Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has requested all states condemn Russia’s 2 January missile attack on Ukraine and take “resolute action.”
The massive strike, which came just four days after a similar one on 29 December 2023, has been reported to kill at least four people and injure up to one hundred. It targeted Kyiv and Kharkiv, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power and destroying numerous apartment buildings.
Kuleba provided five steps that all countries can immediately take.
“Putin escalates terror against Ukraine. Today was already the second mass missile strike in just four days. Civilian infrastructure has been damaged; people, including children, have been injured and killed.
We expect all states to strongly condemn the attack and take resolute action. Here are the five steps that can be taken right now:
- Expedite the delivery of additional air defense systems and ammunition to Ukraine;
- Provide Ukraine with combat drones of all types;
- Provide Ukraine with long-range missiles of 300 km+ range;
- Approve the use of frozen Russian assets for assisting Ukraine;
- Isolate Russian diplomats in relevant capitals and international organizations.”
In commenting on the strike, President Zelenskyy thanked all of Ukraine’s partners for providing air defense systems to Ukraine:
“I am grateful to all the partners who help to strengthen our air shield. And it is obvious that this helps to save hundreds of lives every day and every night that would have been taken by Russian terror if not for Patriots and other protective systems.”
Ukraine reported intercepting a record 10 aeroballistic Kinzhal missiles during the strike, all of which targeted Kyiv. This is a feat possible with the US-made Patriot air defense system, which which has since its first historic downing of a Kinzhal in May intercepted 15 of these touted Russian missiles.
Read more about the strike: