Russia ‘pursuing strategy of terror’, EU’s von der Leyen says after deadly strikes on Ukraine – Europe live
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched “one fo the most vile strikes” on Ukraine last night, targeting the country’s energy infrastructure overnight.
At least 11 people were killed, and more than 34 injured in a series of attacks on Pryluky, Dnipro, Kremenchik, Zaporizhzhia, and Kyiv, which Zelenskyy ironically called “a birthday gift for Putin” who turns 74 today.
“Russian ballistic missiles remain the greatest challenge. And air defense 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,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha went further, saying:
“On Putin’s birthday, Russian generals brought him his favorite present: war crimes.”
He added:
“What Russian generals fail to tell Putin is that he is not winning this war and never will. …
I urge all partners to give Putin real presents that will help him finally choose diplomacy over war. Stronger sanctions on his military-industrial complex, including facilities producing ballistic missiles and the Rassvet satellite system, as well as stronger support for Ukraine, including all kinds of air defence and energy assistance ahead of winter.
But his ultimate present will be a dock in The Hague. We are preparing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine for practical launch already next year. Putin and his friends should know that accountability is inevitable.”
Elsewhere, I will bring you the latest from France, as high school protests continue after a major march in Paris, which ended with sporadic vandalism and running skirmishes with riot police, and officers firing teargas and carrying out baton charges to disperse protesters.
Following allegations of police brutality, interior minister Laurent Nuñez suspended the use of stun grenades at the protests, after a 15-year-old reportedly lost a hand on Monday, and a 14-year old lost several teeth.
The French PM, Sébastien Lecornu, is expected to speak later today to set out his plans for responding to the protests.
I will bring you also all other news from across Europe.
It’s Wednesday, 7 October 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Key events
Rubio highlights close ties with Greece ahead of 'major speech' on democracy and west's decline
Ukraine hit two Russian oil facilities in 'just responses' to Russian strikes, Zelenskyy says
Bulgaria halts search efforts for crew of ship sunken by drone attack
Overnight Russian attacks on Ukraine - in pictures
At least 11 dead, 34 injured after 'vile' attack on Ukraine on Putin's birthday, Zelenskyy says
Back to Ukraine, the death toll from a Russian strike on an apartment building in Pryluky has gone up from five to nine.
It means that at least 15 people were killed in Russian attacks last night.
Meanwhile, US secretary of state Marco Rubio is in Greece this morning to discuss a range of bilateral issues, including on energy exports of US-produced liquified natural gas to parts of Europe.
Speaking alongside his Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis, Rubio said the two countries were “bound by a common heritage and by proud histories,” with “a long history of friendship and partnership,” calling it “a source of stability in an unstable world.”
He praised Greece’s decision to increase defence spending, and its role in fighting transnational criminal organisations, human trafficking and terrorism in the Mediterranean region.
“Greece is a true, strong and model Nato ally, a country that understands the importance of burden sharing and that is willing to work with partners to address critical threats to all member states,” he said.
But there are also some awkward questions that are likely to come up, with US media raising concerns about the US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle’s conduct in closed talks with Greek officials. Rubio declined to comment on the issue.
Later today, Rubio is expected to deliver a major speech on democracy, calling for “a great renewal of the western spirit – an inheritance stretching from Athens and Rome to Christendom to the founding of the American Republic,” according to the state department’s briefing.
In another update, Zelenskyy said Ukraine carries out “just responses to all Russian strikes against our people,” with Ukrainian forces hitting two Russian oil facilities, among other targets.
“Over the past day, our warriors struck four targets that help Russia finance and wage its brutal war – two oil facilities and a training ground in the Perm, Samara, and Astrakhan regions. There was also a response in the Black Sea.”
Meanwhile, Bulgaria has halted its search for the missing crew of a ship that sank after being hit by a drone on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
As reported yesterday (Europe Live, Tuesday), two ships were hit in a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone. One sank and the other was damaged. The crew of the damaged ship were rescued, but the crew of the sunken one remain missing.
“There are no traces of the sailors from the first ship, and there will be none. There is also no information about drone remains,” he said on a Nova TV morning show.
“A boat, three life rafts and parts of the ship’s equipment have been found.”
It was not immediately clear who carried out the attack involving air and sea drones in waters off the coastal town of Byala in eastern Bulgaria, but there are growing concerns about hybrid attacks by Russia as it wages war in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched “one fo the most vile strikes” on Ukraine last night, targeting the country’s energy infrastructure overnight.
At least 11 people were killed, and more than 34 injured in a series of attacks on Pryluky, Dnipro, Kremenchik, Zaporizhzhia, and Kyiv, which Zelenskyy ironically called “a birthday gift for Putin” who turns 74 today.
“Russian ballistic missiles remain the greatest challenge. And air defense 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,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha went further, saying:
“On Putin’s birthday, Russian generals brought him his favorite present: war crimes.”
He added:
“What Russian generals fail to tell Putin is that he is not winning this war and never will. …
I urge all partners to give Putin real presents that will help him finally choose diplomacy over war. Stronger sanctions on his military-industrial complex, including facilities producing ballistic missiles and the Rassvet satellite system, as well as stronger support for Ukraine, including all kinds of air defence and energy assistance ahead of winter.
But his ultimate present will be a dock in The Hague. We are preparing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine for practical launch already next year. Putin and his friends should know that accountability is inevitable.”
Elsewhere, I will bring you the latest from France, as high school protests continue after a major march in Paris, which ended with sporadic vandalism and running skirmishes with riot police, and officers firing teargas and carrying out baton charges to disperse protesters.
Following allegations of police brutality, interior minister Laurent Nuñez suspended the use of stun grenades at the protests, after a 15-year-old reportedly lost a hand on Monday, and a 14-year old lost several teeth.
The French PM, Sébastien Lecornu, is expected to speak later today to set out his plans for responding to the protests.
I will bring you also all other news from across Europe.
It’s Wednesday, 7 October 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
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