Russian Strikes Hit Ukraine Hard: Zelensky Shares Details on Casualties and Damage
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed the devastating impact of overnight Russian attacks on Sunday. At least three people, including a child, lost their lives, and dozens more suffered injuries across several regions. The strikes also wrecked homes, a kindergarten, and even government buildings, leaving communities in shock.
Zelensky pointed fingers at Russia for unleashing over 800 drones and 13 missiles—including four ballistic ones—into Ukrainian skies from Saturday night into Sunday. He shared these updates in a post on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting how emergency teams rushed to tackle the aftermath. "Several drones even crossed from Belarus into Ukraine," he noted, adding that the attacks felt like a "deliberate crime" that drags out the Russia-Ukraine war.
In Kyiv, the capital, residential buildings took the brunt. One apartment block saw floors collapse between the 4th and 8th stories, killing two people, including a young child. Zelensky offered his deepest condolences to their families. Dozens of injuries piled up in the city alone, and a fire broke out on the upper floors of the Cabinet of Ministers building after it got hit.
The destruction spread far and wide. In Zaporizhia, more than 20 houses and a kindergarten lay damaged. Warehouses burned down in Kryvyi Rih, while separate strikes claimed one life in Safonivka in the Sumy region and another in the Chernihiv region. Over in Odesa, a high-rise residential building suffered a direct hit. "Our emergency services are working non-stop wherever they’re needed," Zelensky said, praising the quick response across affected areas.
Zelensky didn’t hold back in calling out the timing of these attacks. "These killings happen now, when real diplomacy could have started ages ago—it’s a deliberate crime and a prolongation of the war," he wrote on X. He urged world leaders to act on promises made in Paris to boost Ukraine’s air defense systems. "Every extra system saves civilians from these vile strikes. The world can force the Kremlin to stop—just needs political will. Thanks to everyone helping us," he added. He also reminded everyone of Washington’s warnings that sanctions would follow if Russia refuses talks.
This comes hot on the heels of positive news from Thursday. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 nations—mostly from Europe—pledge to send troops as part of a potential Russia-Ukraine ceasefire plan. They won’t fight on the front lines but will form a "reassurance force" to support Ukraine on land, sea, or air if needed.
Macron shared this during a press conference with Zelensky after a "Coalition of the Willing" meeting, co-chaired virtually with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The group even hopped on a call with US President Donald Trump, and the US is set to lock in its contributions to security guarantees soon. Zelensky hailed it as a "concrete step forward" and stressed the need for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin—either one-on-one or with a third party—to push peace talks ahead.
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict rages on, these developments show growing international support for Ukraine’s defense and calls for diplomacy. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest Ukraine news and global responses to the crisis.
