World Leaders Condemn Massive Russian Attack on Ukraine

Politicians around the world have strongly condemned Russia’s attack on peaceful cities and called for more weapons to be transferred to Ukraine.

After Russia carried out missile attacks on a host of Ukrainian cities on Monday, Oct.10, world leaders expressed their concerns and strongly condemned Russia’s deadly actions.

The French president’s office reported that Manuel Macron confirmed France’s commitment to increasing support for Ukraine, including military aid.

U.S. President Joe Biden also strongly condemned Russian aggression.

“The United States strongly condemns Russia’s missile strikes today across Ukraine, including in Kyiv. These attacks killed and injured civilians and destroyed targets with no military purpose. They again demonstrate the utter brutality of Mr. Putin’s illegal war on the Ukrainian people.” the official message stated.

Biden had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the same day, promising to continue supporting Kyiv, mainly by providing air defense systems, the White House press service reports.

“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., spoke today with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. He expressed his condemnation of Russia’s missile strikes across Ukraine, including in Kyiv, and conveyed his condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured in these senseless attacks. President Biden pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems.”

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reacted on his Twitter account.

“Human rights are universal. That is why we thought it important to co-sponsor the resolution to create a Special Rapporteur and hold the Kremlin accountable for the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia.” he tweeted.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russia’s “horrific and indiscriminate” missile attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Liz Truss urged G7 leaders to remain steadfast in their support of Ukraine during crisis talks on Tuesday, Oct. 10 following the Russian strikes on Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities.

“The overwhelming international support for Ukraine’s struggle stands in stark opposition to the isolation of Russia on the international stage,” she stated.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU Commission, posted a video with text on Twitter.

“Shocked and appalled by the vicious attacks on Ukrainian cities. Putin’s Russia has again shown the world what it stands for: brutality and terror. I know that Ukrainians will stay strong. With all the means, we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, unequivocally labeled the actions of  Russia as war crimes.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “deeply shocked” by the Russian air strikes. The attacks “constitute another unacceptable escalation of the war and, as always, civilians are paying the highest price,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.

Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Edgars Rinkevičs called for more weapons to be supplied  to Ukraine.

“By shelling Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, Russia shows its cowardice and true nature of a terrorist state; more weapons’ deliveries to #Ukraine are needed to stop this war and Russia,” he commented on Twitter.

The massive missile attack struck a number of Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro. Power infrastructure facilities were also targeted by the Russians, resulting in power supply problems in several regions. According to preliminary data from the Ukrainian State Emergency Service, as of Oct. 11 the attack had claimed the lives of 19 people and injured 105.

According to the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia fired at least 83 missiles at Ukraine, some of which were cruise missiles. Forty-three of them were shot down by anti-aircraft defense. Twelve Iranian-made kamikaze drones were also used in the attack, nine of which were shot down.