The night attack by Russian forces on Ukraine, which took place on June 15, turned out to be not just a military operation but also a political gesture linked to the birthday of US President Donald Trump. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who visited damaged sites in Kyiv on that day.

"Absolutely Cynical": Kyiv's Position

The head of the Ukrainian state, while on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which sustained damage during the night shelling, called the actions of the Russian leadership cynical. According to Zelensky, Vladimir Putin first sent a congratulatory message to Donald Trump and immediately after that authorized a massive strike on Ukrainian territory.

"As always, he absolutely cynically congratulated the US President and then absolutely cynically launched a massive strike on Ukraine; I think this is not a coincidence," emphasized the Ukrainian leader.

Zelensky added that the preparation for this attack lasted several days. The Russian side not only accumulated missile systems but also specifically waited for the moment to avoid conducting the strike before the official birthday greeting to the American leader.

Scale of the Attack and Destruction

On the night of June 15, Russia fired an unprecedented number of munitions at Ukraine: 70 missiles and 611 drones. The main direction of the strike was Kyiv, while Dnipro and Kharkiv were also hit. According to Zelensky, more than 60 missiles were aimed specifically at the capital.

The consequences of the attack were tragic: at least five people were killed in Kyiv, and more than 30 were injured. Numerous damages to infrastructure and cultural heritage sites were recorded in the city.

Destruction of Historical and Logistical Objects

Among the damaged sites were locations of significant historical and economic importance:

  • Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra: After the strike, a fire broke out on the territory of the ancient monastery, causing damage to a World Heritage site.
  • Logistics: The largest and most modern sorting terminal of "Nova Poshta" was destroyed, dealing a blow to the country's logistics system.
  • Culture and Art: The Dovzhenko Film Studio was attacked, where a unique collection of costumes was destroyed. Additionally, the National Cultural and Art Museum Complex "Mystetskyi Arsenal" sustained damage, where a large-scale fire erupted.

Yuriy Ignat, a representative of the Ukrainian Air Force, noted that the current attack largely resembled the massive shelling on June 2, but had its key differences in tactics and target selection.

Reactions from Both Sides

The Russian Ministry of Defense traditionally reported on strikes against "military targets," without commenting on damage to civilian and cultural objects. Meanwhile, in Kyiv, where Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko was present at the scene of the incident along with President Zelensky, extensive damage and human casualties are being recorded.

The events unfolded against the backdrop of the celebration of Donald Trump's 80th birthday. Yesterday, on June 14, the former US President officially became the oldest sitting leader in the history of the United States, which, according to Kyiv, became the trigger for the Russian side's choice of timing for the strike.