'Absolute perversion': Zelenskyy reacts emotionally to Russian drone strike on church
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Today, March 24, Russia has been launching Shahed strikes across Ukraine since early morning. Among other targets, a church in Lviv was hit, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called "an absolute perversion," according to Zelenskyy’s statement on Telegram.
"Iranian Shaheds, upgraded by Russia, hitting a church in Lviv — this is an absolute perversion, and only someone like Putin (Russian President Vladimir Putin) could find this acceptable," he said.
Zelenskyy noted that the attacks targeted city centers in Ukraine. Ordinary buildings, a maternity hospital in Ivano-Frankivsk, and the buildings of St. Andrew’s Church in Lviv caught fire under the strikes.
"Unfortunately, there are fatalities. My condolences go to the families and loved ones. As of now, more than 40 people are reported injured, including five children. Everyone is receiving the necessary assistance," the head of state emphasized.
The president added that Russia’s main target is Ukraine’s energy sector — they continue the strikes to break Ukraine and its power system.
Moreover, Zelenskyy stated that the scale of today’s attack "very clearly" shows that the aggressor country has no real intention of ending the war.
Attack on western Ukraine
Russian forces have been attacking Ukraine since the early hours of March 24. During the day, they launched a large number of kamikaze drones at peaceful Ukrainian cities.
The Russian forces struck the center of Lviv with drones. The attack damaged UNESCO heritage sites and residential buildings. Debris from a downed drone also fell on one of the city streets.
Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi reported that 13 people were injured in the city’s hospitals and added that the number of casualties is increasing.
In addition, Russian forces targeted the center of Ivano-Frankivsk with drones, damaging two maternity hospitals. Two people were killed in the strike, and four others were injured, including a six-year-old child.
