ua en ru

Zelenskyy criticizes US for silence after Russian night strike on Kyiv

Zelenskyy criticizes US for silence after Russian night strike on Kyiv Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)

After the overnight attack on Kyiv, there was no public response from the United States. Ukraine is urging its partners to take decisive action against Russia's daily terror, according to Volodymyr Zelenkyy's statement.

"Russia fills each day with horror and murder; it's simply dragging out the war. Yesterday, there was a brutal attack on the Odesa region. Strikes continue every day in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and other regions of ours. All of this demands a response – a strong response from the United States, from Europe, and from everyone in the world who wants this war to end," the Ukrainian President emphasized.

Zelenskyy underlined that Putin has repeatedly refused to agree to a ceasefire.

"It gains him nothing, except taking lives every single day. Every day gives new grounds for sanctions against Russia. Every day proves that without pressure on Russia, the war will continue," the Ukrainian President noted.

Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine is ready for any form of diplomacy that can bring results.

"Ukraine is ready for any form of diplomacy that delivers real results. We are ready for all steps that can guarantee true security. It is Russia that is not ready for anything. Next week must be a time for action aimed at increasing pressure on Russia - in other words, aimed at securing peace. I thank everyone around the world who stands with us, with Ukraine, with the Ukrainian people. Glory to Ukraine!" the Ukrainian President concluded.

Attack on Kyiv

On the evening of May 23, Ukrainian forces detected hostile drone activity moving toward the capital. Initially, Shahed drones were spotted in the airspace over the Kyiv region, and later, explosions were heard in the city and surrounding areas.

The enemy air attack on the night of May 24 became one of the largest-scale in recent months: Russia simultaneously struck the Kyiv region with kamikaze drones and ballistic missiles.

According to Ukraine's Air Force, Russian troops launched 14 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 250 attack drones. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 6 of the missiles and intercepted 245 drones.

As a result, civilian infrastructure in the capital was hit - there was damage to residential buildings, schools, and one medical facility.

For more details of the attack, read our material on the topic.

In addition, Foreign Secretary David Lammy strongly condemned the Russian attack.