UK summons Russian envoy as EU, UN condemn its latest strikes on Kyiv

Andrei Kelin in London. May 2021.
Reuters

The United Kingdom has summoned the Russian envoy over its latest attack on Kyiv which killed civilians and damaged buildings including the EU delegation and the British Council.

At least 17 people, including four children, were killed in a wave of attacks on Ukraine's capital, according to Ukrainian officials.


Foreign Minister David Lammy in a post on X said that the killings and attacks must stop.
“Putin's strikes last night killed civilians, destroyed homes and damaged buildings, including the British Council and EU Delegation in Kyiv," he wrote.


United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns Russia's deadly missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.


Guterres again called for a ceasefire leading to peace "that fully upholds Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity," Dujarric said.


President of the European Council Ursula von der Leyen vehemently condemned Russia’s attack on the European Union Mission in Kyiv during the assault which lasted hours. She also pressed for stricter sanctions on Russia. 


 "This is another grim reminder of what is at stake. It shows that the Kremlin will stop at nothing to terrorize Ukraine, blindly killing civilians and even targeting the European Union," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels.


She said two missiles had struck near the office within 20 seconds of each other.


EU countries would soon come up with a 19th package of sanctions against Russia and were advancing work on how to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, she added.


German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also said he had been briefed of the latest round of attacks adding that they were ready to “defend peace”. 


The threat posed by Russia is real. We can see it here in the Baltic Sea too. I have been briefed in detail by soldiers in Rostock about the threat situation. We see daily actions by the Russian army. They are testing our readiness and our ability to defend ourselves."

Russia's Defence Ministry said its attack hit military industrial facilities and military air bases. Moscow has regularly denied targeting civilians but dozens have died in recent months during strikes on densely populated areas.

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