Lavrov to replace Putin at South Africa summit amid ICC arrest warrant

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, will not attend the summit of the Brics group of nations in South Africa in August “by mutual agreement”, with foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov taking his place, The Guardian reports.

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles, says South Korea

North Korea has launched two short-range ballistic missiles, which landed in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), CNN reports.

US and NATO grapple with critical ammo shortage for Ukraine

The US and Europe are struggling to provide Ukraine with the large amount of ammunition it will need for a prolonged counteroffensive against Russia, and Western officials are racing to ramp up production to avoid shortages on the battlefield that could hinder Ukraine’s progress, CNN reports.

Baltic states set to decouple from Russian power grid in early 2025

The Baltic states are set to decouple from the Russian power grid in early 2025 despite calls from Lithuania for an earlier exit, Estonian Prime Minister told Reuters.

EU condemns Russia’s termination of Ukraine grain deal

European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday called Russia's decision to suspend a Black Sea grain export deal a "cynical move", adding that the EU would continue to work towards ensuring food security for poor countries, Reuters reports.

Training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft in Romania. Iohannis: We start at the end of the summer

Training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft could begin in Romania at the end of August, President Klaus Iohannis said yesterday, present at the "European Union - Community of Latin American and Caribbean States" Summit in Brussels, which continues today , writes Radio Romania News.

Europe wants permanent Gas Buyers Club for Post-Russia Strategy

The European Union wants to make joint gas purchases, a crisis measure to stop member states bidding against each other, a permanent feature of the bloc’s post-Russia energy strategy, writes Bloomberg.

Russia launched drones and missiles over southern and eastern Ukraine

Russia carried out missile and drone strikes on southern and eastern Ukraine overnight that caused damage to infrastructure in the Black Sea port of Odesa, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday, Reuters reports.

NATO warns Kosovo government over purchase of lethal drones from Turkey

NATO forces in Kosovo warned the government on Monday over the recent purchase of lethal drones from Turkey, saying the peacekeeping operation remained in charge of the territory’s airspace, AFP reports.

Ukraine grain deal expires after Russia pulls out

The deal allowing Ukraine to safely export grain via the Black Sea has officially expired after Russia pulled out of the crucial agreement, BBC reports.

Poland: Plane crash at Chrcynno hangar kills five and injures seven

A small plane has crashed into a hangar at an airfield near the Polish capital Warsaw, killing five people including its pilot, officials say, BBC reports.

A convoy of Wagner's private army fighters and equipment is said to have entered Belarus from Russia

A convoy of Wagner private army fighters and equipment has been seen entering Belarus from Russia, The Guardian reports. According to the Belarusian Defence Ministry press service, the mercenaries and Minsk's armed forces are planning to conduct joint military exercises.