Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly voiced his frustration over what he described as a “weak” and disappointing response from the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine following a deadly missile strike that claimed 18 lives — including nine children — in his hometown, Kryvyi Rih.
The attack, which occurred on Friday evening, saw a Russian ballistic missile slam into a residential neighborhood, injuring at least 62 people. While the tragedy sent shockwaves through Ukraine, it was the muted diplomatic response from the U.S. that left Zelensky disheartened.
Taking to social media, Zelensky didn’t mince words:
“The reaction of the U.S. Embassy is unpleasantly surprising. Such a strong country, such strong people — and such a weak reaction,” he wrote.
“They are even afraid to say the word ‘Russian’ when talking about the missile that killed the children.”
The U.S. Embassy had acknowledged the missile strike in a statement from Ambassador Bridget Brink, expressing sorrow but stopping short of directly attributing the attack to Russia.
“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,” Brink wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The lack of direct attribution sparked a wave of criticism online, with many users accusing the U.S. of downplaying Russia’s responsibility. Notably, Brink has avoided explicitly naming Russia in recent weeks — a shift from earlier messaging — ever since a tense exchange between Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oval Office in mid-February.
Trump, who is pushing for a partial ceasefire while exploring a diplomatic reset with Moscow, has influenced the tone of American engagement with the war, creating visible discomfort in Kyiv.
For Zelensky, however, the message is clear: accountability matters — especially when children’s lives are lost.
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