Zelenskyy Says U.S. And U.K. Nationals Narrowly Survived Russian Missile Attack On Ukrainian Hotel
by Siladitya Ray · ForbesTopline
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said a Russian missile struck a hotel housing American and British volunteers in the city of Kryvyi Rih, killing four people—although the U.S. and U.K. nationals managed to escape narrowly.
Key Facts
In a social media post, Zelenskyy wrote that Ukrainian authorities were carrying out an “all night rescue mission” at the site, which was struck by a Russian “ballistic missile.”
The Ukrainian leader said American, British and Ukrainian nationals who were volunteers from a humanitarian organization had checked into the hotel just before the strike.
The volunteers “survived because they managed to get down from their rooms in time,” Zelenkskyy said, before adding: “Unfortunately, four people were killed in this attack.”
More than 30 people were injured in the attack, but Zelenskyy did not mention if the U.S. or British volunteers were among those injured.
The Ukrainian president’s post included a video showing a heavily damaged building and rescuers carrying people out on a stretcher.
Crucial Quote
“There must be no pause in the pressure on Russia to stop this war and terror against life,” Zelenskyy’s post added.
Big Number
112 drones and two missiles. Those are all the weapons Russia launched at Ukraine on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Kyiv’s air defences managed to shoot down 68 of the drones, while 43 others were lost “without negative consequences,” the air force said.
Key Background
The continued missile attacks come amid a fallout between Zelenskyy and the Trump administration and a public shouting match between the two leaders last week inside the Oval Office. Since then, U.S. officials announced the suspension of all military aid to Ukraine. On Wednesday, Trump officials confirmed that all intelligence sharing with Ukraine has also been suspended to reportedly pressure Kyiv into agreeing with the White House’s plan to end its war with Russia. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump told Congress that he had received a letter from Zelenskyy that day indicating that Ukraine was ready to sign a deal that would allow the U.S. access to Ukrainian minerals as backpay for the military aid sent to the country.
Further Reading
Trump Says In Speech Zelenskyy’s Ready To Sign Mineral Deal—After Oval Office Shouting Match (Forbes)