Key events<\/p>\n
Aftermath of Russian overnight attack on Kyiv – in picturesResidents gather at the site of a residential building damaged following a Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Photograph: Roman Pilipey\/AFP\/Getty ImagesA man looks at a residential building damaged following a Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Photograph: Roman Pilipey\/AFP\/Getty ImagesA resident walks near an apartment building damaged during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv. Photograph: ReutersSmoke rises over the city following a Russian air attack on Kyiv. Photograph: Roman Pilipey\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Following the overnight attack, damage was recorded in 30 locations across Kyiv<\/a>, mainly residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, AP reported.<\/p>\n Some 20 residential buildings were damaged, interior minister Ihor Klymenko said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.51 EDT<\/p>\n Germany condemns Russian strikes on Kyiv, vows to continue supporting Ukraine<\/p>\n Separately, \u2060Germany\u2019s foreign ministry condemned Russia\u2019s \u2060major \u2060strike on \u200bKyiv \u2060in the strongest possible terms \u2060and vowed \u200bto \u200ccontinue \u200csupporting Ukraine<\/a> against Russian aggression.<\/p>\n An elderly woman walks to inspect her damaged flat at the site of a Russian missile strike on a nine-storey residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Sergey Dolzhenko\/EPA<\/p>\n In a statement, it said<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cWe condemn in the strongest possible terms the massive Russian airstrikes on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine last night. <\/p>\n Once again, Putin\u2019s Russia has subjected the Ukrainian capital and large swathes of the country to massive drone and missile attacks. <\/p>\n People were killed or injured in their sleep, homes were destroyed, and civilian infrastructure, such as a medical facility, was severely damaged. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.<\/p>\n The shocking images of destruction from last night demonstrate once again that Russia is continuing its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine with unabated brutality. <\/p>\n Putin shows no willingness to negotiate. He continues to rely on missile and drone terror against the population, while Russia suffers enormous losses on the front lines in its aggression against Ukraine.<\/p>\n Therefore, Germany, together with its partners, is further increasing the pressure on Russia. We will continue to support Ukraine in its fight to defend itself. This support will also be a key topic at next week\u2019s NATO summit in Ankara.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Germany alleges Nord Stream sabotage was carried ‘on the orders of state authorities in Ukraine’<\/p>\n Meanwhile, German prosecutors alleged that Ukrainian state authorities were behind the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline linking Russia<\/a> with Europe in a move which AFP said could complicate close relations between Kyiv and its key military backer Berlin.<\/p>\n Police escorts Serhii K. to a helicopter following a hearing with the German Federal Public Prosecutor, after Italy’s top court approved the handover to Germany of the Ukrainian man, suspected of coordinating the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, in Karlsruhe, Germany. Photograph: Thilo Schm\u00fclgen\/Reuters<\/p>\n In a statement detailing the charges brought against one suspect, German prosecutors said that he and other members of the Ukrainian military had acted \u201con the orders of state authorities in Ukraine\u201d.<\/p>\n The suspect in question was arrested in summer 2025 in Italy and extradited to Germany the following November, and was named at the time as Serhii K., AFP said. He has denied involvement, Reuters noted.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Zelenskyy says he hopes for swift results of Irish probe into alumina exports to Russia in Dublin<\/p>\n Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he hopes not to wait too long for the results of an Irish government investigation into alumina exports to Russia thought to be feeding the Kremlin\u2019s war machine.<\/p>\n Irish taoiseach Michael Martin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold a press conference following the launch event for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Dublin Castle in Dublin, Ireland. Photograph: Bryan Meade\/EPA<\/p>\n Speaking in Dublin on Wednesday he said he was grateful that the Irish government was conducting an investigation into the issue. \u201cWe very much hope for a positive result and we do hope that we will not have to wait for it for months,\u201d he told reporters.<\/p>\n Investigative journalists, including at the Guardian, revealed that the Aughinish Alumina refinery on the west coast of Ireland is part of an international supply chain that appears to be feeding the Russian war machine.<\/a><\/p>\n The smelter, which is owned by the Russian aluminium group Rusal, is at the heart of a booming, and legal, trade in alumina, which is derived from bauxite and serves as the base ingredient for aluminium. Ireland exported $376m alumina to Russia<\/a> in 2024, a 50% increase on 2022.<\/p>\n Speaking alongside Zelenskyy, Ireland\u2019s prime minister, Miche\u00e1l Martin, said the two leaders had a \u201cgood discussion on that specific issue\u201d and that Ireland was \u201ccoming to the completion of an investigation so we get the full facts\u201d. He continued: \u201cWe do not want to be in a position where material emanating from a plant in Ireland goes to support the Russian war machine.\u201d<\/p>\n At a ceremony to mark the start of Ireland\u2019s six-month EU presidency, Zelenskyy was more blunt about unnamed European companies.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately there are companies in Europe that are owned or effectively controlled by Russia and its sanctioned oligarchs. They keep supplying the aggressor with essential materials even now.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ukrainian president also warned he had \u201cvery unpleasant information\u201d about Russian preparations for another massive attack. Hours later Russia launched a large-scale bombardment of Kyiv <\/a>that killed at least 17 people and injured dozens more.<\/p>\n Zelenskyy also reiterated calls for a speedy journey for Ukraine<\/a> to join the EU, calling on the union to open talks on the five remaining groups of EU rules, known as clusters. Ukraine embarked on the first phase of membership talks (cluster one on the rule of law) last month, but now wants to open talks on all remaining chapters of the EU rulebook, including the single market, environment, economic and social policy.<\/p>\n Martin, who earlier stressed the transformative effect of European membership for Ireland, said he intended to work to secure the opening of all the remaining clusters by the end of our term.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Russia will ‘continue to increase pressure on Kyiv’ to achieve its goals, Kremlin spokesperson says<\/p>\n Responding to the EU foreign policy chief\u2019s comments that the bloc would increase pressure on Russia for its strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine<\/a>, the Kremlin\u2019s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia will equally \u201ccontinue to increase pressure on the Kyiv regime in order to achieve our set goals.\u201d<\/p>\n A residential apartment building is seen damaged after a Russian strike on Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Efrem Lukatsky\/APShare<\/a>Death toll after overnight attack on Kyiv rises to 17<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the \u2060death \u2060toll following \u200ba \u2060Russian \u2060drone and \u200bmissile \u200cattack \u200con Kyiv \u200chas \u200brisen \u2060to 17, Ukraine\u2019s \u200bemergency \u200bservices \u200bsaid.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Russia \u2018mounted drone surveillance of European nuclear sites over 18 months\u2019 Defence and security editor<\/p>\n The Kremlin orchestrated a concerted surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period which targeted nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers have said.<\/p>\n A sign reads\u00a0‘Drones no fly zone’ outside Liege Airport terminal, Belgium. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet\/EPA<\/p>\n Analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) of 144 incidents in more than a dozen countries beginning in late 2024 concluded Russian intelligence had operated with \u201csubstantial impunity\u201d, leaving authorities across Europe flat-footed and confused.<\/p>\n Drones were repeatedly spotted over airbases and airports, yet none were captured or shot down by western militaries, exposing a strategic failure in Nato air defences that the thinktank said had been quietly acknowledged across Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, a UK base that was being prepared to house US nuclear weapons, and France\u2019s nuclear submarine base at \u00cele Longue in Brittany were among the sites targeted by unarmed drones believed to have been launched at sea.<\/p>\n European governments have been reluctant to accuse Russia of being behind the incidents, but Charlie Edwards, a senior IISS fellow, said \u201cevery government we spoke to said they would welcome the report being published\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Back to Ukraine, the Russian Defence Ministry said its \u201cmassive attack\u201d on Kyiv using long-range, high-precision air-, land-, sea-launched weapons and drones hit military and energy facilities, as well as airports and other locations, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n Local people look at a crater at the site of a Russian missile strike on a residential area in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Sergey Dolzhenko\/EPA<\/p>\n It said it was a retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 drones during the attack, the Ukrainian air force said. Air defence units downed most of those but 25 \u2060ballistic missiles and 12 drones struck 33 locations.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Merz presents coalition reform package in bid to revive economy amid AfD challenge<\/p>\n Over in Germany, chancellor Friedrich Merz has laid out his plans for wide-ranging reforms in a bid to revive the country\u2019s struggling economy and counter the rise of the far-right ahead of key land elections this autumn.<\/p>\n German chancellor Friedrich Merz speaking after a coalition committee meeting in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: dts News Agency Germany\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n The package of reforms includes income tax cuts of a volume of \u20ac10bn to be financed by increased taxes on the wealthy, as well as changes to the pension system that will eventually see the retirement age rise to 67, AFP said.<\/p>\n The tax relief \u200bwill \u200bbe mainly funded by \u200braising the top rate of tax \u200bto 47% \u200cfrom 45% \u200bfor \u200bthe highest earners with an annual income of \u20ac280,000 or more, Reuters said.<\/p>\n The reforms also include an action plan \u200bagainst benefit fraud and abolishing workers\u2019 ability to obtain sicknotes by phone, as well as a goal to cut staffing by \u20608% in federal ministries through digitisation, Reuters said.<\/p>\n Merz\u2019s CDU\/CSU trails nationally in all polls behind the far-right Alternative f\u00fcr Deutschland by three to five percentage points, with junior coalition partner SPD in fourth place, behind the Greens.<\/p>\n In September, closely watched local elections will be held in Saxony-Anhalt, which could see AfD come to power for the first time, with the party consistently polling at above 40%.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>At least 13 killed in Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv – full story in Kyiv<\/p>\n At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured overnight in Kyiv, local authorities said, as Russia<\/a> launched its latest massive drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Thursday.<\/p>\n Fires were burning at sites across the capital as dawn broke, with strikes or debris hitting residential buildings in several districts and a hotel on one of Kyiv\u2019s central boulevards. The death toll of 13 may rise, as local emergency services said 86 people were injured, 70 of whom had been hospitalised.<\/p>\n Smoke is seen as two major fires burn after a drone and missile attack by Russian forces on July 2, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Paula Bronstein\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Loud explosions shook the capital for several hours as waves of drones as well as cruise and ballistic missiles came towards the capital and Ukrainian air defence attempted to shoot them down.<\/p>\n Kyiv\u2019s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, writing on Telegram, said that at one site the first to \u200csixth floors of an apartment building \u200chad collapsed after a direct hit. At another location, people were pulled out from under rubble after part of a block of flats collapsed.<\/p>\n Russia regularly launches combined missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital and there had been speculation for some days that another massive attack was in the works. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Ukrainians on Wednesday that it could come that night. \u201cI am asking all our people to be extra careful, take care of yourselves and your children, and use shelters, this is very important,\u201d he said, speaking on a visit to Dublin.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the city will mark a day of mourning on Friday to commemorate the victims of the overnight strikes on the city.<\/p>\n A general view of a destroyed building after a drone and missile attack by Russian forces in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Danylo Dubchak\/Frontliner\/Getty Images<\/p>\n At least 13 people were killed in the attack, with almost 90 injured.<\/p>\n Flags will be lowered on all municipal buildings in the city, with a recommendation to all other landlords to also raise their flags, if applicable.<\/p>\n All entertainment events in the city will be cancelled.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>‘The more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions must be imposed,’ EU foreign policy chief says<\/p>\n EU\u2019s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas responded to the overnight attacks on Kyiv, saying she will propose further sanctions on Russia<\/a>.<\/p>\n A woman walks into a residential building damaged following a Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Photograph: Tetiana Dzhafarova\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cWords of condemnation alone will not stop attacks on Kyiv. Only sustained military support for Ukraine<\/a> and increased pressure on Moscow can do that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, I will propose to sanction more entities supporting Russia\u2019s military-industrial complex in response to the strikes. The more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions must be imposed. We keep raising the cost until Russia understands it cannot win.\u201d<\/p>\n Kallas added that all EU staff in Kyiv<\/a> are accounted for, as she thanked them for their service in these difficult circumstances.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Morning opening: At least 13 killed in overnight Russian attacks on Kyiv At least 13 people were killed in overnight Russian attacks on Kyiv and Ukraine, hours after president Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/a> cut his visit to Ireland short as he warned that Moscow was preparing a \u201cmassive attack\u201d.<\/p>\n At least 86 people were injured during the strikes.<\/p>\n Smoke rises over the city following a Russian air attack on Kyiv in Ukraine. Photograph: Roman Pilipey\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Zelenskyy said that at least 20 sites were attacked overnight, \u201cmost of them ordinary residential buildings,\u201d with damage also reported \u201cto an ambulance station, a research institute, a hotel, and [local] businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAir defence supplies for Ukraine<\/a> are an absolute and critical priority,\u201d he stressed, repeating his request for a US licence to produce Patriot missiles locally in Ukraine.<\/p>\n Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha urged Ukraine\u2019s allies to help Kyiv<\/a> strengthen its air defence.<\/p>\n \u201cDo not delay decisions on air defence for Ukraine! This is our main request to our partners after Kyiv suffered a night of horror,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n I will bring you all the updates from Kyiv.<\/p>\n Separately, German chancellor Friedrich Merz is presenting his government\u2019s new reform agenda this morning, hoping to send to gain new momentum after criticism of his lacklustre performance so far. I will bring you the key lines on that too.<\/p>\n It\u2019s Thursday, 2 July 2026, it\u2019s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.<\/p>\n Good morning.<\/p>\n![\"Jennifer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jennifer_Rankin,_L.png\")
Jennifer Rankin<\/p>\n![\"Dan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Dan-Sabbagh,-L.png\")
Dan Sabbagh<\/p>\n![\"Shaun](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Shaun_Walker.png\")
Shaun Walker<\/p>\n![\"Jakub](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jakub_Krupa.png\")
Jakub Krupa<\/p>\n