The UN reports a sharp increase in civilian casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war, with 1,396 killed and 7,978 wounded in Ukraine in H1 2026, and 250 killed and 1,596 injured in Russia during H1 this year. Long-range missiles and drones are cited as primary causes. India protested a Russian strike on a ship near Odesa that killed 10, including four Indians.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported intercepting 327 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions. A civilian was killed and four injured in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, with damage to homes and an industrial facility. Another civilian died in the Belgorod Region.
A US missile strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, Iran, killed at least 108 people, mostly children. Despite evidence suggesting the US military knew of the strike's vicinity and potential target identification issues, accountability remains unclear. The AP reconstructed events through interviews, revealing ongoing investigations and a lack of a final victim count.
A U.S. missile strike on an Iranian primary school in Minab, Iran, four months ago, reportedly killed 123 children and 34 adults. The Trump administration has not accepted blame, despite internal military evidence of the strike and potential target analysis shortfalls.
India strongly condemned Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghan territory, which resulted in numerous civilian casualties including women and children, calling it an assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a threat to regional peace. New Delhi reiterated its unwavering support for Afghanistan's territorial integrity.
Pakistani forces conducted overnight ground operations and strikes in Afghanistan, killing at least 36 civilians and injuring over 160, according to Afghan officials. Pakistan claims 29 militants were killed in response to attacks, escalating cross-border tensions.
Ukraine's UN envoy, Andrii Melnyk, warned that Kyiv may revise its ceasefire offer to Russia if the UN Security Council doesn't pass a resolution for an unconditional end to hostilities. Melnyk cited Ukraine's recent successful strikes on Russian oil refineries and military targets as growing confidence in their war effort.
The Guardian's investigation into a US airstrike in Somalia that killed 12 civilians, including 8 children, highlights challenges in reporting on covert conflicts. Lack of press freedom, journalist safety, and US opacity impede accountability.
Over 800 Russian residents were wounded by Ukrainian drone attacks in May, with Ambassador Rodion Miroshnik attributing the rise to increased Western drone deliveries to Ukraine. He stated drones are the deadliest weapon, causing over 78% of civilian casualties.
Over the past week, Ukrainian attacks resulted in 35 Russian citizens killed and over 180 injured, including minors. The Belgorod, Kherson, and Zaporozhye Regions, along with the Donetsk People's Republic, recorded the highest civilian casualties, primarily from drone attacks. Ukraine also allegedly used remote mining tactics on Russian territory.
President Trump reportedly called Israeli PM Netanyahu "crazy" and accused him of ingratitude during a tense phone call over Israel's escalation in Lebanon. Trump blocked a planned strike on Beirut and expressed concern over civilian casualties, though Netanyahu stated Israel would continue operations if Hezbollah attacks persist.
Russia's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya accused Ukraine of deliberately striking a college dormitory in Starobelsk, LPR, at night to cause maximum civilian casualties during a UN Security Council meeting.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged 205 prisoners of war on Friday, following a short-lived ceasefire. The swap occurred as rescue efforts concluded in Kyiv, where 24 people, including three girls, were killed in a Russian missile strike on an apartment block. Ukrainian drones also struck Russia's Ryazan, killing four, including a child.
