Zelensky slams Putin’s ‘lame excuses’ for not ending war in Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of “terrorising” Ukrainians following recent attacks that set a market ablaze and targeted schools. A guided Russian aerial bomb struck an apartment building in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, injuring 15 individuals, including children, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, reports BritPanorama.
“Anywhere in the world, this choice of targets would be called by one word – terrorism. Russia has no military objective whatsoever in doing this – it is purely an attempt to break people and inflict as much harm as possible on our society,” Zelensky stated.
He further noted that if Russia were genuinely preparing for de-escalation, as it claims, these attacks would not be occurring. Meanwhile, Germany has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the “dangerous path of escalation” against NATO countries, emphasising the need for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.
In a separate incident, the Russian defence ministry announced an attack on a cargo ship carrying military goods to the port of Odesa, inflicting damage also on Ukrainian energy and logistical infrastructure. This followed reports of multiple drone strikes causing damage in Kyiv.
Despite ongoing conflict, both sides maintain they do not target civilians, although the mounting toll on Ukrainian infrastructure raises questions about broader military objectives. As tensions escalate, the international community continues to closely monitor developments and implications for regional stability.
