Jun 29, 2026, 07:00 PM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would continue to respond to Russian attacks to diminish Moscow's capacity to prolong the conflict. This statement followed a series of Russian strikes on June 29. In Kharkiv, a guided aerial bomb struck, killing one person and injuring five. A drone attack on a public transport vehicle in Zaporizhzhia resulted in two fatalities and six injuries, including a child. Meanwhile, explosions were reported overnight in Russian-occupied Crimea, with satellite imagery showing fires near a civilian airfield in Kerch and the Maryanivka power substation, causing local power outages. Ukraine's General Staff reported 1,230 Russian personnel were killed or wounded in the past 24 hours.

Sources: Громадське, Українська правда, Радіо Свобода

The United States and Iran have agreed to cease reciprocal military actions and proceed with negotiations concerning the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump confirmed a meeting between representatives is scheduled for June 30 in Doha, Qatar, noting Iran initiated the request. This de-escalation follows a series of strikes, including Iranian drone and missile attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, which Tehran stated were in response to earlier American actions. The US Central Command had previously confirmed strikes against Iranian targets on June 26 and additional ones on June 27, citing an attack on the tanker "Ever Lovely." Brent crude oil prices subsequently decreased following reports of the agreement.

Sources: Українська правда, Громадське, Forbes Ukraine

Venezuelan authorities have updated the death toll from the June 24 double earthquake to 1,719, an increase from the 1,450 fatalities reported the previous day. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced the new figure on Monday, June 29, also stating that 5,034 people were injured. The United Nations estimates approximately 50,000 individuals are missing. Rodriguez previously described the event as "the most brutal natural disaster that our country has suffered in its entire history." Rescue operations continue amidst growing public frustration regarding the government's response. The seismic activity has also left 774 buildings affected or collapsed, with 189 completely destroyed.

Sources: Le Monde

Following powerful earthquakes in Venezuela, rescue operations successfully extracted two 11-year-old boys, including Moises, from collapsed structures after they had been trapped for several days. Rescuers continue to search for additional survivors using specialized equipment like dogs, drones, and sound detectors, despite the critical 96-hour window having passed. The confirmed death toll stands at least 1,450, with expectations for it to rise. In the aftermath, a country club in Caraballeda, La Guaira state, has been repurposed as a temporary hospital, providing medical care, shelter, and essential supplies to survivors. Concurrently, residents in affected regions, such as Catia la Mar, have expressed dissatisfaction and anger concerning the Venezuelan state's official handling of the disaster recovery, with some feeling inadequately supported. Volunteer groups are continuing efforts to locate additional survivors.

Sources: BBC News

Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged domestic fuel shortages, attributing them to recent Ukrainian strikes targeting the country's energy infrastructure. The impact of these attacks has been increasingly evident across Russia, with reports of long queues at petrol stations and widespread fuel rationing. Several refineries have also sustained damage. In the Russia-annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, authorities have reportedly banned civilians from filling their tanks to ensure priority supply for military vehicles. This admission marks a rare public acknowledgment from the Russian leadership regarding the operational challenges posed by Ukrainian actions.

Sources: BBC News — World