Ukraine says four killed and more than 30 injured in another round of Russian strikes – Europe live

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Morning opening: What's next for Ukraine?

Jakub Krupa

Jakub Krupa

At least four people were killed and more than 30 injured in another round of Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight, just days after a series of phone calls between US president Donald Trump, Russian president Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A view shows the site of apartment buildings hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine.
A view shows the site of apartment buildings hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine. Photograph: State Emergency Service Of Ukraine/Reuters

The latest attack will once again pose questions on what’s next for Ukraine as the US ceasefire proposal, pursued by Trump, appears to be failing to make any further progress.

Zelenskyy’s top aide Andriy Yermak said in an update on Telegram that “one of the important principles of defence is the destruction of the enemy’s ability to produce weapons,” as he called for “Russia’s military-industrial complex … to be weakened in various ways: from sanctions to direct strikes.”

The western world must realise that Russia’s scaling up of weapons production only brings us closer to the day when it will be used not only against Ukraine.

Elsewhere, some parts of Europe still battles heatwave with temperatures close to 40 Celsius in Greece, while others in central and eastern Europe are on alert for storms and torrential rains.

In Strasbourg, the European parliament will hold a debate ahead of this Thursday’s vote of no confidence in Ursula von der Leyen’s EU commission.

We are also waiting for more updates from EU-US trade talks, and on the latest situation on the Polish border with Germany after Poland has reintroduced controls overnight in an attempt to prevent irregular migration.I will bring you all the updates from Ukraine and across Europe here.

It’s Monday, 7 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.

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Fresh scandal hits Spain’s ruling party as official quits over sexual harassment claims

Sam Jones

in Madrid

Pedro Sánchez’s efforts to reset Spain’s ruling socialist party after damaging corruption allegations that threatened to topple his coalition government have suffered a severe setback over the weekend after a party official resigned over accusations of sexual harassment.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez arriving for the PSOE Federal Committee in Madrid, Spain.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez arriving for the PSOE Federal Committee in Madrid, Spain. Photograph: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez HANDOUT/EPA

The prime minister had hoped this weekend’s meeting of the federal committee of his Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) would help the party move past weeks of scandals that have undermined the ethical and anti-corruption pledges on which it came to power seven years ago.

But such hopes were flattened late on Friday night after the online newspaper elDiario published allegations from various female PSOE workers who said they had been subjected to sexual harassment by Francisco Salazar, who oversaw institutional coordination at the Moncloa palace, the office and official residence of the prime minister.

The accusations prompted Salazar to announce on Saturday that he was stepping down from that post and from his new role as a deputy in the PSOE’s organisational secretariat.

He told elDiario he could not recall any inappropriate interactions. “I’ve racked my brains over it and it seems mind-boggling to me,” he said. “I keep wondering if I’ve screwed up and said something inappropriate to a workmate, and the truth is, I can’t find [an example].”

Sources at Moncloa, in Madrid, said an investigation had been launched, but added that no official complaints had so far been made against Salazar.

On Saturday, Sánchez apologised again for what he called his misplaced confidence in those accused of wrongdoing, adding: “I was wrong to place my trust in people who didn’t deserve it, but we won’t fall short in a time of democratic regeneration.”

The prime minister, who is under growing pressure to call a snap election, said he had no intention of stepping down.

Zelenskyy tells partners to 'fulfill everything we agreed on' as he seeks more air defence for Ukraine

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has now responded to the overnight attacks on Ukraine, ramping up pressure on the US and European allies to help with air defence systems.

“We very much expect that our partners will fulfil everything we agreed on. Air defence is the main thing for protecting life,” he said.

Zelenskyy added that Ukraine was developing investments plans to increase its own weapon production, including “all types of drones,” and with “special attention paid to interceptor drones.”

Morning opening: What's next for Ukraine?

Jakub Krupa

Jakub Krupa

At least four people were killed and more than 30 injured in another round of Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight, just days after a series of phone calls between US president Donald Trump, Russian president Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A view shows the site of apartment buildings hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine.
A view shows the site of apartment buildings hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine. Photograph: State Emergency Service Of Ukraine/Reuters

The latest attack will once again pose questions on what’s next for Ukraine as the US ceasefire proposal, pursued by Trump, appears to be failing to make any further progress.

Zelenskyy’s top aide Andriy Yermak said in an update on Telegram that “one of the important principles of defence is the destruction of the enemy’s ability to produce weapons,” as he called for “Russia’s military-industrial complex … to be weakened in various ways: from sanctions to direct strikes.”

The western world must realise that Russia’s scaling up of weapons production only brings us closer to the day when it will be used not only against Ukraine.

Elsewhere, some parts of Europe still battles heatwave with temperatures close to 40 Celsius in Greece, while others in central and eastern Europe are on alert for storms and torrential rains.

In Strasbourg, the European parliament will hold a debate ahead of this Thursday’s vote of no confidence in Ursula von der Leyen’s EU commission.

We are also waiting for more updates from EU-US trade talks, and on the latest situation on the Polish border with Germany after Poland has reintroduced controls overnight in an attempt to prevent irregular migration.I will bring you all the updates from Ukraine and across Europe here.

It’s Monday, 7 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.

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