Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned a Russian missile strike that he said destroyed a family home in the village of Radushne near Kryvyi Rih, leaving multiple members of the same household dead or missing.
He used the incident to renew calls for additional air defense systems, arguing that stronger missile defenses are essential to protecting civilians from continued ballistic attacks.
Family Home Destroyed in Missile Strike
According to Zelenskyy, the attack targeted the home of the Voronov family in Ukraine’s Dnipro region.
He said the household included parents Olena and Artem, their seven children, and a one-and-a-half-year-old grandson whose father is currently serving in Ukraine’s armed forces.
The president stated that the ballistic missile completely destroyed the residence, leaving extensive devastation at the scene.
Several Family Members Confirmed Dead
Zelenskyy said authorities have confirmed the deaths of the parents and three of their children—identified as Mark, Azarii Ilai, and Emilia.
He added that the force of the explosion left the building almost entirely obliterated, with forensic specialists working to identify human remains recovered from beneath the rubble.
According to the president, the fate of several other family members remained unknown as rescue and identification efforts continued.
Ukraine Calls Attack a War Crime
The Ukrainian leader described the strike as a grave crime committed against civilians, saying the victims were ordinary people living ordinary lives.
He argued that attacks on residential areas underscore the humanitarian impact of the war and demonstrate the continued danger posed by Russia‘s ballistic missile campaign.
Renewed Appeal for Patriot Interceptors
Using the incident as an example, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s request for additional interceptor missiles and advanced air defense systems from international partners.
He said requests for Patriot missile interceptors and other defensive capabilities are directly tied to protecting civilian lives, emphasizing that stronger air defenses could prevent similar tragedies in the future.
International Partners Urged to Act
Zelenskyy called on governments, including the United States and European allies, to accelerate decisions on military assistance, arguing that the availability of air defense missiles can determine whether civilians survive future attacks.
He concluded by honoring those killed in Russian strikes and expressing gratitude to countries continuing to support Ukraine’s defense efforts.
The claims were made by Ukrainian authorities and have not been independently verified.
Russia has consistently denied intentionally targeting civilians, although civilian casualties have been reported throughout the conflict by multiple independent organizations.
