Morning opening: Another night of Russian attacks on Ukraine
Another night of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine resulted in more than 10 people injured, with significant damage to residential buildings in the Odesa region.
The central Prymorskyi district suffered the most severe damage, where residential buildings, a hotel, and facilities in the city center were affected, according to Serhiy Lysak, head of the local military administration, who reported on Telegram as cited by .
"It was an extremely difficult night,"
Lysak added that high-rise residential buildings, private homes, and vehicles were targeted in two other districts.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Julia Svyrydenko is scheduled to visit today to participate in a conference on the "security and defence dimension" of Ukraine’s recovery, where she will meet with Poland’s Donald Tusk.
Coverage of the outcomes from that meeting will be monitored closely.
Elsewhere in Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Andorra, where he holds the unique position of co-prince. Germany’s Friedrich Merz is expected to engage with students about Europe, and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Berlin for a politically sensitive discussion with her former CDU/CSU party.
It is Monday, 27 April 2026. Jakub Krupa reporting for Europe Live.
Russia summons German ambassador over MP's meeting with Chechen exile
In foreign affairs, Russia’s foreign ministry announced it summoned the German ambassador following a meeting in Kyiv between a German lawmaker and a Chechen separatist whom Moscow designates as the leader of a "terrorist" organization, reported.
Russia lodged a formal complaint with German ambassador Alexander Lambsdorff concerning talks between Bundestag deputy Roderich Kiesewetter and Akhmed Zakayev, whom Moscow claims leads the banned "Chechen Republic of Ichkeria."
"A strong protest has been expressed with the ambassador regarding the recent meeting in Kyiv,"
the foreign ministry stated, adding that Moscow views the contacts as interference in Russia’s internal affairs and warned Berlin of "negative consequences" for what it described as hostile actions.
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the German Foreign Office dismissed the allegations as "completely unfounded and baseless."
Polish influencer’s nine-day, non-stop live stream raises £50m for cancer charity
In a more positive development, Polish social media influencer Piotr Garkowski, 23, known as , has raised over £50 million through a continuous nine-day online stream to support a charity aiding children with cancer.
Broadcasting from a studio flat in right-bank Warsaw, Garkowski listened on loop to a charity song dedicated to children fighting cancer while engaging viewers with entertaining challenges and hosting a series of celebrity guests.
The song, recorded by Polish rapper Bedoes 2115 with 11-year-old Maja Mecan, is styled as a rap diss track aimed at cancer.
"If you suffer from cancer just like me, this song is for you. I’m Maja and this is my third relapse, and I have reasons to diss you,"
Maja’s vocals alternate between a battle cry and a heartfelt tribute to young patients, their families, and medical staff, featuring a chorus:
"I’m still here/Did you think you had me?/I’m still here/We laugh in your face/I’m still here/And I’m not going anywhere."
Garkowski, previously noted for collaborations with Ed Sheeran, was joined by many of Poland’s top musicians, actors, athletes, and influencers who recreated their biggest viral hits and pop culture moments.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin also appeared briefly via video, performing an improvised keyboard piece incorporating the Polish word for "pushing" the fundraising total even higher, apologizing for his Polish pronunciation.
At least 14 injured in overnight strikes on Ukraine, as Zelenskyy talks about importance of air defence
According to the Associated Press, the overnight Russian attacks resulted in at least 14 injuries.
Five of those injured in Odesa, mostly suffering shrapnel wounds, were hospitalized, stated Oleh Kiper, head of the regional military administration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that over the past week, Russia launched approximately 1,900 attack drones, nearly 1,400 powerful guided aerial bombs, and around 60 missiles of various types at Ukraine.
"Our air defense system is already showing a very high success rate in intercepting drones – over 90%. And we need to keep working to ensure this rate continues to increase, not only against drones but also against ballistic threats. Every additional delivery of air defense missiles means saved lives and better protection for our cities and critical infrastructure."
Orbán associates rush to move wealth out of Hungary after election defeat
Over the weekend, journalists Flora Garamvolgyi and Ashifa Kassam reported that individuals connected to outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have been hastily transferring their wealth out of Hungary following his recent electoral defeat.
This situation reflects the significant upheaval in Hungary as the country prepares to transition from Orbán’s rule.
Since Orbán assumed power in 2010, a small group of associates aligned with him and his Fidesz party have accumulated substantial fortunes, partly through their increasing control over the economy and EU-funded public infrastructure contracts.
Final preparations for 'Operation Cushion' to save 12-tonne whale Timmy in Germany
In Germany, final arrangements are underway for a millionaire-funded operation to tow a sick humpback whale named Timmy into the North Sea.
The 12-tonne whale has been stranded along the Baltic Sea coast for nearly a month. A barge designed like a giant steel aquarium will attempt to transport Timmy approximately 400km (248 miles) towards the North Sea, with hopes of eventually returning the whale to the Atlantic Ocean, its believed origin.
The mission, called Operation Cushion, is planned to commence on Tuesday. Rescue workers noted that on Sunday, the whale was positioned facing the correct direction in the water.
"[It] is interesting, it turned 90 degrees – and in the right direction. It seems to be preparing itself mentally and emotionally for departure,"
said Till Backhaus, the state’s environment minister, in an interview with Bild.
Tusk declares plans for Poland's 'drone armada' in partnership with Ukraine
Polish politician Donald Tusk spoke in Rzeszów at a conference focused on supporting Ukraine’s postwar recovery.
He announced that Poland intends to "build a drone armada" leveraging Ukrainian technical and practical expertise, aiming to leapfrog an entire technological era and ensure that Ukraine, Poland, and the region are protected from air attacks in the near future.
"We know how unstable the situation is not only in the region, but in the whole world. We also know how important the ability to react quickly is in the event of some provocation or aggression. … For me it is very important that these tragic and at the same time impressive experiences of Ukraine in the confrontation with Russia also become part of our knowhow on how to defend the Polish skies."
The European Union is separately considering its own "drone wall," motivated by last year’s numerous disruptions caused by suspected Russian drones across the continent.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant complex killed a transport worker, according to a statement from the site’s Moscow-installed authorities reported by AFP.
Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Since its capture by Russian forces in 2022, both Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of risking a nuclear disaster through attacks on the site.
"Today, a driver was killed in a strike by a Ukrainian armed forces drone on the transport shop floor of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,"
the plant’s press service said on Telegram.
The plant, currently in cold shutdown, is near the frontline in southern Ukraine. Its status remains a significant obstacle in stalled peace negotiations.
Ukraine’s state nuclear company Energoatom reported on Sunday that the plant’s power transmission line was disconnected, causing it to enter blackout mode for an hour and a half.
"This is already the 15th blackout at the Zaporizhzhia NPP since its occupation. Each such incident significantly increases nuclear and radiation safety risks not only for Ukraine, but for Europe in general."
On Sunday, Ukraine marked the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of launching drones at the site, describing the attacks as "nuclear terrorism."
