Massive shelling of Ukraine triggered a strong reaction from Europe
European politicians and government officials reacted to the massive Russian shelling of Ukraine on the night of 9 January. In several countries, officials described Russia’s actions as war crimes and called for increased pressure on the Kremlin. In particular, this concerns the possible use of the medium-range ballistic missile “Oreshnik”.
President of Moldova Maia Sandu publicly condemned Russia’s actions on the social network X, stating that such strikes are an attempt to intimidate not only Ukraine, but also its partners. “This terrorist act aims to intimidate Ukraine and its partners. This war is approaching Europe and poses a danger to us all,” Sandu wrote, expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
A harsh assessment of the Russian attack was also voiced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. In a statement published on X, the ministry described Russia’s actions as blatant barbarism and deliberate war crimes against the civilian population. “In one night, missiles crashed into residential areas and critical infrastructure, plunging millions of people into darkness, cold and fear in the middle of winter. This is a calculated mass terror against an entire nation,” the statement said.
Latvia’s Foreign Ministry stressed that no Russian propaganda can conceal the real crimes committed by the Kremlin. “Russia’s lies cannot hide its crimes. There can be no excuses, no neutrality. Only maximum pressure on the aggressor and unwavering support for Ukraine,” the ministry stated.
Lithuania’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Inga Stanitė-Toloczkienė, following the night-time Russian attack, urged Ukraine’s partners to act immediately and not postpone decisions until a hypothetical ceasefire. “The escalation of terror is Putin’s response to peace proposals. He does not want Ukraine’s success; he wants the destruction of the country and its sovereignty,” the diplomat wrote on X.
She emphasised that allies must focus on Ukraine’s needs right now. “We must focus on meeting Ukraine’s needs now, not after a ceasefire. This is exactly the moment that requires increased pressure on Russia,” Stanitė-Toloczkienė noted.
Poland’s Chargé d’Affaires in Ukraine, Piotr Łukasiewicz, described the night-time shelling of Kyiv and Lviv as a hysterical reaction by the Kremlin to a series of failures.
According to him, based on information from Lviv, Russian forces may have used a missile of an unknown type, likely a multiple-warhead medium-range ballistic missile. “This is nothing more than a hysterical reaction to a series of recent Russian failures: announcements of new US and European sanctions, the seizure of illegal vessels, the formation of a European coalition, and the finalisation by allies of agreements guaranteeing security in the region and peace,” the diplomat said in a statement published by the Embassy of Poland in Ukraine.
Łukasiewicz also noted that the lack of success on the battlefield only increases the Kremlin’s irritation. “It is telling that almost exclusively civilian objects are being hit. Barbarians,” he emphasised.
As a reminder, during the night Russia carried out massive strikes on Ukraine’s civilian and critical infrastructure. The capital suffered the most as a result of the shelling.
Russian troops also attacked Cherkasy region and the Novoukrainskyi district of Kirovohrad region with strike drones during the night. As a result of falling debris, residential buildings and outbuildings were damaged.
Ukraine is initiating an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council in connection with Russia’s ballistic missile attack using an “Oreshnik” missile on Lviv region.
