Jul 26, 2026, 10:00 PM UTC

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Western nations began altering the post-World War II international order following the collapse of the Soviet Union, citing the breakup of Yugoslavia and NATO expansion. Putin added that Ukraine would eventually lose its western territories.

The statements follow Russian air strikes across three municipal districts in Kyiv, which ignited fires in commercial and residential structures. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously warned that intelligence indicated an imminent mass missile barrage.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that freezing the conflict remains impossible due to Kyiv's stance, reiterating Moscow's previous demands. Separately, International Criminal Court member states voted to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following misconduct allegations.

Sources: N1, Tanjug

Wildfires across southwestern France and central Spain continue to expand, with total burned land in France's Gironde department surpassing 42,000 hectares. French authorities reported that over 115,000 hectares have burned nationwide this year. Evacuation totals in Gironde have climbed to 220,000 residents, who remain barred from returning home until flames are stabilized.

The crisis has resulted in two firefighter fatalities in France alongside severe infrastructure disruptions. Rail services between Bordeaux and Biarritz were suspended, and organizers shortened stages of the Tour de France. Meanwhile, prefecture officials in the Var department reported three simultaneous fire outbreaks, prompting investigations into suspected arson. Emergency crews across both nations report that ongoing strong winds and extreme temperatures continue to prevent containment of the primary flame fronts.

Sources: BBC News, Der Standard, DW, Le Figaro

German media outlets report that Abdul Balut, the 21-year-old suspect in the fatal vehicle attack at Berlin's Pride parade, was killed during a police operation in the city's Spandau district.

Earlier, German authorities confirmed the suspect's identity, with police spokesperson Florian Nath describing him as a known member of local Islamist circles. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt formally classified the incident as an act of "Islamist terrorism," noting that the suspect was previously known to security services for multiple offenses.

The attack occurred when a white vehicle rammed into a crowd of pedestrians in Tiergarten park before hitting a tree, leaving one woman dead and 16 others injured, including several in critical condition. Law enforcement halted scheduled festivities immediately following the collision to launch a widespread search.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Klix, Tanjug

Wildfires across southwestern France and central Spain continue to escalate, threatening major urban areas and breaking historical records.

In France, flames have advanced within 15 kilometers of Bordeaux, spreading rapidly across the Gironde, Landes, and Var regions. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that "the situation continues very unfavorable" as shifting weather conditions hamper containment efforts and leave nearly 200,000 people displaced.

In Spain, Ecological Transition Minister Sara Aagesen described the Ávila blaze as "the largest forest fire" in recent national history, with its perimeter stretching 280 kilometers. Reports on the number of people under evacuation or confinement orders in Spain range between 88,000 and 120,000, while operations at a NASA deep-space tracking station near Madrid remain transferred to California due to the advancing flames.

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

German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder requested Chancellor Friedrich Merz to recommend his dismissal to the Federal President, preempting an expected firing. Schnieder stated his decision was intended to resolve an "unworthy state of affairs" following days of escalating political friction.

The minister's departure comes amid mounting criticism within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) regarding Merz's management of cabinet personnel and the reshuffle process. To fill the vacancy, Merz announced CDU politician Steffen Bilger, currently a senior parliamentary manager for the party, as the new transport minister.

Sources: Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau