Aug 2, 2026, 03:00 AM UTC

Overnight Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv killed at least nine people, including four children, and injured up to 29 others, according to local officials and emergency services.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the bombardment commenced around 1:33 a.m. Saturday, triggering blazes and structural damage across at least five city districts. Witnesses noted hearing more than ten consecutive blasts. In the Solomjanskyi district, falling debris struck a multi-story residential building, trapping several occupants inside before rescue crews intervened. At least 17 injured individuals were hospitalized.

Ukrainian authorities emphasized that air defense systems face significant difficulties in intercepting ballistic missiles. Lithuania's Foreign Ministry confirmed that its embassy in Kyiv suffered structural damage during the strikes, though no staff members were harmed.

Sources: Aftenposten, NOS (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting), NRK

French President Emmanuel Macron has convened an emergency crisis meeting as severe wildfires continue to expand near Bordeaux and across southwestern Europe. Unfavorable weather conditions, including extreme heat and strong winds, continue to frustrate firefighting efforts. Reports on the displacement scale vary, with estimates of evacuated residents ranging from 250,000 to over 325,000 across France and Spain.

In France's Gironde department, flames have consumed more than 42,000 hectares, forcing widespread evacuations and halting regional rail lines. Fire officials reported an "unprecedented pyrocumulonimbus cloud" creating severe localized weather hazards, while authorities in the Var region launched investigations into suspected arson following several simultaneous ignitions. Two firefighters have died in line of duty during response operations.

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

Hungary is shutting down its Paks nuclear power plant completely for the first time in 44 years as a severe heatwave and drought reduced the Danube River's water levels, leaving insufficient coolant.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a North Korean missile killed a family near Kryvyi Rih, amid updates to the European Union's temporary protection rules for Ukrainians. In global politics, media reports reveal U.S. President Donald Trump is demanding changes to proposed Russian sanctions while maintaining near-daily contact with key fundraiser Meredith O'Rourke regarding corporate donations.

Elsewhere, police continue investigating an evening explosion near a Moscow café that killed three people and injured 15. In Pakistan, renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja and his expedition team died in an avalanche on Broad Peak.

Sources: Iltalehti.

Newly appointed British leadership has issued updated hand-written instructions, known as letters of last resort, to the commanders of the Royal Navy's four nuclear-armed submarines. The sealed directives outline actions captains must take should a catastrophic strike destroy the British government.

Meanwhile, security challenges persist across Eastern Europe. Reports indicate power supply disruptions occurred at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant following military actions, while a Lithuanian-associated site sustained damage from Russian strikes. Additionally, former Ukrainian officials have publicly addressed recent administrative dismissals within Kyiv's defense apparatus. Together, these developments highlight heightened strategic readiness and escalating infrastructure risks across Europe.

Sources: Iltalehti

A sightseeing plane carrying European tourists crashed on Saturday near Peru's historic Nazca Lines archaeological site, killing all 13 people on board. The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism confirmed the fatalities, which include two local crew members and 11 foreign passengers.

The aircraft, a Cessna Caravan C-208 operated by charter carrier Aerodiana, had departed from Pisco airport for an aerial tour over the UNESCO World Heritage site, located roughly 400 kilometres south of Lima. According to European media reports, the deceased tourists comprise seven Italian, two German, and two Spanish nationals. Video footage recorded shortly before the impact reportedly shows the aircraft losing control at high altitude.

Peruvian aviation authorities have opened an investigation into the causes of the crash.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, NOS, NRC, ORF, Tagesschau.