Outrage in Kyiv as Deadly Russian Missiles Hit EU Delegation Office
KYIV — The head of the European Union’s executive Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has expressed her shock and horror at Russia’s recent devastating attack on Kyiv, the deadliest since July. The assault not only claimed the lives of seventeen people, including four children, but also caused significant damage to the EU’s delegation office in the Ukrainian capital.
A five-story residential building was completely destroyed in the bombardment, with the EU mission and the nearby British Council also suffering damage.
In a scathing statement, von der Leyen condemned the Russian missiles for striking dangerously close to the diplomatic mission, stating that “Two missiles hit in a distance of 50m (165ft) of the delegation within 20 seconds.”
The overnight attacks came on the heels of a US-led diplomatic initiative aimed at ending the conflict, further enraging both the UK and the EU.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of undermining peace efforts, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas denounced the attacks as a deliberate escalation and mockery of peace initiatives.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for new, stringent sanctions on Russia, highlighting Moscow’s preference for military aggression over negotiation.
Despite claims by the Kremlin that they are open to negotiations, von der Leyen asserted that the recent strikes serve as a chilling reminder of Russia’s willingness to use terror and violence to intimidate Ukraine, even targeting innocent civilians and diplomatic entities like the EU.
An EU spokesperson emphasized that no diplomatic mission should ever be a target, leading to the summoning of the Russian charge d’affaires in Brussels in response to the attack. Similarly, the UK announced that Russia’s ambassador to London, Andrey Kelin, would be summoned to the foreign office.
The Ukrainian military reported nearly 600 drone strikes and over 30 ballistic and cruise missile attacks by Russia, marking the most significant assault on the capital in recent weeks.
The devastating impact of the missiles was felt most acutely in a residential building in the Darnytskyi district, where numerous lives were lost, including children as young as two years old. The destruction of the building left many trapped under rubble, with rescue efforts ongoing.
The assault on Kyiv came after Russian drone attacks left over 100,000 homes without power, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Zelensky condemned the attacks as a blatant rejection of peace efforts and called for international solidarity in the face of Russian aggression.
European leaders, including European Council President António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, expressed shock and horror at the latest attacks, with plans for additional sanctions on Russia already in motion.
As tensions escalate, diplomatic efforts continue, with discussions between the US and Ukrainian officials scheduled for the near future. Despite challenges, the push for peace and security in Ukraine remains a top priority for the international community. — BBC
