Live / Biden warns that Putin “was not kidding” about nuclear weapons: “We have not faced the possibility of an apocalypse since the Cuban missile crisis”

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned today that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warnings about the use of nuclear weapons “must be taken seriously.” “We are advised to take this seriously and not classify the threats as a hoax.”

At an event celebrating the 77th anniversary of the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, Angela Merkel described the invasion of Ukraine as a “profound turning point”.

The death toll as a result of Thursday morning’s attack on Zaporyjia, blamed by Ukrainian forces on Russia, has risen.

According to the Ukrainian emergency services, the most recent count found that 11 people died as a result of this attack, in which a missile would have hit a premium apartment. 21 people were injured.

The information is advanced on the social network Twitter by the journalist Christopher Miller, correspondent of the Financial Times for Ukraine.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that the death toll from the Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhia that hit residential buildings yesterday has risen to 11 people. At least 21 injured, many pulled from under the rubble. ???? @SESU_UA pic.twitter.com/eDfck1tcOF

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) October 7, 2022

Hockey tournament, party in Bali with Xi Jinping and tour in Siberia. Putin often celebrates birthdays eccentrically. This Friday, on which he turns 70, he will have a single “hard work day.”

Vladimir Putin turns 70 this Friday. What will the birthday of the Russian president at war be like?

North Korean President Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to Vladimir Putin on his 70th birthday, celebrated this Friday.

In the congratulatory message, quoted by the Korean Central News Agency and the British station Sky News, Kim Jong Un praises Putin, addressing him directly: “Today, Russia reliably defends the dignity of its state and its interests.” fundamental, in the face of the challenges and threats posed by the United States and its vassal forces. A reality like this would be unthinkable without his distinguished leadership and willpower.”

In the congratulatory note, the North Korean leader added that ties between Russia and North Korea are “stronger than ever” today.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said last night that he fears Poland will attack the country with “tactical nuclear weapons.”

Recalling the words of the Polish president (Andrejz Duda) – who was willing to have US nuclear weapons in the country – Lukashenko stressed that it is “necessary to take measures”, without detailing what they would be.

French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed in recent hours that European countries will send more military equipment to Ukraine to help the country defend itself from the Russian invasion.

The news is advanced by the broadcaster Sky News, which cites statements made by Macron at a European summit in Prague: “In fact, we are working on several applications, with various members of the EU, including the new Caesars,” he said, referring to to a cannon model already sent by France to the Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the digital newspaper The Kyiv Independent and the Ukrainian people are the three most voted options in bookmakers to win the award this year.

Nobel Peace Prize winner announced this Friday in Oslo

Vladimir Putin “was not kidding” when he threatened the world with the use of nuclear weapons and “since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis” the world has not faced “the possibility of an apocalypse”. The statements were made by US President Joe Biden at a Democratic Party fundraising event in New York, and are quoted by the British newspaper The Guardian.

Describing the Russian president as “a guy I know relatively well,” Biden emphasized: “He’s not kidding when he talks about the potential use of tactical nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. This is because his army, one might say, is performing insufficiently and unsatisfactorily.”

Despite these statements, the British network BBC recalls that the US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, said last week that, despite threats from Moscow, the US had seen no signs that Russia was preparing to use nuclear weapons imminently.

Good morning, welcome to another Observer live blog. Here we will follow the evolution of the war in Ukraine for the next few hours. If you want to remember the latest news, you can do it here.