Ukraine says Russia bombed apartment block as birthday gift for Putin

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of bombing residential buildings as a "macabre gift" for Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday. Overnight drone and missile strikes across Ukraine killed at least 15 people, including nine in Pryluky where a five-storey apartment block was destroyed. Zelenskyy described the attacks as "despicable" and stated Russia aimed to strike "painfully and demonstratively." Ukraine's air force reported downing over 80% of the 46 drones used in the bombardment, which also included 70 ballistic missiles. Deadly strikes also occurred in Kyiv, Kremenchuk, and Oleksandriia, with significant damage reported in Dnipro. Ukraine's foreign minister called the attacks "war crimes" and suggested a trial at The Hague would be a fitting consequence for Putin.

Overnight Russian strikes across central and eastern Ukraine have killed at least 15 people, with President Volodymyr Zelensky condemning the attacks as "vile." A residential building in Pryluky was destroyed, and rescue efforts are ongoing to find those trapped in the rubble. Other cities hit include Kyiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia, and Oleksandriya. Zelensky stated that Ukraine had conducted retaliatory strikes on targets in Russia's Perm, Samara, and Astrakhan regions, as well as in the Black Sea, within the past 24 hours. Russia has not yet commented on the latest attacks.

Bulgarian authorities have ended search operations for missing crew members after a drone strike sank a cargo ship in the Black Sea. The attack, which occurred early Tuesday, also damaged a second vessel. Rescuers confirmed no survivors were found from the sunken ship, with debris and life rafts being the only items recovered. Eighteen crew members from the other affected vessel were rescued. The incident happened in a "responsible search and rescue zone," not within Bulgarian territorial waters. Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the attack, which is occurring amid escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine, though Bulgarian authorities have not yet determined the origin of the drones.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed a series of attacks across Ukraine, including on Pryluky, Dnipro, Kremenchik, Zaporizhzhia, and Kyiv. These attacks resulted in at least 11 deaths and 34 injuries. Zelenskyy stated that Russia is employing a deliberate strategy of terror to disrupt daily life for Ukrainians. In response, Europe is increasing its efforts to protect people and infrastructure, with a call for others to enhance their support. The article also mentions the upcoming announcement of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Russia launched a "massive strike" on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions, according to Russia's Defence Ministry. At least two people were killed in Kyiv's Darnytskyi neighborhood due to a fire caused by the overnight missile attack. Kyiv's mayor reported that two individuals were rescued from the fire, and the bodies of two deceased were discovered. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that its forces targeted port facilities in the Odesa region and sea vessels utilized by Ukrainian armed forces. Kyiv has experienced frequent bombardments recently, with Russian attacks targeting energy infrastructure, transportation, and bridges.

Kyiv experienced a missile attack on Wednesday that resulted in two fatalities, according to the mayor. This strike followed President Volodymyr Zelensky's warning of impending "massive strikes" on the city. In recent weeks, the capital has faced escalating attacks as winter nears, with frequent air raid sirens alerting residents to incoming Russian strikes. On Wednesday morning, citizens sought shelter in subway stations with their belongings after military alerts were issued for Kyiv.

Bulgaria has launched a search operation for missing crew members after two commercial vessels were hit by drones in the Black Sea, approximately 70 nautical miles off the Bulgarian coast. The attacks occurred around 3 a.m. and involved both sea and aerial drones. The Togo-flagged ship, Alfa Watan, sank after sustaining critical structural damage, while the Palau-flagged Able caught fire. All 18 crew members from the Able were evacuated, with two suffering serious injuries. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev condemned the attacks as "unacceptable" and a violation of international law, occurring amid increased drone activity related to the Russia-Ukraine war. The origin of the drones was not immediately determined.

A civilian cargo ship, the Alfa Watan, flying under the flag of Togo and reportedly Turkish-owned, has sunk in the Black Sea after a drone attack. Its crew is missing, and a search operation is underway. A second vessel carrying grain was also hit within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone, but its 18 crew members were rescued. The attacks occurred around 03:00, approximately 70 miles off the Bulgarian coast. Bulgarian officials have not identified who is responsible for the attacks, which coincide with intensified Russian strikes in the Black Sea as part of the war against Ukraine. The European Commission President has called the attacks "unacceptable."