APOLLON

Daily report ·

Ukraine under fire as US-Iran tensions rattle energy markets

Russia launched major attacks on Ukraine’s energy system, causing widespread outages and fresh civilian casualties, even as Kyiv and European leaders pressed for stronger air defences and a role in any peace deal. At the same time, reported US strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island and warnings of further action deepened fears of escalation around the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil and gas markets swinging and unsettling governments across the region.

Based on 120 articles from 25 outlets · Published (Athens time)

Key points

  • Russia carried out one of its biggest attacks of the year on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, triggering outages and damage across the country.
  • Civilian sites in Ukraine were hit again, including a school used for aid distribution and a humanitarian aid site, with dozens reported killed.
  • Reported US strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island and threats of further action kept tensions high around the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Oil and European gas prices moved sharply as traders weighed the risk of disruption to energy flows.
  • US midterm elections dominated Washington politics, with control of Congress and Trump’s agenda at stake.
  • New US-led peace talks on Ukraine were announced for Abu Dhabi on November 10-11.
  • Black Sea shipping remained under pressure after renewed attacks on cargo and merchant vessels.

Ukraine: Russia pounds energy grid and civilian sites

Russia launched one of its largest attacks of the year against Ukraine’s energy system, striking substations, transmission systems and power plants and causing emergency outages in several regions. Kyiv reported widespread power and water disruptions after the assault, while officials said a substation critical to a nuclear power plant was hit. The barrage came as winter approaches and as Ukraine continues to seek more air defence systems.

The strikes also caused heavy civilian losses. Ukrainian authorities said Russian attacks hit a school used as an aid distribution point in southeastern Ukraine, killing at least 31 people, while another strike on a humanitarian aid site in southern Ukraine killed at least 26. Separate reports said dozens more were killed or injured in attacks on Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv, underscoring the scale of the violence.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

US-Iran crisis: strikes, threats and Hormuz fears

Reported US strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island and other targets near the Strait of Hormuz dominated the day’s geopolitical risk. Multiple reports said the attacks were described by US officials as defensive and limited, while Iranian officials said the US ceasefire proposal was insufficient and that the two sides remained far from a deal. Trump also left open the possibility of further strikes, including against Iran’s suspected underground nuclear site.

The confrontation has immediate implications for maritime security and energy flows. Reports described tanker explosions, attacks on commercial vessels and renewed concern over the Strait of Hormuz, while European wholesale gas prices and Brent crude swung sharply on the news. Regional leaders warned that a return to war would benefit no one, but diplomacy appeared fragile and mixed signals continued.

Sources: [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60]

Ukraine diplomacy: peace talks and European pressure

Diplomatic efforts around Ukraine continued despite the fighting. US envoy Steve Witkoff said trilateral Russia-Ukraine-US talks will be held in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11, with the agenda including security arrangements and steps toward a durable peace. European officials said they want to be directly involved in any settlement, including on sanctions and future security guarantees.

In Berlin, Volodymyr Zelenskiy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed that Russia has not yet engaged seriously in peace efforts. Merz said Europe must shape any deal, while Zelenskiy renewed his call for more air defence systems. The discussions reflected both the urgency of the battlefield situation and the concern that any ceasefire would need strong enforcement and reconstruction support.

Sources: [61] [62] [63] [64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69] [70] [71] [72] [73] [74] [16]

Washington: midterms test Trump’s second term

Americans voted in pivotal midterm elections that could reshape control of Congress and determine how much room President Donald Trump has to advance his agenda. Democrats were widely seen as favoured to win back the House, while the Senate remained highly competitive in closely fought statewide races. The contest was framed as a referendum on Trump’s second term and on whether opponents can curb his power.

The campaign’s final stretch was marked by warnings from state officials that federal intervention could disrupt voting or certification, and by Republican efforts to limit losses. Trump’s election-day announcement that the United States would end military aid to Israel after this year added another surprise to an already volatile political moment.

Sources: [75] [76] [77] [78] [79] [80] [81] [82] [83] [84] [85] [86] [87] [88] [89] [90] [91]

Black Sea and global trade: shipping and food risks rise

NATO said it would bolster surveillance on its Black Sea flank after a series of attacks on cargo ships near Romania and Bulgaria, including the sinking of a Greek container ship by naval drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. Reports said Russian drone strikes on merchant ships have threatened trade routes linked to Ukrainian ports and raised risks for NATO waters.

The wider food-security impact is also growing. FAO said acute hunger remained alarmingly high in 2025, with conflict, weather extremes and economic shocks driving crisis levels. Separate reporting warned that renewed attacks on Black Sea shipping could disrupt grain exports, push up food prices and deepen global food insecurity.

Sources: [92] [93] [94] [95] [96] [97] [98] [99]

Sudan and Gaza: civilian suffering deepens

Sudan’s conflict continued to exact a heavy toll on civilians, with the UN warning that drone attacks are disrupting electricity, water and fuel supplies and making aid delivery harder. Sudan also called for accountability at the United Nations after devastating strikes exposed the widening regional dimensions of the war, while survivors in Darfur described repeated displacement and renewed violence.

In Gaza, Israeli attacks continued despite the ceasefire framework described in one report. Articles said Israeli forces killed Palestinians over several days, while another account described indiscriminate gunfire terrorising displaced families and injuring children. The reporting pointed to a conflict that remains lethal even when formal truce language is in place.

Sources: [100] [101] [102] [103] [104] [105] [106] [107]

Sources

  1. Key developments on Nov. 3: Russia hits substation critical for nuclear power plant in biggest mass attack on Ukraine's energy this year — Kyiv Independent
  2. Russia launches major attack on Ukraine's energy system — Meduza
  3. Russia bombards Ukraine energy infrastructure as peace talks near — Al-Monitor
  4. Russian double tap strike on Ukrainian school used as aid distribution kills at least 31 — France 24 EN
  5. Widespread Power and Water Outages in Kyiv After Major Russian Strike on Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure — Kyiv Independent
  6. Russia bombs school shelter in southeastern Ukraine, killing at least 31 — Egypt Independent
  7. Russia Launches Ballistic Missiles, Cruise Missiles and Drones Against Ukraine Overnight — Kyiv Independent
  8. Russia launches major missile and drone strike on Ukraine's critical infrastructure — Kyiv Independent
  9. Russian strikes kill 29 at humanitarian aid site in southern Ukraine as attacks hit power plants and hospitals — France 24 EN
  10. Russian Airstrikes Kill 29 in Zaporizhzhia, Injure 73 in Kharkiv — Novinite
  11. At least 26 killed in Russian strike on humanitarian aid distribution center in southern Ukraine — Naftemporiki
  12. Russia kills at least 26 in strikes on southern Ukraine village after ceasefire ends — France 24 EN
  13. Two killed in drone attack on car near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — Naftemporiki
  14. At least 38 killed in 24 hours as Zelensky warns dozens may be trapped under rubble — BBC World
  15. At least 38 killed in 24 hours as Zelensky warns dozens may be trapped under rubble — BBC World
  16. Ukrainian president meets German chancellor in Berlin, who says Russia is yet to engage seriously in peace efforts — Al Jazeera EN
  17. US reportedly has plans to strike Iran as early as Wednesday — Middle East Eye
  18. Iran says US ceasefire proposal 'insufficient' as strikes are reported on Qeshm Island — Middle East Eye
  19. NYT: The US is planning a strike against Iran, possibly as soon as tomorrow — Naftemporiki
  20. European wholesale natural gas prices surge after U.S. strikes on Iran and stalled diplomacy — Hellenic Shipping News
  21. Trump Threatens Renewed Attacks as Iran’s Shipping Strikes Deepen Economic Standoff — gCaptain
  22. U.S. and Iran Could Reach Limited Agreement by Mid-2027, Rystad Says — OilPrice.com
  23. Iran says US ceasefire proposal 'insufficient' as strikes are reported on Qeshm Island — Middle East Eye
  24. Brent Crude Falls on Conflicting Reports of U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strikes Near Hormuz — OilPrice.com
  25. Brent crude plunges on conflicting U.S.-Iran peace reports and strike rumors — OilPrice.com
  26. US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island as covert operations continue — OilPrice.com
  27. Trump says he is 'not looking to kill lots of people' in Iran — Middle East Eye
  28. Iran and U.S. remain far from deal as limited U.S. strikes hit Qeshm island — Cyprus Mail
  29. U.S. conducts defensive strikes on Iranian targets in Strait of Hormuz — France 24 EN
  30. World has drained energy security reserves after US-Israel war on Iran disrupted Hormuz shipping, ADNOC chief warns — ERTnews
  31. IRGC claims three tankers exploded after hitting naval mines in Hormuz — Middle East Eye
  32. European Commission President Comments After U.S. Strike on Iran's Qeshm Island — Euractiv
  33. U.S. Reportedly Strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island Amid Ongoing Negotiations — France 24 EN
  34. Undefined — Al Jazeera EN
  35. US Carries Out Defensive Strikes on Iranian Locations Near Hormuz — Al Jazeera EN
  36. US Carries Out Limited Defensive Strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island — Egypt Independent
  37. Oil Prices Rise Again After New U.S. Airstrikes on Iranian Targets in the Strait of Hormuz — Naftemporiki
  38. Iranian TV Issues Public Guidance on How to Survive a Nuclear Blast — ERTnews
  39. Netanyahu Pressed Trump Administration for New Strikes on Iran — ERTnews
  40. Iran says deal to end war remains far off as U.S. carries out strikes — Cyprus Mail
  41. Iran: “The ball is in the US court” to prevent war, but we also have “our finger on the trigger” — Naftemporiki
  42. Iran says U.S. and Tehran remain far from a deal as strikes continue — Al-Monitor
  43. Iran chief negotiator says ball in US court to 'prevent war' — Middle East Eye
  44. Trump says US might have to 'go after' Iran's Pickaxe Mountain if no deal is reached — Middle East Eye
  45. US Carries Out Limited Strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz — Cyprus Mail
  46. US strikes Iranian island in Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Tehran — South China Morning Post
  47. WSJ: US Struck Iran's Qeshm Island as Trump Downplayed War Risk — Naftemporiki
  48. Trump Leaves Open US Strike on Iran's Suspected Underground Nuclear Site — ERTnews
  49. Trump Signals Progress in Talks With Iran as Strait of Hormuz Reopening Is Floated — Al-Monitor
  50. US launches limited strikes on Iranian island in Strait of Hormuz after Trump signals diplomatic progress — Al-Monitor
  51. US reportedly launches limited strikes on Iranian island in Strait of Hormuz — Al-Monitor
  52. Iran's President Says Return to War Would Benefit No One After Reported US Strikes — Al-Monitor
  53. US Carries Out Limited Strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island Near Strait of Hormuz — Greek Reporter
  54. US Launches Limited Strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island Amid Hormuz Tensions — The Guardian — World
  55. Undefined — France 24 EN
  56. US Carries Out Defensive Strikes on Iranian Targets in the Strait of Hormuz — ERTnews
  57. Report: US launched strikes on Iran — Middle East Eye
  58. Diplomat says Tehran could reopen Strait of Hormuz in exchange for U.S. sanctions relief — Times of Israel
  59. Netanyahu Pushes for New Strikes on Iran After U.S. Midterm Elections — South China Morning Post
  60. NYT reports some US officials believe intel used to push Trump into renewing war, Gulf countries view assessment as 'unserious'; US said to have plans to strike day after midterms — Times of Israel
  61. Europeans and US prepare talks on reconstruction, security guarantees and a possible ceasefire — Euractiv
  62. Zelenskiy Says Russia Has No Current Frontline Advantage in Ukraine War — Cyprus Mail
  63. Merz says Europe must shape any Ukraine peace deal as Trump renews push with Putin — Politico Europe
  64. Kremlin Says Trilateral Putin-Trump-Xi Meeting Is Being Prepared for APEC Summit — Politico Europe
  65. US to mediate new Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11 — Greek Reporter
  66. FT: Trump, Putin and Xi meeting under discussion this month — Naftemporiki
  67. Russia to hold three-way peace talks with Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi — Al-Monitor
  68. U.S. Envoy Says Russia-Ukraine-U.S. Talks Set for Abu Dhabi on November 10–11 — Meduza
  69. US, Russia and Ukraine to hold peace talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11 — Naftemporiki
  70. US to bring Ukraine and Russia delegations to the same table in Abu Dhabi — ERTnews
  71. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff Announces New Trilateral Russia-Ukraine-U.S. Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi — Kyiv Independent
  72. US to host Ukraine and Russia delegations in Abu Dhabi for peace talks — Al-Monitor
  73. Greenland parliament ratifies security agreement with the United States and Denmark — South China Morning Post
  74. Ukraine Regains Operational Initiative on Key Battlefield Directions — Kyiv Independent
  75. U.S. midterm elections test Trump’s second term as Democrats target House control — Cyprus Mail
  76. Trump Says US Is Ending Decade-Long Military Aid Agreement to Israel — ERTnews
  77. Trump says US will end $4 billion annual military aid to Israel at end of 2026 — Kathimerini
  78. Trump Says US Will End $4 Billion in Military Aid to Israel by End of 2026 — Naftemporiki
  79. Trump says U.S. will end military aid to Israel after this year — Al-Monitor
  80. Americans head to the polls in pivotal midterm elections — France 24 EN
  81. undefined — South China Morning Post
  82. Republicans make final push ahead of US midterm elections — France 24 EN
  83. US Midterm Elections Seen as Referendum on Trump’s Second Presidency — The Guardian — World
  84. The United States Undergoes an Unprecedented Political Experiment — Kathimerini
  85. U.S. Midterm Elections Test Trump’s Second Term as Democrats Seek House Control — Cyprus Mail
  86. Americans head to the polls in US midterm elections — France 24 EN
  87. US midterm elections could reshape Trump’s final two years in office — South China Morning Post
  88. U.S. Election Day: Democrats Seek to Retake Congress in Midterm Vote — France 24 EN
  89. Report: Israeli finance ministry was unaware of plans to end US military aid — Middle East Eye
  90. US president makes surprise election day announcement, saying country does not ‘need’ $4bn annual payment — The Guardian — World
  91. State officials brace for possible federal intervention in US midterms — France 24 EN
  92. Global acute hunger remains alarmingly high in 2025, FAO says — ReliefWeb
  93. NATO to bolster Black Sea flank after attacks on cargo ships — Cyprus Mail
  94. Renewed strikes on Black Sea shipping imperil grain exports, drive up food prices and deepen global food insecurity — Al Jazeera EN
  95. Russian drone strikes on Black Sea merchant ships threaten trade and NATO waters — Egypt Independent
  96. Tanker Hit by Two Unidentified Projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz — ERTnews
  97. U.S.-Iran war risk and implications for shipping — The Maritime Executive
  98. IEA warns global gas market may stay tight as Europe enters winter with low storage — OilPrice.com
  99. IEA warns global gas market may stay tight into next year as Europe enters winter with low storage — OilPrice.com
  100. UNICEF highlights attacks on water and sanitation systems in conflict-affected countries — ReliefWeb
  101. ICRC urges practical steps to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law amid global conflicts — ReliefWeb
  102. Intensifying Drone Attacks in Sudan Disrupt Civilian Infrastructure and Aid Delivery — UN News
  103. Gaza: Indiscriminate Israeli gunfire kills and terrorises displaced families — Middle East Eye
  104. Sudan demands UN accountability after devastating drone attacks expose a complex regional crisis — Al Jazeera EN
  105. Gaza: Indiscriminate Israeli gunfire kills and terrorises displaced families — Middle East Eye
  106. Nearly 1,600 Palestinians killed in Gaza since US-brokered ceasefire took effect — Al Jazeera EN
  107. Survivors of attacks on displacement camps in Darfur recall the lives they built, and violence that forced them to flee — Al Jazeera EN