Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today called for Russia after he laid red roses at the ruins of an apartment building in Kiev where 24 people, including three children, were killed by a Russian missile strike yesterday (Thursday).
“Members of our emergency response services (…) worked without interruption for more than a day,” Zelensky said on Telegram after visiting the Darnitsky district, on the left bank of the Dnieper River, where the multi-storey residential building was located, and leaving some flowers and talking to rescuers.
“The Russians basically leveled an entire section of the building with their missile,” he said.
Russia launched more than 1,560 drones and dozens of missiles against Ukraine in less than 24 hours, Zelensky had pointed out yesterday (Thursday).
“We cannot accept as normal this behaviour of Russia – a Russia that deliberately destroys lives and hopes to go unpunished. Pressure is needed,” the Ukrainian president said today, reiterating his call to his country’s allies to help it strengthen its anti-aircraft defences.
Flags at half-mast
The mayor of the Ukrainian capital Vitali Klitschko declared a day of mourning today, with flags flying at half-mast in the city today and all cultural events cancelled or postponed.
Ukraine’s Interior Ministry noted that the search and rescue operation at the residential building – which has now been completed – lasted more than 28 hours, with rescuers moving 3,000 cubic meters of debris.
Kiev officials said 24 bodies were recovered from the rubble, while about 30 people were found alive. Nearly 50 people were injured and about 400 needed psychological support, the Interior Ministry said.
Zhelensky also said that, according to initial estimates, the missile that hit the building was a Russian Kh-101.
Russia has not commented on the strike.
