U.S. and Europe condemn devastating Russian strike that killed 22 in Pryluky

The White House told Voice of America that U.S. President Donald Trump “wants this war resolved and the senseless killings to stop” adding that Washington continues to communicate with both sides to end the fighting.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys condemned the strike, stating, “The Kremlin’s criminals decided to deliver a ‘birthday gift’ to Putin: a massive attack on Ukraine targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.” 

Budrys called on allies to increase support for Ukraine by sending more air defense systems and long-range weapons, while maintaining military aid, financial assistance, and sanctions pressure on Russia.

“When we talk about possible peace negotiations, this is what we must keep in mind: Russia is a terrorist state that does not abide by international law, or indeed any law at all,” Budrys wrote. “Its claims about a willingness to end the war are nothing more than empty words that bear no relation to its actions on the ground.”

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova also reacted to the strike, noting on social media that air raid sirens were still wailing across the capital as she reported on the attack.

“Putin gave himself a present for his 74th birthday. A massive attack on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine,” the Ambassador wrote. 

Russian missile strike on Pryluky

Russia launched a massive combined strike on Ukraine overnight on October 7 using ballistic missiles, nearly 50 cruise missiles, and 130 drones. A Russian X-101 cruise missile directly hit a five-story apartment building in Pryluky, Chernihiv Oblast, partially destroying the structure.

The direct strike killed a total of 22 people, including three 1-year-old boys and an 8-year-old boy.

In addition to residential areas, the strike hit a local business while a second Russian missile struck directly in front of a children's community center. The attack damaged 15 apartment buildings and 16 private homes across the city, rupturing a medium-pressure gas pipeline and leaving more than 18,000 residents without gas.

Local officials announced three days of mourning in Pryluky from October 7-9.