Ukraine Zelensky Condemns “Pure Terrorism” as Russia Launches One of Its Largest Attacks on Ukraine

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Zelensky Condemns “Pure Terrorism” as Russia Launches One of Its Largest Attacks on Ukraine

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he described as “pure terrorism” following a devastating overnight assault on Ukraine. The attack, which included more than 440 drones and 32 missiles, left at least 15 people dead and 116 others wounded across multiple cities.

 

 

“This was one of the most horrific attacks of the war,” Zelensky said, speaking in the aftermath of the assault. Ukrainian officials confirmed that 14 people were killed in Kyiv alone, while another fatality was reported in the southern port city of Odesa. “Such attacks are pure terrorism. And the whole world, the United States, and Europe must finally respond as a civilised society responds to terrorists,” the Ukrainian leader urged, emphasizing the need for decisive international action. He also noted that emergency responders were still trying to locate victims trapped beneath the rubble.

 

 

The barrage, which Ukrainian officials said was one of the largest since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022, destroyed a nine-storey residential building in Kyiv. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said 14 lives were lost in the capital and 99 people were injured.

Emergency workers remained at the site through the night, searching for survivors amid the wreckage of dozens of ruined apartments.

 

In Odesa, drone strikes killed one person and injured 17, according to Oleh Kiper, who heads the regional administration. The overnight bombardment spanned several hours, sending shockwaves across the country and raising alarms about the increasing intensity of Russia’s military campaign.

 

The attack came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that removing Russia from the G8 was a strategic blunder, hinting that the exclusion may have contributed to the current war. “This was a big mistake,” Trump said, suggesting that Russia’s 2022 invasion might not have occurred had Moscow remained part of the prominent group of industrialized nations. “Putin speaks to me. He doesn’t speak to anybody else ... he’s not a happy person about it,” Trump added.

 

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, alongside its G7 partners, is preparing to introduce a new round of sanctions targeting Russia. The move aims to escalate economic pressure on Moscow and cut off funds fueling its war machine. "We are finalising a further sanctions package – and I want to work with all of our G7 partners to squeeze Russia’s energy revenues and reduce the funds they are able to pour into their illegal war," said British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a statement.

 

 

The UK has already sanctioned more than 2,300 individuals, entities, and ships since Russia’s invasion began. Sir Keir stressed the importance of maintaining and intensifying this pressure. "We should take this moment to increase economic pressure and show President (Vladimir) Putin it is in his – and Russia’s interests – to demonstrate he is serious about peace."

 

As Ukraine reels from the latest wave of destruction, calls for stronger global action continue to grow louder, with Zelensky at the forefront, urging allies not to let such acts of violence go unanswered.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Independent  2025-06-18

 

 

[Tug]

God I wish we had a real American in the White House…just breaks my heart 

[dinsdale]

Took a while but I reckon this was Putin's retaliation for the "operation spiderweb" drone attack. Meanwhile on the battlefield Russian troops are making large (in the context of the ground war) advances. Note: No cheering for Putin going on with my comment.