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Russia unleashes wave of missiles on Ukraine as West condemns Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the barrage of missile fire on numerous Ukrainian cities on Monday as a response to “terrorist attacks” on Russian territory and warned that even tougher strikes could come.
Putin’s remarks at a Russian Security Council meeting came as the seven-month-old war saw a dramatic escalation with the targeting of city centres and infrastructure across Ukraine.
The attacks killed 14 people and injured 97 across the country, according to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry on Monday evening. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening address put the toll at 12 deaths and more than 80 injuries.
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International condemnation was swift, with world leaders using words such as “terrorism” and “war crimes.”
Russia fired more than 80 missiles across Ukrainian cities, the government in Kiev said, with air defence systems intercepting about half of them.
At least 36 were injured in the capital alone and deaths were reported, officials said.
Moscow’s rockets followed a weekend explosion that damaged the strategically important bridge connecting the annexed Crimean peninsula to mainland Russia. Putin blames Kiev for the attack on the infrastructure, which is used to supply Russian troops in Ukraine. Kiev has not taken responsibility.
Putin warned: “In case of continuation of attempts to carry out terrorist attacks on our territory, the responses from the Russian side will be harsh – and in their scale will correspond to the level of threat to the Russian Federation.”
The Russian attacks by air, ground and sea, which Moscow’s Defence Ministry said achieved their goals, were an “act of terror” according to Zelensky.
Kiev’s air raid alert was lifted in the early afternoon, after 5 hours and 37 minutes, the longest since the war began on Feb. 24.
City Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to remain cautious.
Ukraine’s capital has been hit by Russian missiles several times since the beginning of the war, although Monday’s was the worst incident of its kind and the first attack on Kiev in months.l
It follows Ukraine winning back territory lost earlier in the war as part of a counter-offensive. Putin’s attempt to change the narrative also comes amid problems with Moscow’s partial mobilization of new troops, with Putin saying on Monday that mistakes must be dealt with.
Russian rocket attacks were also reported in other parts of Ukraine, from Lviv in the far west to areas of the contested east.
Power failed in parts of the eastern city of Kharkiv following three Russian air attacks, with one targeting energy infrastructure, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on the Telegram messaging app.
Parts of Lviv were also without power after damage to energy infrastructure. Ukraine called on all citizens to switch off electrical appliances in the evening to not overload the power grid.
Four deaths were reported by authorities as a result of a missile strike in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk in the Donetsk region, Mayor Vadim Lyakh said.
“Ukraine cannot be intimidated. We united even more instead,” Zelensky said in his evening video address, which was recorded by a damaged road junction near a Kiev university rather than his well-secured presidential office as is usually the case.
Zelensky said that that there were only civilian targets in and around a park in front of the university and no military installations, which Russia said it had hit.
“The occupiers cannot confront us on the battlefield and that is why they resort to this terror,” Zelensky said.
U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities as having “no military purpose.”
“They once again demonstrate the utter brutality of Mr Putin’s illegal war on the Ukrainian people,” Biden said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated the alliance’s support for Ukraine after speaking to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Stoltenberg “condemned Russia’s horrific [and] indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine” while UN Secretary General António Guterres was “deeply shocked” and India said it was “deeply concerned.”
European Council President Charles Michel said on Twitter: “These indiscriminate attacks on civilians are war crimes.”
After the latest escalation in the war, Group of Seven (G7) leaders plan to hold a video call with the Ukrainian leader on Tuesday.
Four deaths were reported by authorities as a result of a missile strike in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk in the Donetsk region, Mayor Vadim Lyakh said.
“Ukraine cannot be intimidated. We united even more instead,” Zelensky said in his evening video address, which was recorded by a damaged road junction near a Kiev university rather than his well-secured presidential office as is usually the case.
Zelensky said that that there were only civilian targets in and around a park in front of the university and no military installations, which Russia said it had hit.
“The occupiers cannot confront us on the battlefield and that is why they resort to this terror,” Zelensky said.
U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities as having “no military purpose.”
“They once again demonstrate the utter brutality of Mr Putin’s illegal war on the Ukrainian people,” Biden said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated the alliance’s support for Ukraine after speaking to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Stoltenberg “condemned Russia’s horrific [and] indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine” while UN Secretary General António Guterres was “deeply shocked” and India said it was “deeply concerned.”
European Council President Charles Michel said on Twitter: “These indiscriminate attacks on civilians are war crimes.”
After the latest escalation in the war, Group of Seven (G7) leaders plan to hold a video call with the Ukrainian leader on Tuesday.
Zelensky meanwhile had spoken to a number of leaders including Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
In further justifying Monday’s barrage, Putin claimed there had been three Ukrainian attacks on the Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk.
He also accused Ukraine of shelling the nuclear power plant occupied by Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhya region annexed by Moscow.
Despite his leader’s comments, Russian parliamentarian Yevgeny Popov told the BBC: “We’re not going to attack civilians in Ukraine, we’re not going to attack people.”
The UN General Assembly is currently deliberating on Russia’s recent annexations of parts of Ukraine in defiance of international law.
The Labour Party has commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat in the 2015 presidential election, saying his decision demonstrated that political power was not worth the blood of Nigerians.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, made the statement on Tuesday in Bauchi State while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue.
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The event, organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, was themed, “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
Usman said Nigeria’s democracy survived the tensions surrounding the 2015 election because Jonathan chose to put the national interest above his desire to remain in office.
She said, “Nigeria’s democracy survived the doomsday predictions of bookmakers in 2015 because of President Jonathan’s concession of defeat in that year’s election, even before the final votes were tallied.”
According to her, Jonathan’s approach to politics was exceptional, particularly because he had consistently maintained that neither his election nor remaining in power was worth the blood of any Nigerian.
Usman stated, “Such a principled approach to politics had never before been witnessed on the Nigerian political horizon. Jonathan, from the inception of his presidency, consistently maintained that neither his election nor remaining in power was worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
She added that Jonathan demonstrated the sincerity of his position when the 2015 election tested his commitment to the principle.
The Labour Party chairman urged politicians preparing for the 2027 general elections to emulate Jonathan’s non-violent approach to politics, respect democratic rules and place national interest above personal ambitions.
She also questioned whether politicians seeking the presidency in 2027 would be prepared to make similar sacrifices for national unity, particularly amid inflammatory rhetoric from some political camps.
Usman further recalled the saying attributed to Warren Buffett that someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.
She argued that Nigerians are able to practise democracy today partly because Jonathan made sacrifices at a critical moment.
On the Labour Party’s preparations for the 2027 elections, Usman described the party as the most structured opposition political party in Nigeria.
She said the Labour Party’s relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had strengthened its political structure nationwide.
Usman claimed that the party remained the only opposition party with a realistic presence across Nigeria’s 186,000 polling units.
She said, “With the combined strength of the NLC and the TUC, both of which are constitutional members of the party, no Nigerian political party is better positioned to show the APC government the exit door than the Labour Party.”
The democracy dialogue attracted several political leaders and dignitaries, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Others included former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, APC Deputy National Chairman, South, Dr Ben Nwoye, and the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu.
The dialogue provided a platform for discussions on strengthening democratic institutions, the role of political parties and the judiciary, and preventing democratic reversals across Africa.
Nigeria has recorded another major achievement on the international stage as the Mountain Top Chorale of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) emerged champion of the 2026 World Choir Games in Helsingborg, Sweden.
The Nigerian choir clinched the gold medal in the Spiritual Category (C14), scoring an impressive 87.38 points in the competition conducted by Oluwasegun Okedunmola.
The feat was celebrated by the General Overseer of MFM, Daniel Olukoya, who described the victory as a major moment of pride for Nigeria and the ministry.
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In a Monday Facebook post, Olukoya wrote, “A CHAMPION’S SOUND! GOLD FOR MOUNTAIN TOP CHORALE!”
According to him, the choir secured two major honours at the 2026 competition, including the gold medal in the Spiritual Category and the overall championship in the Champions Competition.
He said the achievement went beyond music, describing it as a demonstration of “discipline, excellence, dedication, teamwork and the power of using our gifts to glorify God.”
Olukoya also commended the choristers, conductor, leadership of the choir and everyone whose sacrifices and commitment contributed to the success.
The World Choir Games, organised by Interkultur, is regarded as the world’s largest international choir competition. The 2026 edition is being held in Helsingborg from August 6 to 16.
The host organisation said about 8,500 singers from more than 40 countries are participating, with more than 160 choirs taking part in the competition, concerts and other activities.
The 2026 edition is also the first time the World Choir Games are being held in Sweden.
Mountain Top Chorale’s victory places the Nigerian choir among the top performers at the global choral event and further highlights Nigeria’s presence in international gospel and choral music.
Celebrating the achievement, Olukoya said, “From Nigeria to the world, Mountain Top Chorale has raised the banner high.”
He concluded his message by congratulating the choir and giving glory to God for the historic achievement.
Former presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign over what he described as “failure in governance,” drawing comparisons with political accountability in other democracies following the resignation announcement of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Obi said he had followed Starmer’s resignation speech and reflected on what he described as the importance of leadership responsibility in democratic governance.
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“As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development,” Obi said.
He noted that Starmer’s decision followed growing public dissatisfaction over economic challenges, rising cost of living, and unmet campaign promises in the United Kingdom.
Obi then drew parallels with Nigeria, recalling that before the 2015 general elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had repeatedly called on then-President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over insecurity.
“During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives,” Obi stated.
He also referenced campaign promises made by Tinubu during the 2023 elections, including commitments to improve electricity supply, tackle corruption, and enhance the welfare of Nigerians.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments,” Obi said.
According to him, conditions in the country have since deteriorated, with persistent power shortages, worsening insecurity, and deepening economic hardship.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased,” he added.
Obi further argued that other sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, had also suffered setbacks, insisting that Nigeria is currently in “the worst possible condition.”
The opposition figure therefore called on President Tinubu to step down, saying such a move would promote accountability in public office.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance,” Obi said.
He added that resignation would help foster “a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility” and reinforce the idea that “public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement,” stressing the need for what he called “a New Nigeria that is possible.”
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