Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked Ukraine’s allies for condemning Russian strikes after one of many deadliest days for civilians in his nation to date this yr.
Ukraine’s president described the assaults as a “vile and inhumane intimidation tactic” by Russia.
Whereas a warning by Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin to cease “pounding” Ukraine or else, seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Russia launched heavy aerial attacks in a single day into Saturday after the White Home administration suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
The US has been piling strain on President Zelenskyy’s authorities to cooperate in convening peace talks with Russia.
American aerospace firm Maxar Applied sciences stated on Friday it had disabled entry to its satellite tv for pc imagery for Kyiv. Its potential to strike inside Russia and defend itself from bombardment may be very a lot diminished with out such pictures.
At the least 22 folks had been killed in a number of Russian assaults, together with 11 within the frontline city of Dobropilla in Ukraine’s embattled japanese Donetsk area.
Russia fired two ballistic missiles into the city centre, then launched a strike focusing on rescuers who responded, in response to Mr Zelenskyy. Forty-seven folks, together with seven youngsters, had been injured within the assault.
“It’s a vile and inhumane intimidation tactic to which the Russians typically resort,” he stated.
The president added: “It was one of the brutal strikes, a mixed one. The strike was intentionally calculated to trigger most injury. Missiles, together with a Shahed drone, focused the central a part of the city.
“9 residential buildings had been hit. Additionally, the purchasing centre and shops had been struck.”
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Individuals stand on the web site of an house constructing hit by a Russian missile strike in Dobropillia. Pic: Reuters
One other seven folks had been killed in 4 cities near the frontline the place Russian troops have been making regular advances, stated regional governor Vadym Filashkin.
Three others died when a Russian drone hit a civilian workshop within the northeastern Kharkiv area, emergency providers reported. And one man was killed by shelling within the area.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine stated it was considered one of 2025’s deadliest assaults for Ukrainian civilians.
Pic: Reuters
Some 24 hours earlier, Russia struck Ukrainian power amenities utilizing dozens of missiles and drones.
The assaults hampered Ukraine’s potential to provide energy to its residents and run weapons factories very important to its defences.
When requested on Friday if Russian President Vladimir Putin was profiting from the US pause on intelligence-sharing to assault Ukraine, Mr Trump responded: “I feel he is doing what anyone else would.”
Mr Zelenskyy didn’t point out intelligence-sharing on Saturday, however stated he welcomed Mr Trump’s proposal to herald banking sanctions and tariffs on Russia till a ceasefire and ultimate peace settlement is reached.
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Mr Zelenskyy additionally stated: “I’m grateful to all of the leaders, all these diplomats of our accomplice nations, all public figures who assist Ukraine, who’ve condemned these Russian strikes and who name all issues by their correct names.
“And it’s important that we proceed coordinating all our efforts with our companions to make sure that our defence works successfully and that we do all the things to deliver peace nearer.”
Mr Zelenskyy has stated he and different senior Ukrainian officers will go to Saudi Arabia subsequent week to debate proposals aimed toward ending the warfare.
In a publish on X, he wrote he was set to fulfill Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, and his staff would stay within the nation to have talks with US officers.
