Emergency response efforts have been ongoing since last night to deal with the aftermath of the Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia. The city was struck with North Korean ballistic missiles, Zircons, and guided aerial bombs. It was a vicious attack, calculated to inflict maximum damage specifically on civilian infrastructure. Unfortunately, as of now, six people have been reported killed and nineteen wounded in the city. My condolences to their families and loved ones. First responders are continuing to extinguish a fire at one of the impact sites.

In Kyiv, a missile strike damaged an infectious diseases hospital building and businesses. Drone terror continues virtually every day in our frontline communities. In Kherson and Kharkiv, substations were hit overnight, causing power outages. All services are working to restore power to families. The Donetsk, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv regions also came under attack. In addition to missiles, more than 120 drones were used against Ukraine, most of them jet-powered “shaheds.”

Every step Russia takes – increasing ballistic missile production, bringing in North Korean equipment, preparing for mobilization – all of this shows that Moscow is preparing not for peace, but for escalation. And the world needs to respond now, not wait. More sanctions pressure specifically on enterprises that fuel Russia’s war, more air defense assistance for Ukraine – all of this is needed to give peace a chance. I am grateful to everyone who is helping.