Central Europe / News

Russian team comes dead last in Hungary’s annual grave digging contest

bne IntelliNews September 17, 2025

In a surprise move, Hungary invited a Russian team to its annual grave digging competition. In an even bigger surprise the team from Novosibirsk came dead last.

Rail Baltica signs €1.77bn electrification contract in Vilnius

bne IntelliNews September 16, 2025

Deal moves forward one of the largest infrastructure agreements in the region’s history, that has faced multiple delays and rising costs.

Ukraine hits multiple Russian oil refineries, Trump calls for more EU oil sanctions

Ben Aris in Berlin September 15, 2025

Ukraine is expanding its campaign of trying to cut the Kremlin off from its oil export income with a campaign of targeting Russia’s oil refining and pipeline assets, using its new long-range drones and missiles.

Lukewarm support for Polish UN vote condemning Russian drone incursion

Ben Aris in Berlin September 14, 2025

Only 46 out of 193 UN member states signed a joint UN declaration on September 12, denouncing Russia’s alleged involvement in a drone incursion into Polish airspace two days earlier.

Hungarian foreign minister fails to condemn Russian drone attack during Belarus visit

bne IntelliNews September 11, 2025

Peter Szijjarto avoided blaming Russia for drones crossing Polish airspace and causing damage, a stance in line with Budapest’s longstanding reluctance to confront Moscow directly.

Von der Leyen pledges unwavering support for Ukraine, unveils competitiveness reforms in EC state of the Union speech

Ben Aris in Berlin September 10, 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her annual EU State of the Union address on September 10 to reaffirm the bloc’s commitment to Ukraine, signal a tougher stance on Israeli settler violence, and outline reform

Poland to invoke Nato’s article 4 after Russian drones’ incursion into Polish airspace

Wojciech Kosc in Warsaw September 10, 2025

PM Donald Tusk says overnight incursions were "incomparably more dangerous" than previous incidents since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Poland shoots down Russian drones after airspace breach, authorities say

bne IntelliNews September 10, 2025

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was in “constant contact" with the defence ministry and President Karol Nawrocki.

UPDATED: Poland scrambles jets, shuts airports as Russia accused of drone incursions

bno - Taipei Office September 10, 2025

Poland has scrambled fighter aircraft and temporarily shut its main airports after reports that Russian drones entered its airspace during overnight strikes on Ukraine.

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