By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-08 04:06:08 | Updated at 2026-10-08 06:12:07
2 hours ago
A wave of "vile" Russian strikes on Ukraine has killed at least 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The October 7 strikes, which targeted apartment blocks and energy infrastructure, coincided with the Russian leader's 74th birthday.
Mr Zelensky said the attacks resulted in more than 100 injuries.
He said: "It was a combined attack, involving many ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as 'shaheds.'
"This is the kind of 'gift' Putin gave himself for his birthday."
In earlier social media remarks, Mr Zelensky said Kyiv and 12 regions had been targeted in the strikes, with more than 70 ballistic missiles fired by Russia.
A five-storey apartment block in Pryluky, Chernihiv, collapsed in the strikes, killing at least 20 Ukrainians, including three one-year-old children and an eight-year-old, the Ukrainian President said.
Five residential buildings in Dnipro and four high-rises in Kremenchuk were also damaged by missiles, killing a further two people, and in Kyiv, two people died from falling debris in a drone strike, prosecutors said.
A five-storey apartment block in Pryluky, Chernihiv (pictured) was destroyed by Russian missiles, killing at least 20
REUTERS
Dozens of emergency workers in Pryluky used excavators and shovels to dig through the rubble, hoping to find survivors.
Sadly, just 15 survivors were found among the rubble.
"There's a lot of destruction, especially in the town centre," Deputy Mayor of Pryluky Danylo Savenko said.
The Ukrainian President shared images of devastated apartment blocks, ongoing blazes, and smashed cars as he stressed the importance of air defence packages.
In Kyiv, two people were killed by falling debris
REUTERS
He said: "This was one of the most vile strikes: 70 missiles in total, many of them ballistic, as well as 'shaheds.' Unfortunately, only some of them were shot down.
"Russian ballistic missiles remain the greatest challenge. And air defence packages for us right now are a vital necessity.
"That is why every day we are looking for missiles for Patriot systems that can and must actually protect people's lives here, in Ukrainian skies."
On the eve of President Putin's birthday, Kyiv targeted "four targets that help Russia finance and wage its brutal war", including oil facilities and training grounds, Mr Zelensky said.
Volodymyr Zelensky said a series of strikes on Russia were 'just responses' to Moscow's aggression
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY
Sharing a video of a massive plume of smoke rising from the coast of the Black Sea, Mr Zelensky described the attacks as "just responses to all Russian strikes against our people".
On Wednesday, Ukraine received a $1.34billion (£1.01billion) support package from the EU.
The funds will be spent on defence needs, Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi said, as critical US-made Patriot Interceptor missile supplies dwindle.
Mr Zelensky met with Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly and asked the White House to allow Ukraine to manufacture the high-velocity ballistic missile blockers.
The Ukrainian President later admitted he did not get a clear answer.
