Zelensky Calls for US Action Amid Russian Attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his frustration on Sunday over the absence of a decisive US response to Russia’s refusal to agree to a complete and unconditional ceasefire. This plea comes in the wake of a tragic aerial bombardment by Russia that claimed the lives of two individuals and left several others injured. Zelensky reported that the latest incident involved a large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukrainian territories, illustrating Moscow’s continued offensive strategies. Despite Ukraine’s acceptance of an unconditional truce proposal from the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin has rebuffed the offer, escalating tensions further.
“We are waiting for the United States to respond — so far there has been no response,” Zelensky said, signaling a sense of urgency for international support. Concurrently, Russia has made claims of advancing into a village in Ukraine’s Sumy region, an assertion that Ukraine has outright dismissed as disinformation. The ongoing military tensions were highlighted by Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who noted the scale of Russia’s national offensive involving ballistic and cruise missiles paired with drones.
Escalating Violence in Kyiv and Beyond
As violence escalates, Zelensky emphasized that the frequency of Russian air attacks appears to be on the rise, hinting that existing international pressure on Russia remains inadequate. Alarming reports of explosions rocked Kyiv overnight, with visual evidence of smoke billowing from the nation’s capital on Sunday morning. The head of Kyiv’s military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, confirmed the unfortunate loss of one life and stated that three others were wounded in these assaults. Additionally, Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, revealed that the body of an individual who died in the attack was located in the Darnytsia district.
The intensity of these attacks was further underscored by a missile strike that partially devastated a building utilized by state foreign-language broadcasters, with the Russian-language Freedom television channel reporting severe damage to its operations. Emergency services noted several fires ensued across non-residential structures in the city. Beyond the capital, a resident in a nearby region suffered burns due to an attack that sparked a house fire. Ukraine’s air force reported a significant barrage from Russia, totaling 23 missiles and 109 drones, out of which they claimed to have intercepted 13 missiles and 40 drones.
Casualties and Damage Reported Across Ukraine
Casualties from these relentless attacks have not been isolated to Kyiv, as reports indicate a lethal drone strike in the southern Kherson region resulting in the death of a 59-year-old man. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, which borders Russia, two individuals sustained injuries from an aerial bombing, reflecting the widespread impact of the conflict. Furthermore, in the western Khmelnytsky region, officials reported the destruction of a missile by air defenses; yet, the falling debris caused damage to local homes and injured a woman, illustrating the far-reaching effects of each strike.
Zelensky’s comments on the previous week’s assault revealed the sheer scale of the violence faced by Ukraine, noting that Russia has deployed over 1,460 guided aerial bombs, along with nearly 670 attack drones and more than 30 different types of missiles. While Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its troops had ‘liberated’ the village of Basivka near the Russian border, Ukraine swiftly dismissed this as misinformation, with Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, reiterating the enemy’s persistent disinformation campaign regarding territorial gains.
International Reactions and Calls for Ceasefire
In light of the alarming developments, French President Emmanuel Macron joined Zelensky in urging for a more robust international response to Russia’s actions. Macron asserted that a ceasefire is urgently needed and stressed that decisive measures must be taken if Russia continues to delay peace negotiations. He condemned recent attacks, particularly emphasizing the tragic loss of life, including children, during these hostilities.
The latest round of attacks coincided with a recent missile strike on Kryvyi Rig, which tragically resulted in 18 deaths, including nine children. Voicing his outrage, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, criticized Russia for its ‘reckless disregard’ for civilian life during this conflict, highlighting the use of explosive weapons that impact wide areas.
Continuing Military Operations and Diplomatic Efforts
On Sunday, Russian officials announced that they had targeted a central artillery base along with facilities implicated in drone production, while accusing Ukraine of attacking its energy infrastructure. US President Donald Trump has been attempting to broker a partial ceasefire agreement; however, his efforts have yet to bear fruit. Additionally, the US is looking toward improving relations with Russia amidst ongoing tensions.
Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev indicated in a recent interview with state television that prospective US-Russian discussions could occur as early as next week. This statement marked Dmitriev as the highest-ranking Russian official to visit Washington since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, further highlighting the complex dynamics of diplomacy amid war.
