Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for urgent international support following a devastating Russian missile strike on Kharkiv, which injured more than 100 civilians. Posting on social media platform X, Zelenskyy confirmed that cruise missiles—likely Iskanders—struck a residential neighborhood and an industrial site near a housing area on Good Friday, the eve of Easter.
“One of the missiles detonated mid-air over a neighborhood. Ordinary apartment buildings were damaged. These were people simply living their lives—some elderly, some very young—and yet they became targets for Russia and its missiles,” Zelenskyy said.
He condemned the attack as an act of inhumanity and urged allies, particularly the United States, to provide Patriot missile systems to help protect Ukrainian civilians from future strikes.
“One must be an outright scumbag and despise life to carry out such missile strikes on an ordinary city on Good Friday, the eve of Easter. And when we appeal to our partners—primarily the United States—for Patriot systems and missiles for them that can protect against this Russian evil—against cruise missiles and ballistic threats—we are asking for the kind of protection every nation deserves,” he said.
Zelenskyy also announced an expansion of Ukrainian sanctions, targeting nearly 100 additional individuals and entities involved in missile production, including Russian and some Chinese companies. “Everyone who contributes to the killing and prolonging the war must be held accountable,” he said, adding that international sanctions coordination is essential. “Helping is the Christian thing to do—especially when there is a real opportunity to help.”
