Jul 30, 2026, 07:00 PM UTC

Russia carried out a large-scale overnight attack across Ukraine using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, killing at least eight people—including two children—and injuring over 50 others.

Strikes targeted residential areas and infrastructure in Kyiv, Dnipro, Vinnytsia, and western cities such as Lviv, where air defense systems were active. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that preliminary findings indicate Russia used a North Korean ballistic missile in a strike on Radushne, near Kryvyi Rih, where a residential home was destroyed.

The bombardment severely impacted Ukraine's energy grid, causing power outages across five regions. National grid operator Ukrenergo reported that Sumy Oblast suffered the most significant disruption, leaving Sumy and neighboring communities without electricity while emergency teams work on repairs.

Sources: Investor.bg, Point, Ukrinform

The United States has launched retaliatory overnight airstrikes against targets in southern Iran following a reported missile attack on American positions in the Middle East. According to US Central Command, forces intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in a failed surprise attack. US officials described the retaliatory operation as a "powerful response."

Concurrently, Tehran warned Bulgaria and Cyprus against permitting US military aircraft, specifically KC-46 refueling tankers, to operate from their territory. Despite the military escalation, crude oil prices fell in Asian trading amid hopes for diplomatic resolution, while analysts note growing pressure on US munitions stockpiles and global energy stability.

Sources: Bloomberg, Corriere della Sera, El Mundo, FAZ, ORF

Moldova's Prime Minister Vasile Tofan completed his first official foreign visit to Bucharest, meeting Romania's acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. Both leaders condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine and discussed recent Russian drone incursions into Romanian airspace. Bolojan expressed optimism that the European Union would open all membership negotiation clusters with Moldova by the end of the year.

The bilateral discussions coincided with key legislative and economic measures in both countries. Moldovan lawmakers ratified a 150 million euro loan from the European Investment Bank to fund agricultural modernization. Meanwhile, Romania's Senate approved a 16.6 billion euro defense loan agreement with the European Commission under the SAFE rearmament program. Additionally, domestic grain and rapeseed prices in Moldova declined, aligning with global market stabilization.

Sources: Moldova1, Point

Pressure continues to mount on Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta following the arrival of hundreds of additional migrants over recent days. Local authorities report that more than 1,500 individuals, primarily Moroccan citizens including young men, families, and unaccompanied minors, have entered the territory by swimming around coastal breakwaters or scaling perimeter land fences.

Video footage shows groups gathering near Tarajal beach and border barriers as reception facilities remain severely overwhelmed. Regional President Juan Jesús Vivas reiterated his call for urgent national intervention, stating that Ceuta faces a "total humanitarian and social emergency." The enclave's administration has formally requested military deployment from Madrid to secure the border perimeter and bolster emergency services.

Sources: FAZ, La Vanguardia, Sweden Herald, ORF.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held a telephone discussion with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to address bilateral economic relations. According to a readout published by China’s official Xinhua News Agency, He expressed "serious concern" over recent trade and economic restrictions imposed by Washington targeting Beijing.

The high-level communication represents one of the initial direct interactions between top economic leaders from both nations following recent policy developments. While specific policy actions were not detailed in the official summary, the dialogue highlights persistent friction between the world's two largest economies over trade policies, tariffs, and technology restrictions.

Sources: Bloomberg.