Jul 25, 2026, 04:00 AM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that intelligence indicates Russia is preparing a major wave of mobilization this autumn, alongside an expected missile strike in the coming days. Zelensky emphasized that achieving a ceasefire to preserve lives remains far preferable to enduring a conflict lasting several decades.

In legal developments, member states of the International Criminal Court voted by a large majority to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct.

Concurrently, security tensions in the Middle East escalated after a missile struck the Mozambique-flagged gas tanker Disha in Iranian waters near the Strait of Hormuz. The Indian Embassy in Tehran reported that all 28 Indian crew members on board are safe.

Sources: N1, Tanjug

Cross-border attacks between Ukraine and Russia have escalated, causing casualties in both countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces targeted a major military enterprise in Russia's Kirov region, alongside separate attacks near St. Petersburg. Kirov Governor Alexander Sokolov reported on Telegram that the strike on the facility left six people dead and 26 injured, bringing the total number of victims to 32.

Concurrently, Russian drone strikes hit the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy, killing at least two people and injuring two others. Russian aerial attacks also triggered explosions in Kyiv and resulted in five fatalities in a frontline settlement.

Sources: Le Figaro, RTBF Info.

French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered the French Armed Forces to mobilize and provide maximum support to civil defense personnel as severe wildfires continue to consume large areas of southwestern France. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that local crews were "exhausted," highlighting the need for military assistance to manage the escalating blazes.

The military mobilization follows massive damage in the Gironde region, where fires have destroyed over 19,000 hectares and threatened the Bordeaux metropolitan area. Authorities characterized the ongoing evacuation of 110,000 residents as an unprecedented operation. Meanwhile, in neighboring Spain, emergency responders near Madrid acknowledged that one major fire had exceeded their extinction capacity, as extreme blazes persist across residential and tourist districts in southwestern Europe.

Sources: RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal), Expresso

SpaceX has completed the 13th test flight of its Starship spacecraft, marking another development milestone for the deep-space launch system. The flight was the second evaluation of the updated V3 version of the vehicle, which stands as the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. During the test, engineers evaluated key operational parameters and performance metrics of the upgraded V3 configuration. Starship is central to SpaceX's long-term strategy for interplanetary travel, including planned missions to the Moon and Mars. Initial reports indicate the test met key flight objectives. Sources: Le Figaro.

Tunisia's foreign ministry has summoned the French ambassador following the broadcast of a television interview that authorities in Tunis considered hostile.

According to reports referencing commentators close to Tunisian leadership, the dispute centers on the French news channel France 24. The network recently aired an interview featuring former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, a vocal critic of the current administration.

The diplomatic move highlights ongoing tensions between Tunis and Paris regarding foreign media coverage and political dissent broadcast abroad. Neither the French diplomatic delegation nor the network has issued an official response regarding the summons.

Sources: Le Figaro.