Jun 29, 2026, 03:30 PM UTC

On June 29, Russian forces launched a guided aerial bomb strike on Kharkiv's Kholodnohirskyi district, causing one death and five injuries, some severe. In Zaporizhzhia, a Russian drone attack hit a public transport vehicle, resulting in two fatalities and six wounded, including a child. Overnight, explosions were reported across Russian-occupied Crimea. Satellite images from NASA Firms showed fires near a civilian airfield in Kerch and the "Maryanivka" power substation, leading to localized power disruptions. Ukraine's General Staff reported 1,230 Russian personnel killed or wounded in the past 24 hours, raising total estimated Russian losses to 1,402,200 since February 2022. On June 28, 197 combat engagements occurred, with Russian forces focusing offensive actions in the Sloviansk, Pokrovsk, and Huliaipole areas. Sources: Громадське, Українська правда, Радіо Свобода

Ukrainian MP Mykola Tyshchenko has received a suspicion notice from NABU and SAP, accused of demanding over $1 million for non-interference in call center activities, money laundering, and submitting false declarations. Meanwhile, South Korean tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix plan substantial investments, totaling approximately $520 billion for four new chip factories and an additional $356.36 billion for three AI data centers. European aluminum producers are pressing Brussels to close a loophole facilitating sanctioned Russian aluminum's entry into the EU market. Separately, sovereign funds and central banks managing $29 trillion are reorienting investments towards energy assets and expressing growing concerns about the US dollar's future. Volkswagen is reportedly considering selling assets such as PowerCo or Ducati after significant layoffs, though this might not fully stabilize the German automaker. Sources: Forbes Ukraine

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced his intention to resign from his position and initiate early presidential elections. The declaration was made during a large pro-government rally in Belgrade on June 27. Although Vučić's current term was originally scheduled to conclude in late spring 2027, this move aligns with his previous statements hinting at the possibility of holding elections ahead of schedule. The decision is viewed by some as unexpected given the remaining duration of his mandate, yet also anticipated due to his prior remarks concerning early polls. Further details regarding the timing of these snap elections are pending. Sources: Українська правда.

A 15-year-old Palestinian identified as Amir Ahmad Jawad Jaber was killed by the Israeli army on Monday, June 29, in the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred in Al-Bireh, a town adjacent to Ramallah. According to a statement from the Palestinian Authority Health Ministry, Jaber "fell as a martyr" after being struck by bullets to the head and chest, reportedly fired by Israeli soldiers during an "incursion" into the area. The ministry detailed the circumstances in a communiqué. Agence France-Presse had contacted the Israeli army for comment regarding the event. Sources: Le Monde

Algeria's economy continues to operate on an extractivist model, presenting significant challenges for North Africa's largest and most populous country. Despite these economic hurdles, the topic was largely absent from the recent legislative election campaign, which concluded on Sunday ahead of the July 2 vote. Candidates for parliamentary positions reportedly avoided a comprehensive national economic approach, instead concentrating their discussions on local concerns. This meant that broader economic issues, which could have garnered voter attention, were not central to the political discourse.

Sources: Le Monde