In a recent development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his disappointment with the United States embassy for what he termed a "weak" statement that failed to hold Russia accountable for a missile strike on his hometown.
The attack resulted in the tragic loss of 18 lives, including nine innocent children.
According to AFP, this missile strike is one of the deadliest in recent weeks. The Russian missile hit a residential area near a children's playground in the central Ukrainian town of Kryvyi Rig on Friday evening. The initial attack was followed by assault drones. The Dnipropetrovsk governor, Sergiy Lysak, reported that 72 people were injured, including 12 children, in the aftermath of the strike. The city officials have declared three days of mourning in response to this devastating event.
Zelenskyy, in a heartfelt social media statement, named each of the children who lost their lives in the attack. He criticized the US embassy for not explicitly naming Russia as the aggressor. "Unfortunately, the reaction of the American Embassy is unpleasantly surprising: such a strong country, such a strong people - and such a weak reaction," Zelenskyy wrote. "They are even afraid to say the word 'Russian' when talking about the missile that killed the children."
The Ukrainian president's criticism was primarily directed towards the United States, as President Donald Trump has been advocating for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine while simultaneously seeking to improve relations with Moscow. Zelenskyy's comments were in response to a message posted by US Ambassador Bridget Brink, who was appointed by Trump's predecessor Joe Biden and has been ambassador since May 2022. Brink expressed her horror at the missile strike near a playground and restaurant, adding that "this is why the war must end."
Zelenskyy responded to Brink's statement, saying, "Yes, the war must end. But in order to end it, we must not be afraid to call a spade a spade." He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the true nature of the situation and the parties involved.
Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of Kryvyi Rig's military administration, announced three days of mourning on April 7, 8, and 9 in the city. He described the attack as "nothing less than a mass murder of civilians." Images shared by rescue services depicted several bodies, one of which was near a playground swing. "This is the kind of pain you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy," Lysak said.
Russia's defense ministry claimed that it "delivered a precision strike with a high-explosive missile on a restaurant" in the city "where commanders of formations and Western instructors were meeting." The commander of the Ukrainian army countered this claim, accusing Moscow of "trying to cover up its cynical crime" and "spreading false information" about the target of the strike. He labeled Russia's actions as "war crimes."
President Trump, who during his re-election campaign claimed he could end the three-year conflict within days, is pushing for a ceasefire agreement. However, his administration has yet to broker a deal acceptable to both parties. Zelenskyy argued that the missile attack demonstrated Russia's lack of interest in halting its full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.
"Russia does not want a ceasefire and we see it. The whole world sees it," he said. "The missile struck an area near residential buildings, a playground, and ordinary streets," he added, highlighting the civilian nature of the targeted area. He further condemned Russia's use of attack drones during the rescue operation, stating, "People who are capable of that kind of thing aren't human."
Kryvyi Rig, located in Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region and approximately 37 miles from the front line, has been a regular target of Russian drones and missiles. Zelenskyy, who was born in this industrial city, revealed that the children killed by the recent attack ranged in age from a three-year-old boy, Tymofiy, to a 17-year-old teenager, Nikita.
On Friday, Zelenskyy met with the heads of the British and French militaries in Kyiv to discuss a plan by London and Paris to send a "reassurance" force to Ukraine if and when a deal to end the conflict is reached. This move is one of the latest attempts by European leaders to agree on a coordinated policy after Trump sidelined them and initiated direct talks with the Kremlin.
Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating a supposed agreement to cease fire on energy sites, although a formal agreement has not been established. On Saturday, Russia once again claimed that Ukraine targeted its energy infrastructure, with the defense ministry stating that Kyiv had attacked 14 sites in the last 24 hours.
This ongoing conflict and the recent missile strike underscore the urgent need for a resolution that respects the sovereignty of nations and the sanctity of human life. As the world watches, the hope is for a swift and peaceful resolution that upholds these fundamental principles.
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