Zelenskyy on latest Russian strike: 'This was one of the most large-scale air attacks'
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
On the night of July 4, Russia conducted one of the largest air strikes on Ukraine. Kyiv and five other regions came under fire, according to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The head of state noted that as of 9:40 a.m. (Kyiv time), fires were still being extinguished, and the rubble was being cleared after the Russian strike.
"This was one of the most large-scale air attacks – deliberately massive and cynical. In total, 550 targets were launched, including at least 330 Russian-Iranian “shaheds”, along with missiles, including ballistic ones," the president emphasized.
Zelenskyy noted that the first air raids in Ukrainian cities and regions yesterday began almost simultaneously with the start of media discussions of US President Donald Trump's phone call with Vladimir Putin. Only around 9:00 a.m. today, the air raid alert was lifted in Kyiv.
Today's Russian strike also affected the Dnipro, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions. There are 23 known casualties.
According to Zelenskyy, there are many places where debris from drones and missiles fell, and there were direct hits.
Photo: Russia massively attacked Ukraine (t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official)
The president emphasized that all this is clear evidence that, without large-scale pressure, "Russia will not change its dumb, destructive behavior."
"It is necessary that for every such blow to people and lives, they feel the corresponding sanctions and other blows to their economy.
"For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure. This is the only thing that can be achieved quickly to change the situation for the better. And it depends on our partners, primarily the United States," Zelenskyy added.
Attack on Kyiv
Russians massively attacked Kyiv with missiles and drones. The consequences of the attack were recorded in six districts of the capital. Read more about the consequences in RBC-Ukraine's report.
The air quality in Kyiv has also deteriorated significantly after the enemy attack, with high levels of pollution.
In total, Russia launched 539 drones and 11 missiles - ballistic, cruise, and Kinzhal missiles - at Ukraine at night.
