At the site of a Russian ballistic missile strike in Kyiv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored the memory of those killed and received a report from the Minister of Internal Affairs.
The Head of State laid flowers at the wall of the residential building destroyed as a result of the massive Russian attack on the night of April 24. This attack claimed the lives of 12 people. Among the victims was a married couple and their 17-year-old son; their 14-year-old daughter is currently in the hospital.
“First and foremost, I would like to once again express condolences personally and, I am sure, on behalf of all our people. Sadly, for the tragic losses. For such a horrific strike by the Russian aggressor against our people, against our civilians,” the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the rescuers, police officers, and all those who assisted the victims and responded to the consequences of the strike.
The memory of Ukrainians killed by Russia was also honored by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, Minister of State for European Affairs of Ireland Thomas Byrne, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Sigitas Mitkus, 65 ambassadors of foreign states and international organizations, representatives of the Office of the President, and Government officials.
The Head of State expressed gratitude to the diplomats for their support of Ukraine and their solidarity with Ukrainian citizens.
“Your presence here is a sign of great respect for the Ukrainian people, for this struggle for life,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko reported to the President that the emergency search-and-rescue operations at the site of the tragedy were only completed this morning, and emergency recovery efforts are currently underway. According to him, 87 people were injured, including 10 children and 25 elderly people. More than 30 of the injured remain in hospitals, some with serious wounds and amputations.
In total, 51 apartment buildings and several non-residential structures were affected by this massive Russian missile strike.
“We have received statements from every resident of this neighborhood. The military administration and local authorities have already begun the relocation of these people,” the Minister noted.
The commemoration was attended by Ambassadors of Australia, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Vietnam, Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Indonesia, Ireland, China, Korea, Lithuania, Libya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Hungary, Finland, Croatia, Montenegro, Sweden, Japan, as well as Chargé d'Affaires of Austria, Algeria, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Spain, Italy, Canada, Germany, Palestine, South Africa, North Macedonia, Slovakia, the United States, Sudan, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, the Deputy Head of the Polish Mission, and heads of missions of GUAM, EUAM, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, the EU Humanitarian Aid Office, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, UNHCR, UNICEF, the EU, NATO, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme, and the International Organization for Migration.
