Energy Truce Talks: Ukraine says it’s ready for an energy ceasefire, but Russia must first provide a list of facilities and agree to a full ban on weapons against them; Kyiv is still waiting on concrete terms. Winter Readiness: Kyiv is only about 40% ready for heating season, with the left bank facing the toughest risk; officials warn further strikes on energy and water infrastructure are the main threat. Air Defense & EU Support: EU ambassadors backed major defense projects with Ukraine included in four, while EU leaders pledged stronger winter aid and faster Patriot interceptor deliveries plus a joint modular missile-defense push based on the Freya project. Drone/Strike Pressure on Civilians: Russian drones hit a passenger bus in Nikopol, killing five and wounding at least seven, as rail and transport targets keep drawing strikes. Border Security: Poland is reinforcing checkpoints and building new fortifications after attacks near the Poland-Ukraine border, including a drone strike on a train locomotive. Occupied Nuclear Safety: Ukraine’s intelligence warns Zaporizhzhia NPP faces rising blackout risk as cooling-pond water levels fall and external power outages continue. Foreign Recruitment Abuse: Amnesty reports Russia uses coercive recruitment of foreign nationals that can amount to human trafficking. UK-Ukraine Links: The UK MoD named Major Paul Wilks, 40, who died in a road crash in Ukraine away from the front lines.