World leaders have stated that international support to Ukraine is critical following Russia’s massive missile strike on 2 January 2024.
At least four people were killed and 92 injured in the attack that targeted Ukraine’s largest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv. President Zelenskyy thanked Ukraine’s partners for providing air defense systems after the attack, in which a record 10 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles were intercepted with US-made Patriot air defense systems.
Writing on Twitter (X), Latvian president Edgars Rinkēvičs said that the New Year’s celebrations are over and that the West must get serious and act now.
Another set of brutal Russian air strikes against Kyiv this morning, innocent civilians again being victims of the Russian terrorism. Ukrainian air defense works well but Ukraine must get more help. New Year’s celebrations are over and the West must get serious and act now
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) January 2, 2024
Russia’s mass missile attack against Ukraine is a “crime against humanity, which will not go unpunished at the international tribunal,” said Estonia’s President Alar Karis:
Again a barbaric mass missile attack against ???????? civilians. This is a crime against humanity, which will not go unpunished at #internationaltribunal.
Western supplied air defence doing its job to help save lives. Let’s switch into a new gear in our support to help #Ukraine!— Alar Karis (@AlarKaris) January 2, 2024
Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Siliņa reiterated that Latvia strongly condemns Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and its people. “The critical need for immediate military and financial support for cannot be overstated,” she tweeted.
Russia inflicts terror upon innocent civilians in the cities of #Kyiv and #Kharkiv. #Latvia strongly condemns Russia’s attacks on #Ukraine and its people. The critical need for immediate military and financial support for ???????? cannot be overstated.
— Evika Siliņa ???????????????? (@EvikaSilina) January 2, 2024
European Council President Charles Michel stressed that the attack on Ukraine is evidence that Russia does not want peace:
For anybody believing the rumours that Russia is genuinely interested in peace talks, the record number of drones fired in the last 24 hours at Ukraine show the true intention of Moscow.
The attacks are all the more cynical given that the increase in their intensity coincides…
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) January 2, 2024
“Ukrainians do wonders with the air defense the West has provided, but they need more. Air defense systems to Ukraine NOW!” said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.
Today once again Kyiv residents started their morning with Russia's airstrikes on their homes. Civilian deaths, destruction& Kremlin's terrorism continues.
Ukrainians do wonders with the air defense the West has provided, but they need more.
Air defense systems to ???????? NOW! pic.twitter.com/KJrjimp6yD
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) January 2, 2024
UK Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris stated that Russia’s missile strike only strengthens Ukrainians’ resolve to defend their land and freedom:
Russians brought more death and destruction to Ukraine in this holiday season, with another mass missile attack on peaceful civilians this morning. When will they understand that this only strengthens Ukrainians’ resolve to defend their land and freedom? UK stands with Ukraine.
— Martin Harris (@MartinHarrisOBE) January 2, 2024
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic Jan Lipavský reminded that Russia accuses others of genocide and is again bombing civilian targets in Ukraine. It wants the west to get tired and give up on Ukraine, but that’s never going to happen, he tweeted:
Hypocritical Russia. It accuses others of genocide and is itself once again bombing civilian targets in Ukraine and murdering innocents. It wants us to be tired of war and give up on the Ukrainians.
But that is not going to happen. Not this year, not ever.
— Jan Lipavský (@JanLipavsky) January 2, 2024
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović-Burić tweeted that Russia’s missile strikes against Ukraine are war crimes:
Russia’s relentless attacks against Ukraine are unacceptable. Intentionally targeting civilians or civilian objects amounts to war crimes and serious violations of international law @coe
— Marija Pejčinović Burić (@MarijaPBuric) January 2, 2024
US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget A. Brink stated that it’s urgent and critical that Ukraine’s partners support Ukraine now – to stop Putin in Ukraine:
Russia’s relentless attacks against Ukraine are unacceptable. Intentionally targeting civilians or civilian objects amounts to war crimes and serious violations of international law @coe
— Marija Pejčinović Burić (@MarijaPBuric) January 2, 2024
Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the Russian missile attack on Ukraine, said that Moldova stands with Ukraine, and called for international support to Ukraine:
As 2024 begins, Russia’s brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities continue, causing death and destruction.
Moldova strongly condemns this aggression and stands firmly with Ukraine.
Unabated international support is crucial for Ukrainians to defend their sovereignty and people.
— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) January 2, 2024
- Ukraine’s air defense reported intercepting 72 of 99 missiles in the 2 January attack.
- During the attack, Poland scrambled F-16 fighter jets early Tuesday morning to “ensure the security of Polish airspace.”
- Ukraine’s foreign minister outlined five steps for partners to support Ukraine following the attack. They include the quick delivery of air defense systems, supplying Ukraine with combat drones and long-range missiles, using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, and isolating Russian diplomats.