Russia is still promising to press its campaign in Ukraine, but the wider picture is beginning to look less one-sided: Ukrainian long-range attacks are straining Russian fuel supplies, public economic pessimism inside Russia has reached a two-decade high, and fresh Russian strikes are drawing renewed calls for stronger air defences.
Across Europe, the record heat emergency is now colliding with war itself, testing Ukrainian troops in steel tanks and stressing power grids. Meanwhile, the Gulf remains tense, Germany is mourning a shelter shooting, and World Cup knockout drama continues to compete with a grim global news cycle.
A new Gallup poll found that economic pessimism among Russians has reached its highest level in at least two decades, with many respondents saying local conditions and living standards are worsening as the war, sanctions and attacks on energy infrastructure weigh on daily life.
Ukraine’s president ridiculed Russia’s war effort, saying Moscow has repeatedly missed its deadlines for seizing Ukrainian regions. The remarks came as Ukraine points to refinery strikes, fuel shortages and battlefield failures as signs that Russia’s momentum is less secure than the Kremlin claims.
Europe’s extreme heat has reached the front line, where Ukrainian soldiers operating older steel-clad tanks without air conditioning are enduring punishing conditions. The heat is also adding pressure to Ukraine’s already damaged power system.
After weeks of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, Vladimir Putin acknowledged a “certain shortage” of fuel. The shortages have added a domestic pressure point to a war Moscow continues to describe as moving in its favour.
Russian strikes on Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens, according to officials. The attacks damaged homes, vehicles, a school, transit infrastructure and a minibus.
France has reported around 1,000 additional deaths from the heatwave, and record temperatures across Europe continue to strain hospitals, transport, power systems and emergency services as the extreme weather shifts east.
Authorities in northern Germany are investigating a shooting at a mother-and-child shelter in Stade, near Hamburg, after six people were killed in what police linked to a child custody dispute.
Middle East producers are continuing oil and LNG loadings despite recent ship attacks and lingering tension around the Strait of Hormuz, where global energy markets remain exposed to sudden disruption.
Economic pessimism has reached its highest level in at least 20 years.
Zelenskyy says Moscow keeps missing and postponing its battlefield goals.
Extreme temperatures are testing troops and Ukraine’s strained energy grid.
Ukrainian refinery strikes have created visible shortages inside Russia.
France’s excess-death estimate underscores the severity of the heat emergency.
Gulf exports continue, but shipping and markets remain nervous.
