Ukrainian President Zelenskyy criticizes US reaction to the strike as inadequate because it didn’t mention Russia. US Ambassador Bridget Brink expresses shock over the assault close to a playground. A Russian ballistic missile resulted in 18 fatalities in Kryvyi Rih. The Ukrainian air defense systems managed to intercept 51 Russian drones.
These are the most recent updates regarding Russia's conflict with Ukraine as of Saturday, April 5, 2025:
Zelenskyy criticizes 'feeble' U.S. reaction to Russian attack
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has taken issue with the US embassy over their "feeble" statement which failed to hold Russia accountable for a missile attack on his home city.
On Friday night, one of the most devastating attacks in recent times occurred when a Russian missile hit a residential neighborhood close to a children’s playground in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih. This strike resulted in 18 fatalities, with nine among them being children. The assault continued with an onslaught from attack drones.
Seventy-two individuals sustained injuries, including 12 children, as stated by Dnipropetrovsk Governor Sergiy Lysak. Local authorities have announced a three-day period of mourning.
In an emotional statement on social media, Zelenskyy named each of the children killed in the attack, accusing the US embassy of avoiding referring to Russia as the aggressor.
Regrettably, the response from the American Embassy is disappointingly startling: despite being such a powerful nation with such resilient citizens, their reaction has been surprisingly feeble," Zelenskyy stated. "They seem hesitant even to utter the term 'Russian' when discussing the missile attack that claimed innocent young lives.
The President of Ukraine criticized a post made on X by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink on Friday night, stating: "Appalled that this evening a ballistic missile hit close to a playground and restaurant."
Brink, appointed by President Joe Biden before Trump, has served as ambassador since May 2022, and he emphasized that "this is why the conflict needs to be halted."
In reply, Zelenskyy stated: "Indeed, the conflict needs to cease. However, to achieve this, we should not shy away from calling things by their proper names."
He noted that the missile attack indicated Russia was not interested in halting its comprehensive invasion, which began in February 2022.
Russia has shown no interest in a ceasefire, and this is clear to us as well as the entire global community," he stated. "The missile hit a location close to residential areas, a play zone, and regular city streets.
Attack drones were subsequently deployed "precisely during the rescue mission," Zelenskyy stated. He further emphasized: "Individuals capable of such acts cannot be considered human."
The Russian defense ministry stated that they carried out a precise attack using a high-explosive missile on a restaurant in the city where leaders of units and Western trainers were gathered.
The Ukrainian Air Force has brought down 51 Russian drones.
The Ukrainian Air Force stated that their defenses successfully took out 51 Russian drones during a nighttime assault.
The air force stated that Russia launched 92 drones, with 31 reported as "destroyed."
The drones inflicted some destruction in and around Kyiv, Zhytomyir, Sumy, and Dnipro.
Russian missiles hit Zelenskyy's hometown, according to Ukrainian officials.
A Russian ballistic missile hit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's birthplace of Kryvyi Rih on Friday, according to local officials.
Oleksandr Vilkul, who leads Kryvyi Rih's military administration, reported that a missile hit close to a children’s play area within a neighborhood. The attack resulted in 18 fatalities, with nine being kids, along with 61 individuals sustaining injuries.
"The type of suffering described here is something you wouldn’t even inflict upon your greatest adversary," stated Sergiy Lysak, the governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, on Telegram.
Vilkul stated that the community would grieve for the victims.
"Days of mourning have been announced for April 7, 8, and 9 in Kryvyi Rih to honor those who were killed due to the terrorist attacks on our city carried out by the hostile nation," he stated.
"Children, families, elders... Assaults with ballistic missiles and shakedowns targeting residential zones and play areas... It’s essentially large-scale civilian slaughter,” he further stated.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that they had targeted a restaurant where leaders from military units and Western advisors were gathered. They also reported that their air defenses brought down 49 Ukrainian drones during the evening.
Welcome to our coverage
A Russian ballistic missile attack on President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown of Kryvyi Rih resulted in more than a dozen fatalities and over 60 people injured. Among those hurt were several children.
The missile strike took place on Friday in a residential zone and it ranked among the most lethal incidents in recent weeks.
Zelenskyy has stated that the continuous daily attacks on Ukraine demonstrate Russia’s reluctance to cease hostilities. The Ukrainian leader has called upon his allies to ramp up pressure on Moscow and enhance Ukraine’s aerial defense systems.