Kyiv [Ukraine], August 29 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday confirmed that 22 people, including four children, were killed after Russian missiles struck a residential building in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district on Wednesday night.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy cited a report from Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, stating that rescue operations at the site have concluded. “At the site of the Russian strike on a residential building in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district, rescue operations have been completed, and work continues to clear the destroyed structures. At this moment, it is known that 22 people were killed at this one site alone, including four children. The youngest girl was not even three years old. My condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president said that a total of 23 people were killed and 53 others injured in Kyiv that night, while the fate of eight individuals remains unknown. “All of them have received the necessary assistance. I am grateful to the first responders, police officers, doctors, nurses, and all municipal and emergency services—for everyone involved in helping people,” he said.
Zelenskyy urged the international community to hold Russia accountable, accusing Moscow of relying on “ballistics” instead of diplomacy. “Russia must be held accountable for this strike, just as for every other strike against our state, our people, and every effort by the world to bring this war to an end. When instead of diplomacy Russia chooses ballistics, continues to modernize ‘shaheds’ for killing, and deepens cooperation with actors like North Korea, it means the world must respond accordingly,” he said.
He reiterated his call for strong sanctions and pressure against Russia. “Strong sanctions, strong pressure, strong steps are needed so that the murderers do not feel impunity. Russia only understands strength, and demonstrations of strength are needed now. The United States, Europe, and the G20 countries have this strength,” he added.
The strike also damaged the European Union’s delegation office in Kyiv, drawing strong condemnation from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to “come to the negotiating table.”
“Just spoke with the President @ZelenskyyUa, then @POTUS Donald Trump, following the massive strike on Kyiv which also hit our EU offices. Putin must come to the negotiating table. We must secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine with firm and credible security guarantees that will turn the country into a steel porcupine. Europe will fully play its part,” she posted on X.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump was “not happy” but “not surprised” by the air strikes. She added that while the president seeks an end to the war, both Putin and Zelenskyy “must want it to end as well.” (ANI)
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