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EU's von der Leyen condemns 'horrible atrocities' after deadly strikes on Kyiv
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen condemned “horrible atrocities” by Russia after another night of attacks on Kyiv, which killed at least 17 people.
“Once again we wake up to the news of horrible atrocities by Russia through its aerial attacks on Ukraine. Russia must pay for the destruction it has caused.”
She said the commission was planning to “use the proceeds from the immobilised Russian assets to make sure it does.”
“We are making a further €1.4bn of them available to Ukraine. This will support Ukraine’s continued resistance against Russia’s illegal war.”
Key events
German police investigating 'unidentified flying object' disrupting flights in Leipzig
Overnight, “an unidentified flying object” disrupted operations at Leipzig/Halle airport in Germany, with local media speculating over the severity of the incident.
A brief police statement offered no details on the “object,” but stated that “a bomb disposal robot was deployed as part of the investigation.” The south runway remained closed this morning.
But Süddeutsche Zeitung reported the object may have been“a drone with a detonator,” targeting “a Ukrainian transport plane” at the airport. “Police are not ruling out a deliberate act of sabotage,” it said.
Meanwhile, German tabloid Bild reported that the device containing “an unknown substance” was found “in close proximity to a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane.”
There is no reported danger to the public.
Separately, a DHL transport plane reportedly collided with another unidentified object near the airport, according to Reuters. It later safely landed in Hanover with “minor damage,” SZ said. There are conflicting reports on the timing of this incident.
SZ noted that Leipzig is considered a key hub for arm deliveries to Ukraine. In 2024, an incendiary device plot due to be sent by air to the UK was discovered at the airport as part of a suspected Russian sabotage plan. Russia has denied any link.
EU's von der Leyen condemns 'horrible atrocities' after deadly strikes on Kyiv
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen condemned “horrible atrocities” by Russia after another night of attacks on Kyiv, which killed at least 17 people.
“Once again we wake up to the news of horrible atrocities by Russia through its aerial attacks on Ukraine. Russia must pay for the destruction it has caused.”
She said the commission was planning to “use the proceeds from the immobilised Russian assets to make sure it does.”
“We are making a further €1.4bn of them available to Ukraine. This will support Ukraine’s continued resistance against Russia’s illegal war.”
'Russian strikes take no summer vacation,' Ukraine's foreign minister says
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha responded to the latest overnight attacks on Kyiv, saying that “Russian strikes take no summer vacation.”
“Support for Ukraine and pressure on the aggressor must not pause either. Every interceptor counts,” he said.
Sybiha continued:
“They are life-saving tools, and I urge all partners to expedite all relevant decisions. Russia’s ability to produce these tools of ballistic terror must be disrupted. Additional, tough sanctions are critical and urgent.”
Ukraine shot down 98 of the 115 drones fired by Russia overnight, the country’s air force said. But it was unable to shoot down any of the missiles, preliminary statistics from the air force showed.
Kyiv can intercept the vast majority of drones, but still relies on supplies from allies to counter missiles, AFP noted.
Morning opening: Lives that could have been saved
Jakub Krupa
At least 17 people were killed and more than 40 injured after another horrific night of Russian attacks on Kyiv, with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying that “ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives of those killed today”.
“It is very important for partners to realise that delays in their deliveries or failure to provide anti-ballistic measures lead to such terrible casualties and destruction,” he said on social media.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko earlier warned that “there may still be people under the rubble”.
Ukraine has for months been warning about its shortages of anti-ballistic measures, urging allies to increase their deliveries after the US president, Donald Trump, backtracked on his promise to let Ukraine manufacture Patriot missiles locally.
“Partners who are not yet ready to play a more active role in supplying interceptors can help by implementing new sanctions. A significant share of Russia’s ballistic missile production is still not under sanctions. Even now. New steps are needed – from the G7, the European Union, and everyone who supports the protection of life,” Zelenskyy said.
I will keep an eye on this for you.
Elsewhere, large parts of Europe will face another day of extreme temperatures after multiple records were broken in central and eastern part of the continent yesterday.
The Czech city of Plzeň reported the all-time high of 41.5C yesterday, with the Slovak capital of Bratislava recording an August high of 40.8C.
Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia will all see temperatures in high 30s and possibly into low 40s today, with the extreme temperatures worsening the already tricky drought and energy crunch situation.
I will bring you all the latest news from across the continent here.
It’s Wednesday, 5 August 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
