Zelensky slams 'weak' US reaction to Russian strike on his hometown

KYIV — Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky slammed the US embassy on Saturday for what he called a "weak" statement that did not blame Russia for a missile strike on his hometown that killed 19 people, including nine children.

In one of the deadliest strikes in recent weeks, a Russian missile on Friday evening struck a residential area near a children's playground in the central Ukrainian town of Kryvyi Rih.

Seventy-five people were wounded, at least 12 of them children, Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said after the end of emergency operations overnight, with city officials declaring three days of mourning.

Zelensky, in an emotional statement on social media, named each of the children killed in the attack, accusing the United States embassy of avoiding referring to Russia as the aggressor.

"Unfortunately, the reaction of the American Embassy is unpleasantly surprising: such a strong country, such a strong people — and such a weak reaction," he wrote.

"They are even afraid to say the word 'Russian' when talking about the missile that killed the children."

Zelensky singled out the US for criticism at a time when US President Donald Trump is pushing for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine while seeking a thaw in ties with Moscow.

The Ukrainian president took aim at US Ambassador Bridget Brink after she posted a message on X on Friday evening that said, "Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant."

Brink added that "this is why the war must end".

Zelensky wrote on Saturday: "Yes, the war must end. But in order to end it, we must not be afraid to call a spade a spade."

The Ukrainian leader was born in the industrial city of Kryvyi Rih, which had a population of about 600,000 people before the conflict broke out.

Located in Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region, it is about 60 kilometers from the front line, and has regularly been targeted by Russian drones and missiles.

Oleksandr Vilkul, head of Kryvyi Rih's military administration, said three days of mourning had been declared starting Monday.

Russia's Defense Ministry said it "delivered a precision strike" in the city "where commanders of formations and Western instructors were meeting".

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces retorted that Moscow was "trying to cover up its cynical crime" and "spreading false information". It accused Russia of "war crimes".

Attack on Kyiv

In Kyiv, a Russian missile attack killed one man and injured three other people early on Sunday, city officials said, as missile and drone strikes across the country left at least one more person dead.

Explosions were heard overnight and a dark plume of smoke rose up from the capital early on Sunday morning, Agence France-Presse journalists saw.

Meanwhile, Zelensky hailed "tangible progress" after meeting British and French military chiefs in Kyiv on Friday to discuss a plan by London and Paris to send a "reassurance" force to Ukraine if and when a deal on ending the conflict is reached.

Zelensky wrote on social media that the meeting with British Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin and French counterpart Thierry Burkhard agreed on "the first details on how the security contingent of partners can be deployed", without giving details.

Agencies via Xinhua