Ukrainian President Reports on Russian Missile Strike
In a tragic event, a Russian ballistic missile strike on a hotel in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, resulted in the deaths of four individuals, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Fortunately, a group of British and American humanitarian volunteers survived the attack after managing to evacuate their rooms shortly after checking in.
In a detailed update shared via Telegram, Zelensky described the extensive rescue operation at the Centralny Hotel, which lasted throughout the night. He noted that more than 30 people sustained injuries, with 14 out of the 31 injured reported to be in serious condition, according to Serhiy Lysak, the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The missile strike occurred amid a backdrop of reduced military aid and intelligence support from the United States to Kyiv, a development that could significantly impact Ukraine’s capability to defend against Russian missile attacks. Zelensky emphasized the shocking nature of the attack, stating, “Ballistic missiles hit an ordinary hotel. Just before the strike, volunteers from a humanitarian organization—citizens of Ukraine, the United States, and Britain—checked into the hotel. They survived because they managed to get down from their rooms. But, unfortunately, four people were killed in the attack.”
Rescue teams worked tirelessly at the site of the missile strike, where they faced the daunting task of navigating through the wreckage. As reported by Ukraine’s Emergency Services, 19 individuals were successfully rescued from the debris of the hotel, which is situated in Zelensky’s hometown. Images captured at the scene depicted rescue crews making their way through piles of rubble outside the floodlit five-storey structure and ascending and descending ladders to reach those trapped inside.
Witnesses reported that smoke billowed from the top of the hotel, with nearly all its windows shattered. A crane was deployed to assist in reaching the upper levels of the building. In addition to the hotel, the attack caused damage to 14 apartment buildings, a post office, and 12 shops, as confirmed by the governor.
As the situation unfolds, Zelensky reiterated the urgent need for continued pressure on Russia to halt its aggressive actions, stating, “There can be no pause in the pressure on Russia to stop this war and terror against life.” The Ukrainian military indicated that, during the same night, Russian forces launched two ballistic missiles and a staggering 112 drones at various targets across Ukraine, with some drones reportedly hitting energy infrastructure in the southern region of Odesa, resulting in injuries to two people.
(This story is being updated)
