Russian Drone, Missile Strikes Hit Multiple Ukrainian Cities Amid Zelenskyy Call for Global Pressure

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the massive Russian missile and Shahed drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Chernihiv, calling for stronger international pressure on Russia to achieve peace. Over 315 drones and seven missiles, including North Korean ballistic missiles, were launched in one of Russia's largest attacks, damaging residential areas and critical infrastructure such as a maternity hospital in Odesa, resulting in casualties. Ukraine’s air defenses successfully shot down the majority of the incoming drones and missiles through a combination of fire and electronic warfare, mitigating further destruction. Zelenskyy criticized the insufficient response from the United States, Europe, and the global community, emphasizing that silence is not an option and urging concrete actions to compel Russia to cease hostilities. These attacks followed Ukraine’s recent military actions, including striking Russian nuclear-capable bombers, which may have escalated the Kremlin’s offensive. The Ukrainian government and military continue to call for united international resolve and stronger sanctions to pressure Russia toward peace.