Overnight strikes hit Ukraine as Serbia begins final campaign day
Jakub Krupa’s Thursday, 22 October 2026 Europe Live update for The Guardian reported that French President Emmanuel Macron was back from a Gulf tour and was convening relevant ministers and intelligence services. The meeting was intended to consider what could be done to prevent “unsavoury scenes” on the streets of French cities as more protests were planned for Saturday. Macron was expected to speak after the meeting.
The Guardian also reported that Serbia entered the final day of campaigning on Thursday, before Sunday’s parliamentary election, which the live update described as closely contested.
Thursday’s update separately reported no signs of Russian attacks stopping anytime soon after a night of “massive strikes” on port infrastructure facilities in Odesa region and on Kyiv.
Ukraine Foreign Minister Andii Sybiha said: “Kyiv residents heard what Russian ‘humanism’ truly sounds like: a brutal attack with dozens of ballistic missiles striking energy infrastructure, medical facilities, shopping centers, and residential areas. Other cities across Ukraine came under attack as well. Appeasement, servility, and flattery will not stop this war. Only strength will.”
Returning to France, Macron was expected to speak after the security meeting. Earlier in the week, he told reporters, “The government must hold its nerve.”
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was due to hold a separate meeting later Thursday with party leaders. The Guardian said their concerns included policing and next year’s presidential campaign.
Thursday’s French schedule therefore contained two distinct meetings: Macron’s considered what could be done to prevent “unsavoury scenes” before Saturday’s planned protests, while Lecornu’s addressed party leaders’ concerns that included policing and next year’s presidential campaign.