Jul 30, 2026, 01:00 AM UTC

Russian strikes hit Kyiv early in the morning, causing fires across the Desnyanskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, and Solomyanskyi districts, local emergency services reported. The assault followed warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding imminent large-scale missile strikes. Concurrently, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that freezing the conflict remains impossible, citing Kyiv's unwillingness to accept Moscow's terms outlined two years ago.

In international judicial developments, member states of the International Criminal Court voted by a wide margin to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a staff member.

Meanwhile, intense wildfires spreading through four Spanish provinces—Ávila, Castellón, Madrid, and Toledo—forced more than 73,000 people to evacuate, marking Spain's largest fire-related displacement of the century.

Sources: N1, Tanjug

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are preparing to visit Kyiv following talks between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The diplomatic movement coincides with escalating international tensions, as Tehran reportedly weighed retaliatory strikes on a Ukrainian seaport after an attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea.

Concurrently, military engagements persist across the region. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 65 of 80 Russian drones launched overnight, though a drone strike in Kherson killed a bread delivery truck driver. In occupied Crimea, Ukrainian drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure have caused severe electricity and water shortages, forcing local authorities to restrict power consumption.

Sources: Digi24, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă

Rescue operations continue across the Japanese island of Kyushu following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed at least 13 fatalities, while government officials cautioned that the death toll could rise significantly as emergency crews access isolated areas.

The seismic event inflicted widespread damage, severing roads and collapsing infrastructure. In Kashima, responders focused on a collapsed shopping center where an upper floor caved in following a reported explosion, leaving multiple people trapped.

More than 9,000 residents have been relocated to temporary shelters. Japanese authorities noted that the total number of missing individuals remains uncertain while search and rescue missions proceed under hazardous conditions. An initial tsunami warning issued after the tremor was subsequently canceled.

Sources: Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, TV 2 Nyheter

Serbia has issued a national warning as a strong and prolonged heatwave settles over the country, with temperatures expected to reach around 40 degrees Celsius for ten consecutive days.

According to forecasts from the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute, the extreme heat will persist alongside tropical nights, with only slight relief anticipated around August 10. The state-level emergency alert advises citizens to take precautions during the extended period of intense heat.

This weather emergency coincides with broader environmental concerns as global consumption officially surpasses Earth's annual natural resource budget, pushing humanity into ecological deficit for the remainder of the year.

Sources: N1, Tanjug

Rescue workers in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture are continuing search and extraction efforts following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit the southern island of Kyushu. Fatality reports vary among media outlets, placing the confirmed death toll between 14 and 18, while at least 50 people are injured and nearly 8,800 residents have been evacuated.

Emergency personnel remain focused on a damaged shopping centre where an explosion occurred, leaving approximately 20 employees unaccounted for. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that emergency services are engaged in "a race against time" and committed to deploying all available resources to locate survivors.

In a separate geological event, China's seismological center reported two moderate earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.7 and 5.8 striking the northwestern province of Qinghai.

Sources: Beta, HRT Vijesti, N1