Jun 29, 2026, 05:30 PM UTC

Russian forces carried out several attacks across Ukraine on June 29. A guided aerial bomb strike on Kharkiv's Kholodnohirskyi district killed one individual and wounded five others, with some sustaining serious injuries. In Zaporizhzhia, a drone attack targeted a public transport vehicle, claiming two lives and injuring six people, including a child. Overnight, explosions were heard in Russian-occupied Crimea. Satellite images revealed fires near a civilian airfield in Kerch and the Maryanivka power substation, leading to localized power disruptions. Ukraine's General Staff stated that 1,230 Russian personnel were killed or wounded in the preceding 24 hours, raising total estimated Russian losses to 1,402,200 since February 2022. Additionally, 197 combat engagements took place on June 28, with Russian forces concentrating their offensive efforts in the Sloviansk, Pokrovsk, and Huliaipole directions.

Sources: Громадське, Українська правда, Радіо Свобода

South Korean tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are reportedly planning significant investments, allocating approximately $520 billion for four new chip factories and an additional $356.36 billion for three AI data centers. Concurrently, Volkswagen is exploring the sale of assets like PowerCo or Ducati following substantial workforce reductions, though this may not fully stabilize the German automaker. Separately, sovereign funds and central banks overseeing $29 trillion are shifting investments towards energy assets and voicing increasing apprehension regarding the US dollar's future. European aluminum producers are urging Brussels to address a loophole that allows sanctioned Russian aluminum into the EU market. Meanwhile, Ukrainian MP Mykola Tyshchenko has been served with a suspicion notice by NABU and SAP, facing accusations of demanding over $1 million for non-interference in call center activities, money laundering, and submitting false declarations. Sources: Forbes Ukraine

The European Union's diplomatic arm, the European External Action Service (EEAS), established 15 years ago to project EU strength internationally, is reportedly experiencing a significant crisis. Its influence is said to be waning, with key staff departing and the European Commission increasingly assuming foreign policy responsibilities. The situation, described as putting the EEAS "on the brink of survival," suggests internal challenges and a potential power struggle, with figures like Kaja Kallas and Ursula von der Leyen mentioned in relation to the service's future. This development raises questions about the effectiveness and role of the EU's primary diplomatic office. Sources: Forbes Ukraine.

The US Supreme Court delivered two significant rulings on June 29, largely affirming the president's power to dismiss federal agency directors. The conservative-majority court's decisions validate a strategy to increase political influence within the administration. However, a crucial exception was made for the Federal Reserve, which the court identified as a pillar of the American financial system. This distinction means the president's authority to remove officials does not extend to the central bank, thereby preserving its independence despite the broader expansion of presidential dismissal powers.

Sources: Le Monde

Labour heavyweight Andy Burnham delivered his first programmatic speech on Monday, June 29, presenting himself as a potential future prime minister. The former mayor of Manchester, known for his characteristic casual attire, wore a navy t-shirt under a jacket and a Manchester bee pin. Observers noted his display of charm, ambition, and ease, qualities that some suggest have been absent in current Labour leader Keir Starmer's recent performances. The speech has fueled speculation regarding Burnham's leadership aspirations within the Labour Party.

Sources: Le Monde