President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed retribution against Russia on Friday after laying red roses at the rubble of a Kyiv apartment building where a Russian missile strike killed 24 people, including three children. The strike occurred hours after a three-day US-brokered ceasefire expired, potentially disrupting diplomatic efforts, according to US President Donald Trump, who spoke aboard Air Force One on his return from China.
Search Operations Concluded
Search operations were called off at the building, which was struck on Thursday during Russia's heaviest bombardment of the Ukrainian capital this year. Zelensky stated, "Ukraine will not allow any of the aggressor's strikes that take the lives of our people to go unpunished," after meeting with top military and intelligence officials to discuss retaliatory long-range strikes.
Retaliatory Actions Approved
In his nightly video address, Zelensky confirmed that retaliatory actions had been approved, pointing to an overnight strike on an oil refinery in the central Russian city of Ryazan. The Ukrainian military reported a large fire at the facility. Zelensky said, "Last night, the enemy already saw hits, including on their oil facilities and military facilities. We are continuing the operations." The governor of Russia's Ryazan region reported four deaths in that strike, which also damaged high-rise apartment buildings.
Survivor Recounts Horror
Zelensky earlier visited the attack site in Kyiv's Darnytskyi district, laying flowers and speaking with rescue workers. Oksana Honcharenko, 57, a survivor, told Reuters: "When we opened the front door, we saw flames and an abyss. Half the staircase and the apartment across the hall were completely gone. We survived, but this pain is indescribable — it's heartbreaking." She added, "We didn't do anything to deserve this — why are our little children dying? We all pray and ask so much for this horror to end."
Massive Bombardment
Russia launched more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles at targets across Ukraine over two consecutive days, according to Ukrainian officials. Six people were also killed in western Ukraine, far from the front line. Moscow's Defense Ministry confirmed massive strikes from May 12-15, as reported by RIA.
Day of Mourning in Kyiv
Kyiv officials declared Friday a day of mourning, with flags at half-mast across the city of 3 million. Entertainment events were canceled or postponed. Residents brought flowers, stuffed animals, and sweets to a makeshift memorial at the destroyed housing block. About 20 Western diplomats attended to show solidarity. French Ambassador Gael Veyssiere remarked, "It demonstrates again that they are definitely not interested in any kind of peace discussions right now."
Ukraine's Interior Ministry reported that hundreds of rescuers had sifted through 3,000 cubic meters of rubble. Officials said 24 bodies had been recovered and about 30 people rescued alive. Tetiana Prudyus, 34, who brought red roses, said of her friend found dead: "I want to say one thing. Even after this, we won't surrender. We're a very strong nation."
Missile Analysis
Zelensky said initial analysis showed the building was hit by a recently made Russian Kh-101 missile. Moscow denies deliberately targeting civilians but has frequently struck residential buildings and civilian infrastructure throughout the war.
