Bulgaria investigates drone explosion as Russian strikes hit eastern Ukraine

Bulgarian defense officials concluded that a drone that detonated near a Trans-Balkan gas pipeline station likely belonged to Ukrainian forces and drifted off course from Romania. Kyiv denied targeting Bulgaria and announced a joint investigation with Bulgarian authorities. The incident caused no casualties or infrastructure damage.

Meanwhile, intense Russian bombardment in eastern Ukraine killed at least three civilians and wounded nine others. A power outage left approximately 99,000 residents in Chernihiv Oblast without electricity. In Donetsk Oblast, shellfire has drastically depopulated Druzhkivka, reducing its population from nearly 56,000 to under 4,000. According to the United Nations, July marked the highest monthly civilian death toll in Ukraine since April 2022.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, NEXTA, Nova TV, Point