Aug 8, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

Ukrainian drone strikes continued to target critical Russian industrial and logistics infrastructure across the country, reaching deep into Russian territory. Attacks hit the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl, where local authorities reported four injuries and Ukraine's security service claimed damage to oil storage tanks and technical units.

Further east, more than 2,000 kilometers from the border, a drone strike ignited a fire at a Wildberries commercial facility in Yekaterinburg, forcing worker evacuations. Ukrainian drones also targeted a distribution hub for retail chain Lenta, threatening to disrupt commercial supply chains. Ukrainian forces further reported hitting Russian coast guard vessels off Kerch.

On the ground, Russian troops made tactical advances toward Dobropillia in the Pokrovsk sector and captured positions east of Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia. The escalation coincides with reports that full intelligence sharing between the United States and Ukraine has been restored.

Sources: Belsat, Mediazona, Point, The Insider, Verstka.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares demanded full European Union solidarity, criticizing nations such as Italy for suspending travel connections and condemning external disinformation campaigns. During emergency talks in Brussels, EU interior ministers expressed support for Madrid, pledging to strengthen the border agency Frontex, crack down on human trafficking networks, and implement stricter return policies. The shift in tone followed initial criticism from mainstream European political leaders, who had attributed the chaotic arrivals of an estimated 72,000 migrants in the enclave of Ceuta to Spain's liberal immigration policies. EU officials resolved to enhance cooperation with non-EU nations to curb irregular crossings under the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Sources: Danas, Klix, N1, Tanjug, Vijesti.

Media watchdogs in Serbia reported a sharp rise in threats against journalists in July. The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia documented 19 safety violations, including two physical assaults and 14 death threats. Separately, the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation recorded over 100 verbal attacks by government officials and ruling party members during the same period.

In Belgrade, prosecutors launched an investigation following an assault on director Stevan Filipović, who claimed he was targeted while photographing damage to a historic building. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić publicly condemned the attack and called for immediate prosecution.

Meanwhile, media organizations in Kosovo protested after several Serbian-language outlets were denied access to a parliamentary session in Pristina despite submitting proper accreditation requests. Additionally, journalism groups highlighted new European Union regulations requiring clear disclosures when artificial intelligence produces or alters media content.

Sources: Beta, CDM, Danas, N1, Tanjug.

A persistent heatwave across Central Europe continues to drive record-high temperatures and severe water shortages. Meteorologists predict peak temperatures reaching up to 39 degrees Celsius alongside severe thunderstorms and elevated fire risks in border regions.

Water levels in major waterways, including the Rhine and Danube, have fallen to historic lows, matching records in Kaub not seen since 1880. The drop threatens drinking water supplies, groundwater reserves, and river freight transport, while simultaneously exposing historical artifacts such as sunken shipwrecks and mammoth bones along the riverbeds. Weather experts expect elevated temperatures of up to 36 degrees Celsius to persist through the weekend.

Sources: Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

During his inaugural official visit to Belgrade, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to discuss European integration, security, and economic cooperation.

During a joint press conference, Vučić expressed skepticism regarding both rapid European Union accession for Western Balkan nations and an early end to the war in Ukraine. The Serbian leader stated that not all European partners favor expanding the bloc to include Ukraine or Western Balkan countries, adding that he does not expect a swift resolution to the conflict.

The meeting comes as Kyiv seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties across South-Eastern Europe. Analysts noted that Belgrade's engagement with Ukraine could complicate its relations with Moscow, which remains a primary energy provider for Serbia.

Sources: NEXTA, Nova TV, Point, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда.