US officials won't admit that their beloved Russia murders Ukrainian children

 From GMA / Yahoo!News:

 "US response to Russian ballistic missile strike 'weak,' Zelenskyy says

DAVID BRENNAN, April 5, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for "sufficient pressure on Russia" after a day of missile and drone strikes that killed at least 23 people and as Kirill Dmitriev -- the CEO of Russia's Direct Investment Fund and an envoy of President Vladimir Putin -- met with officials in the U.S.

Eighteen people were killed -- among them nine children -- in a Russian ballistic missile attack on the central city of Kryvyi Rih on Friday, Oleksandr Vilkul -- the head of the local defense council -- said in a post on Telegram. Another 56 people were injured in the strike, Vilkul said.

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink wrote in a post to X, "Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant in Kryvyi Rih. More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end."

Zelenskyy said in a Saturday morning post to Telegram that the American reaction was inadequate.

"Unfortunately, the reaction of the American Embassy is unpleasantly surprising: such a strong country, such strong people - and such a weak reaction," he said. "They are even afraid to say the word 'Russian' when talking about the missile that killed children."

Russia's Defense Ministry said the strike targeted a meeting of Ukrainian commanders and "Western instructors" at a restaurant in the city. Ukrainian officials disputed the Russian justification.

Zelenskyy said in a statement on Friday evening that the strike in Kryvyi Rih -- his home town -- hit "an area near residential buildings: hitting a playground and regular streets," describing those responsible for the attack as "inhuman."...

"Yes, the war must end," Zelenskyy wrote in his Saturday morning statement. "But in order to end it, we must not be afraid to call a spade a spade. We must not be afraid to put pressure on the only one who continues this war and ignores all the world's proposals to end it."

"We must put pressure on Russia, which chooses to kill children instead of a ceasefire. We must introduce additional sanctions against those who cannot exist without ballistic strikes on neighboring people. We must do everything possible to save lives."...

Both Ukraine and Russia have accused the other of continuing strikes on energy facilities despite the U.S.-brokered partial ceasefire that all parties said they agreed to last month...

Zelenskyy on Friday again accused Russia of violating the terms of the deal.

"These strikes cannot be accidental," the president said. "The Russians know exactly that these are energy facilities and that such facilities should be protected from any attacks under what Russia itself promised to the American side."

"Every Russian promise ends with missiles or drones, bombs or artillery," he continued..."

The photos below (18+) are from Ukrainian sources, documenting the scene of the carnage in Kryvyi Rih.

 

 Update - more from the CNN:

 "Addressing the nation later on Saturday, Zelensky said that it was “wrong and dangerous to keep silent about the fact that it is Russia that is killing children with ballistic (missiles).”

“It only incites the scumbags in Moscow to continue the war and further ignore diplomacy. Weakness has never ended a war. That is why I am grateful to every country whose representatives have spoken out: leaders, foreign ministers, embassies,” he said.

Several European officials condemned Russia for the strike.

British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris wrote on X: “While Ukraine pursues peace, Russia is striking civilians far from the frontline. Today’s ballistic missile attack on Kryvyi Rih shows it has no intention to stop the war.”

The German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jaeger wrote “Russia is the aggressor” while reposting information about the strike on X."...

Ukrainian and European leaders have made clear they believe Putin is stalling, believing time is on his side, while Trump and his envoy Steve Witkoff – who has met Putin twice this year – have insisted Putin does want a peace deal."