In New York, representatives from 51 countries convened to urge Russia to cease its aggressive actions. Meanwhile, Kyiv faced a barrage of missiles and drones as the Russian assault on the Ukrainian capital intensified, resulting in fatalities and numerous injuries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to defy international calls for peace. On September 23, Kyiv was subjected to ten air raid alerts. The city endured drone attacks throughout the day, starting overnight, with one of its central districts targeted by Russian forces. Civilian areas, including a market, supermarket, and business center, were hit, injuring dozens.

Warnings of a significant Russian strike on Kyiv that night were confirmed when, at 12:55 a.m. on September 24, air raid sirens signaled a missile threat. By morning, Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting 227 aerial targets, including ballistic missiles and various drones. Russian strikes affected 13 locations, with debris from intercepted targets impacting 10 areas.

Despite missile interceptions, Russia continued its drone attacks, with air raid alerts persisting from 3 a.m. until noon. The attacks resulted in fatalities and injuries, damaging a maternity hospital, medical clinic, residential buildings, and critical infrastructure like gas stations and energy facilities.

This escalation coincided with the UN General Assembly in New York, attended by global leaders such as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. On September 23, prior to a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine, 51 UN member states, including Ukraine and several Western nations, issued a joint statement urging a ceasefire, recalling Ukraine’s commitment to a ceasefire in March 2025.

On September 22, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with Trump in New York, expressing hopes that the U.S. would propose an energy ceasefire to Moscow. Russia, however, responded with further attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Ukraine continues to advocate for negotiations to end the conflict, emphasizing the need to save lives. Global leaders, including Trump, have echoed these calls. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, also in New York, stated that Russia intends to continue its “special military operation,” focusing on the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Zelenskyy warns that Putin’s ambitions extend beyond these regions to cities like Odesa, Kharkiv, and Dnipro. He stresses the importance of international support, particularly in bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses. On September 24, Ukraine’s Air Force achieved a 60% interception rate, highlighting the need for more interceptor missiles.

The international community must recognize that genuine negotiations with the Kremlin will only occur under maximum pressure. Maintaining sanctions and targeting Russia’s oil infrastructure are crucial strategies to compel Russia towards peace.

Pour en savoir plus united24media.com