Russian forces unleashed fresh missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities overnight, coinciding with Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday on October 7. Ukrainian intelligence had predicted the attacks and issued a warning ahead of the onslaught.
Missiles and drones caused chaos in multiple cities, forcing residents to flee their homes and take shelter in underground stations in Kyiv as air raid alarms sounded. Critical infrastructure was damaged in dozens of attacks across the country.
Deadly impacts in Kyiv and beyond
In Kyiv, at least two people were killed in the Darnytskyi district, with the toll expected to rise. City officials reported fires and damage in at least four neighbourhoods.
In Kremenchuk, swarms of Russian missiles struck the hydro-electric plant, a key energy provider for all of Ukraine, while homes were also levelled. One resident described the attacks as 'hell.'
A five-storey residential building was flattened in Pryluky, Chernihiv region, in a Kh-101 cruise missile strike, with fears that people are trapped under the rubble. There was no immediate information on civilian casualties.
Strike on infrastructure and bomber deployment
A strike on critical infrastructure in Oleksandriia, Kirovohrad region, led to multiple casualties, said mayor Serhiy Kuzmenko.
Russia's air force dispatched ten Tu-95MS and three Tu-160M strategic nuclear-capable bombers into Ukraine. Footage shows one of dozens of devastating missile strikes, including a streaking North Korean-made KN-23 attacking the city of Dnipro.
Andriy Kovalenko, the Ukrainian national security commentator, accused Russian 'criminals' of planning the attacks in advance 'to celebrate Putin's birthday by terrorising civilians.'
Official response and outlook
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said: 'Please, I urge you to take care of yourselves. Please, respond to air raid alerts.'
The Russia-Ukraine war has entered its 1,688th day with no end in the conflict in sight. Ukraine is in line for one of its toughest winters since the invasion began in February 2022 if Russia cuts off power and water supplies, UN officials have warned.
