Jul 2, 2026, 04:30 PM UTC

The death toll from Russia's extensive missile and drone attack on Kyiv on July 2 has risen to 22, with 100 individuals, including minors, now reported injured. The assault, which involved 74 missiles and 496 uncrewed aerial vehicles, caused significant damage across the capital. Separately, a guided aerial bomb strike in the Dnipropetrovsk region previously resulted in the death of a 7-year-old girl and injuries to four others.

Amidst these developments, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his hope for a visit from US special representatives to Ukraine, following Defense Minister Rustem Umerov's discussions with former President Trump's son-in-law. The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying sanctions against Moscow and providing ongoing military assistance, particularly air defense systems and drones. European diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas stated, "Only sustained military support for Ukraine and increased pressure on Moscow can do that."

Sources: Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

Turkey has reportedly initiated the construction of a new space base in Warsheikh, Somalia, a coastal town situated 70 kilometers north of the capital, Mogadishu. The project, which commenced in October 2025, was officially acknowledged by the Turkish government in December 2025. This facility is designed to function as both a satellite launch site and a ballistic missile testing range, supporting Ankara's defense industry and its burgeoning space program. The development signifies a notable expansion of Turkey's strategic infrastructure in the Horn of Africa.

Sources: Le Monde — International

Belarus remains the sole European nation and former Soviet republic to enforce capital punishment, a practice largely abandoned across the continent. According to lawyer and former political prisoner Maksim Znak, speaking at the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris, "over 400 individuals have been executed" in the country since its independence in 1991. While most European countries moved to abolish the death penalty or adopt a moratorium between the 1980s and 2000s, Belarus has consistently declined to follow suit, maintaining its use of capital punishment despite international calls for its cessation. This position distinguishes Belarus from its European neighbours, where the practice has been widely discontinued.

Sources: Le Monde

Authorities in Yayang, a village in southern China, have reportedly demolished a local church. This action follows an incident in December 2025 when riot police were deployed after Christians in the community allegedly refused to display the national flag. During the initial intervention, twenty members of the Christian community were arrested and are said to remain in detention. Prior to its demolition, the place of worship was reportedly covered with a blue tarp. This event is part of a broader context of government actions affecting religious sites and communities in China. Sources: Le Monde