Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a vow to retaliate against Russia on Friday after placing red roses at the remains of a Kyiv apartment building that was hit by a Russian missile strike, resulting in the loss of 24 lives, including three children. While returning from China on Air Force One, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concerns to journalists that the attacks in Kyiv, initiated shortly after the expiration of a three-day ceasefire brokered by the U.S., could hinder diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
Following Russia’s most intense bombardment of the Ukrainian capital this year, search operations were terminated at the devastated building struck during the assault. Zelenskyy, after a meeting with senior military and intelligence officials to discuss retaliatory actions involving long-range strikes, asserted that Ukraine would not tolerate any assaults by the aggressor that result in the loss of Ukrainian lives.
The Russian forces, amid their full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022, launched over 1,500 drones and numerous missiles at targets within Ukraine over two consecutive days, according to Ukrainian authorities. Additionally, six individuals lost their lives in western Ukraine, a considerable distance from the conflict zone. Moscow’s Defense Ministry, as reported by the Russian state news agency RIA, stated that extensive strikes were conducted on Ukraine from Tuesday to Friday.
Zelenskyy earlier visited the scene of the attack in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district, laying flowers and interacting with rescue workers. Ukraine’s Interior Ministry reported that hundreds of rescuers worked tirelessly for 28 hours sifting through 3,000 cubic meters of debris, resulting in the recovery of 24 bodies and the rescue of approximately 30 survivors.
The day was declared a day of mourning in Kyiv, with flags lowered to half-mast and entertainment activities canceled or postponed. Residents paid tribute by bringing flowers, toys, and sweets to a memorial at the wrecked housing block, where around 20 Western diplomats expressed solidarity.
Despite the tragedy, the spirit of resilience was evident among Ukrainians. Zelenskyy stated that, based on preliminary investigations, a newly manufactured Russian Kh-101 missile was responsible for the attack on the building. Both sides have engaged in hostilities, with Ukraine launching drone attacks on Russia, resulting in casualties and damage on both sides.
Moscow has denied targeting civilians intentionally, although civilian structures in Ukraine have frequently been hit during the conflict. In a retaliatory response, Ukraine claimed to have targeted a Russian oil refinery in Ryazan, mirroring similar strikes conducted in recent months.