Paris vows tougher line on Moscow after deadly strike on Kyiv
Photo: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot (Getty Images)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France sharply condemned the massive Russian attack on the night of November 14, which injured more than three dozen people in Kyiv, according to the official representation of the French foreign ministry.
The ministry noted that Russia’s strikes were primarily directed at the capital — its energy infrastructure, residential neighborhoods, and a hospital — resulting in numerous casualties and injuries, including among children.
"These strikes, which were of significant scale and included about 430 drones and 18 missiles launched in several salvos, represent a further escalation and demonstrate — if further evidence is needed — Russia’s unwillingness to comply with peace," France emphasized.
Paris expressed full solidarity with Ukraine, its citizens and authorities, as well as with the staff of the Azerbaijani embassy, which was also affected by the strike.
France reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that together with partners it will continue to strengthen assistance to Kyiv and increase pressure on Russia to end the war.
The strike on the night of November 14
During the night of November 14, Russia carried out another massive attack on Ukraine, launching 19 missiles and 430 strike drones. Aeroballistic “Kinzhal” missiles and ballistic Iskander-M/KN-23 missiles were used in the attack.
Kyiv suffered the most severe blow. Numerous hits on residential buildings were recorded in the capital. In the Dniprovskyi district, a drone hit a five-story building, causing a large fire and trapping people in their apartments, forcing rescuers to conduct an emergency evacuation.
High-rise buildings in the Podilskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, Desnianskyi, Solomianskyi, and Obolonskyi districts were also significantly damaged. A school in the Darnytskyi district and a hospital in the Holosiivskyi district were harmed in the attack as well.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense traditionally claimed that it had allegedly targeted military-industrial and energy facilities.
As a reminder, rescue operations in the Desnianskyi district have already been completed: State Emergency Service units evacuated 17 people, including one child, and the service’s psychologists provided assistance to 252 victims and their families.
More details about the nighttime strike by Russian occupiers are available in the RBC-Ukraine article.
