In the wake of a devastating Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark reminder to the world of Russia's continued disregard for cease-fire efforts.
The attack, which claimed the lives of dozens of civilians, is a clear indication that Russia "chooses to kill," according to Zelenskyy.
As reported by American Military News, the Ukrainian President made these remarks on June 19 while visiting the site of a nine-story building that had been reduced to rubble following a direct missile hit during the intense aerial assault two nights prior. "This vile attack, carried out in the middle of the night, claimed the lives of 23 civilians," Zelenskyy stated, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.
The capital city was not the only area affected by the massive attack on June 17. Emergency services reported that five people were killed in other parts of Kyiv, and over 150 people were wounded throughout the city and beyond. The Black Sea port city of Odesa also suffered casualties, with at least two people killed.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to international partners who understand the need for Ukraine to grow stronger each day and are willing to exert pressure on Moscow. "I thank everyone who is ready to exert pressure on Moscow in a way that makes them feel the true cost of this war," he said.
These comments came in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that he is ready "to find a solution" to the war on Ukraine and is open to potentially meeting with Zelenskyy. However, during a meeting with representatives of international news agencies on the sidelines of an economic forum in St. Petersburg on June 18, Putin reiterated some of his hardline positions, showing no signs of willingness to make significant concessions.
Putin emphasized the need for a solution that would not only end the current conflict but also prevent similar situations from recurring in the future. He reiterated his stance that any peace deal must address what he calls the "root causes" of the war, a phrase he uses to question Ukraine's sovereignty, its choice of security partners, and its right to maintain a robust military.
Despite several rounds of direct peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2, no progress has been made towards a cease-fire or a peace deal. These negotiations were the first of their kind since the initial weeks of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which Putin launched on February 24, 2022. The talks did result in agreements on prisoner swaps and the exchange of bodies of soldiers killed in the war.
On June 19, another series of prisoner exchanges took place, bringing back Ukrainian soldiers who had fought on various front lines, including in the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions that were liberated by Ukrainian forces months into the Russian invasion in 2022. "Most of them had been held captive since 2022 Our goal is to free every single one of them," Zelenskyy added.
Putin suggested that talks could resume after June 22, a date he has previously proposed for a major new swap of prisoners and the bodies of the dead. However, he stated that he would only meet with Zelenskyy in the "final phase" of any peace negotiations. Despite Zelenskyy's attempts to arrange a meeting, the Kremlin insists that an agreement on a deal must be reached first. Putin also repeated his unfounded claim that Zelenskyy is not a legitimate leader.
The West has responded to Russia's actions by imposing sanctions and strengthening NATO forces on its eastern flank. Human rights groups have also accused Russian forces of committing major rights violations and war crimes during their military operations. Putin's refusal to agree to cease-fire terms proposed by US President Donald Trump has drawn widespread criticism from Western allies. On June 19, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha noted that 100 days have passed since Kyiv accepted Trumps proposal for an unconditional, extendable 30-day cease-fire.
Despite these efforts, Russia has continued and in some cases intensified its bombardments of Ukrainian cities, pushing to make further gains along the long front line, which stretches from northeastern Ukraine to the Black Sea shore in the south.
In the midst of ongoing Russian air attacks, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that it had shot down or otherwise neutralized 88 of the 104 drones fired by Russia on June 19. The Russian Defense Ministry, on the other hand, claimed that its forces had downed 85 Ukrainian drones over 11 Russian regions and Russian-occupied Crimea.
Putin, showing no signs of readiness to make concessions, vowed that Moscow will "demilitarize" Ukraine through diplomacy or force. He has consistently pushed for a radical reduction in the size of Ukraines military during the 2022 talks and recent negotiations, a move that Kyiv and its backers argue would leave it defenseless. "We will not allow Ukraine to have armed forces that would threaten the Russian Federation and its people," Putin said. "And if we fail to reach a settlement, we will achieve our goals by military means."
Despite ample evidence to the contrary, Putin denied targeting civilians in Russian attacks on Ukraine. "The strikes were carried out against military industries, not residential quarters," he claimed.
However, the UN has reported that the confirmed civilian death toll in Ukraine since the start of Russias full-scale invasion is over 13,000, with many of the growing number of civilian casualties caused by Russian long-range missile and drone attacks. Officials believe the actual civilian toll is likely much higher.
In a significant development on June 19, Zelenskyy appointed Hennadiy Shapovalov as commander of Ukraines land force, replacing Major General Mykhaylo Drapatiy, who resigned following a deadly Russian strike on a troop training area. This change in leadership underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine as it continues to resist Russian aggression and strive for peace.
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