Zelenskiy Slams US Over Deadly Russian Strikes on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized the United States for its reluctance to provide additional military support after Russian airstrikes killed dozens of civilians across Ukraine, intensifying tensions over Washington's diplomatic approach to the war.

Zelenskiy said Russian attacks killed 78 people and injured 215 others over two days, including at least 35 deaths in the eastern city of Kramatorsk on Thursday.

A Russian strike hit two passenger buses in Kramatorsk, killing civilians and injuring 20 people. A subsequent drone attack killed two more residents, bringing the city's reported death toll to 35.

The violence followed a massive Russian missile and drone assault on Wednesday that killed dozens nationwide, including 22 people inside a residential building in Pryluky, approximately 130 kilometers east of Kyiv.

Speaking in Pryluky, Zelenskiy urged Washington to expand Ukraine's access to the Starlink satellite network to strengthen its ability to target Russian ballistic missile launchers and defend Ukrainian airspace.

The Ukrainian leader accused the US of prioritizing potential economic cooperation with Moscow while describing peace negotiations as stalled.

His criticism followed remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who characterized the Russia-Ukraine war as a stalemate and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to pursuing a negotiated settlement.

Zelenskiy also questioned reported discussions involving senior American and Russian officials, including US Special Envoy Jared Kushner, about potential US investment in the Nord Stream gas pipelines.

Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to visit the United States on Friday and Saturday for discussions covering peace efforts, military assistance and urgently needed air defense systems.

Zelenskiy said European representatives were expected to participate and called on President Donald Trump to impose stronger sanctions against Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian strikes on Kyiv killed four people and wounded 19 others, disrupting electricity and water supplies across parts of the capital.

Additional attacks killed two people in Dnipropetrovsk and another in Ivano-Frankivsk.

Regional governor Vadym Filashkin accused Russian forces of deliberately attacking civilians, while Moscow continued denying that its military targets civilian populations.

Russia has intensified strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure, including energy facilities and data centers, ahead of winter.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine was responding with similar attacks against Russian data infrastructure, signaling further escalation as diplomatic efforts struggle to produce progress.