KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that a recent Russian missile strike on a nine-story apartment building in Kyiv symbolizes the need for increased pressure on Moscow to engage in ceasefire negotiations. This assertion came amid a surge in attacks from Russia as the war enters its third year.
The missile and drone assault on Kyiv occurred early on Tuesday and has been identified as the most lethal assault on the capital thus far this year, claiming the lives of 28 individuals and injuring 142, as reported by the head of the Kyiv Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko. Zelenskyy, alongside Andrii Yermak, head of the presidential office, and Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, visited the site of the destroyed apartment building in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district on Thursday morning. They paid their respects to the 23 victims who perished from the direct missile hit that led to significant structural collapse.
Zelenskyy communicated through Telegram that "this attack is a reminder to the world that Russia rejects a ceasefire and chooses killing." He also extended his gratitude to Ukraine's allies for their readiness to exert pressure on Russia, so that it might "feel the real cost of the war." The assault on Tuesday was part of a broader offensive, with Russia launching over 440 drones and 32 missiles in what Zelenskyy labeled one of the largest bombardments since the onset of the war.
As Russia moves forward with a summer offensive along parts of the approximately 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, U.S.-led peace initiatives have struggled to gain momentum. Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively turned down an offer from U.S. President Donald Trump for a 30-day ceasefire, stipulating that it would only be feasible if Ukraine halts its mobilization efforts and Western arms supplies are frozen.
Recent weeks have seen Russia intensifying long-range attacks targeted at urban residential areas. However, Putin denied on Wednesday that his military had struck these civilian targets, claiming the operations were directed against military industries instead. During an address to senior news leaders from international media outlets in St. Petersburg, Putin expressed his willingness to engage in talks with Zelenskyy. He reiterated his assertion that the Ukrainian leader lost legitimacy after his term expired last year; a claim that Kyiv and its allies have firmly rejected.
"We are ready for substantive talks on the principles of a settlement," Putin remarked, recalling a previous round of discussions in Istanbul that resulted in a prisoner exchange. On the other hand, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha articulated on social media that Ukraine unconditionally accepted the U.S. ceasefire proposal, accusing Russia of manipulations regarding its intentions to end the war.
Sybiha stated, "It has been exactly 100 days since Ukraine unconditionally accepted the U.S. peace proposal to completely cease fire, put an end to the killing, and move forward with a genuine peace process… 100 days of Russia escalating terror against Ukraine rather than ending it." He concluded by stressing that Ukraine remains committed to peace, while Russia continues to choose warfare, disregarding U.S. efforts to halt the violence.
On Wednesday night, Russia launched another wave of attacks, firing a total of 104 Shahed and decoy drones across Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force managed to intercept, jam, or lose track of 88 of these drones mid-flight. Luckily, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage resulting from this attack.
For further updates on the ongoing situation in Ukraine, please refer to the coverage available through various news platforms.
