25.04.2025 09:21
Russia has launched the heaviest attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, since the beginning of the war. At least 12 people have lost their lives. Speaking about the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, "According to initial reports, the Russians used ballistic missiles made in North Korea."
At least 12 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a major Russian missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had traveled to South Africa to meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa. Following the bombardment of Kyiv, Zelensky cut his visit short, stating that Russia's attacks must cease immediately and unconditionally.
Zelensky stated in a message on his Telegram account, "According to initial reports, the Russians used ballistic missiles made in North Korea."
Throughout the war, Ukraine has been the target of Russian airstrikes, but deadly attacks on Kyiv, which is better protected by air defense systems compared to other cities, are less frequent.
HOPES FOR A CEASEFIRE ARE FADING
The attacks came just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed anger towards his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky for refusing to accept Moscow's occupation of the Crimean Peninsula as a condition for peace. The bombardment further cast doubt on the U.S. efforts to push Russia and Ukraine towards a ceasefire.
REJECTED THE CALL FOR A CEASEFIRE
Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to respond to Zelensky's proposal to completely halt airstrikes on civilian targets and rejected last month’s call for a full and unconditional ceasefire from the U.S.-Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated on social media, "Putin shows that he respects no peace efforts with his words but only with his actions, and he only wants to continue the war," criticizing Moscow's "maximalist demands" for Ukraine to withdraw from more territory as a condition for peace.
"PUTIN ONLY SHOWS A DESIRE TO KILL"
Andriy Yermak, one of Zelensky's senior aides, also added, "Putin only shows a desire to kill." Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal stated that Russia has been "terrorizing Ukrainian cities throughout the night." Shmyhal said, "Cruise and ballistic missiles, drones, aerial bombs. While the world strives to establish peace, Russia cruelly and mockingly launches missiles at Ukrainian cities, killing people."