Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged Western nations to deliver a decisive response to Russia’s relentless drone attacks, which have become an almost daily occurrence.
Shortly after Zelenskiy’s remarks in his nightly video address, officials in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, reported a large-scale Russian drone strike that left one person dead and injured up to 14 others. Meanwhile, overnight attacks in Dnipro resulted in four fatalities, while drone strikes on Kryvyi Rih wounded nine more people.
“Our partners must understand that these Russian strikes target not only our people, but also all international efforts, diplomatic efforts aimed at ending this war,” Zelenskiy said. He highlighted that 172 drones had been launched against Ukraine overnight, with Ukrainian military forces successfully downing 94 of them.
“Russia is striking against everyone who seeks to end the war. It is impossible to ignore hundreds of (Iranian-designed) Shaheds every night. We expect a response, a serious response. We are working to ensure there is a strong reaction, especially from America, Europe, and all those in the world who rely on diplomacy.”
'Russia is striking against the positions of everyone who seeks to end the war,' Ukraine's Zelenskiy said, as he called upon a strong response from Western countries https://t.co/QcX5kCZIN1 pic.twitter.com/241IVr8viZ
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 30, 2025
Also Read | Russian Drone Strikes Kill Two, Injure Dozens in Kharkiv
The United States has recently brokered two ceasefires—one to facilitate Black Sea shipping and another aimed at halting attacks on energy infrastructure. However, Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of violating the agreement concerning energy sites.
In his address, Zelenskiy also detailed discussions with Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, regarding the ongoing conflict along the 1,000-km (621-mile) frontline. He noted that they reviewed areas “where our forces are operating inside Russian territory.”
Also Read | Sharaa Appoints New Cabinet in Syria’s Post-Assad Transition
“We are maintaining active measures that prevent the occupiers from advancing into (Ukraine’s) Sumy and Kharkiv regions,” Zelenskiy stated.
Ukrainian forces continue to hold a presence in Russia’s western Kursk region, months after a cross-border incursion. Meanwhile, Russian forces have regained some of the lost territory. On Friday, Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukrainian troops had taken “certain steps” beyond the Kursk region to ease pressure on Ukrainian defenders in the area.
