Russia attacks Ukraine’s gas facilities as Zelenskyy faces further protests – Europe live

Key events

Morning opening: Russia strikes Ukraine's gas production facilities as Zelenskyy remains under pressure from protests

Russia has ⁠attacked Ukraine’s Naftogaz’s gas production facilities ⁠in ⁠the northeastern ​Kharkiv region for three ⁠days in a row, the ⁠state-owned energy ​company ‌said ‌this morning, as reported by Reuters.

Meanwhile, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains under pressure over his sacking of a popular defence minister, with calls to reinstate him into his position and fire the army chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Rare wartime protests against Zelenskyy’s decisions continued last night, with rumours swirling that he was close to agreeing to some of the demands.

People demonstrate for the fifth day in a row in front of president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office demanding the reinstatement of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the dismissal of the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Nastassia Kantorowicz Torres/SIPA/Shutterstock

I will keep a close eye on this today for you.

Elsewhere, I will be looking at the situation in Italy after a 42-year-old man died during a police arrest, sparking large protests in the city; but also at Greece and Spain, which face another heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40C.

I will also keep an eye on France where lawmakers are expected to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15 later today.

Lots to cover.

It’s Tuesday, 21st July 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.