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Ukraine has carried out drone strikes on two Russian oil refineries, including one in the Krasnodar region where a fire killed at least two people, according to Russian authorities. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes are part of a campaign to reduce Russia's war resources, while President Vladimir Putin acknowledged his country faces a 'difficult period.'
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized Western military aid to Ukraine, warning that advanced weapons operated by foreign soldiers could provoke a Russian retaliatory strike. He also confirmed Slovakia will not participate in military loans and reiterated the country's commitment to humanitarian aid and peaceful dialogue.
A record-breaking heatwave has spread from Western into Central and Eastern Europe, with Germany recording its highest-ever temperature and Czechia and Slovakia seeing all-time highs. The extreme heat has been linked to dozens of deaths and has prompted power cuts in Ukraine and red alerts across several countries.
A Russian unmanned aircraft expert told TASS that NATO member states cooperated in assembling drones used in attacks on the Moscow Region, identifying a Turkish-made navigation system. The expert also said European countries are increasingly involved in producing strike UAVs for Ukraine.
Legal experts and a legislator in Hong Kong say banning prediction markets would face practical challenges, as these platforms operate largely overseas and attract significant trading volumes. The platforms, including Polymarket and Kalshi, occupy a grey area under local gambling laws, raising concerns about market manipulation and consumer protection.
Russia's Defense Ministry announced the return of 160 Russian servicemen from Ukrainian captivity in exchange for 160 Ukrainian prisoners. The servicemen arrived in Belarus and later landed in the Moscow Region, with the exchange facilitated by the United Arab Emirates.
South Korea announced plans to train 500,000 military personnel as drone operators and produce tens of thousands of drones by 2029, aiming to make drones a standard tool for every soldier. The initiative, driven by lessons from recent conflicts and concerns over North Korea's advancing drone capabilities, includes a shift to 100% domestically produced components.
The European Commission has proposed denying temporary protection to newly arriving Ukrainian men of military age, aligning with a request from Kyiv. The initiative, which would extend protections for others until 2028, has drawn opposition from Hungary and other EU states.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko met in Valdai for informal talks covering the Union State agenda, trade and economic cooperation, and regional security, with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin joining on the second day. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the discussions were highly substantive, and denied that Lukashenko conveyed messages from Ukrainian President Zelensky.
The Bank of Russia has set the official dollar rate at 77.0611 rubles for June 27-29, 2026, up 1 ruble and 42.64 kopecks from the previous figure. The euro and yuan also rose against the ruble.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has announced a sweeping reform package, dubbed ‘Operation Purgatory,’ aimed at dismantling the legacy of his predecessor Viktor Orban. The measures include constitutional changes, anti-corruption reforms, and the dissolution of state-linked foundations, with the EU expected to release billions in frozen funds.
Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia, with Moscow reporting 660 drones intercepted across 13 regions and Crimea. The strikes targeted energy and industrial facilities, causing fuel shortages and power outages, while Ukrainian officials accused Belarus of aiding Russia's drone operations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has described the Chinese yuan as undervalued by 30 percent and criticized Beijing’s subsidies and export practices, citing pressure on European manufacturers. The remarks come as G7 leaders stopped short of a public joint plan on China-related economic issues, according to reporting from the South China Morning Post. Trade figures show a large Chinese surplus and rising shipments to Germany.
Russian authorities say a minor was detained in Dagestan for running an online community linked to terrorist organizations, recruiting teenagers to attack schools and spread bombing threats. The FSB alleges coordination and financing by Ukrainian special services, with claims of international expansion and confirmed involvement in multiple crimes.
Poland and Baltic states are preparing for potential Russian provocations, with US intelligence warnings and Latvian intelligence citing hybrid attack risks. NATO's Article 5 commitment and upcoming summit in Turkey are central to the response.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back announced on Friday that South Korea will accelerate efforts to field a long-range suicide drone system, named K-Lucas, to bolster its unmanned weapons capabilities. The system is reverse-engineered from Iran's Shahed-136 drones, and the plan includes acquiring over 20,000 low-cost drones by 2030 and restructuring the Drone Operations Command.
South Korea announced plans to lower fuel price ceilings and freeze electricity and gas rates for the second half of the year to combat inflation, citing easing geopolitical tensions and declining global crude oil prices. The government aims to keep inflation around 3 percent.
FIFA has cleared Russia's U-15 boys' and girls' teams to participate in youth world championships, according to a statement from the governing body. Russia's sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev welcomed the decision as a significant step toward the full return of Russian teams to international competitions, while noting the 2026 U-15 World Cup will be hosted by Azerbaijan.
FIFA has announced that its inaugural U-15 World Cup and Festival, scheduled for October in Azerbaijan, will be open to all member associations, potentially allowing Russia to participate for the first time since its 2022 ban. However, conflicting reports regarding the tournament's location and date have emerged, with some suggesting a September event in the United States.
At the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, Polish and Ukrainian officials struck a conciliatory tone despite President Zelenskyy's absence amid historical disputes. Ukraine expects to sign over 160 agreements worth more than €10 billion, and the EU confirmed the first tranche of a €90 billion loan.