Zelenskyy: international response to Russian strikes on Ukraine 'too little'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the international community's response to the latest Russian strikes on Ukraine has been insufficient, after overnight attacks left at least two people dead and several injured.

A strike on the Starokozache border crossing with Moldova killed two people, injured three and forced the evacuation of 16 others. In Kyiv, a Russian drone hit an apartment building, injuring four people. Further strikes were reported in Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Zhytomyr.

Zelenskyy said a response was needed so that Moscow does not enter winter believing it can continue missile and drone attacks without consequences. He called for effective sanctions against Russia and continued support for Ukraine, noting that partners capable of helping know exactly what is required each day.

Russia's defence ministry said its forces had struck a Ukrainian cargo vessel carrying military equipment in the Black Sea en route to Odesa, as well as a Kyiv warehouse belonging to a drone manufacturer, according to Russian news agencies.

Clash in German parliament

In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced AfD leader Alice Weidel in a heated Bundestag debate following the party's strong showing in the weekend's Saxony-Anhalt state election. Weidel said the result showed voters want a change in policy and that the ruling coalition's time was up, while criticising the government's migration record, what she called “war propaganda” against Russia, and calling for the resumption of deliveries via the Nord Stream pipeline.

Merz responded by calling Weidel a “destructive force” and pledged that Germany would continue supporting Ukraine, saying it is also defending Germany's freedom. He also strongly criticised Weidel's “remigration” proposals, warning they would amount to ethnic cleansing and leave Germany unable to function, given that one in six skilled workers has an immigrant background.