President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media that nine children were killed in a Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih. The youngest of them, Tymofiy, was only three years old. He died in hospital today. Among the dead are seven-year-old Arina and Radislav, nine-year-old German, fifteen-year-old Daniel, Nikita and Alina, sixteen-year-old Konstantin and seventeen-year-old Nikita.
In total, 18 people were killed and 62 others were injured, including 12 children. The missile hit a residential area of the city – near houses, a shop, a restaurant and a playground. According to the President, there are seriously wounded people in hospitals, and doctors are fighting for their lives.
During the rescue operation in Kryvyi Rih, Russia struck again, this time with drones. The attack killed one more person and injured seven others.
Zelenskyy stressed that such actions are evidence of Russia’s extreme cynicism and hatred of people. He thanked the countries that have already expressed support for Ukraine following the tragedy, including the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Austria, Japan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany. At the same time, the President criticised the weak response of the US Embassy, which, according to him, did not even mention Russia as the culprit behind the missile strike.
The President stressed the need to strengthen sanctions against Russia, as well as pressure on it from the international community. He reminded that Ukraine continues negotiations with the United States on the supply of additional air defence systems, including Patriot systems.
‘It is possible to stop the killing of people, save the lives of children and establish a lasting peace only through the strength and coordinated work of partners,’ Zelenskyy concluded.