Jul 31, 2026, 09:00 AM UTC

Russian forces launched a widespread overnight air assault across Ukraine using cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones, leaving at least eight people dead and more than 50 injured. According to Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Vyhivskyi, strikes hit residential areas and civilian infrastructure in several locations, including Kyiv, Lviv, and Kryvyi Rih.

The attack targeted energy infrastructure across five regions, causing major blackouts. National grid operator Ukrenergo reported that Sumy Oblast suffered the most severe disruptions, leaving the regional capital and surrounding communities without power. Air defense systems were also active over western regions, including Lviv.

Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that preliminary assessments indicate Russian forces used a North Korean ballistic missile in a strike on Radushne, near Kryvyi Rih.

Sources: Investor.bg, Point, Ukrinform

Italy's governing coalition is experiencing friction over domestic economic commitments and foreign defense policy. In the Chamber of Deputies, legislation linked to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan remains stalled due to disagreements regarding European Union-mandated tenders for intercity train services, threatening between €1 billion and €3 billion in EU funding.

Defense policy has sparked further internal disagreement. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani proposed applying for €14.9 billion from the EU Safe fund to procure armaments, prompting coalition ally Lega to demand parliamentary oversight. Concurrently, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni indicated a willingness to suspend Schengen border rules with Spain after thousands of migrants reached Ceuta. On foreign deployments, Italy is set to send 400 military personnel to Saudi Arabia to assist in airspace protection against Iranian missile threats.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Stampa.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for increased Western defense support after Russian air strikes killed at least eight people, displaying images of a family killed in the raids. Ukrainian forces launched a counteroffensive using around 100 drones against targets near Moscow and occupied Crimea, striking an electrical substation, a logistics facility, and a steel processing plant.

Kiev also carried out long-range strikes against Iranian cargo vessels in the Caspian Sea, alleging the ships were transporting military material to Russian forces. Tehran condemned the operation, warning of an "unpredictable response."

The strikes reflect expanding regional conflict, coinciding with Iranian ballistic missile attacks against US positions in Jordan and subsequent joint US-Saudi military responses.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero

A British Airways Airbus A320 encountered a critical flight control situation while approaching London Heathrow Airport on July 6. A malfunction in the aircraft's flight sensors triggered two stall warnings at a low altitude as the plane prepared to land. The flight crew declared a Mayday emergency and executed recovery maneuvers to regain proper flight control before landing safely at the airport. Low-altitude stall warnings are considered hazardous, as they leave pilots with minimal time to react before potential loss of control. Investigative reports indicate sensor errors caused the sudden altitude drops during the final approach.

Sources: Corriere della Sera.