Aug 2, 2026, 07:00 PM UTC

In Ukraine, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin confirmed that the casualty toll from Russian strikes on Kherson rose to 18 injured and one 54-year-old woman killed. Separately, Alexey Likhachev, head of Russia's Rosatom, reported that Ukrainian sea drones sank the commercial cargo ship Janjina in international Black Sea waters, though all 17 crew members were saved.

Meanwhile, United States embassies across the Middle East issued advisories urging American citizens to prepare for sudden regional escalation and consider leaving. Nations with updated notices include Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, and Qatar.

In the Western Balkans, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić publicly accused Kosovo authorities of subjecting ethnic Serbs in the region to severe pressure.

Sources: Dan, N1, Tanjug

At least nine people were killed and over 30 injured in Kyiv following a heavy overnight Russian ballistic missile strike, Ukrainian authorities reported. The attack damaged residential buildings, a school, infrastructure, and the Lithuanian embassy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the country has completely exhausted its stockpile of Patriot air defense interceptor missiles, stating that air defenses intercepted only a single ballistic missile during the assault.

Meanwhile, persistent drought and high temperatures have pushed river levels on the Danube to record lows, forcing Hungary to shut down its Paks nuclear power plant for the first time in over 40 years. Separately, Spain has begun installing a floating maritime barrier along its enclave of Ceuta to halt migrant crossings from Morocco.

Sources: HRT Vijesti.

Two firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air on Sunday while operating against a major wildfire in the Psatha and Porto Germeno areas of Attica, west of Athens. Driven by strong winds, the blaze has destroyed more than 100 homes northwest of the Greek capital.

According to fire authorities, each aircraft carried a two-person crew. Initial reports indicate that both crew members aboard one of the helicopters died in the crash. Preliminary details suggest human error may have caused the collision during ongoing aerial water-drop operations.

The accident occurred amid heightened wildfire activity across the country. Simultaneously, another wild blaze broke out on the island of Kefalonia, forcing authorities to evacuate residents and tourists.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro), HRT Vijesti.

Seven countries within the OPEC+ alliance have agreed to boost oil production by an additional 188,000 barrels per day for September, matching a decision previously adopted for August. Under the updated output quotas, Saudi Arabia and Russia will each increase their daily production by 62,000 barrels, while Iraq will contribute an additional 26,000 barrels per day alongside quota raises from Kuwait and other members.

In addition to the supply adjustment, the oil producers group issued a statement calling for measures to "safeguard the sites and sea routes" essential for international crude transport.

Sources: La Repubblica.

Moroccan female footballer Faten Ben Amar El Azizi has died after drowning while attempting to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by swimming from Morocco. The young prospect was seeking new opportunities when she perished during the attempt.

Her death highlights an ongoing migration crisis in the region. According to Spanish authorities, approximately 60,000 people have attempted to cross into Ceuta, leading to at least 67 recorded fatalities. Tributes have poured in across the Moroccan sporting community following the news of her death.

Sources: La Vanguardia