The death toll from Russia's latest drone and missile attack on Kyiv has risen to 17, Ukraine's emergency services announced, because apparently 16 just wasn't enough. Damage was recorded at 30 locations across the capital, mostly residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv city military administration. Interior minister Ihor Klymenko added that some 20 residential buildings were damaged, because nothing says 'precision strike' like turning apartment blocks into rubble.

Germany's foreign ministry condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, which is diplomatic code for 'we're really quite cross about this.' They vowed to continue supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, a promise they'll likely reiterate at next week's NATO summit in Ankara. Meanwhile, in a twist that could complicate close relations between Kyiv and Berlin, German prosecutors alleged that Ukrainian state authorities were behind the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. The suspect, Serhii K., was arrested in Italy in summer 2025 and extradited to Germany, though he has denied involvement. Because nothing says 'trusted ally' like accusing your partner of blowing up critical infrastructure.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking in Dublin, said he hopes not to wait too long for the results of an Irish government investigation into alumina exports to Russia that may be feeding the Kremlin's war machine. The Aughinish Alumina refinery on Ireland's west coast, owned by Russian aluminium group Rusal, exported $376 million worth of alumina to Russia in 2024 - a 50% increase from 2022. Ireland's prime minister, Micheál Martin, said the investigation is 'coming to completion,' which is Irish for 'we're looking into it, but no promises.'

Zelenskyy also warned he had 'very unpleasant information' about Russian preparations for another massive attack. Hours later, Russia launched a large-scale bombardment of Kyiv that killed at least 17 people and injured dozens more. Turns out the unpleasant information was accurate. He reiterated calls for a speedy EU membership journey, asking the union to open talks on all five remaining clusters of EU rules. Martin, perhaps emboldened by Ireland's own EU success story, said he'd work to secure that by the end of Ireland's six-month EU presidency.

Over in Germany, chancellor Friedrich Merz unveiled a reform package aimed at reviving the economy and countering the far-right. It includes €10 billion in income tax cuts funded by raising the top tax rate to 47% for high earners, and a plan to eventually raise the retirement age to 67. Because nothing says 'economic revival' like working longer and paying more taxes. Merz's CDU/CSU trails the far-right Alternative für Deutschland in polls, with key elections in Saxony-Anhalt looming in September where AfD could come to power for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to EU threats of increased sanctions by promising that Russia will equally 'continue to increase pressure on the Kyiv regime.' It's like a game of chicken where the prize is who can cause more civilian casualties.

A separate report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies revealed that Russian intelligence conducted a surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over 18 months, targeting nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Drones were spotted repeatedly over airbases, yet none were shot down, exposing a 'strategic failure' in NATO air defenses. European governments have been reluctant to point fingers, but a senior IISS fellow noted that 'every government we spoke to said they would welcome the report being published.' In other words, they're happy someone else is saying it.

Back in Kyiv, mayor Vitali Klitschko declared a day of mourning on Friday, with flags lowered and entertainment events cancelled. Because when your city gets bombed, the least you can do is cancel the fun. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas proposed further sanctions on Russia, saying 'words of condemnation alone will not stop attacks on Kyiv.' She added that 'the more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions must be imposed.' It's a novel approach: if at first you don't succeed, sanction, sanction again.

Zelenskyy stressed that air defense supplies for Ukraine are an 'absolute and critical priority,' repeating his request for a US license to produce Patriot missiles locally. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha urged allies to help strengthen air defense, pleading: 'Do not delay decisions on air defense for Ukraine!' Because when your city is being bombed, patience tends to wear thin.