European Council President António Costa has strongly condemned Russia for deliberately targeting Ukrainian emergency services during a new wave of Russian airstrikes. These attacks, which occurred overnight, caused at least 14 fatalities and injured dozens across Odessa, Kiev, and Dnipro, highlighting the brutal escalation of the conflict. Costa emphasized that Russian forces are intentionally terrorizing civilians and specifically struck first responders as they attempted to save lives, a tactic designed to intimidate and disarm Ukraine’s emergency efforts.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the EU vowing to increase pressure on Moscow. Brussels is hopeful that new sanctions and a significant €90 billion aid package for Ukraine can be swiftly enacted, especially following political changes in Hungary where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is expected to leave office after an electoral defeat. The EU maintains its support for Ukraine and calls for Russia to cease its “war of terror.”