Jun 29, 2026, 01:30 PM UTC

Russian forces struck Kharkiv with a guided aerial bomb on June 29, resulting in one fatality and five injuries in the Kholodnohirskyi district, according to local officials. This attack follows a separate Russian drone strike on a public transport vehicle in Zaporizhzhia on the same day, which killed two individuals and injured six, including a child. Meanwhile, explosions were reported overnight across Russian-occupied Crimea, with satellite imagery indicating fires near a Kerch airfield and a major power substation, causing localized electricity outages. Ukraine's General Staff reported 1,230 Russian personnel killed or wounded in the preceding 24 hours, bringing total estimated Russian losses to 1,402,200 since February 2022. On June 28, 197 combat engagements took place, with Russian forces focusing offensive actions in the Sloviansk, Pokrovsk, and Huliaipole areas. Sources: Громадське, Українська правда, Радіо Свобода

South Korean tech giants Samsung and SK Hynix are reportedly planning investments of approximately $1.3 trillion to expand AI chip production and establish new data centers. Meanwhile, European aluminum manufacturers are urging Brussels to close a loophole that allows sanctioned Russian aluminum to enter the EU market via third countries. Sovereign funds and central banks, managing $29 trillion in assets, are reportedly reorienting investments towards energy assets and expressing growing concerns about the US dollar's future. Separately, Volkswagen may consider selling key assets such as Ducati and PowerCo following significant employee reductions, though reports suggest this might not be sufficient to stabilize the German automaker. Domestically, Ukraine's energy holding DTEK has launched a five-year program to integrate artificial intelligence across its operations. Sources: Forbes Ukraine

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced a €3 billion financing package for Airbus, signaling a notable change in its investment policy. Historically, the EIB had avoided funding defense and security projects, considering such investments taboo. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, alongside sustained political pressure, has led the institution to revise its long-held doctrine. This new allocation is specifically intended to support Airbus's defense and security initiatives, reflecting a broader European re-evaluation of defense financing in the current geopolitical landscape.

Sources: Le Monde — International

Beata Javorcik, Chief Economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), recently presented an analysis of the region's economic landscape. She noted that the energy shock linked to the Middle East conflict has disproportionately affected Europe more severely than the United States. Javorcik also observed a demographic challenge in Eastern European countries, stating they "aged before getting rich." The EBRD, founded in 1991 to aid former Soviet bloc nations and now including parts of Central Asia, published its latest economic forecasts on June 3. These projections indicate an expected 3.1% growth across the entire region by 2026.

Sources: Le Monde

Suez, the French environmental services giant, has secured a significant 15-year contract valued at 2 billion euros for water management in Oman. The agreement covers the operation and maintenance of drinking water and sanitation services across the capital, Muscat, and the governorates of Al-Sharqiyah North and Al-Sharqiyah South. According to Suez CEO Xavier Girre, this deal ranks among the top three largest in the company's history. The contract underscores Suez's expanding presence in the Middle East's water infrastructure sector. Sources: Le Monde.