10 April 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

Inga Ruginienė said on April 10 that next year’s Lithuanian budget allocates 5.38% of GDP to defence. Finance Minister Rimantas Šadžius said the revised draft adds 116.8 million euros in spending, including 101.3 million euros for teachers, researchers and sports coaches.

Saulius Skvernelis on April 7 neither confirmed nor denied talks with the Social Democrats on a new coalition and said he would answer questions in parliament on Tuesday over bribery suspicions. Juozas Olekas declined to guarantee that the current majority with Nemuno Aušra would hold, even after the late-March vote on the Kapčiamiestis military training area passed 102-10. Liberal Movement leaders called the bid to bring charges a blow to the political system.

In Panevėžys, a man drove a found explosive to the county police headquarters on Friday morning, triggering the Shield emergency plan and the evacuation of part of the building. Kaunas prosecutors on April 10 asked the court to sentence Gediminas Filipavičius to 20 years in prison over the kidnapping of a minor and 12 other alleged crimes. In Varėna district, a man caught with contraband cigarettes on April 9 was detained for the 13th time, and fines from earlier cases were never paid. A Russian citizen who was the target of a planned hit in Lithuania has given testimony about the surveillance and the alleged contract killing plot, while prosecutors prepare more precise charges for detained suspects. In another case, a courier delivering a Christmas gift accidentally killed a 7-year-old girl, while parents are pressing for rule changes after failed sleep-deprivation practices in kindergartens were linked to children’s deaths.

In Kėdainiai, Norfa is investing 30 million euros in what is described as one of Europe’s most advanced warehouses. Maxima Group’s profit rose by 54 million euros over the year. The government is preparing a plan to lower costs for drivers, ESO’s chief said a reliable power grid strengthens Lithuania’s appeal to investors, and the rollout of a state data lake is expanding options for public services. In Klaipėda, clean-up work has begun at a long-abandoned site where a new hotel and spa are planned, and Sodra said that if people stop contributing, their accumulated pension funds remain in their account but future growth stops with the payments.

Vilnius Žalgiris fired head coach Rolandas Džiaukštas, with Nerijus Mačiulis taking over on an interim basis. Polish prosecutors indicted the organiser of an assault in Vilnius. New details also emerged about a Lithuanian public figure targeted by killers hired by Russia.

sources: lrytas.lt, vz.lt, tv3.lt, delfi.lt, lrt.lt, 15min.lt

Melee in Panevėžys: man brought an explosive to the police station, 'Shield' plan activated

A man drove a found explosive to the Panevėžys county police headquarters on Friday morning, triggering the emergency Shield plan and the evacuation of part of the building, including migration staff and civilians. LRT said the device had been found elsewhere, and officers took over once it was brought in, then secured the area while checking for any further danger. The explosive was due to be handed over to bomb specialists, while police operations in the building were partially restricted.

Why it matters

Found explosives create direct risk for the person who transports them and for anyone inside the building where they are handed over. The response also shuts down part of a public office and pulls in specialist units, disrupting services for people who need police or migration support.

sources:tv3.lt

Crime

Persistent smoker caught for the 13th time with contraband cigarettes – fines never paid

Police in Varėna district stopped a man on April 9 and found contraband cigarettes in his car. He is already known to law enforcement for 12 similar offences, and the fines from earlier cases were never paid. The latest seizure has been passed back to court and bailiff officers, while investigators work to trace the cigarettes' source.

Why it matters

Unpaid fines mean the administrative penalty system is not biting, and collection is pushed onto bailiffs. The trade feeds the shadow tobacco market in the border region and cuts into legal excise revenue.

sources:lrytas.lt

Crime

Filipavičius to hear proposed sentence for kidnapping of a minor and other crimes

Kaunas prosecutors on April 10 asked the court to sentence Gediminas Filipavičius to 20 years in prison over the kidnapping of a minor and other offences. The case spans 13 alleged criminal acts, and Filipavičius has already been convicted over the abduction of a girl in Kaunas and related crimes. The next step is the defence’s closing argument before the court decides on the penalty.

Why it matters

The ruling will determine whether Filipavičius receives the maximum fixed-term punishment or a lower sentence. It also matters for the victims, because the outcome can shape compensation claims and the wider legal aftermath.

sources:tv3.lt

Crime

Foiled planned murder in Lithuania — testimony of the targeted Russian

A Russian citizen who was the target of a planned hit in Lithuania has given testimony about the alleged plot and the surveillance that preceded it. Investigators are treating the case as a premeditated contract operation, with links that may reach beyond Lithuania. Prosecutors are now expected to refine the charges and press for more questioning of detained suspects.

Why it matters

For Russian nationals living in Lithuania, the case suggests a threat that may be organised rather than random, and carried out through intermediaries. If investigators confirm a foreign link, it could trigger tighter protection measures for people deemed vulnerable and closer scrutiny of their movements in country.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

Political analysts assess a new blow to S. Skvernelis: what's next for the party and are the coalition doors finally shut?

On April 7, Saulius Skvernelis would not confirm or deny talks with the Social Democrats on a new coalition. Parliament speaker Juozas Olekas also declined to guarantee that the current majority with Nemuno Aušra would hold, even as a late-March vote on the Kapčiamiestis military training area passed 102-10 with five abstentions. Analysts say the signs point to Social Democrats testing other options, which could leave Vardan Lietuvos with a choice between staying in a shaky alliance or bargaining for a fresh role in parliament.

Why it matters

A reshuffle would change the vote count in the Seimas, especially on defence and security bills that need tight discipline from coalition partners. If Vardan Lietuvos is pushed aside, the party would have to renegotiate posts and leverage inside parliament.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

Prime Minister confident next year's defense budget will exceed 5%

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said on April 10 she expects parliament to back next year’s state budget, which sets defense spending at 5.38% of GDP. Finance Minister Rimantas Šadžius said the revised draft also adds 116.8 million euros in spending, including 101.3 million euros for teachers, researchers and sports coaches. The budget is being framed around defense and social security, and lawmakers now have to decide whether to approve it.

Why it matters

The main impact falls on the defence establishment, because a budget at this level gives planners more certainty over procurement and infrastructure. It also reaches the wider public sector, with extra money earmarked for pay in education, law enforcement and other areas.

sources:vz.lt

Europe

Summary

Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 19 that Ukraine would mirror Russia’s actions if Vladimir Putin’s Easter ceasefire is genuinely observed through Monday. Kyiv soon accused Russian forces of breaching the truce across several front lines and said the pause could be extended for 30 days if the shooting truly stops after Easter.

Ukrainian officials said on April 10 that two people were killed in fresh Russian attacks across frontline areas. Homes and infrastructure were damaged in the Kharkiv and Kherson directions, while overnight drone and missile strikes on Odesa region hit residential buildings and energy assets and caused new power cuts. In Kyiv, Zelensky said Ukraine’s most urgent need from the West is more air defence and long-range weapons, adding that previous aid pledges often arrived months late. The Institute for the Study of War said on April 10 that Ukrainian forces have gained an edge over Russian troops in battlefield drones through better integration of reconnaissance, strike and defensive systems near the front.

Lithuania’s State Security Department said a new wave of Russian information attacks against the Baltic states began in March. Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said drones alone will not win the war, even as their role on the battlefield expands. Eurostat said EU retail sales rose 0.3% in June, with food and drink sales up 1.5% across the bloc. Cyprus posted annual growth of 8.7%, while Croatia, Malta and Portugal each recorded gains of 6.9%.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia rejected Maria Zakharova’s remarks and said their security and foreign policy decisions are a matter of sovereign choice. Russia also stepped up pressure on independent media and civil society: a court ordered the pre-trial detention of a Novaya Gazeta journalist, while Memorial said 196 of its employees had been targeted.

sources: vz.lt, 15min.lt, lrt.lt, lrytas.lt, delfi.lt, tv3.lt

Officer: two people killed in Ukraine during Russian attacks

A Ukrainian official said on April 10, 2026, that two people were killed in Russian strikes across several frontline areas. Local administrations also reported fresh shelling and damage to homes and infrastructure in the Kharkiv and Kherson directions, with casualties registered in the latest wave of attacks. Kyiv is still compiling damage assessments, while regional authorities have to decide where to send rescue crews and repair teams first.

Why it matters

For civilians in Kharkiv and Kherson, the strikes mean more evacuations, power disruptions and damaged homes, because the attacks hit civilian infrastructure as well as military targets. Each wave forces local authorities to divert rescue crews, medics and repair teams, slowing help in the hardest-hit districts.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Russia launches massive assault on Odesa region

Russian forces hit Odesa region overnight on April 10 with drones and missiles, focusing on southern port and coastal areas. Ukrainian officials said residential buildings and energy assets were damaged, with fresh power cuts reported in the region. The strike followed days of heavy attacks on Black Sea infrastructure, underscoring Moscow’s drive to disrupt Ukraine’s export routes.

Why it matters

Odesa’s ports and power grid are vital to grain, fuel and civilian transport flows in southern Ukraine. Fresh damage can slow Black Sea exports and make life harder for residents already facing repeated outages.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Zelenskiy stated what Ukraine needs from the West

In Kyiv on April 10, 2026, Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s top need from the West is more air defence and long-range weapons as Russian strikes continue to hit cities and power infrastructure. He linked that demand to talks on fresh security guarantees and said previous aid pledges often arrived months late. Kyiv now expects new commitments from European partners in the coming days, and their size will determine how quickly Ukraine can close gaps at the front and in the air.

Why it matters

For civilians in Ukraine, every new air-defence battery directly lowers the risk of strikes on power plants, housing blocks and hospitals. For European capitals, the choice is whether to fund urgent support now or let Ukraine face another spike in battlefield and air-defence shortages.

sources:tv3.lt

Politics

War in Ukraine. ISW: Ukrainians gain drone edge against Russian forces

The Institute for the Study of War said on April 10 that Ukrainian forces have gained an edge over Russian troops in battlefield drones, citing Russian and Ukrainian reporting as well as battlefield evidence. The assessment points to better Ukrainian integration of reconnaissance, strike and defensive drone tactics close to the front line. That gives Kyiv more ways to disrupt Russian assaults and hit logistics, even though Moscow still has deeper manpower and resource reserves.

Why it matters

For Ukrainian units, the edge can mean more accurate strikes and better protection on exposed front lines. For Russian forces, it raises losses on the approach to the front and makes supply lines costlier to sustain, which can slow offensive operations in the south and east.

sources:lrt.lt

Economy

Online food trade in Europe gains speed

Eurostat data show EU retail sales rose 0.3% in June 2025, with food and drink sales up 1.5% across the bloc. Cyprus posted one of the fastest annual gains at 8.7%, while Croatia, Malta and Portugal all grew 6.9%. The numbers point to firmer consumer demand in southern Europe ahead of the summer trading season.

Why it matters

For retailers, stronger sales mean more turnover in markets where demand is already firming. For food suppliers, it improves leverage in price talks and can feed through to orders, logistics and import costs across the euro area.

sources:vz.lt

Politics

Volodymyr Zelensky: Ukraine will act accordingly on Easter truce

Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 19 that Ukraine would mirror Russia’s conduct if Moscow truly observed a full and unconditional Easter ceasefire. The remarks came after Vladimir Putin announced a truce running until Monday, while Kyiv accused Russian forces of violating it across several front lines. Zelensky also floated a 30-day extension if the shooting stops beyond the holiday window.

Why it matters

For Ukrainian forces, the ceasefire creates a narrow test of whether Russia is serious or simply staging a political gesture. If the guns stay quiet longer, it could alter the bargaining terms for a broader settlement.

sources:15min.lt

World

Summary

Washington and Tehran agreed a ceasefire on April 9, and Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be temporarily reopened to shipping. Trump warned Iran to move quickly on a nuclear deal, with Tehran’s stock of enriched uranium still one of the main unresolved issues. Iran’s Red Crescent said on April 10 that about 125,000 civilian sites, including homes, schools and health facilities, have been damaged in more than 200 cities since the war began.

Several tankers were left waiting on April 9-10 for clearance to enter the Gulf through Hormuz, and some shipowners are already rerouting cargoes around Africa as insurance costs rise. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in Brussels on April 10 that a Gulf Arab prime minister had taken important steps to keep traffic moving through the strait, while European governments weigh measures to protect sea lanes. Hezbollah said it had attacked an Israeli navy base with rockets, and Israel’s prime minister said direct talks with Lebanon would begin in Washington next week after months of cross-border clashes. Coface said budget airlines are especially exposed to the Middle East war because they have fewer route options and thinner financial buffers.

Volodymyr Zelensky told ABC on April 9 that Russia would need to sacrifice up to 1 million more lives to seize all of Donbas by force, while Moscow still holds only about 32% of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Reuters reported that Vladimir Putin’s envoy arrived in the United States for talks with Trump’s representatives. In Washington, Democrats are pressing Trump to impose the toughest curbs on Chinese carmakers, and US inflation has risen to highs not seen in recent months. In China, one electric-vehicle group cut 100,000 jobs, police chased public-sector wage protesters in several Venezuelan cities, and Britain’s Labour Party is set to elect an interim chair as it moves through a wider leadership reset.

The death toll from Israeli strikes in Lebanon rose to 357. Iran’s parliament speaker called for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

sources: 15min.lt, lrytas.lt, delfi.lt, lrt.lt, tv3.lt

War in Iran. Trump warns Iran about prospects for peace: 'if there is no agreement, it will be very painful'

Donald Trump on April 9, 2026 warned Iran to accept a deal or face very painful consequences. The remarks came as Washington keeps up pressure over Tehran’s nuclear programme and maintains a heavier military posture in the region, including ships and fighter jets. The message leaves the next few days as a hard fork: a negotiated pause or a sharper confrontation.

Why it matters

Iran now faces a tighter squeeze on its nuclear talks and sanctions relief. If the standoff escalates, the spillover could hit oil markets and security across the Gulf.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Zelenskiy: for Putin to completely occupy Donbas, he would need to sacrifice up to 1 million more lives

Volodymyr Zelensky told ABC on April 9 that Russia would need to spend up to 1 million more lives to seize all of Donbas by force. He said Moscow already holds Crimea and part of eastern Ukraine, but still controls only about 32% of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Zelensky added that Ukraine will not give up the territory outside a negotiated settlement, sharpening the stakes in talks with Washington.

Why it matters

For civilians in eastern Ukraine, the message points to more shelling, more evacuations and a longer battle for towns such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. For European capitals, it raises the cost of any push to force territorial concessions on Kyiv, because that would shape the terms of any ceasefire talks and future aid.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

War in Iran. Trump warns Iran: fragile peace

On April 9, Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire, and Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be temporarily reopened. LRT reported that most of a 15-point plan has already been agreed, while the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium remains one of the key unresolved issues. Trump warned Tehran to move fast on the terms, saying there would be no way back if it stalls.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global oil and gas shipments, so any reopening or closure feeds straight into fuel prices in Europe. Whether the ceasefire holds will decide if shipping and energy flows in the region calm down, or if a new round of fighting starts.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

During the war in Iran about 125,000 civilian objects damaged

Iran’s Red Crescent said on April 10 that about 125,000 civilian objects have been damaged since the war began, including homes, schools and health facilities. The tally has climbed sharply from figures released in mid-March, when the group spoke of tens of thousands of damaged buildings, and Iranian officials said attacks had reached more than 200 cities. The latest count suggests the damage has almost doubled in a few weeks, leaving rescue teams to keep registering victims and assess the scale of rebuilding needed.

Why it matters

Families are dealing not only with destroyed housing but also with disrupted schools and health care. The more sites are damaged, the longer it will take to restore water, communications, transport and medical services in major Iranian cities.

sources:delfi.lt

Economy

Oil tanker crews stuck in Hormuz reach limit: 'This is psychosis'

Several tankers were waiting on April 9-10 for clearance to enter the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, and one crew member told local media the sailors were running on fumes after a long delay. The standstill comes as shipowners reroute cargoes and face higher insurance costs, with some voyages now being pushed around Africa instead. If the delays persist, more carriers are likely to avoid the strait altogether, further tightening crude flows out of the Gulf.

Why it matters

The delay at Hormuz adds direct costs for oil firms and insurers, and those costs feed into freight rates fast. If more tankers switch to the longer route, crude supplies to Europe and Asia can become more expensive almost immediately.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Mid East. NATO chief praises the prime minister of one country for initiating important moves in the Hormuz Strait

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised a Gulf Arab prime minister in Brussels on April 10 for steps aimed at keeping traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz, where tanker flows have been disrupted in recent weeks. Europe is already weighing a response to the hit on oil and gas supplies, and some governments are looking at ways to protect sea lanes and steady trade. After Rutte’s remarks, allies are still debating what support NATO or individual members could offer if security in the strait worsens again.

Why it matters

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz feed straight into fuel, fertiliser and freight costs across Europe, squeezing transport firms, farmers and industry. The longer the route stays insecure, the greater the risk of pricier imports from the Middle East and slower trade flows into the EU.

sources:tv3.lt