---
title: "Ukrainian MFA sharply responds to remarks on Russian humanism after Kyiv strike"
description: "The Ukrainian MFA responded to the nighttime ballistic strike on Kyiv, stating it is the real \"humanism\" of Russia. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed that appeasing the aggressor does not work."
date: 2026-10-22T05:50:29.582Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainian-mfa-responds-to-russian-humanism-remarks
tags: [ukraine, mfa-ukraine, kyiv-strike, andrii-sybiha, steve-witkoff, russia-war]
author: "Andrey Kosynko"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukrainian MFA sharply responds to remarks on Russian humanism after Kyiv strike

![Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha delivering an official statement](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/22/mid-ukrainy-otvetil-na-slova-o-rossiyskom-gumanizme/mid-ukrainy-otvetil-na-slova-o-rossiyskom-gumanizme-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Nighttime ballistic attack on Kyiv targeted energy grids, hospitals, and residential areas
- Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the strikes a manifestation of true "Russian humanism"
- The Ukrainian minister stated that appeasing the aggressor will not stop the war
- The statement came amid remarks by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff regarding Putin

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has strongly reacted to the nighttime ballistic missile attack launched by Russian forces against Kyiv. Head of the Ukrainian foreign policy department Andrii Sybiha stated that last night the capital's residents experienced firsthand what the "humanism" of Moscow, as proclaimed by certain foreign figures, actually looks like, emphasizing the extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.

### Large-scale strikes on the capital's infrastructure

The nighttime shelling of the Ukrainian capital featured the use of dozens of ballistic missiles targeting key life-support facilities. Energy infrastructure, medical institutions, shopping malls, and densely populated residential areas of the city were hit. Authorities report a high intensity of the attack and significant damage to urban infrastructure that required urgent intervention by emergency services.

### MFA reaction to statements by foreign officials

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha sharply criticized any attempts at the diplomatic appeasement of the aggressor in his official statement. According to him, trying to placate the Kremlin leadership, showing eagerness, or offering flattery cannot stop hostilities. The Ukrainian minister is convinced that only real power can stop the war and achieve a fair settlement.

### Context of statements and diplomatic resonance

The trigger for such sharp rhetoric from the Ukrainian side was a recent statement by US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Earlier, during a meeting in St. Petersburg on October 21, 2026, the American diplomat referred to the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, as a "humanist," which caused widespread resonance and sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials.

### Significance of the incident for future developments

This incident demonstrates a deep divide in assessments of the situation between Western diplomats and the Ukrainian leadership, which insists on the unacceptability of compromises with the aggressor. Such statements by foreign envoys, combined with massive missile strikes on peaceful cities, only reinforce Kyiv's position on the need to increase military support and abandon illusions regarding peace talks on Moscow's terms.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- ["Так звучит российский гуманизм": МИД отреагировал на баллистическую атаку по Киеву](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/tak-zvuchit-rosiyskiy-gumanizm-mzs-vidreaguvalo-1792648014.html) - Primary source confirms the statement by the Ukrainian MFA and details of the nighttime ballistic missile attack on Kyiv.

## FAQ

### How did the Ukrainian MFA react to the nighttime strike on Kyiv?

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that the nighttime shelling with dozens of ballistic missiles reveals the true face of Russian "humanism".

### What facilities were damaged as a result of the missile attack?

Energy facilities, medical institutions, shopping malls, and residential neighborhoods of the Ukrainian capital were hit.

### Whose words triggered the sharp reaction from the MFA?

The trigger was remarks by US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who called the head of the Kremlin a "humanist" during a meeting in St. Petersburg.