Aug 7, 2026, 08:30 AM UTC

Former US President Donald Trump raised concerns over providing Ukraine with American-made Patriot defense systems, cautioning against sharing sensitive military technology and noting domestic missile requirements. His comments followed appeals from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for enhanced air defense interceptors after Russian missile strikes in the Kyiv region left at least 17 dead and 44 injured.

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency expressed renewed concern over external power disruptions at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Elsewhere, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted Russian border regions and Black Sea coastal areas near Gelendzhik. At sea, the Italian navy intercepted a Russian shadow fleet tanker off Pantelleria, while reports emerged regarding fraudulent schemes in Russia involving military death benefits.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, La Stampa.

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte defended his government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic during a parliamentary inquiry commission hearing in Rome. The Five Star Movement leader rejected all allegations of wrongdoing, telling lawmakers, "Scavate pure, da me nessun illecito."

Speaking for more than three hours, Conte advocated for the emergency measures and health protocols implemented during his tenure. He also mounted an offensive by submitting an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors regarding a 100-million-euro transaction with supplier JC Electronics concerning potentially counterfeit masks. Conte criticized the inquiry panel, describing it as a political "plotone di esecuzione," while clashing with ruling coalition members over procurement decisions and emergency decrees issued during the crisis.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

German security authorities have alerted the public to an increase in foreign hybrid operations targeting state elections and critical infrastructure. Police records indicate state-backed foreign actors are suspected in over 100 incidents of sabotage and unauthorized drone overflights across Germany, including the recent discovery of an explosive device attached to a drone at Leipzig/Halle airport. Security agencies specifically warned that Russian disinformation campaigns have intensified ahead of September's state elections, attempting to discredit mainstream political parties while omitting the Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Concurrently, defense experts are debating Germany's military procurement strategy. With cheap unmanned aerial vehicles playing a decisive role in recent international conflicts, analysts question whether multi-billion-euro investments in conventional heavy armor remain effective for future defense needs.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have rejected media reports alleging that military strikes against Iran severely depleted American defense stockpiles. Hegseth dismissed claims that inventory levels had become dangerously low, while Trump asserted on social media that the nation holds "huge amounts of 'ammunition'" and warned leakers of harsh prison sentences.

On the diplomatic front, Trump stated that Washington has re-engaged in talks with Tehran, framing them as a final opportunity to secure an agreement, though Iranian officials previously denied any ongoing or scheduled negotiations. Domestically, the White House faces legal resistance from several states challenging its new tariff policies, alongside slipping public approval ratings in recent polling ahead of November's midterm elections.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau