Capital of Ukraine, a political and cultural hub on the Dnieper River
Miliband has furthered UK-US discussions in Washington, stressing the urgency of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to ease living costs while reaffirming support for Ukraine and calling for humanitarian relief in Gaza; Rubio shares a more measured public account of their talks.
Ukraine’s mid-range, Starlink-enabled drones have expanded the front’s reach, pressuring Russia’s supply lines and Crimea’s energy hubs. Russia is countering with camouflage, jamming, and new tactics, while Ukraine trains fighters and pursues domestically produced drones to sustain the push.
Ukraine's prosecutor general has released restored surveillance footage of a June 29 parcel bombing in Monaco that wounded tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner and their teenage son. Investigators have traced transfers of cash and cryptocurrency linking a suspected bomber, Anastasiia Berezovska, to two detained men in Ukraine; Berezovska was later found shot dead near Kyiv.
Ukraine has intensified drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure and tanker ships in the Sea of Azov and Black Sea, aiming to disrupt Moscow’s fuel supply to Crimea. The operation, named Molochka, has hit dozens of vessels and electricity infrastructure, triggering fuel shortages and a broader energy crisis in Russia.
Poland and Ukraine remain at odds over the Ukrainian Insurgent Army’s wartime actions as a Ukrainian president’s decision to honour UPA figures sparked a cross‑border row. Poland has indicted an 18‑year‑old Ukrainian national on 47 charges, alleging Russian intelligence involvement to fuel ethnic tensions. The case comes amid ongoing debates on history and security in the region.
Across Paris, Bastille Day preparations unfold as leaders from Europe gather to show unity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The parade will include thousands of troops, with the Coalition of the Willing presenting a show of support. France also confronts a third heatwave, prompting some restrictions on fireworks and public events.
Legislation updating Russia sanctions has gained White House backing and is advancing in the Senate, with debate centring on tariffs for the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas and potential waivers. The measure has broad support and could reshape U.S. pressure on Moscow, as Graham’s legacy guides the approach.
Ukraine has seen ongoing international backing amid Russia's invasion, with leaders pledging new aid and steps to bolster Kyiv's defenses. Drones and missile strikes continue, hitting targets across Ukraine and Russia, while regional summits and high-level visits underscore a coordinated response to the conflict.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has carried out a surprise cabinet reshuffle that has removed defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, nominated Serhii Koretskyi as prime minister and named SBU head Yevhenii Khmara as acting defence minister. The moves have provoked mass protests in Kyiv and other cities, prompted at least one senior military resignation and raised questions about unity in Kyiv’s war effort.
Ukraine has replaced its commander-in-chief and appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new head of the armed forces amid political upheaval and protests over the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Zelenskyy says unity requires change, while protests demand Fedorov’s return; Drapatyi pledges intensified offensive planning and modernization.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine’s commander-in-chief after mass protests over the dismissal of reform-minded ex-defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Drapatyi, 43, is being welcomed as a moderniser; Fedorov has refused offered alternatives and his supporters are continuing street demonstrations while Russia keeps striking Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainian drone strikes have damaged Russian oil infrastructure, triggering fuel shortages across the country. Authorities report production hiccups, rationing in some regions, and attempts to stabilise supplies amid heightened price pressures. The government has sanctioned imports and redirected shipments to mitigate the impact.
The Makerfield MP has been confirmed as Labour leader at a London conference and will become Prime Minister on Monday, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer. He vows to deliver a united, purposeful Labour focused on restoring hope and addressing living standards.
Kyiv has faced one of its largest ballistic missile barrages, with 41 missiles and 125 drones reported. Officials say air defences have shot down most missiles and drones, while several civilians have been injured or killed. U.S. licenses for Patriot interceptors are under discussion, with production hoped to begin by year’s end.
Ukrainian forces have targeted logistics hubs and oil facilities in Russia, while Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities including Kyiv and Odesa. Officials report casualties and disruptions as both sides escalate attacks and sanctions intensify.
A renewed round of Russian strikes targets Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, while Kyiv reports drone and missile attacks, drone production sites, and shelling that underline the ongoing tit-for-tat conflict. Ukrainian leaders have warned of further missile activity in the next 48 hours, as both sides mobilize resources and public support amid a volatile security backdrop.
UN rights monitors document a sharp rise in civilian deaths and injuries in the first half of 2026 as Russia and Ukraine widen strikes. FPV drones are reshaping daily life near front lines, while attacks on shipping and oil depots widen the conflict’s reach.
A combination of a government settlement creating a $1.77 billion fund and an immunity order for Trump and his sons has emerged alongside tightening controls over unclassified weapon program reports at the Pentagon. Simultaneously, the ongoing conflict around Ukraine and Black Sea trade is reshaping global grain and energy corridors, with new security and maritime routes under scrutiny.
The US and Russia remain engaged in diplomatic talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Rubio has described constructive discussions with Lavrov in Manila, emphasizing a possible role for the US in brokering a settlement, while Lavrov reiterates Moscow’s readiness for a political solution. Talks come amid broader regional tensions and Middle East concerns.
Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted Wildberries’ warehouses in Russia, hitting facilities in Elektrostal and Tambov and prompting disruptions to delivery. Kyiv says the strikes aim to pressure Russia’s economy by hitting a major online retailer that stores and ships goods for thousands of merchants.
Zelensky has appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi amid protests and calls for reform. Supporters describe Drapatyi as a reform-minded leader with frontline experience who can modernise the military and empower field commanders. Critics note his track record in drone warfare and accountability.
Benjamin Netanyahu has met President Donald Trump in a closed-door Oval Office meeting during a Washington visit for Senator Lindsey Graham's memorial. The leaders have discussed Iran, coordination on regional security and the Abraham Accords; White House officials have declined to release a readout while both sides have stressed continued cooperation despite recent tensions.
A landslide in Pengshui County, Chongqing, buried more than 10 buildings and injured residents. Rescue teams are continuing search operations, leveraging DNA analysis, drones, and underwater robots as authorities evacuate residents and attempt to prevent further collapses.
Ukraine is pursuing a potential coproduction of Patriot interceptors with Western partners as Russia escalates ballistic missile strikes. Kyiv aims to accelerate air‑defense production, but experts warn that setting up production at scale would take years, even as talks with Raytheon continue and Ukraine seeks faster access to Patriot systems.
Ukrainian drones have targeted Wildberries’ warehouses across Russia, with fires and disruptions spreading from Moscow to Saint Petersburg and Crimea. The strikes aim to disrupt logistics, trigger financial strain on banks and businesses, and pressure Moscow amid the war. Officials say merchants face losses; Wildberries is exploring compensation options while the government considers support.
A series of drone and missile incidents have escalated tensions across Ukraine and neighboring Romania. A large fire followed a drone strike on a civilian facility in Sumy region, while another strike hit a shopping center in Zaporizhzhia. Kyiv reports a major attack near a defense-industry site, with casualties and warnings of a possible large-scale missiles assault in the next 48 hours. Romania reports drones shot down near the border, marking ongoing regional drone incursions.
A series of developments shows Kyiv gaining renewed support from some Trump-aligned figures, including Laura Loomer, who has visited Kyiv and publicly reversed years of anti-Ukraine commentary. Zelenskiy has met Loomer and signaled closer alignment with Washington as Russia intensifies its missile campaign and U.S. politics realign around Ukraine.
Ukraine has escalated drone strikes targeting Russian logistics, hitting Wildberries warehouses in Krasnodar, Nevinnomyssk, and Yekaterinburg. The attacks disrupt operations, kill workers, and threaten Russia’s commercial supply chains as Kyiv seeks to pressure Moscow amid ongoing fighting.
Ukraine has carried out long-range strikes in the Caspian Sea that hit vessels Kyiv says were carrying Iranian-linked military cargo to Russia. Iran has summoned Ukraine’s diplomat, said one sailor was killed and another wounded, and warned retaliation; Ukraine’s foreign ministry has denied intent to target civilians and called Iran’s threats unjustified.
Kazakhstan’s leader has urged a freeze on the Ukraine conflict and a return to Istanbul-style talks, while Ukraine and Russia signal potential diplomacy. The move comes as oil disruptions hit Kazakhstan’s CPC export routes and Moscow-Kazakhstan ties loom large.
The UK is sharing the intellectual property behind its Stone Cloak electronic warfare system with Ukraine during a visit by President Zelenskiy and Prime Minister Burnham. Ukraine will mass produce the tablet-sized jammers to disrupt Russian air defenses, and Britain will integrate Stone Cloak into future long-range weapons.
Ukraine is pushing to accelerate domestic drone production and deepen ties with the United States as it faces ongoing missile strikes. New disclosures show Kyiv seeking a US-built drone factory and increased collaboration on Patriots; meanwhile, a Russian strike hit civilian areas near Kyiv and Ukrainian authorities warn against large crowds at weapons displays.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu are in Washington for the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham. They are seeking stronger defense cooperation with the United States as Kyiv presses for Patriot missile licences and co-production talks, while Iran’s role in the Middle East remains a focal point after a tense U.S.-Israel dynamic.
Funeral services for Senator Lindsey Graham have taken place in Washington and South Carolina after his sudden death on July 11. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have attended memorials that have highlighted Graham’s influence on U.S. foreign policy and set off a scramble for his Senate seat in South Carolina.
The Senate has advanced the Lindsey Graham sanctions bill, with bipartisan support and a high-profile backdrop including Zelenskyy’s Washington visit. The package targets Russia’s energy sector and its so-called “shadow fleet,” while expanding sanctions to Iran. House passage remains uncertain as August recess looms.
Early on 30 July 2026 a missile has entered Polish airspace and crashed in a field near Tarnawa-Kolonia, leaving a 10m crater but causing no casualties. Polish and NATO officials have said the weapon appears to be a Russian Kh-101 and have activated air and ground defences. The strike formed part of a larger Russian barrage that has killed at least eight people in Ukraine.
The Ukraine war has escalated as Russia, aided by North Korea, expands its missile capabilities. Kyiv faces greater ballistic threats while air defenses remain under strain amid winter pressures. Moscow and Pyongyang expect new talks to finalize missile deployments, including a broader North Korean presence in western Russia.
Ukrainian drone strikes have hit more Wildberries warehouses across Russia, while Moscow says it has downed hundreds of drones. The attacks are part of Kyiv’s long-range campaign to disrupt economic targets, with several sites damaged and casualties reported on both sides.
Kyiv has warned that interceptor stocks are depleted amid Russia’s intensified ballistic missile and drone attacks, with remnants of air defence proving insufficient to down incoming missiles. Kyiv is urging partners to release more interceptors from stockpiles as it pivots toward a European air-defence framework.
Ukraine has reported intensified Russian missiles and drones; Kyiv appeals for air defences as civilian casualties rise. Ukraine and its partners are negotiating further support and arms deliveries amid ongoing violence.
An improvised explosive device has detonated near the Balzi Rossi restaurant at Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow, killing at least three people and injuring dozens. Authorities have described the blast as a terrorist attack and say an unidentified woman carrying the device died; investigators are examining whether the device was set off remotely or carried unknowingly.
A Saturday night bombing at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow has killed five people and injured 19, with authorities cautioning that the casualty toll may evolve. Russian officials say the attack targeted an event attended by a Russian security guard and other diners; Kyiv is denying involvement. The incident is under investigation as tensions rise between Moscow and Kyiv.
A drone has crashed into a busy Gelendzhik beach on the Russian Black Sea coast, injuring around 40 people. Russian officials say the incident was a deliberate attack by Kyiv, while Kyiv denies civilian targeting. A specialist medical team is at the scene; several victims are in serious condition. The event follows Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and related incidents in Ukraine.
Ukrainian drone operators are increasingly using AI-assisted autonomy to track targets when signal links fail, while broader drone programs expand with Western tech. Operators emphasize safety for human crews as robots take on more tasks.
Japan has bolstered its military capabilities, prioritizing domestic drone development and long-range missiles as deterrence against China. Cabinet defence paper stresses speed, expanded arms production, and a shift toward homemade unmanned weapons to offset a shrinking workforce.
A soldier opened fire in Khmelnytske, Sevastopol, killing at least four people including two soldiers and three civilians before being detained. Ukraine-linked drone activity and strikes within Crimea are part of ongoing hostilities; authorities urge calm as investigations continue.
The Kyiv government has said ballistic-missile interceptors could have saved lives after a large Russian barrage hit Kyiv, killing at least 17 and injuring dozens. Zelenskyy has urged partners to speed up supplies of air-defence missiles, arguing delays directly contribute to casualties.
Ukrainian forces have targeted two Russian refineries inside Russia and attacked Black Sea vessels, while Russia reports extensive drone activity and civilian casualties across areas of Ukraine. Kyiv seeks interceptor missiles as air defences face sustained pressure.