Security · July 2026

On July 3, 2026, Russia struck Kyiv in its deadliest attack this year, killing at least 30 people and injuring scores more, hitting residential buildings, military sites, energy infrastructure, and airports. Both Ukraine and Russia have vowed to escalate fighting following the assault, which destroyed 64 apartments in a high-rise. Ukrainian rescuers cleared rubble as the capital mourned. Russian President Vladimir Putin called for continued massive strikes on Ukraine's defense industry and did not rule out that Kyiv might attempt sabotage operations. Russia claimed control of the key Ukrainian town Kostyantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region, a claim not independently verified. At least five people were killed in a Ukrainian strike on a Russian market, according to the regional governor. Russia simulated a Ukrainian assault on Crimea in large-scale war games involving drones and missiles, and built the first 20 Su-35 warplanes for Iran.