Zelenskyy criticizes the US for its “weak” response after Russia’s attack on his hometown, Kryvyi Rih, leaves 18 dead, including nine children.
The entire country was placed under air alert from 02:00 GMT after the Ukrainian air force warned of an imminent attack, including regions bordering Poland. This prompted Poland and its NATO allies to scramble aircraft to ensure air safety.
Ukraine’s air defense units managed to shoot down 13 out of 23 missiles and 40 out of 109 drones launched by Russia during an overnight attack, according to the air force. The drastic figures were further attributed to Ukrainian military efforts using electronic warfare to redirect the drones.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that 11 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed overnight over the Kursk, Belgorod, and Rostov regions.
Kryvyi Rih Attack
In Friday’s attack on Kryvyi Rih, at least 18 people, including children as young as three, lost their lives. The Russian missile hit a residential area near a playground.
In response, Zelenskyy expressed his emotions via social media, naming each of the nine children killed and criticizing the US embassy for what he considered a “weak” statement.
US Ambassador Bridget Brink had posted a message on X, stating she was “horrified” by the attack, without directly attributing it to Russia.
Zelenskyy wrote, “Unfortunately, the reaction of the American embassy is unpleasantly surprising: such a strong country, such a strong people – and such a weak reaction.”
Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of Kryvyi Rih’s military administration, declared three days of mourning starting April 7.
The attacks come as US President Donald Trump pushes for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, over three years into Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
Zelenskyy argued that the assault on Kryvyi Rih demonstrated Russia’s lack of interest in peace.
