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Russian attack on Ukraine on Putin's birthday kills at least 11, injures more than 34
At least 11 people were killed and more than 34 injured in a Russian attack on Ukraine on Putin's birthday - a series of overnight strikes reported on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it one of the most vile strikes on the country, saying energy infrastructure and five cities were hit.
By Haut Monde Post
• October 7, 2026
• 2 Min Read
At least 11 people were killed and more than 34 injured in a Russian attack on Ukraine on Putin's birthday - a series of overnight strikes reported on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the assault one of the most vile strikes on the country, saying energy infrastructure was targeted and five cities were hit.
Five cities hit, energy infrastructure targeted
Zelenskyy said Russia launched one of its most vile strikes on Ukraine overnight, with the country's energy infrastructure the target. The cities hit in the wave of attacks, according to the Ukrainian president, were:
- •Pryluky
- •Dnipro
- •Kremenchik
- •Zaporizhzhia
- •Kyiv
The strikes came on the day Vladimir Putin turns 74, and Zelenskyy drew the connection himself, ironically calling the attack a birthday gift for Putin.
Zelenskyy: ballistic missiles the greatest challenge
Alongside his account of the overnight assault, the president issued an appeal for air defense. "Russian ballistic missiles remain the greatest challenge. And air defense packages for us right now are a vital necessity," he said.
Finding missiles for those systems, he said, is a daily task: "every day we are looking for missiles for Patriot systems that can and must actually protect people's lives."
Kyiv's response: 'war crimes' as a birthday present
Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, took the birthday framing in a harsher direction.
On Putin's birthday, Russian generals brought him his favorite present: war crimes.
Sybiha said Putin is not winning the war and never will. He urged all partners to give Putin real presents that will help him finally choose diplomacy over war - and said that "his ultimate present will be a dock in The Hague."
Sanctions call and tribunal timeline
Sybiha set out what those real presents should include:
- •Stronger sanctions on Putin's military-industrial complex, including facilities producing ballistic missiles and the Rassvet satellite system.
- •Stronger support for Ukraine, including all kinds of air defense and energy assistance ahead of winter.
On accountability, the minister said the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine is being prepared for practical launch already next year. Putin and his associates, Sybiha said, should know that accountability is inevitable.
