Jul 29, 2026, 02:00 AM UTC

Ukrainian forces launched long-range drone strikes targeting Russian energy and export infrastructure, hitting an export terminal in Rostov Oblast and oil facilities in Yaroslavl and Udmurtia. Russian authorities reported air defenses shot down 12 Ukrainian drones near Moscow, briefly disrupting local airport operations.

Concurrently, Russian forces intensified bombardments across Ukrainian regions. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, local officials reported over 50 drone and artillery attacks that killed three people and injured six. A separate Russian drone strike on a commercial venue in Zaporizhzhia injured four people, including two children.

At a UN Security Council briefing, UN official Kayoko Gotoh highlighted a sharp surge in Ukrainian civilian casualties during July, citing at least 56 civilian deaths in Kyiv caused by Russian attacks on residential areas and infrastructure.

Sources: Investor.bg, Ukrinform

The US Senate has voted 86–12 to advance a comprehensive sanctions bill targeting Russia's energy sector. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the Capitol vote, which honored the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and aimed to intensify economic pressure on Moscow.

The legislative move coincides with statements from Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, who claimed 200,000 volunteers enlisted in the military during the first half of the year, denying Ukrainian assertions of an upcoming mobilization.

Meanwhile, long-range engagements persist. Moscow reported intercepting over 390 Ukrainian drones, though Ukrainian sources reported damage to a nearby steel mill. These follow recent drone strikes on Russian logistics hubs, while Kyiv maintains that Moscow plans to deploy 30,000 North Korean troops to the Voronezh region.

Sources: Hartpunkt, ORF, Sweden Herald.

A fragile truce between the United States and Iran faces new strain following a reported Iranian missile attack targeting a US military base in Jordan.

Diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran remain underway during a brief pause in strikes. US President Donald Trump stated that "in-depth talks with Iran" are taking place, warning that failure would prompt a return to "a large-scale military operation." Trump also dismissed concerns over weapons shortages, asserting that the US holds "more ammunition than anyone else and well beyond our needs."

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington to push for continued military action amid rising friction with US leadership. Additionally, Pakistani intelligence assessments indicate a potential US coastal ground offensive remains under consideration despite military cautions.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Stampa, ORF

Wildfires in south-west France and Spain continue to advance towards the outskirts of Bordeaux, prompting mass evacuations and severe transport disruptions, including regional train suspensions. Authorities reported that over 42,000 hectares have been destroyed in the Gironde department, contributing to more than 115,000 hectares burned nationwide across France this year.

Extremely high temperatures and severe weather, including a fire-generated pyrocumulonimbus cloud creating unpredictable winds and lightning, have severely hampered firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, French authorities launched arson inquiries following three suspect ignitions in the Var region. Two firefighter fatalities have been confirmed.

Displacement numbers vary across reports, with estimates ranging between 220,000 and more than 325,000 people evacuated. French President Emmanuel Macron convened a crisis meeting as officials warn the blazes remain far from controlled.

Sources: BBC News, Der Standard, France24, Helsingin Sanomat, Le Figaro.

Oman has submitted a collective proposal from Gulf nations offering Iran a financial contribution to resolve the ongoing blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, which has caused estimated damages of up to $90 billion. Mediators designed the proposed payment to avoid being categorized as a transit tariff, seeking to prevent legal precedents and avoid friction with Washington.

Concurrently, political tension remains within Italy's governing coalition regarding military funding. Following Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani’s announcement of plans to access €14.9 billion from the European Union’s Safe defense credit line, coalition partners from Lega and Brothers of Italy emphasized that any final military procurement decisions require explicit parliamentary approval.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero.