Jul 26, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that intelligence reports indicate Russia could launch a widespread missile attack across Ukraine within the next two days. The alert comes amid intensified aerial bombardments hitting several regions.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, air defense systems intercepted 81 strike drones and one of three Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles fired toward the Kyiv region. Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat stated that Russian forces also launched supersonic Onyx missiles at southern targets.

Ground impacts were reported across several urban areas. An airstrike in Zaporizhzhia injured 30 people, including seven children, prompting emergency cleanup operations. In Kharkiv, a strike by an attack drone near a residential building in the Saltivka district damaged windows and injured one civilian.

Sources: Ukrinform

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that long-range drone strikes against Russian infrastructure aim to force Moscow into diplomatic negotiations. Recent drone attacks on facilities operated by Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, inflicted an estimated $1.3 billion in economic losses.

Concurrently, Ukrainian intelligence claims Russia plans to deploy 30,000 North Korean troops in the Voronezh region while receiving additional ballistic missile launchers from Pyongyang. This comes alongside continued Russian bombardments, including overnight missile strikes on Kyiv that triggered fires across three districts.

Commenting on the conflict's trajectories, historian Timothy Snyder argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot end the war on his own initiative due to internal political constraints.

Sources: Der Standard, Hartpunkt, ORF

Romanian F-16 fighter jets intercepted a Russian drone over the Black Sea for the third consecutive day, near the Danube delta close to the border with Ukraine. Romanian President Nicușor Dan described the airspace incursions as "unacceptable and intolerable," praising defense personnel for their rapid response.

Simultaneously, commercial shipowners halted vessel traffic to Ukrainian Black Sea ports following Russian attack threats, according to Ukrainian officials. The voluntary freeze could cause a $2 billion shortfall in agricultural export revenue.

In separate remarks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Russia plans to deploy around 30,000 North Korean troops to support its forces and is sharing satellite imagery with Iran. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Ukraine would eventually cede its western territories to neighboring NATO countries over time.

Sources: Flux24, Koha, Moldova1, NOS

German authorities are conducting an intensive manhunt across Berlin after a white transport van was driven into a crowd during the Christopher Street Day festival on Saturday evening, leaving one woman dead and 16 others injured, several critically. The vehicle rammed attendees near Tiergarten park shortly before 22:00 local time, prompting organizers to halt the parade.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed that preliminary investigations indicate an intentional, Islamist-motivated attack. Police stated that the driver abandoned the vehicle near the scene and fled on foot. Although officials noted that a suspect has been identified, no arrests have been made as local and federal law enforcement agencies coordinate search efforts throughout the capital.

Sources: BBC News, Die Zeit, Koha, Tagesschau

The United States and Iran have paused direct military strikes following two consecutive nights of non-engagement, opening space for diplomatic negotiations mediated partly by Oman. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz confirmed that President Donald Trump is giving dialogue an opportunity, with talks taking place across technical and senior levels.

In response to the US holding back mainland strikes, Iran's military announced a halt to its retaliatory attacks against American allies in the region. However, Iranian army spokesperson Amir Akraminia warned that a resumption of US airstrikes would expand the conflict across the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.

The diplomatic window follows reports suggesting Washington's sustained air campaign has severely strained US munition stockpiles despite inflicting heavy damage on Iranian infrastructure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Washington amid these developments.

Sources: Dagens Næringsliv (DN), Der Standard, ORF, Sweden Herald