Russia launches massive strikes on Ukraine as EU pledges military aid

A massive Russian aerial assault targeting Ukrainian cities has killed at least 32 people, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attacks, which occurred on the 74th birthday of Russian President Vladimir Putin, specifically targeted the energy sector. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strikes as a deliberate terror strategy, noting that one of the most severe hits occurred in Prylukyj in the Chernihiv region, where an apartment building was destroyed.

In response to the escalating violence, the European Union has announced a 1.25 billion euro (approximately 14 billion NOK) aid package specifically for the production of drones, missiles, and weapons within Ukrainian factories. This funding is part of a larger 90 billion euro loan agreement for 2026 and 2027 intended to support defense, education, and healthcare.

Additionally, the EU is moving to impose new sanctions on 1,600 Russian individuals and entities, primarily those involved in the military and arms manufacturing sectors. These sanctions include travel bans and the freezing of assets within the EU, bringing the total number of sanctioned Russian entities to 4,500.