Ukraine: April 4-7, 2025.. Volodymyr Zelenskyy communiqués

1312 4.4.2025
Volodymyr Zelenskyy @ZelenskyyUa

A Russian missile struck an ordinary city, directly hitting a street in an area with residential buildings. Preliminary reports suggest it was a ballistic missile strike. As of now, 14 fatalities have been confirmed, including six children. My condolences to their families and loved ones.

The rescue operation is ongoing, at least five residential buildings have been damaged.

Russian strikes occur every day. People die every day. There is only one reason why this continues: Russia doesn't want a ceasefire, and we see it. The whole world sees it. Each missile, every attack drone proves that Russia seeks only war. And only the world's pressure on Russia, all efforts to strengthen Ukraine, our air defense, and our forces—can determine when the war will end.

The United States, Europe, and the rest of the world have the capacity to force Russia to abandon terror and war. And this must be ensured—peace is needed.

1651 4.4.2025

Rescue operations are currently underway in Kryvyi Rih following a Russian missile strike. As of now, 16 people are confirmed dead, including six children. In Kharkiv, rescue efforts continued all day after a targeted Russian drone strike. A deliberate attack by six “Shahed” drones. Sadly, five people were killed. Thirty-four were injured. My condolences to all the families and loved ones. In Kherson – another targeted strike by a Russian FPV drone hit an energy facility – the Kherson thermal power plant.

These strikes cannot be accidental – the Russians know exactly what they’re hitting. They know these are energy facilities that should be protected from attacks under what Russia itself promised to the American side. Every Russian promise ends with missiles or drones, bombs or artillery. Diplomacy means nothing to them.

That’s why pressure is needed – sufficient pressure on Russia so they feel the consequences of every lie, every strike, every single day they take lives and prolong the war. A ceasefire could have already been reached – it is Putin who rejects it, it is Moscow that has refused a ceasefire since March 11. It is they, in Russia, who want this war. And it’s obvious that Russia won’t be forced into peace just by talks or expectations.

I’m grateful to everyone in the world whose strength helps diplomacy and all efforts for a just peace become effective. We count on America, on Europe, on other partners – we count on their ability to put pressure on the sole cause of this war: Russia’s desire to destroy and kill.

0702 4.5.1025

Tragically, three-year-old Tymofii died in the hospital today. Seven-year-old Radyslav. Arina, who will forever be seven as well. Nine-year-old Herman. Fifteen-year-old Danylo. Fifteen-year-old Mykyta. Fifteen-year-old Alina. Kostiantyn, who will forever be sixteen. Nikita – seventeen. These are the children killed by a Russian ballistic missile strike on Kryvyi Rih. There were only a few minutes after the missile was launched from the enemy’s Taganrog area. Unfortunately, nine adults were also killed. My condolences to all the families and loved ones.

The missile struck right at the ordinary street with residential buildings, a playground, shops, and a restaurant around. Sixty-two people were injured in the attack, including twelve children. Some of them are in critical condition, they are currently in the hospitals. Doctors are doing everything possible to save lives.

In addition to that ballistic missile, the Russians launched attack drones against Kryvyi Rih yesterday during the rescue operation – in time of such grief for people. The drone attack injured seven people. One person was killed. There is simply no deeper level of cynicism, vileness, or hatred toward people than what Russia embodies today.

It is critically important not to leave this Russian strike on civilians, on the city – every such strike – without a response from the world. Kryvyi Rih and all of Ukraine have already been supported by many yesterday and today. I am grateful for the principled stance of the foreign ministers of the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Austria. I thank the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for her position and support. We value the principled statements made by the Embassies of Japan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany. Unfortunately, the response from the U.S. Embassy is surprisingly disappointing – such a strong country, such a strong people, and yet such a weak reaction. They are afraid to even say the word “Russian” when speaking about the missile that murdered children.

Yes, the war must end. But to end it, we must not be afraid to call things by their names. We must not be afraid to pressure the one who continues this war and ignores all the world’s proposals to end it. We must pressure Russia – the one choosing to kill children instead of choosing a ceasefire. There must be additional sanctions against those who cannot exist without ballistic strikes on their neighboring nation.  We must do everything in our capacity to save lives.

And we have discussed this, in particular with the American side, the additional air defense systems supply to defend against precisely these types of missile attacks. We count on our agreements with the President of the United States, who promised to help find more Patriots. And we count on the strength of the world to overcome this evil – this war, this Russian aggression.

Only through strength and coordinated action with partners can we stop the killing, save the lives of children, and establish lasting peace. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine – from the very beginning of this war, and especially on such tragic days.

Eternal memory to all our people whose lives were taken by Russian strikes

1500 4.5.2025

All day today—following the Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih—every effort has been made in the city to save lives. Some of the wounded, those in critical condition, were transported to Dnipro. Doctors are doing their utmost to save as many lives as possible. I am grateful to everyone involved in this effort—those who responded immediately and those still helping.

This strike is one of the darkest chapters for Kryvyi Rih. Tragically, 18 people were killed, including 9 children. The youngest was just 3 years old. My condolences to all their families and loved ones.

Last night and today, many around the world voiced their position in response to this strike—a clear rejection of Russian terror. To everyone who sees this and does not close their eyes, who speaks the truth clearly and directly—not only we in Ukraine, but the entire world should be grateful. Staying silent about the fact that it is Russia killing children with ballistic missiles is wrong and dangerous. It only emboldens the scum in Moscow to continue the war and keep ignoring diplomacy.

Weakness has never ended a war. That’s why I’m thankful to every country whose representatives have spoken out—leaders, foreign ministers, embassies.

A Russian ballistic missile targeting the street of an ordinary city, striking residential buildings—and after that, an additional drone strike. One more person killed, more people wounded. Russia must be held accountable for everything it has done. There must be real pressure—without wasting time on empty talk—to finally end this war.

1123 4.6.2025

Today’s Russian attack included missiles launched from the waters of the Black Sea. Our partners know exactly which vessels were involved and from which part of the sea the launch occurred. This is one of the reasons why Russia is distorting diplomacy, why it is refusing to agree to an unconditional ceasefire: they want to preserve their ability to strike our cities and ports from the sea.

A ceasefire at sea is not just about free navigation and the export of food products — it is, above all, about overall security and bringing peace closer.

Putin does not want to end the war — he is looking for ways to preserve the option of reigniting it at any moment, with even greater force. That’s exactly why all forms of pressure on Russia must continue: strengthening our ability to defend ourselves, maintaining sanctions, and ensuring that diplomacy — any conversation with Moscow — leaves no opportunity to kill.

If there is a ceasefire, it must be unconditional — one that does not allow for the destruction of life. Ukraine has agreed to the United States’ proposal of a full, unconditional ceasefire. Putin is refusing. We are awaiting a response from the United States—none has come so far, and we also expect a response from all in Europe and around the world who truly want peace.

0533 4.7.2025

The primary and most effective guarantee of our security for Ukraine is our state’s Defense Forces and Security Forces, along with the appropriate motivation, supplies, and all necessary defense capabilities.

The Ukrainian army must be strong enough, and upon this foundation, the entire security architecture is built.

We must always remember how much depends on our army—on all Ukrainians who are defending the life of Ukraine with their own lives.