Jun 26, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC

Russian forces launched an extensive aerial assault on Ukraine overnight into June 26, deploying seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 189 uncrewed aerial vehicles. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly intercepted 177 targets, including three ballistic missiles. However, four missiles and eleven drones impacted locations in the Kyiv and Poltava regions. Separately, Russian forces struck energy and civilian infrastructure in Odesa region's Vylkivska community, resulting in a fire and injuries. Concurrently, Ukraine's General Staff updated its figures for Russian military personnel losses to 1,398,370 since the full-scale invasion began, with 1,310 recorded in the past 24 hours. In a distinct incident, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly attacked a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on June 25.

Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

Ukrainian water and heating infrastructure requires an estimated €50 billion in investment, yet current funding covers only 1.5% of this demand. Discussions at a recent Forbes Development conference reiterated the substantial barriers preventing private sector engagement. Participants highlighted the high failure rate of public-private partnership projects and identified key risks for potential investors. A major challenge, frequently described as "the elephant in the room," remains the tariff structure, which continues to hinder private sector involvement despite the urgent need for modernization and development in municipal infrastructure.

Sources: Forbes Ukraine

A German court has handed down a life sentence to Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, a 51-year-old Saudi national, following his conviction for the murder of six individuals. The ruling pertains to a 2024 incident where Al-Abdulmohsen deliberately drove a rented BMW into a Christmas market crowd in Magdeburg. Prosecutors presented evidence indicating the vehicle reached speeds of up to 48 km/h during the attack. The court found him guilty of murder and imposed the most severe penalty permissible under German law. Sources: BBC News

France has reported its first confirmed Ebola case, involving a humanitarian doctor who recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The French Ministry of Health announced the diagnosis on June 24, stating that surveillance measures are now being implemented. The DRC is currently experiencing its 17th Ebola outbreak, which began on May 15. This outbreak has led to 1,155 confirmed cases and 304 fatalities. The case in France highlights the global reach of the ongoing epidemic originating from Central Africa.

Sources: Le Monde

Michelle Bolsonaro, wife of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has recently broken her extended period of public silence by releasing two videos. This move comes as the Bolsonaro family reportedly faces internal divisions ahead of Brazil's upcoming October presidential election. The former first lady had maintained a low public profile for several months, and her recent re-engagement is drawing attention. Her statements are being observed within the broader political context of the approaching electoral contest and the dynamics surrounding the former far-right president's influence.

Sources: Le Monde