Putin Marks 74th Birthday With Massive Missile

Russian President Vladimir Putin turned 74 on October 7, 2026. On the same day, Russia sent missiles and drones across Ukraine in one of its biggest attacks in recent weeks.

What happened

The attack hit Kyiv and many other parts of Ukraine. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched at least 50 missiles and 130 drones overnight. The targets included regions such as Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv and Poltava.

The worst damage was in the town of Pryluky, in northern Ukraine. A missile destroyed a five-story apartment building there. Rescue workers searched the broken building for survivors for many hours. Ukraine's emergency service said 19 people died there, including five children. Across the country, the number of dead was reported as about 20 to 25, and the numbers changed during the day.

What Ukraine said

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky was very angry. He said Russia gave Putin a "birthday gift" by destroying homes. Ukraine had warned the day before that a big attack was coming, but it could not stop all of it.

The attack also hurt the power system. Ukraine's energy ministry started short power cuts in five regions. Zelensky also said Ukraine needs more Patriot air defense systems to protect its people from ballistic missiles.

What Russia said

Russia's defense ministry said it hit military and factory targets. It said the targets made missiles and drones, and also included port and ship repair sites in the Odesa region. Russia has often said it does not attack civilians. Ukraine and many other countries say that its missiles keep hitting homes and killing ordinary people.

Why it matters

The war in Ukraine has gone on for a long time, and each month brings more pain for ordinary families. Many people in Ukraine now face fear, damaged homes, and cold weather without steady power. Winter is coming, so attacks on power plants are a big worry.

The date also caught people's attention. Putin's birthday has often been marked by news about the war, and this year's attack made that link very clear. Many people around the world saw the strike as a sad and angry message.

What comes next

Ukraine wants more help from its friends, especially air defense weapons. Leaders in many countries have often asked for the fighting to stop, but peace still looks far away. For now, rescue workers in Ukraine are still working, and families are waiting for news about their loved ones.

*Note: This story is still developing, and the numbers may change. Please check trusted news sites for the latest updates.*