Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, 7 October condemned a Russian military strike that destroyed a five-storey residential building in Pryluky, Chernihiv region, calling it a 'birthday gift' to Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Zelensky, the attack killed at least five people and injured 26 others, including five children, with rescue teams working continuously at the site.

What Happened in Chernihiv

The Russian army targeted an ordinary five-storey apartment building in Pryluky, flattening it in what Ukrainian officials described as a deliberate strike on a civilian area. Zelensky warned that people may still be trapped under the rubble, with first responders working 'nonstop' to locate survivors.

'Today, as a birthday 'gift' to Putin, the Russian army destroyed a residential building in Pryluky, in the Chernihiv region. It was an ordinary five-story apartment building. Tragically, as of now, five people have been reported killed and 26 injured, including five children. There may still be people under the rubble. First responders are working nonstop at the site — doing everything possible to find every person,' Zelensky posted on X.

Broader Wave of Strikes Across Ukraine

The Chernihiv assault was part of a far wider overnight offensive, according to Zelensky. Russian missile strikes reportedly damaged five apartment buildings in Dnipro and four high-rise buildings in Kremenchuk, killing two people and injuring eight. A high-rise building in Zaporizhzhia was struck by a drone, while in Kyiv, two people were killed. Two more deaths were reported in Oleksandriya.

'Infrastructure in Kyiv and 12 regions came under attack last night,' Zelensky said, extending condolences to the families of those killed.

Energy Infrastructure Targeted

Zelensky alleged that Ukraine's energy infrastructure was among Russia's primary targets in the overnight raids. He described the assault as 'one of the most vile strikes,' involving 70 missiles in total — many of them ballistic — as well as Shahed drones, with only some intercepted by Ukrainian air defences.

'Russian ballistic missiles remain the greatest challenge. And air defence 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,' he wrote on X.

Ukraine's Air Defence Plea

The Ukrainian president's remarks amount to a direct appeal to Western partners for additional Patriot missile systems and air defence munitions. This comes amid persistent concerns among Kyiv's allies about the pace of military aid and dwindling ammunition stockpiles in NATO member states. The overnight attack underscores Ukraine's stated vulnerability to Russian ballistic missiles, which Zelensky characterised as the 'greatest challenge' facing the country's air defences.

International reactions are expected as Ukraine's partners assess the scale of the assault. The pattern of striking residential buildings alongside energy infrastructure has drawn repeated condemnation from the United Nations and European governments throughout the conflict.