Despaired Kremlin: World leaders respond to Russia's barbarous assault on Kyiv
One of the many consequences of Russia's brutal attack on Kyiv on the night of May 24 (photo: t.me/dsns_telegram)
Massive overnight bombardment of Ukraine by Russia demonstrates the Kremlin's brutality and complete disregard for human life and peace negotiations. The use of the Oreshnik missile system was a reckless attempt at intimidation that highlights the dead end the Russian Federation has reached, according to statements made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Terror as Kremlin's helplessness sign
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Russia's massive overnight assault on Ukraine is further evidence of the Kremlin's cruelty and total disregard for both human lives and any peace negotiations.
"Terror against civilians is not strength. It's despair," she said.
The European Commission chief assured that the European Union firmly stands with Ukraine and will continue to provide support to strengthen the country's air defenses.
Political intimidation tactics, EU's response
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stated that Russia "hit a dead-end on the battlefield" and, therefore, resorts to deliberate terror against civilians in the centers of Ukrainian cities.
According to her, the use by Moscow of the Oreshnik ballistic system, designed to carry nuclear warheads, is a political intimidation tactic and a dangerous maneuver on the brink of nuclear weapons use.
Kallas announced that EU foreign ministers will meet next week to discuss increasing international pressure on Russia.
Call to strengthen European security
French President Emmanuel Macron also strongly condemned Russia's continued strikes on civilian targets and the use of the Oreshnik missile.
In his view, such actions by Moscow only demonstrate further escalation and the hopeless situation in which Russia has found itself.
Paris reasserts its resolve to strengthen support for Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace and to reinforce the security of the entire European continent.
Canada's stance: Russia loses this war
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Ottawa strongly condemns the Russian large-scale missile and drone attacks on civilian targets in Kyiv.
He noted that throughout more than four years of the illegal invasion, Putin's regime has relentlessly bombed Ukraine's energy infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and homes, while severely underestimating the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people.
"We call on Russia to immediately cease these strikes and end this illegal war of aggression. They prolong human suffering and do nothing to change the fact that Russia will lose this war," Carney stressed.
He added that Canada will continue to work closely with international partners to secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe.
Details of Russia's enormous strike on Ukraine
During the night of May 24, Russian forces carried out an exceptionally massive combined attack across Ukraine using strike drones as well as air-, sea-, and ground-launched missiles.
The main target of the enemy attack was the capital, Kyiv.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, a total of 690 aerial attack assets were detected, including 90 missiles and 600 drones of various types.
In particular, during this assault, the Russian Federation used the RS-26 Rubezh intermediate-range ballistic missile, also known as Oreshnik. It was launched from the Kapustin Yar test site, and impacts were recorded near the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region of Ukraine.
Russia attacked absolutely all districts of the city of Kyiv. The Lukianivka district suffered destruction and large-scale fires, where a shopping mall and a market burned down as a result of the strike, while residential buildings were also damaged.
