Laura Gozzi

A Ukrainian drone attack on Nizhnekamsk in Russia’s Tatarstan region killed at least 13 people, including a child, and injured 75 others, according to local authorities. Ukrainian forces said the Tanevo oil refinery was targeted, while Russian reports said many victims were staying in a hostel and that civilians were present. Seven of the dead were reportedly Uzbek citizens. Ukraine says its expanding long-range campaign targets Russian energy, weapons and logistical infrastructure supporting the war; Russia condemned the attack and said more than 450 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight. The strike occurred amid continued large-scale Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia.

A Moscow court has barred Yabloko, Russia's only registered liberal and openly anti-war party, from contesting next month's parliamentary elections. The case was brought by the pro-Kremlin nationalist Rodina party, which accused Yabloko of supporting an organisation Russia has designated extremist, copyright infringement and receiving foreign funds. The ruling follows the exclusion or imprisonment of several Yabloko candidates and a cyberattack on its campaign donations appeal. Hundreds of mostly young supporters gathered outside the courthouse, highlighting the rarity of public anti-war dissent under wartime repression. With all other participating parties supporting or avoiding criticism of the war, the decision removes the clearest opposition voice from the ballot and could reduce turnout among Kremlin opponents, potentially benefiting the government.

A Moscow court has barred Yabloko, Russia’s only registered liberal and explicitly anti-war party, from contesting next month’s parliamentary elections. The case was brought by the pro-Kremlin Rodina party, which accused Yabloko of supporting an organisation designated extremist by Russia and of copyright infringement; authorities also raised claims about foreign funding. The ruling follows the exclusion or imprisonment of several Yabloko candidates and a cyberattack on its campaign donations appeal. Supporters gathered outside the courthouse, offering a rare public display of anti-war sentiment amid severe wartime restrictions on dissent. With all other participating parties supporting or avoiding open criticism of the war, the exclusion may reduce opposition turnout and benefit the Kremlin despite declining support for United Russia.

A Russian drone pursued and struck Yuriy, a 52-year-old vegetable vendor, in northern Kherson, leaving him with shrapnel wounds, concussion and trauma. Ukrainian officials described the attack as part of a deliberate Russian campaign known as a “human safari,” in which drones are used to terrorise civilians. BBC Verify geolocated the footage to a market area in Kherson, while a 2025 UN report found that Russian forces repeatedly killed and injured civilians in the region through drone attacks. Russia denies targeting civilians.

A Ukrainian drone struck a crowded beach near Arkhipo-Osipovka on Russia’s Black Sea coast, killing seven people, including three children, and injuring 40, according to Krasnodar governor Veniamin Kondratyev. Russia called it a deliberate attack on civilians, while Ukraine has not commented; possible explanations include electronic warfare or an attempted interception by air defences. The report places the incident within the broader pattern of Ukrainian strikes on targets deep inside Russia and Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, including recent deadly strikes on Kyiv and Kryvyi Rih. It also notes Ukraine’s claims that Wildberries warehouses support Russia’s military, which Moscow denies.

A Ukrainian drone struck a crowded beach near Arkhipo-Osipovka on Russia’s Black Sea coast, killing seven people, including three children, and injuring 40, according to Krasnodar regional authorities. Verified footage shows the drone crashing into the beach, while eyewitnesses reported gunfire beforehand, raising the possibility that air defences diverted or shot it down. Ukraine has not commented, and the intended target remains unclear. The incident comes amid increasing Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure and warehouses, including Wildberries facilities, alongside continuing Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities that have killed and injured civilians.

Record-low Danube water levels are forcing Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant to shut down because its cooling-water intake nozzles can no longer reach the river. Prime Minister Péter Magyar warned that Hungary's energy supply could become critical during an intense heatwave and urged people to reduce electricity use during peak hours, with rotational power cuts a possible contingency. Low water levels have also shut one reactor at Romania's Cernavodă plant, threatening the region's nuclear power supply. The drought and heat have disrupted shipping, stranded a river cruise in Bulgaria, exposed shipwrecks and archaeological remains, and intensified concerns about climate change, wildfires and water stress across Europe.

Record-low Danube water levels are forcing Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant to shut down because its cooling-water intake nozzles can no longer reach the river. Prime Minister Péter Magyar warned that the combination of the shutdown and a week-long heatwave could make Hungary's energy supply critical, prompting calls for reduced peak-time consumption and the possibility of rotating power cuts. Low water has also shut one reactor at Romania's Cernavoda plant, disrupted shipping and stranded a river cruise ship. The conditions reflect an exceptionally hot, dry European summer, with climate change intensifying heatwaves, water stress and wildfire risks.

Andrea Pirlo withdrew from consideration to become Italy's next head coach after politicians and football figures criticized his role as a global ambassador for Russian betting company Fonbet. His appearances at Fonbet events in Moscow alongside pro-Kremlin figures intensified concerns, although Pirlo said his work was exclusively commercial and sporting and did not represent political beliefs. The controversy coincided with the resignations of FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo, deepening an already serious crisis after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

A man of Moroccan origin, Abderrahim Fakir, died after being forcibly detained by police in Bologna, prompting mass protests and clashes in which dozens of officers were injured. Prosecutors opened a homicide investigation into the police officers and medical personnel involved. Local officials expressed shock, while political leaders debated police conduct and the government’s response. Family members demanded justice, and the incident revived comparisons with past cases of deaths in police custody.

Protests erupted in Bologna after the death of Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan-born man who died while being restrained by police. Thousands demonstrated peacefully, while a smaller group clashed with police, injuring dozens of officers and setting cars on fire. Video footage shows Fakir being pinned face down by officers and a civilian before losing consciousness, prompting prosecutors to launch a manslaughter investigation into both police and medical personnel. Government officials, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, called for a full investigation but condemned violence against police, while opposition figures criticised the government’s support of law enforcement. Fakir’s family demanded accountability, and the incident drew comparisons to previous high-profile deaths in police custody.

Protests erupted in Bologna after Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan-born resident, died while being restrained by police, prompting a manslaughter investigation into the officers and medical personnel involved. Thousands demonstrated peacefully before clashes broke out among a smaller group that injured dozens of police and resulted in cars being set alight. Government officials condemned both the death and the violent unrest, while local leaders and Fakir’s family demanded accountability. Opposition figures criticised the government’s support for police, and the case revived national debates on deaths in custody and law enforcement practices.

The US plans to grant Ukraine a licence to produce Patriot interceptor missiles, a move President Trump said would help counter intensified Russian ballistic missile attacks. Kyiv urgently needs additional air defences, though experts doubt Ukraine can manufacture Patriots on its own territory due to security and technical constraints. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged Ukraine’s recent long‑range strikes on Russia, framing them as leverage to push Moscow toward ending the conflict. Trump repeated claims that Vladimir Putin wants a negotiated settlement and again floated the idea of direct talks between Putin and President Zelensky, despite little progress toward such a meeting.

The US president said Ukraine would be granted a licence to produce Patriot interceptor missiles to boost its defence against intensified Russian ballistic attacks, despite existing US shortages. Kyiv welcomed the pledge but experts doubted Ukraine’s capacity to manufacture such advanced systems domestically, suggesting production would likely occur elsewhere in Europe. Trump and senior officials said the move aimed to help pressure Russia toward ending the war, while Ukraine continued long‑range strikes on Russian targets. Putin’s stated willingness to meet Zelensky was contrasted with conditions viewed as unrealistic by Ukraine.

Marine Le Pen confirmed her 2027 French presidential bid while announcing an appeal to the Court of Cassation against her conviction for misusing EU funds, a ruling that requires her to wear an electronic tag though the penalty is suspended during appeal. The decision ends speculation that Jordan Bardella might replace her as candidate. Political opponents criticized her choice to run despite the conviction, while Le Pen insisted she would pursue all legal avenues and start her campaign immediately. The court’s final decision, expected in 2027, could affect her campaign as she and Bardella position themselves as a leadership duo for the election.

Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally, is positioned as a leading contender for the 2027 presidential election, potentially becoming the country’s youngest and first hard-right president. His rapid ascent in the party, broad appeal across voter groups, and strong approval ratings have made him a pivotal figure, especially as Marine Le Pen awaits a ruling that could determine her eligibility to run. Bardella’s political image combines traditional RN positions on immigration with efforts to court business leaders and moderate voters, while advocating changes to France’s role in the EU and Nato. As he balances loyalty to Le Pen with growing expectations, he faces the prospect of either stepping aside for his mentor or leading the party into a decisive electoral test.

Jordan Bardella, a 30-year-old leader of France’s National Rally, is positioned as a likely contender for the 2027 presidential election pending a ruling on Marine Le Pen’s eligibility. His rapid rise within the party, broad appeal across voter groups, and strategic ambiguity have bolstered his popularity. Bardella promotes hardline immigration measures, seeks to renegotiate France’s EU terms, and proposes changes to France’s role in NATO while maintaining ties with Europe’s nationalist right. His challenge is balancing loyalty to Le Pen with readiness to lead the party through its most critical electoral test.