The United States has described Russia’s recent massive strikes on Kyiv as an “unexplainable, dangerous, and barbaric escalation” and called for an immediate ceasefire. At the same time, Ukraine urged its partners to increase air defense assistance by at least tenfold.
The statements were made by U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Tammy Bruce and Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN Andrii Melnyk during a meeting of the UN Security Council, according to Ukrinform.
Bruce said the latest Russian attacks on Kyiv, including the use of “Oreshnik” ballistic missiles, resulted in civilian deaths and injuries to more than 100 people.
She noted that museums, public transportation facilities, residential buildings, and other civilian infrastructure were damaged or destroyed during the strikes.
“The latest massive strikes on Kyiv by Russia, including the deployment of Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles, represent an unexplainable, dangerous, and barbaric escalation,” Bruce said.
She stressed that deliberate attacks against civilians are unacceptable and reprehensible.
Bruce also expressed serious concern over Russia’s failure to comply with its international obligations to protect diplomatic facilities and personnel.
She emphasized that diplomacy and negotiations remain the only path toward a lasting peace.
“The United States once again calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire as a step toward a durable negotiated end to the war,” Bruce said.
Meanwhile, Andrii Melnyk called on European and American partners to significantly increase support for Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
“Ukraine calls on its European and American partners to increase air defense assistance by at least tenfold,” the diplomat said.
According to Melnyk, the new scale of Russia’s aerial terror requires a response of an entirely different scale to better protect Ukrainian cities and save civilian lives.
He also urged UN member states to take stronger measures to deprive Russia’s military machine of financial resources.
In addition, Melnyk again called on the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as well as the release of all prisoners of war and unlawfully detained civilians under an “all-for-all” exchange formula.
The UN Security Council meeting was convened to discuss the escalation of Russian attacks against Ukraine’s civilian population.
