Russia ‘hasn’t confronted sufficient strain’ —Ukrainian, overseas diplomats react to in a single day assault on Kyiv

Western officers renewed requires more durable sanctions on Russia after a large-scale missile and drone assault hit Kyiv in a single day on Could 24, which injured over a dozen civilians and broken a number of residential buildings.

The assault got here simply hours after the beginning of the most important prisoner change between Ukraine and Russia.

Estonian International Minister Margus Tsahkna wrote on X: "Russia's continued aggression has a easy rationalization: it hasn't confronted sufficient strain to cease. The ability to vary that lies with us." He known as for elevated navy help, more durable sanctions, and actions concentrating on Russia's shadow oil fleet and frozen property.

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova described the assault as "one other horrific missile and drone assault," noting that areas the place her colleagues reside had been struck. "If anybody nonetheless doubts Russia needs struggle to proceed — learn the information," she wrote.

Ukrainian International Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the assault as Russia's "response to worldwide peace efforts," referencing the dearth of progress since final week's assembly in Istanbul. "As a substitute of sending its so-called 'peace memorandum,' Russia sends lethal drones and missiles at civilians," Sybiha stated.

"There have been many fires and explosions within the metropolis in a single day," President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on X. "Residential buildings, vehicles, companies have been broken. Sadly, there are accidents."

Ukraine's Air Pressure stated it intercepted six ballistic missiles concentrating on the capital and shot down 128 of the 250 Shahed-type drones launched nationwide.

The assault on Kyiv comes only a week after Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul for peace talks that ended with no ceasefire settlement. Throughout the Could 16 assembly, Moscow demanded Kyiv withdraw from 4 Ukrainian areas it claims to have annexed, regardless of missing full management over them.

Ukrainian officers stated the Russian delegation appeared to lack actual authority and was unprepared to barter substantive phrases.

One final result of the talks was a large-scale prisoner change, with 1,000 prisoners returning on either side starting Could 23. Ukraine had additionally proposed an instantaneous ceasefire and a possible face-to-face assembly between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin — a proposal Moscow declined.

Russia hits Kyiv with drones, missiles hours after largest prisoner exchange kicks offMultiple people were injured as multiple waves of explosions rocked Kyiv overnight on May 24 during a massive Russian drone and missile attack.The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn