Kyiv, 24 May 2025 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his appeal for a ceasefire following a large-scale Russian missile and drone assault overnight. In a statement issued on Saturday morning, the Ukrainian leader underscored Kyiv’s repeated offers to halt hostilities, saying Moscow remains the key obstacle to peace.
The remarks were made via the President’s official Telegram channel, in response to one of the most intensive bombardments of Ukrainian territory in recent months.
“It was a difficult night for all of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. “With every such strike, the world is reminded that the reason for this prolonged war lies in Moscow. Ukraine has repeatedly offered a ceasefire – both comprehensive and air-specific. All such proposals have been ignored. Clearly, there must be significantly stronger pressure on Russia to achieve tangible results and initiate genuine diplomacy.”
The President also emphasised the need for an urgent international response, particularly from Ukraine’s key partners. He called for increased sanctions from the United States, the European Union, and allied nations as a means of countering further escalation.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force Command, Russian forces launched 14 Iskander-M and KN-23 ballistic missiles during the night of 23–24 May. In addition, approximately 250 attack drones were deployed across multiple regions of Ukraine. Full casualty figures and the extent of damage to civilian infrastructure have yet to be officially confirmed.
Ukrainian military sources reported that air defence systems intercepted a number of the incoming projectiles, though several managed to strike targets on the ground. The scale and timing of the assault suggest an ongoing Russian campaign aimed at exhausting Ukraine’s aerial defence capacities and striking logistical and energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy’s statement did not specify the precise areas hit, but regional authorities have reported explosions and power outages in several regions of Ukraine, including Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, and Kharkiv. Emergency response teams have been deployed, and repair operations are ongoing.
President Zelensky’s comments reflect growing frustration in Kyiv over what it perceives as delays or insufficient measures from international partners. There have also been renewed appeals for additional air defence systems, particularly Patriot and IRIS-T platforms, as Russian aerial attacks increasingly target civilian areas and critical infrastructure.
In his address, Zelenskyy stated that the continued Russian refusal to engage with ceasefire proposals not only prolongs the war but also undermines international legal norms and threatens broader European security.
“This war will not end through silence or indifference,” he said. “It requires action – coordinated, principled, and firm.”
The overnight attack follows a series of escalations over the past month, including intensified ground operations in eastern Ukraine and renewed activity along the Black Sea coast. Intelligence assessments by Ukrainian and Western agencies suggest that Russia may be seeking to exert pressure ahead of the upcoming G7 summit, at which Ukraine’s military and economic support is expected to be a key agenda item.
As of Saturday morning, Ukraine remains on high alert, with air raid warnings active in multiple regions. Authorities are urging civilians to remain vigilant and to follow safety instructions as further attacks are considered possible.
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