Kyiv is in mourning after a devastating Russian attack claimed the lives of at least 17 people, including children. The missile and drone strikes ripped through apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital, leaving a trail of destruction and sparking international condemnation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called the attack a “horrific and deliberate killing of civilians,” accusing Russia of rejecting peace efforts and demanding stronger sanctions against Moscow. He urged Western allies to send a “strong joint signal” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the need for decisive action to end the war.
“The Russians are not choosing to end the war, only new strikes,” Zelenskyy stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation. He also called for concrete guarantees to maintain peace in Ukraine after the war, pressing European leaders to clearly define their contributions.
International Outcry and Calls for Accountability
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from international leaders and organizations. The European Union mission and a British government cultural building were also damaged in the strikes, further fueling international protests. Rescuers are continuing to sift through the rubble, searching for survivors and recovering the bodies of victims.
Eyewitness Accounts Paint a Grim Picture
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and terror. Galina Shcherbak, who was near one of the strike locations, recounted the horror of the attack: “Glass was flying… we were screaming when the bombs went off.” Another survivor, Andriy, whose flat was destroyed, narrowly escaped with his life: “If I had gone to the shelter a minute later, I would not be here now, I would have been buried.”
- Zelenskyy calls for stronger sanctions against Russia.
- International community condemns the attack.
- Rescuers continue to search for survivors.
The international community is now grappling with how to respond to this latest escalation of the conflict and how to hold Russia accountable for its actions.