News and analysis from across Europe.
An Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna made an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday after a bomb threat. Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets escorted the Airbus A320, carrying 51 passengers and six crew members. Security searches found no danger, and the flight later continued safely to Vienna. Austrian and Bulgarian authorities have launched an investigation.
Germany is testing its classified NATO defense plan through military exercises simulating Russian threats, sabotage and troop movements. The plan envisages moving 800,000 soldiers and 200,000 military and support vehicles across Germany within six months during a major crisis.
Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones against Russia, setting fire to an oil export terminal and an oil depot in St Petersburg. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Zaporizhzhia killed a woman and injured others, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of repeatedly targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Russia said its forces struck Ukraine’s largest steel plant in Kryvyi Rih, power infrastructure and another steelworks overnight, along with a cargo vessel in the Black Sea allegedly carrying military supplies. Separately, a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Belgorod region killed a woman and wounded a man, according to TASS.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that Europe is in Iran’s crosshairs following a court ruling that sentenced two men for plotting attacks against Jewish and pro-Israel figures on behalf of Iranian intelligence. He also warned of growing Russian threats and urged the European Union to maintain sanctions against Moscow.
A German court sentenced two men to eight-and-a-half and four-and-a-half years in prison for spying on Jewish and pro-Israel figures and preparing attacks allegedly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force. The intended targets included German-Israeli Society President Volker Beck and Central Council of Jews in Germany President Josef Schuster.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine would retaliate if Russia rejected US President Donald Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire. Kyiv said Moscow must stop attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, while Russia had yet to confirm its acceptance of the truce.
Nine Syrian sailors and one Egyptian crew member remain missing after the Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank following a drone attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. Bulgarian authorities found no survivors and suspended the search, prompting Syria to demand an independent investigation into the incident and the decision to halt rescue operations.
A 24-year-old Royal Navy sailor, Teddy Young, has been charged under Britain’s National Security Act over allegations that he obtained classified information and prepared to disclose it to a foreign power. British media reports have linked the case to Russia, although police have not publicly identified the country in their initial announcement. Young was remanded in custody pending further court proceedings.
At least 30 people were killed and 18 injured in a Russian glide bomb strike on two civilian buses in Ukraine’s eastern city of Kramatorsk, Ukrainian authorities said. President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed a response, while Russia had not immediately commented on the attack.
The International Criminal Court has unsealed details of arrest warrants against four senior Taliban leaders, including Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, over alleged crimes against humanity involving gender persecution. The ICC says the warrants concern systematic discrimination against women, girls and people perceived as violating Taliban gender norms, while the Taliban rejects the court’s jurisdiction and allegations.
Germany has arrested former BND chief August Hanning on suspicion of espionage, obtaining state secrets and attempted treason. Authorities also detained his former office manager, with investigators examining the alleged transfer of thousands of classified intelligence documents to a foreign intelligence service.
