Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday accused Russia of targeting civilian areas in Kyiv with ballistic missiles, saying the strikes damaged university grounds, residential buildings and areas near a metro station. He said rescue operations were underway, with casualties reported and concerns that people could be trapped under rubble.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said emergency services had been deployed to the affected locations to rescue people and assess the damage. He added that the exact number of casualties was not yet known.
“Russian ballistic missiles struck the grounds of a university in Kyiv and the area around it – effectively the campus, Kyoto Park, the area near a metro station, and residential buildings. The exact number of casualties is not yet known. But tragically, there are victims. There are people injured. Rescue operations are underway. There is extensive damage, and there are also reports that people may be trapped under the rubble. All emergency services are at the scene and doing their work, saving lives,” Zelenskyy stated.
Zelenskyy says strike hit civilian areas
The Ukrainian president said the missiles struck crowded urban locations and alleged that no military facility was nearby. He described the attack as a strike on the city and its infrastructure, warning that further attacks remained possible.
“The missiles hit very crowded areas, and there is not a single military facility nearby. This was a strike directly on the city, on its infrastructure. Unfortunately, there may be more strikes coming. The attack with ‘shaheds’ is also continuing – against Kyiv and our other cities and communities,” he added.
Ukraine seeks faster air defence support
Zelenskyy renewed his appeal to international partners to deliver previously agreed military assistance without delays. He argued that bureaucratic hurdles in supplying air defence systems could leave Ukrainian cities exposed to further attacks.
“And it is precisely under such circumstances, when the threat is constant, when strikes can come at any moment and target cities and villages directly, that artificial delays in providing air defense to Ukraine help terror. It is important that political agreements be implemented promptly at the team level. It is important that our partners understand that Ukraine needs the proper tools to destroy Russian ballistic missile launchers. This would be the most effective way to save lives,” the president said.
President blames Moscow for continued war
Zelenskyy urged the international community to continue supporting Ukraine, arguing that the country should not be left to face the conflict alone. He accused Russia of continuing its campaign despite the civilian toll and called on partners to prioritise the protection of lives.
“It is important that the world sees that Russia is showing nothing but a desire to kill and continue waging war. Ukraine must not be left to face this alone, and it is solely Russia’s fault that the war is still going on and people are still dying. Please take care of yourselves. All partners should stand with Ukraine, with the protection of lives,” Zelenskyy concluded.
(With inputs from ANI)
Russian missiles hit Kyiv university grounds, residential areas, says Zelenskyy
