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. 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.” “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 defense 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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