A Ukrainian drone assault on a military-linked facility in the Russian city of Izhevsk has resulted in the deaths of three people, with 35 others hospitalized, according to Russian officials. Izhevsk lies over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Udmurtia’s regional governor, Aleksandr Bechalov, confirmed that 10 of the wounded were in critical condition. He also stated that President Vladimir Putin had been updated on the situation.

The attack reportedly targeted the Kupol Electromechanical Plant — a key defense manufacturing site associated with the production of Tor missile systems and radar technologies.

According to Ukrainian media, the same factory is also involved in developing Osa air defense systems and unmanned aerial vehicles.

An unnamed Ukrainian official told Ukrainian media that two long-range drones operated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) struck the Kupol facility from a distance of approximately 1,300 kilometers (807 miles).

“Each such special operation reduces the enemy’s offensive potential, disrupts military production chains and demonstrates that even deep in Russia’s rear, there are no safe zones for its military infrastructure,” the source said in comments reported by Ukrainian media.

A clip shared online — and verified as authentic — captured a blast on a rooftop, followed by thick black smoke rising beside what appears to be a factory chimney.

As a precaution, Russia’s civil aviation agency briefly halted flights at Izhevsk airport, though the suspension was lifted within hours.

This is the second drone strike attributed to Ukraine on the Kupol plant since November. The previous incident caused no injuries or deaths.

Meanwhile, Moscow continues its offensive inside Ukraine. Over the weekend, Russia launched a record 537 drones and missiles at multiple targets, including the capital Kyiv and the western city of Lviv.

On Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky honored Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko posthumously with the Hero of Ukraine title. The F-16 pilot died while intercepting a recent Russian air assault.

In combat developments, Russia’s push into the Sumy region appears to have slowed, while its focus has shifted toward the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region. Reports emerging from Russian sources — though not independently confirmed — claim Moscow’s troops have taken control of a village there.

Two separate negotiation rounds between Kyiv and Moscow have taken place since May at the urging of U.S. President Donald Trump. However, both attempts failed to produce any breakthroughs.

Last week, President Putin stated that Russia is open to further peace discussions. However, he pointed out that Moscow and Kyiv have “absolutely contradictory” positions.

On Monday, Zelensky expressed doubts over Putin’s sincerity in pursuing peace.
“Putin has already stolen practically half a year from diplomacy… on top of the entire duration of this war,” the Ukrainian leader said.

“Russia is not changing its plans and is not looking for a way out of this war. On the contrary, they are preparing for new operations, including on the territory of European countries.”

Echoing that sentiment, U.S. envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, wrote on X that Russia cannot “continue to stall for time while it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine.”

Russia responded by denying it was trying to delay anything and expressed appreciation for American involvement.

The number of fatalities from the devastating explosion and fire at Sigachi Industries’ chemical plant in southern India has climbed to 39, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The pharmaceutical supplier has been forced to suspend operations at the facility for a 90-day period.

The Telangana state government, where the plant is located, has established a five-member panel to investigate the tragedy. As of now, the company has not released any details regarding what triggered the deadly incident.

In addition to the lives lost, 34 individuals sustained injuries in the explosion, which occurred on Monday.

“We are still clearing the debris,” said GV Narayana Rao, who heads the state’s fire and emergency services. “Once we are all done with the clearing, only then we will be able to assess if any other body is still remaining under the debris or if it is all clear,” Rao added.

Authorities reported that more than 140 employees were inside the facility when the explosion occurred. According to local administrator P. Pravinya, 25 of the victims have yet to be identified.

“I came out (of the plant) to use the restroom and heard a loud blast. It sounded like a bomb blast. I came out and saw fire. A part of the fire also spread towards me. I jumped the wall and escaped,” said Chandan Gound, 32, an employee who had been with the company for six months.

“Many of them (those inside) managed to escape, but a large number were trapped and could not come out,” Gound added.

Sigachi Industries produces microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a widely used ingredient across pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and specialty chemical sectors. The product is crucial in drug manufacturing due to its binding and compressibility properties, and is also used to prevent clumping in food, stabilize textures in cosmetics, and serve as a fat replacement in diet-friendly products.

The now-closed Telangana facility accounted for slightly more than 25% of Sigachi’s total annual production capacity, which stands at 21,700 million metric tons.

Following the explosion, the company’s shares tumbled by approximately 8% on Tuesday, marking one of its steepest two-day declines on record. Sigachi has announced the plant closure for three months due to severe structural and equipment damage. The facility is fully insured, and the firm has begun the claims process.

In an unrelated event also reported on Tuesday, five individuals lost their lives and four others were injured in a massive blaze at a fireworks factory in Tamil Nadu’s Sivakasi region—an area frequently affected by such accidents, according to local fire officials.

Thailand’s highest constitutional body has ordered Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to step aside temporarily while a legal challenge seeking her removal plays out — a major blow to a government already facing political headwinds.

The court agreed to review a formal complaint submitted by 36 lawmakers, accusing Paetongtarn of violating ethical obligations. The complaint centers around a leaked phone discussion from June 15 with Cambodia’s ex-leader Hun Sen, which was aimed at calming tensions over a territorial standoff but ended up sparking backlash.

That private call, once made public, ignited national outrage. In its wake, a key political party exited the ruling coalition, eroding Paetongtarn’s support in parliament and fueling calls for public protests demanding leadership change.

Paetongtarn’s recent political turmoil highlights the long-running rivalry between her family’s political faction and a powerful military-aligned elite — a feud that has dominated Thai politics for over 20 years and led to multiple coups and legal removals of prime ministers.

She responded to the suspension on Tuesday by acknowledging the court’s ruling and expressing regret over the phone call. In the call, she had bowed deeply to Hun Sen and openly criticized a Thai army official — a rare gesture that crossed political boundaries in a country where the military holds immense influence.

“My true intention in the leaked conversation, my true intention 100%, was to work for the country to maintain our sovereignty and save the lives of all our soldiers,” Paetongtarn told reporters.

Thrust into leadership just 10 months ago, the 37-year-old had little time to find her footing. Her rise followed the court-ordered disqualification of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, for ethical misconduct.

As the fourth family member to become premier, Paetongtarn has been battling falling popularity and economic stagnation. Her approval rating plummeted to 9.2% in June — down sharply from nearly 31% in March, according to a recent public survey.

Financial markets responded quickly to the leadership shake-up, with Thai stocks rising by nearly 2% amid speculation that political instability may push the central bank toward further interest rate cuts.

While the court deliberates, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will serve as interim prime minister. Paetongtarn, meanwhile, has been reassigned as culture minister as part of a broader cabinet adjustment. She has 15 days to present her defense.

Adding to the administration’s woes, Paetongtarn’s father — influential ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra — is also navigating legal trouble in two separate cases this month.

Thaksin appeared in court on Tuesday to face allegations of defaming the monarchy, a grave charge in Thailand with penalties of up to 15 years per offense. He has rejected the accusations and reaffirmed his loyalty to the royal institution.

The case is tied to a 2015 interview given while he was in exile. Thaksin had lived abroad for over a decade before returning in 2023 to begin serving time for prior convictions involving misuse of power and financial misconduct.

Now 75, he avoided incarceration and instead stayed in hospital custody for six months due to health concerns. He was granted parole last February. However, the country’s highest court is now reviewing the legitimacy of that hospital stay — a decision that could see him sent back to prison.