Zelenskyy Demands Action After Russian Strikes Kill 12

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the international community — and specifically the United States — to respond to Russia, after a wave of drone and missile strikes killed at least 12 Ukrainians over the weekend.

“Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day,” Zelenskyy said on X. “The world may go on a weekend break, but the war continues, regardless of weekends and weekdays. This cannot be ignored. Silence of America, silence of others around the world only encourage Putin.”

Today, rescuers have been working in more than 30 Ukrainian cities and villages following Russia’s massive strike. Wherever necessary, work continues – our emergency services are on the ground, providing assistance and supporting people. Thank you.

Nearly 300 attack drones were… pic.twitter.com/Mxx1a34kS2

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 25, 2025

The strikes hit Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Mykolaiv, Politico reported. In Zhytomyr, three children aged 8, 12, and 17 were killed, Ukraine’s state emergency service reported. Four more people were killed in the Kyiv region when residential buildings were set ablaze, and a 70-year-old man died in Mykolaiv when a drone struck an apartment building, according to the BBC. (RELATED: REPORT: Ukraine Sent Drone Operators And Drones To US-Designated Terrorist Group)

Zelenskyy also said that “determination matters now — the determination of the United States, of European countries, and of all those around the world who seek peace. Without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped.”

The deadly assault came during a rare moment of diplomatic progress — a massive prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia involving more than 1,000 soldiers and civilians in total.

Before the exchange, President Donald Trump praised the development, writing on Truth Social: “Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation. This could lead to something big???”

A Ukrainian official who spoke with POLITICO on condition of anonymity said, Trump was eager to highlight the breakthrough and “wanted to be the first to break the news about it.” Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov thanked Trump for his involvement, as Kyiv continues to seek high-level U.S. engagement in peace negotiations.

The Trump administration has remained actively engaged in back-channel talks with both Kyiv and Moscow. Last week,  Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly held a two-hour phone call to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire led by the United States. Trump described the conversation as “very successful.” While Putin has not yet agreed to a final deal, he signaled openness to a nonbinding memorandum outlining the next steps.