Kyiv, Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed retaliation against Russia after a missile strike destroyed an apartment block in Kyiv and killed 24 people, including three children. He said Ukraine would respond with long-range strikes against Russian targets.
Missile strike hits residential building
Ukrainian officials said the strike hit a residential building in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district on Thursday and was part of the heaviest bombardment of the capital this year. The attack occurred hours after the expiry of a three-day ceasefire brokered by the United States.
Zelenskyy cites long-range response
Speaking after meetings with military and intelligence officials, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would respond with long-range strikes against Russian targets. “Ukraine will not allow any of the aggressor’s strikes that take the lives of our people to go unpunished,” he said.
Claim of retaliatory operations
In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said retaliatory operations had already begun, referring to an overnight Ukrainian strike on an oil refinery in the Russian city of Ryazan. Russian authorities said the strike caused a large fire and damaged apartment buildings, and Russian regional officials said four people were killed.
Trump comments on diplomatic efforts
Travelling aboard Air Force One after a visit to China, Donald Trump told reporters the strikes on Kyiv could complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.
Rescue operations end and mourning observed
Search operations at the destroyed Kyiv building ended on Friday after emergency crews spent hours clearing thousands of cubic metres of rubble. Ukrainian authorities said around 30 people were rescued alive.
Kyiv observed a day of mourning, with flags lowered across the city and public entertainment events cancelled. Residents gathered near the site to leave flowers, toys and sweets in memory of the victims, and Zelenskyy laid red roses at the ruins.
What impact do you think the latest strikes could have on efforts to end the war?
