Zelenskyy on Kremenchuk strike: Putin's provocation came right after Trump call

"Today, our emergency responders were dealing with the aftermath of a Russian strike on the Poltava region, on Kremenchuk. It was a combined attack, deliberately and cynically aimed at our civilian infrastructure, our energy infrastructure," President Zelenskyy stated.

He clarified that Russian forces used cruise, ballistic, and aeroballistic missiles for the strike, as well as Shahed-type drones, which made the work of Ukrainian air defense significantly more difficult.

According to the president, a large number of the incoming threats were successfully intercepted. There were no casualties, but damage to energy facilities was reported.

Zelenskyy described Russia's actions as a "spit in the face" following recent international efforts to end the war.

"This is Russia spitting on everything the international community is trying to do to stop this war. And it came right after Putin’s conversation with Trump. After the Americans asked us not to strike Russian energy facilities," the president said.

He added that all this is happening while Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is trying to portray himself as a mediator in the Middle East and attempting to offer some form of "support to his allies in Tehran."

In conclusion, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is losing lives every day and that the war could have ended long ago if the world had responded to Russia with principled action and not fallen for Russian manipulation and lies.

Kremenchuk strike and threat to Ukraine's energy sector

During the night of June 15, Russian strikes hit the Kremenchuk community, targeting both energy and agricultural infrastructure.

The explosions and falling debris caused fires, which were later extinguished. Media outlets reported that this was one of the largest attacks on Kremenchuk since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Additionally, damage to residential buildings and vehicles was recorded in the Poltava region.