Jul 26, 2026, 02:00 PM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russian forces are preparing a potential large-scale missile strike within two days, citing intelligence from domestic agencies and international partners. The warning coincides with intensified Russian attacks across several Ukrainian regions.

Ukrainian air defense forces reported intercepting 81 attack drones and neutralizing one of three ballistic missiles targeting the Kyiv region. Air Force official Yuriy Ihnat noted that Russian forces also launched supersonic Onyx missiles toward southern Ukraine alongside ballistic strikes from the north.

Despite interception efforts, local strikes caused widespread damage and casualties. An aerial bombardment in Zaporizhzhia injured 30 people, including seven children, according to emergency services. In Kharkiv, a drone strike near a residential high-rise damaged property and injured one resident. Air force officials emphasized that high-speed missile threats remain active across the country.

Sources: Ukrinform

Russian forces launched overnight ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, triggering fires across three districts from falling debris, local authorities reported. In a related development, Ukrainian officials detained the primary organizer of a military exhibition west of Kyiv that was struck by a Russian missile, citing official negligence that led to ten deaths and roughly 100 injuries.

Simultaneously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Russia plans to deploy 30,000 North Korean troops in the Voronezh region and procure new ballistic missile launchers from Pyongyang. The developments follow Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries' logistics hubs, causing an estimated $1.3 billion in damage. Commenting on the geopolitical backdrop, historian Timothy Snyder asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is politically unable to end the invasion on his own initiative.

Sources: Der Standard, Hartpunkt, ORF

German law enforcement agencies are carrying out a major manhunt in Berlin after a vehicle struck a group of people during the city's annual Christopher Street Day festival on Saturday evening.

The incident occurred around 22:00 local time near Tiergarten park, resulting in one fatality and at least 16 injuries, several of which are severe. Organizers halted the Pride celebrations immediately as emergency responders and law enforcement secured the area.

The driver abandoned a white van and escaped on foot. Authorities have identified a suspect allegedly associated with Islamist networks, though no arrests have been made. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner publicly condemned the incident, calling it "an attack on our free and open society."

Sources: BBC News, Die Zeit, NRC, Tagesschau

Wildfires across southwestern France and central Spain have forced more than 350,000 people to evacuate their homes as severe weather conditions continue to hamper firefighting efforts.

In France's Gironde and Landes regions, total displacements have reached approximately 250,000 people following fresh evacuation orders. The fires in Gironde have scorched around 42,000 hectares—an area four times the size of Paris—and destroyed at least 140 homes. Emergency services reported that the blaze generated a pyrocumulonimbus cloud, producing volatile localized winds that further complicate containment.

In Spain, a national emergency remains in effect after three wildfires west of Madrid merged into a single large blaze. Regional officials warned the fire has exceeded containment capacity, driving at least 30,000 residents to flee. Fire crews in both nations face ongoing difficulties amid extreme heat and strong gusting winds.

Sources: BBC News, Der Standard, DW, ORF

Italian authorities have updated the casualty count following clashes at the Turin-Lyon high-speed rail construction site in Val Susa, reporting that approximately 130 law enforcement officers were injured. Security forces have identified around 450 individuals in connection with the violence at the Chiomonte site.

While activists from the No Tav movement referred to the action as a "great day of struggle," government officials intensified their condemnation. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called the events unacceptable, while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described them as "shameful guerrilla warfare." Regional politicians from various parties expressed support for police personnel, even as political debates over the project's costs and necessity persist. Authorities continue reviewing video footage to trace those responsible for the coordinated assault.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore