Zelensky Slams Russia for Black Sea Missile Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Russia launched ballistic missiles from the Black Sea, targeting multiple cities overnight, exposing Moscow’s disregard for a partial maritime ceasefire. In a fiery address, he accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of rejecting a full ceasefire proposed by President Trump, which Ukraine accepted, deepening the war’s toll on civilians.

The strikes hit Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Cherkasy regions with precision. Zelensky said this proves Russia’s intent to escalate rather than honor diplomatic agreements.

Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting some missiles, but damage to infrastructure was extensive. Residential areas and power grids bore the brunt, leaving thousands without electricity.

Zelensky emphasized that Trump’s unconditional ceasefire offer aimed to halt such attacks entirely. He noted Putin’s refusal keeps the conflict raging, now in its fourth year with no end in sight.

Russian forces used the Black Sea as a launchpad, a move Zelensky called a deliberate provocation. He urged allies to recognize Moscow’s violation of maritime peace efforts brokered by the U.S.

The Kremlin has not commented on the latest strikes, maintaining silence on ceasefire talks. Past patterns suggest Russia views such actions as leverage in negotiations with the West.

Ukraine’s acceptance of Trump’s plan included halting its own strikes on Russian energy targets. Zelensky argued this good-faith gesture has been met with bad faith from Putin’s regime.

Civilian casualties from the overnight barrage are still being tallied, with rescue teams on site. Hospitals in affected cities are overwhelmed, straining Ukraine’s wartime resources.

Trump’s administration has pushed for peace, but Russia’s actions undermine those efforts, Zelensky said. He called for tougher sanctions to force Moscow into compliance with a ceasefire.

The Black Sea, once a contested trade route, is now a flashpoint for Russia’s military defiance. Ukraine insists its ports remain vulnerable without a binding agreement from Putin.

NATO allies condemned the strikes, with some pledging more air defense systems for Ukraine. Zelensky welcomed the support but stressed it’s no substitute for a full Russian withdrawal.

The war’s human cost mounts daily, with Zelensky vowing Ukraine will not bend to terror. He warned that Putin’s rejection of peace risks a broader escalation across Europe.