French firefighter dies as wildfires burn over 115,000 hectares and Russian regions face drone strikes
A French firefighter has died as severe wildfires consume over 115,000 hectares, while Ukrainian drone strikes hit western Russia.
Wildfires across southern France have claimed the life of a 38-year-old firefighter in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, marking the first responder fatality of the current crisis, local emergency services confirmed. Authorities reported that at least 88 other firefighters have suffered injuries as crews struggle against severe blazes in Gironde and Landes. Nationwide, fires have consumed over 115,000 hectares since the beginning of the year, a figure French officials described as "quite exceptional."
Meanwhile, overnight Ukrainian drone strikes struck several locations in western Russia, including Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog, and Belgorod. The attacks sparked blazes, killed two people in Rostov-on-Don, and temporarily halted traffic along the Crimean Bridge.
Sources: Rzeczpospolita
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Jul 27, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCSevere wildfires hit southern France as Ukrainian drones target Russian regions