"This despicable attack by Russia shows that it is necessary to exert more pressure and sanctions on Moscow," Zelensky added as he announced that rescue operations in the affected area had concluded.
After the attack, Germany reported this Friday that it will soon send two Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine. Thanks to an agreement with the United States, the German army will be able to transfer "Patriot launchers to Ukraine in the coming days and, in a second phase, other system components in the next two or three months," according to the German Defense Ministry.
Russia carried out a devastating bombing against Ukraine, which struck the city of Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday and resulted in a death toll of 31 civilians, including five minors.
The attack, in which missiles and drones were used, is considered one of the deadliest suffered by the Ukrainian capital since the beginning of the war in February 2022, also leaving nearly 159 people injured.
According to an analysis by AFP, Russia launched more drones over Ukrainian territory during July than at any other time since the invasion began. This demonstrates a rise in the intensity of the attacks, despite warnings issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
La destrucción por el ataque ruso.
The study, based on data provided by the Ukrainian Air Force, reveals that last month Russia fired 6,297 long-range drones at Ukraine, representing an increase of nearly 16% compared to June, marking the third consecutive month of rising figures.
Zelensky's message
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated this Friday the need to increase international pressure on Moscow. "Unfortunately, so far, we have confirmation of 31 dead, including five children. The youngest was only two years old," the president posted on social media.
La destrucción por el ataque ruso.
Additionally, in the early hours of Friday, a fatality was reported from another Russian attack in the eastern region of Zaporizhzhia, according to the local military administration via Telegram.
In the northeastern region of Kharkiv, one person was also reported dead, while in Kramatorsk, in the east of the country, authorities updated the toll from an attack that occurred on Thursday, raising the number of fatalities to three.
Trump's warning
The Russian attack took place after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a ten-day ultimatum to Vladimir Putin on Monday to end the conflict in Ukraine. Trump described the Russian offensive as "repugnant" and reiterated that his administration is determined to "impose sanctions" against Moscow.
In response to that warning, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, current vice president of the Security Council, replied on social network X that "every ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war." Trump replied this Thursday, warning him that he is entering "a very dangerous zone."
