Jun 29, 2026, 07:00 AM UTC

Ukrainian forces reported an additional 1,230 Russian military personnel killed or wounded over the past day, bringing total estimated Russian losses to 1,402,200 since February 2022. On June 28, 197 combat engagements occurred, with Russian forces focusing offensive efforts in the Sloviansk, Pokrovsk, and Huliaipole directions. Separately, Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory resulted in civilian casualties. One person died and seven, including two children, were injured in Kharkiv region's Zmiivska community. In Zaporizhzhia, the casualty count from a separate attack rose to two fatalities and 16 injuries, with two children among the wounded, one critically. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged internal fuel supply challenges, attributing them to Ukrainian attacks on oil infrastructure, and confirmed a ban on gasoline exports, with a similar restriction on diesel anticipated.

Sources: Українська правда, Громадське

France's National Public Health Agency, Santé publique France, confirmed approximately 1,000 excess deaths between June 24 and 26, coinciding with an extreme heatwave. The highest rise in mortality was observed in regions under red weather alerts. Separately, the World Health Organization estimates that the extreme heat could have caused over 1,300 deaths across Europe since June 21. Meanwhile, the heatwave continued to set new national temperature records in other European nations. Germany recorded a new high of 41.7°C on Sunday, June 28. While [Радіо Свобода] reported this occurred in Coschen, surpassing the 41.5°C set the previous day in Drevice, [Українська правда] cited Neißemünde as the location for the 41.7°C record, noting it was the third consecutive day a temperature record was broken. Poland also experienced its highest recorded temperature in over a century, reaching 40.5°C in Słubice on Sunday. Sources: Forbes Ukraine, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда.

Iceland's Foreign Minister, Thordis Katrin Gunnarsdottir, has cautioned the European Union against implementing a probationary period for new member states. Speaking in an interview with Euractiv, as reported by Українська правда, Gunnarsdottir stated that Brussels should "be careful" with such proposals. The minister expressed dissatisfaction with the concept, which would involve limiting the powers of new accession countries during an initial trial phase. This stance comes as the EU considers reforms to its enlargement process, aiming to integrate new members more gradually while ensuring their full adherence to EU standards and values before granting complete membership rights. Iceland's government appears concerned about the implications for sovereignty and equal standing within the bloc.

Sources: Українська правда