Jul 26, 2026, 04:00 PM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cautioned that Russian forces may launch a large-scale missile attack against the country within two days, citing intelligence reports. The warning comes amid ongoing aerial bombardments across multiple Ukrainian regions.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, defense systems recently intercepted 81 attack drones and neutralized one of three Iskander-M or S-400 ballistic missiles directed at the Kyiv region. Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat stated that Russian forces also deployed supersonic Onyx missiles toward southern targets alongside northern ballistic strikes.

Despite defense efforts, recent strikes inflicted significant civilian casualties and infrastructural damage. Emergency services reported that an airstrike in Zaporizhzhia injured 30 people, including seven children. Meanwhile, in Kharkiv, a Russian drone struck near a residential building in the Saltivka district, shattering windows and injuring one civilian.

Sources: Ukrinform

Russian forces launched early-morning air strikes on Kyiv, causing fires across three municipal districts including Desnyansky and Shevchenkivsky, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. Emergency crews reported severe fire damage to a commercial warehouse, multiple vehicles, and an abandoned four-story building. The bombardment followed warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that intelligence indicated Moscow was preparing a major missile barrage.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that freezing the conflict in Ukraine remains impossible under current conditions, placing responsibility on Kyiv's stance and reiterating Moscow's previous demands.

In global developments, member nations of the International Criminal Court voted by a wide margin to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from office over personal misconduct allegations. Separately, Iranian media reported that an oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz after striking a sea mine while operating with its radar system disabled.

Sources: N1, Tanjug

US President Donald Trump ordered an interruption to military strikes against Iran after 13 consecutive nights of bombardments, following the arrival of an Omani delegation in Tehran. Omani diplomats are attempting to negotiate an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with regional sources suggesting a plan could be finalized over the weekend.

The pause comes amid warnings from Iranian military spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia, who stated that Tehran would expand the conflict's geographic scope and deploy new combat tactics if US attacks resume. Concurrently, reports indicate Washington is evaluating a covert military operation to seize or destroy Iran's stockpiles of enriched uranium, though analysts warn such an intervention carries severe operational risks.

Sources: Point, Ukrinform

A new wave of Russian ballistic missile strikes against Kyiv killed at least 14 people across three areas of Ukraine's capital. In response to expanding regional threats, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky launched strikes against Iranian vessels in the Caspian Sea, marking the first time Ukrainian forces have targeted Iranian naval assets in that maritime region.

Meanwhile, Iran's military stated that Tehran ceased strikes against neighboring Gulf states following a pause in United States bombardments on Iranian territory. Iranian officials reiterated that their military actions were strictly retaliatory. The shift follows two weeks of active hostilities between Washington and Tehran, during which both sides halted direct exchanges while expressing contrasting views on potential diplomatic talks.

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

Uncontrolled wildfires in southwestern France remain approximately 15 kilometers from Bordeaux, forcing local officials to evaluate contingency plans for a potential full evacuation of the metropolis. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the disaster as unprecedented in scale. Regional transport has suffered severe disruption, including the closure of Bordeaux's airport, while emergency crews used boats to rescue hundreds stranded on coastal peninsulas.

Across France and Spain, total evacuations have surpassed 300,000 people. However, reporting indicates shifting conditions in central Spain. While regional leadership earlier described the blaze west of Madrid as the worst in the area's history, Spain's Military Emergency Unit stated that fires in Madrid and Ávila are now "under control", although they remain active.

Sources: Berlingske, Dagens Industri, NRK, TV 2 Nyheter