Zelensky slams Russia's 'destruction and death' after largest air strike on Ukraine

Russia on Sunday (Nov 17) launched one of the largest air strikes on Ukraine, which as per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky consisted of 210 missiles and drones, all allegedly targeting civilian infrastructure.

Taking to X, Zelensky said,"This morning began with one of the largest Russian strikes on Ukraine. 210 missiles and drones, including aeroballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as dozens of Shahed drones, were launched. All of them targeted civilian infrastructure—critical facilities like power plants and transformers."

Ukrainian officials have described the attack as one of the largest since the war began. The attack consisted of 120 missiles and 90 drones, including advanced aeroballistic and hypersonic missiles, reports AFP. The assault forced power cuts in Kyiv and two eastern regions.

Slamming Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky added that he "drowns the world in his rhetoric, but his only true message is written in destruction and death, delivered through every missile and drone Russia sends."

Civilian tragedy in Sumy

In Ukraine's northeastern region of Sumy, on Sunday, a Russian missile strike on a multi-story residential building killed 10 people, including two children, and injured 52 others.

Calling attention to the attack, Zelensky in his X post said: "This evening, a Russian missile hit a nine-story residential building. There are confirmed fatalities, including children. Many people are wounded."

The president of the war-torn nation added that while emergency services are on the scene and are doing everything to save lives, "what is still missing—and desperately needed—is the principled reaction of the world to this evil."

He urged global leaders meeting at the G20 Summit to act decisively and said: "These days, leaders of the G20 are meeting. The entire world needs them not to turn a blind eye to Russia’s continued terror. Only when the world reacts decisively can the situation change. Russia has involved North Korea in its war—and the reaction has been weak."

With the Ukraine war about to complete 1,000 days, Zelensky noted: "Russia has continued its terror for nearly 1,000 days—and the world’s decisions are still delayed."

This morning began with one of the largest Russian strikes on Ukraine. 210 missiles and drones, including aeroballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as dozens of Shahed drones, were launched. All of them targeted civilian infrastructure—critical facilities like power plants… pic.twitter.com/PriNcqjJ8C — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 17, 2024

Global outcry

The international community swiftly condemned the attacks. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, arriving in Brazil for the G20 Summit, called the assault "horrible" and reaffirmed the bloc’s unwavering support for Ukraine, especially in energy recovery efforts.

"We have seen the horrible, horrible attacks this night of Russia against Ukraine, destroying civil energy infrastructure and costing an incredible amount of human lives," she told Brazil's Globo News in an interview.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, called the attack on "energy and critical civilian infrastructure" a violation of international humanitarian law.

"Directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects is prohibited by international humanitarian law. Any such attacks are unacceptable and must end immediately."

(With inputs from agencies)