Jul 29, 2026, 11:00 PM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian forces are prepared to launch a large-scale air strike, citing military reports indicating a high probability of an attack. The warning comes amid heavy frontline fighting, with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reporting 191 combat engagements in a single day, concentrated primarily in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka sectors. Russian forces executed dozens of air strikes and deployed nearly 200 guided aerial bombs, while attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk region resulted in three deaths and six injuries.

Concurrently, Ukrainian forces conducted long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, targeting oil facilities and export terminals in the Rostov, Yaroslavl, and Udmurtia regions. Meanwhile, Moscow authorities reported air defense systems downed 12 drones heading toward the Russian capital, temporarily disrupting operations at local airports.

Sources: Investor.bg, Ukrinform

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are preparing to visit Kyiv to restart peace talks following closed-door discussions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The diplomatic push comes as regional tensions expand, with reports that Iran evaluated potential retaliatory strikes against a Ukrainian seaport after an attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea.

On the ground, military actions remain intense. Ukrainian air defenses downed 65 of 80 Russian attack drones launched overnight. In Kherson, local officials reported that a Russian drone strike killed the driver of a bread delivery truck. Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported facing a ten-hour drone barrage targeting Moscow, highlighting sustained combat activity alongside diplomatic efforts.

Sources: Digi24, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă

A British court has convicted a 19-year-old Norwegian citizen, Johannes Kongsnes Natland, of conspiring to commit murder on behalf of an Iranian-backed criminal network, London police announced on Wednesday.

Natland was arrested in March 2025 at a hotel in Huddersfield, northern England. Law enforcement officers discovered a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and 19 rounds of ammunition hidden under his bed during the raid. According to authorities, Natland was recruited by the transnational network to carry out a targeted killing on British soil.

The intended victim has not been publicly identified by law enforcement. Proceedings following the guilty verdict remain ongoing.

Sources: Digi24.

European aerospace corporation Airbus reported a 47% increase in net profit for the first half of the year, reaching €2.2 billion. The company's total revenue rose 12% year-on-year to €33.2 billion during the same period.

According to financial disclosures, the strong performance was primarily driven by a higher volume of commercial aircraft deliveries alongside robust growth in Airbus's defence and space division. The results highlight a recovery in commercial aviation demand coupled with increased military and defence contracting across European markets.

Sources: Радіо Свобода.

Water levels on the Danube River in Budapest have fallen to record lows following an extended period of intense heat and severe drought across the continent. According to Hungary's General Directorate of Water Management, water levels dropped to 31 centimeters on Tuesday morning and fell further to 26 centimeters at a monitoring station on Wednesday morning.

The historical drop has severely disrupted commercial cargo transport along one of Europe's primary river arteries. Freight operators have been forced to significantly reduce vessel loads to navigate shallow waters safely, causing delays and strain on regional logistics networks. Water management authorities are maintaining close monitoring of the river as high temperatures persist.

Sources: Digi24.