Russian missiles and drones ripped through apartment blocks in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday, August 28th, killing at least ten people in what President Volodymyr Zelensky said represented a clear disregard for peace negotiations.
The attack had blasted a five-storey crater in one apartment block, ripping the building in two, images posted by Zelensky showed. The EU mission’s building was also damaged in the strike.
“Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war,” Zelensky said on social media. “This means that Russia still does not fear the consequences.”
Zelensky called for a tough response from Ukraine’s allies, including fresh sanctions. He also called on Russia’s ally China and EU member Hungary to take a much tougher stance against Moscow.
“All deadlines have already been broken, dozens of opportunities for diplomacy ruined. Russia must feel accountable for every strike, for every day of this war,” he said.
The attacks come a day after the Kremlin rejected the chances of a swift meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kyiv says such a summit is crucial to breaking the deadlock over how to end the war.
On Wednesday, Putin’s spokesman said Russia viewed the idea of a European peacekeeping force, seen by Kyiv as vital to deterring a future Russian attack, “negatively”.
