Ukraine seeks strong response to Kharkiv strike from countries that believed Russia's Putin attack claim
Photo: Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine expects countries that supported Russia’s fake claims about an alleged attack on the residence of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to respond strongly to the strike on Kharkiv, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha's post.
Sybiha stressed that Russia’s daytime attack on a residential area in Kharkiv was a "sheer terror". He said there may be numerous civilian victims and that rescue operations are ongoing.
"Unlike fictional 'strikes on Putin’s residences', this was a very real strike and war crime. We expect strong international responses, including from those who recently reacted to Russian fakes about Putin’s palaces," the minister emphasized.
He added that Ukraine’s partners must respond with strength and unity.
"There should be no pauses in increasing pressure on Moscow and support for Ukraine," he added.
Earlier on January 2, Russian forces struck a five-story apartment building in Kharkiv, destroying it. At least 19 people have been reported injured so far.
Fake claim about an attack on Putin’s residence
Several days ago, Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian drones had attempted to attack Putin’s residence but were shot down.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow was once again spreading a fake narrative to derail the peace process.
Zelenskyy’s statement failed to convince India, Pakistan, and several other countries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in particular, expressed concern over reports of an alleged attack on Putin’s residence.
US media have since reported that the CIA found no evidence of any attack on Putin’s residence.
Despite this, Russia continues trying to persuade Washington of its claim. To that end, GRU chief Igor Kostyukov met with a representative of the US embassy’s military attaché office in Moscow and handed over what Russia described as evidence of the alleged attack.
