargo to the port of Odesa;
  • Ukrainian losses amounted to approximately 1,285 personnel over the past 24 hours.

Click to see the full-size image

  • Russian forces took control of Obshcheye and Nikolskoye in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Click to see the full-size image

  • Russian forces took control of Mirovoe and advanced north of Dobropolye.

Click to see the full-size image

  • During the past night, Russian air defenses destroyed 290 Ukrainian drones in the rear regions;
  • Russian air defenses intercepted UAVs in the Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Volgograd, Kaluga, Kursk, Lipetsk, Novgorod, Oryol, Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tver, and Tula regions, and in the Moscow region;
  • Ukrainian strikes killed two civilians in Voronezh. Fires broke out at several industrial enterprises, and civilian infrastructure was damaged;
  • Ukrainian strikes injured two children and a man in Melitopol;
  • Ukrainian strikes targeted a freight train traveling from Bryansk to Gomel in Novozybkov. The train driver was killed.

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The post Military Situation In Ukraine And Ukrainian Attacks On Russian Territory On October 26, 2026 (Maps Update) appeared first on South Front.

As students we never sought power – here’s how we reclaimed Serbia | Novak Simin

26 October 2026 at 19:04

After freedom, we want to give our people something radical: a normal, functioning state

Two years ago, I harboured no political ambition whatsoever. I was a student at the faculty of technical sciences in Novi Sad, my home town, pursuing a PhD in human resources and simply living my life. That was until the canopy collapse at the newly renovated train station in Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people. I took part in street protests and rallies in response to this shocking event, and like many others, realised that it needed to be a turning point.

This was not an unavoidable tragedy. Systemic corruption and a culture of entrenched impunity were obvious factors in the collapse. But instead of ordering a full and impartial investigation and coming clean on official failings, the authorities began pushing back against us for demanding justice. We were vilified and attacked in the streets but law enforcement did nothing. So we took refuge in our lecture halls and schools, barricading ourselves inside faculty buildings, ready for a long haul.

Novak Simin is a member of Serbia’s Student List movement

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© Photograph: Marko Drobnjaković/AP

© Photograph: Marko Drobnjaković/AP

© Photograph: Marko Drobnjaković/AP

Ukraine adopts EU-linked law giving veterans priority in government hiring

26 October 2026 at 18:37
The law fulfills Ukraine's commitments under the Ukraine Facility, an EU financial assistance program launched in 2024, and unlocks 137 million euros ($153 million) in budget funding, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said.

Elections in Serbia and Bulgaria come under the spotlight

26 October 2026 at 18:37

A European Parliament delegation observed Serbia’s parliamentary elections this weekend (Sunday, 25 October) as part of the international election observation mission coordinated by the OSCE.

Led by S&D MEP Andreas Schieder, the delegation assessed the electoral process against international democratic … Read more

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