Zelenskyy Slams U.S. Inaction After One of Russia’s Largest Strikes on Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed frustration with former U.S. President Donald Trump and the broader international response, calling for “concrete actions, not silence,” after a massive Russian assault hit seven of Kyiv’s ten districts overnight.
Russia launched an intense aerial barrage in the early hours of Tuesday, firing 315 drones and seven missiles across Ukraine, including in Odesa and other key regions. The capital, however, bore the brunt of the attack, which lasted more than five hours and appeared to be a retaliatory response to Ukraine’s recent Operation Spiderweb — a mission that targeted Russian strategic bombers last week.
Tuesday’s strikes killed three people and followed a record-breaking drone assault the night before, when Russia launched 419 drones. Ukraine’s air defense managed to shoot down seven missiles and intercept 213 drones, while 64 others were either jammed or disappeared from radar due to electronic warfare.
Among the cultural casualties was Kyiv’s iconic St. Sophia Cathedral — a UNESCO World Heritage site. Culture Minister Mykola Tochytskyi reported that the main apse of the 11th-century structure was damaged, calling the site “the soul of all Ukraine.” In a social media post, he wrote, “The enemy struck at the very heart of our identity again.”
In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy implicitly criticized Trump and others for failing to respond decisively to Russia’s escalating aggression. Trump has hesitated to support further sanctions against Moscow, prompting concern in Kyiv.
“Russian missile and Shahed drone strikes are speaking louder than global efforts to force Russia toward peace,” Zelenskyy said. “Every night, instead of a ceasefire, Ukraine faces waves of Shaheds, cruise missiles, and ballistic attacks. Today’s assault was one of the largest ever on Kyiv. Odesa, the Dnipro region, and Chernihiv were also hit.”
He noted that 250 of the drones used in the latest attacks were Iranian-made Shaheds, and two of the seven missiles were reportedly of North Korean origin.
Zelenskyy condemned the strikes on civilian infrastructure, saying residential buildings were hit and even a maternity hospital in Odesa was targeted. “Thirteen people were wounded. Sadly, lives were lost. My condolences go to the families of the victims,” he said.
Calling for a firm international response, he urged the United States, Europe, and other nations to take decisive action: “The world’s answer must not be silence, but concrete steps. America has the power to force Russia toward peace. Europe has no option but strength. And those globally who have advocated diplomacy must recognize that Russia continues to ignore them. Peace requires hard pressure.”
In response to recent developments, the European Union was expected to announce a new package of sanctions on Tuesday, including a proposal to lower the price cap on Russian oil exports from $60 to $45 per barrel.
Amid the escalating violence, there was a rare moment of progress: Zelenskyy confirmed another prisoner exchange with Russia. “We have secured the return of our injured and severely wounded soldiers from Russian captivity,” he said, adding that further exchanges are expected following last week’s agreement to release over 1,000 prisoners on both sides.
Kyiv Wakes to Devastation After Hours of Drone Strikes
The assault on Kyiv began around 1 a.m., marked by the now-familiar buzz of drones overhead, followed by a series of explosions that shook the city throughout the night. The all-clear sirens didn’t sound until 5 a.m., signaling the end of one of the capital’s most intense attacks in months. As residents emerged from shelters and homes, smoke hung in the air, and the streets bore the scars of the bombardment—burned-out vehicles and charred apartment buildings standing as grim evidence of the night’s violence.
Due to the lingering smoke and deteriorating air quality, city officials urged residents to keep their windows shut and avoid outdoor activities on Tuesday morning.
“It was a difficult night for all of us,” wrote Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, on Telegram. “The enemy terrorized Kyiv relentlessly with drones, targeting civilian infrastructure and peaceful residents.”
In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha renewed calls for more robust international support, urging immediate action. “Russia continues to reject any real peace process and must face new, devastating sanctions—right now. There is no time left to wait,” he said.
In Odesa, 10 drone strikes left nine people injured and killed two, including a 59-year-old man. A maternity hospital was among the buildings damaged in the attack. “The Russians hit a maternity hospital, an emergency medical facility, and residential buildings,” said Oleh Kiper, governor of the Odesa region.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Zelenskyy, emphasized that Russia continues to deliberately strike civilian targets. “Russia lies daily about wanting peace, yet every day it targets civilians,” he wrote.
Russia’s defense ministry offered a different account, claiming its forces had carried out a “group strike” on military-related targets in Kyiv. The ministry stated that it had hit “Ukrainian aviation, missile, armored vehicle, and shipbuilding facilities,” adding: “The objective was achieved. All designated targets were struck.”
