Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of carrying out a deadly wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on October 7, coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 74th birthday.
According to Zelenskyy, the overnight assault struck residential buildings and critical infrastructure in Kyiv and 12 Ukrainian regions, leaving civilians dead and injured while causing extensive damage to apartment buildings.
The Ukrainian leader condemned the timing of the strikes, describing the destruction of a residential building in the Chernihiv region as a grim birthday present from the Russian military to Putin.
Zelenskyy said Russian forces launched approximately 70 missiles, including numerous ballistic weapons, alongside Shahed-type attack drones.
Five Killed and 26 Injured in Pryluky Apartment Building Attack
Among the most serious incidents reported was the destruction of a five-storey residential building in Pryluky, a city in Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv region.
Zelenskyy said at least five people had been killed and another 26 injured, including five children, following the attack.
Emergency workers continued searching through the damaged building amid concerns that additional residents could remain trapped beneath the rubble.
The Ukrainian president said rescue teams were working continuously to locate survivors and recover anyone still missing.
He emphasized that the building was an ordinary residential property, drawing attention to the civilian consequences of the attack.
Zelenskyy Describes Residential Building Destruction as Putin’s Birthday Gift
In his October 7 statement, Zelenskyy directly linked the timing of the assault to the Russian president’s birthday.
He described the destruction in Pryluky as a birthday “gift” to Putin from the Russian military, using the comparison to condemn the deaths of Ukrainian civilians.
The remarks reflected Kyiv’s criticism of Russia’s continued attacks on populated areas during the war.
However, Zelenskyy’s statement did not establish that the Russian military had deliberately scheduled the strikes to coincide with Putin’s birthday.
Apartment Buildings Damaged in Dnipro and Kremenchuk
The attacks also caused damage to residential properties in other Ukrainian cities.
According to Zelenskyy, Russian missile strikes damaged five apartment buildings in Dnipro and four high-rise residential buildings in Kremenchuk.
He reported two fatalities and eight injuries in connection with the attacks described in those areas.
The president did not provide a detailed breakdown of the casualties between Dnipro and Kremenchuk in his statement.
The reported destruction added to concerns about the impact of missile attacks on civilian housing and urban infrastructure.
Fatalities Reported in Kyiv and Oleksandriia
Further deaths were reported in the Ukrainian capital and the central city of Oleksandriia.
Zelenskyy said two people were killed in Kyiv, while another two lost their lives in Oleksandriia.
He also reported that a drone strike damaged a high-rise residential building in Zaporizhzhia.
The Ukrainian leader expressed condolences to the families of those killed across the affected regions.
Based on the figures provided in his statement, at least 11 people were reported dead across the locations mentioned, although the full extent of casualties remained unclear.
Energy Infrastructure Among Main Targets of Overnight Assault
Beyond residential buildings, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was among the principal targets of the strikes, according to Zelenskyy.
He said infrastructure facilities in Kyiv and 12 regions were attacked during the night, suggesting a geographically extensive operation involving several types of aerial weapons.
The Ukrainian president accused Moscow of attempting to inflict substantial damage through a highly visible military assault.
His statement did not specify the number of energy facilities struck or provide a comprehensive assessment of disruptions to electricity supplies.
Russia Reportedly Launches 70 Missiles Alongside Shahed Drones
Zelenskyy described the assault as one of the most severe attacks faced by Ukraine, citing the reported use of 70 missiles and additional Shahed-type drones.
He said many of the missiles were ballistic, creating particular difficulties for Ukrainian air-defense systems.
According to the president, Ukrainian defenses intercepted only a portion of the incoming weapons.
He did not provide an exact interception total or a breakdown of the different missile types used.
The scale and composition of the attack, as described by Zelenskyy, could not be independently verified from his statements alone.
Ballistic Missiles Remain Major Challenge for Ukrainian Air Defenses
The Ukrainian president identified Russian ballistic missiles as one of the most difficult threats facing the country’s air-defense network.
Unlike slower-moving aerial threats, ballistic missiles can travel at extremely high speeds, leaving defenders with limited time to detect, track and intercept them.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s existing defenses had been unable to stop every incoming missile during the latest assault.
He argued that strengthening the country’s interception capabilities was essential to protecting civilians and critical infrastructure from further attacks.
Zelenskyy Calls for Additional Patriot Missiles
Following the overnight strikes, Zelenskyy renewed his appeal to international partners for additional air-defense equipment and interceptor missiles.
He specifically emphasized the need to secure missiles for Patriot air-defense systems, which Ukraine uses to counter advanced aerial threats, including certain ballistic missiles.
The president said Ukrainian officials were searching daily for additional Patriot interceptors to strengthen protection over the country’s cities.
He described new air-defense packages as an urgent requirement and thanked governments and organizations continuing to support Ukraine.
Civilian Casualties Renew Focus on Ukraine’s Air-Defense Needs
The October 7 attacks highlighted the continuing risks faced by civilians as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues.
Zelenskyy’s account described damage to residential buildings across several cities, deaths in multiple regions and attacks on infrastructure supporting everyday life.
His statements also underscored Ukraine’s dependence on continued international military assistance, particularly systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
While the reported casualty figures and damage assessments may change as emergency operations continue, the Ukrainian president said rescue efforts remained active and additional air-defense supplies were urgently needed.
The claims concerning the attacks, their scale and their consequences were drawn from Zelenskyy’s October 7 statements and had not been independently verified in the material provided.
