28 June 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

A Lithuanian soldier has been killed in Ukraine, the most consequential Lithuanian development of the past day. The case has sharpened attention on how directly Lithuanians are involved in supporting Kyiv.

President Gitanas Nausėda met eastern flank leaders in The Hague to align positions on higher defence spending, stronger air defence and a larger Allied presence in the region. Lithuania also signed a business partnership declaration with Ukraine and allocated €1mn to the programme. The government approved a humanitarian mission to earthquake-hit Venezuela. The plan sends up to 40 rescue and medical specialists and as much as 30 tonnes of humanitarian and medical supplies.

In health news, Lithuanian doctors again singled out liver cell cancer as one of the country’s deadliest diagnoses, with about 80 per cent of patients dying within five years. Primary liver tumours account for 75-80 per cent of liver cancer cases, and the main problem remains late detection. Police in the Kupiškis district are investigating an assault by a woman against a minor, a case that typically also triggers a child-protection assessment.

Smaller domestic stories include heat warnings and cultural events, including the Rose Code festival at Chaim Frenkel Villa. Lithuanian outlets are also following foreign reports of the death of a 28-year-old TV personality, though no official confirmation has yet been cited.

Lithuania recorded a record-hot day for June. Meanwhile, Social Democratic leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius said decisions on relations with China will be taken in the autumn, with several scenarios prepared to normalize ties.

sources: lrytas.lt, 15min.lt, delfi.lt, lrt.lt, vz.lt, tv3.lt

Horrific fire in Vilnius leaves 6 dead, including two poets and a member of parliament

A fire in Vilnius' Žirmūnai district on March 11, 2007 killed six people, including poet and screenwriter Mantas Gimžauskas, photographer and poet Remigijus Audiejaitis, and former MP Petras Šakalinis. Years later, investigators said the blaze may have been set deliberately, and the case eventually went to court. Police counted 22 injured residents, including nine children under 18.

Why it matters

The case matters to the victims' families and the residents who were injured, because court findings determine responsibility for one of Vilnius' worst apartment-building fires. It also showed how slowly a complex arson case can move when investigators must weigh both the crime itself and dozens of victims.

sources:tv3.lt

Health

Oncologist: this cancer form is ruthless – 80% of Lithuanian patients die within five years

Lithuanian doctors have again flagged liver cell cancer as one of the deadliest diagnoses, with five-year survival still at only about 20 per cent. LRT has previously reported that primary liver tumours account for 75-80 per cent of liver cancer cases and that the disease kills about 810,000 people worldwide each year. The problem is late detection, because symptoms are often vague or absent until the cancer has advanced. The next step is likely to be tighter monitoring of high-risk patients and better diagnostics.

Why it matters

Patients with liver disease often learn they have cancer only when treatment options are already limited, so the gap between early and late detection is decisive. It also raises the burden on hospitals and families, because advanced disease usually means more inpatient care, more complex procedures and longer follow-up.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

Government to approve Lithuania's aid mission to earthquake-ravaged Venezuela

The government is set to back Lithuania’s aid mission to Venezuela after two strong earthquakes hit the South American country this week. The plan would send up to 40 emergency medical and rescue specialists, plus as much as 30 tonnes of humanitarian and medical supplies. The team would include 20 firefighters, two border service dog handlers and two ambulance medics. Officials say the length of the deployment will depend on conditions on the ground.

Why it matters

For people trapped or injured after the quakes, the Lithuanian deployment adds trained rescuers, medical staff and supplies to a relief effort already under way. It also gives Lithuania a chance to use specialist teams in a live international disaster response, alongside other foreign crews on the ground.

sources:15min.lt

Crime

Woman abuses a minor in Kupiškis region

On June 28, 15min reported that a woman had assaulted a minor in the Kupiškis district, but did not disclose the child’s age or the exact location. In Lithuania, such police notices usually mean an investigation has been opened and child protection workers are assessing whether the child needs to be shielded from further contact with the suspect. The next step is typically a decision on charges and any interim protection measures if investigators judge the child to be at risk.

Why it matters

The child’s immediate safety now depends on how quickly police and child protection officials assess the family setting and the suspect’s contact with the minor. Decisions on temporary separation or changes in care can reshape the child’s daily life within hours.

sources:15min.lt tv3.lt

Society

Reported death of a TV star: he was only 28

Lithuanian outlets are tying a reported death of a 28-year-old TV figure to U.S. entertainment coverage, but the name has not been publicly specified in the headline. Archival LRT and 15min reporting shows that these items usually concern well-known reality-TV or series personalities, with confirmation coming from representatives, police or family statements. If the death is confirmed, the next facts typically come from an official statement or local authorities within hours.

Why it matters

For readers of entertainment news, the key issue now is verification of who died and how, because that determines every follow-up report. In a death at 28, official confirmation and the timing of further details become the most relevant facts for family, colleagues and fans.

sources:tv3.lt

Politics

Nausėda discusses NATO summit preparation with Eastern flank leaders

On June 28, President Gitanas Nausėda met Eastern flank leaders in The Hague to coordinate for the June 24-25 NATO summit in the Netherlands. The talks centered on higher defence spending, stronger air defence and a bigger Allied presence in the region. Lithuania wants firmer NATO measures for Baltic airspace and a clearer path for more support to Ukraine.

Why it matters

The decisions will shape how quickly more air defence and Allied forces can be positioned on NATO’s eastern flank. That directly affects security planning for Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, and how much leverage they have in pushing for concrete Alliance commitments.

sources:delfi.lt lrytas.lt

Europe

Summary

Kyiv came under another overnight Russian ballistic missile attack, damaging several sites in the city and injuring at least two people. Ukraine also said it shot down seven Russian missiles and 125 drones overnight as heavy strikes continued on the capital and other regions.

In Zaporizhzhia, Russia dropped four guided aerial bombs on residential districts on Friday evening, killing one person and injuring 14. The attack set off fires and hit civilian buildings, with rescuers and medics deployed across the damaged areas.

Russia’s fuel crunch remained in focus after Ukrainian strikes on refining and logistics infrastructure. Earlier this month, attacks hit the Taneko complex in Nizhnekamsk and the Moscow refinery, which supplied up to 40% of the capital’s fuel, and Volodymyr Zelensky said today that Ukraine had struck refineries in two more Russian regions. Moscow has already imposed rationing and turned to Kazakhstan for extra supply.

Ukraine’s General Staff said on Saturday that Russia lost 1,250 soldiers in the previous 24 hours, along with 12 tanks, 28 armoured vehicles and 44 artillery systems. Kyiv’s running estimate of total Russian personnel losses since February 2022 rose to 1,020,010. The Baltic states urged Europe today to take stronger action over Russia’s war, and Ukraine said it had opened access to Russian weapons secrets that are now drawing interest from foreign governments.

In sport, Croatia beat Panama 4-3 at the World Cup on June 28 to reach the knockout stage, with the winner coming in the 89th minute. Luka Modric made his 200th appearance for Croatia in the same match. In France, about 1,000 excess deaths were recorded during the heatwave.

Authorities in Istanbul again banned the Pride march, and Turkish police detained dozens of people during the event. A heatwave hit central Europe, with temperatures in parts of Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic reaching about 41C.

sources: tv3.lt, 15min.lt, delfi.lt, lrt.lt, vz.lt

Explosions shake Kyiv again at night

Nico Williams was left needing medical checks in Bilbao after a blow from a Uruguay player in a match played on June 27 or June 28. Spanish reports quoted the 22-year-old winger saying it was one of the worst days of his life. Athletic will now assess the damage and decide whether he needs more tests or rest before the next phase of preseason.

Why it matters

For Athletic, it is a possible hit to one of the team’s main attacking outlets right before the new season build-up. If the injury is more than a bruise, the club may have to alter its preseason plan and manage his minutes early on.

sources:tv3.lt delfi.lt

Politics

War in Ukraine. Russians launched an intensive ballistic missile attack against Kyiv

Russia hit Kyiv again overnight on June 28 with ballistic missiles, damaging several sites in the city and injuring at least two people, local officials said. Ukrainian air defences have been under sustained strain from repeated missile strikes on the capital in recent weeks, forcing another round of shelter alerts and damage checks. The attack adds to pressure on Kyiv’s air defence and civil infrastructure at a time when Russia has been leaning more heavily on ballistic weapons in long-range strikes.

Why it matters

For Kyiv residents, it means another night of air-raid alarms, damaged buildings and disrupted movement while crews assess the impact. Ballistic missiles are harder to intercept than drones, so each strike raises the risk to civilians and stretches emergency services.

sources:lrt.lt tv3.lt

Politics

Russia struck Zaporizhzhia with aerial bombs; one dead, 14 injured

Russian forces dropped four guided aerial bombs on residential districts of Zaporizhzhia on June 27 evening, killing one person and injuring 14, Ukrainian officials said. The strikes sparked fires and hit civilian sites in a city that has been repeatedly targeted in the war. Regional authorities said the wounded were taken to hospitals while rescuers checked damaged buildings and assessed the scale of destruction.

Why it matters

Civilians in Zaporizhzhia are again bearing the direct cost of strikes in their own neighborhoods, adding more patients to local hospitals and more damage for rescue crews to clear. Repeated bombardment also keeps pressure on the city’s housing and basic infrastructure, including power, water and repairs.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

1,250 Russian soldiers destroyed in a day

Ukraine’s General Staff said on June 28 that Russia lost 1,250 soldiers in the previous 24 hours, taking total Russian personnel losses since Feb. 24, 2022 to 1,020,010. The same daily tally said Ukrainian forces destroyed 12 tanks, 28 armoured vehicles and 44 artillery systems. Moscow is still trying to keep the offensive pressure up, but Russian units are increasingly leaning on older stockpiles and worn equipment.

Why it matters

For Ukrainian defenders, the figures show how many troops and vehicles Moscow is still feeding into the fight to hold the front. Heavy losses mean Russia has to draw more on manpower and reserve armour, which shapes the intensity of combat in Donbas and the south.

sources:delfi.lt

Energy

"We talked it over": Ukraine strikes inflame Russia's oil crisis

On June 23, LRT reported that Ukrainian strikes on Russian refining and fuel logistics were still deepening gasoline shortages across Russia and in occupied territory. Earlier in June, 15min said attacks hit the Taneko complex in Nizhnekamsk and the Moscow refinery, which supplied up to 40% of the capital’s fuel. Moscow has already imposed rationing and turned to Kazakhstan for supply as domestic output struggles to recover.

Why it matters

The shortage is already translating into queues, purchase limits and tighter pressure on transport networks in Moscow, Crimea and other regions. If refinery capacity does not recover, Russia will have to lean even more on imports and administrative rationing.

sources:tv3.lt

Sports

Croatia celebrates dramatic victory in World Championship knockout rounds

Croatia beat Panama 4-3 on June 28 at the 2026 World Cup and booked a place in the knockout rounds after surviving a late push from the opposition. The winner arrived in the 89th minute, on a night when Luka Modric made his 200th appearance for Croatia and became only the second player to reach that mark. Croatia now moves on to the next phase, with its knockout opponent to be set after the group stage finishes.

Why it matters

The win keeps Croatia alive in the race for the title and extends its tournament into the knockout bracket. Modric reaching 200 caps underlines how much of Croatia’s big-game experience still runs through him.

sources:tv3.lt

World

Summary

The U.S. launched a second wave of strikes over the past day on Iranian military targets after an attack on a ship at sea. Central Command said the targets included surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defences, drone storage and minelaying capabilities, while Donald Trump said after the latest exchanges that he could “finish the job” and destroy Iran.

Iran retaliated early today with missile and drone strikes on U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain. Both Gulf states said they intercepted incoming objects, and the new attacks cast deeper doubt on the interim Washington-Tehran deal reached only days ago while renewing concern over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Israel’s military also said it killed several armed men it described as terrorists during an operation in southern Syria.

In Venezuela, the death toll from twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes rose to 1,430, with more than 3,200 people injured. Rescue crews are still searching for survivors in La Guaira and other hard-hit areas, with teams from at least 17 countries taking part.

Russia’s nuclear-powered battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov has left Severodvinsk for final sea trials after nearly three decades of overhaul. If the trials succeed, it will return to service as one of the Russian Navy’s most heavily armed surface combatants. At the World Cup, DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta for the country’s first ever win at the tournament and set up a knockout meeting with England, while Argentina finished the group stage with maximum points after Lionel Messi set another tournament record.

A wave of crime in Israel left five people dead. In south Lebanon, an Israeli soldier was killed, while the US struck Iranian missile and drone depots.

sources: lrt.lt, tv3.lt, delfi.lt, vz.lt, 15min.lt, lrytas.lt

U.S. conducts new strikes on Iran

The U.S. military launched a second wave of strikes on Iranian military targets on June 27 after an attack on a ship at sea, Central Command said. The targets included surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defenses, drone storage and minelaying capabilities, while Iran hit sites in Bahrain and Kuwait. The action raises fresh doubt over the interim Washington-Tehran deal reached days earlier and over the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Why it matters

Shipping through the Gulf could become more expensive and less reliable if attacks spread along key oil routes. Bahrain and Kuwait are also exposed, with U.S. facilities on their soil now sitting in the line of retaliation.

sources:lrt.lt

Politics

Israel's army says it neutralized 'armed terrorists' in northern Syria

The Israeli military said on June 27 that it killed several armed men it described as terrorists during an operation in southern Syria. It did not identify them, but local reporting has tracked a sustained Israeli campaign in Syria since Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December, including hundreds of strikes and a wider footprint near the demilitarised zone by the Golan Heights. The episode shows Israel is still treating the Syrian border as an active security front while it keeps pressure on armed groups it believes are operating there.

Why it matters

For communities in southern Syria, these raids mean more checkpoints, detentions and limits on movement. They also keep the Israel-Syria-Lebanon frontier volatile, where a single strike can widen into a broader regional confrontation.

sources:delfi.lt lrt.lt

Politics

Iranian Guard strikes US targets in Kuwait and Bahrain

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard hit U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain early on June 28 with missiles and drones, according to both Gulf states. The strikes came after fresh U.S. air raids on Iranian military assets, including surveillance, communications and air-defence positions. Kuwait and Bahrain scrambled to intercept incoming objects, while Washington warned more retaliation could follow.

Why it matters

The immediate risk now falls on U.S. troops and installations in both countries. Each exchange raises the chance of disruptions to oil routes and air traffic across the Gulf.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

After 29 years, one of the strongest warships returns to the Russian fleet

Russia’s nuclear-powered battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov has left Severodvinsk for final sea trials after nearly three decades of overhaul, according to the transport ministry. The ship was laid down in the Soviet era and is being brought back as Moscow leans harder on its Northern Fleet and Arctic posture. If trials go to plan, it will re-enter service as one of the Russian Navy’s most heavily armed surface combatants after the longest refit in its history.

Why it matters

The ship is meant to reinforce Russia’s northern flank, where control of Arctic sea lanes and bases depends on long-range surface power. If it returns successfully, it could sharpen the naval balance between Russia and NATO in the Murmansk and Barents Sea area.

sources:delfi.lt

Environment

Earthquake in Venezuela: death toll reaches 1,430 as rescue chances fade

Venezuela said the death toll from twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes has climbed to 1,430, with more than 3,200 people injured. Rescue crews are still combing collapsed buildings in La Guaira and other hard-hit areas as teams from at least 17 countries join the search. Officials and aid groups say the window for finding survivors remains open, but it is closing fast after three days under rubble.

Why it matters

Families in La Guaira and other collapsed districts are still searching for missing relatives, and every passing day reduces the chance of finding them alive. The arrival of international teams should improve coordination, but it also points to an urgent need for field hospitals, shelter and victim identification.

sources:lrt.lt delfi.lt

Sports

DR Congo, back in the World Cup after 52 years, earns historic win and becomes England's knockout-stage foe

DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta on June 28, with Yoane Wissa scoring twice to carry the side into the World Cup knockouts for the first time. It is also DR Congo’s first ever World Cup win. The Congolese had already held Portugal to a 1-1 draw, and now move on to face England.

Why it matters

For DR Congo’s federation, the run unlocks a first-ever knockout tie against one of the tournament’s biggest sides. For players and supporters, it means another global showcase and more money and exposure from a longer World Cup run.

sources:tv3.lt